On October 20, 1911, Italian forces occupied Benghazi during the Italo-Turkish War, marking the beginning of Italian Libya. This conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the Ottoman Empire was a relatively short but impactful war that reshaped the political and technological landscape of the 20th century.
A Strategic Conflict
The Italo-Turkish War, fought from September 29, 1911, to October 18, 1912, resulted in Italy annexing the Ottoman territories of Tripolitania, Fezzan, and Cyrenaica, which together became known as Italian Libya. The war also saw Italy temporarily occupy the Dodecanese Islands, though their ultimate control wasn’t formalized until the Treaty of Lausanne (1923).
Benghazi’s Role in the War
Benghazi was a key city in the Ottoman province of Tripolitania. Following its occupation by Italian troops, the city became an important center for Italian administrative and military operations. This period is commemorated in philately by Italian stamps overprinted with “BENGASI”, such as the one above, used to facilitate postal services during Italy’s military administration.
The War’s Broader Impact
- Technological Milestones
The Italo-Turkish War marked the first use of the airplane in combat. On October 23, 1911, Italian pilot Captain Carlo Piazza conducted the world’s first aerial reconnaissance mission, flying over Ottoman lines. Shortly after, on November 1, Sottotenente Giulio Gavotti dropped the first aerial bomb on Turkish troops using an Etrich Taube aircraft. These groundbreaking developments foreshadowed the increasing role of air power in warfare.
- Rise of Nationalism
The war emboldened nationalist movements in the Balkans. Observing the Ottoman Empire’s vulnerabilities, the Balkan League launched the First Balkan War, further eroding Ottoman control in Europe. - Modern Resistance Movements
Italy’s annexation of Libya sparked the Libyan resistance, a prolonged struggle by local populations against colonial rule.
The Human Element
The Italian invasion met fierce resistance from Ottoman troops and Libyan fighters, who waged a determined defence in cities like Benghazi. The image above illustrates Italian troops entrenched in Benghazi, reflecting the challenging conditions faced by both sides during the conflict.
A Pivotal Treaty
The war concluded with the Treaty of Ouchy (First Treaty of Lausanne) in October 1912. While the treaty stipulated Italy’s annexation of Libya, the ambiguous terms allowed Italy to retain administrative control over the Dodecanese Islands, which it formalized after World War I.
Legacy of the War
Though minor in scale, the Italo-Turkish War was a turning point in global history:
- It introduced aerial warfare.
- It highlighted the decline of the Ottoman Empire, accelerating its fragmentation.
- It catalyzed the rise of nationalist movements, particularly in the Balkans and Libya.
For Benghazi, the war marked the beginning of a new era under Italian colonial rule, a period that would deeply shape the city’s history and identity.
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