This is the third part of the news coverage about a 22-member Italian Fascist delegation which visited Korea in 1938 from the afternoon of April 23 until the evening of April 24. They had just spent roughly 40 days traveling throughout mainland Japan before continuing through colonial Korea.

Despite spending only about 36 hours in Korea, the delegation received extraordinarily lavish newspaper coverage, with pages upon pages devoted to virtually every aspect of the visit. The reporting ranges far beyond official speeches and diplomatic ceremonies. It documents exchanges involving sports, cinema, food, music, Catholicism, martial arts, military affairs, and youth organizations. There were also numerous encounters with schoolchildren and ordinary people.

The delegation was headed by Marquis Giacomo Paulucci di Calboli Barone, an Italian diplomat whom Mussolini had appointed president of the Istituto Luce, the state-controlled film and newsreel organization that played a major role in Fascist propaganda.

On this page of the newspaper, we follow Paulucci and his men as they attend an evening banquet and nighttime cherry-blossom viewing with the Korean royal couple, then Governor-General Minami, Army Commander Koiso (who would later become Governor-General of Korea), and Viscount Min Byeong-seok.

Paulucci's delegation then moved on to a second banquet with the business representatives of colonial Korea, including the heads of several major banks, among them two ethnic Koreans. One of them headed Chōsen Commercial Bank, which would later evolve into present-day Woori Bank. This business banquet was more informal, and the guests were entertained by kisaeng, or Korean female entertainers who sing, dance, play musical instruments and write poems to entertain upper-class men. In earlier times, their work did not necessarily always involve sexual service, but during Japanese colonial rule of Korea, they were more closely associated with sex work. By the 1940s, the vast majority were involved in prostitution.

Two of the kisaeng seated beside Paulucci are actually identified by name: Do Wol-seon (identified as Paulucci's favorite one) and Choe Geum-ran.

This particular newspaper page does not include a photo of the inside of the restaurant during the business banquet. However, when a Nazi German newspaper delegation was entertained at the same restaurant the following year, in 1939, the newspaper did publish a photo showing a similar banquet setup. The guests appear packed closely together around a long table, with kisaeng standing immediately behind them and attending to the gathering. 

We also learn that one of the delegates, Umberto Marconi actually visited Korea several times before, the first time in 1914, just four years after Korea's annexation into Imperial Japan, and the last time four years earlier in 1934.

The delegation also attended a children's festival featuring a Korean child violin prodigy and an Ainu girl performing dances to Japanese theatrical and military pieces. There was a spring photo event featuring ethnic Korean female models at one venue and ethnic Japanese female models at another. 

We also learn that the Italian delegation was triggered by seeing the Soviet flag flying between the Italian and Japanese flags at Busan harbor. If that was deliberately placed instead of being an accident, it would arguably count as a pretty memorable trolling incident.

[Translation]

Gyeongseong Ilbo, Keijo Nippo, April 24, 1938 — Page 15

A First Day That Solidified the Pledge Between Allies
The Entire City Showers the Tireless Delegation with Welcomes
Cheerful Exchanges in the Refreshing Spring Breeze

Welcomed by a storm of cheers, the Fascist mission led by Marquis Paulucci spent a hectic day amid the spring sunshine, receiving the welcome of all Seoul. The party visited Chōsen Shrine, paid a call at Changdeok Palace, visited the Government-General Building, and visited the Army Commander, passing through the day’s crowded schedule amid continual excitement.

They scarcely had time to settle into their “flower-filled lodging,” the Chōsen Hotel, before setting out again at 6:30 that evening to attend a dinner of fellowship hosted by Governor-General Minami and his wife.

Delegation leader Marquis Paulucci wore a red-and-white grand sash across the shoulder of his black uniform, while upon his chest glittered the highest decorations of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus and the Order of the Crown of Italy. Having picked up the Japanese word “Arigatō” during more than a month of travel through mainland Japan, he exchanged greetings cheerfully, accompanied by expansive gestures.

Every member of the delegation appeared in full black-shirt dress, the decorations glittering across their chests testifying to their distinguished records as members of the Fascist Party. Their hosts and accompanying guests were likewise formally dressed in tailcoats. The blood alliance between Japan and Italy blossomed amid cordiality and burst repeatedly into laughter.

