Battle of the Taku Forts (1900) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of the Taku Forts
Part of the Boxer Rebellion
Allies charging at the forts
Date 16–17 June 1900 Location Taku Forts, Tianjin, China 38°58′37″N 117°42′19″E / 38.97694°N 117.70528°E / 38.97694; 117.70528 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
Eight-Nation Alliance  Russia  United Kingdom  Japan  Germany  Austria-Hungary  Italy	Qing dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Yakov Hildebrandt Christopher Cradock Hugo von Pohl	General Lo Jung-Kuang
Strength
900 men 10 ships	Approximately 2,000 soldiers and sailors 4 destroyers
Casualties and losses
172 killed and wounded	Unknown

The Battle of the Taku Forts was an important fight in June 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion in China. This battle involved the Chinese Qing dynasty army and a group of countries called the Eight Nation Alliance. European and Japanese navies worked together to capture the Taku forts after a quick but intense battle.

When the forts were lost, the Chinese Qing government decided to support the Boxers. They also told their army to fight against all foreign military forces in China. The Allied powers kept control of the forts until the Boxer Rebellion ended in September 1901.

Why the Forts Were Important

Allied ships at the Taku forts

In June 1900, foreign soldiers in northern China were greatly outnumbered. In Beijing, about 450 soldiers from eight countries protected their embassies. Between Tianjin and Beijing, 2,000 men from the Seymour Expedition tried to reach Beijing. In Tianjin, there were 2,400 Allied soldiers, mostly from Russia.

Thousands of "Boxers" threatened these foreign forces. The Boxers were a group of Chinese peasants who wanted to remove all foreign influence from China. The Chinese Qing government was unsure whether to support the Boxers or stop them. The Boxers were against foreigners, but they also challenged the government.

Many Western and Japanese warships were waiting offshore in the Yellow Sea. On June 15, Chinese forces placed mines in the Hai River. This was to stop the Eight-Nation Alliance ships from attacking. The foreign commanders met on June 16 because their supply lines to Tianjin were in danger. Controlling the Taku forts at the mouth of the Hai River was vital for the Allies to stay in northern China.

Vice-Admiral Hildebrandt of the Imperial Russian Navy sent a message. He demanded that Chinese forces surrender the Taku Forts by 2 a.m. on June 17. He said they would take the forts "by consent or by force." Of all the Allied countries, only the United States Navy refused to join the attack. Rear Admiral Louis Kempff believed attacking China would be an "act of war." However, he allowed an old American gunboat, the USS Monocacy, to stay nearby. It was a safe place for civilians.

This was a bold demand from the foreign sailors. Only ten ships, including the non-fighting Monocacy, could enter the Hai River. From there, they could attack the four forts. Only 900 men were available for the attack. The Chinese had about 2,000 soldiers and sailors in the forts and on their own gunboats. The Chinese also started placing more mines and torpedo launchers. On the evening of June 16, the foreign warships moved into position to attack the Taku Forts.

The Fight Begins

The Chinese did not wait for the deadline. They opened fire from the forts with all their guns at the Allied ships around 12:45 a.m. on June 17. The Russian gunboat Korietz was badly hit right away. The American Monocacy, which was further away and carrying women and children, was also hit. Luckily, no one on board was hurt. Its captain quickly moved the ship to a safer spot.

The Chinese gunners were very accurate. They hit HMS Whiting, SMS Iltis, and Lion. They also caused the Giliak to run aground. When the Russians turned on the Giliak's searchlight, it made them an easy target. The Giliak and another ship were severely damaged. 18 Russian soldiers lost their lives, and 65 were injured.

The attack on Taku by the Allies influenced Empress Dowager Cixi's decision to support the Boxers.

Four modern German-built destroyers were docked at Taku. These ships were a big threat to the Allies. Strangely, they stayed docked even after the battle started. Two British destroyers, HMS Whiting and HMS Fame, quickly moved towards the Chinese ships. Each towed a small boat with 10 men. The British boarded the Chinese destroyers. The Chinese soldiers offered little resistance and fled, leaving their ships to the British.

The battle with cannons continued until almost dawn. Then, the Allies sent their sailors and soldiers to attack the Northwest Fort on land. About 200 Russians and Austrians led the charge. They were followed by 380 British and Italians, with 300 Japanese soldiers behind them. The Allies had a stroke of luck: the gunpowder magazine in the fort exploded just as they began their attack. In the confusion, the Japanese quickly captured the fort. The British and Italians then led the attack on the North Fort, which was also soon taken.

Two forts remained on the south side of the river. The Allies aimed all their guns, plus the guns from the captured Chinese forts, at these two remaining forts. Another powder magazine exploded in one of them. Soon after, the Chinese soldiers left the forts. The Allied ground forces then crossed the river and took the forts with almost no fighting. The Battle of the Taku Forts ended at 6:30 a.m. The Allies had 172 casualties out of 900 soldiers and sailors. The number of Chinese casualties is not known. Some reports said there was a lot of bloodshed, but others suggest the Chinese losses were not very high.

What Happened Next

The Allied attack on the Taku Forts had a huge effect. The first reports sent to Beijing from Governor Yu Lu in Tianjin focused on good news. They did not tell Empress Dowager Cixi that the Allies had captured the forts.

This battle made the Qing government fully support the Boxers. The Chinese army was then ordered to fight against foreign military forces in China. On June 18, Admiral Seymour and his 2,000 men were attacked by the Chinese army. This happened along the railway between Tianjin and Beijing. Seymour decided to give up his plan to reach Beijing and went back to Tianjin.

On June 19, Chinese officials gave a strong warning to foreign diplomats in Beijing. They were told to leave the capital within 24 hours. The foreigners refused to leave because they feared for their safety. This led to the Siege of the Legations, which started on June 20. The Taku forts stayed under foreign control for the rest of the Boxer Rebellion.

Allied officers admired the bravery and skill the Chinese showed while defending the Taku Forts.