The Battle of Hong Kong December 8-24, 1941

Japan in WWI During WWI, Japan was allied with the Entente Powers (our side) Japan played an important role in securing sea lanes in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans against the German Navy Through its participation in the War Japan sought to expand its sphere of influence and regain its position as a great power Japan participated in the Versailles negotiations and gained a permanent seat on the Council of the league of Nations Japan re-emerged as a great power in international politics

Imperial Japan The prosperity brought on by World War I did not last Internal political turmoil and economic crisis in the 1920s and 1930s contributed to the rise of Japanese ultra-nationalism and militarism In 1931 Japan invaded Manchuria and withdrew from the League of Nations, which condemned the act International isolation fed ultra-nationalism. Mayors, teachers and Shinto priests were recruited by ultra-nationalist movements to indoctrinate citizens

Japanese Aggression In July 1937 Japan invaded China. The offensive developed into a full scale war, and Japan enjoyed military superiority over China and the army advanced quickly By December, the Japanese had defeated Chinese forces at Shanghai and seized Nanking. There Japanese troops committed the greatest atrocity of an incredibly brutal war – During the ‘Rape of Nanking’, an estimated 300,000 civilians were slaughtered. By 1939, the war was in stalemate; Chinese Communist and Nationalist forces continued to resist

Japanese Imperialism 1904: Japan occupies Korea 1931: Japan occupies Manchuria 1937: The “Rape” of Nanking 1940: French Indo-China occupied September: Japan signs the Tri-Partite Pact with Germany and Italy – Remains neutral (in the short term)

Japan Enters WWII In 1940, Japan signed the Tripartite Pact, creating the Rome-Tokyo-Berlin Axis In July, 1941, the US President Roosevelt announced an oil embargo on Japan – Japan relied heavily on oil imported from the US For Japan, the move was the perfect pretext for war, unleashed on Dec 7 th, 1941 with the Pearl Harbour attack – This brought the US into WWII Japan attacks Hong Kong Dec 8 th, 1941

Let’s Think… 1.What does Japan have in common with Germany and Italy in the 1930s? 2.Was bringing the US into the War a wise move for the Axis Powers? i.Why? 3.Was it possible for Japan defeat the US? i.Why?

The Battle of Hong Kong After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, they attacked Hong Kong (A British Colony) Many knew that Hong Kong was impossible to defend. More than 1,900 Canadians volunteered to defend Hong Kong. They were considered to be “Lambs to the Slaughter” More than 550 Canadians were killed. The rest were taken prisoner by the Japanese. The Canadians defend Hong Kong in 1941

Hong Kong British Colony Population 1941: 1.5 million Colony 410 sq. miles Island 29 sq. miles

The British Problem The British army is overstretched – Defence of UK – Middle East – India – Malaya/Singapore What to do with Hong Kong? August 1940: British Chiefs of Staff “ – “Hold as long as possible” but recognized that, if war came, Hong Kong could not be reinforced or relieved. – Churchill January, 1941:“This is all wrong. If Japan goes to war with us there is not the slightest chance of holding Hong Kong or relieving it.”

Canadian Involvement September 19, 1941: The British formally request Canadian aid in the defense of Hong Kong September 27, 1941: The Canadians approve the request – “anything which would either defer or deter Japan from coming in [to the war] would be highly desirable from our point of view.” – J.L. Ralston, Minister of National Defence

Who to Send? Royal Rifles of Canada--mobilized July 8 th, garrisoned in Newfoundland Winnipeg Grenadiers--mobilized Sept 1 st, garrisoned in Jamaica – Basic training (16 weeks) – just 6% had less – Weapons training (incomplete due to shortages) – Company level training incomplete – Battalion level training incomplete

The Battle Chronology 7 December: Japanese 38th Division attacks from the north 9 December: The “Gin Drinkers Line” is broken 15 December: The Japanese cross to Hong Kong Island 20 December: The island is divided 25 December: The Garrison surrenders

Summary Canadian soldiers first engaged in battle while defending the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong against a Japanese attack in December, The Canadians at Hong Kong fought against overwhelming odds and most had limited military training. They had virtually no chance of victory, but refused to surrender until they were overrun by the enemy. Those who survived the battle became prisoners of war (POWs) and many endured torture and starvation by their Japanese captors. Prisoners would often work 12 hours a day in mines or on the docks in the cold, subsisting on rations of 800 calories a day. Many did not survive. In all, more than 550 of the 1,975 Canadians who sailed from Vancouver in October 1941 never returned.

The Final Canadian Tally Dead 23 officers/267 other ranks Wounded 28 officers/465 other ranks Died in captivity: 4 officers/124 other ranks – 4 shot Diphtheria, 1942: 50 dead 136 died during forced labour in Japan Of 1975 Canadians who left Canada in October 1941, 557 never returned