Summary Captured: Canadian POWs at Hong Kong Part of Canadian Week on WW2TV With Brad St.Croix We are delighted to welcome back our friend Brad from OTD Canadian Military History Dr. Brad St.Croix is creating many types of videos about Canada's military past, often using historical footage to provide context and insight about the historical events. The fall of Hong Kong in December 1941 saw nearly 1500 Canadian soldiers, along with their British, Indian, and Hong Kong allies, fall into the hands of the Japanese. They were placed in prisoner of war camps and subjected to nearly four years of starvation, disease, beatings, horrid conditions, and even murder at the hands of their Japanese captors. Some of these POWs were sent to Japan aboard the aptly named 'Hell Ships.' Once in Japan, they worked as slave labours in ship and rail yards, mines, and factories. Only the end of World War 2 in the Pacific brought an end to the suffering. Despite, regaining their freedom, the returned POWs faced many difficulties at home back in Canada. Many faced years of struggle and suffered from alcoholism, physical, and mental health issues for the rest of their lives. Others thrived, but still held the memories of their time as soldiers and POWs. Their government did little to support their unique illnesses and conditions caused by their captivity. They fought for decades for proper recognition and full pensions, but for some of them, it was too late.

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