The Hwacha — Korea’s Medieval Multiple Rocket Launcher System,When the Chinese invented
The Hwacha — Korea’s Medieval Multiple Rocket Launcher System,When the Chinese invented gunpowder they set strict regulations governing its export to Korea. However by the mid 14th century the Koreans learned how to produce their own gunpowder and with a host of deadly firearms and ordnance. One of the most fearsome was the “hwacha” a multiple rocket system first invented by the Koreans in 1409.The hwacha was a multiple rocket launcher system that consisted of 200 banks of rockest which could be fired simultaneously. The rockets they fired consisted of either large steel tipped arrows, incendiary fire arrows, or explosive arrows. However unlike larger cannon the hwacha was light and easy to transport as it was mounted on a carriage. By 1541 the Kingdom of Korea sported several hundred of these fearsome rocket launchers. The Koreans needed them as the were constantly under threat by the larger powers around them, especially from the Chinese Empire and the Shoguns of Japan. Between 1592 and 1598 Japan made several unsuccessful invasion of Korea and the hwacha played a key role in ensuring the Japan stayed out of Korea. At the Battle of Haengju in 1593 3,000 Korean soldiers held against 40,000 Samurai soldiers. The Koreans were able to make up the difference in numbers with 40 hawcha. As the Samurai approached they marched in dense ranks, making perfect targets for the hawcha. The Samurai suffered under volley after volley of raining arrows, After suffering over 10,000 casualties they were forced to retreat. -- source link
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