Ships would leave metropolitan France overloaded with sailors, soldiers, aircrew, technicians, and civilians who could sustain an exile war effort. The fleet would probably make a collective choice, because historically only small fragments separated from the position taken by the majority. That cohesion makes battles between French warships far less likely and lets returning crews present themselves as liberators rather than participants in a civil conflict. Because the navy would be the strongest coherent exile institution, it might also supply the political leadership of the Free French movement.
Chapter · 31:09-35:13
A French fleet acting as one force
The scenario assumes most of the navy makes a collective choice, sharply reducing the chance of French ships fighting one another.