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Line 13: − + − When the first Italian Army armoured divisions were formed in 1939 the continuation between the Bersaglieri and mobile warfare continued. Each armoured and motorised division was allocated one Bersaglieri regiment. + + + − In all, six of the 12 Bersaglieri regiments fought in North Africa, compiling an excellent combat record. During the Tunisian Campaign, Bersaglieri units often fought to the last man to hold a position while German units retreated or surrendered.+ − − The first Bersaglieri units to see combat in North Africa was the Special Armoured Brigade. They arrived in Libya in late 1940 and fought well in defence of Derna, when British tanks and armoured car units were ambushed during Operation Compass. − − The Bersaglieri fought successfully in General Ugo Cavallero's second spring offensive during the [[Greco-Italian War]], and defeated the Yugoslavian Army counteroffensive in Albania in April 1941.
Bersaglieri Corps (view source)
Revision as of 01:45, September 10, 2016
, 01:45, September 10, 2016→Second World War
==Second World War==
==Second World War==
The Bersaglieri regiments expanded to three battalions each during the Second World War, but the ''Comando Surpemo'' (Italian Supreme Command) resisted temptations to water down their quality, and recruits had to be of above-average height and stamina. The recruits endured intense physical training, just as their fathers and great-grandfathers had, and had to qualify as excellent marksmen.
The Bersaglieri regiments expanded to three battalions each during the Second World War, but the ''Comando Surpemo'' (Italian Supreme Command) resisted temptations to degrade their quality, and recruits had to be of above-average height and stamina. The recruits endured intense physical training, just as their fathers and great-grandfathers had, and had to qualify as excellent marksmen.
The first Bersaglieri units to see combat in North Africa was the Special Armoured Brigade. They arrived in Libya in late 1940 and fought well in defence of Derna, when British tanks and armoured car units were ambushed during Operation Compass.
In all, six of the 12 Bersaglieri regiments fought in North Africa, compiling an excellent combat record. During the North African, Bersaglieri units often fought to the last man to hold a position while German units retreated or surrendered.
The Bersaglieri fought successfully in General Ugo Cavallero's second spring offensive during the [[Greco-Italian War]], and defeated the Yugoslavian Army counteroffensive in Albania in April 1941.
The 3rd, 5th and 6th Bersaglieri Regiments fought on the Eastern front against the Red Army.
The 3rd, 5th and 6th Bersaglieri Regiments fought on the Eastern front against the Red Army.