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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 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 along with the ''Sabratha'' Division fought well in defence of Derna–Giovanni Berta, when British tanks and armoured car units were ambushed during the final stages of [[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 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."''

In all, six of the 12 Bersaglieri regiments fought in North Africa, compiling an excellent combat record. 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."''

During Rommel's first desert offensive and start of the [[Siege of Tobruk]] in April 1941, 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.

During Rommel's first desert offensive and start of the [[Siege of Tobruk]] in April 1941, 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 during the [[Battle of El Mechili]] that resulted in the capture of 3,000 British Imperial troops.

That same month, the 4th Bersaglieri Regiment fought successfully in General Ugo Cavallero's second spring offensive during the [[Greco-Italian War]], and the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment defeated the Yugoslavian Army counteroffensive in Albania in the Battle for Skutari in mid-April 1941.<ref>"For 48 hours the Serbs have been moving in wave upon wave through rain and snow against Scutari, on the southern shore of a lake of the same name, only to be mowed down by Fascist machine-gunners and scattered by Italian airmen, war front advices said. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19410415&id=JHtGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ucMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1084,5315859&hl=en Serb Attacks Beaten Off By Italians, Schenectady Gazette, 15 April 1941]</ref>  

That same month, the 4th Bersaglieri Regiment fought successfully in General Ugo Cavallero's second spring offensive during the [[Greco-Italian War]], and the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment along with the ''Centuaro'' Armoured Division defeated the Yugoslavian Army counteroffensive in Albania in the [[Battle for Skutari]] in mid-April 1941.<ref>"For 48 hours the Serbs have been moving in wave upon wave through rain and snow against Scutari, on the southern shore of a lake of the same name, only to be mowed down by Fascist machine-gunners and scattered by Italian airmen, war front advices said. [https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19410415&id=JHtGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_ucMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1084,5315859&hl=en Serb Attacks Beaten Off By Italians, Schenectady Gazette, 15 April 1941]</ref>  

During [[Operation Barbarossa]] (the invasion of Russia) in August 1941, the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment formed part of the vanguards to secure bridgeheads on the Dnieper and Don Rivers for the panzers units and supporting German infantry, a task which they carried out successfully and suffered heavy casualties defending during the Russian counterattacks in the [[First Battle of Kiev]].

During [[Operation Barbarossa]] (the invasion of Russia) in August 1941, the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment formed part of the spearheads tasked with securing bridgeheads over the Dnieper and Don Rivers for the panzers units and supporting German infantry, a task which they carried out successfully and suffered heavy casualties defending during the Russian counterattacks during the [[First Battle of Kiev]].

During [[Operation Crusader]], the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment played an important part in the defeat of the British 7th Armoured Division in the First Battle of Bir el Gubi on 19 November 1941.  

During [[Operation Crusader]], the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment played an important part in the defeat of the British 7th Armoured Division in the [[First Battle of Bir el Gubi]] on 19 November 1941.  

On 1 December, the ''Trieste'' Division, reinforced by the 9th Bersaglieri Regiment, cut the road to Tobruk.  

On 1 December, the ''Trieste'' Division, reinforced by the 9th Bersaglieri Regiment, cut the road to Tobruk.  

Their contribution with the 7th and 9th Bersaglieri Regiments successfully defending the Gazala Line during on 15 December, was also absolutely vital in defeating the British 1st Battalion, Royal East Kent Regiment (''The Buffs'') and other units from the British-officered 5th Indian Brigade, with over 1,000 British Commonwealth soldiers killed, wounded or captured during the Italo-German counterattack.<ref>"So, on the afternoon of 15 December, the Ariete with some 30 M13’s and with Bersaglieri motorcycle troops in close support, counterattacked along with the remaining 23 tanks of the 15th Panzer Division, and the attack was successful as the 1st Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) and other troops of the 5th Indian Brigade lost over 1,000 men killed, wounded or taken prisoners."  [http://www.comandosupremo.com/bologna-division.html/6  The Bologna Division: 19 November – 10 December, 1941]</ref>  

The successful defense of the Gazala Line on the part of the 7th and 9th Bersaglieri Regiments during on 15 December, was also absolutely vital 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 British Imperial troops killed, wounded or captured during Rommel's counterattack.<ref>"So, on the afternoon of 15 December, the Ariete with some 30 M13’s and with Bersaglieri motorcycle troops in close support, counterattacked along with the remaining 23 tanks of the 15th Panzer Division, and the attack was successful as the 1st Battalion, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) and other troops of the 5th Indian Brigade lost over 1,000 men killed, wounded or taken prisoners."  [http://www.comandosupremo.com/bologna-division.html/6  The Bologna Division: 19 November – 10 December, 1941]</ref>  

On 28 June 1942, the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment and supporting tanks from the ''Littorio'' Division surrounded the fortress of Marsa Matruh, with the British garrison attempting to break out under the cover of darkness. The 7th Bersaglieri Regiment also met with success when the 10th and 11th Battalions took 6,500 prisoners in the [[Battle of Mersa Matruh]] on 29 June.

