Vietnam: Tran Hung Dao (1228–1300) was the Supreme Commander of Đại Việt during the Trần Dynasty. He commanded armies that repelled two major Mongol invasions in the 13th century

Tran Hung Dao (1228–1300; Quoc Ngu: Trần Hưng Đạo) was the Supreme Commander of Đại Việt during the Trần Dynasty. He commanded the Đại Việt armies that repelled two major Mongol invasions in the 13th century.

At the Battle of the Bạch Đằng River, General Trần Hưng Đạo predicted the Mongol's naval route and quickly deployed heavy unconventional traps of steel-tipped wooden stakes unseen during high tides along the Bạch Đằng River bed. When the Mongol fleet attempted to retreat from the river, the Viet deployed smaller and more maneuverable vessels into agitating and luring the Mongol vessels into the riverside where the booby traps were waiting while it was still high tide.

As the river tide River receded, the Mongol vessels were impaled and sunk by the embedded steel-tipped stakes. The Viet forces led by Trần Hưng Đạo burned down an estimated 400 large Mongol vessels and captured the remaining naval crew along the river. The entire Mongol fleet was destroyed and the Mongol admiral was captured and executed.

Copyright:

CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From Asia