By 10 June 1940, the "Cirene" division was stationed at Al Adam (now Tobruk Airport), with the rear areas protection duty. In the August, 1940, it was transferred to the Sallum-Bardia front area. The Italian invasion of Egypt has started 9 September 1940. 13 September 1940 the "Cirene" division also started to participate, entering Egyptian territory 13 September 1940 and reaching Sidi Barrani on 16 September 1940. Afterward, the Italian Army formed a defensive line composed of big outposts separated by wide desert areas. At the southern end of the line was the Buqbuq sector, where the "Cirene" Division has fortified in four strong points around the rocky hill near Ābār Abū Safāfī (Bir Sofafi), ‘Alam ar Rābiyah (Alam Rabia), the crossroads at point 236 , the crossroads at Qabr el Mahdi (Qabe Mahdi) and point 226 near Ābār Abū Safāfī (Bir Sofafi). They were separated from the next formation to the north, the Maletti Group by a gap.