HONGKONG

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 287, 4 December 1941, Page 6

HONGKONG

ALERT AND READY A GREAT FORTRESS VAIN JAPANESE BOAST (By HENRY C. WOLFE) HONGKONG. This Eastern terminus of the British Empire's life-line is intently watching the gathering crisis precipitated by Japan's southward drive. Every Tokyo move is closely observed and appraised. It is correct to say that this Crown colony is tense, but one must immediately add that it is completely devoid of the jitters. Hongkong is on the alert. And Hongkong is ready. A few weeks ago in Tokyo the writer was told by high ranking (Japanese that Hongkong,was ready to drop like a ripe plum into lap. It was intimated that this colony was not even seriously considering resistance. The Japanese argued that Hongkong is part of the vast area which belongs to their "East. Asia co-prosperity sphere." The writer was assured that Hongkong could not be defended. Indeed, so they said in Tokyo, Britain was withdrawing from this exposed outpost, anxious to be rid of such a liability.

But less than a fortnight in Hongkong is long enough to prove the utter fallacy of Tokyo's assertions about this colony. It can be stated unequivocally that Britain means to hold this post. And the local authorities, the garrison and the civilian population are as one in their determination to stand their Sound, no matter what may happen Far Eastern affairs. It would be, the writer believes, a stabilising influence in this part of the world if the Japanese Government and people understood what the situation is in Hongkong. British Determination This Crown Colony is not, as Japanese militarists claim, a pawn in power politics. It is, on the contrary, a factor to be reckoned with. Today Hongkong is the eastern end of Britain's life-line, which begins at Iceland and extends to this fortified post. British troops have been withdrawn from Shanghai, because that city could not be held against a Japanese attack. But Hongkong has been continually strengthened. And the process goes forward night and day. This colony has become a fortress.

One of the greatest commercial ports of the world, Hongkong plays an important strategic role in Britain's Far Eastern defence system. As a military and naval base it is the first line of defence for Singapore. But it must be reiterated that this colony is no mere outpost whose

object is to carry out a delaying action. The British mean to make a major stand here.

The Japanese military and naval intelligence services undoubtedly know that there are units stationed here bearing the names of some of Britain's most renowned regiments. The Nipponese run the risk, however, of completely misunderstanding the Britisn determination to resist attack. If Tokyo cound understand the spirit of Hongkong, from the governor down to the humble young men and women in the A.R.P., it might save Japan a costly blunder.

Natural Strength of Gibraltar

It is giving away no military secret to report that the British are doing everything possible to make this colony impregnable. The defenders have the advantage of being able to plan their defence minutely. Every foot of ground has been carefully surveyed by military engineers. Every conceivable method of attack has been studied and means have been devised to meet it. All the experience in coast defence of the British Isles is at the disposal of the Hongkong authorities. This island, which boasts the classic beauty of'ltaly and Greece, has the rugged terrain of Scotland. Its granite mountains are a powerful asset to the defenders. Artillery emplacements and air raid shelters extend deep into solid rock. In some respects the fortifications here have the natural strength of Gibraltar.

Yesterday, while motoring along a quiet country road, our staff car came to a stop. Imagine the writer's surprise to find that the shrubbery on Doth sides of the drive screened hundreds of men from a famous Scottish regiment engaged in manoeuvres. A little later the car stopped near a beach. There were barDed wire entanglements along the water's edge. But again the writer failed to perceive the serious military preparations. It was not until he was led into a camouflaged fortifications system that he saw the alert, tough fighting men from India who are guarding this sector day and night. Air Raid Precautions Everywhere the writer turned he found the colony's approaches patrolled by \/atchful men from various parts of Britain's far-flung Empire. Heavy artillery, anti-air-craft batteries, pillboxes, traps for invaders, mine fields, naval and air patrols, the volunteer corps, antisabotage contingents, anti-fifth column workers and the A.R.P.— all these are parts of the powerful defence system which John Bull has built here to protect his life-line.

But just as important, perhaps, as the physical means of defence is the strong morale of the garrison, the authorities and the civilian population. Nothing could have demonstrated civilian morale more clearly than a recent blackout. In this hot, humid weather it is an almost insuperable task to enforce strict blackout regulations, especially in the crowded native quarters of the city and on the hundreds of junks and sampans along the water front. Yet it was done. And the writer, who saw blackouts in Europe during this war, can vouch that this one compares favourably with any other. About six miles of air raid tunnels have been blasted out of the hills of this colony. One tunnel alone can shelter more than 50,000 people. —Auckland Star and N.A.N.A.