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Last time we spoke about the beginning of the Battle of Hong kong. Japan's rise as a threat to British interests accelerated through the 1920s and intensified after invading China. Britain's response remained contradictory—diplomatically conciliatory yet militarily apprehensive. While Singapore and Malaya received substantial reinforcements, Hong Kong was acknowledged indefensible, yet the 1936 Defence Scheme attempted to fortify it as an island fortress. Governor Northcote urgently advocated evacuation, recognizing the futility of defense. London rejected this, fearing it would demoralize China and forfeit sovereignty claims. Reinforcement requests from commanders like Grasett fell on deaf ears until Grasett independently lobbied Canadian leaders. This persistence finally convinced Churchill to dispatch two additional battalions. On December 8, 1941, Japanese forces attacked across three fronts with overwhelming force. Within hours, the RAF was destroyed on the ground, demolitions proved ineffective, and British units rapidly retreated toward the Gin Drinkers Line, facing an enemy that outnumbered and outmaneuvered them from the opening moments.   #217 The Battle of Hong Kong Part 2: the Island Aflame Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Around 1500 hours on 9 December, Colonel Doi of the 228th Regiment arrived at Needle Hill, just north of the Gin Drinkers Line, ahead of his main force. For two hours he studied the British defensive positions through binoculars, noting trenches and bunkers—and to his surprise, washing lines fluttering with white clothes. The sight spoke volumes about the 2 Royal Scots' lax discipline. Then fog descended, reducing visibility to barely twenty meters, and heavy rain obscured the landscape. Doi sensed a fleeting advantage but lost radio contact with his battalions. Worse still, the Shing Mun Redoubt lay outside his regimental boundary, making an unauthorized attack a serious breach of protocol. When his units finally arrived, supporting artillery remained unavailable, held up by demolished roads. Doi chose to attack anyway. Doi ordered the 2nd Battalion to scout the eastern approach while the 3rd Battalion spearheaded the main assault. Major Nishiyana commanded the 3rd, sending Lieutenant Wakabayashi and Kasugai with 150 volunteers to lead. The Shing Mun Redoubt itself comprised five concrete pillboxes and an artillery observation post, connected by underground tunnels named after London landmarks—Piccadilly, Haymarket, and others. The whole complex sat on small rises above Jubilee Dam, then the British Empire's tallest. Defending the redoubt was A Company, 2 Royal Scots, under Captain Jones—just three officers and 39 men. One platoon of 25 soldiers under 2nd Lieutenant Thompson held the forward positions. Against this stood 150 Japanese attackers, with another 1,500 troops in reserve. Battalion orders forbade using the concrete works as fighting positions; they were meant for the Vickers machine-gun team and artillery protection. No mines could spare the redoubt's perimeter. On the night of the 9th, roughly half the defenders sheltered in the observation post while the remainder manned pillboxes 401b and 402. At 2000 hours, Thompson led a nine-man patrol northward to check Needle Hill and Shing Mun Valley. Despite two and a half hours in the field, the patrol returned at 2220 hours without detecting the Japanese force massing just 500 meters away. By that time, Lieutenant Kasugai's assault group had crossed Jubilee Dam undetected, bypassed unmanned Post X, and assembled below Pillbox 401b. At 2200 hours, Japanese sappers cut through two lines of wire. At 2300—H-Hour—Lance Corporal Laird heard movement in the bushes and opened fire. The Japanese answered with grenades and rushed the pillbox lines. One team entered the tunnel system; another hurled grenades through the air vents. Corporal Campbell swung his Vickers toward Pillbox 401, catching Japanese headquarters personnel in the open. Sergeant Robb mustered a counter-attack force of thirteen men. Five fell as casualties—Laird, Basnett, Coyle, Casey, and Jardine. Casey was killed; only Jardine escaped. The alert triggered gunfire from the observation post's defenders, and Forward Observer Wilcox called down 4.5-inch and 6-inch artillery fire. Without strong reinforcement and leadership, four Royal Scots and an Indian sentry abandoned the northern positions and withdrew to the observation post. Captain Jones received orders from Brigade to counter-attack, but delegated the task to Thompson. As Thompson attempted to leave the observation post, he found the gate locked from outside. This calamity had a backstory: just before the attack, Thompson had admitted a civilian at the request of Force 163 (SOE's sabotage unit in Singapore). Private Wylie had taken the observation post key from Lance Naik Kishan Singh and, upon exit, locked the gate behind him. The three officers were now literally locked out of the battle. Second Lieutenant Mochizuki and his platoon infiltrated through open trenches and began attacking the observation post from above, attempting to breach the hatches. The defenders held for three hours before Japanese sappers forced explosives down the air vents. At 0230 hours, the blast killed two Indian signallers inside. Thompson sustained a severe eye wound from grenade shrapnel; Jones and Warrant Officer Mead were both wounded. The remaining fifteen defenders surrendered; eleven became casualties. Meanwhile, a Rajput patrol engaging Japanese forces in the river valley managed to drive them back toward the redoubt. One final pillbox endured for another eleven hours before suffering the same sapper treatment. By 0400 hours on 10 December, the entire redoubt was lost. For just two killed, the Japanese had achieved a decisive victory—the breakthrough that would shift the entire campaign's trajectory. By dawn, a Japanese flag flew triumphantly from Point 255.   Major-General Maltby's assessment was stark: "This was calamitous, for Shing Mun was the key to the whole of the left position." Yet the Japanese perspective differed sharply. Having achieved a breakthrough, Colonel Doi received astonishing orders to withdraw—his success had transgressed into the 230th Regiment's sector and violated the meticulously prepared war plan. Doi refused. After heated confrontation with Major-General Ito and Lieutenant-General Sakai, his insubordination was later censured, though a divisional staff officer, Oyadomani, bore the scapegoat's burden of rebuke for failing to restrain Doi's initiative. With Shing Mun secured, Doi methodically fed reinforcements into the position. Throughout December 10th, the Japanese remained uncertain of their advantage and adopted a cautious strategy, probing British lines to exploit the evident disorder. Brigadier Wallis ordered the Royal Scots to mount an immediate dawn counterattack supported by the Rajputs and artillery. Lieutenant-Colonel White demurred; his battalion lacked any reasonable prospect of success. The resulting counterattack proved half-hearted at best. At first light on December 11th, the Japanese pressed Golden Hill forcefully, only to be repulsed by Captain Newton's Rajputs and gunfire from HMS Cicala. White positioned D Company in shallow shell scrapes and rusted wire—inadequate defenses against Japanese assault. Captain Pinkerton led a desperate bayonet charge that morning, temporarily clearing the Japanese and enabling the evacuation of wounded. Yet B, C, and D Companies absorbed devastating losses; Captains Rose and Richardson fell commanding their positions. With the Royal Scots collapsing, X Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and armored support rushed westward to seal the widening gap along Castle Peak Road. Meanwhile, Maltby grappled with alarming reports: Japanese landings on Lantau Island southwest of Hong Kong. Heavy artillery drove them back. A second probe at Aberdeen, where Special Naval Landing Forces approached within 300 yards of the naval base, was repelled by Canadian machine-gun fire. In hindsight, these were mere feints—never intended as the primary thrust. The stratagem succeeded. Maltby retained his island reserves—the Middlesex and two Canadian battalions—precisely where they would be needed. Had Wallis executed a forceful counterattack on December 10th with the Royal Scots and brigade reserves, the Rajputs might have retaken Shing Mun while the Japanese remained disorganized. Instead, Colonel Doi faced a furious Sakai, who had flown down from 38th Division headquarters at Taipo for what amounted to a pre-court-martial examination. The moment passed. After only 48 hours of combat, Maltby concluded the mainland was indefensible. The three battalions would withdraw intact to Hong Kong Island to assume their fortress defense roles. The naval commodore objected—demolitions, supply transfers, and troop ferrying required more time. The evacuation order was deferred 24 hours until noon on December 11th. At that hour, the decision was finalized: the mainland would be abandoned under cover of darkness. Further demolitions followed—the China Light and Power Station, the cement works on Tsing Yi Island, the docks. Yet Brigadier Wallis believed this merely a precautionary measure; he anticipated holding the mainland for at least another week. The withdrawal avoided Kowloon's congested streets, where street fighting and fifth columnists might have entrapped the British—a calculation that proved prescient, as an IJA advance column of 350 men from the 3/230th infiltrated Kowloon on the morning of December 12th to cut off the retreating garrison. The Royal Scots and Canadians retired south to Shamshuipo Barracks and Jordan Road Pier in western Kowloon; the Rajputs and supporting gunners withdrew eastward to Ma Lau Tong, which anchored the fortified Devil's Peak Peninsula. Maltby intended to hold this commanding position permanently—it was easily supplied across the narrow Lyemun Strait. The evacuation proceeded largely as planned. The Canadians and Royal Scots embarked on the afternoon and evening of December 11th under Punjabi covering fire. The Punjabis faced a harder journey—a moonlit scramble along steep Kowloon hills laden with supplies but critically short of mules. One group lost its way at a crucial junction, splitting into two columns. One proceeded toward Devil's Peak as planned; Battalion Headquarters descended into Kai Tak Airport, threaded through Kowloon City, and was evacuated by Star Ferry at Tsim Sha Tsui, fighting until the final moment as the last man boarded. The Rajputs' commander, unable to reach his Punjabi counterpart, abandoned Ma Lau Tong for the closer Hai Wan line near Devil's Peak. By 0400 hours on December 12th, the Punjabis and one Rajput company, accompanied by the gunners of the 25th Medium Battery, crossed Lyemun Strait to Hong Kong Island. Morning evacuations continued with minimal Japanese interference—a surprising restraint. Naval support proved crucial. The withdrawal completed by the morning of December 13th, though 170 mules were lost to the desertion of Chinese laborers—a deprivation that would haunt the subsequent campaign. During this passage, the IJN attempted shore bombardment. The Japanese cruiser and supporting vessels found themselves outranged by the defenders' 9.2-inch guns. The damage inflicted proved sufficient to discourage future naval adventures; for the remainder of the battle, the IJN maintained a cautious distance and played only a peripheral role. The speed and execution of the withdrawal apparently caught the Japanese unprepared. Their most probable expectation had been a full-scale assault on Devil's Peak accompanied by heavy bombardment—a day earlier, an assault without artillery preparation had been driven back with severe losses. The British appeared stronger than anticipated. The defense of the mainland had lasted only five days. With the mainland secured, the Japanese pivoted toward Hong Kong Island. The first move was diplomatic rather than military. At 0900 hours on December 13th, a small boat bearing a white flag crossed the harbor. It carried Colonel Toda, Lieutenant Mizuno, Mr. Othsu Dak, and two European women—the prominent and heavily pregnant Mrs. Macdonald and Mrs. C. R. Lee, wife of the Governor's secretary, accompanied by her two dachshunds. The surrender terms were flatly rejected. Major Boxer delivered the written refusal personally. Mrs. Macdonald remained in Hong Kong to give birth; Mrs. Lee and her dogs returned to Kowloon. The Japanese commenced systematic shelling of selected targets. On December 13th, a 9.2-inch gun on Mt. Davis was silenced; Belcher's Fort sustained damage. The following day, a 3-inch mount on Mt. Davis was hit, killing Chinese gunners and triggering morale collapse; some deserted. On December 15th, the barrage shifted to the northern shoreline, deliberately targeting pillboxes. At 2100 hours that night, approximately three Japanese companies attempted crossing the harbor in rubber rafts toward Pakshawan but were driven off by machine-gun fire. Fifth columnists intensified their operations—signaling with mirrors, sniping from concealed positions, spreading propaganda to encourage Chinese desertion. Their impact might have been catastrophic had not Rear-Admiral Chan and Colonel Yee, armed with tommy guns and grenades, systematically eliminated many of these saboteurs. By December 16th, half the pillboxes between the racecourse and Lyemun Strait lay destroyed. The intended crossing site was unmistakable. On December 17th, the Japanese dispatched a second peace mission—Colonel Toda's team now accompanied by Mrs. Lee with her dachshunds and a pregnant Russian woman. Again, the overtures were rebuffed. On December 18th, the bombardment reached new intensity. Oil storage tanks ignited, sending dense black smoke cascading across the northeast corner of the island—perfect concealment for what was to come. All signs pointed to imminent assault.  I want to note something here, you sometimes hear about how race played a role in the Pacific War and indeed it did. Racist attitudes were found on both the western and Japanese side of the war. There is a fantastic book dedicated to this by the way called, War without Mercy by John Dower, highly recommend it. What is interesting is how these racial attitudes actually affected decision making during the war. Take General Sakai's night amphibious assault for example. Western soldiers such as the Canadians in Hong Kong reported they were told by their commanders that quote "Don't worry about the Japanese, they can't see at night, they all wear glasses" another Canadian soldier wrote in a diary "They don't see well, especially at night we knew this as a matter of fact." Indeed the week before the outbreak of the battle of Hong Kong, Canadian officers attending a briefing by a British officer were informed that "Japan's aircraft were mostly obsolete, its air force had little practice in night flying, and its pilots were myopic and thus unable to carry out dive-bombing attacks". You might be asking yourself, why did they think the Japanese were myopic? The scientific explanation of the day was this "That the Japanese suffered widespread inner-ear damage. What caused this? Japanese motherhood, the practice of strapping babies to their mothers backs, it was explained caused their heads to bounce about, like when they harvested rice and permanently impaired their sense of balance". I particularly love this quote, one of my professors dedicated an entire class to the bizarre racial attitudes before and after the pacific war. There was a belief the Japanese could not see well at night, many western air force commanders actually believed there were times of day like at dawn or dusk where Japanese pilots would not operate because of this hindrance. American military commentator Fletcher Pratt in 1939 analyzed Japan's military strengths and explained it had four major weaknesses. The first was scarcity of resources such as iron, and steel. The second was that the Japanese "can neither make good airplanes nor fly them well" as a result of " the Japanese as a race have defects of the tubes of the inner ear, just as they are generally myopic. This gives them a defective sense of balance, the one physical sense in which an aviator is not permitted to be deficient.". The third was that the Japanese were short-tempered and were inclined to waste men unnecessarily when operations did not go well. The fourth was that the Japanese would simply never date to provoke a war with the US. Again Mr Pratt was an American military commentator whose information came from multiple accounts given by high ranking military officials! The British military maintained that the Japanese avoided night operations on land because they were simply incapable of caring them out well, while they avoided nighttime aerial attacks, as well as dive-bombing for the same reasons Pratt said quote "their pilots were poor and their aircraft inferior.". So take this all to mind when I talk about how certain ranking officers go about making their decisions. By the evening of 14 December, evacuated mainland units had regrouped on Hong Kong Island. The defensive structure was restructured into two brigades: Brigadier Wallis commanded the East Brigade from Taitam Gap, while Brigadier Lawson headed the West Brigade from Wongneichong Gap. This reorganization placed the 5/7 Rajputs across the north-east perimeter, defending over 3,500 metres of coastline with B Company positioned on the hills behind Taikoo Docks. The Royal Rifles of Canada held the north-east corner from Stanley to points south, with reserve positions at Lyemun. Two HKVDC companies supported from Taitam Valley and Pottinger Gap, while the veteran Hughsiliers manned the North Point power station. British and Canadian artillery provided fire support across the northern approaches. The West Brigade held the north-western and south-western shores. The 2/14 Punjab stretched from Causeway Bay to Belcher's Point, protecting Government House and General Maltby's headquarters, with battalion headquarters at Mid-Level. The Winnipeg Grenadiers covered the south-west from Wanchai Gap, with one company detached to the brigade headquarters at Wongneichong Gap. The 2 Royal Scots, severely mauled at Shing Mun, were held in reserve with fresh replacements from the HKVDC. The