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Last Updated 09/09/2008 |
    
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The Bersaglieri are a corps of the Italian Army created by General Alessandro La Marmora in 1836. The name Bersaglieri means "sharpshooters". They were created as a high-mobility, quick infantry unit, and can still be recognized wearing their helmets adorned with cockerel feathers or the striking soft cap fez.
The Bersaglieri Decalogue
The main focus of our group is to re-enact the Bersaglieri units that had contact with Australian forces in North Africa. We also intend to portray units that served on the Russian Front and in Italy. The following Bersaglieri units served in North Africa and are most relevant to Australian re-enacting.8th Bersaglieri - In February 1941 the 8th Bersaglieri regiment landed at Tripoli and were incorporated into the Ariete Armoured Division. The XX Motorised Corps working in support of the 132nd Tank regiment were the most active and well known heavy armored unit in the Italian Army. Ariete were active in every major Axis operation from the arrival of Rommel through to the advance to El Alamein into Egypt.In December 1942, after the battle of El Alamein the Ariete division was dissolved. The 8th Bersaglieri was incorporated into the "Giovani Fascisti". May 1943 saw their surrender in Tunisia, consequently then in July 1943 the regiment reformed. However in September 1943 the 8th was crushed by Germans after short resistance.The 8th were awarded a Gold Medal for the North Africa campaigns from April 1941 to September 1942 and a Gold Medal for the Tunisia campaign 1943.10th Bersaglieri - The Regiment was based at Palermo and deployed to Libya in 1940. The 10th Bersaglieri unit saw service in Bardia and Tobruk, but was destroyed in combat in February 1941. Reformed at Palermo then sent back to North Africa in December 1942, where it was lost again in Tunisia. The unit was reformed for a third time in Palermo and served in Sicily during the Allied Invasion/Campaign there, where once again the regiment was lost.3rd Bersaglieri - The 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment was attached to the 3rd Celere Division “Principe Amedeo Duca d’Aosta” 1941-42. This motorised unit operated in southern Russia, taking heavy casualties in the Russian offensive during the winter of 1942.The regiment was practically destroyed at Meskow, December 17, 1942 and received a Gold Medal for Russian campaign 1941 and Gold Medal for Russian campaign 1942.Other units of interest. 5th Bersaglieri - During the desert war of 1940 to 1943, six of the 12 Bersaglieri regiments fought in various formations and compiled an excellent combat record. In Africa the 5th Bersaglieri Regiment was a component of the Centauro Armored Division. 7th Bersaglieri - Motorised Division Trento, XXI Corps Another fine regiment that saw a great deal of action. 9th Bersaglieri - Trieste Motorised Infantry Division, XX Motorised Corps. Trieste was a very active Italian unit in the Axis advance to Egypt and in the action that followed at Alamein. 12th Bersaglieri - Littorio Armored Division, XX Motorised Corps. Littorio arrived from Italy in time for Alamein and were obliterated there.
Bersaglieri in the field
Links Re-enactment Groups Mediterraneo Re-enactment Group (UK)
History Alive 2008 Photos Mark Greenmantle Studios
Contact us: ariete_8th@hotmail.com
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This site was last updated 09/09/08
