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Just hours after Pearl Harbor, Japanese aircraft bombed Kai Tak Airport, destroying RAF aircraft on the ground. Hong Kong citizens awakened to air raid sirens, marking their first direct experience of WWII. Civilians rushed to air raid shelters, while daily life came to an abrupt halt.

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December 10, 1941: Battle of Shing Mun Redoubt

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December 10, 1941: Battle of Shing Mun Redoubt

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Japanese forces captured the crucial Shing Mun Redoubt (Jubilee Fort), compromising the entire Gin Drinker's Line. Local residents in the New Territories fled southward, carrying whatever possessions they could. Food shortages began to affect the population.

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British forces retreated to Hong Kong Island, destroying Kowloon bridges. Civilians faced increasing hardship as water and electricity supplies were disrupted. Many sought refuge in crowded air raid shelters while others attempted to flee to neutral Macau.

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Governor Sir Mark Young received and rejected Japan's surrender demand. Hong Kong's civilians endured intensified bombing raids. Markets closed, and food became scarce. The population relied increasingly on community kitchens for sustenance.

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December 18, 1941: North Point Power Station

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December 18, 1941: North Point Power Station

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Japanese artillery destroyed North Point Power Station, plunging much of the island into darkness. Residents resorted to candles and oil lamps. Hospitals struggled to operate with limited power, affecting patient care across the island.

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Japanese forces crossed Victoria Harbour, landing on the northern shores of Hong Kong Island. Civilians in North Point and Quarry Bay areas fled south. Many families sought shelter in the crowded mid-levels and Peak areas.

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December 21, 1941: Battle for Wong Nai Chung Gap

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December 21, 1941: Battle for Wong Nai Chung Gap

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Fierce fighting at Wong Nai Chung Gap divided the island's defenders. Local volunteers assisted in transporting supplies and treating wounded. The colonial government's food rationing system began to break down.

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December 23, 1941: St. Stephen's College Tragedy

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December 23, 1941: St. Stephen's College Tragedy

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Japanese forces attacked St. Stephen's College Hospital, killing medical staff and patients. This event deeply traumatized the local population and marked a turning point in civilian morale. Many lost faith in the possibility of successful defense.

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With major reservoirs captured, water supplies reached critical levels. Citizens queued for hours at remaining water points. Hospitals struggled to maintain hygiene standards, leading to increased risk of disease outbreak.

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Governor Young surrendered Hong Kong to Japan at the Peninsula Hotel. The 18-day battle ended, leaving approximately 7,000 casualties and countless civilians displaced. Hong Kong entered a dark period of Japanese occupation that would last three years and eight months.