Capture of Stalino

During the German invasion of Russia the 1st Panzer Army was advancing rapidly defeating the Soviets in series of engagements. The Germans decided to exploit these victories by advancing further into the Soviet Union and occupying important locations of Novo-Nikolayevka, Uspenovka and other territories of the Kursk Oblast. One 14th October a Major engagement took place between the Axis forces and Soviet Union at Dnieper River. During the battle a dramatic incident took place, the 1st "Savoia" Squadron, intent on reconnecting with the "Lancieri di Novara," came under intense fire and engaged in combat. Having dismounted his machine gunners to counter the fire, Lieutenant Donini Vannetti and his army led counterattack against the Russians forcing them to retreat from the battlefield. The Regiment "Lancieri di Novara" (5th) were stationed at Uspenovka supported by a stream but numerous automatic weapons of the Russians blocked their way and the Italians were unable to continue the offensive. Hence, the Italians retreat from Uspenovka and later next morning after the German reinforcements arrived the combined Axis forces attacked the enemy and captured Uspenovka forcing the Russians to retreat. == Battle ==

An offensive against Stalino (Now Donetsk) was planned however 52nd Infantry Division "Torino" lacked essential transport, Hence the attack on Stalino was coordinated between 9th Infantry Division "Pasubio" and 3rd Cavalry Division "Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta". Even though the conditions of roads were poor and difficult to travel the regiment somehow were able to navigate their way through the mud and rocks. An minor skrimish took place at Kyiv, after a brief fighting the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment was able to occupy Kyiv and make the Russians retreat. The Italians then stormed through Kurskovka and Mog-Pereskok, defeating the Russians wedging itself into the Russian rearguard, managed to occupy Griscino station and advance until reaching Krasnoarmeysk in the evening. The Italians occupied Novopavlovka after a failed counteroffensive by the Red Army and advanced into the province of Stalino. The final attack on Stalino was coordinated by the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment using a new and effective tactics, that of small, highly mobile units, accompanied by the precise fire of the horse batteries which, surprising the enemy with bold and rapid mounted actions, disrupted any attempt at reaction. The Russians were completely destroyed and the survivors retreated towards Gorlovka and Rikovo. At the same time the XXXXIX Mountain Corps (Wehrmacht) invaded Stalingrad the 3rd Bersaglieri Regiment occupied Stalino and then joined their allies in the central square, where a rather dilapidated statue of Lenin summed up very well the conditions of the retreating Russian troops. ==Legacy==