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Fleet, they would probably mount amphibious landings in the
Castle Peak and Port Shelter areas, lifting a force of about
9,000 lightly equipped troops from the Pearl River or Bias
Bay. This force would probably be supplemented by motor
junks and similar craft giving an additional lift of 40,000
troops. The Southern Fleet would also probably conduct
minor harassing operations against our forces supporting the
land battle and attempting to oppose the landings.
12.
It is considered more likely, however, that the
Chinese Communists would wish to ensure the success of their
naval operations in any attack on Hong Kong, in which event
elements of the other Fleets (see Appendix A Part k(b)), might
be used to reinforce the Southern Fleet. These additional
ships and craft could give an amphibious lift of about 140,000
troops should it be desired, and the landings would in this
case be covered by submarine patrols and offensive sweeps using
destroyers, frigates and MTBS.
13.
The mining campaign would probably be directed
against the supply routes into Hong Kong, and to embarrass our
own naval forces operating in support of the land battle and
opposing the amphibious landings. At the same time, the shore
batteries on the Communist-held islands surrounding the Colony
would menace our shipping approaching Hong Kong and our naval
forces operating in the area.
Air
140
Kai Tak airfield and radar station would be first
priority targets for the CCAF, When these were neutralised
the weight of aerial attack would be directed against any naval
forces supporting the ground operations, and against our
strong points and lines of communication. An estimate of the
CCAF sortie rates is at Appendix
We believe that the
Chinese would wish if possible to capture Hong Kong with its
port installations and public utilities intact and might
therefore refrain from bombing such targets. If, however,
Page 789fa72e were to be prolonged attacks would be Page 78 of 172
/installations.
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