Land Force 1: Battle of Hong Kong

Hong-Kong defences, site at Wong Nai Chong Gap where West Brigade Headquarters, and Winnipeg Grenadiers were over-run by Japanese forces, 19 Dec. 1941. Photograph. Library and Archives Canada, Archives / Collections and Fonds, number 4816403. https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=FonAndCol&idNumber=3995680&ecopy=e010789741-v8

Canada participated in the Battle of Hong Kong in the Asian battlefield in 1941. This army has a special name, C Force. The main Canadian forces involved in the defense of Hong Kong are the Royal Canadian Rifles and the Winnipeg Grenadiers. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in the Asian battlefield, Hong Kong became the only gateway for the Chongqing National Government to maintain contact with Britain, the United States and other countries, and it was also the entrance for material assistance to China. The Japanese began to blockade Hong Kong in 1938 and officially attacked Hong Kong in December 1941. The Winnipeg Grenadiers in the C Force participated in the action on December 11 and became the first Canadian Army unit to participate in combat during World War II. On December 19, the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Scots fought hard throughout the morning and repelled the attacking Japanese troops. The picture shows part of the fortifications in Hong Kong. The area is the West Brigade Headquarters, and locations of the Winnipeg Grenadiers.

Bibliography:

Macri, Franco David (2011). "Canadians under Fire: C Force and the Battle of Hong Kong, December 1941". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Hong Kong. 51: 233–251.