We think of rocket launchers as a modern invention, but the Koreans were using them four hundred years ago. The hwacha could fire two hundred rockets at once, blowing up enemies more than a hundred metres away.
draq [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
One contemporary account suggests they could pierce a full suit of armour. The Koreans certainly used them to great effect against the Japanese in the Imjin Wars, devastating the samurai infantry at the Battle of Haengju. Only 2300 men held off a force of 30,000 with the help of 40 hwacha.
Categories: Asia Early modern history History Medieval history Military Places Sciences Technology
The Generalist
I live in Auckland, New Zealand, and am curious about most things.
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