TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 135

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14.

C.

DCP Note 706/70

Draft) Continued)

There is a strong operational and political requirement

for 1 Green Howards to return to Germany as early as possible

but they could if necessary remain until their tour is

completed on 29 October 1970.

d. 45 Cảo RM should be relieved at the end of August by

41 Cảo RM which in turn will require relief by 27 September 1970

to take part in Exercise DEEP EXPRESS.

CONSIDERATION OF OVERSEAS UNITS

One of the assumptions made in this paper is that maximum use

is already being made of UK and BAOR units of all arms and Services

in meeting the Northern Ireland infantry commitment. The provision

of any further units to rotate through Northern Ireland must

therefore be made from those deployed throughout the rest of the

world. A list of these units is at Annex A.

15. We have confined our examination to infantry battalions and

Royal Marine Commandos. We consider that other Naval reinforcements, Royal Artillery units, Engineer units and other arms and services,

should only be regarded as reinforcements if the situation worsens to such a degree that their withdrawal from current roles and tasks

would be justified. Furthermore the detachments of the RAF Regiment listed in Annex A are fully committed in their roles and

are not available while overseas for use in Northern Ireland.

16. The units listed in Annex A are now examined by geographical

areas, and the possibility of these units being used in Northern

Ireland is discussed. Account is taken both of the political and

the military requirements for the units to remain in their present

locations.

Berlin

17. The Berlin garrison includes 3 infantry battalions.

However

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