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Whilst
force could be landed and effectively controlled.
these beaches are easily defensible, the task would absorb
large numbers of troops who would almost certainly not be
available within the garrison of Hong Kong.·
5.
On the East the most likely areas for an attack
from Mirs Bay or Bias Bay are in Tolo Harbour, and the
Western coast of Port Shelter. Both areas have routes
inland to Kowloon. The entrance to Tolo Harbour is easily
defensible against waterborne attack, but would require a
permanent guard which could probably not be made available
from the garrison of Hong Kong. Port Shelter, however, has
the advantage of an easy, open approach with a number of good
beaches and easy exits. It appears therefore that a landing
at Port Shelter would offer the best opportunities in the East
to a large enemy landing force.
6.
To the West of the New Territories, the area between
Castle Peak Bay and Brothers Point, a stretch of coast 31⁄2 miles
long, with sandy beaches and low-lying cliffs, is considered
the most likely area for amphibious landings. The area is
within range of the shore batteries on Lintin Island; in
addition to which it would be possible temporarily to close the
area to our own naval forces by the mining of the passage
between the North-Eastern tip of Lan Tao Island and the mainland.
7.
The Southern beaches of Hong Kong Island are very
open to landings, and from these beaches troops could quickly
reach Victoria and the seat of Government. The best beaches
are at Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay and Stanley. The assault
on these beaches could be mounted from Communist-held islands
a few miles SOUTH of Hong Kong.
8.
On balance, therefore, the best advantages are
afforded by the Castle Peak and Port Shelter areas for the main
assaults, but small landings supplementary to the attack across
the land frontier might also be made across Deep Bay, Starling
Inlet and on the South side of Hong Kong Island. Small Page 76 of 172
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