Middlesex Regiment's companies were dispersed along 72 pillboxes encircling the entire shoreline, while an improvised Z Company of clerks, musicians and cooks defended battalion headquarters at Leighton Hill. Supporting artillery included 9.2-inch and 6-inch guns on Mt Davis and 4.7-inch guns at Belcher's Point. As darkness fell on 17 December, Japanese reconnaissance swimmers reached Taikoo, confirming the crossing site despite detection. Reinforcements arrived: 18 additional heavy bombers from Guangzhou and 26 fighters from Taiwan joined the aerial assault. The crescendo of artillery fire on the 18th, combined with masses of small craft gathering across the harbour, signalled the imminent invasion. Japanese divisional headquarters shifted to Ma Tau Wei near Kai Tak Airport; the 23rd Army moved to Taipo. The invasion force disposed itself with the right flank embarking from east and west of Kai Tak, the left from Devil's Hill area. At 1800 hours, the invasion order was issued; by 1930 hours Sakai himself arrived in Kowloon to oversee the crossing. At precisely 2000 hours, the 2/228th Regiment silently paddled their collapsible craft toward Taikoo Docks and the nearby sugar factory as artillery support commenced. Colonel Doi embarked with 80 headquarters personnel aboard a large barge, leading the second wave. The conditions favoured the invaders—a moonless night, sporadic showers, and thick black smoke from burning oil tanks obscured their movement. They reached the midpoint undetected before searchlights and machine-gun fire scattered the small boats, separating commanders from their units. Despite this chaos, the assault pressed forward. At 2140 hours the artillery shifted to deeper targets; at 2145 hours the first wave of 3/230th landed at North Point, followed minutes later by 2/228th and then 2/229th. Three red flares signalled a successful landing. All six Japanese battalions were ashore by midnight, though wire fencing delayed their advance and Bren carriers added to the confusion on the beach. General Sano arrived at Taikoo one hour later. The 5/7 Rajputs bore the initial brunt of the assault. Despite days of preliminary shelling, the Rajputs mounted a stubborn defence; Japanese casualties mounted rapidly. The anti-tank company suffered so grievously that only a single gun remained operational. The Japanese plan was tactical rather than frontal—bypass isolated positions for later elimination and push rapidly toward high ground. Overwhelmed by numerical superiority and losing most of their officers, Rajput resistance gradually crumbled. Contradicting all evidence, Maltby remained convinced the main Japanese assault would strike directly at Victoria from Kowloon. He therefore withheld the counter-attack, instead dispatching a platoon of Middlesex troops, Royal Marines, naval personnel, and the Rajputs' reserve company—supported by artillery—to establish a defensive line blocking the Japanese advance toward Central District. Three HKVDC armoured cars were sent to protect East Brigade headquarters; two more reinforced the Middlesex battalion headquarters. It was manifestly inadequate against six Japanese battalions. In post-war dispatches, Maltby conceded his grave miscalculation: he believed he faced at most two battalions, not a full division. As the 3/230th broke through D Company of the 5/7 Rajputs, the 2/230th came ashore nearby and wheeled westward toward Victoria. Their advance halted abruptly at the North Point power station, held by an extraordinary force: four officers and 36 men of the HKVDC Hughsiliers Platoon—alongside 39 civilian volunteers from China Light & Power and Hong Kong Electric, including the station manager Vincent Sorby—plus eight Free French soldiers commanded by Captain Jacques Egal, a Shanghai businessman turned soldier. Without exception, these men were World War I veterans, many aged 55 or older. Some had fought in the Boer War. Major J. J. Patterson, the Hughsiliers' commander, had served with Allenby's Camel Corps and been mentioned in dispatches six times; he was chairman of Jardine Matheson and a legislative councillor. Private Sir Edward Des Voeux, 8th Baronet, a millionaire bullion trader and secretary of the Hong Kong Club, had enlisted as a private when deemed too old for mobilization. Private T. A. Pearce, 67 years old, was chairman of J. D. Hutchison & Company and secretary of the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Captain Bruch, the second-in-command, aged 60, chaired a major trading house. The list extended through Hong Kong's business elite, each choosing to fight rather than flee. These old men held an entire regiment at bay. When Patterson called for aid, Maltby dispatched an HKVDC armoured car with a platoon from Z Company, 1 Middlesex, but the reinforcement was ambushed before reaching the station; only nine soldiers, including 2nd Lieutenant Caruthers, broke through. Unable to dislodge the defenders by assault, the Japanese resorted to bombardment. By 0145 hours on 19 December, surrounded and ammunition exhausted, the defenders withdrew to King's Road behind a disabled bus. The Japanese deployed three machine guns, killing or mortally wounding all but Private Geoghan. A Japanese officer, believing all dead, cautiously approached—only to have Geoghan, despite his wounds, surge from cover and charge. He killed the officer and four soldiers before collapsing from wounds. Somehow Geoghan survived. Those old men—civilians and reservists, businessmen and veterans—held the entire western Japanese advance for 18 hours, buying Maltby precious time to withdraw forces and establish a new defensive line. Their stand at North Point became one of the campaign's most improbable acts of defiance. As the 2/229th Regiment advanced southward toward Mt Parker, the 3/229th landed at Aldrich Bay and turned eastward toward Lyemun, where they seized an HKVDC 6-inch gun. Major Bishop of the Royal Rifles of Canada, unaware of the landings, dispatched 15 Platoon under Lieutenant Scott to check on A Company of the Rajputs. Unexpectedly, they encountered armed men in civilian clothes at Lyemun's gate—the first indication of the Japanese presence on the island. Yet senior officers dismissed initial reports of landings and lost positions as exaggerated, a critical miscalculation that proved catastrophic. At Lyemun Fort, the 5th Anti-aircraft Battery of the HKVDC was caught completely unaware and surrendered after minimal resistance. The Japanese then committed one of many atrocities that would characterize the battle, bayoneting 29 survivors. Alerted by 15 Platoon's report, Bishop attempted a counter-attack with two platoons to retake the fort, but the defenders could not scale the six-meter wall and withdrew with nine men killed. As the 2/229th pressed southward toward Mt Parker, they overran the Salesian Mission, which had been converted into an Advance Dressing Station. No. 8 Company of the 2/229th systematized a massacre of medical personnel and the wounded—an atrocity that would later become pivotal evidence at Colonel Tanaka's war crimes trial. Yet amid the chaos, several medical staff and wounded survived to testify: Gunners Y. K. Chan and Martin H. C. Tso of the 5th Battery, Captain Osler Thomas of the HKVDC, Captain Martin Banfill of the Royal Canadian Medical Corps, and Corporal Norman Leath of the Royal Army Medical Corps. C Company of the Royal Rifles, reinforced with captured Japanese machine guns abandoned by fleeing Rajputs, inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers, with one Japanese company suffering over 65 percent losses. Yet overwhelmed by superior numbers and suffering nearly two platoons worth of casualties themselves, the Canadians were forced to withdraw, leaving only a reinforcement platoon under Lieutenant Blaver on Mt Parker. When Captain Clerke arrived at dawn with 16 Platoon to reinforce the position, he found over 100 Japanese already entrenched. With no artillery support and only two platoons available, Clerke had no choice but to withdraw, abandoning Mt Parker to the enemy. By dawn on the 19th, the East Brigade faced catastrophe. Infantry strength had been halved, and losses of artillery were equally devastating. A series of misunderstandings and misinterpreted orders led coastal gun crews at Capes D'Aguilar and Collinson to destroy their own guns in confusion or lose them to the advancing Japanese. Of the entire artillery complement, only one 18-pounder and two 3.7-inch field guns remained operational. Wongneichong—literally "yellow muddy creek" in Chinese—occupies the center of Hong Kong Island, a valley separating the eastern hills (Mt Parker, Mt Butler, Jardine's Lookout) from the western massif (Mt Nicholson, Mt Cameron, Victoria Peak). This narrow gap formed the critical artery linking northern and southern Hong Kong, making Brigadier Lawson's decision to place West Brigade Headquarters there strategically sound yet tactically vulnerable. Recognizing the exposed position after the landings, Major Lyndon had located an alternative site south of Mt Nicholson, scheduled to open the following day. In response to the Japanese landings, Lawson dispatched three platoons of Winnipeg Grenadiers to block the advance. Lieutenant C. D. French took 18 Platoon to Mt Butler, Lieutenant G. A. Birkett's 17 Platoon moved to Jardine's Lookout, and Lieutenant L. B. Corrigan's platoon took the north-west approach to the Gap. As on Mt Parker, both French and Birkett were killed almost immediately, their small forces overwhelmed by battalion-strength enemy forces with artillery support. By morning on the 19th, two battalions each of the 230th and 228th Regiments were pushing for the high ground. The 2/230th rapidly occupied Jardine's Lookout while the 3/230th moved to Mt Nicholson and the 2/228th advanced toward the Gap itself. No. 3 Company of the HKVDC under Major E. Stewart held pillboxes around Jardine's Lookout, while No. 1 Company under Captain Penn defended Taitam Valley with forward positions at Quarry Gap. The pillboxes, despite heavy bombardment, held longer than anticipated—some for as long as 24 hours. Stewart maintained his company headquarters until the 22nd, four days of continuous fighting without adequate ammunition, food, or water. No. 3 Company suffered 80 percent casualties and ceased to exist as a cohesive unit. Realizing that the enemy had penetrated to Mt Butler, Brigadier Lawson decided counter-attack was essential. Major A. B. Gresham of A Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers, was ordered to retake Mt Butler and clear Jardine's Lookout. The Canadians initially succeeded, with Warrant Officer 2 J. R. Osborne leading a bayonet charge, but a strong counter-attack by three Japanese companies drove them back by 2200 hours. The Canadians held firm until 1500 hours, when Gresham attempted surrender despite waving a white flag—the Japanese shot him regardless. In the chaos that followed, a Canadian killed a Japanese officer in response, triggering a grenade barrage. Warrant Officer Osborne caught the grenades and hurled them back as fast as they came, but one landed in an impossible position. Without hesitation, Osborne threw himself on the grenade to save his comrades. This act of supreme self-sacrifice earned him a Victoria Cross—the first Canadian VC of World War II. At dawn on the 19th, Maltby dispatched A Company of the 2 Royal Scots under Captain K. J. Campbell to reinforce the Gap, but they lost all their officers with only 15 men reaching Lawson's headquarters. A group of sailors under Commander A. L. Pears came from the south, but were ambushed en route; only a few reached the Postbridge—a house just south of the Gap—which became an isolated strongpoint. The 3/230th captured the police station perched on a mound at the southern point of the Gap, then swept eastward to seize the anti-aircraft guns of 7th Battery (barely 250 meters from brigade headquarters) and continued uphill toward Taitam Hill to capture additional 6-inch and 3.7-inch guns. Maltby's response was to call down final protective fire from the HKSRA in Happy Valley, inflicting massive casualties on the 3/230th. At 1000 hours on the 19th, Lawson reported that his headquarters was surrounded and he was about to "go outside and shoot it out." Captain H. A. Bush provided covering fire as Lawson and his entire staff, including Middlesex signallers, were cut down by machine-gun fire across the Gap. Lawson's body was discovered two days later halfway up the hill behind his headquarters, dead from a gunshot wound to the thigh. Lieutenant Kerfoot of the 2/14 Punjab with his three Bren carriers arrived minutes too late to save him. IJA who saw the fight made a note stating "he died heroically". At 1330 hours on the 19th, Maltby issued "Operation Order No. 6" calling for a massive counter-attack to commence 90 minutes later. The plan was ambitious: A and D Companies of the 2/14 Punjab were to attack east from Victoria to North Point to relieve the Hughsiliers, while HQ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the 2 Royal Scots were to attack the Gap and Jardine's Lookout. Eight field guns were promised but never materialized. There was no reconnaissance, no proper orders, and minimal coordination. The Canadians were to rendezvous with the 2 Royal Scots at Middle Gap at 1530 hours, but the Scots were late; the Canadians advanced without them. Captain Pinkerton of D Company, 2 Royal Scots, was ordered at the last minute to attack up Wongneichong Gap Road—the same route A Company had taken only seven hours earlier and been decimated—because it was reported as "lightly held." Captain A. M. S. Slater-Brown led the advance with three Bren carriers and attached engineers, followed by D Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers. Just as the carriers reached the burnt-out trucks of A Company, they too were ambushed. Mortars and machine-gun fire rained down from Jardine's Lookout, where the Japanese occupied captured HKVDC pillboxes. Slater-Brown and 2nd Lieutenant Bell, the battalion intelligence officer, were killed instantly. The Royal Scots waited in the roadside ditches until 0200 hours before launching an attack on the police station, reaching the steps before Pinkerton was severely wounded. Captain Ford's composite company attack at 0300 hours also failed. Simultaneously, C Company under Lieutenant F. L. Stanier attacked Jardine's Lookout—also unsuccessfully. This series of piecemeal assaults cost the Royal Scots eight officers and 68 soldiers. Growing increasingly desperate, Maltby ordered Major Hodkinson, Officer Commanding HQ Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers, to attack the Gap and proceed to Mt Parker. Requesting reinforcements from A Company and the Royal Scots, Hodkinson launched his assault with covering fire from Lieutenant Corrigan on Mt Nicholson. The Grenadiers managed to reach Mt Nicholson with only five unwounded men, though Corrigan's group advanced to within 300 meters of the Gap road. Then came an unexpected stroke of fortune: while skirting Mt Nicholson, Hodkinson's group stumbled upon approximately 500 Japanese—probably from the 3/230th—eating lunch without posting sentries. The Winnipeg Grenadiers unleashed devastating fire, inflicting heavy casualties. By 1745 hours, Hodkinson's force was only 100 meters from Repulse Bay Road. With four men and a 2-inch mortar, Hodkinson worked his way to the abandoned brigade headquarters, bringing 20 walking wounded with him. He established a foothold at the Gap, receiving orders to attack the police station at 2200 hours. Two HKVDC armoured cars with Vickers machine guns came in support, but accurate enemy fire disabled both. Like Pinkerton before him, Hodkinson reached near his objective before being severely wounded. For this action of determination and courage, Hodkinson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. By the morning of the 20th, the Japanese had consolidated control of the Gap, but elements of D Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers, still held various pillboxes north of the position. Initially, 17 and 18 Platoons occupied forward positions with Company Headquarters and 16 Platoon in reserve, positioned across Wongneichong Road almost directly opposite brigade headquarters. Forward positions were rapidly overrun and cut off from the company. They fought without officers until withdrawal to battalion headquarters became necessary. With Captain A. S. Bowman killed and Captain R. W. Philips wounded, command fell to Lieutenant T. A. Blackwood. An attempt by B Company to relieve D Company on the evening of the 20th failed catastrophically, killing all officers and 29 men. With fewer than 50 men remaining—all wounded—Lieutenant Blackwood continued inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese until 22 December, when exhaustion and the complete absence of ammunition, food, and water forced surrender. D Company killed over 200 Japanese soldiers. Post-war Japanese reports refused to believe that a single company had held the Gap for so long. For their stubborn defense, Philips and Blackwood were awarded the Military Cross, and three enlisted men received the Military Medal. The battle of Wongneichong Gap was characterized by fragmented planning and poor coordination. On the night of the 19th-20th, no fewer than three separate companies attacked the police station, with another company assaulting Jardine's Lookout—all within five hours, all independently organized by local commanders. Had these disparate actions been coordinated into a single simultaneous assault, fortress headquarters' objectives might well have been achieved. By the end of the 20th, the British had lost the vital ground of Wongneichong, though Postbridge House remained as an isolated holdout. For the Japanese, Wongneichong became the single costliest engagement since the invasion began, with over 800 casualties and the regimental commander of the 3/230th seriously wounded. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me.   Japanese landings on 18-19 December overwhelmed the East Brigade. Brigadier Lawson died defending the vital Gap. Desperate, uncoordinated counter-attacks by British and Canadian troops failed to dislodge the enemy. D Company Winnipeg Grenadiers held the position for four days against overwhelming odds before surrendering. The Japanese suffered 800 casualties but secured this critical strategic ground.

