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Troops set sail from Vancouveron, aboard the Awatea, to join 12,000 other Allied soldiers on what they expected would be a simple assignment of duty.
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They joined the 14,000-strong Hong Kong defence force, made up of troops from Britain, India, Singapore and Hong Kong. Although sent to a part of the world still at peace, they quickly began training and prepared for active defence of the colony under the command of Brigadier J.K. Lawson. Only three weeks would go by before they would find themselves in combat.
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8 a.m: Damaged or destroyed the few aircraft of the Royal Air Force. The camp at Sham Shui Po was the next target where 2 men of the Royal Canadian Signals were wounded. They were the first Canadian casualties in Hong Kong.
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The Winnipeg Grenadiers were sent to strengthen the remaining defenders on the mainland.
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They became the first Canadian Army unit to engage in combat in the Second World War.
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Troops were ordered to evacuate from the mainland. The Winnipeg Grenadiers covered the Royal Scots' withdrawal down the Kowloon Peninsula. The evacuation was successful and most of the Brigade's heavy equipment was saved.
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A Japanese demand for the surrender of Hong Kong was categorically rejected. Two days later, the Japanese began bombing the the nothern shore of the island.
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It was refused again. The Chinese armies were in no position to give immediate aid and United States were crippled by the attack of Pearl Harbour, there was no hope of relief.
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During the night, the enemy launched four separate assaults across a three-kilometre front on the northern beaches of Hong Kong Island.
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He went to fight it out with enemies who were firing into the shelter at point-blank range. He left the bunker with two pistols and lost his life with his efforts.
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After Lawson’s death and the death of Colonel Hennessy, who was next in command, the West Brigade was without a commander. Colonel H.B. Rose was appointed to be the new leader.
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They inflicted severe casualties on the enemy and delayed Japanese advances for three days. Soon ammunition, food and water became scarce and the Japanese had blown in the steel shutters of the company shelters where 37 Grenadiers were wounded.
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The Winnipeg Grenadiers were sent to hold Mount Cameron, an important height in the line, and they did so despite intense bombing. The Japanese attacked in the darkness and forced the Grenadiers to retreat.
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The Japanese continued to attack. General Maltby advised the Governor that further resistance was futile. At 3:15, the white flag was raised.
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Many Canadians died of starvation, disease, and mistreatment at war camps until Japan fully surrendered. Canadians were taken as prisoners during the batlle of Hong Kong.
