Battle of Baekgang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Baekgang
Part of Goguryeo–Tang War
Date 27–28 August 663 (of the Lunar calendar) 4–5 October 663 (of the Julian calendar) Location Baengma River (Lower reaches of the Geum River), Korea Result Tang and Silla victory.
Belligerents
Tang China Silla Korea	Yamato Japan Baekje Korea
Commanders and leaders
Liu Rengui Liu Renyuan Sun Renshi Du Xiang	Abe no Hirafu Kamitsukeno no Wakako Iohara no Omitari Echi no Takutsu  † Buyeo Pung
Strength
13,000 Tang troops 170 Tang ships Unknown number of Silla support cavalry	42,000 Yamato troops 800 Yamato ships Unknown number of Baekje restoration troops
Casualties and losses
Unknown, but much lighter than opposing forces	400 ships; 10,000 troops; 1,000 horses

The Battle of Baekgang was a huge naval battle fought in 663 AD. It took place in Korea, near the Baengma River. This battle was between two big teams. One team was Baekje (an ancient Korean kingdom) and its friend Yamato Japan. The other team was Silla (another Korean kingdom) and its powerful ally, Tang China.

The Silla-Tang forces won a big victory. This win stopped Japan from getting involved in Korean matters for a long time. It also ended Baekje's fight to get its kingdom back.

Why the Battle Happened

For hundreds of years, the Korean Peninsula had three main kingdoms: Baekje, Silla, and Goguryeo. These kingdoms were often rivals. They fought many wars to control the peninsula.

Goguryeo also had frequent wars with the Chinese Sui and Tang dynasties. The alliances between the Korean kingdoms often changed. For example, Silla and Baekje were once allies against Goguryeo. But later, Silla betrayed Baekje. It took control of an important area called the Han River basin.

In 660, Baekje was defeated by Silla and Tang China. But some Baekje leaders tried to bring their kingdom back. These were called the Baekje restoration forces. They fought against the Tang and Silla armies.

By 662, the Baekje restoration forces were in trouble. Their control was limited to one fortress, Churyu. Their leader, Buyeo Pung, even had another leader killed because he feared a rebellion.

Japan's Help for Baekje

Baekje and Yamato Japan had been friends for a long time. Their royal families were even related. So, when Baekje fell, it was a big shock to Japan.

The Japanese Empress Saimei decided to help Baekje. She said it was right to help friends in need. She wanted to send a large army to help Baekje get its kingdom back.

Crown Prince Naka no Ōe, who later became Emperor Tenji, also supported this plan. They sent an expedition led by a general named Abe no Hirafu. Soldiers came from different parts of Japan to join this force.

Empress Saimei even moved her capital closer to the shipyards. She wanted to personally watch over the military plans. A famous poem from that time shows her eagerness for the fleet to set sail.

Around August 661, 5,000 Japanese soldiers and 170 ships arrived in Baekje. More Japanese soldiers came in 662. These included 27,000 soldiers led by Kamitsukeno no Kimi Wakako. Another 10,000 soldiers were led by Iohara no Kimi.

The Battle Begins

In 663, the Baekje restoration forces and the Japanese navy met in southern Baekje. Their goal was to help Churyu, the Baekje capital, which was under attack by Silla. The Japanese navy planned to carry ground troops up the Geum River to lift the siege.

However, Tang China also sent 7,000 soldiers and 170 ships. They blocked the river to stop the Japanese from helping Churyu.

On October 4, 663, the first part of the Japanese fleet tried to break through. But the Tang ships held their ground. They used smart tactics and strong formations. They pushed back the Japanese attacks. The Tang fleet showed much better battle skills than the Japanese.

The Final Clash

On October 5, 663, the second day of the battle, more Japanese ships arrived. This made their forces much larger than the Tang fleet. But the river was narrow. This allowed the Tang fleet to keep their battle lines strong. They could protect their front and sides.

The Japanese were confident because they had more ships. They attacked the Tang fleet at least three times that day. But the Tang forces fought off every attack.

By the end of the day, the Japanese became tired. Their ships lost their organized lines. The Tang fleet saw this chance. They moved their reserve ships and attacked back. They broke through the Japanese lines on both sides.

The Japanese ships became crowded and couldn't move or retreat. Many Japanese soldiers fell into the water and drowned. Many of their ships were burned and sunk. A brave Japanese general named Echi no Takutsu was killed after fighting many enemies up close.

Reports from Japan, Korea, and China all say that Japan had huge losses. According to an old Japanese book called the Nihon Shoki, 400 Japanese ships were lost in this battle.

See also

• Naval history of Korea
• Naval history of China
• Naval history of Japan
• Largest naval battle in history