CAB11-57-9 — Page 87

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CHAPTER IV.

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t.

106

7. Communications.-There are three broad metalled roads in this section, one running from Kowloon through Hunghom to Kowloon City; the second, known as the Frontier Road," which runs from Kowloon through Yaumati over the Kowloon Hills, and which will be eventually extended to Taipo-Hu; and the third, which runs from Yaumati through the low granite hills in the centre of the peninsula to Kowloon City. This last-mentioned road throws off lateral branches in the shape of pathways, which wind along the ravines formed by the low granite hills, and meet the Kowloon-Hunghom and Kowloon City-Kaulung Tong roads.

Lateral communication between Kowloon City on the one flank, and the Lai-Chi- Kok Pass on the other, is obtained by a narrow road which runs from Kowloon City viâ the Custom's Station on the granite hills (now in ruins) and the village of Kaulung Tong, and joins the Frontier Road close to the Cosmopolitan Docks. There are five passes over the Kowloon Hills, named respectively, from east to west, Customs Pass, Grass Cutters' Pass, Shat'in Pass, Kowloon Pass, and Lai-Chi-Kok Pass, which are crossed by pathways used chiefly by grass-cutters and villagers. They are, however, suitable for the movement of infantry in file and light mountain guns.

Communication between the two flanks of the section can also be obtained by water from the Kowloon City Pier to the Lai-Chi-Kok Pier, and by this mode should the left flank be reinforced in the event of its becoming threatened. Launches and lighters will be kept at the Kowloon City Pier on mobilization.

Section headquarters and the outpost on Eagle's Hill will be brought, on mobilization, into telephonic communication with the headquarters at Victoria and Kowloon. Colonial telephones are laid to Saikung, Kowloon City, Shateen, and Taipo- Hu, and the police stations at these places can be communicated with from Kowloon City. The forts are connected by telephone with headquarters at Victoria and with Kowloon, and can be communicated with through these channels.

Communication with neighbouring sections will require to be established by means of signalling.

8. Supplies. Rations will be sent out daily from the main depôt in Whitfield Barracks, Kowloon. Seven days' reserve rations will be stored in a ration sub-depôt at the headquarter camp of the section.

Water for the headquarter camp of the section can be obtained from a streanı east of the camping ground. Outposts can obtain water from streams, which are perennial, in the vicinity of the positions assigned to them; it will be carried to them by bhisties and coolie labour.

9. Ammunition. 200 rounds per gun is issued to the artillery, that for the fort guns being stored in the forts.

A field magazine will be established in the headquarter camp of the section, in Ordnance charge, and in this will be kept-

The reserve ammunition of the mountain battery, the 2nd Reserve, 300 rounds per rifle, small-arms ammunition, and the reserve for Maxims.

1st Reserve, 100 rounds per rifle, will be in regimental charge.

Infantry carry 100 rounds per rifle in pouches, other branches 50 rounds.

10. Dressing Station.-A dressing station will be established in the headquarter camp of the section, where mild cases will be treated. More serious cases will be sent, in the case of British troops to the Victoria Station Hospital, and in the case of native troops to the Kowloon Station Hospital, as the medical officer directs.

Officers in command of forts should be instructed to report by telephone any cases of sickness occurring among the men under their immediate command, with a view to arrangements being made for their treatment, or removal and relief if necessary.

11. Modes of Attack.--The more probable forms of attack on this section are-----

(1.) By a raid of torpedo-boats, with a view to destroying the Kowloon or Cosmopolitan Docks,

(2.) By a landing of troops in Hebe Haven, and an advance viâ the Customs Pass against the right flank of the section.

(3.) By a landing of troops in Three Fathom Cove and an advance via Buffalo Pass, against the right centre and the right flank of the section.

(4.) By a landing of troops in Tolo Harbour in the direction of Taipo-Hu, and an

advance by the Lead Mine Pass against the left flank of the section.

(5.) By a Chinese Army invading the Colony from Canton.

With regard to (1) the permanent guards maintained at the docks will be reinforced from the Kowloon Reserve, but the opportunity of co-operation by the

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