Meet Andrew Hawkins, Senior Researcher for the Seven Network's coverage of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and newest member of the SportsGrad "Circle of Grad" club - from follower to member and now podcast guest.Andrew's love of sport was sealed at nearly 10, watching the Sydney 2000 Olympics from ten minutes down the road. At 19, he mailed a handwritten letter to his broadcasting hero, Bruce McAvaney, asking how to break into the industry, and Bruce wrote back. Years later, the two would finally get on a call, and today they work side by side on Seven's Commonwealth Games broadcast: Andrew building the research, Bruce using it to call the Games. His first paid gig in sport was parking cars at Rosehill Racecourse, but it was writing that took him furthest. Andrew has since built an award-winning career in international horse racing - one of the most data-heavy sports on earth, spending five years in Hong Kong reporting for the South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with work syndicated around the world.Then came the hard part - being told, again and again, that all that experience only counted for racing. When he joined The SportsGrad Method, he'd applied for 50-odd jobs and landed just five interviews. What changed everything was a single post that caught the eye of people at Channel Seven, and he hasn't looked back since.In this episode, Andrew shares the mindset that got him unstuck after 50 applications, the networking habit he's leaned on since he was 19, and the hard-won lessons every career changer needs to hear.We cover:(02:41) - Interview Begins(06:01) - Quick Fire Questions(10:03) - What led Andrew to move to Hong Kong (14:00) - What issues Andrew was facing before he joined the SportsGrad Method Program(20:05) - How the SportsGrad Method led to Andrew's role as Broadcast Researcher for the Commonwealth Games(23:38) - What a day in the life of Andrew's role looks like(26:10) - What goes into building a broadcast research strategy(34:20) - How does the archive of knowledge and research material get used across multiple events (39:20) - How AI helps with Broadcast Research(47:41) - How Andrew has had to upskill himself as modern media has evolved(53:16) - How to land a job in sport media in the next 30 days(59:33) - What life would have looked like if not a job in sport(01:00:29) - Biggest 'Pinch Me' moment working in sportIf you liked this ep, give these a go next:#252: What it's like to work on the FIFA Women's World Cup with Media Volunteer, Vi Truong https://youtu.be/-l_-ld6Pv7U#293: Careers in Sports Broadcasting with Lucy & Emma Race from Making The Call https://youtu.be/BLxvoFL41_4#356: Career journey of FIFA World Cup Commentator David Basheer https://youtu.be/Vdu4esiAhNwWant a job in sport? Click here.Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokFollow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokThanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A deep dive into how philanthropy in Asia is evolving, and how the next generation of leaders is being prepared to make it more effective, collaborative and impactful. In this conversation with Brian Sen, Secretary General of the Institute of Philanthropy in Hong Kong, the discussion explores why the Institute was created, what it means to be a “thinking, funding and doing” tank, and how it is working to strengthen the wider philanthropic ecosystem across Asia. A central focus of the conversation is the LEAP Fellowship, Leadership Excellence in Asian Philanthropy, a new programme designed to equip emerging senior leaders with the skills, networks and mindset needed to tackle complex social and environmental challenges. Brian explains how the fellowship blends world class academic input from partners such as J-PAL at MIT, the London School of Economics and the University of Hong Kong, with practical, challenge based learning and mentorship from senior philanthropic leaders. Listeners gain insight into who the fellowship is aimed at, how it is structured, and why investing in talent development is critical for the future of philanthropy. The discussion also touches on the Hong Kong Jockey Club and its Charities Trust, its rigorous approach to impact measurement, and the collaborative ethos that underpins the Institute's work. The episode closes with a personal reflection from Brian on his own journey into the sector, and a clear call to action for funders and organisations to prioritise building stronger talent pipelines for the field. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

