"La France Continue" (LFC) a different destiny for France. (France continues to fight in 1940 by Emi

[ukron]

Hi everyone.
I decided to publish the English translation of the timeline of my great friend Emile Ollivier (with his approval of course) where the IIIéme République, following unforeseen circumstances, continues the war against the Axis, instead of capitulating shamefully in June 1940.

Quite long and theoretically not yet finished (Emile Ollivier has ideas of development up to our days!), I will try as well as possible to present this AH to translate and to explain all the terms and events which would not be necessarily familiar to all and to transmit your remarks and comments to its author, whom I thank again.

Have a good reading.

P.S: this is one of my first translations from French to English on such a long scale, so don't hesitate to give me remarks and criticisms, thank you.

Original link: forumuchronies.frenchboard.com/f14-lfc-un-autre-destin-pour-la-france (in French)

[ukron]

Exiled France. Volume 1: 1940 The Wheel of Destiny

[ukron]

Chapter 1: Crossroads


"I felt, in the depths of my soul, that the mysterious car incident that befell Marshal Pétain emanated from a Force eager to save France. I immediately considered it as a kind of call from destiny. Moreover, the events that followed proved it."
Charles de Gaulle, Mémoires de guerre - Le Sursaut : 1940-1941 (tome I)


June 10, 1940, in the evening. A car left Paris in a hurry in the direction of Touraine. On board was the vice-president of the French Republic, Marshal Philippe Pétain. As the government evacuated Paris, he seemed in a real hurry to leave the capital.

Too much so...

One of the tires gave way, causing the vehicle to leave the road.

There were no survivors.

To replace the Marshal as vice-president, Reynaud urgently appointed his Minister of the Interior, Georges Mandel, who had been urged to do so by the General, a "hardliner".

The camp of the continuation of the fighting was thus greatly strengthened, while that of the "Flanchards" (1), as de Gaulle called them, was seriously weakened by the death of the Marshal, with the loss of his herald.

Despite the military disaster, the honors were paid to the Marshal, who would remain forever the "winner of Verdun".

At the end of the tribute, General de Gaulle whispered in Mandel's ear, according to the latter's memoirs: "Thank God, he will no longer be able to block the road to France's destiny...".

Still appalled by the Marshal's sudden disappearance, the French leaders learned that their British counterparts, led by Winston Churchill, wanted to meet with them at the GQG of the commander of the French army, General Maxime Weygand, at the Château du Muguet in Briare[1], on the same day.

Present were Paul Reynaud, Georges Mandel, the French generals Weygand, De Gaulle, Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, the British generals Ismay and Spears.

After a dramatic presentation of the situation on the front by Weygand, Reynaud asked Churchill for the massive support of the RAF, which he believed could "tip the scales". But Churchill refused to send the remnants of the British fighter to France. After the fighting at Dunkirk, he had only 25 squadrons available, which he felt he needed at all costs to defend his country.

Churchill, on the other hand, proposed fighting in Paris, but Weygand categorically refused to turn Paris "into a new Madrid".

Churchill then proposed, in order to push the United States to intervene, to lead a daily guerrilla war against the German occupier.

Reynaud, however, expressed his reservations, fearing reprisals against civilians and the destruction of French cities, which shocked de Gaulle and Mandel, not because they wanted to deliberately sacrifice the people of France, but because they were beginning to feel the crack in the armor of the President of the Council.

Churchill felt the same way, and to tip the balance in the right direction, he promised the support of the British Bomber Command against the columns of Panzers that were heading south via night raids.

His Majesty's Prime Minister made this promise because he felt that a rift had opened in the cause of keeping the French Republic at war with the death of Pétain...

Earlier in the day, in agreement with General Georges, Maxime Weygand had ordered a general withdrawal of the French army to a line running from Caen to Dôle and relying largely on the Loire. The infamous personal and secret instruction "NI 1444/3 FT" ordered this withdrawal to be implemented "as quickly as possible, without concern for alignment and without a spirit of liaison"...

This withdrawal implied the abandonment of the Maginot Line, which was not prepared to support a "siege war".

The conference continued the next day, June 12, 1940, this time at the Château de Cangé.

Darlan, this time present, committed himself to Churchill that the French fleet would never fall into German hands.

