Vladimir Belli

Born July 11 (23), 1887, in St. Petersburg. Soviet naval figure, rear admiral (1940), professor (1945), candidate in naval science (1940). Completed the Naval Academy (1906) and the Mine Officers Classes (1913). Took part in World War I and became captain, second class (1917).

After the October Revolution Belli went over to the side of the Soviet regime. During the Civil War he commanded a destroyer and later was a torpedo officer in the headquarters of the commander of the naval forces. After the war he was assistant head of the Operations Department of the staff of the RKKF (Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Fleet) and naval attaché to China. Beginning in 1926 he taught at the Naval Academy, and from 1937 to 1949 he was head of the department of strategy and operational art. He retired in 1949. He is the author of many scientific works on the operational art of the Soviet Navy, international naval law, and the history of naval tactics, including “Blockade Operations” (Morskoi sbornik [Naval Collection], 1937, no. 1) and Handbook of International Naval Law (books 1–2, 1940). He also participated in the creation of many fundamental collective works, including Naval Atlas (vol. 3, parts 1–2, 1958–63), The Navy in World War I (vols. 1–2, 1964), Blockade and Counter-blockade (1967), and Military Action in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, 1939–45 (1967). He has been awarded the Order of Lenin, three Orders of the Red Banner, the Order of the Patriotic War First Class, and medals.