TNAG-0252-FCO40-288-Strength-of-Hong-Kong-garrison-1970 — Page 81

SECRET

Reference.

26...

Hong Kong Department (Mr. Gaminar)

c.c. F.E.D. (Mr. Morgan)

S.W.P.D. (Mr. Aiers) Mr. Tesh.

2.

Force Levels of Hong Kong Garrison mid-October

to mid-December 1970

Please see:

SECSEA 46 to CINCEE

(*) F.C.O. Tel. No. 509

(d)

SECSEA 50 to CINCFE

-(a) SEACOS 57 from CINCFE to CDS.

The temporary withdrawal of 42 Commando RM from Singapore from mid-September to mid December and also the decision not to move the Gurkha battalion from Brunei to Hong Kong at the end of November means that Exercise West Country in which a Gurkha battalion from Far East Command was tohave taken part in Australia from 16 November to 14 December may have to be called off. 40 Commando RM which moved to Hong Kong on temp- orary duty in August to maintain garrison levels there at 6/3 major units will have to return to Singapore in mid-October to maintain force levels in Far East Command. The Gurkhas battalion in Penang which has

been assigged to replace it from aid-October onwards is

the battalion which was to have taken part in Exercise West Country.

3. Far East Command attach great importance to this exercise and so also the Australians. The Commander in Chief Far East has therefore sought and obtained the agreement of the Commander British Forces Hong Kong and the Governor to a gap from Id-October when 40 Commando leaveoid-December when 10 Gurkha would arrive. During this period, the Hong Kong Garrison would be reduced to a level of 5 2/3 major units. 10 Gurkha would be at 7 days notice while the Hong Kong garrison is under strength.

4. The Secretary of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, Commodore Bayne, has telephoned Mr. Tesh for clearance. As the Govenor has agreed, I presume we have no objection.

(J.

Tho

مسرم

mas

27 August 1970

Defence Department,

I have sent an minciato

пишетість викрали го ска Alegram to the

SECRET