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SECRET CYPHER TELEGRAM

Ha 1.8. 37

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.”

66

F 6709

IZ 8854. TOO 011149Z!!

TOR 081550EF 1945;

IMPORTANT

FROM

:

TO

INFO

:

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

H.M.S. ONTARIO.

C-in-C. EAST INDIES FLEET

C-in-C. ALLIED LAND FORCES, S.E.ASIA. C-in-C. AIR COMMAND S.E.ASIA.

C-in-C. BRITISH PACIFIC FLEET. MILITARY ATTACHE CHUNGKING. BASE STAFF SECTION MANILA. S.N.O. HONG KONG.

SENIOR R.A.F. OFFICER HONG KONG.

O.T.P.

SAC. 20579.

1.

1st September, 1945.

For Major General F.. Festing.

1

The Chiefs of Staff in signal 3016202. August to Rear Admiral Harcourt have appointed him C-in-C. of? 3 services and Head of Military Admini- stration of Colony of Hong Kong which includes leased territories. This signal is being passed separately to all addressees not already in possession.

2.

Not clear from this signal whether you will later be required to take over from Admiral Harcourt and if so when. I am seeking information on this point and also on the matter of system of command and control of other British garrisons in Pacific theatre,

3.

N

Meantime you should place yourself under orders of Rear Admiral Harcourt and remain at Hong Kong. Your Directive No. OD.201/39 dated 28th August 1945, is therefore, to be held temporarily in abeyance.

4.

After consultation with C-in-C. Hong Kong you will report whether you consider you and your Divisional Headquarters will continue to be required at Hong Kong if your responsibilities are solely for one brigade at Hong Kong.

5.

Further information will be sent you when the mattersmentioned in paragraph 2 above have been

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