Italians Lost 1,000 In Tripoli Fight.

New York Times 100 years ago today, May 24, 1913:
Their Reverse at Sidi Garba Assumes the Proportions of a Disaster.
AMBUSHED BY THE ARABS
Troops, Outnumbered Two to One, Had to Abandon Artillery — Turks Led the Natives.
    ROME, May 23.— The reverse suffered by the Italian troops under Gen. Ganbretti in the battle with the Arabs at Sidi Garba, Tripoli, on May 16, was worse than at first reported. Early advices said that the Italian losses were 79 officers and men killed and 259 wounded. The first roll-call after the Italians returned to headquarters, however, showed that 1,000 men were absent from the ranks, having either been killed, wounded, or taken prisoners.
    The Italian forces numbered 5,000. False reports to the Italian commander were to the effect that the Arabs had 2,000 men, while in reality they aggregated 10,000. They were led by 300 Turkish officers and soldiers and reinforced by cannon.
    During the Italian advance the Arabs feigned a retreat, but later they made an attack which took the Italians by surprise. The Italians defended themselves heroically, but heavy losses finally compelled them to retreat, leaving their artillery, ammunition, and provisions in the hands of the enemy.