""Black Christmas" - The Fall of Hong Kong" Topic

Reading this interesting article…

link

Took my attention…

"…Imperial Japanese troops kill thousands of British and Commonwealth hospital patients, doctors, nurses, prisoners of war (POWs) and unarmed European and Chinese civilians during their brutal occupation of Hong Kong. Although the British had surrendered to the Japanese, local Chinese resistance groups known as the Gangjiu and Dongjiang forces wage a small guerilla war in New Territories. As a result, some villages are razed as punishment. The guerillas fight until the end of the Japanese occupation…"

Why the British don't tried to releave their troops to fight a guerrilla warfare as the chinese did?

Also…

"…At 1500, MajGen Maltby arrives at Government House and advises Governor Young to surrender the outnumbered garrison because of lack of food and water. Young initially opposes a surrender, but after consultation with two civilian members of his Defence Council and further discussions with his naval and military commanders, the Governor authorizes Maltby to arrange a cease-fire…"

How was possible that Hong Kong suffered for lack of food and water?. Was this true?
Can they sustain more time untill surrender?

Amicalement
Armand

Honk Kong has no water supply other than what could be caught from roofs during the monsoon, it has been dependant on water pipelines from the 'mainland' almost from the beginning. That is why the British needed the 'New Territories' – water and some fresh food. Staples like rice were always imported, again, Honk Kong is basically a rock with negligible arable land, the original Chinese settlements were fishing villages, and fishing remains a major source of food there.

So once the Japanese occupied the mainland territories they controlled the water supply – nothing to drink and no water to fight fires started by bombardment regardless of how much food could have been stockpiled.

Singapore was in much the same situation – large civilian population plus refugees, almost all water supplies came from the mainland, negligible capacity to grow food and the whole area in range for bombardment.

Tango…try Woodburn Kirby 'The War Against Japan Volume I'…lots of maps and info for great wargames.

Tango,

All Europeans were interned. Chinese weren't, hence why they were then able to continue a guerrilla war.

A book I'd recommend is 'Not The Slightest Chance' by Tony Banham.

It was also early in the war, the British were on the back foot and no one realized just how brutal the Japanese would be to POWs.

Indeed. This was absolutely the first taste that they'd had of Japanese brutality, though word soon got out after a few hospital-fulls of nurses had been raped and murdered.

There were however, odd episodes of chivalry. Two examples are:

The Portuguese Company of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps were simply allowed to go after being captured (whereupon they rejoined the main Commonwealth force).

The Royal Engineer Garrison of Sai Wan Fort were allowed to march out with bayonets fixed and full honours of war, following a gallant defence.

It would seem that one of the three Japanese regiments had a humane commander who respected the captured enemy forces and civilians, whereas the other two regiments manifestly did not and committed some of the worst atrocities of the war, even bayoneting wounded in their beds, raping and murdering medical staff and even murdering the St John's Ambulance Cadets.

If you're interested, the orbats are here:

Commonwealth: PDF link

Japanese: PDF link

The Canadian experience in Hong Kong was particularly horrific. Probably the best book on the battle and results is by Brereton Greenhous, link

The first Canadian Victoria Cross and the last to be awarded was won at Hong Kong by CSM John Robert Osborn.

link

link

The citation in the London Gazette of 1st April, 1946 :
At Hong Kong, on 19th December, 1941, a company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers became divided in an attack on Mount Butler. A part of the company led by C.S.M. Osborn captured the hill at bayonet point, but after three hours owing to the superior numbers of the enemy the position became untenable. C.S.M. Osborn and a small group covered the withdrawal and when their turn came to fall back he single-handed engaged the enemy, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to cover their retirement. Later the Company was cut off and completely surrounded. Several enemy grenades were thrown which C.S.M. Osborn picked up and threw back. When one landed in a position where it was impossible to pick it up, he threw himself upon it and was instantly killed. His self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. C.S.M. Osborn was an inspiring example to all throughout the defence, and in his death he displayed the highest qualities of heroism and self-sacrifice.

Many thanks for your recomendations my friends! (smile)

Amicalement
Armand