Hong Kong WWII Timeline

  • Hong Kong In Danger

    Britain's leader, Winston Churchill realizes that Hong Kong is in danger because of the Japanese expanding downwards. He thinks about it and makes the decision to send British and Canadian soldiers down to Hong Kong.
  • Troops Arrive In Hong Kong

    The Canadian troops arrive on a large steamship called the HMCS Prince Robert, ready to defend Hong Kong.
  • Attack On Kai Tak Airfield

    36 Japanese fighter jets attack Kai Tak Airfield and cross the Sham Chun Shan river, getting closer and closer to Hong Kong.
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    Evacuation of Kowloon and New Territories

    Residents of Kowloon and New Territories are evacuated and brought to safety.
  • Japan Demands Surrender

    On the 13th of December, Japanese troops arrive at Hong Kong Island and demand for them to surrender. The Hong Kong Government denies the surrender option.
  • Hong Kong's Northern Costal Defenses Destroyed

    On the 17th of December of 1941, the Japanese begin a heavy bombing and artillery barrage on Hong Kong Island's Northern Coastal Defenses. They are destroyed completely.
  • Japanese Launches Main Attack on Hong Kong Island

    On the nightfall of December 18th, 1941, Japanese forces launch four separate attacks on the northern coast of Hong Kong Island. They were greeted by machine-gun fire by British soldiers, but quickly killed them and advanced onto the east and the west onto higher ground. They then faced the Royal Rifles from the Canadian troops who attempted to push them back.
  • HK Commanding Officer Killed

    On the 20th of December, 1941, Hong Kong's commanding officer Lawson was killed while trying to protect Fortress Hong Kong from being captured.
  • St. Stephen's Hospital Massacred (Black Christmas)

    On the 25th of December, 1941, Japanese soldiers massacred and brutally murdered many injured soldiers and nurses who were treating them. This day is known to Hong Kong as Black Christmas.
  • Stanley Fort Captured

    On the 25th of December, 2016, Japanese launch an attack on the Royal Rifles and capture Stanley Fort.
  • Hong Kong Forced To Surrender

    Later that day, Japanese troops attack Mt Cameron and call for a final surrender. Hong Kong Governor Mark Young finally accepts defeat and surrenders to the Japanese.
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    Hong Kong In Japanese's Control

    Hong Kong is handed over to the Japanese. The Hong Kong Dollar was outlawed and changed to the Japanese Military Yen. Street Signs were changed and renamed in Japanese. The public utilities were given for the Japanese to use. A lot of things happened during this period of time
  • Anti-Japanese Guerilla Force Established

    The Anti-Japanese Guerilla force was established in February of 1942. They began to launch minor attacks on Japanese troops to take out small groups using hit-and-run tactics.
  • Atomic Bomb Dropped On Hiroshima

    On the 6th of August, 1945, an atomic bomb, called "Enola Gay" was dropped on Hiroshima, killing over 70,000 people in a matter of seconds.
  • Atomic Bomb Dropped On Nagasaki

    Three days later, another atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, killing even more Japanese civilians.
  • Japanese Surrenders

    After the two atomic bomb dropping incidents, Japan finally surrenders and begins to leave Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong Returned

    Hong Kong is returned to the Royal Navy. This day is known as "Liberation Day", and was a public holiday until 1967.
  • Acceptance of Japanese Surrender

    Britain formally accepts Japanese's surrender, and Mark Young resumes in being the governor of Hong Kong.
  • Japanese General Tried As A War Criminal

    Japanese general, Takashi Sakai is tried in court as a war criminal for his unlawful actions to Hong Kong citizens during the time of the occupation, and was executed by firing squad the afternoon of.