Not far away from the viallage stands the monument for the heroic martyrs who fell during the war of resistance against Japan.

 

The anti-Japanese martyrs Monument

 

On 8th December 1941, Japanese fascists launched the Pacific War. Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories fell into the hands of Japanese invaders. Led by the East River People’s Anti-Japanese Guerillas, the people in the New Territories upheld their historic tradition of fighting against repression and waged an epic struggle against the Japanese fascists.

 

During their occupation for three years and eight months, the Japanese invaders staged more than ten mopping-up operations in Wu Kau Tang and its neighboring villages. On 25th September 1942 (16th August in the Lunar Calendar), the Japanese soldiers surrounded the village at dawn, forcing the villagers to give up their arms for self-defense and divulge the whereabouts of the guerillas. In staunch defiance, LEE Sai-fan and LEE Yuen-pui, leaders of the village, stepped boldly forward and refused to collaborate. Although they were subjected to cruel tortures-water suffocation, fire scorching and trampling by horses, they remained bloody but unbowed. Mr. LEE Sai-fan died a martyr.

 

The brutal rule of the Japanese fascists aroused public indignation across the territory. Imbued with love for the motherland and their home, thousands patriotic youth joined the Hong Kong and Kowloon people’s Anti-Japanese Guerilla Forces and fought bravely against the enemy. Among those who laid down their lives were fighters from Wu Kau Tang. LEE Sai-fan, LEE Hin-sun, LEE Tin-sang, LEE Chi-wang, LEE Koon-sing, LEE Wai-man, WONG Koon-bo, WONG Chi-ying, LEE Yuen-pui and others.

 

The Japanese fascists declared an unconditional surrender on 14th August 1945 and the anti-fascists war ended in a complete victory for the Allies.

 

May the magnificent feats of martyrs love on forever with the mountains and waters in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories!

 

Eternal Glory to People’s Heroes!