FO371-46252 — Page 200

Page 200

Page 200

TOP SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

WARNING This message must be thoroughly paraphrased if its text is to be published or communicated outside British or American Services or Departments. If re-transmitted unparaphrased other than through the Cabinet Office, the originator must mark the message "to be sent in One-Time Pad.”

MOST IMMEDIATE

From: S.A.C.S.E.A.

To:-

A.M.S.S.O.

1

IZ 8372

TOO 190219Z

TOR 191715Z

X COS A

F5554

SEACOS 446.

1.

19th August, 1945.

From Mountbatten for British Chiefs of Staff.

Ref COSSEA 321 TOO 1811102 August.

3 Commando Brigade could be made available at Hong Kong five days after passing through the Malacca Straits. On present plans the Brigade could reach Hong Kong about 5 September provided approval for this operation is received by 0630 GMT Tuesday 21 August. Any delay in approval would have a disproportionate delay in operations as convoy will by then have passed Ceylon and will have to be recalled for readjustment.

The effect of this on SEACOS 444 TOO 1805 23

2. would be:

(a) Naval operations would take place as planned

but might be delayed approximately 24 hours so that 5 Ind Div could be in vicinity when Royal Marine landing at Penang took place.

(b) Military operations. One Brigade 5 Ind Div

would if situation requires take over from Royal Marine force at Penang the remainder of 5 Div taking over Singapore possibly slightly later than originally planned.

(c) Air operations. These would not be altered in effect but I am examining possibility of using Penang as air staging base for ZIPPER and thus releasing one Ferry Carrier to proceed direct to Hong Kong with one RAF Spitfire Squadron.

(Circulation) Defence Office Foreign Office First Sea Lord

C.6. Tels. War Office A.M.C.S. (C)

S. of S..Dominions

TOO. 190219Z

S. of S. Colonies

S. of S. India

General Sir A.G.O. Mosley

Mayne

Minister of War Transport General Kimmins

Page 200

Page 200

Page 200Page 201