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KA

2571

NATIONAL

FOR D

SCHEME

DISABLED

MEN

00/162A.

MOST SECRET.

The War Office,

Dear Steendale. Bennett,

S.W.1.

Whitehall,

F

11189

214 October, 1941.

23 OCT 1941

As you no doubt know, it has been decided that the Garrison of Hong Kong shall be reinforced by two Canadian Battalions, which will probably arrive there about mid-November. We understand that the Foreign Secretary, who was consulted by the Prime Minister before the proposal was approved, has warmly welcomed this move. (c.o.s.(41) 345th Meeting, Conclusion 2.).

F

2. We feel that we should now consider the lines on which the arrival of these Battalions should be treated for publicity and propaganda purposes. It will, of course, not be possible to make any announcement until the move is completed, but we think it important that we should decide now on the line to be taken.

3. Apart from the purely military considerations, the main reasons for the decision to reinforce Hong Kong

were :

(a)

To show both the Chinese and the Japanese that we intend to fight it out at Hong Kong, and thereby encourage the former and deter the latter.

(b)

To impress both the Chinese and the Japanese with our growing strength, which is now adequate to allow us to reinforce this outpost.

(c)

are

To impress the Americans with the fact that we were taking parallel action with their greater interest in the Far East as shown by their recent reinforce- ment of the Philippines.

4. We feel that the maximum publicity should be given to the arrival of this Force, and in particular that arrangements should be made for the rapid distribution of

J.C.Sterndale Bennett, Esq., C.m.G., D.S.0.,

Foreign Office,

S.W.1.

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