Q&A · 1:20:35-1:20:50

Where Afrika Korps troops might go without a North African campaign

An early Allied hold on North Africa would release German formations for the Soviet campaign or another route toward the Middle East.

Question

If the Allies controlled all of North Africa by 1940, where might troops otherwise assigned to Afrika Korps go?

Short answer

They would most likely reinforce Operation Barbarossa, with a Middle Eastern route through Turkey another possibility.

Notes

Troops no longer required for North Africa would likely be redirected rather than left idle. The clearest destination is Operation Barbarossa, where Germany could add them to the invasion of the Soviet Union. In an earlier version of the answer he also raises operations toward the Middle East through Turkey. The exchange changes force allocation, but it does not by itself establish that either alternative campaign would succeed.