first were sent to middle east around 1942 October, probably arrived in December. an other load have been sent about three month later. first load was 59 gun and 27 000 rounds.
However I have no evidences these guns ever saw combat in north Africa campaign. I have no info about carriage. It could have been the specific 17 pdr one that was rare art this time but in production since 1942 april or an adaptation on 25 pdr carriage.
I follow bk form distance these time, but at least I can say for me, there is a long time the 6 pdr is available from the brit second truck with no requierement ... except to have the spawner truck alive
my 2 cents