As we mark 80 years since the end of the Second World War, we invite you to discover the recently unearthed history of a select group of 24 Chinese naval officers who took part in the D-Day Landings and Operation Dragoon in the liberation of Southern France. At the upcoming exhibition Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day, stories, objects, and multimedia displays walk us through this fascinating area of military history.

The background

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 amongst the group of 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.

Lam Ping-yu’s 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, countless depictions of excitement, frustration, envy, and even romance! Moreover, Hong Kong features in Lam’s voyage. In 1945, he took part in Operation Armour, an operation devised by the British government to alleviate Hong Kong’s dire situation following Japanese occupation. His writings provide us with a glimpse into the city’s post-war recovery.

The exhibition debuted in 2024, receiving international attention and support. Following that, the curatorial team has achieved further research breakthroughs, gathering more first-hand information and exhibits. Set for a relaunch this year, the exhibition will present this little-known episode of history in greater depth.

Join us for a fascinating 1-hour guided tour! The exhibition curators will guide you through Lam Ping-yu’s life story and how it weaves into Hong Kong history, illustrating the city’s journey towards becoming the metropolis it is today.

The story begins with the discovery of Lam Ping-yu’s diary in a soon-to-be demolished residential building in Hong Kong and unfolds into the recently unearthed history of 24 Chinese naval officers who played a crucial role in the D-Day Landings and Operation Dragoon during the liberation of Southern France. During the tour, you will hear first-hand stories about the realities of war, countless depictions of excitement, frustration, envy, and even romance!

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, or simply curious about the contributions of Chinese officers during World War II, this guided tour promises to be a memorable and enlightening experience. Come and explore this fascinating story with us!

Tour Schedule

Special Tour in French

8 Oct (Wed) 14:00 – 15:00 [Closed]

To be led by Hugo Petit, Research Assistant at French Centre for Research on Contemporary China (CEFC). The CEFC is hosted by HKUST’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

As a member of D-Day’s editorial team, Hugo worked on the translation and proofreading of materials into French, ahead of D-Day’s next exhibition in Normandy, France. He will lead a special tour for French-speaking participants!

Please note:

• This is a HMAW 1905-recognized event in the “Personal Enrichment & Community Service” category under the “Self-directed Experience” of HMAW 1905: Behavioral Foundation of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness.
• To receive 1 hour, you must attend the event in full and miss no more than 10 minutes.
• Photos will be taken during the tour. By attending or participating in this event, you are giving your consent to be photographed and you are waiving any and all claims regarding the use of your image by the University.

Behind the Exhibition: Detective Work Transcending Continents

Ten years ago, a trove of papers was accidentally discovered inside an old, soon-to-be-demolished tenement building on Hong Kong Island. Among these papers was a diary documenting the wartime experiences of Lam Ping-yu, a Chinese naval officer who participated in one of the most important European battles of World War II — D-Day.

Since the project’s commencement last year, the curatorial team have found that conducting in-depth research is very much like detective work: how do we reassemble Lam Ping-yu’s life story with only bits and pieces of manuscripts, letters, receipts? How do we verify his claims of training in Britain and participation in D-Day?

Almost blindly, the team jumped into “collecting evidence” from multiple sources in Europe and Asia by digging through archives and interviewing people who might possess pertinent information. This research journey turned out to be as wonderful as the story itself, filled with incredible encounters and touching moments. As the exhibition is soon coming to a close, our two curators will be sharing various behind-the-scenes anecdotes to illustrate their ups and downs over the past year and a half.

Registration: https://lbcube.hkust.edu.hk/ce/index.php/event/10974/

• This is a HMAW1905-recognized event in the “Personal Enrichment & Community Service” category under the “Self-directed Experience” of HMAW1905: Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness.To receive 1 hour, you must attend the event in full and miss no more than 10 mins.