On this day 5 July - the Battle of Chesma

[7eat51]

On the 5th of July 1770, the Battle of Chesma began in and around Çeşme Bay, on the west coast of Turkey. Russian and Ottoman ships fought for three days, culminating in a Russian victory that had ramifications throughout the region; Russia was able to exercise control over the Aegean Sea, and minority groups were encouraged to rebel against the Ottoman Empire.

The battle began at 11:45 a.m. with the Ottoman fleet, under the command of Kapudan Pasha Mandalzade Hüsameddin, opening fire upon the Russians, under the command of Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov. For a little over two hours, fighting occurred between the two lines, with separate engagements erupting as ships left their assigned positions. In the afternoon, the Ottomans retreated into the bay, setting up a defensive position. Throughout the following day, the Russian fleet bombarded the Ottoman line and land positions. Just after midnight on the 7th, the Russians attacked the Ottoman vessels, including the use of fireships. At 8:00 a.m., the battle ended, with a significant portion of the Ottoman fleet destroyed.

Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov:



The Battle:








For more on today's event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chesma

[Berthier]

Nice account of an unknown battle to most of us, well me at least.