History will prove that he was a man of his word in this respect.

On the other hand, Weygand continued his catastrophic presentations on the military situation "and the German battleship divisions that were breaking through our system and taking many prisoners.

Reynaud, increasingly weary, worked to the bone by his mistress, exhausted by the turn of events, nevertheless promised that no decision to continue or stop the fighting would be taken without informing the British.

Churchill, a little provocative, but for the right cause, said that if the victorious United Kingdom restored France "in her dignity and greatness," he added in the language of Molière, "you French have this phrase. "It is better to die standing than to live on your knees", and I tell you, my friends, that if France stands by England, she will not die! On the other hand, I cannot offer you this kind of guarantee from Herr Hitler...".

Needless to say, Weygand did not like this joke.

As he withdrew to London, Churchill whispered, still in French, in de Gaulle's ear "L'homme du destin...".

From the evening, the British left, the French generalissimo exposed for the first time to the council of ministers the need for an armistice. It is necessary to avoid, above all, the decomposition of the army," he said, "and to do this, we must now send the German government a request for an armistice. He added: "France can today ask for an armistice without blushing. I am pleased to have fought a battle on the Somme that has restored the French army to its true colours. Before the world, it has saved its honor, and from now on, dealing with it will no longer be unworthy of it.

Reynaud was opposed to this, and said that it was necessary either to create a Breton stronghold, or to continue the struggle from North Africa, concluding that "Hitler is Genghis Khan!" and that he would not be satisfied, like William I, with annexing one or two provinces...

Weygand then shouted: "The war is lost! England will not wait 8 days after the complete crushing of our country to ask for the conditions of peace on its side. 2000 soldiers fall every day under enemy bullets. The politicians started this war, it's up to them to finish it!"

Reynaud, however, showing character, and despite strong visible signs of weakness[3] replied to Weygand that he had been appointed president of the council on this program. "Victory at all costs".

Unfortunately, Hitler had two trump cards. His panzers and... Reynaud's own girlfriend, Helène de Portes!

Thus, the combative Reynaud of the council, despite his stress, dissolves into the night, his mistress having called him... " Of Isabeau of Bavaria!".

The one who signed with Henry V, king of England, the treaty of Troyes, almost delivered France to the latter...

Thus, when de Gaulle and Mandel insisted that Reynaud replace Weygand, the latter refused.

The last phase of the conference was held in Tours on June 13.


The purpose of this last day of the conference was to determine the fate of France for the future. Should we continue to fight, either by creating a fortress in Brittany or by withdrawing to AFN, or should we cease hostilities immediately? If the latter, how would England react?

At 3:30 p.m., Churchill and Reynaud had a meeting. Reynaud, who was opposed to the signing of an armistice, nevertheless asked what the British government thought of it.

Churchill replied after a moment of silence, in a lyrical outburst:

"Although we understand the situation in which you find yourselves, the government I represent can only strongly oppose this decision, although in any case, Great Britain will restore France in all her power and greatness whatever her attitude after her defeat.

If she does not, I can tell you this. Great Britain will stand by your country, France, with strength, if you decide to withdraw either to Britain or to North Africa, with our ships, soldiers and equipment. Know that Great Britain will stand behind you if you decide to continue the war!

This answer strengthens the supporters of the continuation of the fighting. The "capitulards" had just lost another battle.

It was in this context that the government began a new retreat, this time to Bordeaux.

Bordeaux, where an atmosphere of the end of a world reigned, an atmosphere that impressed even President Lebrun, and where opponents and supporters of the armistice now openly confronted each other during meetings of the Council of Ministers.

Will the capital of defeat be the tomb of France's greatness?

After Weygand announced the collapse of the front, Chautemps, the leader of the defeatist camp, proposed a motion to the ministers for a vote, calling not for an armistice, but with the aim of asking Germany for the conditions of an armistice.

Mandel was furious and violently attacked Camille Chautemps, openly calling him a coward.

In response, the latter used the primary argument of Hitler's future French lackeys. Mandel would be "indifferent to the suffering of the French...".

The worst part is that Reynaud does not even defend Mandel.

De Gaulle, for his part, was in Brittany, where, after conferring with Generals Altmayer and Guitry to, he said, "prepare the defense of the land" in Rennes, he then went to Brest to prepare the evacuations.