As global aid and fiscal priorities shift, Singapore’s role as a regional leader in strategic giving is coming into sharper focus. Institutional giants like Temasek Trust and Tote Board are shaping the future of philanthropy as they join the ranks of Asia’s top givers alongside powerhouses like Tencent and The Hong Kong Jockey Club. On Industry Insight, Lynlee Foo speaks to Gwendolyn Lim, Partner and Head of The Bridgespan Group (Southeast Asia) to find out what’s driving this new wave of giving, and how Singapore is redefining what it means to give with purpose, scale, and strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Episode 7 of Season 2 of The Hong Kong Racing Show, and it's a special Everest edition as we count down the hours to the world's richest turf race — The Everest at Royal Randwick.All eyes are on Ka Ying Rising, Hong Kong's sprinting superstar and the world's top-rated racehorse, as he prepares to take on Australia's best.This week, Off To The Races Media's Andrew Brown and co-host Alex Evers are joined by two incredible guests: Darren Flindell — Sydney's lead race caller and former Hong Kong legend, who sets the scene for The Everest, shares his selections, and reflects on a few unforgettable Hong Kong memories. Sam Nati — The Hong Kong Jockey Club's Head of Commingling, who gives us the inside scoop on just how massive The Everest could be from a World Pool perspective, and whether a new wagering record is on the cards.We also cover the latest Hong Kong racing news, including Romantic Warrior's barrier trial at Sha Tin and a preview of the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy, featuring My Wish, Voyage Bubble, and Galaxy Patch.Produced by Off To The Races Media for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

