18.12.41
52
Date.
District.
9.
Aberdeen.
Time.
15.00
: 10.
Police H. Q. & Central.
11.
Shaukiwan.
12.
Quarry Bay.
19.30
19.30
13.
Bay View.
20.30
39.
Mortar shelling from an east-north-easterly direction commenced, chiefly directed at Aplichau and the main road west of Aberdeen. Throughout the day raids be- came more frequent, the bombs being directed chiefly at the Naval Dockyard and harbour.
Reinforced sentry posts were manned from this date on- wards. The construction of sandbag redouts was commen- ced.
The shelling of the water front along King's Road be- came intensified accompanied by heavy machine gun fire. Ex-Police Sergeant Jessop, watchman at the Taikoo Docks came to quarry Bay chargeroom and reported that the Japanese had landed at the Taikoo Docks. All the Euro- pean and Asiatic Police were formed into two groups under Inspectors O'Connor and Post respectively. Both groups proceeded with fixed bayonets to King's Road, one on each side of the street, where fighting was al- ready in progress. Police formed up together and were awaiting further instructions when a hand grenade or bomb was thrown amongst them causing them to scatter. L. S. A. 175 Jack, who describes this incident, did not see either Inspectors again after this. He joined some Indian Troops and opened fire on the advancing Japanese. After about half an hour seeing no Police he returned to Quarry Bay Station where he found Sub Inspector Johnson and L. S. A.92 Porritt, the latter having been seriously wounded by a hand grenade. P.S.A.45 Loughlin P. S. A. 19 Hill, L. S. A.78 Campbell and L. S. A.1 Ross were also present. A Military Officer arrived and ordered Police to retreat. Sergeants Ross and Campbell left first carrying Sgt. Porritt in a basket chair. Sub Inspector Johnson and Sgt. Jack followed afterwards carrying a wounded Indian soldier. They tried to obtain first aid for him but failed. Sub Inspector Johnson then left to speak to an officer and Sgt. Jack did not see him again. He supported and dragged the Indian along until the latter died and then met an officer who
Proceeding asked him to guide him to Sanitorium Pass. up the hill he noticed Sgts. Ross and Campbell still carrying Sgt. Porritt. A few hundred yards from the pass he found a party of Volunteers under Mr. Murphy, formerly Assistant Crown Solicitor, and some Indian soldiers and Police. The Japanese attacked and he took part in a fight including bayonet work, which eventually after about one hour ended in our troops retreating. He was left alone and proceeded to Stanley Terrace, where he had a deep gash in his leg dressed by an R.A. M.C. Orderly, he then reported to Stanley Police Sta- tion. (By this time it was 09.30 hours next day).te eventually returned to Police Headquarters via the Aberdeen Road as Repulse Bay Road and Wong Nei Chung were impassible.
L. S.A.179 Morrison at the Hong Kong Electric Vital Post noticed then to twelve invasion barges crossing
The de- from Kowloon Bay to Taikoo Sugar Refinery. fences at the Electric Company, consisting of about fifteen members of the Special Defence Group under Major Patterson, about twenty members of the Hong Kong Electric and China Light & Power Company, and about ten Rajputs under an Indian Sergeant, opened fire. The enemy on the barges replied with tracer machine gun bullets. Major Patterson reported to Military At about 20.45 hours it was noticed Headquarters. from the Hong Kong Electric that the Japanese effected At about 22.700 hours a landing at the Sugar Refinery. Japanese troops approached the east wall of the Hong Kong Electric from the land, despite Indian troops who At about 23.30 had manned a barricade in King's Road.. hours the Indian troops withdrew from King's Road
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