FO371-46252 — Page 70

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Exhact from cos (45) 199a MLS. 15.8.45.

3.

FS240/M/GE. cest

REOCCUPATION OF HONG KONG

(Previous Reference:

C.0.S.(45) 198th Meeting, Minute 6)

SIR ANDREW CUNINGHAM referred to the warning messages which the Admiralty had sent to C.-in-C. British Pacific Fleet about the action he would be required to take at Hong Kong as soon as the Japanese surrender was accepted; and said that a decision was now required as to whether our naval forces should

It would be make an immediate entry into Hong Kong. some days before this naval detachment could reach Hong Kong, which made it seem desirable that the order should now be sent on the understanding that it could be varied within the next day or two should the Government so decide. It was also urgently necessary to get a reply from the Australian Government regarding the availability of a brigade of their troops for the second stage of the reoccupation of this British territory.

After a short discussion, it was agreed that

Admiral Fraser should be ordered to take action forthwith and that the Foreign Office should be informed of this decision.

THE COMMITTEE:

(a) Invited the Admiralty to issue

instructions to Admiral Fraser to send naval forces into Hong Kong as soon as possible;

(b) Instructed the Secretary to inform

the Foreign Office of the despatch of these instructions, explaining that, as it would be some days before the ships could arrive, there would be opportunity to vary

this decision if it should become necessary for political reasons;

(c) Instructed the Secretary to request the Dominions Office to press the Australian Government for a

most immediate reply to the Prime Minister's telegram about

Australian forces for the reoccupation

of Hong Kong;

(a) Instructed the Secretary to draft and despatch a telegram to the Joint Staff Mission reporting the action taken;

(e) Took note with approval of the

f

warning instructions which the Admiralty had already sent to Admiral Fraser.

No. 288 of 11th August Sent as C.o.s. (W) 61,

b

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