Battle of Hammamet
| Battle of Hammamet | |
|---|---|
| Part of Spanish–Ottoman wars | |
| Date 14 August 1605 Location Hammamet, Tunisia Result Ottoman-Tunisian victory | |
| Belligerents | |
| Spanish Empire Kingdom of Sicily Knights Hospitaller |
Ottoman Empire Tunisia |
| Commanders and leaders | |
| Juan de Padilla Manrique y Acuña † | Unknown |
| Strength | |
| 1,200–1,400 men 10 ships Sicily 6-7 ships Maltese 3-4 ships |
Unknown |
| Casualties and losses | |
| 500–1,000 killed | Unknown |
The Battle of Hammamet was an attack by the Spanish-Sicilian-Maltese fleet on the Tunisian town Hammamet, the campaign ended in a fiasco and massacre for the allied troops.
Battle
In 1605, a fleet of 10 ships consisting of 6[1] or 7[2][3] Sicilian ships, 3[4][5] or 4 Maltese ships[6] and 1,200[7] or 1,400[8][9] men, the aim was to attack the city of Hammamet, The allied forces was led by the Spanish commander Juan de Padilla Manrique y Acuña, Adelantado of Castile,[10] they landed on 14 August[11] and the Allied troops quickly captured the city, slaying its entire garrison and capturing a few women, according to Alonso de Contreras. A trumpet sound was heard, which prompted a retreat. Since no one knew who ordered the retreat, the allied troops withdrew back to their ships, with the whole army on the beach ahead. Seeing this, the Tunisians attacked them. On top of this, a storm wrecked the ships, making the escape impossible, and the allied troops were surrounded and massacred. The Adelantado tried to swim but was killed.[12] in the ensuing massacre, 500[13] or 1,000[14] were killed in the expedition.
References
- Back to citation Arne Zuidhoek, The Pirate Encyclopedia, The Pirate's Way, p. 16
- Back to citation Anderson, R.C, Naval wars in the Levant, 1559-1853, p. 71
- Back to citation Amos Perry, Carthage and Tunis Past and Present: in Two Parts, p. 185
- Back to citation Anderson, R.C, p. 71
- Back to citation Amos Perry, p. 185
- Back to citation Arne Zuidhoek, p. 16
- Back to citation Arne Zuidhoek, p. 16
- Back to citation Anderson, R.C, p. 71
- Back to citation Amos Perry, p. 185
- Back to citation Anderson, R.C, p. 71
- Back to citation Anderson, R.C, p. 71
- Back to citation Arne Zuidhoek, p. 16
- Back to citation Anderson, R.C, p. 71
- Back to citation Alan G. Jamieson, Lords of the Sea, A History of the Barbary Corsairs, p. 125