TNAG-1940-FCO40-2766-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1989 — Page 50

CONFIDENTIAL

77.

(5) The evacuees can be assembled at the evacuation airfield in sufficient numbers to maintain the requisite aircraft flow rate.

Completion Times. "Completion Time" is the time at which the last aircraft carrying evacuees is airborne from an evacuation airfield or the last ship slips from her moorings at an evacuation port. Timings based on G hour would show how quickly the operation could be completed once the Chief of the Defence Staff has order the plan to be implemented. However the operation cannot start until the essential preparations have been made (see paragraph 55 to 58 above) and it is impossible to predict with certainty how long some of these preparations will take (eg obtaining diplomatic clearance). The time to complete the operation can therefore only be estimated with any degree of accuracy in relation to H

On this basis an estimate for the time required to complete an evacuation by air is given in each of the Part 2 plans.

78. Spare.

SERVICE SUPPORT

DRESS

79.

Servicemen taking part in evacuation operations will normally wear uniform except when operating under Red Cross auspices (see paragraph 15), or when specific orders to the contrary are given. It may, for example, be politically desirable on occasions for Army communication detachments going to diplomatic posts (see paragraph 31) to wear civilian clothes. In certain situations it may be necessary for all Service personnel deployed on an evacuation operation to wear civilian clothes.

SCALES FOR DEPLOYMENT

80. The scales at which forces deploy will depend on conditions at the time of implementation and the availability of local resources in the country concerned. Scales will be ordered by single-Service mounting authorities and are to be sufficient to enable deployed forces to be self-supporting for at least 4 days in the country concerned.

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

81.

Additional Support and Maintenance.

a.

b.

for:

If additional support is required, it may be provided:

(1) From local resources if available, or

(2) From UK or, if more convenient, from an overseas Service base.

Maintenance is the responsibility of the Operational Commander except

(1) HM Ships for whom the responsibility rests with CINCFLEET in conjunction with MOD (Navy).

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CONFIDENTIAL