Canada's Role in Asia-Pacific War

1. Note to teachers: • All notes describe how Graeme Stacey uses this material. You are free to adopt, change, or ignore any of these suggestions. • Before the start of the lesson, use handout 2.1: Timeline of Origins & Events of the Asia-Pacific War, from the Resource Guide, “Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific 1931-1945”. A link to this resource is available on the HKVCA website in English here: http://www.hkvca.ca/tztrans/e/human_rights.htm and in French here: http://www.hkvca.ca/tztrans/f/human_rights.htm • Discuss information from the “Interwar Period”, and follow events to 1941.

2. LESSON OUTLINE & OBJECTIVES In today’s lesson, we will look at the growing war in the Asia-Pacific region. • You will learn about: • The goals of an aggressive Japan. • The reason behind attacks like “Pearl Harbor”. • The role Canada played in defending the British colony of Hong Kong. • The fate suffered by our soldiers after being defeated by the Japanese army. 2

3. The Emperor of Japan was in the process of expanding his empire. • Japan had control of Korea, Mongolia, and parts of China. • Japan continued south, securing resources (rubber, tin, oil). • The British were reinforcing their interests in the Pacific, but could not do much because they were occupied with Germany. 3

4. The US had denied Japan access to oil. • Oil was available in the Dutch East Indies. • To get it & control it, Japan needed to control the seas. • The only threat to Japanese naval dominance was the US. • Japan planned strategic attacks against the US and Britain. • On Dec. 7, 1941, they hit Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Midway Island. 4

5. Pearl Harbor • Of the many attacks, Pearl Harbor was the most significant. • Japan had studied the use of carrier-based aircraft. • They used this strategy to strike at the US Pacific Fleet based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. 5

6. Canada declared war on Japan on Dec. 7, 1941. • The United States declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, 1941. • Hitler, honoring a treaty with Japan, declared war on the US. • The US, honoring a pledge to Britain, adopts policy of “Hitler First”. 6

7. The US would fight Japan, but the priority was defeating Hitler. • The US lost many ships, but they soon recovered and the US President now had the full support of the public. • This was a major turning point, bringing the US into the war.

8. Hong Kong • Hong Kong was the most significant attack for Canada. • 1,975 inexperienced Canadian troops were sent to Hong Kong. • 50,000 experienced Japanese troops attacked on Dec. 7, 1941. • The Canadians fought valiantly against overwhelming odds. • The Canadians held them off for more than two weeks. 8

9. In one battle, 100 Canadians held off two Japanese regiments, inflicting over 800 casualties on the Japanese. • The Japanese commander was forced to apologize when he learned how many defenders caused those casualties. • On Christmas Day, 1941, Japan occupied Hong Kong. • 555 Canadians died, almost ½ in Japanese prison camps. Sai Wan Bay Cemetery (283 Canadian soldiers are buried there) 9

10. Note to teachers: • From the Resource Guide, “Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific 1931-1945”, students are given Handout 3.1-Canadian Prisoners of War, and asked to read to the subtitle, “Japan Attacks”. • As a class, discuss “Why did we send troops?”, “What mistakes were made?”, “Who made them?” • Use Google Earth to look at Hong Kong and discuss its defence. Find key locations such as the reservoir and the Gin Drinkers Line.

11. Note to teachers: • The handout (3.1) is not assigned reading, but serves as a back-up for students who miss one or both days of video. The handout also serves as a reference point for key discussions. Note to English or French-Immersion teachers: • As a class, we watch “Savage Christmas” streamed from the National Film Board website. Links to the film and accompanying discussion notes are available from the HKVCA Teachers’ Contributions page.