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Italo-Turkish War (1911-12) - Italian troops search an Oasis
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Italo-Turkish War (1911-12) - Italian troops search an Oasis
Italian troops search a Turkish Oasis for Turkish troops. The Italo Turkish War was launched by Italy against Turkey, with the aim of gaining Libya, in order to counterbalance French conquests in North Africa. Part of the general feeding frenzy that surrounded the decline of the Ottoman Empire ( The Sick Man of Europe ). Italy declared war on 29 September 1911, and after preliminary naval bombardments, an Italian naval forces occupied Tobruk (4th October) and Tripoli (5th October). The army, under General Carlo Caneva, took over the occupation on 11th October, and promptly stalled under a combination of skilful Turkish religious propaganda amongst the local population and the caution of Caneva. It was only the next summer, starting in July 1912, that the Italians advanced out of their coastal strongholds, slowly forcing the Turks back, and winning several victories over them. However, it was the threatened outbreak of the First Balkan War that forced Turkey to make peace, and by the Treaty of Ouchy (15th October 1912), Turkey ceded Libya, Rhodes and the Dodecanese islands to Italy
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Media ID 4400223
© Mary Evans/Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
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This evocative photograph captures a pivotal moment during the Italo-Turkish War (1911-12), as Italian troops search an oasis for Turkish forces. The Italo-Turkish War was initiated by Italy against the Ottoman Empire, with the primary objective being the acquisition of Libya to counterbalance French influence in North Africa. The war was a manifestation of the general scramble for territories as the Ottoman Empire, referred to as the 'Sick Man of Europe,' began its decline. Italy declared war on Turkey on 29 September 1911, and following preliminary naval bombardments, Italian naval forces occupied Tobruk on 4th October and Tripoli on 5th October. General Carlo Caneva led the army in taking over the occupation on 11th October. However, the Italians encountered resistance from the local population due to Turkish religious propaganda and Caneva's cautious approach, resulting in a stalemate. It wasn't until the following summer, starting in July 1912, that the Italians advanced beyond their coastal strongholds, gradually pushing back Turkish forces and securing several victories. However, the looming threat of the First Balkan War forced Turkey to make peace, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Ouchy on 15th October 1912. Under the treaty, Turkey ceded Libya, Rhodes, and the Dodecanese islands to Italy. This photograph offers a glimpse into the harsh desert terrain of Libya, where Italian soldiers searched for their elusive Turkish counterparts. The image underscores the intensity and complexity of the conflict, which was driven by a combination of imperial ambitions, religious and cultural differences, and geopolitical considerations.
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