WW2 Hongkong 1941 (Part 1)

HOUR OF DARKNESS - Canadians in Hong Kong: 1941 (Part1 of 3)

In November 1941, Canada volunteers two battalions to reinforce the British garrison at Britain's colony of Hong Kong on the coast of China. One of the young Canadians is Alfred Babin.

Three weeks after the Canadians arrive, on December 8, 1941, Japan launches all-out war in Asia and the Pacific. After a week of bombardment, the Japanese invade the island of Hong Kong.

With Norm Christie we follow the battle, visiting the bunkers, pillboxes, ravines and mountain tops, as-though outnumbered and ill-equipped-the Canadians and other British, local, and Asian troops fight desperately. They inflict huge losses on the Japanese, but finally surrender on Christmas Day, 1941.

Not a single Canadian escapes from the battle at Hong Kong - all are dead or imprisoned. More than 200 of those who survive the fighting will die in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.