 The Italian command had planned the capture of the town already in December 1911, but adverse sea conditions, that would impede a landing, had prevented this decision from being implemented.In June 1912 the Italian commands finally decided to carry out the operation; the 1st Special Division was formed, with seven infantry battalions from the 40th, 50th, and 63rd Infantry Regiments, the Alpini Battalions "Verona" and "Mondovì", an Askari company from the 5th Eritrean Battalion, a Squadron of the 16th Light Cavalry Regiment "Lucca", four artillery batteries (one of field artillery and three of mountain artillery) and other units.On 16 June 1912 the troopships carrying the Special Division, escorted by the battleships "Re Umberto", "Sicilia" and "Sardegna" and by the torpedo boats "Airone" and "Clio", arrived near the coast of Misrata and landed a battalion of seamen, as well as other units, near the village of Bu Sceifa.