The battle for Hong Kong, of 18 days duration from 8 to 25 December 1941, was not of course confined to Hong Kong island. In fact, the first static line of defence constructed by the British military authorities was the Gin Drinkers Line; a 13 mile Maginot-type line of pillboxes, look-out positions and artillery observation posts which snaked through very difficult countryside north of Kowloon.
The lynch-pin of this position was the Shing Mun Redoubt, which comprised a number of pillboxes linked by an intricate tunnel network, together with the Command Post and the principal artillery observation post for the whole position. Woefully undermanned by far too few defenders for which it was established, the Redoubt fell to the invading Japanese army on the night of 9/10 December 1941, following which the defending British and Indian forces evacuated the mainland of Kowloon and the New Territories and retreated to Hong Kong island.
Although heavily overgrown, many of the military features of the Shing Mun Redoubt, overlooking the reservoir of the same name and located in what is now the scenic Shing Mun Country Park, can still be visited. Our expert military guide will take you on a tour of the area and describe in detail the events leading to the battle which occurred at that location, as well as the actual fighting which occurred on the night of 9 December 1941.
Cost: HK$500 per person, includes transport. Total tour time hours, walking time approx. hours Facilities: Toilets en route
Hi Martin, I'm finally back in the UK after a fantastic visit to Hong Kong! I'd like to thank you profusely for your highly informative and exhaustively planned tour of the Shing Mun Redoubt. I've been boring people rigid this last few days with details of the walk. Anyway, I had a fascinating time in the most wonderful company and I do hope to return to Hong Kong again sometime soon! With kind regards, Paul Shing Mun Redoubt walk UK
