Guerillas who fought in the New Territories during the Japanese occupation yesterday received official recognition at a memorial service led by the Chief Executive.
Tung Chee-hwa and former battalion member Lo Aw-fung added names of 115 guerillas killed in the three years after the 1941 invasion to the Roll of Honour.
'On behalf of the people of Hong Kong, I convey our salute to all those who died in defence of Hong Kong,' Mr Tung said before an eight-gun tribute to the dead.
Surviving members of the guerilla group - the Independent Battalion of the Dongjiang Column - were among the 150 veterans attending.
The ceremony, at the City Hall Memorial Garden, was held to coincide with the Chung Yeung festival.
'I am glad that the historical facts have now been recognised and the contribution made by the guerillas has been recognised,' Mr Lo, who joined the Dongjiang battalion aged 18, said after the service.
'The dead can now rest in peace, and their families can now be comforted.' The Dongjiang resistance group helped rescue Allied prisoners of war, but was said to be ignored because of its communist roots.