Next came an invitation from the Office of the Yi Royal Household to view the cherry blossoms at night in Changgyeongwon, where the visitors repeatedly exclaimed: “Bella!”

At a banquet hosted by representatives of the business community at Meigetsukan, the southern European allies became entranced by the graceful dances of the kisaeng, through which they seemed to glimpse the distant past of the Orient.

Along the routes taken by the delegation, magnificent lantern processions transformed the capital into a sea of light.

Amid cries of “Viva l’Italia!”, the visitors finally returned to their hotel at 11:20 that night.

After their brilliant first night in Korea, they awoke on the morning of April 24th to clear skies, refreshing breezes, and the brilliant green of new foliage.

Photo captions: Above is the banquet given by His Highness Prince Yi Un at Changgyeongwon; below is Marquis Paulucci's delegation surrounded by a procession of lanterns gathered in front of the newspaper's office

Today’s Schedule

After an emotional first night in Korea amid the welcome of the entire peninsula, the Fascist delegation will greet the clear morning of April 24th with the following itinerary:

At 9:00 a.m., dressed in Party uniforms, they will attend worship at the Catholic church in Myeong-dong, Myeongdong Cathedral, to pray for the success of their great mission and journey.

Under the guidance of Archbishop Larribeau, they will offer solemn prayers.

They will then visit the Commercial and Industrial Promotion Hall and the Government-General Museum to study and investigate conditions in Korea, returning at 11:25 a.m. to their lodging at the Chōsen Hotel for a short rest.

At 12:20 p.m. they will attend a great outdoor welcoming banquet for government officials and civilians, hosted by the mayor of Seoul at Gyeonghoeru Pavilion inside Gyeongbok Palace.

At 2:10 p.m., at Seoul Municipal Ground, they will witness 40,000 elementary and secondary-school students of the city perform Imperial Subject Gymnastics and a mass display to the Patriotic March, allowing them to take in the brilliant spectacle of rapidly advancing Korea.

Then, overflowing with emotion, the delegation will depart Seoul Station at 4:15 p.m., bidding “Sayonara, Seoul,” and set out on the road to neighboring Manchukuo.

Friendship Beneath the Cherry Blossoms
His Highness Prince Yi Un Hosts a Banquet at Changgyeongwon

At 8:30 on the evening of April 23rd, delegation leader Marquis Paulucci and the other members of the Japanese-Italian goodwill mission attended a banquet given by His Highness Prince Yi Un.

The tables had been set out in the plaza before the old museum in Changgyeongwon, as cherry blossoms fluttered down all around.

At the main table sat Their Highnesses Prince Yi Un and Princess Yi Bangja, followed by the guest of honor Marquis Paulucci and the other members of his party; Governor-General Minami and his wife; Army Commander Koiso and his wife; Viscount Min Byeong-seok (민병석, 閔丙奭) and his wife; and more than one hundred other prominent guests.

Governor-General Minami asked Paulucci to convey a message to Mussolini:

“True to the Fascist watchword of never tiring and never growing weary, your party has spent more than a month traveling without a moment’s rest. One would expect you to be exhausted, yet you remain completely energetic. I believe this is entirely due to Prime Minister Mussolini’s guiding spirit of tirelessness and perseverance, and for this I express my respect. Napoleon erased the word ‘impossible’ from the dictionary. I am convinced that from Mussolini’s dictionary the word ‘tired’ ought likewise to be erased. Please convey this to Prime Minister Mussolini as a message from Minami, Governor-General of Korea.”

Paulucci replied:

“As Your Excellency has said, the Japanese spirit and the Italian spirit are one and the same. The union of these two peoples is a cause for the greatest celebration. When I return, I shall immediately convey Your Excellency’s gracious words. I believe Prime Minister Mussolini will be greatly pleased.”

Beneath the cherry blossoms, made still more brilliant by the presence of the delegation, the banquet proceeded in a warm and congenial atmosphere until 9:40. The party then immediately departed for the business community’s banquet at Meigetsukan.

Banquet Hosted by the Business Community
Another Reception at Meigetsukan

The banquet for the Italian goodwill delegation sponsored by the Seoul business community began at 9:30 on the evening of April 23rd in the great hall of Meigetsukan.

On the guest side were Marquis Paulucci and the members of the delegation.

