21. The British captured the Taku forts in a joint Anglo-French operation in 1860
During the summer of 1860, another combined force of just under 7,000 French and 11,000 British soldiers was formed at Hong Kong. It traveled by water to Beitang, about ten miles distant from the Taku forts, arriving on August 3. By August 12 the entire force was ashore and the advance units drove the harassing Qing troops before them as they approached the forts. Batteries were established to silence the Chinese artillery, and an assault on the northernmost fortification – considered by British commanders to be the key to the system – was prepared. On the morning of August 21, a four-hour bombardment preceded the infantry assault.
After the first fort was captured following an assault which featured heavy fighting, an emissary from the southernmost fort approached the Anglo-French force under a flag of truce. The allies ignored the emissary and assaulted the southern fort, which offered minimal resistance and was quickly captured, and the Qing troops hastily withdrew from the remaining forts. Beijing was exposed to the Anglo-French forces, and they advanced toward the city after capturing Tianjin, the last obstacle in their path. During their approach, a diplomatic incident occurred which led to British negotiators including Harry Parkes being arrested by the Chinese, tortured, and in some cases executed.