Canadian
soldiers were ordered to service in the Pacific in October 1941 to defend the
British Crown Colony of Hong Kong against a Japanese attack in December. Most
soldiers only had limited military training but they fought against
overwhelming odds and had the courage of seasoned veterans, and, until they
were overrun by the enemy, they refused to surrender. Those who survived the
battle became prisoners of war and endure torture and starvation by their
Japanese captors. Approximately 290 soldiers died in battle, and 264 died in
captivity, so all together about 554 soldiers died and 500 were wounded.
War is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.
ReplyDeleteYour article is very well done, a good read.