World: Operations Proceeding

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Last week was Hong Kong's second week of siege. The Fragrant Port was hard-pressed on every side. The defending line, held by British, Canadian, Chinese, Scottish and Indian soldiers, threaded shakily across the island, from Mt. Davis in the west, through world-famed Happy Valley Race Course, to Mt. Sai Wan in the east, just off Tathong Channel.

Japan diluted its victory claims with a confession: The defenders were fighting "in a manner even to win the respect of the tough Japanese." But London weighed the odds, wrote off Hong Kong as an "inevitable loss."

The Japanese had captured Kowloon, Hong Kong's mainland center, after fierce air and land assaults. Japanese troops swarmed onto the island of Hong Kong itself. The defenders simply kept fighting, in spite of the odds. Chinese troops sniped at the Japanese rear on the mainland, near Pingshan and Shum-chun, but hardly hoped to halt the attack.

Militarily the loss of Hong Kong means little. Its strategic value dwindled three years ago, when Japan blockaded the mainland side of the settlement. British strategists last week concentrated on Singapore, 1,454 miles to the south, kissed off Hong Kong with fervent compliments to the heroic defenders. Continued defense of the island had one great boon: a diversion of Japanese strength, however small.

From George VI to Sir Mark Young, Hong Kong's Governor, went a chin-up message: "The thoughts of all at home are with you and the people of Hong Kong in your ordeal. I congratulate all ranks of the fighting forces on their courageous resistance in the face of heavy odds and I send all my best wishes to you and all in the island."

Tough Sir Mark reported blandly that "operations are proceeding."