Forgotten Prelude To WW1 - Italo-Turkish War 1911-1912 (History Documentary)

I'm a Turkish citizen and let me share that this war very important in Turkish history and lectured to all students from middle school to the high schools due to several reasons. First, it's very important for us as modern day Libya was the last possession of Ottoman Empire in the North Africa at that time. This war also made us witness to see the rise of two major historical figures in the battlefield. First and foremost, it was the first active military operation of founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and Enver Pasha, the de facto ruler of Ottoman Empire a couple of years later at the WW1. This war was the first of a serial of wars which totally ended Ottoman Empire. Trablusgarp War as we call it (1911), Both Balkan Wars (1912-1913), WWI (1914-1918), and Indepence War (1919-1922). Fun fact I was helping my 13 year old daughter to study this war for her homework last week :)

The persistence of this channel and the steady improvement after the drop off of the end of the actual Great War shows. Great job guys!

As an Italian, thanks for covering this war in details. Even in Italy this conflict is barely mentioned and I didn't know much about it except the final outcome... No wonders now that I know what happened...

Growing up, one of my classmates was a Libyan girl whose great-grandfather was a Libyan artilleryman in the Ottoman Army, who then joined the Libyan guerrillas after his artillery unit was disbanded, and who fought with them until the very end of the guerrilla campaign in 1931. He was one of the lucky ones to survive, despite being wounded multiple times.

Love these longer specials about the more obscure peripheral conflicts before and after The Great War. They provide lots of vital context for the war and are fascinating to learn about. Great work as always Jesse and team. This might be heresy to say on this channel, but I actually prefer Jesse's straightforward and direct style of narration.

A prime problem for the Ottomans was Britain's refusal to allow Ottoman reinforcements to transit Egyptian territory despite the fact that Egypt was nominally an Ottoman province under Britain's protection.

My grand grandpa fought in this war, on the italian side. Some of the pictures I have from him are absolutely horrible, especially the ones with the Lybian civilians...but history is history and should be teached without filters and favoritisms towards one side or another. Grazie mille!

Great presentation Jesse and team. These wars that fed and followed WW1 are fascinating, showing how much WW1 was a continuation of events earlier than 1914 -- and continued beyond 1918

After peace treaty Ottoman soldiers/officers had no way to coming back. So they kept fighting. There are lots officers' letters to home. And we know for sure ottoman officers' contunied to guerilla warfare more than a dacade. Last officer's letter contunied to came 27 years after the beginning of war(or after the peace treaty i dont remember which one). Rest in peace forgotten souls.

Fantastic documentary. Oddly, one of the great accounts of this largely-forgotten war, was by the Italian Futurist poet, Marinetti, whose avant-garde poem, Zang Tung Tumb, which contains a piece called "The Siege of Adrionople", and was among the first literary works to experiment widely with syntax, typography and imagery. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to learn more about this particular moment in history.

I wasn't sure if I liked your story-driven narrations of the wars, but it turns out you're my favorite history channel now. Really appreciate the quality content with the deep understanding! Keep it on!

Using Cesar as a contemporary source is the most Italian thing ever.

Aw yeah! Glory And Defeat got me extremely excited for pre-WW1 content. Keep up the excellent work!

This war really highlighted how far behind the Ottomans were when it came to industry and technology. The Italians absolutely eviscerated them with planes and airships.

Excellent work in highlighting this forgotten war.

My grandmother's father was from Italy and fought in the 8th Reggimento Bersaglieri which among others seized Derna at the very beginning of the Campaign. Six years later he was with the AEF to fight the Germans in the Argonnes! very lucky class! interesting video thanks for posting. Cheers from Virginia.

I'm a Turkish citizen and this war has always been a part of our curriculums from primary to high school but it's usually given about half a page. I've never seen so much detail before in any school books or documentaries. Thank you for enlightening.

Another great video Jessie, and everyone else involved in production and research.

If the Spanish Civil War was a trial for the Second World War, the Italo-Turkish War and the Balkan Wars of 1912-14 could be interpreted as a trial for the Great War?

Great in depth documentary! Love that you covered it in 1 episode