Shing Mun Redoubt

Defensive headquarters were located at Shing Mun Redoubt (Chinese: 城門棱堡 or 城門碉堡) – also known as the "Strand Palace Hotel" – which had an observation post (acting as headquarters of the redoubt) that could call artillery support from Mount Davis battery and Stonecutters Island Fort, and four pillboxes (PB400-403) fitted with Vickers machine guns and Bren LMGs. It was built on the northern slopes of Smuggler’s Ridge.^[3] There were 1.5 metre deep defensive channels or trenches, named after the roads of London such as Charing Cross, to aid the British soldiers of the Middlesex Regiment.

8 December 1941: initial contact

On the morning of 8 December 1941, Japanese forces bombed Kai Tak Airport, wresting control of the skies from the British and initiating the Battle of Hong Kong. At noon, the Japanese advance guard crossed the Shenzhen River to invade the New Territories. The northern garrison fell back to the Gin Drinkers Line, destroying roads and bridges on the way to make it more difficult for the invaders. By dusk, the Japanese had taken Tai Po.

There were only three British Army battalions manning the Gin Drinkers Line: the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots in the west, the 2/14th Battalion, Punjab Regiment in the centre and the 5/7th Battalion, Rajput Regiment in the east. It was hoped that they could hold for at least three weeks and inflict casualties on the Japanese.^[2]

9 December: Japanese sneak attack

On 9 December, Japanese advance scouts of the 228th Regiment headed towards Tai Mo Shan, and discovered that British defences were weak at "225 High Ground" near Shing Mun Redoubt and Shing Mun Reservoir. The high ground dominated all positions of the western portion of the Line. Therefore, the Japanese advanced a sneak attack.

At 21:00 that evening, the lieutenant in charge and ten elite soldiers began the sneak attack. Combat engineers successfully breached the barbed wire and destroyed bunkers. By 07:00 on 10 December, they had taken the high ground and 27 POWs, opening a breach in the Line. The success surprised Japanese commanders who had thought at least a month was required to break the British defences, and thereby diverted more forces from mainland China to boost manpower. They also thought that a premature breakthrough would lead to rear forces and artillery troops falling behind, but ultimately agreed to launch a general assault.

10 December: general assault

Japanese forces then opened a two-pronged assault on the Gin Drinkers Line. By the next day, they had already claimed Kam Shan and Tate's Cairn. Major General Christopher Maltby knew that the position was untenable and at noon decided to withdraw the garrison to Hong Kong Island to preserve its strength, signalling the defeat of the Line. Defenders to the west of the Line began retreating towards the island at 20:00. The Rajput Battalion stayed behind as a rear guard, only retreating on the morning of 13 December towards Devil's Peak and Lei Yue Mun towards Hong Kong Island. This was also the final retreat of British forces from the Kowloon Peninsula. At the end, out of the 43 men stationed at the Shing Mun Redoubt, 3 were killed, 27 captured, and 13 fled.^[3]

Gin Drinker’s Line and Shing Mun Redoubt

Most of the Shing Mun Redoubt’s remains can be found. However, most of the Line's remains cannot be found. The defensive structures left at Shing Mun Redoubt; and pillboxes at Lion Rock, Tate's Cairn, and Port Shelter have been damaged by gunshots and grenades by the British and the Japanese. These facilities are not maintained and are dangerous to enter.^[3]

Greenery around Gin Drinker’s Line

Young trees have been growing around Gin Drinker’s line since the time it was abandoned, contrary to the barren lands around the line when it was built.^[3]