Campaign of Cherchell | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Andrea Doria | Hayreddin Barbarossa | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1,500 men 32 galleys 8 galleons 5 brigantines 2 lateen sails 3 ships | 35 galleys | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
heavy 600 captured 22 galleys | Unknown |
The Campaign of Cherchell occurred in July 1531, when Charles V sent the admiral Andrea Doria, to take Cherchell as a bridgehead in North Africa.[3][4]
A French fleet of 13 galleys took part under Andrea Doria.[1] Doria was supported by 32 galleys, eight galleons, five brigantines, two lateen sails, and three ships.[5]
In July 1531, the admiral left Genoa and landed at Cherchell with 1,500 men.[2] He seized the city and liberated several hundred Christian slaves.[2] While the troops disbanded to engage in looting, the Turks took advantage, massacred and routed the invaders,[6][2][3] as well as, took 600 captives.[3]
Some of the other Turks opened fire on the galleys. As a result, Doria set sail fearing that he might see his vessels sink and understanding that his soldiers were hopelessly lost.[7] Barbarossa, equipped with 35 galleys, attacked Doria near Genoa and burned 22 Genoese galleys.[4]