Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:05:58-1:08:12

Evacuating French forces could split the global war

Moving French forces overseas could hasten Italy's defeat, delay Japan, and create a southern route back into occupied France.

Alpine FrontAlternate HistoryAmphibious WarfareFrench Air ForceFrench Colonial EmpireFrench NavyImperial Japanese NavyIndian OceanItalian Campaign
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Question

What if France surrendered the mainland but evacuated its armed forces to continue the war?

Short answer

Preserved French forces could accelerate Italy's defeat, strengthen the Far East, and later help liberate France from the south.

Notes

Evacuating ships, aircraft, troops, and useful equipment to Britain or the colonies preserves military power after metropolitan defeat. An Anglo-French-Dutch fleet in the Indian Ocean could delay Japan's war by changing the balance it had to overcome. If Italy also leaves the Axis early, French formations could reorganize in North Africa, cross into Italy, and return through the Alpine frontier. British threats of amphibious landings elsewhere would then force Germany to divide attention between several possible fronts.