In all reality, the initial deployment of the token forces into North Africa was, with the benefit of hindsight, not a well thought out idea. Born mainly out of the same concerns for 'their long Southern flank' as was their intervention in Greece, the initial mission for Panzerkorps Afrika was to stabilize the Italian line and prevent or destroy British forces from threatening Axis operations on continental Europe. The initial mission of the 5th Light Division is telling in terms of the immediate purpose and goal of the Korps as a whole; get into contact with enemy elements and block his advance. Conceptually, they were a very large fire brigade in purpose, precedence of supply and equipment.

The mission evolved exponentially upon early successes; and a drive to Egypt had the ultimate goal of the Suez Canal in mind. Nothing short of eliminating British presence in the Mediterranean, be it naval, air or ground became the 'to the point' goal of the now Panzer Group Afrika. Asides from control of the Suez, everything else is truly pure conjecture; a drive to the Caucasus? Co-operation with Japan viz. the subcontinent? Given the situation rapidly developing in the Soviet Union at the time, the former, which undoubtedly would've also envisioned and necessitated invasions of Oil-rich British possessions such as Iraq, was the likely and sound course of action. The Alamein line was never breached, and thus Strategic objectives 1 and 2; the destruction of British Forces and Invasion of Egypt were never realized.

Was the Afrika Korps the driving force in the Axis's North African forces, or did the Italian troops play the leading role? What exactly was the ratio of German to Italian troops in Africa?