CO_968_451_DEFENCE_OF_HONG_KONG_1955_1956 — Page 133

practicable, the equipment should be tested next time the U.S. 7th Fleet was in Hong Kong under cover of what they

called a "test of evacuation arrangements".

This

suggestion was apparently made because the Americans had strong objections to testing the equipment in such a way

that it looked as though they were taking part in a

defence exercise.

he

Page 133

3. Since then, howevery

heard that the

Commanders-in-Chief's Committee in the Far East have been

Lovt.

informed that the United States/has authorised the despatch

k.

of the necessary equipment (U.H.F. and I.F.F. M. 10 sets)

to the U.S. Assistant Naval Attache in Hong Kong.

set is to be delivered to the R.A.F. and the others are to

be kept by the Americans until, as they say,

One

"the need

for their use arises either for combined training exercises

or in the case of emergency".

4.

*

We realise that it would be quite out of the question

to have an sort-

evacuation exercise as a cover for

not now intend

these tests and it seems that the Americans

that's

wish to follow up the suggestion. But we are not entirely

"Combined training exercises" look like a more promising persibility,

clear as to what sort of combined training exercises are

now proposed, enderborg may

I be strong anjaninong to any

realise that even there might be brictionable if they went much

such exercisey if they be beyond the sort of routine

training activity which goes on all the time and particularly

if they involvedthe obvious-presence of American ships and

aircraft The Admiralty are pre

prop

45.

to

send a signal

(14)

but we

Lancraft in currnal numbers or formalionis.

5.11

to the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station, asking him

Sto discuss the sitting-pato

discuss with the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet Arrangements

for suitable training exercises. The Commander

Why The Commander in Chief

will no doubt consult you on

gratef

for

"Comments

the

proposals and we should

How in due course.

What contet be time and No doubt the former

to Com

C

We too should

back. C will consult you.

views before your

The kind coronged

be glase 143 154 any authoused. exercise of

The potential value of American Support

in the event of hostilikes medvary Hay Kong

That

Page 133 shou

must

as your will agree, we The best proble spicct of cooperation casion possible withant detiment to the present security of the Colony,

File No. DEF.75/51/01