I must confess that the research on the Bersaglieri was the most exhausting and contradictory so far for our CoC army lists.
So many reorganisations, some of which were only ordered but never implemented, requests for changes from the divisions based on their combat experience, which were usually, but not always, granted, and so on.
Or as my mate Max said so aptly when I held him up-to-date during the research: In principle, one needs to draw up a separate list for each month and each division 😅
So many reorganisations, some of which were only ordered but never implemented, requests for changes from the divisions based on their combat experience, which were usually, but not always, granted, and so on.
Or as my mate Max said so aptly when I held him up-to-date during the research: In principle, one needs to draw up a separate list for each month and each division 😅
However, here are the lists for the motorised platoons and for the motricycle company of a Bersaglieri regiment - the latter was mainly used for reconnaissance.
The Bersaglieri were not only the equivalent of the Panzergrenadiers in the Armored Divisions of the Regio Esercito, but also part of the motorised infantry divisions, or, as in Sicily, part of the Mobile Groups.
Late 1941 the Bersaglieri regiments adopted the North Africa TO&E originally specified for the
Trento and Trieste Motorized Divisions, the only difference being that the armored cars of the motorcycle companies were AB.39 models (armed with machine guns) in the motorized divisions and AB.41 models (with 20mm guns) in the armored divisions.
Initially the intended Bersaglieri rifle platoon organization was two rifle squads each of two sections, so the same like most of the Fucilieri -> Standard Fucilieri Platoon outside Africa Settentrionale
But as mentioned it was requested to change this because it was found to be too inflexible and cumbersome, and the divisions wanted instead three 13-man squads each with a single light machine gun. The loss of one light MG per platoon would be offset, they argued, by the addition of a medium MG to the company's machine gun platoon.
On 18 August SMRE gave in and authorized reconfiguration of the Bersaglieri rifle platoon to three rifle squads and its AT section, and further to the creation of proposed scout elements in the Bersaglieri units, although personnel for the latter were to come from existing strength.
For the complete list just click on the picture of the list above.
And as usual - comments, suggestions and amendments are always welcome!
Sources
- "Tactical Structure in World War II. Italy. Armor"; Leland Ness; 2023
- "Tactical Structure in World War II. Italy. Infantry"; Leland Ness; 2023
- "Storia della fanteria Italiana"; different authors; 2018
- TME 30-420 Handbook on the Italian Military Forces; 1943
- "LE SQUADRE DELLA FANTERIA"; Scuola di applicazione di fanteria", Turin 1943
Additionally these websites have been used:
- http://www.regioesercito.it/index.html
- https://comandosupremo.com/ -> don´t miss the forum of this site!
