CAB11-57-15 — Page 13

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CHAPTER I (A) and (B).

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4. The political situation at the present time has enabled the Admiralty to greatly reduce the fleet in Eastern waters, and to leave Hong Kong without mines, submarines, or large torpedo-boats or destroyers.

Any change for the worse in the political situation would probably entail a large increase in His Majesty's naval forces in Chinese waters, but it is recognised that His Majesty's ships, engaged in hunting out and bringing to action the enemy's squadrons, might not be in a position to prevent an attempted coup de main at Hong Kong by a small number of vessels including, possibly, transports carrying troops.

The Colonial Defence Committee lay down that such a "raiding" attack may be considered not likely to exceed six or eight armoured vessels, accompanied by two or three armed transports, conveying in all a maximum landing force of 4,000 men.

It is to render Hong Kong secure against such a raiding attack that the present fixed defences and garrison have been provided.

(B.)-Topographical and Hydrographical Conditions.

1. A reference to the maps in this Scheme, and to a small scale chart of the vicinity of Hong Kong, will show better than any verbal description the peculiar position of Hong Kong.

The island lies to the south of an indented peninsula, and is separated from the mainland by a deep channel which forms the harbour and roadstead.

2. The harbour is about 8 miles long, from east to west, and is divided into three portions by the Peninsula of Kowloon. These are the western portion, lying west of Kowloon; the central portion, between Kowloon and the Island of Hong Kong; and the eastern portion, to the east of Kowloon Peninsula. The western portion is the principal commercial harbour. Along its shores, on the mainland and on the island, docks and important factories are situated. Nearly the whole of the water area in this portion is allotted to permanent moorings for mercantile ships.

In the central portion of the harbour a large area of water is reserved for permanent moorings for His Majesty's ships. The Naval Dockyard and Military Establishment are situated on the island to the south of the central portion of the harbour.

The eastern portion of the harbour is at present much less frequented, but Messrs. Butterfield and Swires' important docks at Quarry Bay are now almost completed, and are joined up with Victoria by an excellent road on the flat and an electric tram line. A great deal of building has already taken place in connection with the docks, and commercial activity will undoubtedly spread fast in this region.

3. The Island of Hong Kong consists of a range of rugged hills, with peaks rising to heights of from 1,400 to 1,800 feet. The main or central ridge follows roughly the direction of the western, northern, and eastern shores, while spurs and steep outlying hills break up the whole surface of the south.

Eight "gaps" or necks offer convenient passage across this ridge, which in several instances is effected by good roads.

4. The possession of this main ridge, which dominates both the northern and southern shores and of the gaps crossing it, is the ruling principle of the defence of the island against an enemy landing on the south shore. This defence is composed of infantry and guns of the movable armament.

From the broken surface south of the main ridge arises the difficulty for the defence, that there is no point on the island which commands an extended view of the southern shore and the approaches therefrom; in fact, the mountain glens are concealed from view by the neighbouring ridges, and there are few spots on the island from which the eye can detect at one time movements in two neighbouring glens. This consideration, the smallness of the garrison in proportion to the extent of coast line, and the numerous possible landing places, lead to the conclusion that "the best plan is to watch the many possible landing places with small parties of infantry backed by local supports, and to keep a careful watch on Tytam dam.

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