What do we know about the first multiple launch rocket systems? The legendary Katyushas are the first thing that comes to mind. However, there were also Nebelwerfer (with German - "foggun") - which, together with the Soviet "Katyusha" were the first massively used multiple launch rocket mortars. However, in the history of mankind, the Korean system became the first multiple launch rocket system.
Application of the system in battle.
As you know, gunpowder was invented in China. As well as many other things. China has been quite isolated from Europe at different times. In addition, the rulers of China in every possible way prevented the export of new products. You can draw an analogy with the "Greek fire" of Byzantium. China fiercely defended its gunpowder weapon during the 14th and 15th centuries. He made the most explosive advances in military technology since the bow and arrow and did not plan to surrender it without a fight. China imposed a severe embargo on the export of gunpowder to Korea, leaving Korean engineers to cope with the seemingly endless onslaught of Japanese and Mongol invaders on their own.
For a complete picture, you need to describe Korea during the Imjin War.
The foreign policy of the ruling Li dynasty is relations with Ming China, Japan and the Manchu tribes. Although formally relations with China were of a vassal nature, China did not interfere in the internal life of Joseon (the name of Korea from 1392 to 1897). The countries exchanged embassies and gifts, demonstrating friendly relations. Throughout the XVI century. The Jurchens (tribes that inhabited the territory of Manchuria, Central and Northeast China in the 10th-15th centuries) and Japanese pirates periodically invaded the territory of Joseon, but each time they were rebuffed.
At the end of the 80s of the XVI century. the fragmented Japan was united by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who set himself the goal of conquering China. Gathering an army, Hideyoshi turned to the Joseon government with a request to let his troops pass and even participate in the military campaign against the Ming. Seoul refused and informed China of Japan's plans. In May 1592, more than 200,000 Japanese forces invaded Korea. The Imjin War began (1592-1598). Korea was not ready for war, although a certain part of statesmen had warned long before it about the need to rebuild the army.
The first group of Japanese forces landed in southern Korea on May 2. The Japanese had firearms that were not available in the Korean forces. Busan was captured by the attackers. Meeting no serious resistance, the Japanese moved swiftly towards Seoul. At this time, Seoul sent Minam a request for help, and on June 9, Van Songjo left the capital with his court. The ruler who arrived in Kaesong and his entourage were greeted by the population with stones and clods of mud. On June 12, Japanese troops entered Seoul without a fight. Soon Kaesong was captured, and on July 22, Pyongyang. Van himself and his entourage took refuge in the small border town of Uiju.
Despite the flight of the court and the defeat of the Korean army, the remnants of the government troops continued to resist in the territories occupied by the Japanese. In addition, in all provinces, detachments of the people's militia "Yibyon" ("Army of Justice") began to appear.
While the Korean forces were defeated on land, the situation at sea was completely different. After the fall of Seoul, in the summer of 1592, the fleet under the command of Li Sung Sin consisted of 85 ships equipped with powerful cannons, which included the world's first "turtle ships" ("kobuksons"), whose sides and upper deck were covered with sheets from the armor. Lee Sung Xing decided to use the peculiarities of his fleet, opting for the tactics of ranged combat. Korean artillery hit Japanese ships, and the "turtle ships" were immune to Japanese fire. During several days of the 1st campaign, the Korean fleet destroyed 42 enemy ships, during the 2nd campaign, which took place less than a month later - 72, during the 3rd campaign (a month later) - more than 100 ships and during 4 cruise (40 days later) - more than 100 Japanese ships.
The Korean victories at sea also influenced the development of events on land. They inspired people to fight. In addition, the Japanese forces found themselves in a difficult position, as they were cut off from their bases and food supplies, which were delivered by sea, while the Korean fleet destroyed all Japanese transport ships.
In 1593, the Ming troops entered the war, realizing that the conquered Korea would become a springboard for an attack on China. Having united, the Korean-Chinese troops liberated Pyongyang. Japanese troops retreated to Seoul, but were forced to leave it too, retreating to the south and attacked by parts of the Korean army and Eibyon's detachments. However, the commander of the Chinese army did not build on the success and began peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the Japanese were entrenched in the south. Although the Japanese presence was still significant, the Chinese army left Korea. Despite peace negotiations, the Japanese continued military operations in the south, capturing the city of Jinju. Sino-Japanese negotiations dragged on for 4 years.
And at this moment of the Korean-Chinese confrontation with the Japanese took place - the Battle of Hengchu.
Perhaps the greatest test of the strength of the first Korean system, perhaps with Chinese experience, was this battle in 1593. When Japan launched an offensive of 30,000 troops on the top of the hill to the Hengchu fortress, the fortress had hardly 3,000 soldiers, citizens and war monks to defend it. The chances of defense were extremely low, and with confidence, the Japanese forces pushed forward, unaware that the fortress had one trump card up its sleeve: 40 hwacha mounted on the outer walls.
Hwacha with arrows, 40 mm, Bronze collection
Japanese samurai tried to climb the hill nine times, constantly meeting with a rain of hellfire. More than 10,000 Japanese died before deciding to abandon the siege, marking the first major Korean victory over a Japanese invasion.
Together with the naval victory of the "first battleships".
At the turn of the 16th century, however, Korea made significant progress in the development of gunpowder and built its own machines that could rival Chinese flamethrowers. The Korean secret weapon was the hwacha, a multi-missile launcher capable of launching over 100 missiles in a single salvo. The upgraded versions could run under 200. These devices were a significant threat to the samurai, albeit primarily psychologically.
Upgraded hwacha.
Hwacha ammunition was called singijon and was an exploding arrow. Singijon guards were adjusted depending on the distance to the opponent, so that they exploded on impact. When the Japanese invasion began in full force in 1592, Korea already had hundreds of fire carts.
Hwacha device.
The Imjin War continued ahead. The last point was the Battle of Noryangjin Bay, where the Korean-Chinese fleet defeated the Japanese flotilla, which consisted of more than 500 ships. In this battle, Li Sung Xing was also killed. A truce was concluded between the warring parties. The Japanese left Korea completely. Thus ended the seven-year Imjin war.
Myths related to the effectiveness of the system were currently being tested.
Hwacha. A still from the film.
It was doubtful that Hwacha could fire 200 rockets that would travel 500 yards (450 m) and crush the enemy army. The myth is confirmed on all four articles:
- A rocket launched from hwacha can fly 450 meters if you put enough gunpowder in it.
- A properly filled powder rocket will explode with lethal force.
- The hwacha built by Tory and Grant fired 200 missiles, all but one of which landed in "enemy territory."
- Finally, the docs say the same thing.
In some computer strategy games, hwacha acts as a unique combat unit available to Koreans, for example, in Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords, Sid Meier's Civilization V, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, Empire Earth II. Also in Age of Empires (series) …
In the end, I would like to mention that Khwachka is a product of the medieval "rocket race" of China and Korea, which deserves a separate article.
