Battle of Happo

The Battle of Happo was a naval engagement on May 7, 1592, one of the three Joseon naval campaigns of 1592 conducted by Korean admiral Yi Sun-sin during Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598) against the Japanese forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. These campaigns made Yi a legendary figure in Korean history. The campaigns of Yi were vital in halting the Japanese invasion.

Battle of Happo
Date 7 May 1592 Location Happo harbor, Masan Result Korean victory
Belligerents
Fleet of Toyotomi Hideyoshi	Joseon Navy
Commanders and leaders
Emperor Go-Yōzei	Yi Sun-sin Won Gyun
Strength
5 ships[1]	Yi Sun-sin[1] 24 panoksons 15 hyeupsons 46 fishing boats Won Gyun 4 panoksons 2 small ships
Casualties and losses
5 ships[1] Annihilation	None

While intending to spend the night in the open sea following the initial Battle of Okpo, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was forced to change his plans due to a report of five large Japanese ships having been sighted heading in the direction of Happo around 5 p.m. He ordered his forces to pursue the Japanese ships, which they caught and destroyed in a small skirmish near Happo. Admiral Yi’s forces now had two victories under their belt.

Citations

1. Hawley 2014, p. 186.

Bibliography

• Hawley, Samuel (2014), The Imjin War: Japan's Sixteenth-Century Invasion of Korea and Attempt to Conquer China, Conquistador Press, ISBN 978-0-9920786-2-1