Invasion of Corsica (1553)

Invasion of Corsica
	Part of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars and the Italian War of 1551–1559
	; Historic map of Corsica by Piri Reis
Date	1553–1559
Location	Corsica
Result	Ottomans and French temporarily occupy most of Corsica
Belligerents
Republic of Genoa	Ottoman Empire; France; Corsicans
Commanders and leaders
Andrea Doria	Turgut Reis; Paul de Thermes; Paulin de la Garde; Sampieru Corsu
Strength
	60 galleys; 14 galleys

The Invasion of Corsica of 1553 occurred when French, Ottoman, and Corsican exile forces combined to capture the island of Corsica from the Republic of Genoa.^[1]

The island had considerable strategic importance in the western Mediterranean, being at the heart of the Habsburg communication network and serving as a forced stopover for small boats sailing between Spain and Italy.^[2]

The island had been administered since 1453 by the Genoese Bank of Saint George. The invasion of Corsica was accomplished for the benefit of France.^[3]

^ Naval Policy and Strategy in the Mediterranean: Past, Present, and Future, John B. Hattendorf, p. 17 [1]
^ The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world in the age of Philip II by Fernand Braudel p.929ff
^ The Cambridge History of Islam, p. 328

[1] Naval Policy and Strategy in the Mediterranean: Past, Present, and Future, John B. Hattendorf, p. 17 [1]

[Braudel-2] The Mediterranean and the Mediterranean world in the age of Philip II by Fernand Braudel p.929ff

[Islam_p.328-3] The Cambridge History of Islam, p. 328

[1]

[2]

[3]