AN IMPORTANT BUT NOT VITAL OUTPOST: THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG IN THE INTER-WAR PERIOD, 1918-1941

Abstract

Hong Kong became the first British bastion to fall to the Japanese following a surprise attack launched by the latter on 8 December 1941. The British colony was captured by the Japanese after just 17 days of fighting, despite the brave resistance of the British garrison and the volunteer corp. The nature of Hong Kong's defence preparations was naturally called into question following this disaster. This thesis seeks to examine the problem of Hong Kong's defence during the period between the two world wars. The dilemma of Hong Kong begins with the ending of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance at the Washington Naval Conference of 1921-1922, which removed the Japanese protection accorded the colony since 1902. Where Japan was previously a British ally, it was now a potential enemy and thus threat to Hong Kong. While the relative peace of the 1920s did not make the defence of Hong Kong a major issue, the onset of the turbulent 1930s brought the question into the forefront. The defence of Hong Kong, which was part of the wider concept of imperial defence, was consequently subjected to the latter's internal and external constraints as well. The other area that will be looked at, is the issue of the two-battalion reinforcement that was sent to Hong Kong at the eleventh hour, a move that represented a sharp reversal of earlier policies. Ultimately, this was due to the circumstances of the time, than any carefully planned decision.