Battle of Bodrum (1773) explained

Conflict:Battle of Bodrum (1773)
Partof:the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774)
Date:11–12 August 1773
Place:Bodrum, Ottoman Empire
Map Type:Europe#Turkey
Map Relief:1
Map Size:300
Map Mark:Battle icon (crossed swords).svg
Map Marksize:20
Result:Ottoman victory
Commander1: Dizdar Mustafa Ağa
Strength1:Hundreds
1 ship of the line
Strength2:Over 2,500
4 ships of the line
3 frigates
3 bomb vessels
Casualties1:
Casualties2:Heavy

The battle of Bodrum was a naval battle fought between 11 and 12 August 1773 at the Ottoman city of Bodrum. The Ottoman force was led by Dizdar Mustafa Ağa, whilst the Russian navy was commanded by . The battle was part of the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774), and resulted in an Ottoman victory.

Prelude

In 1773, the Imperial Russian Navy shifted their focus to the Aegean Sea once more under the general leadership of Grigory Spiridov, who assigned with capturing the Ottoman fortifications in Bodrum and Kos.[1] Elmanov was given four ships of the line (Sv. Georgii Pobyedonosets, Trech Svyatitelei, Trech Ierarchov, Saratov); three frigates (Syevernyi Orel, Tino, Pobyeda); three bomb vessels and thousands of soldiers.[2]

The Russians had already unsuccessfully attacked Bodrum a few months prior. In a letter dated 13 May 1773, the defender of Bodrum Castle, Dizdar Mustafa Ağa, informed notables of the city that he had defended Bodrum with 200 men against Russian bombardment.[3]

Battle

On 11 August 1773, bombarded Bodrum Castle around 7:00 PM. He landed 1,000 soldiers onshore, followed by an additional 1,500 soldiers around 4:00 AM the next morning. The ensuing battle ended in defeat for the Russian forces. Having suffered heavy losses, the Russians hurriedly boarded their ships to flee from Bodrum. The Ottomans, on the other hand, lost 2 galiots and a felucca. Although a Turkish ship of the line was hit, it did not suffer considerable damage.

Aftermath

After his failure at Bodrum, would sail to İstanköy (Kos) and bombard it between 16 and 18 August 1773. After the battle, the Russians were forced to withdraw with very heavy losses after clashing with the forces of Osman Pasha.[4]

Bodrum was attacked once again on 15 April 1774 by Alexei Orlov. The Russians were repelled by a small Ottoman garrison, having lost 300 men.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Büyüktuğrul, Afif. Osmanlı Deniz Harp Tarihi . History of Ottoman Naval Warfare . Istanbul. 1970 . tr. 2. T.C. Genelkurmay Başkanlığı Deniz Kuvvetleri Komutanlığı Yayınları. 238–239.
  2. Book: Anderson, Roger C.. 1952. Naval Wars in the Levant, 1559–1853. . . 9781578985388. R. C. Anderson. 303.
  3. Yiğit . Ahmet . 2009 . 165 nolu Bodrum Şer’i̇yye Si̇ci̇li̇nde Bulunan Deni̇zci̇li̇ğe Dai̇r Kayitlar. Maritime Records in Bodrum Şer’i̇yye Registry, No. 165. tr . Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi . 22 . 119 . Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Press.
  4. Book: von Hammer-Purgstall, Joseph. Joseph von Hammer-Purgstall. Büyük Osmanlı Tarihi . Great Ottoman History . tr . Üçdal Neşriyat. 16. Refik . Özdek. Mümin. Çevik. Istanbul. 1839. 236–237.