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The Decision
Canadian government decided they would send their troops to battle even though they weren't ready. -
Period: to
Canadian involvement in the Battle of Hong Kong
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Why Canada got involved
It was in the defence of Hong Kong in 1941 that Canadian soldiers first committed to battle during the Second World War. they were there to help defend the Crown Colony, Canada sent a force of 1,975, consisting of two battalions – the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada; a brigade headquarters group; and various specialists details. -
A Canadian Brigade goes to Hong Kong
A Canadian Brigade under the command of Brigadier John Lawson MC sailed from Vancouver to reinforce the garrison on Hong Kong -
Canadian Arrival
Canadian troops arrived in Hong Kong, and 22 days later the Japanese began their attack. -
Japan head to Hong Kong
At 0800 Japanese Empire launched an attack on Hong Kong -
Troops Dig In
British and Commonwelth troops dug in along a line called the Gin Drinker's line that was located behind the border of Hong Kong -
Gin Drinker's line collapse
The Japanese were able to collapse the Gin Drinker's Line. They were able to do this because they mounted a large mass attack on the line -
Japan Captures More Land
Japanese troops advanced south along the Kowloon Peninsula, capturing Stonecutter's Island. -
Japan orders a surrender to Hong Kong
Japan orders Hong Kong to surrender but Hong Kong didn't surrender so they bombed the island with artillery and by planes. Japan order Hong Kong to surrender on the 15th and the 15th Hong Kong rejected them both times. -
Japan landed in Hong Kong
At night Japanese soldiers landed on the island of Hong Kong -
Japan Takes Over Land
Japanese forces over ran the key Wong Nai Chung Gap in the centre of the island, dividing the British defense in half. -
Japan holds land
Japan took over the western half of Hong Kong. The Canadian troops began to fall back because they were suffering heavy casualties. -
The Withdraw
While Canadian troops completed the withdraw from Wong Nai Chung Gap. Order began to crumble as panic built up rapidly. The rifles contact a group of British soldiers only a few hundred yards from Wong Nai Chung Gap that were holding position until the 22nd. -
Japan Kills Civilians
Japan entered the British field hospital called St. Stephen's Collage and tortured/killed over 60 wounded Canadian soldiers, nurses, and doctors -
Black Christmas
Hong Kong surrenders to Japan at 1515. Of the 1,975 Canadians, 551 of them were killed or died in prison camps.
