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ANNEX A TO DOP 4/68 (Final)
Continued
Final Force Levels
13. The principal factors which would affect the final force levels in the period October-December 1971 would be that:
14.
a.
Any likelihood of an external air or naval threat would make it prudent to plan on a CVA being available to cover the final withdrawal. The provision of United Kingdom air defence forces would depend on the capabilities of Commonwealth forces in Malaysia/Singapore.
b. The IS situation in Singapore would dictate the timing of the withdrawal of the last Gurkha battalion to Hong Kong.
The operational units which would remain until our final withdrawal would be:
a.
b.
c.
Hong Kong
Royal Navy
One commando ship
One assault ship
One cruiser
Escorts.
Army
3 Commando Brigade
One armoured car squadron.
Royal Air Force
Eight long range maritime patrol aircraft Some helicopters
Air Transport Support aircraft.
15. CINCFE and the Commander Far East Land Forces would relinquish all responsibility for Hong Kong by 31st March 1970.
Brunei
16.
The plan assumes that the withdrawal from Brunei would be completed in 1970.
Beira Patrol and Gulf Frigates
17. The plan assumes that the responsibility for the Beira patrol would pass to the Western Fleet in late 1970 and that the Gulf frigates would become part of the Far East Fleet in mid- 1969, after which frigates would be detached for service in the Gulf from the Far East Fleet.
Accompanied Tours
18.
No new accompanied tours would begin after July 1970 and by September 1971 all dependants of United Kingdom based personnel would have left the Command. The retention of families would necessarily delay the winding up of the substantial administrative support provided for them.
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