Hong Kong Volunteer Company facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hong Kong Volunteer Company |
|
|---|---|
| 香港志願連 | |
| Active | 1943–1945 |
| Country |  British Hong Kong |
| Engagements | Burma Campaign |
The Hong Kong Volunteer Company (Chinese: 香港志願連) was a special group of British-Chinese soldiers. They bravely escaped from Hong Kong when it was taken over by Japan during World War II. These soldiers then joined the British Army in India and fought against the Japanese in a big campaign called the Burma Campaign.
Contents
History of the Volunteer Company
After Hong Kong was taken over by Japan in December 1941, many British-Chinese soldiers managed to escape. They went to a part of China that was not controlled by Japan, called Free China. From there, they volunteered to travel to India to join the British Army. Their goal was to continue fighting against the Japanese forces.
Who Joined the Company?
The Hong Kong Volunteer Company started with 128 Chinese members from the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence Corps. It also included 49 Chinese members of the British Army. Other people who escaped from Japanese-controlled Hong Kong also joined. These included members from groups like the Air Transport Auxiliary and Air Raid Precautions.
Journey to India
People who escaped were helped by the British Army Aid Group. They were taken to a place called Assam, and then flown to Calcutta by the Royal Air Force. This journey allowed them to reach British-controlled areas and continue their fight.
Fighting with the Chindits
Lieutenant Colonel Mike Calvert was a British officer. He had worked with Chinese engineers, called sappers, in Hong Kong before 1941. He asked the escapees if they wanted to join a special British unit called the Chindits. By February 1943, the Hong Kong Volunteer Company began serving with the Chindits in Burma. They later went to Japanese-controlled Malaya. There, they carried out important scouting missions behind enemy lines.
See also
