Bombing of Fort Bezhani

jdavias · 20 April 2008, 03:09 AM

In this thread in the archives of the forum, one Fort Bezhani is mentionned having been bombed (I suppose by aircraft) on february 8th, 1913 ... Can anyone provide details on this bombing ? Where is this Fort Bezhani and in what conflict was it bombed ?

Rod_Filan · 21 April 2008, 10:04 AM

Jay,
I haven't looked up the date yet---but I wonder if the location referenced by Mike Baram in that thread shouldn't be Benghazi? There are various alternative spellings of Benghazi---Bezhani may be one of them.

Cheers
Rod

jdavias · 21 April 2008, 08:17 PM

Thanks for your answer!
It could be, as the name is indeed similar (and search in Google for Bezhani does not give many relevant result)
As for the date, I was more enclined to think this aerial bombing took place during the First Balkan War (peace treaty for the Italo-Turkish War was signed on November 18th, 1912)
Thanks again, I'll keep digging and post updates

jdavias · 21 April 2008, 08:56 PM

I think I found it!
Here is an account of the Battle of Bizani between the Greeks and the Turks during the first Balkan War, fought in Dec. 1912 and Feb. 1913 and I even found this image suggesting the use of an airplane by the Greeks during the battle.

jdavias · 21 April 2008, 09:37 PM

More on the subject...
Here the date for the first use of an aircraft by the greeks is Dec. 5th, 1912.
This took place at Bizani (which is the correct spellin to find anything on the subject...)

Rod_Filan · 21 April 2008, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdavias

More on the subject...
Here the date for the first use of an aircraft by the greeks is Dec. 5th, 1912.
This took place at Bizani (which is the correct spellin to find anything on the subject...)

Good work. So the name and the date were in error.

Quote:

this image suggesting the use of an airplane by the Greeks during the battle.

Purportedly the aircraft fits with what was in the air at the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by somebody at wiki

"In 1911 the Greek Government appointed French specialists to form the Hellenic Aviation Service. Six Greek officers were sent to France for training, while the first four "Farman" type aircraft were ordered."

Cheers
Rod

Rod_Filan · 21 April 2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod

So the name and the date were in error.

Well...perhaps not necessarily the date. IIRC the original list didn't specifically say anything about first bombing--only bombing on 8 February 1913.

It would stand to reason that reconnaissance missions were being flown over Bizani during the days leading up to the artillery bombardment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=103266

"At the right, during the night of January 7-8, Avgo was captured. Under Crown Prince Constantine the High Command ordered the Divisions to concentrate their efforts in Bizani. The Greek offensive plan hoped for a diversionary attack from the North, while the main force would concentrate in the left flank of the Ottoman forces which was considered inaccessible due to deep snow. On February 19 the Greeks advanced as planned & turned westwards surrounding the Bizani area. In the morning of February 20, after heavy artillery preparation and barrage fire (12,000 shells hit Bizani) the Ottomans were isolated and surrounded by the Greek forces."

Cheers
Rod