CAB129-35 — Page 70

The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited0 of 366 It is issued for the personal use of Si. Norm

Brook

Copy No.

C.P.(49) 118

24TH MAY, 1949

1.

CABINET

DEFENCE OF HONG KONG

Memorandum by the Minister of Defence

The Prime Minister has circulated to the Cabinet a memorandum (C.P.(49) 119) on the political considerations involved in meeting the threat to the security of Hong Kong and on the possibility of seeking moral and material support in its defence from other countries of the Commonwealth and the United States. The present paper deals with the military implications of the defence of Hong Kong against a large-scale attack by Chinese Communist forces.

2.

Hong Kong may well become the stage for a trial of strength between Communism and the Western Powers. If the Chinese Communist Government are able to force our withdrawal from the Colony, not only would the blow to our prestige throughout the world be irreparable, but the immediate reper- cussions in South-East Asia would add immeasurably to our defence burdens in that area.

3.

On 5th May (C.M. (49) 32nd Conclusions, Minute 2) the Cabinet approved the proposals in C.P. (49) 100 for the despatch to Hong Kong of reinforcements which are calculated to enable the garrison to secure the Colony against all threats other than an organised attack by Chinese Communist forces. These threats include:-

4..

(a) internal unrest, probably sponsored by Communist-

inspired trade unions;

(6)

흐흐

(c)

a large-scale influx of refugees in numbers beyond

the capacity of the Colony to absorb;

sporadic attacks by Chinese guerrillas.

When these reinforcements have arrived - the last battalion is due on 19th July - Hong Kong will have a numerical strength of:-

Army:

2 Infantry brigades (4 British, 2 Gurkha battalions) 24 Anti-tank guns (6-pounders)

36 Field guns (25-pounders)

16 Heavy A.A. guns (3.7 inch) 12 Light A.A. guns (Bofors)

16 Tanks

together with ancillary units.

Before they can be considered fully operational,

recent peinforcements will require page 70 of 366

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