The Japanese lost 675 killed and 2,079 wounded. The entire Hong Kong garrison suffered 4,413 casualties, which includes 2,113 killed in action. Fighting continued until the garrison surrendered on Christmas Day 1941. ‘D’ Company of the Grenadiers’ stand against the Japanese at the Wong Nei Chong Gap is but one of the many examples of Canadian discipline under fire during the battle. The Japanese crossed the short Lye Mun Passage on the 18th of December and landed in the northeast corner of the island. They withstood the Japanese aerial and artillery bombardment for nearly seven days. By the 11th, all garrison troops were on the island.

This forced all garrison troops to retreat to Hong Kong Island. The main defence line of the colony, the Gin Drinker’s Line, which was expected to stall the Japanese advance for at least several weeks, fell after only one day. The Battle of Hong Kong began on the 8th of December when Japanese forces attacked through the New Territories, the mainland portion of the colony, and bombed positions in Kowloon. They were supported by numerous artillery and mortar units, engineers, aircraft, and signallers. The garrison’s troops faced the experienced Japanese 38th Division, comprised of the 228th Infantry Regiment, 229th Infantry Regiment, and 230th Infantry Regiment. Various Royal Artillery units and a detachment of Royal Engineers completed the garrison order of battle.

They joined the 2nd Battalion the Royal Scots Regiment, 1st Battalion the Middlesex Regiment, 5th Battalion 7th Rajput Regiment, 2nd Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment, the Hong Kong Chinese Regiment, and the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps in defending the colony. Arriving in November 1941, the Canadians had little time before the Japanese attacked. The Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers were selected as the core of “C” Force, the name given to the Canadian reinforcement of Hong Kong. 1,975 Canadian troops were sent to the British colony to bolster its garrison in hopes of deterring a Japanese attack. Canada’s first contribution to the Pacific Theatre came at the Battle of Hong Kong.

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