The desolate trenches in shing mun redoubt
The History of Gin Drinkers Line and the Shing Mun Redoubt
The Gin Drinkers Line was built in 1938 and it was the British military defense line to against the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong during the Pacific War. The Line’s total length was 18 kilometers and it stretched across the New Territories starting from the Gin Drinker’s Bay to Sha Tin and passed through the Kam Shan, Shing Mun Reservoir, Beacon Hill, Lion Rock, Tate’s Cairn and ending at Port Shelter in Sai Kung. The Gin Drinkers Line was not actually a solid defensive line but a series of defensive positions built for land defense of Kowloon and Hong Kong form the North. The Shing Mun Redoubt was the key to it.
In December 1941, the Japanese advance scouts of 228th Regiment led by Colonel Doi Teihichi discovered the British’s week defense at the ‘’225 High Ground’’ near the Shing Mun Redoubt and Shing Mun Reservoir and had a sneak attack on 9 December. After the fierce close-quarter fighting, the Redoubt was captured by the Japanese.
What is interesting about it?
Most of the Gin Drinkers Line cannot be found today, however, some defensive trenches in Shing Mun Redoubt were remained. There are warning signs ‘’Danger. Desolate Trench. Do not enter’’ to remind people not to come into the trenches because of the potential dangers. However, many people are curious to discover the secret of the previous battle field of Hong Kong and get into the desolate trenches to discover what is hiding inside. Being led by the professor, we carefully entered the deep tunnels and discovered many interesting things inside.
The Gin Drinkers Line was built in 1938 and it was the British military defense line to against the Japanese invasion of Hong Kong during the Pacific War. The Line’s total length was 18 kilometers and it stretched across the New Territories starting from the Gin Drinker’s Bay to Sha Tin and passed through the Kam Shan, Shing Mun Reservoir, Beacon Hill, Lion Rock, Tate’s Cairn and ending at Port Shelter in Sai Kung. The Gin Drinkers Line was not actually a solid defensive line but a series of defensive positions built for land defense of Kowloon and Hong Kong form the North. The Shing Mun Redoubt was the key to it.
In December 1941, the Japanese advance scouts of 228th Regiment led by Colonel Doi Teihichi discovered the British’s week defense at the ‘’225 High Ground’’ near the Shing Mun Redoubt and Shing Mun Reservoir and had a sneak attack on 9 December. After the fierce close-quarter fighting, the Redoubt was captured by the Japanese.
What is interesting about it?
Most of the Gin Drinkers Line cannot be found today, however, some defensive trenches in Shing Mun Redoubt were remained. There are warning signs ‘’Danger. Desolate Trench. Do not enter’’ to remind people not to come into the trenches because of the potential dangers. However, many people are curious to discover the secret of the previous battle field of Hong Kong and get into the desolate trenches to discover what is hiding inside. Being led by the professor, we carefully entered the deep tunnels and discovered many interesting things inside.
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Apart from the streets, there is also a company command post that has the observation post, resting and meeting rooms, toilets and kitchen where the British soldiers used to live in. Also, there are numerous bullet holes in the ceilings which show how fierce the battle was that turned this field become devastated. |
The most interesting is that those deep defensive tunnels were named after the London streets for the homesick British soldiers.
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How to get to the desolate trenches in Shing Mun Redoubt?
Taking the MTR to Tsuen Wan Station, Exit B and then take the minibus 82 in Shiu Wo Street to the Shing Mun Reservoir. Then, walking up to the Maclehose Trail and the desolate trenches can be found in the stage 6 of the trail. |
