SHORTLY BEFORE the siege began Colonel Cook of the 2/1st Army Field Workshop arranged for twenty-two captured Italian 47mm anti-tank guns to be brought from Bardia. They guns were reconditioned and nineteen were distributed for defence.

2-pounders were mounted on the back of trucks (portees) and though vulnerable gave some mobile anti-tank capability.

Anti-tank units included:

• 2/3rd Anti-tank Regiment;
• 3rd Royal Horse Artillery;  and
• 149 Anti-tank Regiment, Royal Artillery.