Conflict: | Hammamet Expedition 1605 |
Partof: | the Ottoman–Habsburg wars |
Date: | 14 August 1605 |
Place: | Hammamet, Tunisia |
Result: | Ottoman-Tunisian victory |
Combatant1: | |
Combatant2: | Ottoman Empire |
Commander1: | Adelantado of Castile |
Commander2: | Unknown |
Strength1: | 1,200-1,400 men 10 ships Sicily
Maltese
|
Strength2: | Unknown |
Casualties1: | 500-1,000 killed |
Casualties2: | 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.
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.