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Directors Draft) Continued
to Hong Kong within a further 48 hours using the Westabout route,
or within 36 hours using the CENTO route.
25. The movement of a further three battalions, whilst dependent
upon the same availability of air routes, diplomatic clearance
and no simultaneous major air transport operations, is less
dependent on the warning period. A second battalion, providing it
is brought to 24 hours notice when the decision is made to despatch
the first battalion, could follow up and arrive in Hong Kong
within a further 48 hours Westabout, or 36 hours using the CENTO
route.
Should it be necessary to continue the reinforcement build-
up to a total of four battalions, the additional two battalions would
be despatched as circumstances required, and could be deployed
within 8 days Testabout or 7 days using the CENTO route from the
time of first take off. The pre-stocking of unit equipment in
Hong Kong is a pre-requisite for reinforcement within these timings.
26. Thus, in theory, the immediate reserve battalion could be
provided from the United Kingdom if all the above conditions can
be met, and assuming sufficient warning of a deteriorating situation
is received. However, we are conscious of the rapidity with which
an internal security situation in the colony has developed in the
past and could do so again in the future.
authority by the Governor in the deployment of Security forces is a
major factor in preventing the expansion and exploitation of such
incidents. With the police force barely able to keep pace with
increased responsibilities arising from the growth and redistribution
Prompt exercise of
of the population fhe timely arrival of reinforcements will become
even more important.
27. It would be imprudent to assume now that we will be able, in
some three or four years hence, to rely on all the above factors
emerging in our favour and enabling us to guarantee to deploy
the immediate reserve battalion in time. For these reasons
we must plan for the permanent army garrison to consist ultim-- ately of 72/3 major units - it would be irresponsible to accept
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