CAB11-57-10 — Page 68

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CHAPTER IV.

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74

maintained. For the purpose of extinguishing fires, quantities of loose earth are to be kept close at hand. You will see that this is done, especially in the vicinity of buildings.

13. You will send a daily state of your command to the C.S.O., reporting any sick or wounded who may require removal to the base hospitals.

14. A general outline of the probable modes of attack and the dispositions of your troops has been given for your guidance. The latter are the result of experience gained in testing the weak and strong points of the defence, but you are to understand that a too rigid adherence to them is not required of you. You are at liberty so to dispose, move, and manœuvre your troops to meet an attack or assist a neighbouring section as circumstances of the moment alone may dictate.

You are required, during peace time, to frequently visit the area of your section until every feature of ground is perfectly familiar to you, both by day and by night. You should think out every conceivable move an enemy might make, and your best way of meeting it.

15. All papers connected with the mobilization of your section entrusted to you are to be considered secret and confidential, and are not to be shown to anyone. They must be kept under lock and key, and, if you have no secure means of keeping them, they should be put in the confidential box in your regimental orderly room.

16. On your transfer to another station, or on your proceeding on leave for any period exceeding two months, you will be so good as to return all papers connected with the mobilization of your section to the C.S.O.

(ii.)-Section Commander, No. I (Stonecutters) Section.

Headquarters

Stonecutters West,

1. Area. This section comprises the whole of Stonecutters Island, which is 2,000 yards long, with a mean width of 500 yards.

2. Composition.-Three forts are situated on the island, the West, Central, and East Forts.

West Fort, armed with 2-10-in. B.L., 2-6-in. B.L., and 1-6-pr. Q.F., is situated on the extreme western point of the island.

Central Fort, armed with 1-10-in. B.L., 1-6-in. B.L., and 5-303-in. Maxims, is situated on the northern shore of the island.

East Fort, armed with 2-4.7-in. Q.F., is situated on the southern shore of the island.

In addition to these three forts, the southern shore is armed with 2-12-pr. Q.F., and 2-303-in. Maxims. 2-15-pr. B.L. guns are kept as a supporting battery for the examination line of the North Channel.

3. Staff and Troops.-The garrison consists of:-

Officers.

N.C.Os. and Meu.

H.K.S.B.R.A. and Supernumerary R.E.*

2 +

40

1 co. R.G.A.

7

190

Fortress Co. R.E.

1

6

S.M.Co.

12

and 8 Chinese

Volunteer Engineers

9

No. 1 Bn. Indian Infy.

Telephone operators

R.A.M.C.

Coolie Corps A.O.D.

204 (including 4 native officers)

2

3

42 Chinese

4 warrant officers and men.

† 1 British, 1 Native

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