Introduction
Introduction
This chapter provides details of the defence plan of Hong Kong in the event of an all-out attack by the Japanese. It describes that it was impossible for the Japanese to launch a surprise attack upon the New Territories and Hong Kong, as British observation posts established on the hills overlooking the river plain were able to observe any significant concentration of enemy troops. It notes that the total defence strength on 8 December 1941 was approximately 14,000 men with no modern Air Force or Navy allotted to the defence of the colony and faced with a ground force of 60,000 experienced Japanese troops, together with a modern air force and navy. In a telegram to the commander-in-chief and governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young, Winston Churchill said, “We expect you to resist to the end. The honour of the empire is in your hands”.
Keywords: defence plan, Hong Kong, Japanese, New Territories, British observation posts, Sir Mark Young, Winston Churchill
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