December 8th, 2016
NDP statement on the Battle of Hong Kong
NDP Veteran Affairs Critic, Irene Mathyssen, issued the following statement on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong:
“Today we mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong, Canada’s first land battle during the Second World War. Almost 2000 Canadian soldiers were sent to help defend the British Colony of Hong Kong from the Japanese.
Japan attacked on December 8, 1941 and the battle continued until the surrender on Christmas Day. The nearly 20 day battle left 290 soldiers dead and 493 wounded. A further 264 POWs died over the following four years due to the inhumane living conditions of the captured soldiers.
Today New Democrats remember all those who served and fought to protect Hong Kong. We remember those who lost their lives in battle or as POWs; we remember their families and we remember their sacrifice.”