Battle of Hong Kong 1941: Britain's Christmas Day Surrender

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Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life. This is Part 2 of my story about the battle of Hong Kong, December 1941. Watch Part 1 of this story: https://youtu.be/NREAxpqu8NQ WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT MY CHANNEL 1)Become A Patron https://www.thehistorychap.com/Supporters-club or 2)Join My YouTube membership https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyTGpFsD0AJkQ6KSCW8d_Ug/join or 3) Make a one-off donation https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistorychap or 4) Join my Free weekly newsletter https://www.thehistorychap.com/Newsletter The Battle of Hong Kong (8–25 December 1941) ended in British surrender on Christmas Day — the first time a British crown colony had fallen to an invading force. After evacuating from the mainland, General Maltby reorganised his 14,000 defenders into two brigades. West Brigade under Canadian Brigadier Lawson included the 2nd/14th Punjabs, 1st Middlesex, Winnipeg Grenadiers and 2nd Royal Scots. East Brigade under Brigadier Wallis comprised the 5th/7th Rajputs, Royal Rifles of Canada and Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps. The Japanese crossed Victoria Harbour on the night of 18 December. Despite withering fire from the Rajputs, six battalions landed within hours. What followed was some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific War. The 19th December proved the bloodiest day. Brigadier Lawson, surrounded at Wong Nai Chung Gap, radioed Maltby: "I'm going outside to fight it out" — and was killed moments later. Company Sergeant-Major John Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers threw himself on a grenade to save his men, earning the only Victoria Cross of the battle. Even Sergeant Gander, the Royal Rifles' Newfoundland dog, twice retrieved enemy grenades before a third killed him — later awarded the Dickin Medal. By 25 December, the island was split, reservoirs lost, and the St Stephen's College massacre had claimed up to 100 wounded soldiers and medical staff. Governor Young and General Maltby surrendered that afternoon at the Peninsula Hotel. Allied losses: 2,100 killed, 2,000 wounded, nearly 11,000 taken prisoner. Hundreds more would die in captivity, including over 800 aboard the torpedoed Lisbon Maru. Related videos: The Fall of Singapore 1942 https://youtu.be/-r1e1QPSYhA The Real Hero of "The Bridge On The River Kwai" https://youtu.be/v6qVhMqhNVY Chapters 0:00 Intro & Recap 0:54 Waiting for the Inevitable 3:12 No Surrender 5:23 Japanese Landings 7:15 Heroic Resistence 9:38 Lawson's Last Stand 11:10 Canadian Victoria Cross 13:28 Sergeant Gander 15:56 Island Cut in Half 18:09 Battle of Stanley 18:59 Christmas Day Massacre 20:17 Surrender 21:59 Dewar's Redoubt 23:41 Casualty Figures 24:43 Lisbon Maru Tragedy 26:20 Break Out 28:55 Occupation & Liberation 29:56 Battle of Hong Kong Remembered #britishhistory #militaryhistory #britishempire #britishmilitary Follow me at: www.thehistorychap.com Podcast: https://www.thehistorychappodcast.com Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHistoryChap My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!" Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham and am a member of the Royal Historical Society. I am also a member of the Victorian Military Society, the Anglo Zulu War Society and the Military Historical Society. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel. The History Chap is a trading name of Chris Green Communication Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales (Co No: 05025587)