Battle of Red Cliffs
208 CE · Chibi (northwest of present-day Chibi, Hubei) · China · Ancient
Huang Gai feigned surrender and launched a fire attack, and the allies burned Cao Cao's warships and crushed his army
Belligerents
Sun-Liu coalition
- Commanders
- Zhou Yu, Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang
- Strength
- About 50,000
Cao Cao
- Commanders
- Cao Cao
- Strength
- Said to be 800,000, actually over 200,000
Background
Cao Cao marched south against Jingzhou and sailed down the Yangtze, intending to swallow Jiangdong in one stroke. Sun Quan and Liu Bei formed an alliance to resist him, with Zhou Yu as commander-in-chief.
Course of the battle
- Cao army advances southCao Cao's great army advanced east down the river and encamped at Wulin on the north bank
- Standoff across the riverThe allies blocked Cao Cao's army at Red Cliffs, while Cao Cao chained his ships together with iron links
- Fire at WulinHuang Gai feigned surrender and launched a surprise attack with fireships, and the wind-driven flames burned Cao Cao's fleet to the last ship
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 208 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Chibi (northwest of present-day Chibi, Hubei) |
| Result | Huang Gai feigned surrender and launched a fire attack, and the allies burned Cao Cao's warships and crushed his army |
| Winner | Sun-Liu coalition |
| Casualties | Cao Cao's warships were all burned, and many of his soldiers died by fire, drowning or disease |
| Territorial change | Checked in his southward advance, Cao Cao withdrew to the north, and the tripartite division of the realm took shape |
Impact
The famous battle in which the few defeated the many, laying the foundation for the Three Kingdoms.
See the world in 208 on the map →