Reading Area next to Digital Scholarship Lab, G\/F, University Library<\/p>","speaker_name":"","speaker":"","admission":"","enquiry":"","details":"
In 2015, a group of history enthusiasts accidentally stumbled upon a diary in a soon-to-be demolished residential building in Hong Kong. The diary belonged to Lam Ping-yu, who was part of a select group of 24 Chinese naval officers sent to Britain for training during World War II. As their first mission in Europe, many took part in the D-Day Landings and Operation Dragoon in the liberation of Southern France.<\/p>\r\n
Lam Ping-yu\u2019s diary appears to be the only known primary source on Chinese participation in D-Day. It reveals numerous first-hand stories about the realities of war, down to a narrow escape from three Nazi torpedoes nearly impacting the vessel which Lam served on at Normandy. Additionally, there were also countless depictions of excitement, frustration, envy, and even romance!<\/p>\r\n
Moreover, Hong Kong features in Lam\u2019s voyage. In 1945, he took part in Operation Armour, an operation devised by the British government to alleviate Hong Kong\u2019s dire situation following Japanese occupation. His writings provide us with a glimpse into the city\u2019s post-war recovery.<\/p>\r\n
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Library is proud to support the \u201cLost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day\u201d exhibition. Don\u2019t miss out on this unique opportunity to learn about a lesser-known aspect of World War II!<\/p>\r\n