Battle of Tabaruzaka

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Battle of Tabaruzaka
Part of the Satsuma Rebellion
Battle-of-Tabaruzaka.jpg
Fierce Battle at Tabaruzaka Hill, Kobayashi Eitaku
Date3–20 March 1877
Location
Result Imperial victory
Belligerents
Merchant flag of Japan (1870).svg  Japan Japanese Crest maru ni jyuji.svg Satsuma Domain
Commanders and leaders
War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army (1868-1945).svg Arisugawa Taruhito
War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army (1868-1945).svg Yamagata Aritomo
War flag of the Imperial Japanese Army (1868-1945).svg Sagawa Kanbei
Japanese Crest maru ni jyuji.svg Saigō Takamori
Strength
90,000 15,000
Casualties and losses
4,000 killed and wounded 4,000 killed and wounded

The Battle of Tabaruzaka was a major battle of the Satsuma Rebellion. It took place in March 1877, on the island of Kyushu, Japan, concurrently to the Siege of Kumamoto Castle.

Contents

Summary

The Battle of Tabaruzaka began on March 3, 1877 when troops loyal to the Imperial Meiji government seeking to break the Siege of Kumamoto Castle met rebel Satsuma samurai forces seeking to capture the main road out of Kumamoto. [1] The battle eventually spread across a 6.5 mile line from Tabaruzaka to the Ariake Sea. [2]

Skirmishes occurred for the first of several days of the battle, as both sides continued to bring additional support troops to the area. In the end, Saigō Takamori's forces would number 15,000, and the Imperial Japanese Army, led by Arisugawa Taruhito and Yamagata Aritomo, [2] numbered 90,000. The first days of the battle were marked by heavy rain, which hampered the rebel's ability to resupply. [1] As a result of low ammunition supplies, and water damage to their antiquated muzzle-loading rifles, the rebel forces were forced to fight with swords. On March 15, the government forces launched a major assault on the rebel lines. [3] On March 20, the rebels were forced to retreat, initially regrouping at Ueki, and then were driven from that position as well. [1]

Final losses at Tabaruzaka were at least 4,000 dead and wounded on both sides. [2] This number included future Prime Minister of Japan Terauchi Masatake, who was maimed in the course of the battle and lost his right hand.

Aftermath

Although the Siege of Kumamoto Castle did not end for several weeks after the Battle of Tabaruzaka, and the war lasted until September, this battle showed that eventually the government's superiority in men and material would ultimately overwhelm the rebel forces. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Ravina, Mark (2005). The Last Samurai: The Life and Battles of Saigo Takamori. Wiley. ISBN   0471705373 . Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Satsuma Rebellion: Satsuma Clan Samurai Against the Imperial Japanese Army". Historynet.com. 2011-09-24. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  3. 1 2 Keene, Donald (2002). Emperor Of Japan: Meiji And His World, 1852-1912. Columbia University Press. p. 282. ISBN   023112340X . Retrieved 2 April 2013.