Ruins of War

The fall of Hong Kong in December 1941 was the darkest moment in its modern history. Thousands of soldiers and civilians died during the battle for Hong Kong. Yet, despite an heroic defence, Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese after less than three weeks. Many more suffered under three and a half years of Japanese occupation. Ruins of War explains some of the reasons why this calamity occurred.

The years leading up to the outbreak of war with Japan saw considerable preparations being made for Hong Kong’s defence. Batteries, redoubts and pill-boxes were built over a wide area. Many of them still remain, and most lie within the urban districts. In Ruins of War you will discover why these emplacements came to be built, who manned them in 1941 and to what uses they were later put during the war years. The book also describes the war cemeteries and other memorials - lasting reminders of this tragic episode in Hong Kong’s past.

This book is currently out of print.

A new and revised version is currently in preparation.

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