Control of the fleet would strengthen Free French authority across the empire. Colonial officials would have to choose between a Vichy representative with little force and a Free French leadership able to arrive with ships, supplies, and soldiers. Some colonial personnel regarded Vichy as a puppet government, so the departure of the whole fleet would also strengthen Free French claims to national independence. Darlan could send de Gaulle with land and naval forces to bring reluctant territories into the new alignment. Evacuated supplies would buy time to arrange replacement ammunition, shells, and spare parts. France had already been negotiating with American suppliers before defeat, allowing the government in exile to inherit those contracts and expand them for the fleet's greater needs.
Notable Point · 29:20-34:33
Holding the empire and rebuilding supply chains
A fleet that joins the Allies could help pull French colonial authorities with it, while existing American contracts offer a starting point for replacing specialised supplies.