Hong Kong
ASCALI
ANNEX B to ACDS(Pol)74/225 Dated 8 August 19744
Le Lavant
1. The present garrison consists of a guardship, 5 patrol craft, 63 teeth arm units and a small RAF element. The cost, ie. the amount per annum which would be saved by complete withdrawal and subsequent
disbandment, is £ 7, excluding the Hong Kong Government contribution. The Governor has stated that the minimum garrison to meet the commitment, without early reinforcement, would be 5 patrol craft with minimum shore support, 63 teeth ara units and a slightly reduced RAF element. however require some reinforcement later. This assessment is supported by MOD. The costs would be £/ ̃ˆ ̃ 7.
They could
2. An alternative method of garrisoning Hong Kong would be to reduce the RN and RAF elements as already suggested and to reduce the Army teeth arm element to 54 units capable of operating in an infantry role with an early reinforcement
capability, which means a military route. A major characteristic
of previous riots in Hong Kong has been the speed with which they have spread. With a reduced garrison, this calls for "
reinforcement by at least one battalion within about four days.
The option of using the battalion in Brunei will have been
foreclosed.
3. To provide an initial reinforcement of one battalion
quickly it would be necessary to have a stockpile of its vehicles and
heavier equipment in the Colony at a cost of 7. The soldiers
would be flown out on light scales using RAF transport aircraft,
rather than civilian charter aircraft which are not likely to be so
B-1 SECRET
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