TNAG-0059-FCO40-95-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 29

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

SECRET

Major-Gereread J.M. Mc Neill, co

63 of 90 copies

Copy No

Ministry of Defence

COS 1068/30/1/68

Hoo.

Chief of the Defence Staff Chief of the Naval Staff Chief of the General Staff Chief of the Air Staff

Copy to:

Defence

30th January 1968

RK

Mr. Campbell.

(Defence Dept.

C.301)

Mr R.. Sykes, Foreign Office Major-General J.M. McNeill,

Commonwealth Office

PS/S of S

Sec JIC

SCDS (XPS)

DUS (P)

DUS (PL)

RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No. 56

31 JAN wi

AUS (P & B)

AUS (Pol)

DS 1

DS 11

DS 22

COS Restricted List

REC

ED IN

No. 63

-6FEB 1968

1.

RAF HELICOPTERS FOR HONG KONG

During the recent disturbances in the Colony, the Commander-in-Chief, Far East deployed six RAF helicopters to Hong Kong as an emergency measure. It was later agreed that these aircraft should be retained in Hong Kong until early January 1968 (1) when a decision would be made as to their future.

2.

The Commander-in-Chief, Far East, in consultation with the Governor and Commander British Forces Hong Kong, has now recommended (2) that the six helicopters should be permanently established at Hong Kong. Because this will reduce the existing helicopter force in Singapore from 20 to 14, the Commander-in-Chief also recommended (2) that the six RAF Whirlwind helicopters, recently returned from detachment to Kuching but due to be redeployed to the United Kingdom after 31st March 1968, should be retained in the Far East Theatre until at least the end of 1968.

3. The Commander-in-Chief, Far East has been informed (3) that endorsement by Ministers will be sought for his first proposal but that the retention of the ex-Kuching helicopters in the Far East Theatre will require a strong case, which he has been asked to submit.

4. I attach at Annex A a paper by the Air Force Department and at Annex B a draft submission to the Secretary of State. You are requested to inform me of your agreement to, or comments on the paper by the Air Force Department and the draft submission by noon on Wednesday 7th February 1968.

A.

Annexes:

B•

Notes:

J. H. Gibbon Major-General

Secretary

×7.6144.

Chiefs of Staff Committee

Note by the Air Force Department. (2 pages) Draft submission to the Secretary of State. (2 pages)

1. SEACOS 153/67.

2.

SEACOS 3.

3.

COSSEA 11.

ISZA

Page 1 of 5 pages

SECRET

дуй Нали трачно, ич

Support the attached faper.

ARG.

6.2.

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