Hammamet Expedition 1605
Part of the Ottoman–Habsburg wars
Date14 August 1605
Location
Hammamet, Tunisia
Result Ottoman-Tunisian victory
Belligerents

 Spanish Empire

Sovereign Military Order of Malta Knights Hospitaller

Ottoman Empire

Commanders and leaders
Spanish Empire Adelantado of Castile † 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 Adelantado of Castile,[10] they landed in 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. Adelanto tried to swim but was killed.[12] in the ensuing massacre, 500[13] or 1,000[14] were killed in the expedition.

References

  1. ↑ Arne Zuidhoek, The Pirate Encyclopedia, The Pirate's Way, p. 16
  2. ↑ Anderson, R.C, Naval wars in the Levant, 1559-1853, p.  71
  3. ↑ Amos Perry, Carthage and Tunis Past and Present: in Two Parts, p. 185
  4. ↑ Anderson, R.C, p. 71
  5. ↑ Amos Perry, p. 185
  6. ↑ Arne Zuidhoek, p. 16
  7. ↑ Arne Zuidhoek, p. 16
  8. ↑ Anderson, R.C, p. 71
  9. ↑ Amos Perry, p. 185
  10. ↑ Anderson, R.C, p. 71
  11. ↑ Anderson, R.C, p. 71
  12. ↑ Arne Zuidhoek, p. 16
  13. ↑ Anderson, R.C, p. 71
  14. ↑ Alan G. Jamieson, Lords of the Sea, A History of the Barbary Corsairs, p. 125
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