There is an autumn theme to the latest edition of The Front Page, with Jonathan Harding joined by Lambourn correspondent Liam Headd and France correspondent Scott Burton to discuss the plans for Nicky Henderson's stable stars, including Constitution Hill, as well as all the key news lines ahead of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.  The panel also reflects on a story with Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Besges, who has warned that a proposed tax rise could see British racing come to 'significant harm'.

On our first episode of the Year of The Snake, Vivek gambles with his luck and cleans his house on CNY, and on the topic of gambling, the Hong Kong Jockey Club Mark Six lottery winner gets over 193 million HKD. How does this thing even work? This episode is not sponsored by Dyson or the Hong Kong Jockey Club! Get tickets for Backstage Comedy shows: https://linktr.ee/backstagecomedy Subscribe to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hohopod Leave us a review: (please!) https://www.ratethispodcast.com/hohohkpod Follow Mohammed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theothermohammed/ Follow Vivek on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funnyvivek/

Tom Wood from the Hong Kong Jockey Club spoke with Miles on Winners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges is the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and caught up with Andrew Bensley ahead of Sunday's massive meeting.

This was a fun one. Recorded at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Sha Tin Racecourse, site of the equestrian competitions at the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There I met with Hong Kong's multi Paralympic and World Championships competitor Natasha Tse, a Grade I rider. We talked about her career which dates back to London 2012, where she was the youngest rider to compete, the burgeoning success of the Hong Kong team and her frequent flights to and from Europe, and her hopes for Paris 2024.

Twenty months ago Adam Campton was still working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club unsure of his next career move. He made the snap decision to return to Australia and take out a trainer's  licence. A winner with his very first starter at Warwick set the scene for his immediate future. Since then he's reeled off more than forty wins and is deadly serious about his future as a trainer. Adam begins by reviewing the short career of Deepour who's won 5 from 7 since being sourced from the Inglis Digital On Line Sale.  The young trainer talks about his blueblood racing pedigree with special mention of his father Neil, a multiple Gr 1 winning jockey and successful trainer. Adam talks of his relationship with maternal grandfather, the late Les Coles rider of Even Stevens who won the Caulfield/Melbourne Cup double in 1962.  He talks of several other notable racing achievers in the immediate family. Adam takes us through the many and varied things he tried before settling on a training career. He talks of a short stint working for the Darley operation under Peter Snowden. He looks back on a lengthy involvement in the hospitality industry. He finished up as bar manager at a western Sydney pub. The thirty five year old looks back on his time with Rosehill trainer Tim Martin. Adam then moved into the on- line betting industry where he would spend four valuable years. He then talks of a very happy four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club  looking after the interests of racehorse owners and young members. His partner Tayla Whalley accompanied him to HK. Adam explains that his decision to return to Australia happened overnight. He talks of a low key start as a trainer, and pays tribute to Lord Markel, the former Victorian horse who turned up in his Gold  Coast stable. This was the horse to give him a dream start in his new role. Adam talks of the purchase of his own stabling complex and the facilities on offer. He acknowledges the support he gets from partner Tayla Whalley, a Queensland born girl who has a great affinity with horses. The trainer talks about the regular video presentation he and Tayla compile for stable clients. He acknowledges the support of two special work riders. Adam pays a heartfelt tribute to Lord Markel, the horse he never expected to see in his stable. He talks of the heartbreaking disappointment he experienced a short time after beginning his training operation. Adam acknowledges the horses who've helped launch his training career. He talks of the talented Brazilian jockey who made a big impression during a short stay in Queensland.  He has nice things to say about apprentice Yvette Lewis who came to him from the Tamworth stables of Sue Grills. A little encouragement goes a long way. Adam says his Sydney based mother Trish is the unabashed leader of his fan club. The trainer talks about his brother-in-law by marriage, the champion Queensland jockey James Orman. It's a laid back chat with a young horseman who took a while to sort out his career path. There's no holding him now.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world today. They lead with the breaking news of Silvestre de Sousa's 10 month worldwide ban from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and consider the implications for the multiple UK Champion. They also look ahead to forthcoming Classic Trials with James Savage, assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, and the French Classics in the company of Brian Meehan, trainer of Plains fancy Isaac Shelby. Patrick Cummings, director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, gives weighty context to the goings on in the United States surrounding Forte's positive test, while Racing Foundation's Rob Hezel looks ahead to the Racing Industry Conference. Meanwhile, Fitzdares CEO Will Woodhams explains why his firm have stepped into sponsor Lingfield's Classic Trials.

Nick is joined by broadcaster Rishi Persad to discuss the latest news and events from around the racing world today. They lead with the breaking news of Silvestre de Sousa's 10 month worldwide ban from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and consider the implications for the multiple UK Champion. They also look ahead to forthcoming Classic Trials with James Savage, assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, and the French Classics in the company of Brian Meehan, trainer of Plains fancy Isaac Shelby. Patrick Cummings, director of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, gives weighty context to the goings on in the United States surrounding Forte's positive test, while Racing Foundation's Rob Hezel looks ahead to the Racing Industry Conference. Meanwhile, Fitzdares CEO Will Woodhams explains why his firm have stepped into sponsor Lingfield's Classic Trials.

This week we're joined by Jessica May MRCVS! Jessica has worked in mixed and equine practices, both in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Having worked in a variety of clinics, she has experience in first opinion, referral hospital and charity settings. We begin this week's episode by discussing Jessica's time spent in Hong Kong as an intern at a jockey club and her love for seedy loaf bread!We talk about Jessica's pioneering role using TeleMedicine within the equine industry, and her work with FirstVet, an independent digital veterinary clinic.Jessica goes on to explain how online vet services can be utilised alongside traditional appointments. She describes both the challenges and benefits of bridging the gap between veterinary clinical care and the tech world.We talk about the increasing pressure on vet professionals, particularly new grads, and how we can leverage technology to help support workers' mental health within the industry.Jessica delivers an insightful 60-second CPD providing 3 tips and tricks on how to get the most out of telemedicine consultations We then discuss Flexee, Jessica's new business that not only helps raise awareness and understanding of flexible working but also offers solutions to implement this within a practice.Jessica asks our listeners to reflect on the lessons learned throughout the pandemic and shares her fond memories of hiking in the British countryside. Support the show

Brendan Delaney, Michael Velissaris and Michael Comerford talk all things sport and racing on RSN's Good Sports. Today the team caught up with Glenn McFarlane from the Herald Sun, Jasper Gotterson and Max Cutrone from Mates V States, Jason Bennett from Channel 7, Gerard Daffy from TAB, George Farrugia, Tom Wood from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Laurie Daley from TAB and Catherin Healey from Fox Sports.

