HONG KONG’S FIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1942, Page 4

HONG KONG’S FIGHT

TWO THOUSAND CANADIANS PARTICIPATE. EFFECT ON PACIFIC CAMPAIGN. OTTAWA, December 27.

Approximately two thousand Cana- ! dians fought at Hong Kong. “The news of the surrender touches the heart of all Canada,” comments the Prime Minister, who continues: “From the outset the fate of Hong Kong hung in the balance. Its security depended largely

upon the maintenance of naval strength in the Pacific. This for the time being was completely changed by the losses consequent upon the treacherous attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbour and the Philippines and by the loss of the Prince of Wales and the Repulse. From the moment of these losses the defence of Hong Kong was transformed into a delaying action. How valiantly Hong Kong was defended is apparent from the fact that its capture occupied a formidable Japanese force for all of two weeks. Its resistance spared the defenders of the Philippines and Malaya even stronger assaults in those theatres of action at a moment when to gain time was the : all important factor. As such the de- ' fence of Hong Kong may prove to have ' had far reaching consequences for the ]

whole Far Eastern campaign. It should also be remembered that the defence against aggression in any part of the world is today a part of the defence of every country which still enjoys freedom.” The Minister of Defence, Colonel Ralston, has said: “The outstanding fact in the news is that the garrison

1 under adverse circumstances so coni vinced the enemy of their determination to fight it out to the last and succeeded in inflicting such severe losses upon the attackers that instead of an unconditional surrender the Governor and Military Commander are, according to a Japanese report, in a position to discuss the terms under which fighting shall cease. This circumstance in itself is a striking tribute to the unflinching courage and unbeatable spirit of the garrison. Britishers, Indians and Canadians are there and reports make it abundantly clear that the Canadians shared in the fullest measure the steadfastness, endurance and heroism of this epic battle. Hong Kong will be a sombre but glorious page in the record of the Canadian Army.”