Timeline of the Mongol invasion of japan

introduction to the Mongol invasion of japan

1274

the Mongols would make two attempts to invade the Japanese archipelago. Both would end in disaster for the Mongols. The weather would be the Mongols greatest enemy for these invasions.

invasion of Tsushima

Nov 4, 1274

The yuan dynasty who were a vassal in the Mongol empire landed on Tsushima with the main landings taking place in the south. The local garrison of 50 samurai and their retinue faced the roughly 8000 strong Mongol invasion force. The garrison was quickly overwhelmed and the island was completely under the control of the Mongols within a few days. https://static1-us.millenium.gg/articles/3/18/74/3/@/189019-lile-de-tsushima-article_m-1.jpeg

invasion of Iki

Nov 13, 1274

the Mongol fleet departed Tsushima and attacked Iki island. Iki island was a small island between Tsushima and the main Japanese islands. The small garrison force of 100 Samurai was swiftly defeated however one managed to escape.

the landing in Hakata Bay

Nov 19, 1274

The Mongol force landed in Hakata Bay which was only a short distance from the administrative capital of the Kyūshū province Dazaifu. The first battle of Hakata Bay would follow with roughly 3000 soldiers on each side participating not including the Mongol sailors. The Mongol force would prove victorious after a day of bloody battle. During the battle one of the Mongol generals was greatly injured which stalled their advance. The Mongol Invasions of Japan 1274 and 1281, Osprey, p. 35

Disappearance of the Mongols

Nov 20, 1274

The Japanese defenders would awake to find the Mongol fleet was mostly gone. During their retreat the wind suddenly changed and many of the Mongol ships would be blown back to the Japanese islands where they would get beached and the surviving crew would be executed. Some of the accounts state that of the roughly 900 Mongol ships 200 of them would be sunk by the wind during their retreat. It is estimated that of the 30,000 strong Mongol force only 27,000 would return home. en.wikipedia.org

preparations for the second invasion

1280

Following the failure of the first invasion Kublai Khan would prepare a second invasion. One main difference between the two invasions was that by this time the Mongols had finished conquering the song dynasty allowing for a far larger force to be assembled. This invasion was to be a two pronged assault with over 1500 ships and reportedly 140,000 troops although it is assumed that the actual number of troops was likely closer to 70,000.

Landings on Tsushima and Iki

Jun 9, 1281

Much like the first invasion the Mongols started the second by landing on the islands of Tsushima and Iki. The Mongols would use these islands as staging areas for the main invasion. Once again the Mongols successfully captured both islands with minimal difficulty. with Tsushima falling on the 9th and Iki on the 14th.

Landing in Nagato and Hakata Bay

Jun 25, 1281

The eastern army consisting of roughly 20,000 set sail on the 22nd, a full week ahead of schedule, disobeying orders to await the much larger southern army. The eastern army split and attempted to land both at Nagato and Hakata Bay. The force landing at Nagato made landfall on the 25th but were driven back and forced to retreat to Iki. The landings at Hakata Bay were disastrous as the Japanese had constructed a defensive wall there which the Mongols were unable to breach. www.worldhistory.org

Japanese counterattacks

Jun 26, 1281

After the failed landings the Mongols would occupy the small islands of Shika and Noko. They planed on launching raids on against Hakata from there. However during the night the Japanese would launch a raid of their own setting fire to a Mongol ship. Throughout the next day the Japanese would launch a series of raids that would force the Mongols to retreat from Shika island. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/323555554470741069/

The Third landing at Hakata

Jul 30, 1281

The southern army would meet with the remnants of the eastern army and advance on Taka island where they would reorganize. The united force would then attack Hakata where a two week long battle would ensue that would end in a stalemate. On the 12 of august the Japanese would attempt more night raids which prompted the Invasion fleet to fasten their ships together to improve security.

The End of the invasion

Aug 15, 1281

On the 15th of august there was a massive typhoon that struck the Mongol invasion fleet in harbor. The fleet was nearly completely destroyed and the few remaining ships would retreat shortly leaving many from the invasion force to die. This storm would be known to the Japanese as kamikaze or divine wind. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/141104-kamikaze-kublai-khan-winds-typhoon-japan-invasion