Right on the heels of the Surprise attack at Pearl Harbor which left the US Pacific Fleet crippled, the Japanese swooped down on South East Asia conquering all in their path.
Canada sent two infantry battalions to Hong Kong for garrisson duties, hoping to deter the Japanese from taking offensive measures against the British empire in the Far East.
The deterrent failed and the Winnipeg Grenadiers from Winnipeg, and the Royal Rifles of Canada from Quebec City had to fight in a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds.
This is the Fall of Hong Kong, December 1941, as viewed from Canadian eyes.
300 Canadians died in the defence of Hong Kong. For the survivors, 4 years of captivity would follow, with daily brutality, torture, starvation, and executions.