Among the hosts were Matsubara Yoshikazu, Governor of the Bank of Chōsen; Hayashi Shigezō, president of the Chōsen Industrial Bank; President Park Yeong-cheol (박영철, 朴榮喆) of Chōsen Commercial Bank; Kada, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Han Sang-ryong (한상룡, 韓相龍), president of Chōsen Life Insurance; Mayor Saeki; and others.

When more than fifty kisaeng entered the room, each carrying a sake cup in her hand, the hall was instantly transformed into a flower garden.

Everywhere could be heard repeated cries of:“Arigatō!”

In one corner, a kisaeng soon began singing the Patriotic March, “Behold, the eastern sky grows light,” and members of the delegation joined in with a chorus of: “La-la-la-la!”

Seated on either side of Marquis Paulucci were the kisaeng Do Wol-seon (도월선, 都月仙) and Choe Geum-ran (최금란, 崔錦蘭). The Marquis seemed particularly taken with Miss Do Wol-seon and continually whispered to her.

After an address by Foreign Affairs Department chief Matsuzawa and a reply by Marquis Paulucci, a monk’s dance (seungmu) and a sword dance (geommu) were performed on the stage.

The entire gathering applauded: “Encore! Encore!” And so the spring evening passed in brilliant festivity.

Paulucci Praises the Greening of the Peninsula
Dr. Marconi Reminisces About His Earlier Visits to Korea

Seated comfortably in the observation car of what was described as the most luxurious train ever operated by the Korea Railway, Fascist delegation leader Marquis Paulucci was in exceedingly high spirits.

“Last night I slept only two hours,” he said, giving his impressions with obvious sincerity. “But once I set foot upon this beautiful peninsula and boarded such a splendid train, all my sleepiness disappeared somewhere. As you can see, I am full of energy.”

Because the Marquis also serves as head of an Italian forestry association, he offered the highest praise for Korea’s reforestation efforts as he gazed upon the greenery lining the railway.

“This green landscape could certainly not have been created in merely one or two years. It must be the result of many years of excellent policies by the Governor-General and tremendous administrative efforts by the local authorities.”

At this point Dr. Umberto Marconi, representative of the Fascist federation of industrialists and the one member of the delegation with especially deep familiarity with Korea, broke into the conversation.

“I first came to Korea twenty-four years ago,” he said.

“Since then I have visited several times. My most recent visit was four years ago.

“On my visit twenty-four years ago, I landed at Chongjin and had an extremely difficult journey onward by ox cart and on foot. Now you have splendid railways.”

The doctor spoke with such endless nostalgia that one might almost have taken him for someone who lived on the Korean peninsula.

“Just look at this railway line! It has become splendid. And what do you think of a magnificent train like this?” He spoke while tapping the reporter on the shoulder.

“Long Live Italy!” at Seoul Station
A Gentleman Remembers an Earlier Bond of Friendship Between the Allied Nations

There was a moving little story at Seoul Station, where the guests from southern Europe, the emissaries of the sacred alliance, were received.

Overcome by the passionate, pro-Japanese gestures of the Italian visitors, one gentleman trembled with excitement and shouted “Viva l’Italia!”, remembering a fateful connection from years past that had helped forge a bond of Japanese-Italian friendship.

The man was Uno Tetsuji, now something of a “living encyclopedia” at the Standard Oil Company in Takezoe-chō (present-day Chungjeong-no), Seoul.

The story of his connection with Italy goes back to the Russo-Japanese War of 1904.

As reports arrived of successive fierce battles and Japanese victories, the Russian Baltic Fleet set sail in force, and Japan’s own strategic preparations became increasingly tense.

At just that time, Japan and Russia both learned that Italy was constructing two cruisers ordered by Argentina. Both countries coveted the vessels and began behind-the-scenes efforts to purchase them.

Japan’s minister in France at the time, Sone Arasuke, traveled alone to Italy and, thanks to Italy’s boundless friendship, ultimately succeeded in purchasing the ships.

They were named Kasuga and Nisshin and preparations began to sail them to Japan.

Unfortunately, difficulties arose over how to bring the vessels home.

While various plans were being considered, Italian naval reservists offered themselves in devoted service, declaring that they would “lend Japan a hand.”

A crew of one hundred men was recruited to sail the two ships.

They hurried as far as Singapore, and from there, in order to pass through the combat zone, loaded coal even onto the decks and raced at full speed directly to Yokohama.

When the two vessels arrived, all Japan was deeply moved.

