THE ROLE OF AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NAVY IN THE REPRESSION

OF CHINESE BOXER REBELLION

Compiled and translated by Captain András VEPERDI,

formerly Chief Officer in the Hungarian Merchant Marine.

The Boxer Movement or Boxer Rebellion was a Chinese rebellion from November 1899 to September 7, 1901, against foreign influence in areas such as trade, politics, religion and technology occurred in China during the final years of the Manchu rule. The Rebellion began as an anti-foreign, anti-imperialist peasant-based, and in the beginning anti-Chinese Government movement, in Northern China. They attacked foreigners, who were building railroads and violating traditional Chinese doctrines, as well the Christians, who were held responsible for the foreign domination of China. The troops of Chinese Government in the beginning fought against the Boxers, but the Imperial Court skilfully has turned the rebellion entirely against the foreigners. The Chinese Empress has issued an edict, in which she had provided support to the Boxers, drawing heated complaints from foreign diplomats in January, 1900.

The Boxer Rebellion became ever bloodier, so in springtime of 1900, United Kingdom, USA, Germany, Italy, France, Russia and Austria-Hungary have organised a fleet demonstration in the port of Taku (Takou), situated near to the city of Tien-Tsin (Tianjan). Japan also has joined to the mentioned Powers. On May 31, before the sieges of the Embassies and Legations in Peking (Beijing) could have started, the warships of the above mentioned eight Powers have landed a Detachment of 438 men, and it was dispatched by train from Taku to the capital city. The Detachment consisted of: 75 Russian, 75 British, 60 American, 50 German, 40 Italian, 33 Austro-Hungarian and 30 Japanese seamen.

At this time only S.M.S. Zenta protected cruiser of the Austro-Hungarian Navy was on the waters of Far-East, and she was directed immediately by Vienna to the Chinese coast. At home the Austro-Hungarian Government also made preparations to send there other three warships. Rear-Admiral Count Rudolf Montecuccoli was appointed to commander of the so established Squadron.

S.M.S. Zenta protected cruiser.

The S.M.S. Zenta arrived at Taku anchorage on 2^nd of June, and on next day has dispatched 30 sailors under one officer and two midshipmen to Peking to protect the Legations and subjects of Austria-Hungary. In short time another Detachment of 70 sailors were dispatched under Commander Eduard Thomann von Montalmar, (Captain of Zenta) and one officer, but they could get only to Tien-Tsin, because the Boxers have severed the railway between Tien-Tsin and Peking.

In June 1900 the Boxers, now joined by elements of the Imperial Army, attacked Tien-Tsin and Peking, and killed 230 foreigners. The endangered foreigners Legations were situated on the Legation Quarter close to the Forbidden City, where all foreigner subjects were colleted. The German legation on the other side of the city was stormed before the staff could escape, and the Envoy for the German Empire, Klemens Freiherr von Ketteler, was murdered on June 20 in the street. The Empress declared war on June 21 against all Western Powers, but regional governors refused to go along. The fortified legation compound remained under siege from Boxer forces from June 20 to August 14.

As the situation worsened, a second International force of 2,000 marines under the command of the British Vice Admiral Edward Seymour, which included also seven field guns and their gunners of S.M.S. Zenta, was dispatched from Taku to Peking on June 10.

Eight-Nation Alliance

Military of the Powers during the Boxer Rebellion, with their naval flags, from left to right: Italy, United States, France, Austria-Hungary, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Russia. Japanese print, 1900.

The troops were transported by train from Takou to Tien-Tsin with the agreement of the Chinese government, but the railway between Tien-Tsin and Peking had been severed. As the distance between two cities was only 120 kilometres, Seymour however moved forward on foot and in meantime they have worked on the repairs of railway. They had their first encounter with the Boxers on 11^th June.

After Tien-Tsin however, the convoy was attacked from all parts by Chinese irregulars and even Chinese governmental troops. News arrived on June 18 regarding attacks on foreign legations. Seymour decided to continue advancing, this time along the Peiho river, towards Tong-Tcheou, 25 kilometres from Peking. They had to abandon on the 19th due to stiff resistance, and started to retreat southward along the river. The wounded were so numerous that they had to be carried in junks along the river, pulled along with ropes by healthy combatants on the banks. The retiring allied forces managed to take-over the Fort of Hsi-Kou, in which they were surrounded until June 25 when finally a regiment composed essentially of Russian troops from Port-Arthur arrived and relieved them. They completed their retreat back to Tien-Tsin on June 26, with the loss of 350 men.

