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Page 267
and
naval reductions
and in are
in
tuing
additional
which are
N.P.
reductions)
currently engaged
to get som stud Artillery Uniti
availabch.
levels. On the other hand, I do not think that
Chiefs of Staff are at all easy about the position:
we have at last, I think, convinced them that to
appear strong in Hong Kong is an essential part of the
maintenance of internal security and that a show of
force on the frontier is an essential ingredient in
this. They accept that a R.A.F. jet squadron is in
fact essential for the Colony, but accept also the fact
that under the long-term Defence Review we cannot afford
it and therefore we cannot have it. Our position here
is that with the withdrawal of the jet squadron the
is for (a) +(a)
But all
g
tui is
I the opening sama.
above
at wo tsent has it ever been
منا
Aubended that
in them Stop the
т
We have faces which
Colony
Chined.
a short time.
element then off Frigate
could
even for in haval
Destition I
6 9.0.5.
it's function the
British Shipping
t
has as
Astection
the Aatolling
of coastal watchs, and it could
not
pisteet ex or effect the evacuation of
any
lange Wunders F14000 Butish inkjets
being loyal thaita
Pha
Would a involved absuan & fight you love makes the Colony indhaftasith
4.
a
sarendust wat.
highly
If, as seen hishek fikely.
of 83
wiaceh
six major units/are part of the garrison are infect
including a slew of the on on inadequate for the maintenance of internal security, and frouter
that Ministers have got to be faced with the issue of
policy involved in our inability to carry out any kind
of evacuation in the Colony. If we are having
discussions with the Americans on the defence of Hong
therefor incorrect to say
Kong it is/quite dishonest for the Chiefs of Staff to
pretend that the forces available in the Colony are
Dost in ability
adequate for its defence. The refusal to køkäxkke what could Avo wint with and fistata cover provide the garrison with the units required to hold do against three chinese arusies with filletia
the Chinese for at least a week is an admission that
сами?
we have not in fact got the forces to defend Hong Kong,
If it is suggested that the theatre forces (that is
from Malaya and Singapore) could reinforce Hong Kong (64
remembered
quickly it should be pointed out that when the
Planners had a look at the C.B.F's forces requirements
Jin January of this year (see (8) on the file) they
said that our ability "to provide timely reinforcement
for Hong Kong either now or in the future is very
limited".
This was based on the fact that the theatre
air transport force could not lift one reinforcing
battalion to Hong Kong in under 12 days and that even by
1958 when Britannia aircraft might be available it would
Page 267 with chines aggression
/still spared for this
internal dish on comvided with chines the airby forces which could in
frontien
would a
• Infantry Battalion
an
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