On the nights of 7 December and 8 December 1940 the British Western Desert Force under the command of Major-General Richard O'Connor and comprising British 7th Armoured Division and Indian 4th Infantry Division reinforced by British 16th Infantry Brigade advanced a total of to their start positions for the attack. The "Catanzaro" division at the moment was guarding the Buqbuq sector, north of 63 Infantry Division Cirene at Ābār Abū Safāfī (Sofafi), south of 1 Libyan Division Sibelle at Al Maktīlah (Maktila) and 2 Libyan Division Pescatori at ‘Alam aţ Ţummār (Tummar). The heavy bombardment and British armoured attack at ’Alam Rimth 9 December 1940 have penetrated the "Catanzaro" division defenses. The annihilation of the Maletti Group at ‘Alam Nibeiwa at the same day has aggravated the situation as well. Unable to resist or stop the attacks, the "Catanzaro" linked with other Italian units at Buqbuq and along the coastal railroad 10 December 1940, covering the retreat of 4th Blackshirt Division " 3 January" and the Headquarters for the "Libyan Corps" from Sidi Barrani. By the 11 December Buqbuq had been cleared of all opposition and many Italian men and guns had been captured. The remnants of division were able to make a stand at Bir Tishdida, at the eastern outskirts of Sallum, and contained British advance, at the cost of the majority of the remained Italian tanks. 13–14 December 1940, the "Catanzaro" division under the relentless pressure retreated to Sallum proper, and on 15 December 1940 fell back to the defensive perimeter of Bardia. What remained of the division was completely destroyed in the Battle of Bardia by 5 January 1941.