Stirring Struggle For Hongkong

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 302, 22 December 1941, Page 5

Stirring Struggle For Hongkong

BRITISH HOLDING OUT Japanese Say Occupation Only Matter Of Hours (United Press Association—Copyright.— Rec. 1 p.m.) LONDON, December 21. a me"rge gl from T a l StUl holdin^, out /His morning, according to a message from Tokyo, stating that Japanese naval forces were , UnltS " attacking strongholds messed Chungking announced that a midday message from Hongkong said fighting was still heaw and fWI situation serious. Meanwhile fierce fig Ling is around Shumchun, on the outer mainland on the border of Hongkong attimoiine t J y PaneS f cou nter-attacked the Chinese who werl attempting to relieve the pressure on the British. occupSi e o „ TO o k f y Ho°n ffi l ial radi ° C | aimed that the complete Japanese .f g glB ° nl , y a ma »er of hours. It admitted that the British forces are still holding a series of strong defence sr. pe * ks ,he t Heav y Japanese casualties were suffered according to reports on H T Inte, !l gence Service, which described the assault on Hongkong. The attacks, it is stated, were carried out with fanatical determination, to which a high military authoritv aays very close attention should be paid by the British American military leaders. Despite the beHef that H™^ bomb™ ' and a " d ~ '<"><< "> Sequent _ ... Th<S J" I®™1®™ ork Jimes correspondent at Ottawa says the position of the Canadian garrison in Hongkong has stirred ur> criticism throughout Canada at the lack of preparation the failure to reahse the Japanese strength, and the lack of co-ordination of Plans Criticism is not directed at the Government ft sendinj Canadians to Hongkong, quite the reverse, but there is a new ou reak of the demands for more energetic and inspirational leadership m Government Departments. U he , Klng has , sent a message to Sir Mark Young Governor of Hongkong, statmg: "The though., of all at home are Wh you and the people of Hongkong in your ordeal. I conStuUte all ranks on their courageous resistance against heavy odds."