Battle of Chilcheollyang - Chilcheollyang

Chilcheollyang

Won Gyun replaced Admiral Yi as the naval commander of the entire Korean fleet. Won Gyun decided to attack a large Japanese flotilla of which he did not know the size, strength, or location.

He decided to look for the enemy navy with the entire Korean fleet that Admiral Yi had carefully built and strengthened. Won Gyun left Hansando on August 27, 1597, and soon met a very large enemy fleet near Pusan. Won Gyun was shocked to see the Japanese navy of a size of at least 500 to 1000 ships. Even though his troops were tired, Won Gyun ordered the attack. At the moment of the attack, a commander named Bae Seol quickly ran away with 13 ships under his command knowing the results of the battle ahead. Of note, it was these 13 ships that Admiral Yi would use to defeat the Japanese at Myeongnyang Straits upon his reinstatement. (Commander Bae Seol deserted with his single ship before that battle as well.) The Koreans advanced quickly with barely any strategy when the Japanese returned fire with arquebuses. The Japanese destroyed at least 30 Korean ships by rowing close to the Korean ships and jumping aboard to begin melee combat. The Koreans had no chance to fire with cannons.

Won Gyun retreated back to nearby Gadeok island suffering even more damage to his ships. Apparently, Gadeok island was under Japanese control and when Won Gyun landed with his troops in search of food and supplies, the Japanese commander Chikushi Hirokado of the fort and the island attacked the Koreans and killed 400 Korean marines. Won Gyun quickly retreated and left Gadeok Island.

The Japanese were surprised at this terrible performance of the Korean navy and set out at once to attack the Koreans at night. It was a disaster for the Koreans and the Japanese used their traditional grapple and board attack to overwhelm the Koreans. Admiral Yi had always kept hold of the upper hand by blasting the Japanese from a distance, but Won Gyun had allowed the Japanese to attack the Koreans with swords and spears. After a surprise attack, 200 Panokseons and other Korean ships sank to the bottom of the ocean. Won Gyun was shocked at this attack and retreated quickly again while the Koreans were struggling.

Won Gyun and Yi Eok-gi, another general, struggled ashore at a nearby island with a few survivors. Again, there was another fort with a garrison of Japanese soldiers who rushed outside and killed every single Korean, including Won Gyun and Yi Eok-gi.