FO371-46253 — Page 98

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See 1-5170/14071/

G

(C)

2.

2.

securing the surrender of Japanese forces in the Hinterland;

Actual date and time of arrival of Naval Task Force which is now at Subic Bay within 30 hours steaming of Hong Kong will depend on arrangements to be made by Admiral Harcourt (paras. 3 and 4 below).

The Admiralty are pursuing question of establishing a direct communication link between

dmiral Harcourt and Chungking so that details, such as where and when Chinese and American officers should contact Admiral Harcourt in order to be present at surrender in Hong Kong, and any other military co- ordination necessary may be settled direct.

3.

You will have already been told of General MacArthur's message to Japanese Imperial Headquarters broadcast last night by Manila radio directing Japanese forces in Hong Kong to surrender to Admiral Harcourt "at a time subsequent to August 31st. and in accordance with arrangements made directly by Admiral Harcourt."

4.

C-in-C British Pacific Fleet has already telegraphed Naval Task Force commander at Subic Bay to proceed to Hong Kong at his direction, keeping Supreme Commander informed of date and time of surrender of Hong Kong.

5.

For your information,

airfield

construction personnel are included largely because they are only readily available unit and are now redundant in the Pacific.

CIRCULATION.

First Sea Lord.

C.I.G.S.

C.A.S.

C.C.O.

Foreign Office.

S. of S. Dominions. S. of S. Colonies.

S. of S. India.

Minister of War Transport.

Defence Office.

TOO 2518552.

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