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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 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]].

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 two British armoured car units were 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. 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."''