TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 111

SECRET

UK EYES ONLY

ANNEX A to DP 9/68 Final)(Continued

battalions to bring the total strength up to 10 major units should be held at a scale which would enable them to take part in either internal security operations or operations on the border. The Royal Air Force will need to pre-stock limited items of ground equipment and explosives for use by deployed

Phantom aircraft.

36. War Maintenance Reserves. (WMR). At present war maintenance reserves are held for the authorised garrison (63 major units) plus an armoured squadron for 10 days at sustained rates. It is intended that the tanks and other equipment for the armoured squadron pre-stocked in the Colony will be withdrawn when the

resident armoured car squadron is oquipped with Swingfire. [For

planning purposes, the ultimate WMR should be based on a permanent

garrison of 71⁄2 major units]

COMMAND ARRANGEMENTS

[Sme sudolilition]

37.

The Hong Kong garrison will become an independent command on 1st April 1970. However, it is the Commander-in-Chiefs Far East's recommendation (16) that, as long as Commander Far East Flect and Commander Far East Air Force remain in Singapore, they would continue to exercise single service responsibility for naval and air forces in Hong Kong in support of Commander British Forces. Towards the end of 1971, all forces in the Hong Kong operational area will come under the operational command of the

Commander British Forces who will delegate operational control to his single service commanders as applicable.

Operational

38. At the same time the naval and air forces in Hong Kong will cease to be administered from Singapore and this responsibility would then be undertaken from the United Kingdom. control will have to be exercised locally. A small RÁF

operations staff may have to be established at the Headquarters of Commander British Forces Hong Kong.

39. The re-establishment of a resident naval and air presence in Hong Kong offers an opportunity to review the command organisation in the Colony for the period after 1971.

Note:

16. SEACOS 153 (1967)

SECRET

A

· 12

UK EYES ONLY