A departing French fleet would deny Hitler one of the gains he sought from victory. German forces had nevertheless reached the end of their supply lines after fighting in Norway, the Low Countries and France. Renewed demands risked encouraging French troops to continue a campaign that Germany considered won. The expected response in this scenario is anger and pressure for concessions from Vichy, followed by acceptance of the land victory. Britain had also continued landing troops elsewhere in France while the Dunkirk evacuation was taking place. Reopening the campaign could therefore create a much more difficult war on land.
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How Germany might respond to a departing fleet
German forces might seek concessions from a French armistice government while avoiding a renewed land campaign.