Hong Kong
The Defence of Hong Kong. Information from Veterans Affairs Canada’s publication, Canadians in Hong Kong. Summary written by Patricia Geisler. I’ve condensed and reworded in some areas but do see the link below to it online. I’ve also include the links to some other history publications prepared by Veterans Affairs and now online.
Pt 1
It was in the defence of Hong Kong in 1941 that Canadian soldiers were first committed to battle during the Second World War.
Initially, the vulnerability of Hong Kong was apparent, and there was no intention of providing reinforcement to the British Army there. The decision was reversed in late 1941. “..It was argued that the situation in the Orient had altered; that the defences in Malaya had been improved; and that Japan was showing a certain weakness towards the United States and Great Britain. The reinforcement of Hong Kong would, it was believed, serve as a deterrent to hostile action by Japan.” It was also intended to have a morale boosting effect in the Far East and reassurance to Chiang Kai Shek that Hong Kong was meant to be held.
Canada was asked to provide one or two battalions for the purpose. The battalions chosen were The Royal Rifles of Canada (C.O. Lt-Col. W.J. Home) and The Winnipeg Grenadiers (C.O. Lt.-Col. J.L.R. Sutcliffe). The Royals had just returned from garrison duty in Newfoundland, and the Grenadiers from garrison duty in Jamaica.
“The Canadians, commanded by Brigadier J.K. Lawson, sailed from Vancouver on October 27, 1941 in the Awatea, escorted by HMCS Prince Robert. The embarkation strength of the force was 96 officers (plus two Auxiliary Services supervisors) and 1,877 other ranks. The 212 vehicles assigned to the force left a few days later on the freighter Don Jose. These vehicles were never to reach Hong Kong. The Don Jose had only just reached Manila when the war with Japan began, and the Unite States forces were given approval to use the Canadian equipment in the defence of the Philippines.
November 16, the Canadian troops were met by the Governor, Sir Mark Young, and the G.O.C. British troops in China, Major-General C.M. Maltby.
The Canadian units had not received all the required training for front line troops, as it was not thought that war with Japan was imminent and that there would be time for further training. (continued below)
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