Wong Nai Chung Gap
Encyclopedia
Wong Nai Chung Gap (Meaning: The gorge that yellow mud is gushing out of) is a geographic gap in the middle of Hong Kong Island
in Hong Kong
. The gap is between Mount Nicholson
and Jardine's Lookout
behind Wong Nai Chung. Five roads meet at the Gap Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Repulse Bay Road, Deep Water Bay Road and Black's Link. It is a strategic passage between the north and south of the island, though less so today since the opening of the Aberdeen Tunnel
.
began installing defense structures at the gap in preparation for possible attacks by the Japanese army
. On 8 December 1941, the Battle of Hong Kong
started; the Japanese landed at North Point
on Hong Kong Island
on 18 December, and reached Wong Nai Chung Gap on 19 December. Canadian and Hong Kong troops defended the passage and Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, with more than 600 Japanese soldiers injured or killed. The gap fell to the Japanese on 19 December, followed by Mount Nicholson
and Repulse Bay
the next day.
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The gap is between Mount Nicholson
Mount Nicholson
Mount Nicholson is a tall mountain located on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Camellia hongkongensis and Rhododendron hongkongensis, two plant species native to Hong Kong, are found on the mountain....
and Jardine's Lookout
Jardine's Lookout
Jardine's Lookout is a mountain and a residential area on the Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. It is located Southeast of the Wan Chai district and South of the Tai Hang area, at an altitude of about 433 metres. Nearby hills include Mount Nicholson, Violet Hill and Mount Butler etc.It is named after...
behind Wong Nai Chung. Five roads meet at the Gap Wong Nai Chung Gap Road, Tai Tam Reservoir Road, Repulse Bay Road, Deep Water Bay Road and Black's Link. It is a strategic passage between the north and south of the island, though less so today since the opening of the Aberdeen Tunnel
Aberdeen Tunnel
Aberdeen Tunnel is a two-tube tunnel linking Happy Valley and Wong Chuk Hang near Aberdeen on the Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong. It shortens the travel time between the north and the south of the Hong Kong Island. It connects the Wong Chuk Hang Road in the south, and Canal Road Flyover in the...
.
History
In the 1930s, the British armyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
began installing defense structures at the gap in preparation for possible attacks by the Japanese army
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
. On 8 December 1941, the Battle of Hong Kong
Battle of Hong Kong
The Battle of Hong Kong took place during the Pacific campaign of World War II. It began on 8 December 1941 and ended on 25 December 1941 with Hong Kong, then a Crown colony, surrendering to the Empire of Japan.-Background:...
started; the Japanese landed at North Point
North Point
North Point is a mixed-use urban area in the Eastern District of Hong Kong. It is the northernmost point of Hong Kong Island, adjacent to both Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay, and projecting toward Kowloon Bay. Fortress Hill occupies the western end of the North Point area.-History:In 1899, The...
on Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island
Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...
on 18 December, and reached Wong Nai Chung Gap on 19 December. Canadian and Hong Kong troops defended the passage and Wong Nai Chung Reservoir, with more than 600 Japanese soldiers injured or killed. The gap fell to the Japanese on 19 December, followed by Mount Nicholson
Mount Nicholson
Mount Nicholson is a tall mountain located on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Camellia hongkongensis and Rhododendron hongkongensis, two plant species native to Hong Kong, are found on the mountain....
and Repulse Bay
Repulse Bay
Repulse Bay is a bay in the southern part of Hong Kong Island, located in the Southern District, Hong Kong.-Geography:Repulse Bay is located in the south of Hong Kong Island, to the east of Deep Water Bay and to the west of Middle Bay and South Bay...
the next day.