Showcasing, Contextualizing, and Explaining the Diversity of Human Experiences in Combat Using gis: The Battle of Hong Kong in 1941 as an Example

Abstract This article discusses the application of gis in the study of military history, particularly for campaigns in modern Asian history (1800s-1950s), citing the Battle of Hong Kong 1941 Spatial History Project as an example. gis allows researchers to move beyond text-based narratives by visualizing, contextualizing, and explaining the diversity of human experiences that are often overshadowed by frontline actions. This article assesses the use of gis -based interactive maps in visualizing the flow of the battle, reconstructing the battlefield, examining the diverse human experience, and integrating disparate historical data. Reflecting on the research team’s interdisciplinary experience in creating a gis -based interactive map, this article argues that such a method is suitable for military campaigns that took place in a rapidly changing urban environment. It also discusses the limitations of this method and the need to remain critical towards the visualization of data, the use of sources, and interpretation.