[WarInEur] Re: France 1940 and changing French unit strength-Addendum

[Jeffery K. McGonagill]

The issue is what to do to get the CW to contribute to the defense of France and to make it something more than an, "I don't care."  Without benefit of hindsight, would the British at the time think that if they abandoned France that the French wouldn't side with the Germans?  Don't think logically, don't use hindsight, think with the emotions of the time.

Churchill ordered the attack on Mers el Kebir because there was a concern that the Axis might get hold of the French fleet (or perhaps to show the US that the CW was in it for the long haul, or both).  Without a CW contingent would France have even stayed in the war and not seek a separate solution with the Germans?  Personally, I doubt it.

Also, personally I dislike what passes for diplomacy in WiE.  It is too much, "If I do 'A' then 'B' results."

How much of a chance would a CW player be will to take of France siding with the Germans if the BEF doesn't deploy to France?  10%?  5%?  

~Jeffery~
    Lets just get over this fantasy please.  The French were not going to fight
    with the Germans just because the Brits abandoned them.
  Interesting...

  The French did fight the British is several instances, and successfully, notably in Madagascar, defeating a British attempt at landings. These experiences led directly to the proposition that the Americans should lead the assault in North Africa. The allied planners were not prepared to gamble on the Brtish initial presence tripping off a full scale fight with Vichy. If our planners at the time felt that this was a serious risk...


  -|steve|-


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