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Dated December 2, 1941
On route days before invasion of Hong Kong by Japanese forces on the 8th!!
French Indochina bill of lading stamp, other ink stamps: ‘Please Deliver - Kong Wo Tong’, ...
On the 12th of December the crew scuttle the Panamanian steamer Marion (1185 grt) to prevent her capture.
‘World War II Sea War, Vol 5: Air Raid Pearl Harbor. This Is Not a Drill’ by Berke & Smith
(ed. It would seem there were two Panamanian Marion's in the region at the start of the Pacific War):
Wikipedia
As part of a general Pacific campaign, the Imperial Japanese launched an assault on Hong Kong on the morning of 8 December 1941 Hong Kong local time. British, Canadian, and Indian forces, supported by the Hong Kong Volunteer Defense Forces attempted to resist the rapidly advancing Imperial Japanese but were heavily outnumbered. After racing down the New Territories and Kowloon, Imperial Japanese forces crossed Victoria Harbour on 18 December. After fierce fighting continued on Hong Kong Island, the only reservoir was lost. Canadian Winnipeg Grenadiers fought at the crucial Wong Nai Chung Gap that secured the passage between Victoria, Hong Kong and secluded southern sections of the island. Finally defeated, on 25 December 1941, British colonial officials headed by the Governor of Hong Kong Mark Aitchison Young surrendered at the Japanese headquarters. To the local people, the day was known as "Black Christmas".
WIKIPEDIA