Horse trainer Wayne Hawkes joined Gerard in the studio to talk about the Warrnambool Racing Carnival, his wife's appearance on Channel 7, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's reluctance to let Zac Purton compete overseas, Jamie Kah's desire to return to the track, Andrew Dillon's racing background, the racing pause for Dean Holland's funeral on Monday, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The fate of retired racehorses has never been under more scrutiny, and Jo McKinnon couldn't be happier. The respected media contributor recently launched her own website designed to monitor the post competitive lives of thoroughbreds and performance horses. Jo joins us to talk about the creation of “offthetrackhorses.com.au” and to look back on her own exciting life in media and in the racing industry. She talks of the origins of her independent on-line platform. Jo outlines her ideas for regular content on the site. She acknowledges the support of some special behind-the-scenes people. The talented media veteran takes us back to her very first job with the Herald and Weekly Times and the thrilling scholarship win that got her there. Jo talks of her duties with the major Melbourne newspaper. She looks back on her exciting transition into television as a sports reporter with Network Ten in Melbourne. She was on her way. Horse loving Jo was thrilled to join the team being assembled for Sky's history making home racing channel. She was the first female presenter to be seen on the satellite coverage. Today there are many. She reviews the many roles she filled in the early days of the burgeoning media giant.  Jo talks of a sea change and a return to her hometown of Melbourne. She landed a plum role with the Moonee Valley Racing Club. She recalls an enjoyable stint as Marketing Manager for Aushorse which was in the process of rebranding. The role took her to Asia several times. Jo looks back on a brief association with the Nine Network and a return to Sky Racing. This time around she was chief anchor for the popular Sunday morning programme Racing Retro.  True to form the versatile personality felt the need for a change of direction. Before she knew it, Jo was working for the Hong Kong Jockey Club as a presenter at Happy Valley and Sha Tin. While in HK Jo's ability to adapt to different roles landed her a job as “food writer” for the famous Tasting Kitchen magazine. Back in Australia in 2014 she landed a role with the VRC as head of PR for the famous spring carnival.  Jo looks back on enjoyable stints with Racing.Com and Equestrian Australia. Perhaps the most rewarding of her many accomplishments was the creation of a documentary with brother Lachie as her co- producer. Jo looks back on the five episode series called “A Racetrack Somewhere” which received excellent reviews. The talented McKinnon talks of her involvement in racehorse ownership. She part owned a pretty smart mare a few years ago. Jo talks of her participation in a recent RSN programme called Talking Horses, and her current role as guest columnist for the on-line publication ANZ Bloodstock News. Fast forward to 2023 and a new life on a 3500 acre property at Quirindi with her partner Andrew Talbot. Jo talks of Andrew's long time association with Elders Ltd. He manages the famous Killara Feed Lot operation from the Quirindi property.   She says an invitation to join the committee of the Quirindi Jockey Club proved impossible to decline.   It's a laid back chat with a lady who's just as comfortable astride a show horse as she is in front of a television camera. 

The CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Winfried Englebrecht - Bresges joins Andrew Bensley on Racing Pulse to discuss the state of affairs in Hong Kong racing

Kim Kelly the former Chief Steward at the Hong Kong Jockey Club joins Racing Pulse at the Asian Racing Conference being back in Australia after 20 years.

Clint Hutchison aka Hong Kong Hutchy joins Racing Pulse for an in depth preview of tonight's Hong Kong Jockey Club's International Jockey Challenge meeting at Happy Valley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hong Kong Jockey Club presenter and race-caller Tom Wood joined Sunday Central to preview the day of racing out at Sha Tin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HKJC Race-caller and presenter Tom Wood, previews the day of racing out at Happy Valley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hong Kong Jockey Club's Tom Wood joined Brendan Delaney to preview the day of racing out at Sha Tin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Wood from the Hong Kong Jockey Club joined Gareth to give a preview of Happy Valley tonight!

Tom Wood from the Hong Kong Jockey Club joined Gareth to discuss Zac Purton's comments on James McDonald as well as giving some tips for Happy Valley tonight.

HKJC race-caller Tom Wood sets up the day of racing out at Sha Tin.

Bill Nader, who current serves as an executive with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will soon take on the role of President and CEO of the Thoroughbred Owners of California, joined this week's TDN Writers' Room to share his experiences with Japanese racing and talk about how he hopes to improve upon racing in

It's Royal Ascot Week! The best of international racing starts Tuesday. And to help us handicap the races for the week, especially on Tuesday, is fantastic TV host/analyst from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Andrew LeJeune! Join the live chat as we discuss many topics. Promotions: 1) Subscribe to the excellent, informative and profitable Race-Day Blog! Please go to: https://www.patreon.com/hhhracingpodcast . Fantastic ABC P4 and P5 grids, along with Spot Plays and Price Plays provided that have hit close to 40% in 2021 and currently has an ROI of over $3. Purchase your blog NOW and make 2022 your best handicapping year ever! 2) Find out about the exciting, new "Podcast Pool" by emailing me at hkravetshorse@gmail.com I will send you a document on how it works and how/when to play into this great new venture! 3) JOIN BetUS TODAY at https://www.betus.com.pa/ In order to receive a 125% (of your deposit) FREE PLAY, deposit min. of $50 using a credit card (must be a cc) into your new account and USE THE PROMO CODE: RACING3H . This will be typed in when you submit your payment. Start playing today!! #HongKongJC #royalascot #TVG @GoldenPal --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/howard-k-kravets/support

Zac Purton is a professional jockey based in Hong Kong and is a member of one of the most prestigious clubs in racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club. With over 120 wins and 581 rides under his belt in the 2021-2022 season, Zac has been making big moves in the racing industry ever since he got started. Growing up in Australia, Zac decided he wanted to become a jockey at the young age of fourteen and today he celebrates his 1,400th Hong Kong win with $166,008,615 stakes won. Listen in!

