7th Bersaglieri Regiment

Second World War

With Italy's entry in the Second World War on 10 June 1940, the 102nd Trento Motorized Division initially forms part of the general reserve but by 20 June, the Armored Corps has moved westward to support the Italian invasion of France. On 21 June, the Trento takes up new positions near Cuneo in the 1st Army sector. The Regiment does not take part in the fighting for the Franco-Italian Armistice is signed on 24 June. The Regiment remains part of the reserve for the remainder of 1940.

The Trento arrives in North Africa in March 1941 and takes part in the Siege of Tobruk. As a result of battle casualties, the 8th Motorcycle Battalion is disbanded in September 1941.

The Regiment is largely destroyed during the Second Battle of El Alamein and rebuilt during the retreat to Tunisia. Attached to the newly-arrived Centauro Division, the units sees action during the Battle of Kasserine Pass. The Regiment surrenders in May 1943.

During the Allied landings in Sicily as part of Operation Husky, the Regiment is still in the process of rebuilding, but orders are issued for the units to be disbanded on 8 September 1943.

In 1944, a 7th Bersaglieri Regiment is reformed in Germany as part of RSI Italia Division. The regiment is deployed on Apuane Alps in the winter of 1944-45, surrendering to US troops in April 1945.