TNAG-0059-FCO40-95-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 98

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DP Note 27/67(A

(Flimsy Draft) (Continued)

from the Gurkha rundown and consequential moves, training commit-

ments, and the possibility of the Commando Brigade being committed

to operations off Aden until July 1968.

8.

Commander Far East Land Force's recommendation, supported by

the Commander-in-Chief, is that, if necessary, the dates of

jungle training of one of the United Kingdom battalions could be

adjusted to permit the unit to do a short unaccompanied tour in

Hong Kong at the conclusion of the training period.

However, it

alternatively,

is unlikely that agreement could be reached to a United Kingdom

battalion taking part in the roulement in view of a CICC(W)

exercise in 1968, through which it will not be possible for the

Royal Air Force to adjust the programmed flying dates;

air charter would cost about £75,000. On the other hand, the

Foreign Office have advised that their best estimate as to the

duration of the Commando commitment off Aden is only 4 to 6 weeks

after the date of final withdrawal. In this event, some of the

difficulties of roulement in 1968 might be alleviated.

ARMY LONG TERM PLANNING ISSUES

Strength of Garrison in 1970

9. By the 1st April 1970, the rundown of the combat forces in

Malaysia and Singapore will have been completed.

The Commander-

in-Chief states that Far East Command will no longer have battalions

available either for roulement or for rapid reinforcement unless

He

a Commando is kept permanently available for this task.

recommends that from 1970 onwards the Garrison should be permanently

raised to a strength of 73 major units by rotating an unaccompanied

battalion from the United Kingdom on a six to nine month tour.

10.

The last examination of the minimum forces required for the

garrison was made in 1966, when you concluded (8) that the forces

required were 63 major units. No examination has yet taken place which takes into account the latest JIC assessment (9) of

Notes:

8. 9.

COS 119/66 JIC(67)51

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- 3.

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