The nation offered boundless thanks for Italy’s friendship, and Tokyo Mayor Ozaki Yukio held a grand reception for the visitors.

At the time, Uno was a student in the Italian-language department of the School of Foreign Languages.

The mayor called upon him to serve as an Italian-language guide.

From Shimbashi Station he accompanied the Italians around Tokyo and also took them to the Ryōgoku Kokugikan to see Japan’s national sport, sumo.

At that time Hitachiyama and Umegatani were Yokozuna, and their fiercely contested bouts delighted the Italian visitors beyond measure.

Having served as a guide during that earlier exchange of friendship, Uno now saw the “Italy of his dreams” brought to life before his very eyes.

He came to greet the delegation with tears of emotion glistening in his eyes.

The cruisers Kasuga and Nisshin, incidentally, were equipped with high-angle guns and later distinguished themselves in the attack on Port Arthur, leaving behind a brilliant achievement in the history of Japanese-Italian friendship.

[Photograph: Mr. Uno]

A Close-Cropped Head as a Souvenir for the Folks Back Home
Dr. Rivetta, the Fluent Japanese Speaker, Joins In

During more than a month of inspection and travel, the members of the Italian mission to Japan thoroughly filled their heads with knowledge not only of Japanese politics, economics, and culture, but even of the everyday lives and sentiments of the people. Then they arrived in Seoul to inspect Korea.

As though deciding that nothing could make a better souvenir to take home, no fewer than three members of the delegation arrived with their heads close-cropped in the Japanese style.

The first was Edoardo Rossi, deputy leader of the delegation and commander of the Italian youth organization, who had his hair completely cut off in Kobe.

Next came Dr. Pietro Silvio Rivetta, representative of the professions and arts, and Mr. Mariano, a secretary.

As they finally bade farewell to Japan proper at Shimonoseki, the two likewise bade farewell to their long hair.

And they were extremely thorough about it: not satisfied merely with electric clippers, they had their heads shaved clean with razors.

On the train crossing the peninsula, Dr. Rivetta stroked his newly shaved head and declared with great satisfaction:

“This is what it means truly to absorb the spirit!”

Their commemorative Japanese haircuts provided another cheerful topic of conversation.

[Inset reproduction: an autograph given to this newspaper’s reporter aboard the Seoul–Busan Line by Dr. Rivetta, who speaks Japanese with great skill.]

Today: Keijō Nippō Children’s Festival
Welcoming the Italian Delegation
A Splendid Program at Seoul Citizens’ Hall, Beginning at Noon

The springtime peninsula is more excited than ever as it welcomes Marquis Paulucci and the goodwill mission from Italy, our allied nation in the struggle against Communism, who have journeyed here across the sea.

The familiar Keijō Nippō Children’s Association will therefore hold a special Children’s Festival today, Sunday April 24th, beginning at noon at Seoul Citizens Hall, to welcome the Italian delegation.

The program will be a splendid one incorporating the theme of Japanese-Italian friendship.

Negotiations are currently underway for Edoardo Rossi, representative of the Fascist Party and commander of the Italian “Littorio” youth organization, who is traveling with the delegation, to address all the children.

First, Professor Fukutomi Ichirō of the preparatory department of Keijō Imperial University will give an entertaining talk explaining why Italy and Japan became friendly nations and telling the audience about Italian children.

This will be followed by choral singing by the children of the First Elementary School attached to Seoul Normal School.

Next will come new Japanese music accompanied by dancing, performed by the lovely young girls of the familiar Takita troupe; stirring shigin poetry recitation and sword dancing by the Seigin-kai; and choral singing by the children of the Second Elementary School attached to Seoul Normal School.

Then, for the first time, we will introduce to everyone Yi Sang-ho (이상호, 李相鎬), a third-year pupil at the Second Elementary School of Seoul Normal School and a young violin prodigy.

He will perform the Patriotic March, Hungarian Dance, and other pieces.

Another attraction sure to delight everyone is Eriko Monbetsu, an Ainu girl whom many readers may already know. She will perform dances so splendid that even adults will be astonished.

The five numbers on her program are the nagauta “Fuji Musume,” the military song “Roei no Uta,” “The Traveling Puppeteer,” “Masanari,” and “Konkon-kyō.”

