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Kids
Europe
Newsletter - Bersagliere Military Elite
A
Proud History
 When you go to
Italy, I want you to look for soldiers from the elite
Bersagliere regiment. They are proud and dressed,
some would say, for a comic opera. But explore the
information in this newsletter and watch for
Bersagliere soldiers and I hope you will
experience the thrill of learning about this elite
military tradition.
Pronunciation
of bersagliere: bear sah lee air ey
Pat Byrne
From the Mountains to the Front Lines
Cavalry on Bicycles
 The
Bersagliere regiment was founded in 1836 in the
Piedmont region of the
Italian
Peninsula
(it wasn't a united country yet) near the
mountains. This was originally a troop of armed
hunters, usually professional gamekeepers. Already
hardy, sharp shooting mountain men, they were
armed with carbine rifles and formed a light, fast
infantry that was self sufficient for up to three
days with the ammunition and supplies that they
carried. Their distinctive wide-brimmed hat
protected their head and neck from the rain and
was decorated with glossy black feathers. (They
even wore feathers on their helmets in later
conflicts.) Worn tipped to the side, the effect of
their hat is
dramatic. Underneath the hat they wear a red knit
cap with a tassel against cold weather, or
sometimes just the cap they call a
"fez."
Through
the 1800s, the bersagliere were noted for their
bravery and endurance in the wars of independence
from
France, in Crimea in 1855, in the African campaigns of
1885, and in the Boxer rebellion in
China
in 1900. They were known for their athleticism as
well as stealth in the mountains. Bugles were used
to signal the troops and the bersagliere developed
the tunes to a high art with rousing fanfares to
tell the troops what to do while charging their
spirits for battle.
During
World War I, they became the first cavalry without
horses! They were equipped with war bicycles and
carried on trains to close to the front. It was a
terrifying innovation for their enemies because
bikes move faster and much more quietly than
horses and require no food or sleep. The powerful
bersagliere could drive their bicycles quickly and
silently toward the enemy for sudden attacks.
A
mystique grew up around these soldiers that
persists to this day. They are known for their
strength and bravery, as well as their way with
the women. The image above shows all the legendary
elements: rifle, train, bicycle, feathered hat and
another soldier in the red "fez" kissing
a woman. After WWI, the bicycle race became, and
still is, one of Italy's most popular sports with, no doubt, many
champions who were bersagliere.
The
Bersagliere are currently serving in
Iraq.
Here
is a collection of websites by and about the
Bersagliere. Even if you can't read Italian, click
on the various links and you'll find many photos
and can listen to many rousing trumpet fanfares in
the process.
The Military Bicycle
And the Creed of Honor
 Here
is another photo
of a bersagliere'sis war bike. You can see how
they mounted the carbine with bayonet.
The
Creed of the Bersagliere
- Obedience
- Respect
- Absolute
knowledge of your arms
- Excellent
training
- Gymnastics
of every kind as far as frenzy
- Camaraderie
- Love
of family
- Respect
of the law and honor for the head of the
country
- Honor
the fatherland
- Belief
in yourself as far as conceit
Bersagliere Music
Rousing Fanfares, Running Bands
 Bersagliere
music is known for its rousing bugle fanfares that
are played while running or cycling as well as
romantic, lyrical songs about Bersagliere.
The
bugles that originally signaled musical orders to
the troops, can be heard in parades and through
links listed below. Earlier this year I was in
Rome, inspecting apartments for Excellent
Europe and was walking down the Via del Corso
in the heart of the city when I was startled out
of my Sunday morning reverie by the bugles of a
troop of Bersagliere. As soon as I heard them, I
turned to see them jogging past, playing all the
while. I had to jog myself to get even a photo
of their backs. Which leads to another aspect
of their music, they run and play! No, not march,
but actually run, as you can see in this
picture. When you listen to the fanfares, just
try to march to the beat! What happens?
And
in this country famous for its lyrical music,
there is many a romantic song about the
bersagliere soldier. Here is the Bersagliere
Romano song. It has all the important aspects of
the romantic bersagliere, doesn't it: mother,
country, pride, and beautiful women?
1.
Mamma don't cry, do me this favor. I'm content to
go to be a soldier. For
Italy
I'll be a brave Bersagliere because I've given my
heart to the fatherland. The tricolor [flag] is
the symbol of love, I'll fight as long as my heart
beats.
Refrain:
Oh Bersagliere leave happy between one kiss and
the next, to the Regiment. Feathers in the wind,
shiny and black, are the pride of the Bersagliere.
Goodbye blondes, ciao brunettes, you are the
blossoms of the men, your kisses bring joy to the
ardent heart of a Bersagliere.
2.
Mamma, I am writing you just a word to tell you I
have joined the Regiment. It seems a dream to me
to be a Bersagliere, when I march with feathers in
wind! And when the fanfare sounds in my head I
feel a grand, rare joy in my heart.
Hurrah!
1.
Mamma non piangere, fammi 'sto piacere, contento
son d'andare a fa' il soldato. Sarò d'Italia un
bravo Bersagliere perché alla Patria il cuore ho
donato. Il Tricolore è simbolo d'amore combatterò
finché mi batte il cuore.
Refrain:
O Bersagliere parti contento, tra un bacio e
l'altro, al Reggimento: le piume al vento, lucenti
e nereson la fierezza del Bersagliere. Addio
biondine, ciao brunette, siete le gemme delle
maschiette, i baci vostri fanno piacere al cuore
ardente di un Bersagliere.
2.
Mamma, ti scrivo solo una parola per dirti che son
giunto al Reggimento. Mi sembra un sogno d'esser
Bersagliere.quando cammino con le piume al vento!
E quando in testa suona la fanfara sento nel cuore
una gran gioia rara. 'rrà!
Many
of the Bersagliere sites have recordings of the
trumpet fanfares that I hope you enjoy listening
to. You may have to click around; look for a
musical note symbol. For the first one with ten
fanfares, you click first on Music, then on the
name of the song and then again on the image.
Italy
Discovery Journal Review
Author Praises the Journal
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She also gave top marks to our Excellent
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If
you are studying
Italy
or planning to go there, the Italy Discovery
Journal is the perfect companion for children up
to about the age of 16. Adults, too, appreciate
the insights as you can read
in comments from satisfied customers. Costing
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