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out to Hong Kong or, if the Governor agreed, by the formation locally of such units.
3. I muat at this point refer to one other factor in the situation which weighs with us in considering this matter. Tho present directive of the Commandex, British Forces in Hong Kong includes as one of his tasku, the covering, in the worst cRBC, of the evacuation of families and of loyal British subjects. If this task is to remain in the
Commander'e directive then it aeoma to us vital, if he is to have any chanes of carrying it out, no more than ". cormɔn songe requirument that ho should have at his disposal fairly considerable anti-aircraft defence resourcat comprising both his aircraft and anti-aircraft batteries. As you know both we and the Governor have in fact grave doubts as to whether, with the forces currently at his disposal, the Commander could hope to carry out evacuation and for this revaɔn we feel that consideration should be given to whether or not his directive now needs revision. I am writing separately to the Chiefs of Staff Secreteriat on this matter but, whether or not the tack of covering evacuation renning in the Commander's directive, it seems to us that we could not and should not risk giving Chinese planes a completely free hand in the Colony.
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