Battle of Hong Kong
British Hong Kong
What happened
British, Indian and Canadian troops and the local Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, led by Governor Mark Young and General Christopher Maltby, defended Hong Kong against the Japanese army of General Takashi Sakai. On the same morning as the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces invaded the British colony of Hong Kong. They broke through the defence line in the New Territories, and within a week the defenders had to give up Kowloon and pull back to Hong Kong Island. On 18 December the Japanese crossed to the island, and after a week of hard fighting the British surrendered on Christmas Day.
Why it matters
Result: Japanese victory. Leaders: Mark Young / Christopher Maltby against Takashi Sakai / Tadamichi Kuribayashi. Why it matters: The fall of Hong Kong, along with Singapore, badly damaged Britain's reputation as a military power in Asia. 25 December 1941 is remembered in Hong Kong as 'Black Christmas'.
What came next
Japan occupied Hong Kong for three years and eight months. British control returned on 30 August 1945, which was later celebrated as Liberation Day.
Did you know?
People in Hong Kong still call the Japanese occupation by a Chinese phrase meaning 'three years and eight months'.
Timeline
- 8 December 1941Japan invades Hong Kong.
- 18 December 1941Japanese forces land on Hong Kong Island.
- 25 December 1941The British surrender on 'Black Christmas'.
- 30 August 1945The Royal Navy takes control of Hong Kong again.