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What were the major contributions of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Brigade during the Japanese occupation period? Explain with examples. |
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See answer below. |
The Shatin Handgun Team led by Huang Guanfang and Liu Heizai attacked the Japanese forces many times in places such as the Lion Rock area, Cha Kwo Ling, Ngau Chi Wan, Tai Tan Hoi (or Long Harbour), and Wo Tong. They killed the Japanese spy Tojo Masashiba and several Chinese secret agents working for the Japanese. In early 1944, the handgun team successfully raided Kai Tak Airport and blew up an aircraft in early 1944. The Japanese forces sweeping Sai Kung and Sha Tin were forced to retreat to the urban area.
On 11 February 1944, Lt. Donald W. Kerr’s plane was shot down by the Japanese forces during an air raid on Kai Tak Airport. Fortunately, he landed safely using a parachute. Kerr then hid from the Japanese. Later the members of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Brigade found him and helped him escape.
The book I Bring You Go Home Now: A Memoir by Lt. Donald W. Kerr is a wartime diary of Kerr. It contains a record of 27 days, starting from 11 February 1944 when his plane was shot down, to 9 March 1944 when he was escorted to the command centre of the East River Column in Tuyang Village.
One of the important contributions of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Brigade of the East River Column was its outstanding intelligence work, which was highly regarded by the Allies. The “Flying Tiger General” Claire Lee Chennault and the US Military Intelligence Corps wrote to Zeng Sheng, the Commanding Officer of the East River Column, a number of times to praise the Column’s intelligence work.
In recognition of Raymond Wong’s “services to the Forces during military operations in South-East Asia prior to 2 September 1945”, King George VI awarded Raymond Wong the M. B. E. (Member of the British Empire) honour in early 1947. Wong was the only CCP member who received this honour from the British king at that time.
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What were the major contributions of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Brigade during the Japanese occupation period? Explain with examples. |
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Its major contributions during the Japanese occupation were as follows: 1. It fought with the Japanese forces on land and at sea. For example, the Shatin Handgun Team attacked the Japanese many times in different places. The marine squadron was involved in more than 10 naval fights of a larger scale. Their attacks struck the enemy. 2. It rescued the personnel of the Allies, including British prisoners of war who escaped from the concentration camps, and American pilots pursued by the Japanese. 3. It gathered Japanese military intelligence. For example, it set up an observation point at U Lam Terrace in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong, to monitor the Japanese warships and military installations in Victoria Harbour round the clock. |