It seems to our group that is extremely difficult to hold onto Egypt, and then middle east.

The Italian/German army has such strength that it can destroy the british desert force and then take the middle east. I have found no real counter to this as it is Italy who does most of the heavy lifting here, and what else do they have to do?

This resulted in a very weak position for the British where they almost always lose most of their middle east and indian possessions, even more quickly if Japan is helping (strat bombers hitting India usually does the trick)

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to defend this region as the UK?