Japanese wartime tunnels | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Japanese wartime tunnels

We've looked at the tunnels built by the British before the war [1], but how about those built during the Japanese occupation?

The Japanese dug a variety of tunnels throughout Hong Kong. Some, like the tunnel near Diocesan Boys School [2], were used to store ammunition and explosives. Others in the built-up areas [3] were likely built as air-raid shelters. Then out in the countryside, many smaller tunnels were dug into hillsides [4]. These were likely prepared against possible invasion, and would be used by Japanese soldiers fighting a guerilla war.

I expect the tunnels in the built-up areas have long been dug up, filled in, or just forgotten about. But out in the countryside they are often left untouched, and lie next to hiking trails. I'm hoping you've seen some that you can let us know about.

Here is a map of the tunnels I've seen - only four so far, so we definitely need some help to add more.

Add another tunnel.

To add another tunnel to the map, click the 'add another tunnel' link above, and be sure to put japanese tunnel in the Tags: field. Then after you click the 'submit' button it will be added to this map. If you're adding a tunnel in the countryside, please include a description of how to find it in the Notes:, as it's not always easy to see where they are on the satellite image.

I'd also love to hear any stories or memories you have about these - who built them (POWs? local workers? etc), what the tunnels were used for, etc.

MrB

[1] Map of wartime Air-raid Precaution tunnels built by the British
[2] Japanese tunnels, Diocesan Boys School
[3] Japanese tunnels, Former Marine Police HQ
[4] Japanese tunnels, Buffalo Hill and Mount Cameron

Comments

This is quite an interesting one. It is on the southern side of Bridge Hill in Tai Tam and is an absolute nightmare to get to as there are no marked paths, it is really thick with undergrowth (most of which wants to snag, scratch or shred you) and it is very steep and slippery to get to.

It is not quite a Japanese Tunnel, although there might have been one there once that has now collapsed. It now looks more like a deep trench. But on the lip of the trench is a 10 foot (3m) long water drain pipe which is clearly way out of place. I suspect that the pipe was actually used as a dummy Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) gun. I have seen photos of other examples before in other parts of asia, where they also used pipes and palm trees ect, but it is the first time I have seen it in HK. 

As it would be very hard to see the pipe from the air unless you were looking for it, so there is probably another site close by where the real gun posistion was located, so that when fighters came down after being shot at to strafe the area they would be fooled by the decoy. I'll have to head back and have a look for other things in that area. I did get photos of the supporting trench as well, but sadly the photos don't show them very well. 

Japanese Dummy AAA gun

Hello!

I was wondering if you knew any places where we could buy that book?

Thank You!

Hi, this is a long thread now, so please could you let us know the title of the book you're looking for?

Regards, David

Hello!

I believe it is called Hong Kong WWII Military Sites by Mr Joe Yip.

From Tyson

Tyson

Both of Joe Yip's books can still be found in bookstores - usually in the local travel section. Here is what the HK one looks like:https://rightman.net/zh_hk/shop/product/275

NT one here:  https://rightman.net/zh_hk/shop/product/917

Pages