Changes

==Second World War==

==Second World War==

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 connection between the Bersaglieri and mobile warfare improved. 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 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.   

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 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 operating anti-tank guns 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 that the 2nd New Zealand Division had established.  

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>  

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, 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]].

On 28 June, the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment and supporting tanks from the ''Littorio'' Division surrounded 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 stormed the British fortress and 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 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 [[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.