The Battle for Hong Kong 1941-1945 Hostage to Fortune

Published to coincide with the 60th anniversary of liberation of Hong Kong and VJ Day, this is the authoritative account of how the British, Canadian, Indian and Chinese defenders surrendered Hong Kong to the Japanese after 18 days of intense fighting, on Christmas Day, 1941. The nightmare of the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong and a remarkable story of endurance and courage under appalling conditions, with vivid descriptions of life as a prisoner of the Japanese. Illuminated by a then architectural student's extraordinary story: a 'civilian's' insight of war although pitch-forked into battles as a young subaltern in the Royal Engineers. The award of one VC and four George Crosses in one small theatre of war is unique. A story of espionage, betrayal and heroism - was the senior British Intelligence office helping the Japanese? Thoroughly researched, with exceptional access to war diaries and graphically written personal accounts, superbly told by an expert authority. The book also covers the activities of the British Army Aid Group (BAAG), the cover name of those spying in Southeast Asia; their extraordinarily successful activities suddenly collapsed with catastrophic repercussions for many.