INTRODUCTION During the Second World War, Most of Our Country's

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INTRODUCTION THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG A-1 During the Second World War, most of our country’s On the morning of December 8, Japan attacked overseas military effort took place in Europe – but Hong Kong. Japanese warplanes pounded the airport Canadians also fought bravely elsewhere. Canadian and their ground forces poured across the frontier from soldiers went to help form a defence force in Hong Kong China and into the mainland portion of the colony. Archives Canada/P in 1941, just in time for the outbreak of war in the Demonstrating an unexpected skill at night fighting, the Pacific. Japanese kept advancing. After three days of combat, the defenders had been pushed from the mainland and back By late 1941, the war in Europe had been going on for to Hong Kong. It was during this time that Canadian more than two years. In the Far East, the Japanese were soldiers from ‘D’ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers fighting in China – but in this part of the world, the real engaged the enemy, becoming the first Canadian Army war for the Allies had yet to begin. This changed as the unit to fight in the Second World War. political situation grew more strained between Japan, on th the one hand, and the United States and Britain on the On December 13, and again on the 17 , the Japanese Aug. 1945 / Hong Kong, China. Library and other. It became clear that the British Crown colony of demanded the defenders’ surrender only to be quickly Hong Kong was vulnerable and had to be protected. rejected. During this time, the Canadians and other Britain decided to reinforce the colony with more troops defending troops prepared for the inevitable Japanese in the hope this would deter Japan from attacking or at assault on Hong Kong. On December 18, the Japanese least delay any Japanese advances. Canada was asked to crossed from the mainland in the darkness and invaded contribute to this effort. the island. The Allied defence positions quickly became overwhelmed and had to draw back into the mountains THE CANADIANS ARRIVE to the south. during the Liberation of Hong Kong. 30 Canada selected the Royal Rifles and the Winnipeg Over the coming days and nights of heavy fighting, the Grenadiers to help defend Hong Kong. In late Allies offered brave resistence and took part in many October 1941, 1,976 Canadian soldiers set sail for the counter-attacks. However, the Japanese were able to Prince Robert Far East from Vancouver on board the Awatea, escorted maintain the offensive due to their greater numbers, by HMCS Prince Robert. battle experience, access to reinforcements and armaments, and total air domination. By contrast, Canadians and The Canadians arrived in Hong Kong on November 16. other Allies were relatively inexperienced, exhausted from They joined the 14,000-strong Hong Kong defence force, continual battle and bombardment, and had no hope of made up of troops from Britain, India, Singapore and receiving additional supplies or reinforcement. The Hong Kong. Although sent to a part of the world still at Canadians suffered many casualties, including the death peace, they quickly began training and prepared for active of Brigadier Lawson. It was during this fighting that defence of the colony under the command of Brigadier Company Sergeant-Major John Robert Osborn of the J.K. Lawson. Only three weeks would go by before they Winnipeg Grenadiers won the Victoria Cross, the highest would find themselves in combat.

award for military valour a Canadian can win. Despite Photo: Landing party coming ashore from H.M.C.S. fighting to the end, by Christmas Day 1941, the battered Allies had no choice but to surrender.

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