Algiers expedition (1516)

Algiers expedition (1516)
DateSeptember/October 1516[1]
Location
Algiers
Result Algerian victory
Belligerents
Sultanate of Algiers
Flag of Kingdom of Kuku Kingdom of Kuku[1]		 Flag of Spanish Empire Spanish Empire
Sheikh of Ténès
Commanders and leaders
Oruç Reis
Sidi Ahmed[1]
Hayreddin Barbarossa		 Diego de Vera
Sheikh of Ténès
Units involved
1,500 men[2][3] 10,000[4] or 15,000[5] men under Diego de Vera
10,000 Moors under the Sheikh of Ténès[6][7]
Total: 20,000–25,000 men
Casualties and losses
Very few 3,000 killed or wounded[8]
400 captured[9]
8,000 men lost in total[10]

The Algiers expedition of 1516 was an unsuccessful military campaign by the Spanish Empire and the Sheikh of Ténès to overthrow the newly formed Sultanate of Algiers.

The previous sovereign of Algiers had been executed by Oruç Barbarossa, who took power in Algiers. The Spanish, along with the Sheikh of Ténès, wanted to drive out Barbarossa and replace him with the son of the previous prince. The expedition included 10,000 or 15,000 men along with 10,000 Moors from Ténès. Barbarossa's forces included only 1,500 men. [11][12]

In 1516, the invading fleet set sail for Algiers. However, a storm wrecked the fleet while in transit. When the survivors reached Algiers, they were easily routed by Barbarossa's forces.[13]

The Spaniards suffered casualties of 3,000 killed or wounded and 400 captured.[14] In total 8,000 men were lost.[15] The Algerian forces had few casualties.

  1. ^ a b c Berber Government: The Kabyle Polity in Pre-colonial Algeria By Hugh Roberts “in late September/early October 1516, a Spanish expeditionary force commanded by Diego de Vera transported by a fleet of some 30 vessels came to the support of the beleaguered garrison on the Peñon by mounting a concerted attack on Algiers, only to be routed by a fierce counter-attack led by Aruj, supported by Ou l-Qadi’s forces”
  2. ^ World: Comprising a General History, Both Ancient and Modern, of All the Principal Nations of the Globe, Their Rise, Progress, Present Condition, Etc, Volume 2
  3. ^ Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.
  4. ^ World: Comprising a General History, Both Ancient and Modern, of All the Principal Nations of the Globe, Their Rise, Progress, Present Condition, Etc, Volume 2
  5. ^ Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.
  6. ^ World: Comprising a General History, Both Ancient and Modern, of All the Principal Nations of the Globe, Their Rise, Progress, Present Condition, Etc, Volume 2
  7. ^ The History of the World: Comprising a General History, Both Ancient and Modern, of All the Principal Nations of the Globe, Their Rise, Progress, Present Condition, Etc, Volume 2
  8. ^ Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.
  9. ^ Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.
  10. ^ The Works of Sir Walter Ralegh, Kt., Now First Collected: Miscellaneous works
  11. ^ Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.
  12. ^ The History of the World: Comprising a General History, Both Ancient and Modern, of All the Principal Nations of the Globe, Their Rise, Progress, Present Condition, Etc, Volume 2
  13. ^ The History of the World: Comprising a General History, Both Ancient and Modern, of All the Principal Nations of the Globe, Their Rise, Progress, Present Condition, Etc, Volume 2
  14. ^ Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492-2015, 4th ed.
  15. ^ The Works of Sir Walter Ralegh, Kt., Now First Collected: Miscellaneous works