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Battle of Yamen

Type Event Region Asia Time 1279

The Battle of Yamen was the final battle of the Song-Yuan War. In February 1279, Yuan general Zhang Hongfan pursued the Southern Song court to Yamen,…

Timeline

  1. 1279Yamen waters · GuangdongZhang Hongfan led the Yuan fleet north from Leizhou, pursuing the Southern Song court escorted by Zhang Shijie. The Song linked over a thousand warships into a fortified camp, holding Yamen to guard the Pearl River estuary.
  2. 1279Yamen channel · GuangdongThe Yuan blockaded fresh water sources and launched fire attacks; the Song's chained ship-camp was burned and morale collapsed. Zhang Shijie broke out with a few warships but could not reverse the defeat.
  3. 1279Yamen · GuangdongThe Song army was decisively defeated. Chancellor Lu Xiufu carried the eight-year-old last emperor Zhao Bing into the sea; 100,000 soldiers and civilians perished, and the Southern Song court in exile was extinguished.

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