TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 198

UK EYES ONLY

TOP SECRET ANNEX A to DP 9/68(C)

(Preliminary Draft) (Continued)

at will, and to make them deploy and carry out co-ordinated

military attacks.

8. The most recent examination (6) of forces required for the

garrison was made in 1966, before the recent emergency in the

colony. We then concluded that the permanent Army garrison re-

quired was 6 major units, of which two battalions should be

British. In reaching this conclusion it was agreed that four

battalions were needed to be available for simultaneous deployment

in support of internal security operations, together with one

battalion, supported by an armoured car squadron and a light regi-

ment Royal Artillery, for control of the border, and one battalion

in reserve. In assessing the size of this force we assumed the re-

tention of a future reinforcement capability of at least one

battalion from Far East Command.

9. The Defence and Oversea Policy Committee reviewed the strength

of the Hong Kong Garrison on the 19th December 1966 and decided (7)

that the permanent garrison should be reduced by one major unit.

However, on the 5th September 1967, the Committee agreed (8) that,

in the light of the internal security situation which had arisen

since their initial examination, it would be dangerous if the

plans for reducing the garrison in the Spring of 1968 were to

become known. The Committee further agreed that work on these

plans should be suspended for the time being, although long term

plans to that end should remain in force.

10.

Following our meeting (9) with the Governor, Hong Kong, in

June 1967, and in the light of a signal (10) from the Commander-in-

Chief Far East, stating a requirement, in the light of experience,

for an extra battalion to control the situation on the border, we

agreed, as a temporary measure, to reinforce the garrison with one

battalion, which was agreed by Political Departments. This brought

the total strength of the garrison to 7 major units, which has

since remained unchanged.

Notes:

6.

7

COS 119/66

•

OPD (66) 49th Mtg

OPD (67) 29th Mtg

9. 10.

SECRET

TOP SECRET

UK EYES ONLY

Cus 53rd Mtg/67

CINCTE 27/0907 Z June 1967

855286