Figure 1.--These two little Chinese boys were adopted by an RAF Spitfire Squadron stationed at Kaitak airfield, Kowloon, Hong Kong after the squadron took over the airfield from the Japanese (September 1945). FF is the squadron designation. The boys who are brothers, presented themselves at the orderly-room. One could speak English, and he informed the corporal that his father had been murdered by the Japanese, and his mother was seriously ill. A visit was made to the mother, and she was told that her children could be 'adopted'. She was delighted, and the station medical officer who examined her said that the news may speed her recovery. The boys weRe christenED 'Big Wings' (aged 11) and 'Little Wings' (aged 8).

Hong Kong and Shanghai were along with Sngpapre were the the three great Pacific ports on the Asian mainmland. Hong Kong and Shnghai were the only Treaty Ports left in China at the time of World War II. After the fall of the China coast to Japan (1937-38), Hong Kong was the only major Chinese port that allowed strategic supplies to reach mainland China. As war pproached, there was no naval defense of Hong Kong. The British Royal Navy did not evem have strength to defend Singapore, its primary bastion. Thus the Imperial Navy dominated the sea lanes. The Imperail Army had substantial forces in Canton faced thge British Crown Colony. The Japanese struck Hong Kong the same morning as their attack on the American Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor (December 8, 1941). This was one of the many actions launched by the Japanese to deliver a cripling blow at the outset of the Pacific War. The Japanese bombed Hong Kong. The few aircraft were quickly destroyed. The British battalions on Hong Kong Island reiforced by the Canadians were strong enough to prevent the Japanese from just marching in as they did in Shanghai. Though badly outnumbered, the British garrison mounted a tenacious defense but were soon forced from the mainland. Pursued by the Japanese, the defenders were ultimately overwhelmed. Overall, the garrison succeeded in holding out for over two weeks before finally surrendering. The British surrendered Hong Kong after an 18-day struggle (December 25). The Europeans in Shanghai were not immediately interned. The Europeans in Hong Kong were immediated interned. Japanese occupiers terrorized the local population as well. The Japanese converted the hospitals and othe healthcare facilities to military hospitals meaning that the Chinese population had little access to medical care. Food was severely rationed and difficult to obtin. Much of the ciy residents were deported to China, cutting the populatiuo by more than a half--to about 0.6 million. the Japanese seized control of media and education. The internt was to Japanese the population. Two armed resistance groups formed: the East River Force and the Hong Kong-Kowloon Brigade which united into the Guangdong People's Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Force (December 1943). Hong Kong was of some strategi importance. There were imprtant port and repair facilities Japan used Hong Kong to establish firm control over the South China Sea, essentially a gateway to Southeast Asia. This was soon lost as a result of American naval victories beginning at Midway (June 1942). American submarines became increasingly effective (1943). This prevented the Japanese from using Hong Kong as a staging area for operations into East Asia. Reverses at sea and the inability to transpot oil and other resoirces by sea, prompted effots to establing land transport lines. This was part of the notivtiion for the Ichi-Go offensive (1944). Hong Kong was still occupied when the Emperor surrendered (August 15, 1945). A British battle squadron led by the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable entered Hong Kong to reoccupy the territory (August 30). A priority was to rescue the British, Indian, Canadian, and Dutch POWs and internees who because of abuse and lavkof food were beginning to die in large numbers. If the Americans had not forces Japan to surrebder, few of these people would have survived. The Japanese formally surrendered (September 16). President Roosevelt had promised that Hong Kong would be returned to Chinese control, but Britain retained control as a Crown Colony.

Created: 6:58 PM 6/26/2022
Last updated: 6:58 PM 6/26/2022