battle known fought june modern day albania ottoman captain decided native land new rebellion fighting battle deserted ottoman army head fell quickly formed confederation princes united war ottoman_empire realizing threat sent experienced captains crush rebellion force men expected reaction moved men defeat army met camped opposite following day june ali came camp saw positioned forces hill expecting quick victory ali ordered forces hill attack defeat army expected maneuver prepared opposing forces engaged necessary positioning achieved ordered forces hidden forests turkish army strike rear result devastating ottomans entire army routed commander nearly killed victory lifted morale christian princes europe recognized great victory ottoman realized effect rebellion realm continued measures defeat resulting years war background son powerful prince vassal ottoman_empire cavalry commander participation ottoman loss battle deserted ottoman army rushed albania alongside letter governor lord city november hungarian captain continued operations sultan gave time prepare alliance nobles invited albania nobles meet venetian held town march chosen meeting point town capital family induce venice lend aid movement nobles attended formed confederation major princes alliance ottoman_empire chosen captain confederation league military challenge came spring scouts reported ottoman army planning invade albania planned anticipated entry point prepared engagement campaign prelude favored commanders left june army troops headed albania direction having brought army men cavalry infantry soldiers importance upcoming campaign orders given distribution soldiers pay religious services held army headed planned place battle thought called north way marched valley appeared expected ottoman entry point chosen plain kilometres long kilometres wide surrounded hills forests camping near placed men commanders surrounding forests orders attack ottoman wings rear given signal preparing ambush ottoman turks arrived opposite forces night battle ottomans celebrated coming day extinguished guard directed rest parties ottomans approaches camp provoked soldiers remained quiet sent scouting party obtain information ottoman army ordered cavalry engage small skirmishes positioning morning june arranged army battle apart warriors hidden ottoman army left reserve force command army positioned crescent shape curving divided groups composed men placed hill intention ottoman cavalry based army downhill charge left wing commanded horsemen equal number right wing placed manner wings foot placed lure ottomans center men command thousand horsemen placed main division orders blunt initial turkish cavalry charge equal number trained accompany horses placed horsemen main body infantry commanded placed battle army permit signal battle saw advancing looking army ordered army charge units ahead rest line retreated sent body horsemen prevent line breaking retreating troops places believed trapped situation occurred left wing places army prepared main offensive began wings fiercely led pushed ottoman wings centre assaulted selected battalion proper signal given horsemen hidden woods sprung charged ottoman rear causing large parts army rout wings army turned ottoman centre flanks having charged turkish centre met fierce resistance turks continued pour fresh forces came reserves decided battle turkish army surrounded ottoman ranks annihilated soldiers personal battalion fled commander nearly met death aftermath turks died battle captured originally attributed lost little men modern sources suggest higher figure dead wounded remained quiet camp remainder day following night having addressed troops directed infantry mount captured horses victory abundant wounded took ordered general retreat victory praised rest europe european states began consider crusade drive ottomans europe returned explained sultan loss attributed forces fortunes war battle opened quarter century war albania ottoman_empire
Battle of Torvioll