On 28 June, the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment and supporting tanks from the ''Littorio'' Division surrounded the fortress of Mersa Matruh, with the British garrison attempting to break out under the cover of darkness. The next day, the 7th Bersaglieri Regiment also met with success when the 10th and 11th Battalions took 6,500 prisoners in the [[Battle of Mersa Matruh]].

During the [[First Battle of El Alamein]], the 7th and 9th Bersaglieri Regiments along with the ''Sabratha'', ''Trento'' and ''Trieste'' Divisions showed great courage, halting the Australian advance on 11 July and defeating the New Zealand attack on Ruweisat Ridge on 22 July.

During the [[First Battle of El Alamein]], the 7th and 9th Bersaglieri Regiments along with the ''Sabratha'', ''Trento'' and ''Trieste'' Divisions showed great courage, halting the Australian advance developing from Tel el Eisa on 11 July and defeating the 2nd New Zealand Division's attempt to capture Ruweisat Ridge on 22 July.

During the [[Second Battle of Alamein]], the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment fought especially hard, manning the Italian 47mm and 90mm guns in defence of El Aqqaqir Ridge, destroying 70 tanks from the British 9th Armoured Brigade. Berlin Radio acknowledged that in this sector the ''"British were made to pay for their penetration with enormous losses in men and material. The Italians fought till the last man."'' <ref>Rolling Thunder: A Century of Tank Warfare, Philip Kaplan, p. 139, Pen and Sword, 2013</ref>  

During the [[Second Battle of Alamein]], the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment fought especially hard, manning the Italian 47mm and 90mm guns in defence of El Aqqaqir Ridge, destroying 70 tanks from the British 9th Armoured Brigade in the process. Berlin Radio acknowledged that in this sector the ''"British were made to pay for their penetration with enormous losses in men and material. The Italians fought till the last man."'' <ref>Rolling Thunder: A Century of Tank Warfare, Philip Kaplan, p. 139, Pen and Sword, 2013</ref>  

The Bersaglieri remained a force to be reckoned with even after the defeat at Alamein and, on 3 December 1942 the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment forced the surrender of 300 British and American paratroopers during the [[Battle of Tebourba]].

The Bersaglieri remained a force to be reckoned with even after the defeat at Alamein and, in early December 1942 the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment forced the surrender of 300 British and American paratroopers operating behind Axis lines during the [[Battle of Tebourba]].

The Bersaglieri fought again during the [[Battle of Kasserine Pass]] with the 5th and 7th Bersaglieri Regiments capturing 2,450 Allied soldiers.

The Bersaglieri again fought well during the [[Battle of Kasserine Pass]], with the 5th and 7th Bersaglieri Regiments capturing 2,450 British, American and French troops and covering Rommel's withdrawal.

During [[Operation Husky]] (the Allied invasion of Sicily), the 10th, 73rd and 177th Bersaglieri Regiments managed to contain the Allied advance, but were eventually overwhelmed by Allied air power.  Resistance was stiff enough to require the US 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions to take part in house-to-house combat, with US military historian Samuel Eliot Morison reporting that ''"The Italians fought manfully for Agrigento".'' <ref>History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: Sicily - Salerno - Anzio, January 1943 - June 1944, Samuel Eliot Morison, p. 176, University of Illinois Press, 2001</ref>

During [[Operation Husky]] (the Allied invasion of Sicily), the 10th, 73rd and 177th Bersaglieri Regiments managed to contain the American advance, but were eventually overwhelmed by Allied air power.  Resistance was stiff enough to force the US 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions to engage in house-to-house combat, with US military historian Samuel Eliot Morison acknowleding that ''"The Italians fought manfully for Agrigento".'' <ref>History of United States Naval Operations in World War II: Sicily - Salerno - Anzio, January 1943 - June 1944, Samuel Eliot Morison, p. 176, University of Illinois Press, 2001</ref>

== Notes ==

== Notes ==