Chronology of Canadian Military History Canadian Military History, Colonial Period, New France, First Peoples, Seven Years War, French Indian War Canadian Military History, British North America, American Invasion, War of 1812, Dominion of Canada, Riel Rebellion, South African War Canadian Military History, World War 1 History, 1914-1918, Canadian Armed Forces, conscription Canadian Military History, World War 2, 1939-1945, Battle of the Atlantic, conscription, invasion, Dday, Normandy, Germany, axis, allies, Hong Kong, Dieppe 1946-today
Canada and the 
Second World War
The World Crisis
Canada goes to War
Canada at Britain's side
The Battle of the Atlantic
Canada's War at sea
The War comes to Canada
The Battle for Hong Kong
Disaster at Dieppe
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
Bomber Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force
The Home Front
Conscription
The Italian Campaign
Canada at D-Day
The Normandy Campaign
Liberating Northwest Europe
Victory
The War against Japan
Forced Relocation: the Japanese-Canadian Story
Going Home
Counting the Cost
A Nation Transformed

THE BATTLE FOR HONG KONG

1941

Japanese invaders overwhelmed Canadian and other troops defending Hong Kong.

In November 1941, Canada sent 1975 troops to help garrison the British colony of Hong Kong. Although dispatched as part of a plan to deter Japanese aggression, the Canadians were not fully equipped and still undergoing training. On 7 December 1941, Japan entered the war with a series of successful offensives in Asia and across the Pacific Ocean. The Japanese invaded Hong Kong on 8 December and overran its meagre defences in 17 days.

In their first land combat of the war, Canadian troops fought valiantly in a vicious, unequal struggle. Losses were heavy: 290 killed in action and hundreds wounded. The survivors were all taken prisoner. Suffering from malnutrition, disease, overwork, and brutality, nearly 300 more Canadians died in captivity.

See also :
Canadian Newspapers and the Second World War : Hong Kong, December 1941


THE BATTLE FOR HONG KONG
IWM- LF193

The Battle for Hong Kong
Canadian War Museum
1 Vimy Place
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M8
1-800-555-5621