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British Chiefs of Staff.

This arrangement would appear to meet the Foreign Office point regarding the non-modification of the theatre commands without consulting the Generalissimo. The administration of the land and air forces stationed in Hong Kong could, if convenient, rest with S.A.C.S.E.A. He handed round copies of a revised directive drafted on the above lines.

SIR ALAN BROOKE said that an arrangement of this nature which divorced administrative and operational responsibility was bound to cause difficulties; this line of action, when adopted in the past, had always led to trouble.

SIR CHARLES PORTAL said that he shared the C.I.G.S.'s misgivings regarding an arrangement which divorced the responsibility for administration and for operational policy.

SIR ANDREW CUNNINGHAM suggested that the difficulties of the arrangement he proposed were being exaggerated. A somewhat similar system of command had been in force at various periods in other fortresses, such as Malta and Gibraltar and had been made to work. He saw no reason why this arrangement should not succeed at Hong Kong.

In the course of further discussion, SIR ALAN BROOKE and SIR CHARLES PORTAL said that in spite of their misgivings they would be prepared to give this arrangement a trial. Further consideration would, however, have to be given to the drafting of paragraph 6 of the First Sea Lord's revised directive as it would be wrong, under the proposed agreement, to put the Army and Air Force commanders under ..L.F.S..... und .C.S.D... respectively; they ought porhaps to come directly undor S...C.S.3.A.

SIR ALAN BROOKE said that, from the Army point of view, it might be better for the Army commander in Hong Kong to come directly under the War Office.

SIR CHARLES PORTAL said that he was anxious,if possible, for the Air Force to remain under command of A.C.S.E.A.

It was then agreed to refer the First Sea Lord's revised directive to the Joint Planning Staff for examination in the light of the points raised in discussion and in consultation, as necessary, with the Foreign Office and Colonial Office.

A paragraph should be added to the directive on the importance of maintaining the closest possible touch on military affairs with C.-in-C., British Pacific Fleet, Admiral Mountbatten and with Chungking.

THE COMMITTÉE:

d

Instructed the Joint Planning Staff to examine, in the light of the discussion, the revised directive proposed by the First Sea Lord and to put forward any further amendments that might seem necessary.

Annex II

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