From Oblivion to Triumph
@force136ca.bsky.social
Telling the story of the Battle for Hong Kong, #SOE Force 136, and the making of modern Canada by Rick Green.
"1945: The Reckoning" by @philmcraig.bsky.social speaks to the global context of #Force136 and the making of modern Canada. The effort to achieve respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, happened at both national & international levels. See Phil on #WW2TV at www.youtube.com/live/OIvLXg6...
January 12, 2026 at 8:45 PM
"1945: The Reckoning" by @philmcraig.bsky.social speaks to the global context of #Force136 and the making of modern Canada. The effort to achieve respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, happened at both national & international levels. See Phil on #WW2TV at www.youtube.com/live/OIvLXg6...
The best account of this escape is Tim Luard's well-researched book, "Escape from Hong Kong". Tim has a blog at timalisonontour.blogspot.com where he retraced the journey in 2010. For a personal account of the December 25 departure, see Colin McEwan's diary entry at gwulo.com/node/56910.
December 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The best account of this escape is Tim Luard's well-researched book, "Escape from Hong Kong". Tim has a blog at timalisonontour.blogspot.com where he retraced the journey in 2010. For a personal account of the December 25 departure, see Colin McEwan's diary entry at gwulo.com/node/56910.
#OTD in 1941, it was Black Christmas in #Hongkong when Governor Sir Mark Aitchison Young surrendered the colony to the Japanese at the Peninsula Hotel. Those of C Force surviving the battle, would have to endure 3 years, 8 months, and 4 days of brutal incarceration under the Japanese...
December 25, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Looking for a thoughtful children's #Christmas gift? Endgame: The Secret #Force136, written by @catherinelittle.bsky.social and vividly illustrated by Sean Huang, teaches on many levels. Read this review for details thebcreview.ca/2025/09/21/2....
#histbookchat #BookSky #KidsBook #HistoryForKids
#histbookchat #BookSky #KidsBook #HistoryForKids
December 15, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Looking for a thoughtful children's #Christmas gift? Endgame: The Secret #Force136, written by @catherinelittle.bsky.social and vividly illustrated by Sean Huang, teaches on many levels. Read this review for details thebcreview.ca/2025/09/21/2....
#histbookchat #BookSky #KidsBook #HistoryForKids
#histbookchat #BookSky #KidsBook #HistoryForKids
#histbookchat Looks like a suitable addition to Spencer Chapman and Kenneison. I'm very interested in the beginnings of the #SOE Far East Mission and those who trained at STS 101.
December 13, 2025 at 2:17 AM
#histbookchat Looks like a suitable addition to Spencer Chapman and Kenneison. I'm very interested in the beginnings of the #SOE Far East Mission and those who trained at STS 101.
While militarily futile, the Battle for Hong Kong was a political necessity that is part of a web of interconnected events in which Canada saw its first land action in World War II. Thus was set in motion a chain of events that would see significant political & social changes in post-war Canada...
December 7, 2025 at 9:14 PM
While militarily futile, the Battle for Hong Kong was a political necessity that is part of a web of interconnected events in which Canada saw its first land action in World War II. Thus was set in motion a chain of events that would see significant political & social changes in post-war Canada...
Follow the money.
December 2, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Follow the money.
#OTD in 1940, the Treaty Concerning the Basic Relations Between #Japan and the Republic of #China is signed in Nanjing. This was Japan's formal diplomatic recognition of Wang Jingwei’s collaborationist Reorganized National Government of China which was an attempt to split Chinese resistance.
November 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
#OTD in 1936, the Anti-Comintern Pact was signed in Berlin between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. It was aimed at countering the influence of the Communist International and signaled Japan’s readiness to associate itself with revisionist powers in Europe.
#WWII #WWIIhistory #antifa
#WWII #WWIIhistory #antifa
November 25, 2025 at 3:59 PM
#OTD in 1936, the Anti-Comintern Pact was signed in Berlin between Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. It was aimed at countering the influence of the Communist International and signaled Japan’s readiness to associate itself with revisionist powers in Europe.
