The Battle of Sacheon AD 1592 Imjin War (Joseon vs Wokou)《조선 왜구 사천해전 泗川海戰》

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• published: 11 Jul 2014
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사천 해전(泗川海戰)은 1592년 음력 5월 29일(양력 7월 8일)에 사천에서 왜수군 13척을 전멸시킨 해전으로, 이순신은 여기서 거북선을 처음으로 실전 투입했다. 1592년 6월 16일(음력 5월 7일) 옥포해전을 시작으로, 옥포, 합포, 적진포에서 42척의 전선을 격침당한 왜군은 큰 손실에도 불구하고, 서해안으로 북상을 기도하였다. 1592년 7월 8일(음력 5월 29일) 이순신은 판옥선 40여 척을 거느리고 거제를 출발하여[2] 노량에서 경상우수사 원균과 합류하여 사천 선창에 있는 왜군의 정보를 물어 사천으로 추격하였다. 왜군은 사천으로 상륙하여 배는 산 밑에 매어두고 산위에 진을 치고, 기다리고 있었다. 해안가에 정박하고 있던 이순신은 단병접전의 불리함을 극복하기 위해 처음으로 유인작전을 사용하게 된다. 육지에 대기 중이던 왜군이 승선하여 조선 수군 함대를 쫓아오자 바다에서 뱃머리를 돌려 반격으로 나섰다. 선두는 역시 거북선. 거북선 돌격장인 이언량,이기남이 거북선을 지휘을 하고 돌격하며 왜 수군 사이로 헤집고 다니자 판옥선들이 후미에서 화포 공격을 하며 그 뒤를 따랐다. 결과는 적 함대 13척 모두 격침. 이순신은 이 전투에서 왼쪽 어깨에 총을 맞지만, 마친 후 부하를 시켜 칼끝으로 총탄을 파내게 하였다고 한다. 이 전투의 결과 왜군은 패하여 부산과 거제도로 도망하여 들어가서 나오지 않았다. 선조는 이 전투의 승리로 이순신에게는 정2품인 정헌대부(正憲大夫)의 벼슬을 하사하였고, 이억기와 원균은 종2품인 가선대부(嘉善大夫)로 승진하였다. The naval Battle of Sacheon took place on May 29, 1592 and was the first battle of Admiral Yi's 2nd Campaign in the Imjin War, between Japan and Korea, when the Turtle Ship was first used. Prelude Admiral Yi was at Yeosu, his headquarters. Admiral Yi planned to attack the Japanese again when Won Kyun sent a report to him that Japanese ships were in Sacheon and the surrounding area. This alarmed Admiral Yi because he feared the Japanese soldiers were readying to attack Yeosu. Admiral Yi then led his fleet to Sacheon on May 29, 1592. Situation at Sacheon Admiral Yi met Won Kyun at Noryang Strait and discussed battle plans. Admiral Yi scrutinized the surrounding area. A large cliff overlooked the city and Japanese soldiers seemed to move about everywhere in the city. Twelve very large Japanese warships were anchored in the harbor, along with numerous other smaller ships. Admiral Yi knew that he could not attack the Japanese in a spearhead assault because he knew that the Japanese could direct arquebus fire down on the Koreans from the top of the cliffs. Admiral Yi wanted to fight the Japanese in the sea where there was more room to maneuver. Hoping to draw the Japanese into open waters, he turned his battleships around and withdrew. Apparently, the Japanese commander had been observing the Korean movements and quickly ordered his captains to take a portion of the fleet anchored at Sacheon and attack the Koreans when he saw them withdraw. Taking the bait, the Japanese pursued the Koreans. The Turtle Ship The Battle of Sacheon was the first battle during which Admiral Yi deployed the turtle ship. By the time the Koreans and the Japanese were out on the open sea, it was nearly dark. Nonetheless, Admiral Yi had the turtle ship and his other vessels turn around quickly and fire upon the Japanese. Admiral Yi had his men unleash a hail of cannonballs and fire arrows. This had an immediate effect on the enemy warships, and the Japanese ships started taking heavy damage. The fierce and sudden Korean attack shocked the Japanese. But unlike their previous poor performance at the Battle of Okpo, the Japanese soldiers fought bravely and returned fire with their arquebuses in a timely manner. Unfortunately for the Japanese, they did not have a chance to board the Korean ships because of concentrated Korean cannon fire. Also, the Turtle Ship was impossible to board anyway due to iron spikes on its roof. Then, the Japanese began to panic when the Turtle Ship smashed into Japanese lines, firing in every direction. It was in the heat of the battle when the course of Korea's history nearly changed; Admiral Yi was shot by a Japanese arquebusier. The Korean captains were shocked. However, the bullet only punctured the skin of his left arm leaving Admiral Yi with a very minor injury Aftermath In a couple of hours, every single Japanese warship that had fought was sunk. A few survivors struggled ashore. The Battle of Sacheon caused the Japanese command at Busan some anxiety, as the supply ships that sailed from Japan might be in danger.