A Box of Sand

 This is Charles Stephenson's study of the Italo-Ottoman War 1911-12. As he covers all aspects of the conflict, it is the ideal background reading for my current wargame project. 

A quick reminder that the Italo-Ottoman War (1911–1912) was fought when Italy invaded Ottoman-controlled Tripoli (modern Libya) to expand its colonial empire. Italy quickly seized major coastal cities such as Tripoli, Derna and Tobruk but faced strong resistance inland from local fighters and Ottoman officers, including Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk) and Enver Bey. To pressure the Ottomans, Italy also occupied the Dodecanese Islands and pioneered the first military use of aeroplanes for reconnaissance and bombing. The war ended with the Treaty of Ouchy in 1912, under which the Ottoman Empire ceded Libya to Italy, as the Balkan Wars were imminent. However, Arab resistance continued long after the treaty was signed.

This book is a narrative history and a strong analysis of the conflict. The Italian government wanted a quick colonial war to distract the electorate from domestic issues. The key weapon was the navy, which was weak by great power standards but much stronger than the Ottoman Navy. The head of the British Naval Mission found vegetable gardens growing on the ageing warships at Constantinople, a fleet with 'no organisation, doctrine or culture.' The Ottomans also faced uprisings in Yemen and Albania, as well as the newly formed Balkan League planning an attack. 

The Italians had no coherent plan other than to occupy the ports and the coastal strip. They assumed that the Arab and Berber populations would welcome them. Instead, with the help of Ottoman regulars and 107 Ottoman officers who travelled to the province, they faced a significant resistance organisation, which pinned them to the coast. Supply was a problem for the Ottomans, but they developed the technique of living off the enemy.

The war marked several firsts. Most notably, the use of aircraft to bomb the enemy and the deployment of radios. They also used motor vehicles fairly well. It was also fought on several fronts. To put pressure on the Ottomans, the Italians invaded the Dodecanese. This was a successful amphibious operation, but none of the landings were contested. There were also naval actions in the Adriatic, the Dardanelles, Lebanon, and the Red Sea. The actions in the Adriatic almost brought Austro-Hungary into the war, with the Emperor vetoing Conrad's recommendation. The Italians also considered a 100,000-strong invasion of Anatolia, via Smyrna. Shades of the later Greek invasion. 

While the Italians won the war, it was a disaster overall. By 1912, they had to deploy 100,000 men in Libya, seriously depleting their stocks of weapons and ammunition. They also suffered around 10,000 casualties, for very little cost to the Ottoman state. In contrast, the war absorbed 47% of Italian government expenditure. The treaty was ambiguous on several grounds, and started up again during WW1, with German submarines dropping men and supplies to the Senussi tribes. 

The Italian failures included poor intelligence, little desert training, and weak leadership. On the other hand, they handled amphibious operations well and deployed new technology effectively. In summary, it was a strategic blunder of massive proportions.

This is an invaluable study of the war, with all the major actions covered and many new scenarios I hadn't considered. I just need to find the time for some more painting. I have started the Ottomans with the locally raised Muhafiziya (Ottoman uniforms with Arab headdress), what Enver called his Guard Companies. And the HMG company commanded by a German volunteer officer. All from Pendraken in 10mm. The first batch of Arab cavalry is nearly done, and then I will be ready for some tabletop action.