Free French North Africa squeezes Italian Libya

If the French Empire follows the fleet, Italian Libya becomes surrounded by Allied territory. Italy might attack Tunisia instead of Egypt, committing its army against terrain favorable to the defenders while British forces advance west from Egypt. Without an Italian advance into Egypt to delay them, British forces could begin their own offensive before the historical December start of Operation Compass. An Italian attack west would also have to leave troops covering the Egyptian frontier, reducing the strength available in Tunisia. Submarines and destroyers operating from Bizerte and Sousse would attack shipping supplying Libya. Libya could therefore fall during 1940, with the conquest replacing Mers-el-Kebir as the visible demonstration that the Allies will continue fighting.