Strategy & Tactics #325: Italian-Ottoman War 1911–1912 is a two-player strategic wargame that recreates Italy’s invasion of Ottoman-held Libya and the wider Mediterranean campaign that reshaped North Africa in the early 20th century. Using a refined version of the Windhoek system, this game blends military operations, logistics, and command challenges to simulate one of the first wars of modern imperial expansion — a conflict that foreshadowed both World War I and the later desert campaigns of World War II.

• Historical Background: The Italian-Ottoman War (1911–1912) marked Italy’s emergence as a colonial power and the twilight of the Ottoman Empire’s influence in North Africa. Seeking to expand its empire, Italy invaded the coastal provinces of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, seizing key cities such as Tripoli and Benghazi. The Ottomans, aided by local Arab and Bedouin fighters, withdrew into the desert interior and conducted a resilient guerrilla campaign. The war ultimately ended when Italy’s naval dominance in the Aegean forced the Ottomans to cede Libya — establishing the foundation for Italy’s colonial rule and shaping the geopolitics of the Mediterranean for decades to come.
• Gameplay & Objectives: Players assume command of either the Italian Expeditionary Forces or the Ottoman–Arab alliance. The Italian player must secure rapid victories along the coast and extend control inland, balancing the difficulties of logistics, supply, and local resistance. The Ottoman player must exploit the desert terrain, tribal alliances, and hit-and-run tactics to delay Italy’s progress and protect key strongholds. Victory is determined by territorial control, time efficiency, and morale attrition.
• Game System & Scale: The design refines the Windhoek system introduced in Strategy & Tactics #313, using an Action Point (AP) system to represent command flexibility, logistics, and strategic initiative. Players must manage their AP pool to conduct operations, reinforce units, and maintain supply lines across the harsh Libyan landscape. Each hex represents 45 kilometres, each turn covers one to two months, and each unit represents a battalion, offering a broad yet tactically rich view of the campaign’s challenges.
• Historical Significance: Often regarded as the first modern war due to the use of aircraft for reconnaissance and early bombing runs, the Italian-Ottoman War introduced technologies and doctrines later used in World War I. The conflict also sowed the seeds of nationalist resistance in Libya and reshaped power dynamics between Europe and the Middle East, making it an important study in both colonial warfare and geopolitical transformation.

Game Components:

• 1 x 22” x 34” full-colour map depicting Libya, the Aegean, and Mediterranean theatre
• 176 die-cut counters representing Italian, Ottoman, and tribal forces
• Rules covering action points, logistics, supply, morale, and desert warfare
• Setup instructions, player aids, and historical designer’s notes

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Operational / Strategic
Hex: 45 Kilometres
Turn: 1–2 Months
Units: Battalion-level formations

Gameplay Focus: Italian-Ottoman War 1911–1912 combines strategic foresight with historical realism, challenging players to manage resources, command efficiency, and political pressure across an unforgiving desert campaign. The system rewards careful planning and adaptability — ideal for players who enjoy historical simulations of colonial and early modern warfare.

Strategy & Tactics #325: Italian-Ottoman War 1911–1912 delivers a dynamic look at one of the most underexplored yet pivotal conflicts of the pre–World War I era — where the old empires clashed and modern warfare began to take shape.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s leading retailer for historical wargames, strategy titles, and military simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast local shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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