Invasion of Gozo (1551)

Invasion of Gozo
Part of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars
The Cittadella of Gozo today.
Date July 1551 Location Malta and Gozo Result Ottoman victory
Belligerents
Ottoman Empire	Order of Saint John Maltese civilians
Commanders and leaders
Sinan Pasha Sala Reis Dragut Reis	Juan de Homedes Nicolas Durand de Villegaignon Gelatian de Sessa  (POW)
Strength
10,000	unknown
Casualties and losses
unknown	5,000 to 7,000 slaves

The Invasion of Gozo took place in July 1551, and was accomplished by the Ottoman Empire against the island of Gozo, following an unsuccessful attempt to conquer nearby Malta on 18 July 1551. It was followed by a victorious campaign with the Siege of Tripoli.

The Commander of the Ottoman fleet was Sinan Pasha, accompanied by Sala Reis and Dragut Reis. The Ottomans initially landed on Malta, at Marsamxett, and a force of 10,000 men marched upon Birgu and Fort St Angelo, but they realised that these were too well fortified to be conquered easily. Therefore, the Ottomans turned their attention to Mdina, looting and burning the villages on the way. Meanwhile, the Knights in Mdina, under the command of Fra Villeganion, asked the people living in the villages to seek refuge in the city and to help defend it. When the Ottomans arrived they discovered a large garrison defending the city so they decided against the plan of attacking the city since they did not want to fight a long siege. Meanwhile, a relief fleet attacked the Ottoman ships anchored at Marsamxett.

The Ottoman then decided to attack nearby Gozo, which was under the command of Governor Gelatian de Sessa. After a few days of bombardment, de Sessa attempted to negotiate with Sinan Pasha, however the latter rejected the terms. A few days later the Citadel capitulated. About 300 people escaped from the Citadel by climbing down its walls and hid from the Ottomans. The other 6,000 people, including Governor de Sessa and the Knights, were taken captive and ended up in slavery, being sailed to Tripoli on 30 July. The Ottomans only spared a monk and forty elderly Gozitans.

According to legend, one of the defenders named Bernardo Dupuo (also known as Bernardo da Fonte or de Opuo) fought bravely when Ottomans breached the city walls, and killed his own wife and two daughters preferring death over slavery before he himself was killed by the invading forces. A street in the Citadel is named after him, and outside his house lies a plaque commemorating his death.

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Wikipedia