Battle of Taku Forts (1858)

The First Battle of Taku Forts (Chinese: 第一次大沽口之戰) was the first attack of the Anglo-French alliance against the Taku Forts along the Hai River in Tianjin, China, on 20 May 1858, during the Second Opium War.

For other uses, see Battle of Taku Forts.
First Battle of Taku Forts
Part of the Second Opium War

Map of the Peiho River forts, showing British and French ships
Date20 May 1858
Location
Taku Forts, Tianjin, China
38°58′29.50″N 117°42′43.80″E
Result Anglo-French victory
Belligerents
 United Kingdom
 France		 Qing China
Commanders and leaders
Michael Seymour
Charles Rigault de Genouilly		 Tan Ting-siang
Strength
British:
1,032
French:
700 (land force)		 unknown
Casualties and losses
British:
5 killed
16 wounded
French:
6 killed
61 wounded		 unknown

The British and French sent a squadron of gunboats, under Rear-Admiral Admiral Michael Seymour, to attack China's Taku Forts. The battle ended as an allied success. However, the first phase of the Second Opium War would end with the Treaties of Tianjin and the forts were returned to the hands of the Qing Army, leading to the Second Battle of Taku Forts in 1859.

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