Daily Mail
M 2 JAN 1942
278
JAPS ATTACKED ' WITH MUSIC
From COL. 2, PAGE ONE
of the damage is uncertain due to the rapidity of events
A heavy burst of machine-gun fire when the original plans to besiege silenced the engine. The order was Hongkong were made hostilities given to abandon ship and all the swam towards Aplichau against the United States were not party
Island, which was half a mile away. contemplated.
now admiral, The one-legged The Indian troops, chief target for
smashed! the Japanese propaganda, fought further hampered by a with valour and resolution unim-wrist, managed to fight his way to paired.
shore through a hail of rifle and
Gradual physical exhaustion in machine-gun bullets. the face of a numerically superior The party reached land, evaded enemy who had complete control of the snipers, and climbed the rocks. the air finally began to tell on the There, exhausted by suffering and defenders. Our men totalled fewer cold, they found shelter in the rough than 12,000, and they had been ground.
without_rest or relief for 17 days.
་
The Japs are estimated to have BY MOONLIGHT used two
of specially divisions equipped troops supported by artil- lery of all calibres and numerous mortars.
they found fortune By good another British launch sheltering in
The enemy attack was stubbornly the lee of the island, and a little contested, even in the streets, from before 10 p.m. under a clear moon Shaikwan and North Point, through the overloaded boat, partly sub- West Height and Happy Valley, to merged, ran the Japanese blockade. Their course was carefully chosen.
turned the extreme
One Japanese · cruiser Wanchai.
searchlight on the boat and fired four rounds, but no other shells! were fired.
west
section
of
was
2
On Christmas morning it estimated that the depleted and ex- hausted British and Canadian regi-
Early next morning the party! ments faced reserves of upwards of reached the coast. News of the ad-
the on 20,000 Japanese troops island alone.
miral's presence
spread to the
with a welcome offer of assistance.
The end could not be long de-leaders of guerilla units, who came layed. It came the same afternoon. Admiral Chanchak's progress in-
The Chinese had gallantly sup-land was trimphal. ported the Hongkong Government.
TO THE END
came
ing the
He was wear- uniform of a lieutenant- commander in the British Navy, and he was
continually greeted by friends and protégés.
from One leader named Liang, with a Their inspiration Admiral Chanchak who, disregard-dragnet of spies thrown out to dis- 'ing personal danger, saw the siege cover the Japanese positions, led a through to the bitter end and re-march to safety that lasted 12 nights ,fused to leave his post till all resist-and 12 days.
ance had ceased.
This march was marked by the
During the march the Britons' affectionTM and respect for Admiral
Not until his responsibilities were welcome extended by the country- Admiral folk. The admiral and his British did Anally terminated Chanchak feel free to embark in a comrades were toasted again and last desperate attempt to return to again. his own country, accompanied by a small party of British officers.
a small Chanchak increased each day. The party set out in
They did not know whether to launch from Aberdeen two hours after the colony's capitulation, on a admire the more his indomitable courage and his cheerfulness while brilliant sunny afternoon.
When the launch was 100 yards in pain or his unfailing kindness from the shore concealed Japanese and sympathy in any trouble of snipers began to pump bullets into theirs.
1
Nor will they forget Lieut.-Com- it.
by Then bullets from machine-guns mander Shuheng, who was affec-
named "Henry " and finally shells from mortars and tionately
the Britons, for all of whose wants artillery fell close by,
Some of the missiles penetrated he cared.
the flimsy hull.
lost much blood.
Another officer
Some were killed.
They
received a
wonderfully
Admiral Chanchak was hit and warm reception from the Chinese people, from the highest military the to was disabled. and civil officials down But the extent humblest peasant.
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