Hong Kong 1941–45

The invasion and conquest of Hong Kong formed part of the staggering series of Japanese conquests across the Far East in late 1941 and early 1942.

On 8th December 1941, as part of the simultaneous combined attack against Pearl Harbor, the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) invaded the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia, as well as the British colony of Hong Kong. After only 18 days of battle, the defenders—a weak, undermanned brigade—were overwhelmed by a superior force of two battle-hardened IJA divisions.

What defines the battle of Hong Kong was not the scale—just 14,000 defended the colony—but the intensity of this battle, fought not only by the British Army, Navy, and Air Force but also Canadians, Hong Kong’s own defence force, the Indian Army, and many civilians.

The campaign itself is characterised by a fierce land battle, with long artillery duels and rapid naval actions. Notable encounters include intense actions at the Gin Drinkers Line and the battle of Wong Nai Chung Gap, where a handful of defenders took on an entire Japanese regiment.

Less known but equally important are individual acts of valour such as CSM John Robert Osborne winning a posthumous Victoria Cross (VC) by throwing himself over a Japanese grenade to save fellow combatants.