116
There was a gap of nearly twenty years between the first and second China Wars. It would have been expected that, in this period, the Chinese would have updated their arsenals and have been able to defend themselves more effectively. Whilst, as already seen, this was done to a degree, they were not able to overcome all the problems. The biggest problem was probably the attitude of those in charge, which is so often difficult to alter in any institution, particularly the armed forces. Hence, in the second war the story was much the same, although the batteries at the Pei Ho river were able to repel the European navies and delay the end of the war by a year.
In conclusion it can be seen that not only did the Chinese suffer a great disadvantage in the technology of their weaponry, but they also were behind in training and discipline, factors which turn brave men into efficient troops. Obviously there is more than fighting to any war, and political, economic and social factors all have an influence on events. However, in order to gain a full insight into the wars between China and the Western powers, it is necessary to understand the military aspects. Fortunately the military men, like so many Victorian travellers, have left records of their experiences. This paper draws on some of those records and aims to put them in context with the development of weapon technology that was taking place at the time. The range of weapons being used by the two sides spanned centuries of development and their coming together is, in itself, a fascinating story.
NOTES
1 Keith Stewart Mackenzie, Narrative of the Second Campaign in China, London 1842, p. 92 notes "the Tartars making a most determined resistance, standing by their guns till the sailors cut them down, hand to hand."
2 Captain Granville G. Loch R.N., The Closing Events of the Campaign in China: The Operations in the Yang-Tze-Kiang and Treaty of Nanking, London 1843. P. 107. Loch is horrified by "old men, women and children, cutting each other's throats, and drowning themselves by the dozen."
3 Loch R.N., op. cit., p. 113.
4 Mackenzie, op. cit., p. 62 notes "for both (Admiral) Kwan and his second in command, fell by bayonet wounds received in their breasts, whilst gallantly
116
There was a gap of nearly twenty years between the first and sec- ond China Wars. It would have been expected that, in this period, the Chinese would have updated their arsenals and have been able to de- fend themselves more effectively. Whilst, as already seen, this was done to a degree, they were not able to overcome all the problems. The biggest problem was probably the attitude of those in charge, which is so often difficult to alter in any institution, particularly the armed forces. Hence, in the second war the story was much the same, although the batteries at the Pei Ho river were able to repel the European navies and delay the end of the war by a year.
In conclusion it can be seen that not only did the Chinese suffer a great disadvantage in the technology of their weaponry, but they also were behind in training and discipline, factors which turn brave men into efficient troops. Obviously there is more than fighting to any war, and political, economic and social factors all have an influence on events. However, in order to gain a full insight into the wars between China and the Western powers, it is necessary to understand the mili- tary aspects. Fortunately the military men, like so many Victorian travellers, have left records of their experiences. This paper draws on some of those records and aims to put them in context with the devel- opment of weapon technology that was taking place at the time. The range of weapons being used by the two sides spanned centuries of development and their coming together is, in itself, a fascinating story.
NOTES
Keith Stewart Mackenzie, Narrative of the Second Campaign in China, London 1842, p. 92 notes "the Tartars making a most determined resistance, standing by their guns till the sailors cut them down, hand to hand."
2 Captain Granville G. Loch R.N., The Closing Events of the Campaign in China: The Operations in the Yang-Tze-Kiang and Treaty of Nanking, London 1843. P. 107. Loch is horrified by "old men, women and children, cutting each other's throats, and drowning themselves by the dozen."
3 Loch R.N., op. cit., p. 113.
4 Mackenzie, op. cit., p. 62 notes "for both (Admiral) Kwan and his second in command, fell by bayonet wounds received in their breasts, whilst gallantly
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