#WWII #WWIIhistory #antifa
#WWII #WWIIhistory #antifa
#histbookchat "The Soong Dynasty" has been on my bookshelf for a very long time. Thought it was time to follow the money to better understand the Republican period power dynamics before getting into biographies on Jiǎng Jièshí (AKA Chiang Kai-shek). Has anyone read this?
#booksky #sinology
#booksky #sinology
November 21, 2025 at 8:48 PM
#histbookchat "The Soong Dynasty" has been on my bookshelf for a very long time. Thought it was time to follow the money to better understand the Republican period power dynamics before getting into biographies on Jiǎng Jièshí (AKA Chiang Kai-shek). Has anyone read this?
#booksky #sinology
#booksky #sinology
Back in Canada, Ray first visited his family's New York Cafe in Gananoque, Ontario. Back in Winnipeg, he first found work in the produce industry with his brother. He later worked in military security. Pat returned to Winnipeg after the war. They married on 2 February 1948, and raised 3 children.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Back in Canada, Ray first visited his family's New York Cafe in Gananoque, Ontario. Back in Winnipeg, he first found work in the produce industry with his brother. He later worked in military security. Pat returned to Winnipeg after the war. They married on 2 February 1948, and raised 3 children.
Ray Lowe, John Ko Bong, and Wing Wong had minor assignments until transferred to repatriation duties for Canadian prisoners of war when Japan surrendered. At the 5th Replacement Depot in Manila, they helped care for the PoWs when they arrived. The three departed Manila for Canada in October 1945.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Ray Lowe, John Ko Bong, and Wing Wong had minor assignments until transferred to repatriation duties for Canadian prisoners of war when Japan surrendered. At the 5th Replacement Depot in Manila, they helped care for the PoWs when they arrived. The three departed Manila for Canada in October 1945.
Kendall oversaw the Australia training, covering areas not possible at Commando Bay: Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute jumping, and submarine infiltration. By mid-December, they were ready to board the submarine for China. Next month, Operation Oblivion was cancelled.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Kendall oversaw the Australia training, covering areas not possible at Commando Bay: Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute jumping, and submarine infiltration. By mid-December, they were ready to board the submarine for China. Next month, Operation Oblivion was cancelled.
A skilled wireless operator, Ray went for an advanced W/T course in Meerut, India. En route, he met his future wife, Pat, in England. She was a Canadian marooned when the war began. Mike Kendall picked him up in India at the end of the course, and they continued on to Australia for more training.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A skilled wireless operator, Ray went for an advanced W/T course in Meerut, India. En route, he met his future wife, Pat, in England. She was a Canadian marooned when the war began. Mike Kendall picked him up in India at the end of the course, and they continued on to Australia for more training.
Lowe first enlisted in the Canadian Army in Winnipeg in 1942. When approached by #SOE for special duties overseas in 1944, he accepted. Intensive paramilitary training ran 6AM-9PM, 7 days a week, from May to September. The only relief was to help harvest fruit at Katherine Wilson’s Paradise Ranch.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Lowe first enlisted in the Canadian Army in Winnipeg in 1942. When approached by #SOE for special duties overseas in 1944, he accepted. Intensive paramilitary training ran 6AM-9PM, 7 days a week, from May to September. The only relief was to help harvest fruit at Katherine Wilson’s Paradise Ranch.
Lowe was born on 29 October 1913 in Victoria, BC, the youngest of six children. He was raised by his father and older siblings after the death of his mother. Ray lived in Victoria until 1929, then left to work as a salesman in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and eventually, Winnipeg.
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Lowe was born on 29 October 1913 in Victoria, BC, the youngest of six children. He was raised by his father and older siblings after the death of his mother. Ray lived in Victoria until 1929, then left to work as a salesman in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and eventually, Winnipeg.
