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directed to the reoccupation of Hong Kong.
Canton is
now known to be one of the objectives of forthcoming offensive by American trained (? concentration) of Chinese Combat Command and it may be that Hong Kong is another.
On the other hand I have no doubt the China Combat Command even with extensive help from the sea including necessary landing craft and other special equipment will have great difficulty capturing Hong Kong island if Japanese suicide
garrison fight to last.
4. In unlikely.contingency Japanese garrison choosing to surrender possibility that China Combat Command will be forestalled into Hong Kong by local Chinese communist guerillas cannot be ruled out. Indeed according to latest reports of Japanese belonging to Communist (? word omitted) Japanese themselves may connive at such
a course.
5. Only British available close at hand for task in question are small elements of British Army aid group. Have had greatest difficulty clearing them with Americans
and any attempt on my part to build them up will certainly be viewed by Americans with grave suspicion and will meet
every sort of obstacle.
6.
In view of para.2 above any leakage of our plans will prejudice if not destroy British military position in Chine which is already deplorably weak. B.A.A.G. is
watched and reported on by both local Americans and Chinese. It is still regarded with suspicion by both and my own
view is Americans at all events have already concluded it
has some future role in connection with Hong Kong.
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