Letters | On the Battle of Hong Kong’s 80th anniversary, remember those who fought to defend the city

Name: Peter Choi, veteran of the Battle of Hong Kong in World War II, dies aged 98
Uploaded: 2021-12-07T22:30:12.000Z
Duration: 4 min 31 s
Description: Peter Choi, veteran of the Battle of Hong Kong in World War II, dies aged 98

Readers discuss Hong Kong’s World War II history, the departure of teachers from the city’s schools, the importance of masking in winter, and how the Bandung conference can inspire efforts to combat climate change

Reading Time:3 minutes

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The Second Battery of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps photographed in 1941. Photo: Courtesy of Elaine Polglase and the Vibe Christensen family.

Letters

Published: 6:30am, 8 Dec 2021

Today is the 80th anniversary of the start of the Battle of Hong Kong.

At 8am on December 8, 1941, a Monday, Japanese troops crossed from Shenzhen into Hong Kong. The Hong Kong garrison of the Middlesex Regiment, the Royal Scots, the Punjab Regiment, the Rajput Regiment, the Winnipeg Grenadiers, the Royal Rifles of Canada and the local Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, supported by the Royal Artillery and other units, were hopelessly outnumbered in the battle which followed.

Many Hong Kong Chinese and other Hong Kong residents were involved in the battle either with the armed forces or undertaking essential civilian duties. Around a third of the members of the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps had Chinese ancestry and many others served in the army, primarily in the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers.

Seventeen days later, the overwhelming strength of the Japanese forces led to the surrender past 3pm on Christmas Day and the start of three years and eight months of Hong Kong’s occupation by the Japanese.

During the battle and subsequent occupation, the local population suffered brutal treatment and many died. Others left for the mainland and several, who survived, died before their time from maltreatment and starvation.

04:31

Peter Choi, veteran of the Battle of Hong Kong in World War II, dies aged 98

Today Japan has changed, but we must not forget the sacrifices made 80 years ago by the Hong Kong residents who helped to make our Hong Kong what it is today. Today we salute, and remember, our family members and other Hong Kong residents for what they did and suffered 80 years ago so we could enjoy the benefits today.

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.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Letters | On the Battle of Hong Kong’s 80th anniversary, remember those who fought to defend the city

Letters | On the Battle of Hong Kong’s 80th anniversary, remember those who fought to defend the city