Editing Fall of Constantinople (section)

====Ottoman dispositions and strategies====
[[File:Dardanelles Gun Turkish Bronze 15c.png|thumb|The [[Dardanelles Gun]], cast by Munir Ali in 1464, is similar to [[bombard (weapon)|bombards]] used by the Ottoman besiegers of Constantinople in 1453 (British [[Royal Armouries]] collection).]]

[[Mehmed II|Mehmed]] built a fleet (crewed partially by Spanish sailors from [[Gallipoli]]) to besiege the city from the sea.{{sfnp|Nicolle|2000|p=}}{{page needed|date=June 2017}} Contemporary estimates of the strength of the Ottoman fleet span from 110 ships to 430 (Tedaldi:{{sfnp|Concasty|1955}}{{page needed|date=December 2023}} 110; Barbaro:<ref name="Barbaro" /> 145; Ubertino Pusculo:<ref name="Pusculo" /> 160, Isidore of Kiev<ref name="isbesepistle" /> and Leonardo di Chio:<ref name="sQMpP" /> 200–250; (Sphrantzes):<ref name="sphrantzchron" />{{page needed|date=June 2017}} 430). A more realistic modern estimate predicts a fleet strength of 110 ships comprising 70 large [[galley]]s, 5 ordinary galleys, 10 smaller galleys, 25 large rowing boats, and 75 horse-transports.{{sfnp|Nicolle|2000|p=44}}

Before the siege of Constantinople, it was known that the Ottomans had the ability to cast medium-sized [[cannon]]s, but the range of some pieces they were able to field far surpassed the defenders' expectations.{{sfnp|Norwich|1997|p=374}} The Ottomans deployed a number of cannons, anywhere from 12 to 62 cannons. They were built at [[foundries]] that employed Turkish [[cannon]] founders and technicians, most notably Saruca, in addition to at least one foreign cannon founder, [[Orban]] (also called Urban). Most of the cannons at the siege were built by Turkish engineers, including a large bombard by Saruca, while one cannon was built by Orban, who also contributed a large bombard.<ref name="Steele" /><ref name="Hammer" />

Orban, a [[Hungarians|Hungarian]] (though some suggest he was [[Germans|German]]), was a somewhat mysterious figure.{{sfnp|Norwich|1997|p=374}} His {{convert|27|ft|m|adj=mid|-long}} cannon was named "[[Basilic (cannon)|Basilica]]" and was able to hurl a {{convert|600|lb|kg|adj=on}} stone ball over a [[mile]] (1.6&nbsp;km).<ref name="q6rsq" /> Orban initially tried to sell his services to the Byzantines, but they were unable to secure the funds needed to hire him. Orban then left Constantinople and approached Mehmed II, claiming that his weapon could blast "the walls of [[Babylon]] itself". Given abundant funds and materials, the Hungarian engineer built the gun within three months at [[Edirne]].{{sfnp|Runciman|1965|pp=77–78}} However, this was the only cannon that Orban built for the Ottoman forces at Constantinople,<ref name="Steele" /><ref name="Hammer" /> and it had several drawbacks: it took three hours to reload; cannonballs were in very short supply; and the cannon is said to have collapsed under its own recoil after six weeks. The account of the cannon's collapse is disputed,<ref name="pertusicadvol1" />{{page needed|date=June 2017}} given that it was only reported in the letter of Archbishop [[Leonard of Chios|Leonardo di Chio]]<ref name="LeonardoChio" /> and in the later, and often unreliable, Russian chronicle of [[Nestor Iskander]].{{sfnp|Philippides|Hanak|2011|p=112}}

[[File:Conquest_of_Constantinople,_Zonaro.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.4|Modern painting of Mehmed and the Ottoman Army approaching Constantinople with a giant bombard, by [[Fausto Zonaro]].]]
Having previously established a large foundry about {{convert|150|mi|km}} away, Mehmed now had to undertake the painstaking process of transporting his massive artillery pieces. In preparation for the final assault, Mehmed had an artillery train of 70 large pieces dragged from his headquarters at Edirne, in addition to the bombards cast on the spot.{{sfnp|Arnold|2001|p=111}} This train included Orban's enormous cannon, which was said to have been dragged from Edirne by a crew of 60 oxen and over 400 men.{{sfnp|Norwich|1997|p=374}}{{sfnp|Runciman|1965|pp=77–78}} There was another large bombard, independently built by Turkish engineer Saruca, that was also used in the battle.<ref name="Steele" /><ref name="Hammer" />

Mehmed planned to attack the Theodosian Walls, the intricate series of walls and ditches protecting Constantinople from an attack from the West and the only part of the city not surrounded by water. His army encamped outside the city on 2 April 1453, the Monday after [[Easter]].

The bulk of the Ottoman army was encamped south of the Golden Horn. The regular European troops, stretched out along the entire length of the walls, were commanded by Karadja Pasha. The regular troops from [[Anatolia]] under [[Ishak Pasha]] were stationed south of the [[Lycus (river of Constantinople)|Lycus]] down to the [[Sea of Marmara]]. Mehmed himself erected his red-and-gold tent near the ''Mesoteichion'', where the guns and the elite [[Janissary]] regiments were positioned. The [[Bashi-bazouk]]s were spread out behind the front lines. Other troops under [[Zagan Pasha]] were employed north of the Golden Horn. Communication was maintained by a road that had been destroyed over the marshy head of the Horn.{{sfnp|Runciman|1965|pp=94–95}}

The Ottomans were experts in laying siege to cities. They knew that in order to prevent diseases they had to burn corpses, sanitarily dispose of excrement, and carefully scrutinize their sources of water.{{sfnp|Crowley|2005}}