|
1941 War Diary: Actual
events that took place prior to, and during the Battle of
Hong Kong
Crown Wine Cellars would like to thank Mr Tony Banham for the following extract from his definitive book, "Not The Slightest Chance". This title is
a reference to Churchill's comments concerning Hong Kong's
chances of being successfully defended against the impending
Japanese invasion.
Further information can be found at Tony's site:
www.hongkongwardiary.com
It is important to note that while the General Surrender of
Hong Kong took place on 25 December 1941, soldiers positioned
at "Little Hong Kong" held out until the morning
of 27 December 1941.
By Tony Banham:
Prior to the outbreak of war in Hong Kong, it had been arranged
that the Depot and Workshops in Queen's Road should, when
necessary, be transferred to The Ridge and Shouson Hill respectively,
and that the D.O.O.'s HQ should be at Little Hong Kong.
With this idea in view certain of the heavier stores had been
removed to The Ridge, Camp Equipment was stored at Brick Hill,
and certain necessary stores accommodated at Lyemun M.Q.
These precautions were well-advised for heavy shell fire from
the mainland soon necessitated the closing down of the Queen's
Road Depot and Workshops, and although the Kennedy Road Magazine
continued to function issues could only be made at night under
great difficulties.
A bomb was dropped on The Ridge on Dec 13, but no damage.
Storage at Lyemun M.Q. proved unfortunate for that area was
subjected to particularly heavy fire and was one of the points
at which the enemy eventually landed. These stores were therefore
removed to The Ridge, though difficulties with transport and
labour were tremendous. All vehicles were manned by RAOC volunteers.
It wasn't possible to remove all the ammunition from Lyemun
Magazines, of course, but as much as possible was issued to
units at nighttime. This continued until the enemy landed,
when the RAOC staff slipped quietly away and recommenced work
at Little Hong Kong.
Ma Tau Kok Depot had already been fairly well depleted, and
the balance of the stores were removed to Hong Kong before
our troops withdrew from the Mainland.
When the enemy landed they quickly made their way to Wong
Nai Chung Gap, from which position they were able to dominate
The Ridge completely, and were later able to cut the Island
in two by advancing on Repulse Bay, Shouson Hill, and Little
Hong Kong.
On 19/12 the position was somewhat confused for although HQ
reported that the Canadians held Wong Nai Chung Gap, from
The Ridge it was apparent that the Canadians were retiring
in the direction of Little Hong Kong.
At The Ridge two machine guns were brought into use whenever
targets presented themselves, and these assisted considerably
in covering the Canadian retreat. During the day the RAOC
had an experience, which is probably unique in Corps history.
Co-operating with some artillery personnel at Post Bridge
they attempted to act as 'spotters' for Artillery fire from
Mount Nicholson. Unfortunately the RA found it impossible
to reach the target owing to its sheltered position. On the
19th, too, the G.O.C. had given authority for The Ridge to
be burned down if this course should be considered necessary,
but this order was countermanded later.
Various parties of troops now began arriving at The Ridge.
An RA party of approximately 100 men, who were to attempt
to re-take the Wong Nai Chung Gap, arrived after dark, and
later a mixed party arrived. The latter included the Workshop
Staff from Shouson Hill, where considerable manufacture and
repair work had been carried out before instructions had been
received to evacuate. These Artificers had joined up with
other units at Pokfulam and had then made their way to The
Ridge via Bennetts Hill.
The enemy, meanwhile, were known to be advancing from Sai
Wan towards Stanley and Repulse Bay, but as far as was known
the road to Stanley was still clear, and on 20/12 information
was received from HQ that Wong Nai Chung and Cross Roads were
in our hands. The mixed party, which had arrived the previous
evening therefore, left for Shouson Hill, but were badly ambushed
at Cross Roads. A few escaped and returned to The Ridge through
the hills, but the majority were killed or captured. Most
of the RAOC staff were taken prisoner, but the OME, Captain
Bonney, is believe to have been killed.
During the day, The Ridge was plastered with machine gun and
mortar fire. Private Taylor was killed, and thirteen men seriously
wounded. Lt. Col. MacPherson was wounded in the arm.
Instructions were now given for the 280 men at The Ridge to
be divided into four groups. Two of which were to undertake
offensive operations, whilst the 3rd was to proceed to Repulse
Bay and the 4th to follow after destroying The Ridge. Food
and water were now very low. The 3 parties left together after
dark with two ambulances with wounded for Stanley.
By this time the enemy had taken up positions on Mount Cameron
and at Shouson Hill, which commanded all roads to and from
Little Hong Kong Magazines, which were subjected to heavy
mortar and machine gun fire making issues during daylight
impossible. Extensive issues were made at night, however,
to specially organised convoys, with little interference from
the Japanese.
On 21/12 a force of Canadians who had unsuccessfully attempted
to retake Wong Nai Chung Gap joined the remaining party at
The Ridge. Further casualties occurred during a heavy bombardment
by Light Field Guns, mortars, and Machine Guns. Col. MacPherson
being again wounded, badly, in the thigh. Houses 4 and 5 received
direct hits.
Those who were able now made their escapes in small parties,
after which the remainder surrendered. Col. MacPherson was
killed at The Ridge by machine gun fire.
Those who escaped found many of the parties who had left The
Ridge earlier, lying wounded in the hills, and those who got
that far found that Repulse Bay was in the hands of the enemy.
They were therefore left with no alternative but to surrender.
At Little Hong Kong, the Magazines were evacuated on 24/12
on the orders of the local commander, but were re-occupied
the same night on instructions from HQ, and further extensive
issues of ammunition were made, the staff remaining in occupation
until after the capitulation.
The party from Brick Hill endeavoured to fight their way through
to Pokfulam. But all but 4 were killed, Lieutenant Wallington
among them.
Little remains to be told. Circumstances dictated that many
of the services normally expected of the RAOC in war should
remain undone. We did, after much difficulty, succeed in establishing
Laundries for Hospital Washing, but hostilities did not last
long enough for this service to be of great value.
As far as is known the RAOC suffered a greater percentage
of casualties than any other unit, this being largely due
to the fact that they remained to the last to defend The Ridge,
despite the fact that The Ridge was most unsuited for defence
and was open to heavy fire from the commanding positions taken
up by the Japanese at Wong Nai Chung etc.
(From the RAOC War
Diary, kindly supplied by Kim Tomlinson.)
|