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Draft:Battle of Hal Tarxien (1759)

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Battle of Ħal Tarxien (1759)
Part of the Mediterranean Conflicts

Depiction of the Battle of Ħal Tarxien, 1759. This painting captures the intensity of the conflict between the Knights of St. John and Maltese militia against the Barbary corsairs in the small village of Ħal Tarxien, Malta.
DateJuly 12, 1759
Location
Ħal Tarxien, Malta
Result Decisive Maltese Victory
Belligerents
Knights of St. John Barbary Corsairs
Commanders and leaders
Ferdinand von Hompeschzu Bolheim Amir Yusuf Al-Hassan
Strength
Approximately 1,200 soldiers Estimated 1730 raiders
Casualties and losses
~ 200 dead or wounded ~ 850 dead or captured, remainder fled

The Battle of Ħal Tarxien is a lesser-known skirmish that took place in Malta during the height of Mediterranean piracy primarily within the borders of Tarxien[1]. By 1759, the island of Malta had already established itself as a strategic stronghold under the control of the Knights of St. John. However, frequent raids by Barbary corsairs threatened the island's security and its population.[2]

Background

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In early July 1759, reports reached Grand Master Ferdinand von Hompeschzu Bolheim of an impending large-scale raid by a fleet of Barbary corsairs. The corsairs, under the command of Amir Yusuf Al-Hassan, planned to land near the small village of Ħal Tarxien, located just outside Valletta, to capture slaves and loot the countryside.

In response, Bolehim swiftly organized a defense force composed of the Knights of St. John and the local Maltese militia.[3] The command of this force was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Perrée, a seasoned French veteran of previous engagements with the corsairs.

Battle

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On the morning of July 12, the Barbary corsairs initiated their assault on Ħal Tarxien. The Maltese defenders, who had prepared their defenses, confronted the attackers with determined resistance. The battle continued for several hours, with the corsairs launching multiple attempts to breach the village’s fortifications.[4]

Although the Maltese forces were outnumbered, they effectively used the terrain and their knowledge of the local area to mount a strategic defense. A counterattack led by Captain Bonaventura Bontadini disrupted the corsairs' formation, ultimately leading them to retreat toward their ships. [5] As the Knights of St. John and the Maltese militia advanced, the corsairs' withdrawal turned into a disorderly retreat, resulting in significant casualties.

Legacy

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Given that naval wars were extremely prevalent in this time period, [6] the battle is occasionally cited in Maltese folklore and local history, symbolizing the resilience and determination of the Maltese people against foreign threats. Though little-known outside of Malta, the Battle of Ħal Tarxien serves as a testament to the island's storied and turbulent past.

References

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  1. ^ Cassar, Carmel (2000). A Concise History of Malta. Msida: Mireva Publications. ISBN 978-1-870579-52-0.
  2. ^ "Ħal Tarxien Temples and Conflics". Ancient Wisdom. Retrieved August 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Lane, Frederic Chapin (1973). Venice, a Maritime Republic. Baltimore, Maryland: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 978-0-8018-1460-0.
  4. ^ Aksan, Virginia H. (2013). Ottoman Wars 1700–1870: An Empire Besieged. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-582-30807-7.
  5. ^ Anderson, R. C. (1952). Naval Wars in the Levant 1559–1853. Princeton: Princeton University Press. OCLC 1015099422.
  6. ^ Anderson, R. C. (1952). Naval Wars in the Levant 1559–1853. Princeton: Princeton University Press. OCLC 1015099422.
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