Siege of Chania (1660)

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Siege of Chania (1660)
Part of the Cretan War (Fifth Ottoman–Venetian War)
Jacob Peeters, Canea in Candia (FL147393037 2370131).jpg
Map of Lemnos, Ottoman drawing
Date25 August – 15 September 1660
Location
Result Ottoman victory
Belligerents
Ottoman red flag.svg  Ottoman Empire Flag of the Serene Republic of Venice.svg  Republic of Venice
Royal Standard of the King of France.svg  France
Flag of the Order of St. John (various).svg Knights of Malta
Flag of the Papal States (pre 1808).svg  Papal States
Flag of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (Medici period).svg Duchy of Tuscany
Commanders and leaders
UnknownWar flag of the Serene Republic of Venice.svg Francesco Morosini
Royal Standard of the King of France.svg Almerigo d'Este
Royal Standard of the King of France.svg Chevalier Paul
Flag of the Order of St. John (various).svg Fabrizio Ruffo
Strength
Unknown
Reinforcements:
4,200 men
8,000 men
35 galleys
6 galleasses
35 ships
30 small crafts
Casualties and losses
Heavy Heavy

The Siege of Chania in 1660 was an attempt by the Christian forces to recapture the city from the Ottoman hold. The Ottoman managed to thwart the Christian attempt to capture the city.

Contents

Background

In 1660, the Venetian general, Francesco Morosini, began his naval campaign by attacking Negroponte. The attack failed. Morosini then headed towards Kythira to meet the Allied forces in late April. On May 8, 7 Maltese galleys led by Fabrizio Ruffo. On June 28, The Venetians and Maltese were joined by 4 Papal and 3 Tuscan galleys. The next day, they were joined by a French fleet of 17 ships under Chevalier Paul consisting of 4,000 men. On August 2, the French commander, Almerigo d'Este, arrived. Disputes between the Christian commanders delayed the campaign but on the 22nd, they were able to sail for Crete with a total ships of 35 galleys, 6 galleasses, 35 ships, and 30 small crafts. [1] [2] [3]

Siege

On the 25th, [4] the Christian forces arrived in Souda bay. The Christians entered the bay under heavy Ottoman artillery fire. [5] The troops landed 8,000 men. [6] The Christians led by Morosini and d'Este attacked the fort of S. Veneranda, and despite its capture, the Christians sustained heavy losses. [7] [8] The French then moved to besiege the city of Chania, while the Venetians assaulted the minor forts of Calogero, Calami, and Castello dell'Apricorno. [9] [10] [11] [12] The Ottomans at Cnadia learned of the attack and dispatched a force of 4,000 men during which the Christian forces were heavily pressing on Chania. However, only 3,000 were able to enter the city, had the Venetian forces acted more seriously, they could have prevented them from entering. Later on, the Ottomans were able to reinforce the castle with 1,200 men, despite Christian efforts to stop them. With Chania being reinforced, [13] the Christians abandoned the attack and reembarked on 15 September. [14]

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References

  1. Kenneth Meyer Setton, p. 189-190
  2. Anderson, R.C, p. 171-172
  3. Sir Paul Rycaut, p. 59
  4. Anderson, R.C, p. 172
  5. Kenneth Meyer Setton, p. 190
  6. Anderson, R.C, p. 172
  7. Kenneth Meyer Setton, p. 190
  8. Joseph von Hammer, p. 73
  9. Kenneth Meyer Setton, p. 190
  10. Joseph von Hammer, p. 73
  11. Sir Paul Rycaut, p. 59
  12. Anderson, R.C, p. 172
  13. Joseph von Hammer, p. 73
  14. Anderson, R.C, p. 172

Sources