Hong Kong bound vehicles diverted to ?

[sapper740]

Two Canadian battalions, the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada, left Vancouver, B.C. on Oct. 27, 1941 bound for the British colony of Hong Kong aboard two ships, the New Zealand registered AWATEA and the R.C.N. cruiser PRINCE ROBERT. The two battalions had a total of 212 vehicles which included 104 trucks, 57 universal carriers, 45 motorcycles, and 6 other. There was no room aboard the AWATEA which was designed for only 540 passengers to take on the vehicles so they were shipped a week later aboard the American freighter DON JOSE. The DON JOSE failed to reach Hong Kong before the war started (conveniently?) and was diverted to the Phillipines where the vehicles were used by U.S. forces. We all know the fate of the soldiers, who after a valiant and bloody defence against overwhelming odds surrendered on Christmas day 1941 only to be bayoneted, beheaded, shot, or marched off into horrible conditions as a P.O.W. The question I'm leading up to is: does anybody know of the ultimate fate of the vehicles and is there a comprehensive list of types? I know a lot of you researching military vehicles have located resources for these questions. Any help greatly appreciated!


CHIMO!