18 Dec 1941, Additional notes

Submitted by emride on Mon, 12/18/2017 - 19:07

"The night was the darkest I have ever seen.  ... overcast, cloudy, rain at intervals, otherwise mostly drizzle.  In addition, the enemy had set alight the oil tanks near North Point, and the smoke drifted over the island. ... Three landings were made, each in two waves, and seven battalions, or about 7000 men, landed in all during the night.  On the East, Colonel Tanaka with two battalions landed in the Shaukiwan area.  He sent one battalion against Lyemun and Sai Wan, the other over Quarry Gap into Tytam Valley.  Colonel Shoji with three battalions landed somewhere near North Point and plugged straight inland for Jardine’s Lookout and Wongneichong Gap.  Another two battalions, under Colonel Doi, landed west of the docks.  Their job was to take care of the bridge-head, and when possible push troops forward to support Shoji’s men."

((Source - a dramatization of the history of the Hong Kong Volunteers, which was broadcast over Radio Hong Kong on 31st May 1954 as part of the HKVDC Centenary Celebrations))

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