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The first Bersaglieri units to see combat in North Africa was the  ''Brigata Corazzata Dpeciale'' (Special Armoured Brigade). They arrived in Libya in late 1940 and along with the ''Sabratha'' Division fought well in defence of Derna–Giovanni Berta, with two British armoured car units ambushed and the Australian 2nd/4th Battalion nearly overrun during the final stages of [[Operation Compass]].

The first Bersaglieri units to see combat in North Africa was the  ''Brigata Corazzata Dpeciale'' (Special Armoured Brigade). They arrived in Libya in late 1940 and along with the ''Sabratha'' Division fought well in defence of Derna–Giovanni Berta, with two British armoured car units ambushed and the Australian 2nd/4th Battalion nearly overrun during the final stages of [[Operation Compass]].

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."''

In all, six of the 12 Bersaglieri regiments fought in North Africa, compiling an excellent combat record, with Field Marshal Erwin Rommel ("the Desert Fox") reporting that, ''The German soldier has impressed the world, however, the Italian Bersaglieri 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 during the [[Battle of El Mechili]] that resulted in the capture of 3,000 British Imperial troops.

During Rommel's first desert offensive(also known as the first ''Benghazi Derby'') 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 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>  

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 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 Italian 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 mounted during the [[First Battle of Kiev]].

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.  

During [[Operation Crusader]], the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment operating truck-mounted naval 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 that the 2nd New Zealand Division had established.  

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 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 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 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]].

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 completely frustrated. 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.

During the [[Second Battle of El 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>  

During the [[Second Battle of El Alamein]], the 12th Bersaglieri Regiment fought especially hard, manning the Italian 47mm and 90mm guns (often confused with the German 88mm ''flak'' 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 during the [[Tunisian Campaign]] and, in early December 1942 the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment forced the surrender of 300 Allied paratroopers operating behind Axis lines during the [[Battle of Tebourba]].

The Bersaglieri remained a force to be reckoned with during the [[Tunisian Campaign]] and, in early December 1942 the 10th Bersaglieri Regiment forced the surrender of 300 Allied paratroopers operating behind Axis lines during the [[Battle of Tebourba]].

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.  

The Bersaglieri fought again during the [[Battle of Kasserine Pass]], with the 5th and 7th Bersaglieri Regiments capturing around 2,500 British, American and French troops and covering Rommel's withdrawal.  

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had special words of praise for the  Bersaglieri, with their commander, Colonel Luigi Bonfatti killed leading the attack.

Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had special words of praise for the  Bersaglieri, with their commander, Colonel Luigi Bonfatti killed leading the attack.

The 57th Bersaglieri Battalion from the ''Trieste'' Division fought in the [[Battle of El Guettar]] in March, distinguishing itself near El Hamma–El Guettar, with several bersaglieri eventually taken prisoner.

The 57th Bersaglieri Battalion from the ''Trieste'' Division fought in the [[Battle of El Guettar]] in March, distinguishing itself near El Hamma–El Guettar, with several Bersaglieri eventually taken prisoner.

The 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th Bersaglieri Regiments and ''Giovani Fascisti'' Division fought as part of the 1st Italian Army around Takrouna during the [[Battle of Tunis]], surrendering on 13 May after defeating the attacks from the 2nd New Zealand Division, British 56th ''Black Cat'' Division and 1st Free French Division, a week after after the complete collapse of the Afrika Korps facing the US 1st Armoured and 3rd Infantry Divisions on 6 May.<ref>Maj. Gen. Omar N. Bradley, commanding II Corps, had originally planned to have Truscott's 3rd Division relieve the battle-weary 1st ID. However, as Truscott was moving his division forward to effect that relief, Bradley contacted him on the night of the fifth and told him that General Harmon had requested additional infantry to support his division's attack on a strongly defended German position on the peninsula east of Bizerte, and directed that Truscott send an infantry regiment to the Ferryville area for attachment to the 1st AD. Bradley had also ordered that an infantry regiment from the 9th ID and additional field artillery and antiaircraft join Harmon's division for the attack. Truscott's regiment was to attack the following morning. Truscott joined Harmon at his commando post southeast of Ferryville early the next morning, and after breakfast the two set out on a reconnaissance mission to ascertain how far forward Truscott's force could assemble for the attack. As they traveled they found that Harmon's troopers and their tanks were already in possession of the entire peninsula excepting the high ridge overlooking the Mediterranean, from which there came no sounds of enemy fire. It was obvious to Harmon and Truscott that "the battle in Tunisia was all but done and that no large force would be required to clear the ridge." Dogface Soldier: The Life of General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr, By Wilson A., Heefner, p. 101, University of Missouri Press, 2010</ref>  

The 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th Bersaglieri Regiments and ''Giovani Fascisti'' Regiment fought as part of the 1st Italian Army around Hill 141 during the [[Battle of Tunis]], surrendering on 13 May after defeating the attacks from the 2nd New Zealand Division, British 56th ''Black Cat'' Division and 1st Free French Division, a week after after the complete collapse of the Afrika Korps facing the US 1st Armoured and 3rd Infantry Divisions on 6 May.<ref>Maj. Gen. Omar N. Bradley, commanding II Corps, had originally planned to have Truscott's 3rd Division relieve the battle-weary 1st ID. However, as Truscott was moving his division forward to effect that relief, Bradley contacted him on the night of the fifth and told him that General Harmon had requested additional infantry to support his division's attack on a strongly defended German position on the peninsula east of Bizerte, and directed that Truscott send an infantry regiment to the Ferryville area for attachment to the 1st AD. Bradley had also ordered that an infantry regiment from the 9th ID and additional field artillery and antiaircraft join Harmon's division for the attack. Truscott's regiment was to attack the following morning. Truscott joined Harmon at his commando post southeast of Ferryville early the next morning, and after breakfast the two set out on a reconnaissance mission to ascertain how far forward Truscott's force could assemble for the attack. As they traveled they found that Harmon's troopers and their tanks were already in possession of the entire peninsula excepting the high ridge overlooking the Mediterranean, from which there came no sounds of enemy fire. It was obvious to Harmon and Truscott that "the battle in Tunisia was all but done and that no large force would be required to clear the ridge." Dogface Soldier: The Life of General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr, By Wilson A., Heefner, p. 101, University of Missouri Press, 2010</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 from the Bersaglieri was stiff enough to force the US 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions to engage in house-to-house combat in the streets of Agrigento, with US military historian Samuel Eliot Morison acknowledging 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 from the Bersaglieri was stiff enough to force the US 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions to engage in house-to-house combat in the streets of Agrigento, with US military historian Samuel Eliot Morison acknowledging 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>