Admiral Seymour returning to Tien-Tsin with his wounded men, on June 26.

With a difficult military situation in Tien-Tsin, and a total breakdown of communications between Tien-Tsin and Peking, the allied nations took steps to reinforce their military presence. The Boxers on 17^th June have opened gun fire from the fortresses of Taku on the ships anchored in the bay. The warships have replied with their guns and the Chinese batteries were silenced. Following the gunfire the Europeans have stormed the Forts, and with a heavy close-combat captured Taku commanding the approaches to Tien-Tsin. After that they have landed more troops.

Meanwhile the War Ministry of Vienna on 23^rd June has dispatched S.M.S. Kaiserin und Königin Maria Theresia armoured cruiser to the Chinese waters. She arrived at Taku on 7^th August, where she landed a Detachment of 160 sailors with two landing guns. The Detachment joined the fight.

S.M.S. Kaiserin und Königin Maria Theresia armoured cruiser.

The international force reinforced with infantry and artillery, with British Lt-General Alfred Gaselee acting as commanding officer, called Eight-Nation Alliance, eventually numbered 54 000, finally took off to relieve the besieged European and Japanese Legation Quarters. The composition of this force was as follows: Japanese (20,840), Russian (13,150), British (12,020), French (3,520), American (3,420), German (900), Italian (80), Austro-Hungarian (75), (at this time only the S.M.S. Zenta was available) and anti-Boxer Chinese troops. This international force captured Tien-Tsin on 14^th June after one day fighting.

The capture of the southern gate of Tien-Tsin. British troops were positioned on the left, Japanese troops at the centre, French troops on the right.

The cruisers Kaiserin Elisabeth and the Aspern have sailed from Pola to Far-East on 24^th July 1900. The commander of the Austro-Hungarian Squadron, Rear-Admiral Count Montecuccoli was on board Kaiserin Elisabeth. The ships arrived at Taku on 7^th September, where landed more Detachments of sailors. These Detachments after a trip on land arrived at Peking on 17^th September and provided protection to the Austro-Hungarian Legations, and took their parts from the protracted fights.

S.M.S. Kaiserin Elisabeth.

S.M.S. Aspern protected cruiser

The march from Tien-Tsin to Peking of about 120 km consisted of about 20,000 allied troops, while their adversaries on August 4 consisted of approximately 70,000 Imperial troops with anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 Boxers. They only encountered minor resistance and a smaller battle was engaged in Yangcun, about 30 km outside Tien-Tsin. However, the weather was a major obstacle, extremely humid with temperatures sometimes reaching 43°Celsius.

The International Force reached and occupied Peking on 14^th august. In the bitter fights there were great casualties on both sides. In the combat around Peking a shell fragment hit the chest of Commander Eduard Thomann von Montalmar, the Captain of Zenta, who was buried temporarily in the garden of French Legation. Later on he was exhumed, and then his body was placed into the new crypt of Austro-Hungarian Embassy to rest in peace. In a short time a street of Peking was named after him.

Parade of the foreign armies in Beijing.

From the Landing Party of Zenta were killed, Midshipmen Lajos Pap and five sailors, and Midshipmen Baron Boyneburg and Mayer, Lieutenant György Demeter, and 26 sailors got heavy wounds. In these were the Hungarian Kántor, Szemenyey and Jánossy. Midshipman Mayer and five sailors have died later from their wounds.

The fights have continued for a long time after taking Peking, and altogether 500 seamen from the Austro-Hungarian cruisers took part in the land engagements. Our seamen have fought their most bitter combats in the attacks against the Fort of Peitang, at the mouth of river Peiho.

The S.M.S. Kaiserin Elisabeth and S.M.S. Zenta on 22^nd June of 1901 received orders to return home. The S.M.S. Kaiserin und Königin Maria Theresia and S.M.S. Aspern have remained as station ships in China. The S.M.S. Zenta, arrived back at Pola on 1^st October 1901, and got a silk Flag of Honour for her Chinese actions.

Sources:

Wladimir Aichelburg: Register der k.(u)k. Kriegsschiffe, Von Abbondanza bis Zrínyi

Dr. Csonkaréti Károly: Császári és királyi Hadihajók

Dr. Gáspár Ferenc: A tengerészet lovagkora

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