I'm unable to find the men and equipment of a Bersaglieri motorcycle battalion in 1940. I'm also curious how far they could move in a day as I suspect they may have been used for recon. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, guys!
TOE Bersaglieri motorcycle battalion
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Re: TOE Bersaglieri motorcycle battalion
Here's what I found on CommandoSupremo website:
Bersaglieri motorcycle battalion:
-Comando compagnia.
-Three motorcycle companies each with:
—Platoon command 23 men;
—3 Motorcycle Platoons of 4 squads (6 men) with one light MG (Breda 30);
—1 Motor-machinegun Platoon of 4 squads with 9 men with one heavy MG (Breda 37).
I've not seen much on the 1940 Bersaglieri motorcycle battalions and these seem to have been converted in the 1941 armored divisions to a motorcycle company and a weapons battalion in the Bergsaglieri Regiments. The organization I have for the motorcycle company in 1941 consists of a HQ platoon with two officers, two NCOs, and 24 soliders with 3 light trucks, 2 motor tricycles and 11 motorcycles (1 w/ two seat and 1 w/ a side-car). Two motorcycle platoons with one officer, one NCO and 26 soldiers equipped with two motor tricycles and 23 motorcycles (six w/ two seats) and 3 LMGs. The MG platoon had one officer, two NCOs, and 42 soldiers with 4 motor tricycles, 25 motorcycles (22 w/ two seats) and 4 MMGs. There was also an armored car platoon with one officer, 3 NCOs and 12 men and they drove four AB-41 armored cars.
I would guess that a motorcycle company in the 1940 motorcycle battalion would be like the 1941 motorcycle company but substituting another motorcycle platoon (to make it three motorcycle platoons) for the armored car platoon. Three of those motorcycle companies being the main components of the 1940 Motorcycle Battalion
Bersaglieri motorcycle battalion:
-Comando compagnia.
-Three motorcycle companies each with:
—Platoon command 23 men;
—3 Motorcycle Platoons of 4 squads (6 men) with one light MG (Breda 30);
—1 Motor-machinegun Platoon of 4 squads with 9 men with one heavy MG (Breda 37).
I've not seen much on the 1940 Bersaglieri motorcycle battalions and these seem to have been converted in the 1941 armored divisions to a motorcycle company and a weapons battalion in the Bergsaglieri Regiments. The organization I have for the motorcycle company in 1941 consists of a HQ platoon with two officers, two NCOs, and 24 soliders with 3 light trucks, 2 motor tricycles and 11 motorcycles (1 w/ two seat and 1 w/ a side-car). Two motorcycle platoons with one officer, one NCO and 26 soldiers equipped with two motor tricycles and 23 motorcycles (six w/ two seats) and 3 LMGs. The MG platoon had one officer, two NCOs, and 42 soldiers with 4 motor tricycles, 25 motorcycles (22 w/ two seats) and 4 MMGs. There was also an armored car platoon with one officer, 3 NCOs and 12 men and they drove four AB-41 armored cars.
I would guess that a motorcycle company in the 1940 motorcycle battalion would be like the 1941 motorcycle company but substituting another motorcycle platoon (to make it three motorcycle platoons) for the armored car platoon. Three of those motorcycle companies being the main components of the 1940 Motorcycle Battalion
Re: TOE Bersaglieri motorcycle battalion
Thank you! I did not expect so thoughtful a reply!