TNAG-0549-FCO40-644-Allegations-of-corruption-and-bribery-in-Hong-Kong-police-an-1975 — Page 69

.3.

With Hong kong so close to Red China making Hong kong a political voicano, it seems obvious no time should be Lost in restoring the good reputation of the Hong Kong Police, before disaster overtakes it.

I recall for example, on leaving for war service with the R.A. india travelling by way of Hong Kong and Singapore in August 1941, was called upon to give an assessment of the situation in regard to attacks' by the Japanese Army.

I declared from all information had gathered and read, the Japanese intended to go to war to clear us out of the Far East. Hongkong would last about 48 hours after the initial attacked The well trained and battle experienced troops had been steadily withdrawn from all parts of China to the South. raining in beach landings had been carried out for about a year. India would be invaded by way of Burma,but it appeared to me the Indian Army would be able to hold them at the borders providing it was fully mobilised to do the job. i was asked about Singapore. I had thought it best to avoid this when first giving my account. When pressed to give an assessment I declared it would be lost in a matter of weeks after the Japanese had landed in Malaya and had come down North from Indo-China. As I saw Singapore on my visit and tour there it resmbled a "funfair”. Tropps were in abundance, but I doubted if they were prepared to do battle with first class battle trained Japanese troops. For years I had seen these operating in and around Shanghaá. un the ground and in the air they were first class. They would die to a man to achieve success.

i was then asked when all this would start. i replied it was obvious they could start immediately. The best time would be december when the climate was right with good visibility. Hong Kong with a large Chinese population and limited water supplies could be knocked out in short order.

It seemed to me after that declaration I had put up a few black marks, but in December 1941, the Japanese struck and went on to victory. The Japanese could have been defeated and tossed out of Malaya, if the overwhelming numbers of British forces had prepared themselves to do battle. The fault was with the those at the top failing in their duty to make adequate preparations at the outset. They were as well aware of the situation as I was at the time.

The point is, Hong Kong is facing a situation which calls for some drastic action in much the same way as was taken in Shanghai. All the information available calls for this.

if my services are needed at any time to visit Hong Kong, and consult officials there and make an assessment, 1 will do this as an unpaid task on payment of expenses. It would be a worthwhile mission.

Yours sincerely.

A.G.Tilton