Campaign of Cherchell (1531)

Campaign of Cherchell
	Part of Spanish–Ottoman wars
Date	July 1531
Location	Cherchell
Result	Algerian victory
Belligerents
Empire of Charles V: Spain; Genoa; ; France	Regency of Algiers
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.

A French fleet of 13 galleys took part under Andrea Doria. Doria was supported by 32 galleys, eight galleons, five brigantines, two lateen sails, and three ships.

In July 1531, the admiral left Genoa and landed at Cherchell with 1,500 men. He seized the city and liberated several hundred Christian slaves. While the troops disbanded to engage in looting, the Turks took advantage, massacred and routed the invaders, as well as, took 600 captives.

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. Barbarossa, equipped with 35 galleys, attacked Doria near Genoa and burned 22 Genoese galleys.