Route Map of Japan's Invasion of Hong Kong

On 8 December 1941, the same day that Pearl Harbour was attacked, Japanese forces crossed the Shenzhen River and invaded Hong Kong. The plan of the defending troops in Hong Kong was to stall the enemy's advance at the Gin Drinker's Line and put up a firm defence of Hong Kong Island. When the Japanese seized the Shing Mun Redoubt on the Gin Drinker's Line, the defending troops retreated to Hong Kong Island. The Japanese occupied Kowloon on 12 December, and on 18 December they landed troops on Hong Kong Island at North Point and Taikoo Dockyard, which advanced westwards to Wong Nai Chung Gap the following day. Hong Kong Governor Sir Mark Young surrendered to the Japanese army on 25 December, and the occupation of Hong Kong, which was to last three years and eight months, began.