Ottomans Win Siege Of Malta

The siege of Malta in 1565 between the Ottoman Empire and the Knights of Malta is probably one of the most famous battles in history, and one of the most celebrated early European victories over the Ottomans. It was also quite contested throughout.

What if the Turks had won through and forced the Knights off the island (or slaughtered them, as the case may be)?
 

Rockingham

Banned
The siege of Malta in 1565 between the Ottoman Empire and the Knights of Malta is probably one of the most famous battles in history, and one of the most celebrated early European victories over the Ottomans. It was also quite contested throughout.

What if the Turks had won through and forced the Knights off the island (or slaughtered them, as the case may be)?

Well, it might scare the Spanish and Italians a bit. It would also free up a burden on Ottoman shipping.

This might alos result in a earlier equivalent of the battle of Lepanto, and if the aim is to achieve an Ottoman-wank, a victory. Which would be more likely then OTL battle of Lepanto in any case, as it occured at a relatively innoportune time in naval terms for the Ottomans. Perhaps the early aim of the Ottoman campaigns would be Sicily, Tunisia and Southern Italy, rather then the Venetian possesions. In which case the Ottomans may be able to face off against Spain and Venice seperately, although Venice remaining neutral is unlikely.

OTOH, it might serve to unite more of Europe against the Ottomans...so an earlier Great Turkish War, and accompanying decline perhaps.....
 
Not much, It was to a stragtic target to remain in the Ottoman procession after European power developed in the 17~1800's.
 
They've made it harder for the Spanish to come to the aid of the Venetians in the eastern Med, though not impossible. Tunis will probably fall a few years earlier and Lepanto may turn out to be a victory. There'll be an increase in the number of Barbary raids. The knights may negotiate an evacuation of Malta just as they had done in Rhodes over 40 years earlier, which raises the question of where they may relocate. Probably to southern Italy or the European possessions in North Africa - Oran could be interesting.
 
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