The Battle of Hong Kong
On the 7th of December 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbour, giving the United States a reason to enter the war. Canada joined in declaring war on Japan. It now truly became a World War. European countries were held up with Hitler and Mussolini (Italy's dictator), which gave Japan a chance to take over the European colonies in Asia. Hong Kong was a vital colony to Britain. British, Canadian, and Indian soldiers were stationed there to help defend.
The Canadian troops in Hong Kong were the first to see battle during World War II. The Japanese forces were attacking them with artillery and airplanes. In Canada's last stand, Sergeant-Major John Osborne won Canada's first Victoria Cross. His unit was being trapped in by the Japanese. While the Canadians were running through a ravine, the Japanese bombarded them with grenades. Osborne quickly picked them up and threw them back. When one grenade landed too far from reach, Osborne told his troops to clear out and threw himself on the grenade. He was killed instantly.