The future Italian chief of staff was in Japan during the Russo-Japanese War and witnessed the bombardment of Port Arthur. Burzagli served in uniform as an accredited foreign observer, a status intended to protect him if Russian forces captured him. His access gave a young Italian officer direct experience of a major modern naval war and of the Imperial Japanese Navy at its moment of victory. Japan marked that relationship by receiving him at court and awarding him the Order of the Rising Sun before he returned to Italy. This operational and diplomatic experience adds depth to Burzagli's later influence as a naval leader.
Notable Point · 16:46-18:05
Burzagli observed the Russo-Japanese War at close range
Burzagli's early career included service as an official Italian observer with the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Russo-Japanese War.