Re: Hong Kong
Part 7
When the Japanese were approaching the West Brigade Headquarters, Brigadier Lawson decided to withdraw to a new location. Before the action was completed the headquarters was surrounded. A company of Royal Scots attempted to provide assistance, but less than a dozen were able to get through. About 10 a.m., December 19, Brigadier Lawson reported to Fortress Headquarters that he was going outside to “fight it out” with the enemy who were firing into the shelter at point-blank range. Brigadier Lawson was killed.
Following the death of Lawson and his next senior officer, Colonel Hennessy, the West Brigade was without a commander. On December 20, Colonel H.B. Rose of the Hong Kong Defence Corps was appointed on December 20.
“D” Company of the Grenadiers held firmly to its position near Wong Nei Chong Gap, denying the Japanese the use of the one main north-south road across the island. The Grenadiers inflicted severe casualties on the enemy and delayed the Japanese advances for three days. They held out until the morning of December 22, when ammunition, food, and water were exhausted and the Japanese had blown in the steel shutters of the company shelters. When they surrendered there were 37 wounded Grenadiers inside.
The final phase of fighting on the western part of the island consisted of trying to maintain a continuous line from Victoria Harbour to the south shore. The Grenadiers were sent to hold Mount Cameron, which they did despite heavy dive-bombing and mortar attacks. On the night of December 22, they were forced off when the Japanese struck in the darkness.
The line now consisted of the Middlesex Regiment and the Indian battalions on the left; the Royal Scots on the western slopes of Mount Cameron; and the Grenadiers in the right sector to Bennets’ Hill. On the afternoon of December 24, the left sector fell and the Japanese made further gains on Mount Cameron. The Grenadiers held their positions against heavy attacks and on Christmas morning regained some of the ground lost at Bennet’s Hill.
After a three-hour truce, the Japanese again attacked. The Allied positions were overrun and the defenders forced to surrender. On the afternoon of Christmas Day, the GOC Hong Kong advised the Governor that further resistance was futile. After seventeen and a half days the defence of Hong Kong was over. (continued below)
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