FO371-46258 — Page 24

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SECRET

EXTRACTS FROM WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE REPORT NO:4

PROM

STAFF OFFICER (INTELLIGENCE) HONGKONG.

24th SEPTEMBER】 1945

21

BEACH DEFENCES

It

A recent report in the newspapers stated that a glance at HONGKONG made it clear that the Japanese were determined to put up stiff fight for the place. This is a most misleading statement. is true that the hills on the Island are honeycombed with foxholes but beach defences are prmotically non-existent. No trace of any mining can be found, the only barbed wire is the remains of British defances which has fallen into complete disrepair and as far as can be seen, there are no gun positions covering possible landing places. The main beach at REPULSE BAY is completely undefended the only obstacle to be overcome being the complete lack of maintenance of the roads leading away from the beach and the thick undergrowth covering the former sea wall, The roads in the immediate vicinity of the beach are passable but could at present only take a thin stream of traffic due to the undergrowth. With modern equipment, however, it is considered that this can hardly be counted as even a minor obstacle.

The positions of many foxholes show the Japanese to have been very industrious and remarkably stupid. For instance, two well constructed holes were found covering a beach in TOLO Harbour which no one would ever have used even for a commando raid.

Owing to lack of transport and shortage of personnel, it has not yet been possible to get a detailed report on all beaches but it can reasonably be assumed that the above remarks apply to all.

It has been approved to establish a Joint Intelligence Committee which will have general supervision over all Intelligence and Security within the Colony. The members are expected to be:

Chairman

Navy

K

Army

Air Force

Civil Affairs

-

COLONEL RIDE.

COLANDER LITTLE.

Lt. COL DEVEY.

Not yet appointed.

COLONEL SANSOM (Commissioner of Police)

Defence Security officer- Not yet appointed.

The problem

It will be noted that this J.I.C. covers the Colony only. of covering the remainder of the area you have allotted me still remains largely unsolved. It is hoped that transportation to SAIGON may be available in the near future which will put A/9.0.1. F.I.C, that much further on his way but there is no officer for Formosa even should transportation and accreditation be available.

SHIPPING

Services between various ports in the vicinity have started up, if slightly spasmodically, during the last week. These are shown in the enclosed newspaper cuttings.

The Commander-in-Chief, Admiral FRASER visited CANTON, travelling by water, during the week but the full report on his trip is not yet available

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