Politics at what cost (WWII)
On 16 November 1941, two battalions arrived from Canada as reinforcements for the defense of Hong Kong (the city surrendered to the Japanese forces on Christmas Day 1941.) I remembered reading elsewhere that most of the soldiers were in their early adulthood or 20's.
However, the writing was on the wall for the end of Hong Kong in early 1941. The British Empire gave up on defending the city as early as 7 January 1941. In response to a telegram asking for reinforcement of Hong Kong, Winston Churchill said: “If Japan goes to war there is not the slightest chance of holding Hong Kong or relieving it. It is most unwise to increase the loss we shall suffer there. Instead of increasing the garrison it ought to be reduced. Japan will think twice before declaring war on the British Empire, and whether there are two or six battalions at Hong Kong will make no difference. I wish we had fewer troops there, but to move any would be noticeable and dangerous.”
However, the writing was on the wall for the end of Hong Kong in early 1941. The British Empire gave up on defending the city as early as 7 January 1941. In response to a telegram asking for reinforcement of Hong Kong, Winston Churchill said: “If Japan goes to war there is not the slightest chance of holding Hong Kong or relieving it. It is most unwise to increase the loss we shall suffer there. Instead of increasing the garrison it ought to be reduced. Japan will think twice before declaring war on the British Empire, and whether there are two or six battalions at Hong Kong will make no difference. I wish we had fewer troops there, but to move any would be noticeable and dangerous.”
Guess the 'we' do not include Canadians. While the poor soldiers were defending Hong Kong, the Empire was occupied with how to re-take Hong Kong after the surrender of the Japanese Imperial Army.
Historically, the period between 8-25 December 1941 has been known as the Battle of Hong Kong or Defense of Hong Kong, however, it was never that because it had been already been decided as the 'Fall of Hong Kong' before it even began.
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