On 1 March 1940, the 2nd Libyan Division and
1st Libyan Division were formed from existing units in
Italian Libya. Both divisions consisted of Italian officers and local non-commissioned officers and troops. In September 1940 the 2nd Libyan Division participated in the
Italian invasion of Egypt. The original invasion plan of a flanking move through the desert had been modified due to the shortage of transport capacity and so the 1st Libyan Division and 2nd Libyan Division were brought close to the coastal road to be the spearhead for the CC.NN. divisions of XXIII Army Corps. The
Maletti Group would operate as a flank guard. After entering
Egypt the Italian units stopped and built a series of fortified camps around
Sidi Barrani. The British noted that the Italian camps were dispersed and separated by large distances, which meant they could not support each other if attacked. On 9 December, the 2nd Libyan Division was located at
Tummar and the British attack commenced on Tummar began at 13.50, after
7th Royal Tank Regiment had refuelled and re-armed and artillery had softened up the defences for an hour. A north-west approach was made and the tanks broke through the perimeter without much difficulty and were followed by the infantry. However, the defenders put up stronger opposition than at Nibeiwa but by 16.00 Tummar West had been overrun, except for the extreme north-east corner. On 10 December, the
16th Indian Infantry Brigade was brought forward from the
4th Indian Infantry Division reserve and with elements of the
11th Indian Infantry Brigade were sent forward to attack
Sidi Barrani. Moving forward it was in position barring the south and south-western exits to Sidi Barrani by 13.30. At 16.00, supported by the whole of the division's artillery, the attack, again with the support of 7th RTR, went in. The town was captured by nightfall and the remains of the two Libyan divisions and the
4th CC.NN. Division "3 Gennaio" were trapped between 16th Infantry Brigade and
Selby Force. By 15 December, Sollum and Halfya had been captured as well as Fort Capuzzo and all Italian forces had been cleared from Egypt. The division was declared lost on 11 December 1940. == Organization ==