TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 34

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Annex A to COS 1252/5/4/68

UNACCOMPANIED TOURS IN HONG KONG

NOTE BY THE ARMY DEPARTMENT

INTRODUCTION

1.

CINCFE has recommended(1) that all combat units in the Hong Kong Garrison except the battalion on the island should be on an unaccompanied basis, to be achieved in the course of normal reliefs. The Governor endorses CINCFE's proposal(2) and considers that there should be no delay in gradually introducing unaccompanied service in Hong Kong(3). To this end he agreed with CBF's request(4) that the first unaccompanied relief should be that of 1 WELCH in June 1968: but this request was refused(5). This paper is concerned with the broader aspects of CINCFE's proposal.

2.

AIM

The aim of this paper is to examine whether or not the bulk of the Hong Kong Garrison should remain accompanied or should gradually change to unaccompanied tours.

POLITICAL FACTORS

Governor's Views

3.

The Governor considers that wholesale evacuation of service families in the face of a worsening situation would be unacceptable in view of the disastrous effect it would have in undermining public confidence in the Colony. He is therefore prepared to support the proposal to start a gradual withdrawal of families às soon as possible. Both the Commonwealth Office and the Governor consider that a gradual withdrawal of service families and the introduction of unaccompanied service would not adversely affect the morale of the Colony.

Foreign Office View

4. The Foreign Office consider that the Chinese would not take a gradual change to unaccompanied service as a sign of

In our view, weakness, provided it was suitably presented. however, it would not be possible to devise an explanation of the change which would both convince the servicemen and their

No service families and maintain confidence within the Colony. families were evacuated from the Colony even at the height of the recent disturbances: and we shall establish later in this paper the arguments which favour continuing accompanied tours for the whole garrison.

Notes:

1.

2.

3.

4.

SEACOS 153 (1967)

52 ते

HONG KONG telegram 1705

SEACOS 178 (1967)

FARELF KNT 3006532 Oct 67

63

6JA,

5. MOD(Army) KNT 1511142 Dec 67

1

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1

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