Evening star., 1941-12-27
BY the Associated Press.

LONDON. Dec. 27-FOlloWing is
Hong Kong'S official diary OF its last
18 DAYS of 100 years of British rule.
leading up to its Christmas day fall
to the japanese. as taken from
British War Office statement issued
last night:
December 8-Durlng the morning
japanese forces estimated at one
division, with a second division in
immediate reserve, crossed the from
tier of leased territories on the
mainland. All our demolitions were
successful and our troops withdrew
according to plan.
There was patrol activity by both
sides and Bren carrier patrol am
pushed and annihilated a japanese
platoon on Castle Peak rOad-Opera-
tions in which a Chinese company
of sappers took leading part.
December 9-Durlng daylight the
enemy made no attempt to press
forward. but in the afternoon our
forward troops on TaipO road with
drew into the prepared Gin Drink
ers Line" At about II pm
Sing Nun redoubt, which was held
by platoon of Royal Scots, was cap
tured by the enemy by surprise.
Otherwise, Gin Drinkers Line re-
manned intact. The enemy'S prog
resS thus was confined TO establish
ing a pocket south of Jubilee reser-
voir.
December 10-Attempts of the
enemy to break through toward
Taipo road from the pocket failed.
On this day Hong Kong S
only airdrome was evacuated after
demolition of the plant and obstruc-
ton of the ground.
December l1-In the morning
strong enemy pressure developed on
our left flank. held by the Royal
Scots. Two left companies were
driven in by heavy and accurate
mortar fire. but the situation was
stabilized by use of all available re-
serves. including company OF VIM
nipeg GrenadierS. The Royal Scots
nevertheless suffered severe casual
ties
By midday it was decided the
time had come for the mainland,
except for Devils Peak position, TO
be evacuated under cover of dark
ness. Withdrawal TO the island was
successfully carried out despite some
rioting in the streets of koWlOon
and despite constant pressure by
superior numbers of the enemy, who
were quick to turn the f1anks OF our
small units.
Stonecutters' Island was heavily
bombarded all day but our casual
ties were slight. The island was
evacuated during the night. -.
December 12-During the night
two companies of the PunJabl Bat
TALON had lost contact but they
concentrated successfully on Devil S
Peak Peninsula. one company being
evacuated early the evening OF the
18th. All troops were back on the
Island of Hong Kong except for the
Battalion of RajputS, one mountain
battery of the Royal Artillery on
Devils Peak and part of the Pun
jabis.
December 13-The remaining
forces on the mainland were sue
cesSfully evacuated in the night.
The island was subjected to Spo-
radio bombardment by artillery and
from the air but casualties were
few. The civilian population was
reported calm but their morale was
considerably shaken. Monetary
problems and rice distribution gave
cause for serious anxiety.
| 1t was a difficult day.
/ Smelling increased in intensity
and accuracy and various guns and
searchlightS were put out Of action.
! The enemy sent a delegation to
negotiate a surrender, but the pro-
/ poSal was Summarily rejected by the
/ Governor.
! The enemy appeared to be collect
/ ing launches and junks in KoWloon
and some activity was observed on
/ Lamma Island.
DeCtlIlDtI II IlClC W dS SN ctOlllSl-
! tic shelling by the enemy, and this
was extremely accurate when direct
ed against old and well-known bat
| terieS. Battery positions recently
sited apparently were still not To-
Gated. Bomb damage was negligible.
Morale of the civilian population
was still shaking owing to difficulties
over distribution of rice but other
wise control had improved.
December 15-It was reported that
more than half the pillboXeS be-
tween Lyemun and BoWringtOn were
| out of action.
Movements of the enemy towards
High Junk and Clear Water Bay
areas were observed and further
parties were seen to have landed on
Lamma Island.
December 16-Aerial bombing and
artillery shelling on an increased
scale with high standard OF ac-
curacy on military objectives. One