Blunder and Bravery: The Defence of Hong Kong 1941 Dr. Martin S. Banfill The Defence of Hong Kong Background Canada’s contribution Battle of Hong Kong
Hong Kong remembers Canada remembers “a date which will live in infamy” December 7, 1941
Franklin D Roosevelt December 8, 1941 Arizona December 8, 1941 Japan invades Hong Kong The Setting
Hong Kong
Districts of Hong Kong Topography
Gin Drinker’s Bay Wong Nai Chung Gap Mt. Nicholson Jardine’s Lookout
Repulse Bay
Stanley British Colony of Hong Kong Hong Kong Island, 1842 Kowloon, 1860 New Territories, 1898 Japanese invasions 1931: 1936-1939
, 1940 ___ Occupied areas Canton seized 1940 Hong Kong isolated Japanese on the border Hong Kong Harbour and Island, 1940 Hong Kong Defences British Garrison: 10,000 men 3 Infantry Regiments 1 machine gun battalion Royal Artillery Royal Navy Royal Scots Rajput Punjabi Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps British Commanders
Gen. Arthur Grasset Gen. Christopher Maltby (until July, 1941) (from August, 1941) Crucial Questions Should the garrison be reinforced? Should Canada be involved? SHOULD THE GARRISON BE REINFORCED? Gen. Grasset suggested - Reinforce by 2 Canadian battalions UK opposed: ”An indefensible outpost” Winston Churchill, Jan. 1941: “This is all wrong. If Japan goes to war there is not the slightest chance of holding Hong Kong or relieving it. It is most unwise to increase the loss we shall suffer there. Instead of increasing the garrison it ought to be reduced. …..whether there are two or six battalions at Hong Kong will make no difference….” Sept. 1941: Churchill reluctantly agreed: Army Chiefs argued: - Deter Japanese from attacking - Reassure China: British serious in defending colony - If attacked, to be held as long as possible - Divert Japanese forces from other targets Should Canada be Involved? War Office requests 2 battalions and a Brigade H.Q. P.M. Mackenzie King & Canadian Government, approve. WHY? - Canada to act in “the defence of freedom in every part of the world” (diary, Nov. 15, 1941) - Can’t really refuse - We’re in this war to the limit - Won’t prejudice defence of Canada - Expect non-combatant (garrison) duty - Military expectations - - HK would be capable of defending itself - Support from UK and USA fleets - Assistance from Chinese Canada-U.K. Relations 1939 - British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Troops to U.K. 1941 - P.M. Mackenzie King visits Churchill in London Dec. 30, 1941: Churchill’s Ottawa speech “I am very glad to see again my old friend…..” “C” Force
Commander Brigadier John K. Lawson
WW1 Passchendaele & Somme Director of Military Training C Force – 2 Battalions + Support Units (1,975 personnel) Royal Rifles of Canada Winnipeg Grenadiers
How prepared were they? Public Reaction (?) Fast boat to Hong Kong October 27 – November 16
En route Disembarking Weapons training C Force arrives: Nov 16 Island Reconnaisance Welcome in Hong Kong Invasion of the Mainland: December 8 - 13 Dec 7: War stations Demolish roads & bridges Dec 8: Kai Tak Aerodrome bombed (navy already withdrawn) Cross Border: Move south Dec 9: Reach Gin Drinkers’ Line Dec 8
Dec 9 Dec 9: Shing Mun Redoubt (HQ)
Dec 11: Maltby decides withdraw to Island
Dec 13: Kowloon occupied Evacuation complete Surrender demanded: rejected
Air and Artillery bombardment Dec. 13-18 The Island Attacked
Dec. 18 ______Dec. 19 ______Dec.25
Company Sergeant-Major John Robert Osborn V.C. .
Winnipeg Grenadiers “A” Company Lieutenant Colin A. Blaver M.C. Royal Rifles of Canada
Platoon Commander “A” /Coy. Brigadier John K. Lawson The Aftermath Atrocities P.O.W. Camps in Hong Kong
North Point Camp Sham Shui Po Prisoners of War Hong Kong Remembers Wong Nai Chung Gap Trail Anti-aircraft Gun Site
3.7 inch Pill box (Machine Gun Post)
Poppy
Sir Cecil’s Ride
Sai Wan War Cemetery
Canadian Commemorative Service 1st Hong Kong Canadian Scout Group
Prime Ministers at Sai Wan War Cemetery
2005 2012
August 14, 1945: V-J Day Liberation! Homecoming! “in the Second World War…..it was a long time before the Canadians got into action.”
“The Canadian Army Overseas fought its first battle only on 19 August 1942, when two brigades of the 2nd Division...... raided Dieppe”. Hong Kong Veterans Association
Hong Kong Memorial Wall
Defence of Hong Kong, 1941 Political Blunder 2,000 Canadians Overwhelming odds “not the slightest chance” Bravery and Honour We will remember them
They shall grow not old As we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them Nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, And in the morning, We will remember them.