Then for the war years in Hong Kong from 1941 to 1945 I add these
The Canadians
The Canadians played an important part in the battle against the Japanese in December 1941. There are a large number of Canadian web sites which commemorate and give detailed accounts of the brave men who fought, died or were captured during the battle and were imprisoned in Hong Kong and Japan. A Canadian website had a very good account and finish on a sobering note, ‘In all, more than 550 of the 1,975 Canadians who sailed from Vancouver in October 1941 never returned.’ Even more disturbing is that of those who died, nearly half died as POW’s. Many who died are buried in the Sai Wan Bay Cemetery or in the Stanley Military Cemetery there is a lot of information under these links Canada Veterans
However a good site for information is the Hong Kong Veteran’s Commemorative Association which is a Canadian website that is a mine of information.
Also, there is a youtube video of the war and interviews with Canadian veterans
However, there is a nearly two-hour film made about the war in Hong Kong and the contribution of the Canadians. You just need to read the comments to understand how many people appreciated this film with nearly a million accesses. This gives more than just an insight into what I’ve tried to incorporate into my novel. Note you miss the very beginning of this film but you just scroll back for the introduction which includes the ominous words, ‘There is no Fiction!’.
Canadian Films
Here you will find three 15 minute videos that give some live action of the war and what the Canadian forces faced.
Atrocities in Hong Kong and Japan
One subject which I explore in my novel is the hardships suffered by both the captured troops and the civilians imprisoned in the Stanley internment camp. The massacres at Eucliffe and St Stephen’s College are based on fact, as are some of the tortures described by the subsequent War Crimes Tribunal. I would only read these if you are interested in history and have a strong stomach.
Personal Accounts
There is an interesting War Diary of an Irishman who fought in Hong Kong against the Japanese and brings a new insight into the trauma suffered by many of the British and Canadian soldiers.
Michael Palmer, a Canadian, wrote a book, Dark Side of the Sun, about his experiences.
Various Photos of the invasion and capture of Hong Kong
A 45 minute video of the Japanese Invasion in December 1941