in january 1940, the 7th support group was formed for the division and the battery joined it on 22 january. the rest of 3rd rha did not join the support group until 1 march 1941. in the meantime, the battery took part in the western desert campaign: the battle of sidi barrani (811 december 1940), the battle of bardia (35 january 1941), the capture of tobruk (21 and 22 january) and the battle of beda fomm (58 february), and the whole regiment in operation crusader (18 november10 december)notably the battle of sidi rezegh.