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Japs Land on the Island ...

To make matters worse, fifth columnists had supplied the Japanese with the location of every pill-box, mortar pit, machine-gun nest, and fox-hole in the defensive array, and even led the Japanese to them. There is no doubt the Japanese knew the defensive setup and had planned every movement down to the finest detail, and when they landed on the northeastern beaches, behind the lines, they hit the defenders in the weakest spot.

The Attack: Wednesday, December 18 ...

The attack came in three waves. At 17:30 hrs swimmers were sent to cut through anti-invasion nets, and remove mines from the sea route. At 19:30 hrs a number of 'scouts' were sent to link up with fifth-columnists and to mark the way to vital defense positions for the main assault troops.

At 22:30 hrs, the night of December 18th, the Japanese main attack on the island came in the darkness. They attacked over the water in assault boats, landing craft and small boats, some towed by steam ferries. They used anything that could be bailed out fast enough to stay afloat. Some of them even swam, towing their equipment behind them. How many drowned is not known.

They attacked, not from the sea, but from the mainland. They attacked in thick fog and a heavy pall of smoke from burning fuel and rubber. They were not 5,000 night-blind, sea-sick, poorly-equipped Japanese caricatures of soldiers, as painted by British Intelligence. They were 7,500 strong, were carrying backpacks that weighed as much as 75 lbs., and there were 52,500 more troops behind them, just waiting to cross to the island.

As the Japanese Imperial Army was sloshing ashore in their rubber boots and knee-high leggings, looking very unsoldierly, screaming like demons from hell, a Rifleman, by the name of John Payne called Brigade Headquarters to report that the Japanese had, and were still coming ashore. When informed General Maltby's response was: "That's impossible. You must be dreaming." It wasn't a dream...it was a nightmare.

A Military Radio Commentator Announced:

“The Japanese have effected a landing on the island of 'considerable' proportions, heavy fighting is in progress and the British position is serious. Details of the situation are scant and I am unable to comment on the jubilant Japanese Headquarters' claim that, in a combined land sea and air attack, they have effected a landing at three points."

A B.U.P. dispatch of Wednesday, December 18 reported from London:

"A British military spokesman said today that the latest advices from Hong Kong indicated that the British Garrison still is resisting 'in the area under their control'. The spokesman did not indicate how large an area of the island of Hong Kong is held by the Imperial attacking force, but it was admitted that the Japanese have landed substantial forces and that desperate battles are taking place."

Rifleman Sydney Skelton wrote in his diary:

"Now we got our first clear look at the enemy. Swarms of small shrieking men in khaki jackets, breaches and puttees, helmets bearing the single star, long bayonets, automatic weapons. They poured out of the landing barges. Some of them threw themselves on the barbed wire while others streamed over the human bridges. We were on the high ground and we really peppered them. My Bren was hot. But they kept coming. I thought 'Jesus, there's no end to them.' Then the planes came in, strafing and bombing, and we fell back."

W.G. Lyttle of the Winnipeg Grenadiers said:

"I was with 'A' Company down by the Aberdeen Reservoir. Someone came out and said about 300 Japanese had landed on the island and that we had to go over and clean them out, and that would be ok because we would be back before breakfast." Lyttle never made it back for breakfast. He spent the next few days clambering around mountains. "We didn't eat for three days. Finally we caught a pig and tried to cook it. It was mostly raw, but we ate it."

Neither London, England nor Ottawa, Canada had any reliable information as to what was happening thousands of miles away. The Colonial Office said: "Japanese reports that Hong Kong is in Japanese hands could not be confirmed or denied, since no communication from the Colony had been received in London since very early this morning."

Cold Reality:

The total allied defense force on Hong Kong Island had been under constant bombing and artillery barrage since December 8th. There were fires everywhere and smoke burned the eyes and stung the lungs. The rubble of bombed out buildings littered the streets. Now, on December 18th, the Island of Hong Kong was being invaded. Japanese troops were on the ground, and the defenders were quickly being divided and surrounded in a classic pincer movement with a center spearhead, executed by superbly-trained, well-equipped, well-disciplined, battle-hardened troops.

On that day, Lt. General Sakai, Commander of the Japanese Imperial Army, issued his second demand that the defenders lay down their weapons and surrender. This second demand was rejected by Governor Young, as was the first demand of December 13th. The battle resumed and increased in intensity. The Japanese attack had been launched from Devil's Peak. They hit the island's South coast beaches like an incoming tide. They landed on a three-kilometer front, charging into the Rajputs who poured a steady stream of machine-gun and rifle fire into the onrushing Japanese, but did little to slow their determined advance. The Rajputs were quickly overrun and suffered heavy casualties. The gallant Rajputs were effectively wiped out as a fighting force in the first phase of the battle.

The Rajputs were decimated losing most of their officers and 65% of the ranks in the first wave of the attack. They could no longer fight as a unit. As a result, the East Brigade was reduced in numbers and seriously weakened. The Royal Rifles of Canada were the only effective troops available.

Major Maurice A. Parker: "Somebody left the back door open at Hong Kong, and six Japanese walked in for every one of us."