The Battle of Hong Kong: Britain's First Defeat By Japan

84 years ago, on 8 December 1941, the Battle of Hong Kong began.

The battle for Hong Kong fought between the 8th and 25th December 1941, is overshadowed by the British defeat at Singapore and thus is often a forgotten chapter in World War 2. And yet, the British, Indian, and Canadian troops plus local volunteers who fought a grim and bitter battle against a Japanese enemy that outnumbered them is one that should be told and remembered. It is the story of the Gin Drinkers defensive line, a Dunkirk-style evacuation, a massacre at a field hospital on Christmas Day, a desperate escape to freedom led by a one legged Chinese admiral, the first Canadian Victoria Cross of the war, and a loyal dog who would receive the animal version of the Victoria Cross. In fact it is such a fascinating story that I have broken it into two episodes. This is episode one.