 On 11 November 1941 , the 5th Infantry Brigade concentrated near Mersa Matruh . Three days later the division had assembled and began the advance into Libya . Their first task was to capture the seaside town of Sollum , which was taken on 23 November from its Italian garrison with only a few casualties . Follow @-@ up artillery inflicted 18 killed and 33 wounded however , including the commanding officer , Lieutenant Colonel George Dittmer , and two company commanders . Two hundred and forty @-@ seven Italian prisoners were taken . Following this , the 5th Infantry Brigade was placed under the command of the 4th Indian Division and the 28th Battalion took up positions near Bardia . 
