British Hong Kong Garrison

The Hong Kong Garrison was a British and Commonwealth force that protected Hong Kong. In December 1941 during the Battle of Hong Kong in the Second World War, the Japanese Army attacked Hong Kong and after a brief but violent series of engagements the garrison surrendered. The garrison continued until 1989.

1941 Garrison

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This is the garrison of Hong Kong that surrendered in December 1941.[1]

Command

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Kowloon Brigade

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Hong Kong Brigade

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Several members of the 1st Bn were linked to the Hong Kong Chinese Regiment.

Fortress units

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  • H.Q. Fortress, Royal Engineers - Lt.Col. R.G.Lamb
  • Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps - Col. H.Rose
  • C.O. Royal Artillery - Col. E.H.M.Clifford
    • 8th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery - Lt.Col. Selby Shaw
    • 12th Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery - Lt.Col. Richard J.L.Penfold
    • 5th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery - Lt.Col. Frederick Denton Field
    • 1st (Hong Kong) Regt. Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery - Lt.Col.John Corbet Yale

Aftermath

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Following the Fall of Hong Kong to Japanese forces, most British personnel were captured, others died in the battle. For those able to escape (or later released) from Hong Kong, some managed to re-group in China. The Hong Kong Chinese Regiment and the British Army Aid Group kept the remaining elements of the Garrison alive and help it re-establish the British military after the Liberation of Hong Kong.

Structure in 1989

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The British forces stationed in Hong Kong were called the "Hong Kong Garrison", which had the following structure:[3][4]

References

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  1. ^ "China Command, Far East Command, 8.12.1941".
  2. ^ "Major General C. M. Maltby" (PDF). britishmilitaryhistory.co.uk. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  3. ^ R Mark Davies. "British Orders of Battle & TO&Es 1980-1989 v4.5" (PDF). ireandfury.com. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  4. ^ Wong & Cheng (1990), pp. 194–196.
  5. ^ "History of the Regiment 1967 – 1977".

Bibliography

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  • Wong, Richard Y.C.; Cheng, Joseph Y.S. (1990). The Other Hong Kong Report. Hong Kong: The Chinese University Press. ISBN 978-9622014947.