Hello, and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast, Episode 261,

the Bawa Klaava of the Sea.

Last time, the Commonwealth forces, led by General Malti, were forced to give up the southern

part of the new territories, just above Hong Kong proper.

And though General Sakai had asked Malti and Governor Young twice to surrender, the

answer was always in the negative.

It's probable that the British were holding out hope for help from Singapore or the Americans

in the Philippines.

Either way, continued resistance was the order of the day.

By December 17, the Japanese had bombarded the northwestern corner of the island, damaging

the large gun at Mount Davis.

Had weakened the defensive works at Beltra's Fort in the same area, had taken out 50% of

the pillboxes along the northern coast, and had shelled the northeastern corner at Pak

Shawan, modern day Chai Wan, and then followed that up with an attempted invasion.

Which was beaten off.

As in large part, two Chinese nationalist officers and the triads of Hong Kong, who were

being paid to temporarily side with the defenders.

But General Sakai wasn't done yet.

Besides, his 10-day deadline was fast approaching.

Now that General Malti had the last of his troops on the island proper from Devil's

Peak Peninsula, he got down to reorganize his forces to maximize their defenses.

His remaining forces were broken down into two brigades, East and West.

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