Today in Military History 1285-The Mongols mount a second invasion of Vietnam. Like the French, Japanese, and American empires after them, they bite off more than they can chew. Emperor Kublai Khan of the Yuan sends his son Toghan, supported by the Navy under Sogetu to conquer the insubordinate nation. General Hưng Đạo intercepts the Mongol-Chinese force, but is defeated and Toghan takes Thăng Long (now Hanoi). King Trần Thánh Tông sends his younger brothers Trần Quang Khải and Trần Nhật Duật to help General Dao and save the nation. Sogetus fleet doesnt do well in the narrow Vietnamese waters, and so they are stopped by the Vietnamese first at Hàm Tử. The Vietnamese navy, mostly converted fishing boats and barges, pursues and defeats the Yuan force at Chương Dương, destroying the Chinese ships and killing Sogetu in battle. On land, Toghan finds Hưng Đạo reinforced by Champa warriors and forced to retreat. Toghan returns to his father in disgrace, but Kubulai is not discouraged. In 1287, he sends Toghan back, this time with a competent overseer, Omar Khan. However, the Trans are ready this time-war elephants, fireships, huge warships, and even Chinese artillery are marshaled for the final clash with the ultimate empire. 1645-With the fall of Leicester and Taunton besieged, it looks like the Royalist Army of King Charles I will tip the scales in the Civil War. Sir Thomas Fairfax, commander of the New Model Army, is called by Parliament to abandon his drive on Oxford and intercept the King before he could reach reinforcements at Nottinghamshire. Just 7 miles south of Market Harborough, on a moor by the small Northhamptonshire village of Naseby, Fairfax meets Charles. In the fog, both sides take positions on the ridges of land. Oliver Cromwell, Fairfaxs capable lieutenant, however, tells Fairfax to move the line behind the hill so to tempt the Royal Army. Fairfax not only creates a bait, but has Cromwell dispatch Colonel Okey (a radical Baptist of humble plebian origins) and his dragoons to the extreme Roundhead left behind the Sulby Hedges. The battle begins with a massive plunge on the Royalist right and center. Lord Baron Astley leads the experienced cavalier pike and shot into Sir Phillip Skippons infantry, while Prince Rupert has the cavalry of the right clash attack general Iretons horse opposite them. Ireton manages to defeat the first wave of horse, but Astleys infantry is slowly forcing their counterparts back, badly wounding Skippon (who refuses to flee the field). Ireton tries to help, but is repulsed between royalist pikes and the rest of Ruperts cavalry and captured. Okeys dragoons fire from the hedges to cover the retreat, but the Parliamentarian left is broken. However, Rupert and his gallant aristocrats make a critical error-they pursue the fleeing cavalry instead of joining the center (now a melee fought with swords and musket-butts). Sir Marmaduke Langdales Northern Horse (infamous for their rape and pillage of their home in Yorkshire), clash with Oliver Cromwells Ironsides. Outnumbered and outclasses, Langdales men are broken and flee. Cromwell sends only a quarter of his cavalry to pursue, leading the rest into devastating flank attack. Okeys dragoons, not used to fighting from horseback, charge with drawn sabers from the other side. The Parlimentarian infantry rally, and the Royal army falls apart. Charles, refusing to have his victory denied, prepares to personally lead his Lifeguard into the fray. Robert Dalzell, 1st Earl of Carnwath, grabs his bridle- Damn you! Will you go upon your death?! They ride off in full retreat. Many of the infantry surrender, others break; Prince Ruperts footmen (the Bluecoats), however, refuse to dishonor their lord and make a stand. The Bluecoats repulse attack after attack that sweeps the other Royalists from the field. Finally, Fairfax personally leads his own foot and horse into this last resistance, breaking the Bluecoats and personally taking their standard. Rupert and his men, meanwhile, attacks the Parlimentarian baggage, but are fended off with pikes and knives. Returning to the battlefield, they find their army in tatters. Exhausted and outnumbered, they follow the King in full retreat. Only 1,000 of the 7,000 Royalists return to Oxford. Fairfax returns to the offensive, relieving Taunton, recapturing Leicester, and squaring off with Lord George Gorings stand at Langport.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 19:25:10 +0000
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