Wireless telegraphy in the Italo-Turkish War

The use of '''wireless telegraphy in the Italo-Turkish war''' was the first example of its large-scale military application, its origins dating from the end of the 1880s.

The use of '''wireless telegraphy in the Italo-Turkish war''' was the first example of its large-scale military application, its origins dating from the end of the 1880s.

For the war in Libya, the Corps of Engineers established the first regular large-scale use of wireless in the field. The sole precedent – but on a more limited scale – was that of the German army during the [[Herero Wars]] in South West Africa (the present Namibia) in July 1906.

For the war in Libya, the Corps of Engineers established the first regular large-scale use of wireless in the field. The sole precedent – but on a more limited scale – was that of the German army during the [[Herero Wars]] in [[South West Africa]] (the present Namibia) in July 1906.

[[File:Stazione su cammello.jpg|thumb|right|Camels transporting wireless equipment]]

[[File:Stazione su cammello.jpg|thumb|right|Camels transporting wireless equipment]]

One major problem was how to transport the WT stations across sandy desert tracks. Luigi Sacco was obliged to move the equipment via camels, the only convenient means in such a situation. Using camels, the Corps of Engineers soon set up new wireless stations along tracks that had been secured.

One major problem was how to transport the WT stations across sandy desert tracks. Luigi Sacco was obliged to move the equipment via camels, the only convenient means in such a situation. Using camels, the Corps of Engineers soon set up new wireless stations along tracks that had been secured.

Wireless would play an important role and highlight the potential of this new means of communication, also for military purposes. It was a means with potential – but also with risks because wireless transmissions can easily be intercepted. With regard to the tests that he carried out with Marconi, Luigi Sacco would write, "It is obvious that the enemy can do the same – hence the need to always encipher wireless transmissions."<ref>Luigi Sacco, ''Relazione sugli esperimenti compiuti dal comm. Marconi nei giorni 16 e 17 dicembre 1911 a Tripoli'', Tripoli 1911.</ref> This weakness would only be fully appreciated during World War I, at the start of which only the French and Austrian armies had well organised cipher departments. In Italy it was left to Luigi Sacco to set up the first cipher department at the army high command.

Wireless would play an important role and highlight the potential of this new means of communication, also for military purposes. It was a means with potential – but also with risks because wireless transmissions can easily be intercepted. With regard to the tests that he carried out with Marconi, Luigi Sacco would write, "It is obvious that the enemy can do the same – hence the need to always encipher wireless transmissions."<ref>Luigi Sacco, ''Relazione sugli esperimenti compiuti dal comm. Marconi nei giorni 16 e 17 dicembre 1911 a Tripoli'', Tripoli 1911.</ref> This weakness would only be fully appreciated during [[World War I]], at the start of which only the French and Austrian armies had well organised cipher departments. In Italy it was left to Luigi Sacco to set up the first cipher department at the army high command.

== References ==

== References ==