TNAG-0060-FCO40-96-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 54

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ANNEX A TO COS 23/68 (Continued

Two at operational readiness for

one undergoing maintenance.

b. Five MCM vessels.

patrol;

two as reinforcement;

One small tanker.

21.

d. HMS TAMAR.

Small increase in base facilities.

It might be considered appropriate for the Hong Kong Government to be invited to meet the cost of stationing the

additional MCMVs in the Colony.

Army

22.

The Commander-in-Chief's outling plan (12) for the rundown

and total withdrawal from Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei assumes

that he will be unable to meet commitments to our dependencies, including Hong Kong, after 1st September 1971 at the latest. We have agreed with this assumption and, as a consequence, reinforcements to bring Hong Kong to a possible maximum strength of 13 major units will subsequently have to come from the United Kingdom. However, we recognise that, in the event of trouble in the Persian Gulf or Singapore during our planned withdrawals, the Commander-in-Chief, Far East may have to relinquish his responsibility for the reinforcement of Hong Kong before 1st

September 1971.

23.

We had previously agreed (13) with the proposal of the Commander-in-Chief that, after the withdrawal of our forces from Malaysia and Singapore, the permanent garrison of Hong Kong should be 7 major units. We now re-examine this decision in the light of the accelerated withdrawal, with a view to establishing the size of the permanent garrison relying on air reinforcement from the United Kingdom.

the

24. The timely reinforcement of the garrison from the United Kingdom is dependent on sufficient warning being received; necessary air routes being available; no delay in over-flight clearances being encountered; and no simultaneous major operations taking place elsewhere. Given such circumstances, the first reinforcing battalian could be brought to 24 hours

notice to move and would be deployed from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong within a further 48 hours using the West about route, or within 36 hours using the CENTO route.

Notes:

12.

CINCFE 7/68 dated 14th February 1968.

13.

COS 75th Mtg/67.

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