Battle of Preveza (1911)

Battle of Preveza
Part of the Italo-Turkish War
Date 29–30 September 1911 Location Off Preveza and at Gomenítza, Ionian Sea Result Italian victory Diplomatic dispute with Austria-Hungary
Belligerents
Kingdom of Italy	Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Guido Biscaretti di Ruffia	Captain Tevfik
Strength
5 destroyers	4 torpedo boats 1 armed yacht
Casualties and losses
none	~10 killed 3 torpedo boats sunk 1 armed yacht captured

This engagement should not be confused with the Battle of Preveza in 1538.

The Battle of Preveza was the first naval engagement fought during the Italo-Turkish War, which took place in the Ionian Sea on 29–30 September 1911. The action took part in two separate engagements, the first off Preveza, and the second at Gomenítza the following day. Five Italian destroyers encountered a pair of Ottoman torpedo boats off the port of Preveza on 29 September and forced one aground; the second fled into the safety of Preveza. The next day, the Italian destroyers raided Gomenítza, where another two torpedo boats and an armed yacht were at anchor. The Italians sank both torpedo boats and seized the yacht as a prize.

The Italian attacks raised considerable tensions with other European states, particularly the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which saw Italy's actions as destabilizing to the Balkans. Concerned that further operations in the region might start a broader war, the Austro-Hungarians pressured Italy to limit their attacks on Ottoman forces to Ottoman Tripolitania. A further incident on 5 October that involved an Austro-Hungarian vessel resulted in stronger Austro-Hungarian protests and a formal apology from Italy. The dispute was one of many that Italy later cited when it decided to declare war on Austria-Hungary in 1915 during World War I.