Battle of First Bar

Overview

The Battle of First Bar was fought between British and Chinese forces at First Bar Island and its surrounding area in the Pearl River, Guangdong province, China, on 27 February 1841 during the First Opium War.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Battle of First Bar took place on 27 February 1841 along the Pearl River in Guangdong province during the First Opium War. The engagement pitted British forces under Gordon Bremer and Thomas Herbert against a Qing Chinese force of approximately 2,000, resulting in roughly 300 Qing casualties. The battle was part of the broader British campaign to assert control over the Pearl River approaches, a strategically vital waterway linking the South China Sea to Guangzhou. Actions along this corridor were central to British efforts to compel Qing concessions during the war's early phase.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (2)