Mr William Du: Mainland Affairs Manager of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Partnership Director of Time Auction @ FiresideInterviewer: Wendy Chong, Hannah Lam採訪者：蔣沛芸、林婉晞Language 語言：Mandarin 普通話Wendy: 從你的採訪當中，我就可以看到你是一個非常擁抱改變而且不斷嘗試，一直就是以行動來為自己的目標付出努力的人，而聽說你為自己取了一個很有意思的英文名字叫Will Do，請問這是真的嗎？William: 對這個是很有意思，就是因為我的英文名叫William，然後呢一般人呢？如果比較親切呢，就叫will，那我後面呢是正好我的中文名字的那個拼音是d-u就du，所以很多人就will du will du。那我就說，欸，對呀，我說這個這個這個就是我的座右銘是吧？就是任何的事情啊，i will do it就是我要有這樣的一個，對任何一件事情，抱有這樣的一個必勝的，這樣的一個決心，而且我也很喜歡一句話叫there is a will，there is a way。那這個Will呢？你可以理解成為就是有志者事竟成是吧？這是一種方法，一個這個意念，那我就說there is a will，我總是會有方法解決任何的問題啊，就是這個是這個英文名的由來。Wendy:因為我覺得特別有意思，就是有好像Nike的just do it的感覺，那種言出必行的精神，我們就可以在William身上可以看到，那我們現在進入我們正式的採訪。您2008年在理工大學讀社會應用學，而從此就開始了你的職業生涯和豐富多彩的人生。而其實我們現在也是中五中六生也需要面臨大學專業的選擇，那請問你可以介紹一下social science這個專業嗎？而且通常畢業生會從事哪一方面的工作呢？William: 好，我可能會講得稍微再大一點好嗎？就是首先我介紹一下我自己的這個學習的背景好啊，好啊，那我是這個出生於浙江嘉興啊，那麽我的中學都是在浙江南城的，那么在浙江讀書的時候呢？我覺得我是有一個非常想要了解世界的這樣的一個心。我就我覺得每一個中學生都是應該有抱著一顆好奇心來面對他們的學業，面對這個世界。那在這個過程當中呢，很巧的是呢，就是我有機會參加了一個model united nations叫模擬聯合國的活動，那麽在這個活動裡面呢，就被派到了香港，那這是我第一次來到香港，那我第一次來到香港參加這個活動，在中文大學就對香港的大學呢，就有一個非常濃厚的興趣，因為我就覺得說，哎呀，香港的學校跟中國內地的學校非常的不一樣啊。而且呢，中國內地呢？它主要是以高考。高考以應試為主，但香港的話除了我們說的a level， o level 等等以外，其實香港的學校的錄取還要有面試，還要注重很多的這種課外的一些領袖力的培養，課外的活動，我就覺得很適合我自己個人的個性。因為我在中學階段，其實我是參加了學生會，參加了電視台，參加了很多學校的一些組織，所以我就覺得說我不但是學習，我也有很強的領導力，那麼香港的學校可能更適合我個人的發展。所以2008年就是這樣的一個機緣巧合，我就來了香港。但當時其實我是想要去讀journalism，就是新聞學的，所以我那個時候的top priority是浸會大學的新聞學，但是很遺憾的是浸會大學他沒有錄取我，但是理工大學錄取我了，但理工大學他又沒有新聞系，我當時就選了一個跟新聞比較相關，但是相對來說又比較broad ，比較更加大一點的這樣的一個學科，能夠讓我自己能夠先了解社會。如果我要去做一個記者，我首先要知道這個社會是怎麼樣的，我要知道社會科學裡面包含著一些什麼樣的內容。這個為什麼我會進入香港理工大學讀應用社會科學系。那麼這個社會科學其實是我們所謂文科的一個我認為是一個非常包羅萬象的這樣的學科，社會科學應該是整個文科的這樣的一個基礎。那麼在這個社會科學裡面，其實我學了很多應用型的科目，也學了很多基礎性的科目，所以包括社會科學的這個社會學，包括政治學，包括心理學，然後包括像當時有學到了一些邏輯，法律等等的，其實他都是在應用社會科學這個大的分類裡面的。但是我自己在理工大學我比較specialized，是社會政策還是偏向於說政策的方向，那麼是在後面的學年的比較多，是在一些譬如像房屋政策，教育政策、醫療政策等等，所以如果你來看的話，社會科學是一個大的分類，裡面有很多不同的分支，在分支裡面還可以再細分到比較小的這些item ，大概是這樣的一個背景。我是很有幸就來到了香港理工大學，就讀這個應用社會科學系的社會政策和行政管理專業。 Wendy: 我也覺得您好像您剛才所說的非常有洞察力，而且我覺得您也很會做決定，當時看到可能香港這邊有一些不一樣的學科和系統的話，就會自己去研究，然後按照自己的興趣和能力再去做一個專業的選擇，從而開展的另一番的天地。而聽您說的社會科學也是一個很豐富很廣泛的學習，而且我覺得他也是讓你很有人文關懷，好像你剛才所說的哲學還有政治什麼的都好像非常有趣，所以我們有興趣的同學也可以考慮一下讀社會科學。我現在就問第二條問題，其實很多人中學的時候為了要報考大學而拼命讀書，但反而上了大學的話就會覺得比較laid back，但我感覺你就更加努力，很有闖勁。例如大學的時候你就要去參加一些海外的交流，看到不同的文化。3年期間去了6 個國家，包括英國、美國、加拿大、德國等等。那麼請問這些大學的海外交流計劃是怎麼樣和本科的學習共存的，而且是不是只是利用暑假的時間進行了？ Wendy: 好，首先感謝你的問題，那麼我想借這個機會跟所有在收聽我們這個節目的很多的中學生的朋友們說，中學努力讀書，大學相對來說就不那麼努力，是一個錯誤的想法。怎麼說選擇我更相信的是中學不但要努力讀書，也要接觸社會，也要參加一些活動，也要認識多一些不同的朋友。到了大學以後應該是先難後易，什麼叫先難後易？一開始應該先要努力讀書，尤其是當別人都不努力的時候，你要趕緊努力讀書把你在大學第一年的GPA 能夠保持在一個比較高的水平。到了大學的後面，這兩年你就可以相對來說，沒有別人那麼努力，但是你能夠保證你的GPA 不錯，你就可以去參加很多的海外的交換實習，能夠去參加很多的社會的活動。那麼這些會為你未來的職業的發展，找工作奠定一個很好的基礎。所以我每一次都跟我大學的這些學弟學妹說，我說你們一進大學的第一件事情是什麼？不是放鬆了，不是玩，而是先要在第一年把GPA 保持在一個高度，因為很多人都是覺得說我中學非常辛苦了，我很努力考到了這個大學，我第一年我就放鬆一下，如果他第一年放鬆一下的話，他級別不高，但是後面學校的交換，學校的實習，包括你出來找工作GPA 還是比較重要的一個衡量的標準。那麼你就相對來說在後面這兩年，你就又要趕GPA ，又要找工作，又要去海外交換，就會相對來說比較的辛苦，所以我覺得我希望大家能夠先在大學的頭一兩年把GPA 把它提高，然後就可以有多一些的時間去海外交換去實習，那麼你就可以能夠體驗更多的大學的生活。好，我自己只認為GP 不是only criteria ，不是唯一的標准，不是說每一個學生就一定是GPA 好，他就一定是個好學生，或者GPA 好，他就一定能夠找到一份好工作，或者他GPA 好就一定意味著他在工作崗位上面或者將來發展它也一定好，這沒有必然的聯系。但是很無奈的是unfortunately 這個社會對GPA 是有一定的衡量標准的，所以我們必須清楚的知道，說我們要保證GPA 在一個不錯的水平，但是我們也要讓自己能夠多一些exposure ，多一些不同的這樣的一些體會體驗。那麼講到剛剛您問的問題，其實就是海外交換是有很多不同的形式，每一個大學它都有合作的院校，在很多不同的國家，那麼只要是能夠在學分credit 能夠轉回來的情況下，他是會鼓勵大家去報名的。那麼這種交換的計劃通常來說在這個大學的可能第三年是比較合適的，他可能維持一個學期或者一整年，在一個extorted location ，在一個海外的一個地方。怎麼樣去選擇這些交換的學生海外交換是要，看你第一年的GPA ，看你當時剛剛進入大學以後，參加的一些活動，你的領導力各方面他都會去衡量。那GPA 是個很重要的標准。我個人覺得說就是說這些一個學期或者一整年的這樣的一些交換計劃。適合大家去探索去申請的，但是有一些的專業，如果說你去交換了，可能會影響到你的學分，或者影響到你在本身學業的這樣的一個發展，那麼所以不是每個專業的學生可能都有機會能去海外待一年，或者在一個學期，如果不行的話，我是很希望很鼓勵大家能夠在暑假寒假的時候去海外的這些summer programme ，夏季的這些夏令營，這些不同的一些海外的體驗，這些體驗當然學校也也會有一定的安排，大家也...因字數限制請按此閲讀完整文本：https://bit.ly/3JIZCzL編輯：黃嘉玥、蔣沛芸Editor: Claire Wong, Wendy Chong

Hong Kong Jockey Club's Tom Wood joined Dan Huddy to chat about the International Jockey Challenge on Wednesday night and previewed the big four group one's at Sha Tin tomorrow night

Hong Kong Jockey Club Broadcaster Tom Wood joined Andrew Bensley on Winners to preview the upcoming racing in Sha Tin

