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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.

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.

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 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 in favour of numbers, 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.

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.  Field Marshal Erwin Rommel ("the Desert Fox") signalled that, ''The German soldier has impressed the world, however, the Italian Bersagliere soldier has impressed the German soldier."''

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 death to hold or capture a position while German units retreated or surrendered.  Field Marshal Erwin Rommel ("the Desert Fox") signalled that, ''The German soldier has impressed the world, however, the Italian Bersagliere soldier has impressed the German soldier."''

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 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 the fighting for Skutari in April 1941.

During Rommel's first desert offensive and the [[Siege of Tobruk]], Rommel was often critical of his generals as well as the Italian Supreme Command, but praised the Bersaglieri on numerous occasions, such as the encircling action of the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment in the victory over the British Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Mechili.

During Rommel's first desert offensive and the [[Siege of Tobruk]], Rommel was often critical of his generals as well as the Italian Supreme Command, but praised the Bersaglieri on numerous occasions, such as the encircling action of the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment in the victory over the British Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Mechili that resulted in the capture of 3,000 Allied soldiers.

Their contribution in successfully defending the Gazala Line during [[Operation Crusader]], was also absolutely vital to one of Rommel’s most significant victories in the defeat of the British 1st Battalion, Royal East Kent Regiment (''The Buffs'') and other units from the British-officered 5th Indian Brigade with over 1,000 Allied soldiers killed, wounded or captured during the Italo-German counterattack.

Their contribution in successfully defending the Gazala Line during [[Operation Crusader]], was also absolutely vital to one of Rommel’s most significant victories in the defeat of the British 1st Battalion, Royal East Kent Regiment (''The Buffs'') and other units from the British-officered 5th Indian Brigade with over 1,000 Allied soldiers killed, wounded or captured during the Italo-German counterattack.

During [[Operation Barbarossa]] in August 1941, the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment formed part of the vanguard to secure a bridgehead on the Dnieper River for the panzers units and supporting German infantry, a task which they carried out successfully and suffered heavy casualties defending the Don River during the [[First Battle of Kiev]].

During [[Operation Barbarossa]] in August 1941, the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment formed part of the vanguard to secure a bridgehead on the Dnieper River for the panzers units and supporting German infantry, a task which they carried out successfully and suffered heavy casualties defending the Don River during the [[First Battle of Kiev]].