TNAG-0477-FCO40-542-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 67

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HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES HONG KONG

B.F.P.O.I.

Hong Kong 238111 Ext: 3400

6060 HQBF

Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Policy)

The Ministry of Defence

Main Building

Whitehall

London SW1

19i

12 July 1974

FORCE LEVELS IN HONG KONG

References:

A.

B.

1.

6060 HQBF dated 2 July 1974 (delivered by CBF during his recent visit to MOD).

CBF's signal (despatched from MOD) WWW/LIG of 101800Z JULY.

CBF wishes to stress that the Option C put forward in the Hong Kong force levels paper (reference A) is entirely dependent for its operational viability, on the timely arrival of a reinforcement battalion in an emergency situation. availability of such reinforcements be in any doubt, it would be operationally wrong for this Option to be adopted.

2.

Should the

To place this important point on record, the following addendum should be made to sub-paragraph 52g of reference A:

"The principal risk, inherent in a reduced force level, is the extent to which the Garrison would be dependent on the prompt arrival of a reinforce- ment battalion, should the Colony have simultaneous emergencies in the urban areas and on the border, as occurred in 1967. If such prompt reinforcement cannot continue to be guaranteed, this Option would not be operationally viable and, consequently, the present level of teeth arm units should be maintained."

AA Zelda

A A FIELDER

Colonel

for Commander British Forces

Copy No

Copy to:

Ministry of Defence (MA/CDS) Ministry of Defence (MA/VCGS) Ministry of Defence (DMO) Commodore-in-Charge Hong Kong Headquarters Land Forces Commander RAF Hong Kong File

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