THE ATTACK ON HONG KONG [Main Title]

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  • Title: THE ATTACK ON HONG KONG [Main Title]
  • Film Number: MGH 6625
  • Other titles: XIANGGANG GONGLUE ZHAN [Alternative Title]
  • Summary: A feature film made by the Japanese, using the appropriated facilities of the Hong Kong film industry to illustrate the Japanese attack on Hong Kong. A propaganda film which revolves around the Japanese troops' courageous combat and their patriotic sacrifice, with scenes of British brutality and treachery. (Incomplete.)
  • Description: Japanese soldiers in a room yell with enthusiasm as their officer reads out the order to advance into the New Territories opposite Hong Kong. Camouflaged troops, tanks and artillery advance past Chinese refugees, with map illustrating rapid Japanese thrust towards Kowloon opposite Hong Kong island. Infantry rush down narrow mountain road towards the town, narrowly missing shells. Inside Kowloon soldiers pass signs of the routed British army, a blazing jeep and an armoured car with a Union Jack prominently painted on its side. A soldier with a baby on his back runs towards the camera, dragging a woman. Other Japanese soldiers burst into a billiard room where they capture two Englishmen and angrily destroy a coffee table. Meanwhile in the Chinese quarter crowds panic during an air raid when repelled from a shelter at gunpoint by British soldiers. in ironic contrast a banner over the streets reads "Come in and hear conditions of pay and service for Chinese personnel in the Royal Artillery". British safe inside the shelter look heavenwards as they make the sign of the cross. Outside British soldiers open fire on the desperate Chinese. (Reel 2) Back with the Japanese forces, soldiers rest and old friends meet. Meanwhile Japanese women and children in British captivity wait anxiously for the arrival of their liberators. Japanese now send a Peace Mission from Kowloon over to Hong Kong, as two Europeans with two small dogs walk towards the seafront bearing a banner and white truce flag. View of Hong Kong island from Kowloon shows Japanese gunners in foreground and ferry crossing to the island. Small boat marked "Peace Mission" and flying Japanese ensign is fired upon as it crosses the water. Meanwhile Japanese wait for order to attack and load guns. Guns include 105mm Type 92, 150mm howitzer Type 4 and 150mm Type 89 (?). Order to open fire is given after clock has passed 12.23. Mitsubishi ki-30 dives to attack Hong Kong. Meanwhile tension mounts inside the (British) prison where two young Japanese women sit talking, presumably uncertain whether the Japanese Army will arrive in time.
  • Alternative Title: XIANGGANG GONGLUE ZHAN [Alternative Title]
  • Colour: B&W
  • Digitised:
  • Object_Number: MGH 6625
  • Sound: Sound
  • Access Conditions: NON-IWM
  • Featured Period:
  • Production Date: 1942
  • Production Country: Japan
  • Production Details:
  • Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army (regiment/service) IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY (regiment/service)
  • Keywords: aircraft, Japanese - combat: Mitsubishi Ki-30 (object name) propaganda, Japanese - inflammatory (object name) propaganda, Japanese - inspirational (object name) transport, United States military - utility: jeep & [wrecked] (object name) weapons, Japanese - gun: 105mm Type 92 (object name) weapons, Japanese - gun: 150mm Type 89 (object name) weapons, Japanese - gun: 150mm Type 4 (object name) Hong Kong & Kowloon (geography)
  • Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W Sound format: Sound Soundtrack language: Japanese Title language: None Subtitle language: None
  • Technical Details: Format: 35mm Number of items/reels/tapes: 2 Footage: 1496 ft; Running time: 16 mins
  • HD Media:
  • Link to IWM Collections page:

    MGH 6625

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