On 8 December 1941, the Imperial Japanese Army launched their long-anticipated invasion of Hong Kong. The Wong Nai Chung Gap is Hong Kong's first battlefield trail. I hiked through the trail to see the remaining WW2 pillboxes, underground bunkers, and anti-aircraft positions. The trail is 1200 meters long divided into 10 stations recording the actual situation of World War II.
It loops down a hillside to pass an old anti-aircraft battery and a couple of pillboxes, then drops to the gap itself, ending at a former bunker complex. There are boards with info and wartime photos, telling of the brief but intense fighting here, as Japanese forces overran Hong Kong's defenses.
I started my hike from the 10th and 9th stations. The bunker at the end of the trail was hidden by soil and vegetation but has been recently excavated, helping make this a short but fascinating trail.
This is the site of an anti-aircraft battery. Just concrete today, it once held two guns, which shot down a Japanese fighter. A photo shows one of the guns after it was captured by the Japanese.
there's an excavated bunker; part of a former complex of bunkers. This was the headquarters of West Brigade; the defenders used machine guns, and the Japanese, in turn, fired at them with machine guns, as well as making several bayonet charges before capturing the position.
The trail then follows a catchwater channel, that pretty much hugs the hillside.
That's just me, lovely the view and beautiful weather. I plucked a flower on my way and dressed it on my hair.
Station 8 is overlooking Hong Kong's Cricket club ground, a perfect place to relax. This area saw some of the main fights.
On my way, I saw this hidden old cave. Maybe the army used it as a hiding spot?
In my mind, I was creating images of the 1941 battle, seeing the remaining WW2 pillboxes, underground bunkers, and anti-aircraft position.
Hiking is fun, I never forget to look back to enjoy the view I leave behind.
The British defenders, together with their Indian; Canadian and Chinese allies, then withdrew to Hong Kong island where they reorganized their defences. On the night of 18 December, after a sustained bombing and shelling campaign of 6 days duration, the Japanese crossed the harbour to attack the island. The battle for the strategically important Wong Nai Chong Gap then began, and it proved to be an integral part of the entire 18-day campaign.
It is an easy hike and a nice combination of nature with history. The bonus is this spectacular view overlooking Happy Valley.
It is surprising that Hong Kong’s wartime relics and defense works survived so many years – the ones along this trail include an anti-aircraft gun platform, two pillboxes and an ammunition magazine.
They all originate from the fierce 18-days battle in 1941, when the Japanese attacked Hong Kong (and the British surrendered on Christmas day) and are all still visible today.
A quick video summarising my hiking experience.
In this war - It is not the surrender of the Japanese army, but the surrender of the British army to the Japanese Army!. After 450 people were killed in the battle, the British army completely surrendered.
To all those who sacrificed their lives in this war "Your name is unknown. Your deed is immortal."
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