 As it moved into position around Bardia in December 1940 , the 6th Division was still experiencing shortages . It had only two of its three artillery regiments , and only the 2 / 1st Field Regiment was equipped with the new 25 @-@ pounders , which it had received only that month . The 2 / 2nd Field Regiment was still equipped with twelve 18 @-@ pounders and twelve 4 @.@ 5 @-@ inch howitzers . Only A Squadron of the 2 / 6th Cavalry Regiment was on hand , as the rest of the regiment was deployed in the defence of the frontier posts at Al @-@ Jaghbub and Siwa Oasis . The 2 / 1st Machine Gun Battalion had been diverted to Britain . Its place was taken by a British Army machine @-@ gun battalion , the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers . The 2 / 1st Antitank Regiment had likewise been diverted , so each infantry brigade had formed an antitank company but 2 @-@ pounders were in short supply , and only eleven guns were available instead of the 27 required . The infantry battalions were particularly short of mortars , and ammunition for the Boys anti @-@ tank rifle was in short supply . 
