 In 870 the German Emperor Louis organised a response, fighting his way deep into Apulia and Calabria but bypassing major population centres like Bari or Taranto.A few towns were freed of Muslim control and the various Muslim bands encountered were universally defeated.Encouraged by these successes, Louis attacked Bari with a ground force of Germans, Franks and Lombards and aided by a Croatian fleet (of "Sclavini").