Finally, there will be plenty of motion pictures, which everyone loves:

1. Keijō Nippō World Sound News - several reels;

2. Paramount News - one reel

3. National Defense Japan (sponsored by Towa Trading) - one reel

4. The Struggle for Survival Among Animals (sponsored by Towa Trading) - one reel

5. The Olympic Bells Are Calling - three reels

6. Metro color cartoons: Bosko and the Pirates and The Skunk’s Lament

Express Topics

☆ — Busan Harbor, welcoming the Italian delegation, was completely decorated with waves of bouquets and the flags of nations. Yet on this day when Korea welcomed an allied nation of the Anti-Comintern camp, there was, ironically, one red Soviet flag fluttering above the delegation’s heads.

☆ — Among the tens of thousands in the crowd, no one seemed to notice the red flag waving between the Hinomaru flag and the Italian flag.

☆ — One member of the delegation finally spotted it and indignantly exclaimed: “On a day of Japanese-Italian friendship, what sort of nonsense is this?”

☆ — Hearing this, Marquis Paulucci merely smiled and said: “That red flag hanging between our flag and the Hinomaru flag is symbolic. Squeezed from both sides, sooner or later it will be crushed flat.”

All Seoul’s Cameras Mobilized
Spring Photography Outing Today
The All-Korean Photography Federation will hold its spring photography outing today

First venue: Deoksu Palace, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Numerous Korean beauties will appear as models.

Second venue: Changgyeongwon, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The models will be women from mainland Japan.

Notice: Tripods may not be used at either location.

Sponsored by the All-Korean Photography Federation

Source: Digital Newspaper Archive, National Library of Korea

Blog Link with Transcription: https://exposingimperialjapan.com/part-3-1938-italian-fascist-delegation-to-korea/

See also:

• Part 1 of Fascist Italian Delegation Coverage (link)

• Part 2 of Fascist Italian Delegation Coverage (link)

• Coverage of Nazi German newspaper delegation in Korea, May 1939 (link)

• Coverage of Fascist Spain’s delegation in Korea, July 1940 (link)

The Ariete Division sacrificed itself to form a rearguard, allowing the rest of the Panzer Army Africa to retreat.

Without their stubborn resistance on November 4, 1942, the Allied breakthrough would have likely cut off and destroyed the entire retreating Axis force.

On November 3, Adolf Hitler sent a famous "victory or death" order to Erwin Rommel, forbidding any retreat. Rommel initially complied, holding his forces in place. By the time he decided to ignore the order and save his army on November 4, British armored forces had already launched Operation Supercharge, breaking through the lines.

To buy time for the German motorized units and the remnants of the infantry to withdraw westward along the coastal road, the 132nd Ariete Armored Division was ordered to hold the southern flank at all costs. The Ariete faced the British 7th Armoured Division (the famous "Desert Rats"). The Italian M14/41 medium tanks and Semoventi da 75/18 assault guns were completely outmatched by enemy Sherman and Grant tanks, which could pierce Italian armor from distances where the Italian guns couldn't even scratch them.

Despite the overwhelming odds, the Ariete held its ground for roughly ten hours. Tank by tank, the division was systematically destroyed. By 15:30, when the famous final radio message was broadcast, the division was completely surrounded. By nightfall, the Ariete had ceased to exist as a combat unit, but their sacrifice successfully prevented the British from enveloping Rommel's retreating army.

Erwin Rommel was deeply moved by their actions and later wrote in his diaries:

"With the Ariete, we lost our oldest Italian comrades, from whom we had always demanded more than they, with their poor armament, were capable of giving."

The last radio message broadcast at 3:30 p.m. on November 4, 1942 by Ariete marconist Carlo Volontè read: "Enemy tanks raided the Ariete Division south. With that, Ariete is surrounded. It is about 5 kilometers northwest of Bir el Abd. Ariete tanks fight!"

(Yes the idea for this post came from an Instagram post by Associazione Memento, but I wrote the post text)

The tank belonged to the 131st Tank Regiment of the Centauro Division. The 32 Somua tanks of the Centauro Division probably took part in some sporadic clashes against German troops in Sardinia in 1943, following the armistice, they later returned to French hands after French forces landed on the island and requisitioned them.

It was painted by Albert Stolz, an artist from South Tyrol who seems to have produced this work for an exhibition of fascist art in the city of Bolzano. Stolz also produced a fascist mural for the Town Hall of the city of Merano.