On the same day as the assault on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese army
attacked the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong. Among the colony's
garrison were regiments from Britain, Canada and India as well as men
from the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps, better known as 'The
Volunteers'.When the battle began on 8 December 1941, the HKVDC deployed
a total fighting strength of 1,900 officers and men. These were mustered
into seven infantry companies, five artillery batteries and a single
armoured car platoon with a full range of support units.Over the next 17
days, until the surrender on Christmas Day 1941, the men of 'The
Volunteers' saw action all over Hong Kong. This is the story of their
battle.