Algiers expedition (1541)
Algiers expedition | |||||||
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Part of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars | |||||||
Siege of Algiers in 1541, by Cornelis Anthonisz (1542) | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Hasan Agha | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
Total of 80 galleys Total of 500 ships[3] 12,000 sailors[3] 24,000 soldiers[3] Including: 100 transports[3] 50 galleys[3] 100 transports[3] 14 galleys 8 galleys 150 transports[3] 700 knights 2,000 troops[4] |
800 Odjak of Algiers 5,000 Moors[3][5] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
300 officers killed[3] 8,000[3] or 12,000[6][7] killed 150 ships sunk[3] | 200 killed[8] |
The 1541 Algiers expedition occurred when
Background
Algiers had been under the control of the Ottoman emperor
Charles V made considerable preparations for the expedition, wishing to obtain revenge for the recent siege of Buda.[9] However, the Spanish and Genoese fleets were severely damaged by a storm, forcing him to abandon the venture.[10][11]
Expedition
Charles V embarked very late in the season, on 28 September 1541, delayed by troubles in
After enduring difficult weather, the fleet only arrived in front of Algiers on 19 October as a storm formed.[14] The most distinguished Spanish commanders accompanied Charles V on this expedition, including Hernán Cortés, the conqueror of Mexico, though he was never invited to the War Council.[12]
Troops were disembarked on 23 October, and Charles established his headquarters on a land promontory surrounded by German troops.
The fate of the city seemed to be sealed; however, the following day the weather became severe, with heavy rain. Many galleys lost their anchors, and 15 were wrecked onshore. Another 33 carracks sank, while many more were dispersed.[16] As more troops were attempting to land, the Algerines started to make sorties, slaughtering the newly arrived. Charles V was surrounded, and was only saved by the resistance of the Knights of Malta.[17]
Losses amongst the invading force were heavy with 150 ships lost, plus large numbers of sailors and soldiers.[3] A Turkish chronicler confirmed that the Berber tribes massacred 12,000 invaders.[22] Leaving war materiel, including 100 to 200 guns which would be recovered to furnish the ramparts of Algiers, Charles' army was taken prisoner in such numbers that the markets of Algiers were filled with slaves; so much that in 1541, Christians were said to have been sold for an onion per head.[23] Hasan Agha was rewarded with the title of Beylerbey for his exploits over the Christian forces.[24]
Chronology
The chronology of the expedition reconstructed by Daniel Nordman.[25]
- October 18, 1541: departure of the expedition from Majorca;
- October 19: arrival of the expedition in sight of Algiers;
- October 20: At 7 a.m., the fleet is in the harbor of Algiers. At 3 p.m. the sea swells, Charles V's fleet takes shelter near Cape Matifou and the Spanish fleet at Cape Caxine;
- October 21: the fleet remains under cover;
- October 22: the fleet still in shelter but reconnaissance of the beach and water supply;
- 23 October: return of the Spanish fleet, landing of Spanish, then Italian and German troops (Charles V is ashore at 9 a.m.). Installation of the camp in Hamma. Night attack by the Algerians;
- October 24: Installation of Charles V's headquarters at Koudiat es-Saboun. Beginning of the fights. The storm rises around 9 p.m.;
- October 25: storm, Algerian sortie, combat of Ras Tafoura. The storm increases in power destroying part of the fleet with provisions and war material, the rest will take shelter at Cape Matifou;
- October 26: the storm lasts, Charles V is on the shore, the retreat is decided (the horses are slaughtered) along the sea to the Knis wadi;
- October 27: retreat to Wadi El-Harrach;
- October 28: crossing of the overflowing wadi;
- October 29: the retreat continues to Cape Matifou and gathering of forces;
- October 30: reconstitution of the forces with rest, council of war and repair of the fleet;
- 31 October: beginning of the re-embarkation of Italian troops;
- 1 November: re-embarkation of Charles V and German troops;
- 2 November: re-embarkation of Spanish troops. The sea is growing again;
- November 3: navigation in the storm;
- November 4: landing of Charles V at Bougie. Dispersal of the remains of the expedition fleet for Spain, Majorca and Sardinia;
- 5 November: arrival of the last five boats in Bougie.
Aftermath
The disaster considerably weakened the Spanish, and Hassan Agha took the opportunity to attack
See also
- Algiers Expedition (1516)
- Algiers Expedition (1519)
Notes
- ^ Berber Government: The Kabyle Polity in Pre-colonial Algeria, p191
- ISBN 978-0-8108-6480-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s The Story of the Barbary Corsairs by Stanley Lane-Poole p.114ff [1]
- ^ Murray (Firm), John; Playfair, Sir Robert Lambert (1887). Handbook for Travellers in Algeria and Tunis, Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Carthage, Etc. J. Murray.
- ^ Handbook for travellers in Algeria and Tunis, Algiers, Oran, Constantine ... by John Murray (Firm),Sir Robert Lambert Playfair p.38
- ISBN 0826514707. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
- ^ ibn Ruqaya al Tlemceni, Al Zahra nai'ra, p. 122[2]
- ^ ibn Ruqaya al Tlemceni, Al Zahra nai'ra, p. 120[3]
- ^ Garnier, p.201
- ^ European warfare, 1494–1660 by Jeremy Black p.177
- ^ E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913–1936 by Martijn Theodoor Houtsma p.258 [4]
- ^ a b c Garnier, p.202
- ^ Crowley 2013, p. 73
- ^ Garnier, p.203
- ^ de Haëdo, fray Diego (1881). Histoire des rois d'Alger(History of the Kings of Algiers), translated and annotated by H.-D. de Grammont. Alger: Bibliothèque nationale de France. p. 64.
- ^ Garnier, p.204ff
- ^ Garnier, p.204
- ^ Garnier, p.205
- ^ Garnier, p.207
- ^ Roger Crowley, Empires of the Sea, faber and faber 2008 p.73
- ^ Garnier, p.206
- ^ Garcés, María Antonia, p .24
- ^ Crowley 2013, p. 73
- ^ Spencer 1976, p. 27
- ISBN 978-2-35676-059-3.
- ^ A history of the Maghrib in the Islamic period by Jamil M. Abun-Nasr p.155 ff
References
- Crowley, Roger (2013). Empires of the Sea: The Final Battle for the Mediterranean, 1521-1580. Faber & Faber. ISBN 978-0-571-29819-8.
- Garnier, Edith L'Alliance Impie Editions du Felin, 2008, Paris
- Spencer, William (1976). Algiers in the Age of the Corsairs. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 978-0-8061-1334-0.