Division "21 Aprile", whose minor Royal Italian Army units and equipment were also transferred to the Catanzaro.

After the capture of Sidi Barrani on 16 September, the 10th Army formed a defensive line composed of big outposts separated by wide desert areas and the Catanzaro moved to Sidi Barrani to guard the coastal railroad, the 10th Army's vital supply line.

The heavy bombardment and British armored attack at ’Alam Rimth on 9 December 1940 penetrated the Catanzaro's defenses.

Unable to resist or stop the attacks, the Catanzaro linked up with other Italian units at Buqbuq and covered the retreat of the 4th CC.NN.

[8] The remnants of the division were able to make a stand at Bir Tishdida, at the eastern outskirts of Sallum, and contained the British advance, at the cost of the majority of the remaining Italian tanks.