FO371-46254 — Page 191

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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."

IMMEDIATE.

FROM:

S.A.C.S.E. A.

TO:

A.M.S.S.O.

6600

IZ 8841

TOO 0513532 TOR 060164945

·18)

X COS B

SEC (RL) 35.

5th September, 1945.

With reference to A.M.S.S.O. No.5420 T.0.0. 301620Z August and my SAC 19779 T.0.0. 241605 August, The Major General and Staff referred to in my signal are Major General Festing and his Div. H.Q. Prior to receipt of telegram 5420 T.0.0. 301620 I had suggosted that he should take over command from Rear Admiral Harcourt at a time to be decided by C.-in-C. BPF. view of amiral Harcourts responsibilities in BPF I had assumed that Admiral Harcourt would not be left permanently in command at Hong Kong.

2、

In

I now require to know the Chiefs of Staffs intentions regarding the command control of the Garrisons which I am required to find at other China ports. This command was planned to be exercised by General Festing from Hong Kong. Decision will effect the command set-up and layout of subordinate headquarters in the (?) theatre as well as whether General Festing and his H.Q. are required to remain at Hong Kong.

3.

I interpret my administrative responsibility for Hong Kong as meaning -

(A) I will control priorities as between Admiral Harcourts Requirements and those of my own theatre. I must therefore be kept fully informed on all matters of policy by the Chiefs of Staff and by the Service Ministries so that I may judge these priorities. I will be the authority for the allocation of available Civil Affairs supplies as between all areas for which I am administratively responsible.

(B) I note that NO provision has been made by this theatre for the Civil Affairs require- ments of Hong Kong.Uitil supplies come forward under War Office procurement which has I under- stand only just been initiated I must meet

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