Army
a.
70.
Two frigates.
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ANNEX A to DP 9/68(C) (Preliminary Draft
Continued
One as guardship, one as reserve.
Five MCM vessels. Two at operational readiness for
patrol;
C.
ã•
two as reinforcement; one undergoing maintenance.
One small tanker/stores ship.
HMS TAMAR. Small increase in base facilities
amounting to about personnel.
29. Since we last reviewed the strength of the garrison (6)
there have been two major developments. First, the decision
of the Defence and Oversea Policy Committee, taken before the onset of the recent emergency, to reduce the garrison from 6 to 5 major units. Second, the re-appraisal (11) by the Commander-
in-Chief of his concept of operations in the light of the
experience of the recent troubles in Hong Kong.
His recommendation
included a need for an additional battalion on the border,
and,
in
the event of a simultaneous deterioration in both the internal
and external situations in the colony there might
be a requirement to reinforce the colony by up to 4 battalions,
thereby making a total garrison force of 10 major units.
30. Until the acceleration of the withdrawal plan from the Far
Last we had the ability, up to the mid seventies, to reinforce the Hong Kong Garrison by two commandos from within the theatre, at
From September very short notice, by using the Commando Brigade.
1971 we shall no longer have this capability, and we will be dependent on the situation developing slowly enough to enable reinforcing units to be moved from the United Kingdom in time. 31. We had previously accepted (12) that when it was no longer
possible to reinforce the garris on by an infantry battalion from within the theatre (within 72 hours, including warning time),
Notes:
·
i 12.
COS 119/66
CINCFE 2944/6090/16 dated 21 July 1967
CA to C03 75th Mtg dated 24 October 1967
A
11
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