The Battle of Hong Kong
![Picture](/uploads/9/5/9/9/9599625/1429826600.png)
Only eight hours after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii on December 7 1941, the Japanese attacked Hong Kong. The Japanese had made no declaration of war, so they were in violation of international law.
The Canadians, along with some British and Indian troops valiantly attempted to defend Hong Kong, but were outnumbered at approximately 4 to 1.
Along with soldiers with little or no combat experience, Hong Kong had little by way of air defence with only five airplanes. Their naval defence was also poor, as three ships had been redirected to Singapore.
Defence of Hong Kong island was divided into the Eastern and Western Brigades. Calls for surrender were made on December 13 and 17th, but were rejected. Japanese soldiers then made their way onto Hong Kong Island, and by December 19th had broken the Western Brigade.
On December 25, Japanese soldiers entered a British field hospital, where the tortured and killed many injured soldiers and medical staff. That afternoon, the Governor of Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese. Many Canadian soldiers were then taken as Prisoners of War.
In Hong Kong, this day is known as "Black Christmas".
The Canadians, along with some British and Indian troops valiantly attempted to defend Hong Kong, but were outnumbered at approximately 4 to 1.
Along with soldiers with little or no combat experience, Hong Kong had little by way of air defence with only five airplanes. Their naval defence was also poor, as three ships had been redirected to Singapore.
Defence of Hong Kong island was divided into the Eastern and Western Brigades. Calls for surrender were made on December 13 and 17th, but were rejected. Japanese soldiers then made their way onto Hong Kong Island, and by December 19th had broken the Western Brigade.
On December 25, Japanese soldiers entered a British field hospital, where the tortured and killed many injured soldiers and medical staff. That afternoon, the Governor of Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese. Many Canadian soldiers were then taken as Prisoners of War.
In Hong Kong, this day is known as "Black Christmas".