Bersaglieri Corps

In 1836, Alfonso del la Marmora from the Piedmontese Army (the core of the future Italian Army) created the Bersaglieri, light infantry formations similar to the French chasseurs and Austrian jägers.

These Bersaglieri, or ”sharpshooters,” still sport distinctive helmets adorned with cock’s feathers.

They were trained to a high physical and marksmanship standard, and like the German Waffen SS in the Second World War, inspired the Regio Esercito frontline formations, benefiting from superior weaponry and mobility that encouraged Axis commanders to operate aggressively.

First World War

During the First World War, the 12 Bersaglieri Regiments fought with valour and bravery. 210,000 men served in the Bersaglieri Corps, and during the war 32,000 were killed and 50,000 wounded.

After the war, reforms reduced the number of Bersaglieri battalions to two per regiment. They were converted into bicycle troops to fight alongside cavalry from the Celeri (fast) divisions, giving the Supreme Command the best formations to operate alongside tanks in the near future.

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.

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. 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 3rd, 5th and 6th Bersaglieri Regiments fought on the Eastern front against the Red Army.