#LestWeForget🍁 Raymond Young Lowe (1913–2005), “The Voice,” was a Victoria-born businessman and one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136 ...
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
#LestWeForget🍁 Raymond Young Lowe (1913–2005), “The Voice,” was a Victoria-born businessman and one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136 ...
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
After the war, a reunion was held on 17 September 1988 to dedicate a bronze plaque commemorating the #SOE Okanagan training camp. 87-year old Wing planted poppy seeds on the beach. He said he would never return. But with the poppies, there would always be a little of Wing Wong at Commando Bay.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
After the war, a reunion was held on 17 September 1988 to dedicate a bronze plaque commemorating the #SOE Okanagan training camp. 87-year old Wing planted poppy seeds on the beach. He said he would never return. But with the poppies, there would always be a little of Wing Wong at Commando Bay.
The original 13 recruits were ready by mid-December. But without US approval, Operation Oblivion was cancelled on 26 January 1945. The Japanese suddenly surrendered on 15 August while Wing awaited reassignment. With no repatriation plan for the men, they had to work their way home on freighters.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The original 13 recruits were ready by mid-December. But without US approval, Operation Oblivion was cancelled on 26 January 1945. The Japanese suddenly surrendered on 15 August while Wing awaited reassignment. With no repatriation plan for the men, they had to work their way home on freighters.
Wing completed the intensive Force 136 paramilitary training that ran seven days a week from 6AM-9PM. On 1 October 1944, the main group sailed for Melbourne, Australia, for further instruction in the use of Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute drops, surveillance, and submarine infiltration.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Wing completed the intensive Force 136 paramilitary training that ran seven days a week from 6AM-9PM. On 1 October 1944, the main group sailed for Melbourne, Australia, for further instruction in the use of Japanese weapons, jungle warfare, parachute drops, surveillance, and submarine infiltration.
In 1944, Mike Kendall summoned Wing Wong to Vancouver for an interview because of his signals training and language ability. He was one of the last to join the Operation Oblivion group. Reminiscing 44 years later, he recalled the reaction of the other men, saying, "The young punks called me, Dad."
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
In 1944, Mike Kendall summoned Wing Wong to Vancouver for an interview because of his signals training and language ability. He was one of the last to join the Operation Oblivion group. Reminiscing 44 years later, he recalled the reaction of the other men, saying, "The young punks called me, Dad."
Like many Canadians facing similar hardships, Wing enlisted in Regina in 1941. He lied about his age — because he was too old. Wing took basic training at No. 110 CABTC in Vernon, BC, then went to Canadian Signal Training Centre in Barriefield, ON. Afterwards, he was remustered to the Artillery.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Like many Canadians facing similar hardships, Wing enlisted in Regina in 1941. He lied about his age — because he was too old. Wing took basic training at No. 110 CABTC in Vernon, BC, then went to Canadian Signal Training Centre in Barriefield, ON. Afterwards, he was remustered to the Artillery.
Born in 1901, Wing came to Canada around when he was 9. He first worked as a houseboy in missionary homes, receiving some schooling. Several years later, he moved to the Prairies, acquiring a farm and a restaurant. Fire gutted the restaurant, drought and the Great Depression destroyed the farm.
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Born in 1901, Wing came to Canada around when he was 9. He first worked as a houseboy in missionary homes, receiving some schooling. Several years later, he moved to the Prairies, acquiring a farm and a restaurant. Fire gutted the restaurant, drought and the Great Depression destroyed the farm.
#LestWeForget🍁 Wing Lee Wong (1901–1992) was one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136. At 43, he was the oldest of the group and the only one not born in Canada.
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
November 9, 2025 at 9:43 PM
#LestWeForget🍁 Wing Lee Wong (1901–1992) was one of 13 Chinese Canadians recruited by Mike Kendall for Operation Oblivion, a covert #SOE mission in southern China under #Force136. At 43, he was the oldest of the group and the only one not born in Canada.
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay
#WWII #CanadianHistory #RemembranceDay