Battle of Rach Gam–Xoai Mut
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The Battle of Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút was fought between Tây-Sơn (Vietnamese) and Siamese forces in present-day Tiền Giang Province on January 19, 1785. It went down as one of the greatest victories in Vietnamese history.
, convinced the peaceful King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
of Siam to provide Nguyen Anh with support troops and a small invasion force.
In mid-1784 Nguyễn Ánh, with 20,000-50,000 Siamese troops and 300 warships, moved through Cambodia
, then East of Tonle Sap (Toh Lay Sap in Thai) and penetrated the recently annexed provinces of Annam. 20,000 Siamese troops reached Kiên Giang and another 30,000 landed in Chap Lap, as the Siamese advanced towards Cần Thơ. Later that year the Siamese captured the former Cambodian province of Gia Định where, they committed atrocities against the population of Việt settlers, this made some locals turn their support into Tây Sơn.
, anticipating a move from the Siamese, had secretly positioned his infantry and artillery along the Mekong River (Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút area of present day Tiền Giang province), and on some islands in the middle, facing other troops on the northern banks with naval reinforcements on both sides of the infantry positions.
On the morning of January 20, 1785 Nguyễn Huệ sent a small naval force, under a banner of truce, to lure the Siamese into his trap. After so many victories, the Siamese army and naval forces were overconfident. So, they went to the parley, unaware of the trap. Nguyễn Huệ's ships dashed into the unprepared Siamese troops, prevented them from advance or retreat. In the meanwhile, Tay Son artillery opened firing. The battle ended with a near annihilation of the Siamese force, Vietnamese source recorded that all the ships of the Siamese navy were destroyed and only 2,000-3,000 of the original expedition survived to escape back across the river into Siam. Nguyen Anh and his family members escaped and later went to Siam.
Background
In 1783 when Tây-Sơn rebel forces recaptured Saigon and forced Nguyễn Ánh to escape across the river to Siam. While in exile Nguyễn Ánh wished to retake Gia Định and push the Tây-Sơn rebels out. One of Anh's general, Chau Van TiepChau Van Tiep
Châu Văn Tiếp , born Châu Doãn Ngạnh , was an 18th century Vietnamese military commander, best known for his role as a general of Nguyễn Ánh.-Early life:...
, convinced the peaceful King Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chakri Borommanat Phra Buddha Yodfa Chulaloke , posthumously titled "the Great", or Rama I , was the founder and the first monarch of the reigning House of Chakri of Siam . He ascended the throne in 1782, after defeating a rebellion which had deposed King...
of Siam to provide Nguyen Anh with support troops and a small invasion force.
In mid-1784 Nguyễn Ánh, with 20,000-50,000 Siamese troops and 300 warships, moved through Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, then East of Tonle Sap (Toh Lay Sap in Thai) and penetrated the recently annexed provinces of Annam. 20,000 Siamese troops reached Kiên Giang and another 30,000 landed in Chap Lap, as the Siamese advanced towards Cần Thơ. Later that year the Siamese captured the former Cambodian province of Gia Định where, they committed atrocities against the population of Việt settlers, this made some locals turn their support into Tây Sơn.
Battle
The Tay Son reforcements led by Nguyen Hue marched south from Quy Nhon and arrived Cochin China territory soon after. Hue avoided a direct attack into strong Siamese force at Sa Dec and tried to set up a trap. Nguyễn HuệNguyen Hue
Nguyễn Huệ, also known as Emperor Quang Trung , born in Bình Định in 1753, died in Phú Xuân on 16 September 1792, was the second emperor of the Tây Sơn Dynasty of Vietnam, reigning from 1788 until 1792...
, anticipating a move from the Siamese, had secretly positioned his infantry and artillery along the Mekong River (Rạch Gầm-Xoài Mút area of present day Tiền Giang province), and on some islands in the middle, facing other troops on the northern banks with naval reinforcements on both sides of the infantry positions.
On the morning of January 20, 1785 Nguyễn Huệ sent a small naval force, under a banner of truce, to lure the Siamese into his trap. After so many victories, the Siamese army and naval forces were overconfident. So, they went to the parley, unaware of the trap. Nguyễn Huệ's ships dashed into the unprepared Siamese troops, prevented them from advance or retreat. In the meanwhile, Tay Son artillery opened firing. The battle ended with a near annihilation of the Siamese force, Vietnamese source recorded that all the ships of the Siamese navy were destroyed and only 2,000-3,000 of the original expedition survived to escape back across the river into Siam. Nguyen Anh and his family members escaped and later went to Siam.