WI the egyptians got in the war

In 1940 when the threat of invasion became clear the Egyptians left the defence of Egypt up to the British and none of is army units got involved in the fighting. I was wondering then what would have happened if the Egyptians and The British both got involved in the fighting to defend Egypt
 
Many things could happen.

For starters, the Egyptian army wasn't that good. Poorly equipped and trained (compared to the Germans and the post 1940 Italians), they would have a hard time against the Axis and might allow the Axis some easy penetrations. If employed in rear areas, they could release British/Commonwealth troops for frontline duties however, strengthing the British position.

At the political level, assistance by the Egyptian army would have to lead to political concessions by Egypt's occupiers. The British would have to allow the Egyptians greater say in strategy as well since it is "their" country.

And if the young Turks in the Egyptian army, who OTL were plotting the overthrow of the British sponsored stooge and their own liberation, still decide to continue their freedom activities, the British position may well be undermined at important moments by Egyptian forces.
 
I agree with Ranocles. The Egyptians were poorly equipped, and much of the officer corps was nationalist and open to conspiring against the British. I don't think they would have been foolish enough to attempt to stab the British in the back, but I would not be surprised to see them causing some problems in the rear.

Overall I do think they would be a military asset, as every British/Commonwealth soldier freed up by an Egyptian is another soldier who can fight the Axis. There would be some fallout in Egyptian politics, and perhaps protests after the main focus of the war shifted away from North Africa. I wouldn't expect Churchill to grant concessions to the Egyptians during wartime, and this could create resentment in Egypt like it did in India.
 
Surely, the Egyptian Army was badly equiped because of the attitude of the Egyptians. Though it's easy to think that the patronising attitude of the British to them didn't help!
Yet, what if they were as co-operative as the Arabs of French-North-Africa?
If Anglo-Egyptian forces dealt with the Italians in East Africa, it gives less disruption to British forces dealing with the Italians in Libya!?
I suppose the crucial difference, is that Egypt was not part of the 'empire' it had more control then say Kenya or Nigeria, but because of its strategic location - Britain had control of defense and foreign policy.
Why, though didn't the Italian invasion of Ethiopia, make the Egyptians think twice, and make them reconsider - perhaps the British aren't so bad after all!
So how many divisions could the Egyptian Army have? How many squadrons of aircraft - Iraq had an Air Force why not Egypt.
 
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