CAB80-13 — Page 212

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THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNment

TO BE KEPT UNDER LOCK AND KEY.

It is requested that special care may be taken to ensure the secrecy of this document.

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SECRET.

C.0.S.(40) 477.

19TH JUNE, 1940.

WAR CABINET.

CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTER.

i

COPY NO.

196

FAR EAST.

Note by the Secretary.

The attached telegram* from the General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong, No. 7327 dated 19th June, 1940 is circulated for ungent consideration by the Chiefs of Staff.

Tokyo Telegrams Nos. 1052 and 1037 are also

relevant.

(Signed) L.C. HOLLIS.

Richmond Terrace, S. W. 1.

* Annex.

ANNEX

From: General Officer Commanding, Hong Kong.

To:-

The War Office,

MOST IMMEDIATE,

7327 cipher 19/6.

In

Reference Tokyo Telegram to Foreign Office No. 1032 of 10th June. Consider threats and warning of responsible Japanese General cannot be ignored and important that precautionary measures for defence of Hong Kong should be taken without delay. Unless you order to the contrary I shall remove frontier bridges, move mobile guns into position and partially man defences. circumstances consider no exception can be taken by Japanese to defensive measures being adopted. of maximum number of white women and children a vital factor in defence of Hong Kong. Shipping available at short notice very limited. Important therefore that evacuation should not be delayed until last moment. Request authority to commence evacuation to Manilla of Naval and Military families immediately. Commander-in-Chief has seen and agrees.

C.4 Telegrams.

Evacuation

M.0.2. 3 advance copies

1 copy to be returned

to C.4 Telegrams with distribution).

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477

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