Major General Christopher Maltby knew that the position was untenable and at noon decided to withdraw the garrison to Hong Kong Island to preserve its strength, signalling the defeat of the Line.
Generalmajor Christopher Michael Maltby vidste at stillingen ikke kunne holdes, og ved middagstid besluttede han at trække garnisonen tilbage til Hong Kong øen for at bevare styrken, hvilket var tegnet på at linjen var besejret.