Battle of Kunfuda Bay | |||||||
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Part of the Italo-Turkish War | |||||||
File:Piemonte.jpg The Piemonte in the Mideterranean Sea. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Kingdom of Italy | Ottoman Empire | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
1 protected cruiser 2 destroyers | 7 gunboats | ||||||
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The Battle of Kunfuda Bay was the largest naval battle of the Italo-Turkish War. On January 7 of 1912, the Italian protected cruiser Piemonte and the destroyers Artigliere and Garibaldino discovered twelve Ottoman ships near the present day Kunfuda, Saudi Arabia in Kunfuda Bay. For over three hours the vessels engaged and in the end four Turkish gunboats were sunk and one yacht was captured along with four large dhows. Three remaining gunboats were heavily damaged during the battle and grounded on the beach. The Italians sailors destroyed these vessels the following morning before steaming away to blockade Hodeidah.[1]