7th Bersaglieri Regiment

The 7th Bersaglieri Regiment form part of the Bersaglieri Corps of the Italian Army, originally created by General Alessandro La Marmora on 18 June 1836.

They compiled an excellent combat record,, and can still be recognized by the distinctive helmets, decorated with black plumes.

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 in Verona and Trento 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 Bersaglieri Motorcycle Battalion is disbanded in September 1941.

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

During the Allied landings in Sicily as part of Operation Husky, the Regiment is still in the process of reforming, but orders are soon issued for the unit to be disbanded with the Italian Armistice signed on 3 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.