TNAG-0061-FCO40-97-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1968 — Page 137

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Part I to COS 25th Meeting/68 30th April 1968

If, as had been recommended, the majority of the Garrison was to be unaccompanied, there would be serious implications from the Army point of view. Troops would serve for nine months in Hong Kong; this would cause considerable turbulance as one unit would move in and out of Hong Kong about every six weeks, with the resultant adverse effect on morale and efficiency. Units would have to be drawn from either the UK or Germany; this could cause serious disturbance to families, and, for example, to the schooling of children. One point of particular importance was that the next two units due to go to Hong Kong in October 1968 and early 1969 had already been warned that their moves would be accompanied, and he hoped that this would not have to be changed.

SIR DAVID TRENCH agreed that if the next two units due to be posted to Hong Kong had already been warned that they would be on accompanied tours they could hardly now be told that their families would have to stay behind. He felt that these two units should be accepted on an accompanied basis and he hoped that some intermediate or compromise solution might be found to this problem.

In discussion, the following further point was made:

d.

If the suggestion to have a small fighter force in Hong Kong was implemented, those concerned, in addition to the other RAF personnel in Hong Kong, should be on an accompanied basis since the numbers would be relatively small and they would be housed in the well-protected area of Kai Tak.

SIR CHARLES ELWORTHY said that the Commander-in-Chief, Far East, had raised (2) the question of the temporary reinforcement of Hong Kong. 2/6 Gurkha Rifles, now unaccompanied, were due to return from Hong Kong to Malaysia during the week commencing 9th June. 2 Battalion The Parachute Regiment were due to move to Hong Kong on completion of jungle warfare training on 27th July and to stay there until October/ November 1968. There would thus be a gap of some six weeks when the Garrison would be one battalion below its present strength. Due to other commitments within Far East Command the Commander-in-Chief was unable rapidly to fill this gap from within his own resources. A battalion could be moved from the United Kingdom in early June and stay there until October/November in place of 2 Battalion The Parachute Regiment but the additional cost would be some £100,000.

SIR DAVID TRENCH said that it was unlikely that an extra battalion would be required for this six week period but this question could be judged more precisely in early May when the Communists had several anniversaries which would give a better indication of the likelihood of disturbances.

Note:

In discussion, the following further point was made:

e.

A decision on the relief of 2/6 Gurkha Rifles was needed by 10th May in order that world-wide trooping contracts for June could be finalised. This decision would be without prejudice to reinforcement on an emergency basis if this became necessary.

2. SECCOS 70.

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