The first time an aircraft was used in warfare occurred on 22 October 1911. Captain Carlo Piazza of the Italian Army flew a Blériot monoplane from Tripoli to Azzia in Libya during a reconnaissance mission of Turkish forces, whom they were fighting in the Italo-Turkish War of 1911–12.

Please note, some sources state 23 October. I have gone with RAF Museum’s date.

Ottoman Turks were defending their territories in Libya from Italian colonial designs from 28 September 1911- 18 October 1912.

It could also be claimed to be the first spyplane sortie.