CAB11-57-10 — Page 69

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4. Distribution.--The troops are distributed as follows:-

Officers.

N.C.Os. and Men.

R.G.A., West Fort

99

East Fort

1

38

South Shore

27

Supporting Battery (2-15-pr. B.L. guns)

2

26

H K.S.B.R.A. Central Fort

2 *

40

CHAPTER IV.

* 1 British, 1 Native.

Fortress Co. and Supernumerary Staff R.E. in guard-room near the infantry

camp.

Submarine Miners at the fixed beams and search-lights. Native Infy. Battalion

39

""

""

1 piquet at cable and on north

shore.

1 piquet on high ground at East

Fort.

1 piquet at Central Fort.

Remainder in reserve at eastern end of island.

5. Quartering.-The R.G.A. are quartered in barracks and under canvas, one relief being always present at the guns. R.E. in guard-room at east end of island, submarine sappers under canvas near the lights. Native Infy. under canvas at eastern end of island. Telephone operators at their telephones. R.A.M.C. in room in barracks, which must be set aside for an hospital. A.O.D. and Coolie Corps in camp on rifle range.

6. Mode of Reinforcement.-By water, from Reserve.

7. Communications.-The island is traversed by a pathway, running east and west across the island, and troops can proceed along the northern shore by the beach. A telephone connects the island with the mainland and with Hong Kong. The forts are also in telephonic communication.

8. Supplies. The island is entirely supplied with stores by water. One week's reserve rations will be placed on the island. Rations will be supplied daily from Kowloon, and the reserve is to be only drawn upon in case of urgent necessity.

9. Water. Water is obtained from tanks adjacent to the barracks, but supply is limited, and will be supplemented by water-boats, under A.S.C. arrangements.

10. Ammunition.-Gun ammunition is stored in the fort magazines at the rate of 500 rounds per gun for all guns except the following:-

303-in. Maxim..

Rounds per gun. 11,000

•

Each artilleryman carries 50 rounds pouch ammunition, and each infantryman 100 rounds. 1st reserve S.A. ammunition, 100 rounds per rifle, will be kept in regimental charge, and 2nd reserve, 300 rounds per rifle, in Ordnance charge. The latter to be stored in a field magazine near the corrugated iron huts on the rifle range.

11. Ration Sub-Depot.-A ration sub-depôt will be established in the corrugated iron huts on the rifle range.

12. Dressing Station.-A dressing station will be formed at the barracks, and the wounded, if not seriously injured, will be treated there. Otherwise, they will be sent by launch, in the case of British troops, to the Victoria Base Hospital, and in the case of native troops to the Kowloon Base Hospital, as the medical officer directs.

13. Modes of Attack.-The section is liable to attack-

(1.) From the guns of an enemy's cruisers, with a view to silencing the batteries. (2.) By a raid by torpedo-boats, attempting to steal past the forts under cover of

darkness.

(3.) By boat parties landing on the island with a view to capturing the forts. The two former would be met by the guns of the defence, the latter by the Q.F. armament and Maxims, and by the infantry.

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