Er war Präsident in Neuss und Chefmanager des deutschen Galopper-Verbandes, als ihn 1998 der Anruf eines Headhunters erreichte: Seitdem ist Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges beim Hong Kong Jockey-Club, erst als sportlicher Leiter, seit 2007 als CEO. Jetzt kommt noch ein neues Amt hinzu: Seit Anfang Oktober ist der gebürtige Rheinländer Chef des Weltverbandes, der International Federation of Horseracing Authorities („IFHA“).Als er in Hong Kong anfing, war der Galopprennsport in der 7,4-Millionen-Metropole in einer tiefen Talsohle, nur die Rentner saßen mit ihrer Zeitung in den Wettannahmestellen. Das änderte sich gewaltig. „Wir haben die besten Pferde und die besten Jockeys geholt und angefangen, aus dem Renntag ein Event zu machen“, heißt es im Interview mit Frauke Delius, „jetzt haben wir 2 Millionen Menschen, die bei uns ein Wettkonto haben und durch Corona sind noch einmal 450.000 neue dazu gekommen.“Die Umsatzzahlen sind gigantisch, 12 Milliarden werden alleine durch Pferderennen umgesetzt, 28 Milliarden insgesamt. Durch Corona ist kein einziges Rennen ausgefallen. Ein Hygienekonzept, das auch das IOC für die olympischen Spiel in großen Teilen übernommen hat, wurde frühzeitig und erfolgreich umgesetzt. In Teil I des Gesprächs, die Fortsetzung folgt nächste Woche, geht es auch um die Bezüge die Engelbrecht-Bresges noch zu Deutschland hat, „natürlich verfolge ich das alles“, heißt es, und der Arc-Sieg von Torquator Tasso hat auch in Hong Kong für Aufmerksamkeit gesorgt.Ein neuer Herausforderer in unserer Wett-Battle „Wer wird der RaceBets Podcast-Champion?“In der Battle „Wer wird der RaceBets Podcast-Champion“ waren unsere Wett-Experten David Conolly-Smith, Christian Jungfleisch und Ronald in der letzten Woche mit 3:1-Siegern gegen den Herausforderer Michel Stumpf richtig gut in Form. Trotzdem Glückwunsch an Michel, der immerhin zwei Runden und insgesamt Wettgutscheine im Wert von 300 Euro gewonnen hat. Der neue Herausforderer heißt Andreas Merkel und hat beim Sales & Racing-Festival ein Heimspiel.25mal zwei 5-Euro-Wettgutscheine in der RaceBets Podcast-Schnitzeljagd zu gewinnenAuf der Webseite, im Blog oder im Newsletter stellen wir Euch drei Fragen, die Ihr locker beantworten könnt, wenn Ihr beim Podcast gut zuhört. Unter den Teilnehmern mit den richtigen Antworten werden die Gewinner ausgelost.Ein Podcast von Frauke Delius.

Today's 'Banter' features Nick Smith, the Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse in the UK to chat more about the Royal Ascot Carnival which gets underway tonight. We hear more about the difference expected between last year and this year, as well as the inclusion of the big world pools in betting thanks to the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Walkley Award-winning journalist Leo Schlink joined Gerard from Hong Kong, where he serves as an editor for the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

In this episode, I had a chat with David Raphael who called Racing All around the world and was remembered for his time with Sky Racing World in Australia as well as being the chief caller for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andawaytheyjoe/support

In this Episode, we got to know Charene Woo from Hong Kong who does freelance articles for thegreattipoff.com. We talked about her career in horse racing, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and their racing, racing internationally and the McDonalds at Happy Valley --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andawaytheyjoe/support

International horse racing expert Andrew Hawkins joins Naomi for this week’s Talk Racing To Me! Andrew currently works as the Editor for ANZ News, which one could characterise as the Thoroughbred Daily News of the Southern hemisphere, bringing the latest news to the racing community on a daily basis. Prior to that he was active as a presenter at Sky Racing Australia, a reporter for the South China Morning Post and a racing content specialist with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.  Let Naomi and Andrew take you on a tour: from Australia to Hong Kong, Japan and back to this year’s Breeders’ Cup in Lexington. Learn about the differences between the jurisdictions, their big races, must raceourses to visit, aside from the Weight For Age scale and other important concepts to know when it comes to your form study and betting angles. Don’t miss out!!

International horse racing expert Andrew Hawkins joins Naomi for this week's Talk Racing To Me! Andrew currently works as the Editor for ANZ News, which one could characterise as the Thoroughbred Daily News of the Southern hemisphere, bringing the latest news to the racing community on a daily basis. Prior to that he was active as a presenter at Sky Racing Australia, a reporter for the South China Morning Post and a racing content specialist with the Hong Kong Jockey Club.  Let Naomi and Andrew take you on a tour: from Australia to Hong Kong, Japan and back to this year's Breeders' Cup in Lexington. Learn about the differences between the jurisdictions, their big races, must raceourses to visit, aside from the Weight For Age scale and other important concepts to know when it comes to your form study and betting angles. Don't miss out!!

Having a chat with Mark McNamara from the Hong Kong Jockey club and his career in calling horses all over New Zealand and Australia. Also Debuting a new segment called Skill Vs. Luck --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andawaytheyjoe/support

Sam is joined by Adam Campton from Hong Kong Jockey Club to discuss the three massive Group Ones at Sha Tin. He gives us tips in each and also his best bets and big value bets!!! Awesome Group One racing on a Sunday!!The Chairmans Sprint 1200mThe Champions Mile 1600mThe QEii Cup 2000mbit.ly/TLUPremiumSupport the show (https://thelegupaustralia.com/theleguppremium)

SAfm — South African Jockey Grant Van Niekerk has been delicensed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for what they say was an Intergrity -related matter. Guest : Tom Biddington (Race Editor)

Sam caught up with Adam Campton from the Hong Kong Jockey Club to get his thoughts on this weekends Group races at Sha Tin. Adam also gave us some background on how he got in to the industry and what he does for the HKJC. The Chairmans Trophy 1600mThe Sprint Cup 1200mwww.thelegupaustralia.comSupport the show (https://thelegupaustralia.com/theleguppremium)

durée : 00:01:16 - Pronostics Hippiques de Gérard Mot (France Bleu) - Deauville - Prix du Hong Kong Jockey Club - 16 partants

In part two Dan pays tribute to the wonderful trainers who helped him along the way. He reflects on very successful riding stints in Hong Kong and Macau. He was the first Australian Club Jockey to be appointed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. He talks of some of the very good horses he got to ride in Melbourne including his Blue Diamond winner Knowledge. Towards the end of the podcast he confesses that he has actually been on a horse’s back in the last couple of years. Silly thing to do perhaps, but he loved it! We enjoyed the chat with a remarkable bloke, and I’m pretty sure Danny enjoyed it too.

Graham Tier is Head of Property Facilities Management at the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Global Chair of IFMA’s Board of Directors where he works to elevate the FM profession worldwide. Mike Petrusky asks Graham to share his vision for our FM community and plans for the New Year at IFMA as workplace leaders prepare to face the fast-moving and ever-changing world of the built environment. Graham is passionate about training and development and he discusses IFMA’s new industry framework for advancing your FM career. Mike and Graham also talk about trends in the workplace today, including technological advances and the radical transformations taking place in corporate offices with activity-based work, the shared economy and collaborative spaces. This episode offers inspiration for FM professionals as they take on the important responsibility of both protecting buildings and enabling businesses to attract and retain talent by providing leading edge employee experiences. Finally, in what might be the most epic episode of “podcast karaoke” yet, Graham encourages Mike to attempt singing songs by both Jessie J and Midnight Oil! Connect with Graham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/graham-tier-75065412/ Catch up with IFMA in 2019: http://www.ifma.org/events/ REGISTER for the Next iOFFICE Webinar - “Beyond CRE & FM: How Space Delivers Value for Workplace Leaders”: https://www.iofficecorp.com/webinar-beyond-cre-fm-podcast Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/ Share your thoughts with Mike via email: podcast@iOFFICECORP.com Learn more about iOFFICE’s workplace experience solutions: https://www.iOFFICECORP.com/  

The elite Hong Kong horse racing club has enjoyed a gambling monopoly since colonial times thanks to its donations to good causes. But the FT's Hudson Lockett discovered that that the charity has been consistently overstating its largesse. Ravi Mattu talks to Hudson Lockett about his investigation. Read Hudson's report here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this Inside Sponsorship episode, we speak to Jason Cornell and go inside a wide range of sponsorship programs including the Hong Kong 7s and the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Jason has over 15 years’ leadership experience initiating, negotiating and maintaining multi-year sponsorship agreements with leading international brands. His career pinnacle has been introducing commercial sponsorships to the Hong Kong Jockey club for the first time in history. Through conceiving, negotiating and activating multi-year and multi-million dollar agreements with top brands such as Cathay Pacific, HSBC, Mercedes Benz, Citibank and Audemars Piquet, Jason was able to establish the Cathay Pacific HK International Races, the HSBC Premier Series and the Citi Triple Crown elevating the club to being one of the largest and most respected in the world. Leveraging an extensive background in sport, before moving into sports management and organisational leadership positions, Jason understands exactly how to maximise the commercial benefits from sponsor partnerships, applying over a decade of expertise and a portfolio of achievements to transform revenue models and performance. If you want to get in touch with Jason, you can connect with him on LinkedIn , visit www.alicespringsturfclub.org.au or follow #outbackraces. Mark also joins us to delve into, and add clarity, around the age old debate of the difference between Return on Investment and Return on Objectives in your sponsorships and which is the source of happiness. As always, if you have an idea for a topic, a segment, someone you’d like us to have on the show or just a question, then be sure to get in touch. Enjoy.

Stakes races from closing weekend at Saratoga and opening weekend at Kentucky Downs are analyzed by Peter Thomas Fornatale, Mike Hogan, and Jonathon Kinchen. Also, Pat Cummings joins to discuss the agreement between the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Daily Racing Form and why you should be paying attention to Hong Kong racing.