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ANNEX A to DP 9/68(C) (Preliminary Draft) (Continued)
during our planned withdrawals, the Commander-in-Chief,Far East
may have to relinquish his responsibility for the reinforcement
of Hong Kong before this date. We have already authorised (14)
the Commander-in-Chief, as an interim measure, to produce a plan
in consultation with CICC(West) for the reinforcement of Hong Kong
with two infantry battalions and a reduced brigade headquarters.
Up to September 1971 this force, together with two reinforcing
battalions/commandos from Far East Command, would meet the maximum
stated requirement (11) of reinforcing the Hong Kong Garrison with
up to four battalions. Thereafter the four battalions would have
to come from the United Kingdom.
22.
Movement of Reinforcements
Providing sufficient warning
had been received of a likely deterioration in the internal
security situation in the colony, the first reinforcing battalion
could be brought to 24 hours notice to move and would be deployed
from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong within 48 hours thereafter,
depending on the air route and the type of aircraft used. The
movement of a further three battalions, once brought to 24 hours
notice, would take approximately 8 days to complete, again
depending on route and type of aircraft used. Such movement
timings are based on PUE having been positioned in the colony for
reinforcing units.
Royal Air Force
23. After the withdrawal of the Royal Air Force from Malaysia
and Singapore, it will no longer be possible to deploy aircraft
to Hong Kong except from those forces based in Europe and in
the Mediterranean arca. Similarly, in the absence of any
permanent local facilities, support for any resident and/or
reinforcement forces will also need to come from the same sources.
Notes:
11.
CINCFE 2944/6090/16 dated 21 July 1967 14. COSSEA 79 (1967)
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