FO371-46252 — Page 149

Page 149

COS

in Dept

Exhaust from cos (45) 200 nd

Mlg. 21.8.15.

F5389/147 G

128

8.

SURRENDER OF HONG KONG

F5601/630/5 attachee

(Previous Reference: C.0.S.(45) 201st Meeting, Minute 16(ii))

THE COMMITTEE considered the following:

X

(1) A telegram from the Joint Staff Mission

giving the text of a message from the U.S. Chiefs of Staff to Generals MacArthur and Wedemeyer instructing. the former to arrange for the surrender of Hong Kong to a British Commander as soon as the military co-ordination with the Generalissimo on operational matters had been effected;

(ii) A telegram from H.M. Ambassador in

Chungking stating that he was not clear about the arrangements for military co-ordination with Chiang Kai-shek, and asking for details of the plan.

The

Foreign Office had asked for guidance on how to reply to this telegram.

SIR ALAN BROOKE suggested that the Foreign Office, in addition to giving Sir Horace Seymour the gist of the telegram sent yesterday to the American Chiefs of Staff, should inform him that instructions had been issued for the Flag Officer commanding the Naval Force to establish a military administration in Hong Kong and the New Territories. To assist initially in this task, orders had been given for the R.A.F. airfield construction force in the "SHIELD" convoy to be diverted to Hong Kong to help in guard, patrol and other duties pending the arrival of the brigade from S.E...C.

SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM said that there was a danger she of the Empress of Australia running short of food; was being diverted to pick up supplies and this might result in some delay in the arrival of the "SHIELD" force at Hong Kong.

THE COMMITTEE:

X

(a) Took note of the telegram from the Joint Staff Mission;

(b) Instructed the Secretary to send a

further letter to the Foreign Office on the lines suggested

above.

X ZO 653

F5389/144/5

0.0.8. (1) 897-54/(E/147/5. in teft

No. 884 + C.O.S.(W) 69 Ø Annex I

5

Page 149

Page 149

Page 149

Page 149