The captured merchant ship returned to Hong Kong on 31 August 1927, and the punitive force arrived the next morning, showing how thoroughly the operation had been prepared. The landing force comprised about 450 men, 26 officers, and 18 Hong Kong policemen. Hermes and Argus supplied Fairey Flycatchers and Fairey IIIFs, destroyers worked close inshore, and cruisers stood farther off. Landing parties apparently used colored smoke or flares to direct air support, and the men reached the beach within about ten minutes of leaving their ships. The pirates seem to have withdrawn before contact, so the force met no resistance. It destroyed about 40 houses, 10 larger houses, warehouses, junks, other boats, and harbor facilities. Japanese and American observers saw a conspicuous combined-arms demonstration whose deterrent audience extended beyond the raiders themselves.
Chapter · 1:28:16-1:35:17
The Yat Shing raid brought combined arms to Bias Bay
After pirates seized the Yat Shing, Britain rapidly sent 450 sailors and marines with police, cruisers, destroyers, and two carriers to destroy the Bias Bay base.