It used to be said that the Qing army could not defeat the British army, so it was said that the Qing army had broadswords and spears and the British army had guns, so they lined up for shooting.

Later, it was said that the Qing army could use shotguns and cannons and the British army to shoot back and forth; However, the fighting capacity of the Qing army is low, and it is always stabbed by the British bayonet.

The former statement, thanks to many film and television dramas, naturally has the meaning of "legend"; The latter statement is only relatively reliable, but it is a bit overkill.

It is really impossible for the Qing army to lay down their lives against the British with broadswords and spears, but to shoot at each other with batteries; However, as for whether or not you fought hand-to-hand with the British army and were defeated by the British bayonet charge, that is another matter.

Let me give you a few examples, starting with several hand-to-hand combat cases recorded in the Qing Dynasty:

In the 20th year of Daoguang, in July, at the Battle of Xiamen, after the British shelled the coastal fort in Xiamen, they landed at the fort. The two sides started hand-to-hand combat, and the Qing army also won the first place.

At that time, Deng Tingzhen, the governor of Zhejiang and Fujian, reported the war situation. One of them said, "Chen Shengyuan, the general of the Guards, stabbed Bai Yi with a spear and died."

Chen Shengyuan, an officer, stabbed a lobster soldier to death with a spear in hand-to-hand combat with the British army.

Afterwards, Daoguang praised Chen Shengshen alone: "Defend Chen Shengshen so as to promote him first." Chen Shengyuan turned over with a spear.

Chen Liansheng, the deputy commander, died in close combat during the battle with Shajiaobao in the suburbs. When people write poems in praise, they say:

"The attacker rushed to the public and the knife fell in close combat. If the knife is messy, many people will be divided. Although the public body is distracted, it will eventually be finished. "

Look at the tragic image of hand-to-hand combat at that time.

184 1 year, defending dinghai, three company commanders fought bloody battles with the British army for 6 days and nights, among which ge fought hand-to-hand with the British army:

"QinBing two hundred, a knife into the enemy, fought in the second. Killing people is nothing. " Finally, he died tragically, and the word "kill" was used in the draft of Qing history.

Let's talk about hand-to-hand combat recorded by the British army:

1842, in June, Wusongkou Battle, the British attacked Wusongkou Fort, and it was like this:

"The Chinese army (the Qing army) bravely ran out of the position, waving spears and fighting fiercely with Watson's troops."

The Qing army took the initiative to launch a hand-to-hand combat charge, and the weapons and equipment were spears. Because the British have attacked the battery, they can only fight hand to hand.

This is a fierce hand-to-hand combat. The British army had to fight them hand to hand.

"Watson's team also began to charge the enemy, but because the enemy (Qing army) held the position, the two armies once again fought hand-to-hand with spears and bayonets."

There were two hand-to-hand battles before and after, and finally all the Qing troops died. The British military concluded:

"Anyone who witnessed China (Qing army) soldiers defending their positions with such tenacious fighting spirit and determination can't refuse to pay full respect to China (Qing army) soldiers for their bravery."

This may be what I want to say to those who say that the Qing army is always crushed by British bayonets, because you have never seen the courage of the Qing army with your own eyes.

By the way, the Qing army is the subordinate of Chen Huacheng, the prefect of Jiangnan Navy.

The above British military records are selected from the "Wild Journey" by Bernard, a British military officer who participated in the battle.

1June 842, after the British attacked the fortress, hand-to-hand combat broke out between the two armies: "An old officer with his soldiers fought bravely with our army twice. Every time he is repelled, he will come back with his hand. " They all died in the end.

This is the Eight Banners Army under the command of Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhapu.

Finally, the Eight Banners veteran was wounded and captured, but refused to be treated by the British army, and left his last words: "If you (the British army) are willing to get my thanks, please write to tell my respected emperor that I have died in the front line and shed my last drop of blood."

Eventually die.

Aren't these words of the old officer more touching than telling the Fuehrer what I did?

Anyway, it's shocking every time I see it.

The above is selected from "A Record of the British Army's Late Operations in China" written by British officer Rillo.

As for the more frequent and fierce defense of Zhenjiang, I don't need to go into too many details.

I want to clarify the "truth" that the Qing army was killed by bayonets.