Battle of Sasu

Battle of Sasu
Part of Goguryeo–Tang War
Map showing the invasion of Goguryeo by the Tang forces from 645 to 668 AD
Date February 21, 662 Location Sasu River, Goguryeo (probably modern-day Pothong River, present-day North Korea) Result Goguryeo victory
Belligerents
Tang China	Goguryeo Korea
Commanders and leaders
Pang Xiaotai †	Yeon Gaesomun
Strength
100,000	100,000
Casualties and losses
Entire force	Unknown

The Battle of the Sasu River, also known as Battle of Sasu (Korean: 사수 전투 Sasu Jeontu) (Chinese: 蛇水之战 Shéshuǐ Zhīzhàn) was a battle between Tang Chinese and Goguryeo Korean forces that took place in 662 AD. A Chinese army, mostly consisting of soldiers from Lingnan, were led by general Pang Xiaotai while the Goguryeo army was led by the generalissimo Yeon Gaesomun. The Goguryeo army won the battle and the Tang army was crushed.

Prelude

The

In 21 February 662, Yeon Gaesomun led the Goguryeo army intercepted the Tang army at the Sasu River, annihilating it.[7] Its general Pang Xiaotai and all his 13 sons were killed.^[8] With the northern front secure, Yeon Gaesomun went back to relieve Pyongyang. Coupled with harsh snowstorms, Su Dingfang then withdrew his forces, ending the siege.^[9]

Aftermath

Goguryeo had little time to celebrate the victory at Sasu, as it was ravaged by decades of continuous warfare.^[10] Yeon Gaesomun died four years later, and six years later Goguryeo was later conquered by Tang China.

References