Turgut Reis: Greek Admiral At Ottoman Navy.

 

Source: Byografia.

Today, we will discuss about Turgut Reis, Greek Admiral at Ottoman Navy. He is one Greek admiral who contribute at Ottoman Conquest at Mediterranean Sea. He is one Ottoman Admiral who maybe not populer at Ottoman History Study. But, his role not defeat with Khayr Addin Barbarossa. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more information about Islamic History.

Turgut Reis, born at 1485 AD, he born at Mediterranian Coastal that under Ottoman Empire. He came from Greece and at early life, is Christian.  He convert to Islam when became Ottoman  Ship Crew and he can became Ottoman Admiral. He became Ottoman Admiral for territories of Egypt that captured by Ottoman Empire from Kingdom Of Mameluke.

At 1520 AD, Turgut became one member from Ottoman Navy that lead by Khayr Addin Barbarossa. He join Khair Addin at mission save Spanish Muslims from oppresed that doing by Kingdom Of Spain, At this operation, he faced navy from Duchy Of Venice, Kingdom Of Napoly and Knight Of Hospitaller. Turgut also join Khair Addin Barbarossa at Battle Of Preveza at 1528 AD. At this battle, Ottoman Navy faced European Coalition Navy that consist from 60.000 army and 600 warships. Ottoman Navy only bring 122 warships and 22.000 army. Turgut has big service, at this battle, until Ottoman Navy can won this battle.

For know about Khair Addin Barbarossa , you can open this article:
Khair Addin Barbarossa: Pirates Who Save Spanish Muslims. Part 1 - ACITYA HISTORY

Khair Addin Barbarossa: Part 2: The Legendary Battle Of Preveza. - ACITYA HISTORY

At  1551 AD, Turgut captured Tripoly at Libya from Knight Of  ST.John/Hospitaller, one Crusader Elite Army who make it as command center for rob Islamic Ships. At 1553 AD, Turgut Reis captured Island Of Corsica from  Republic Of Genoa, ally from Charles V, King Of Spain and captured Genoese Castle at this island.  At 1554 AD, Turgut defeat European Navy under  Andrea Doria at Island Of Jerba and captured this island.

At 1565 AD, Turgut and Ottoman Navy went to  Island Of Malta, one basic of Knight Of Hospitaller for captured it.  Factor from this expedition is several Knight Of Hospitaller captured several Turkish Trader at sea.  At 1565 AD, Ottoman Sultan, Sulaiman Al-Qanuni send several ship contained a number of warriors to Malta. According Historian Harold Lamb, Ottoman Navy contained 4.500 Janissaries, Ottoman Elite Army , 7.500 Sipahis Army, and 18.000 enginers, marines,  light infantrymens, and other. Knight Of Hospitaller defend Island Of Malta with 500 knights, 1.300 mercenaries, with 4000 marines and Maltese Militia.

Ottoman Army under Turgut landed at Malta and they besieged Fortress Of ST. Elmo, prime fortress from Knight Of Hospitaller.  Knight Of Hospitaller lead by  Grand Master La Valette.  Hospitaller Knight defense their fortress and Ottoman Canon attack wall of ST.Elmo. Ottoman Army under Turgut Reis  break to fortress and at  this time, Turgut die as martyr because his head broke because  shards of stone from fortress. Ottoman Army not success captured Malta because Malta get reinforcement from Sicilian Navy that moved to Malta. Sicily is one Kingdom Of Spain s territories. Spanish Governor at Sicily, Garcia de Toledo went to Malta with 70 galley ships and 10.000 Sicilian Warriors.  Remnant Of Turkish Warrior landed at East Coastal Of Malta and tried to attack Sicilian Navy. But Garcia de Toledo can defeat them and Ottoman Navy retreat to Capital Of Ottoman Empire, Istanbul ( Constantinople). Turgut s struggle next by his student, Kilic Ali, who save remnant of Ottoman Army from Malta. For Kilic Ali s biography, you can read this article:
Kilic Ali: Forgotten Muslim Sailors From Italy - ACITYA HISTORY

Refrences:

At-Turbani, Jihad: 100 Tokoh Islam Yang Mengubah Sejarah, Penerbit Aqwam, 2016 M.

Lamb, Harold: Sulaiman Al Qanuni: Kehidupan Politik dan Pribadi Sultan Agung Turki Utsmani, Penerbit Alvabet, 2022 M.

Maksudoglu, Prof.DR.Mehmet: The Untold History Of Ottoman: Menelusuri Daulah Islamiyah Terbesar di Dunia dan Pemerintahannya, Pustaka Al-Kautsar, 2023 M.