The circulation of this paper has been strictly limited.
It is issued for the personal use of....
Mr. Arantage Smith.
TOP SECRET
Copy No. 99
95.
COPIES OF THIS DOCUMENT MUST NOT BE MADE WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY, CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE
C.o.s.(55)317
28TH NOVEMBER, 1955.
FOR INFORMATION
CHIEFS OF STAFF COMMITTEE ·
SUPPLY OF U.H.F. RADIO SETS TO ROYAL AIR FORCE
IN HONG KONG
Copy of a minute (Reference: 206/1/EV) dated 22nd November, 1955 from the Far East Defence
Secretariat
I am directed by the Commanders'-in-Chief Committee to inform you that, as a result of COSSEA 960 of July 1954, Commander-in-Chief, Far East Air Force undertook to approach Commander-in-Chief Pacific informally with a view to borrowing or otherwide obtaining a few U.H.F. and I F.F.X. sets to permit ground to air communication with United States aircraft assisting in the defence of Hong Kong.
2. Commander-in-Chief Far East Air Force now reports that he has been informed by Admiral Storrs Chief of Staff to Commander-in-Chief Pacific that United States authority has been granted to ship a number of U.H.F. radio sets to the Assistant U.S. Naval Attache in Hong Kong for allocation as follows:-
(a) One set to be delivered to the Royal Air Force.
(b) The remainder to be held in United States
custody "until the need for their use arises, either for combined training exercises or in the case of emergency".
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, S. W. 1.
28TH NOVEMBER, 1955.
(Signed) W.E. EDDEN
TOP SECRETDMIRALTY;
TOP SECRET
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M. 253/95/55
WHItehall 9000
Extension 723
Dear
Armitage. Smith
Military Branch,
Admiralty,
S.W.1.
7. December, 1955.
In discussions with the U.S. Naval Authorities they have made it clear that, while their policy is not to be committed formally to the defence of Hong Kong U.S. Naval aid if asked for by the Governor would be forthcoming as far as circumstances at the time permit.
2.
Air support would be provided from U.S. carriers but this can only be effective if certain equipment, not held by U.K. and only obtainable from U.S. sources, is available in the Colony. The equipment is required to enable the U. S. aircraft to be identified and controlled from the Colony, together with Blind Bombing Aids to facilitate support to the Army at night or in bad weather.
3.
The U.S. Chief of Naval Operations has stated that the equipment can be provided from U.S. carriers at the time and to ensure that this is practicable he has agreed that it should be tested next time the U.S. 7th Fleet is in Hong Kong provided it is done under cover of a test of evacuation arrangements.
4.
We appreciate that the Governor will probably have strong objections to announcing an evacuation exercise in view of the effect on public morale but the Americans equally object to any suggestion that they are taking part in a defence exercise.
5.
Since however the discussions referred to in paragraph 1 took place information has been received from the Commanders-in-Chief's Committee in the Far East to the effect that United States authority has been granted to ship a number of U. H. F. and I.F.F. Mk. 10 sets to the U.S. A.N.A. at Hong Kong for allocation as follows:
(a)
one set to be delivered to the R. A.F.
(b)
the remainder to be held in U.S. custody
"until the need for their use arises, either for combined training exercises or in the case of emergency."
The use of the phase "Combined Training Exercise" appears to overcome the difficulties mentioned and should serve as a cover plan particularly if public explanation is called for.
6.
Accordingly we propose to instruct the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station, as in the enclosed draft signal and would like your agreement to issue suitable instructions to the Governor simultaneously.
Yours sincerely,
J. N. A. Armitage-Smith, Esq.,
Colonial Office,
Church House,
PageGreat Smith Street,
RCD/GL/CCB.11.
S.W. 1.
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