He did not return to Bordeaux until the evening. It was through Mandel that he learned that Reynaud had rejected the Chautemps proposal in extremis, but that the head of the government also seemed to be on the verge of breaking off.

De Gaulle replied:

"So be it, we only have one night to act!




Progress of the front line in the afternoon of June 16, 1940 (Source [WW2] The Battle of France and the Low Countries: Every Hour by Yan Xishan 閻錫山)

[1] In the department of Loiret
[2] Churchill on the other hand in addition to having refused to send fighter squadrons of the RAF in France, only promised 2 divisions by the end of June and 20 more if ... France holds until the spring of 1941!
[3] Reynaud thus had wobbly legs...


(1) Who lacks courage, determination, when it comes to action

[ukron]

Chapter 2: Alea Jacta Est

"After writing the address to the French people announcing the "surge", the President of the Council said to me, visibly moved. "It's perfect, my general, let's record the appeal of June 16 and then broadcast it on the air. The world must know our resolution!
Charles de Gaulle, Mémoires de guerre - Le Sursaut : 1940-1941 (tome I)

The next day, June 16, the ministers continued to fight over the fate of France.

Armistice or capitulation?

Mandel, the General, but also Louis Marin, Minister of State, defended tooth and nail the idea of continuing the struggle.

While Chautemps, Weygand, but also Paul Baudouin and Bouthillier, who therefore betrayed Reynaud, carried the white flag of defeat.

The others, although patriotic, were still a kind of swamp that could push them to one side or the other, even if, as historical research will prove, they tended to lean towards the side of the struggle.

Reynaud, livid, frightened and disgusted by the betrayal of those he thought were his close friends and supporters, hoping to silence the supporters of the armistice, read in a tone that did not hide his nervousness, Churchill's categorical refusal to release France from its oath not to sign a separate peace, in response to a cable sent in this sense to London the day before.

Chautemps, then comes out of his hammers and says with a bang.

"The French government does not have to ask the English government for its agreement! We are not, and never will be, a Dominion!

"That is not the question... It is just a matter of consultation between allies," replied de Gaulle coldly.

Yves Bouthillier, the felon, then asked, in a falsely conciliatory tone, that since the government could not decide, the chambers should be made to vote.

He knows very well the uncompromising nature of a majority of deputies.

And in a democracy, the tomb is decided by one vote...

Mandel then had these historic words.

"Gentlemen ministers,

The dramatic situation that our unfortunate country is experiencing has caused some people to lose their sense of duty, although their role should have been to be models to follow.

Moreover, in the face of adversity, a fraction of the nation's representatives have lowered themselves to the point of being mere representatives of a fraction of their constituents.

However, here, there are still ministers who are not deaf to the silent cry of the majority of the French people, which is to continue the war, in order, one day soon, to restore them and the country in their honor, their dignity, and their right.

As for the deputies, I can now assure you of their full and complete support.

Chautemps, Baudouin, and Bouthillier did not have time to react when Messrs. Herriot, president of the Chamber of Deputies, and Jeanneney, president of the Senate, entered the room and announced their support, and thus that of parliament, for a reappointment of Paul Reynaud as head of a new team, on the condition that it would be in favor of continuing the war from North Africa, where the institutions of the Republic would be transported.

Mandel then adds. "Mr. Bouthillier, we are indeed in favor of the vote that you propose..."

The "Flanchards" of the government having been neutralized, due to their future ousting from the government, it remained to adjourn the council, to converse with Reynaud as to the future composition of the new cabinet of the Republic.

The one of the fight.

But then events began to take place...

Weygand, learning that events were no longer going his way, suddenly burst into the room.

"Gentlemen! How can you imagine for a moment that you can continue the war under these conditions? Our armies are dislocated, broken, on their knees, and this, in spite of boundless heroism, overwhelmed as they are by the mass of thousands of panzers! Our defense lines on the Somme and the Aisne were crushed. At this hour, the enemy is charging towards the Loire and threatening the rear of our troops stationed along the Maginot line! I add that the admirable value of our soldiers makes that you the politicians, who alone decided this war, must find a solution to put an end to this bloodbath! Do you really want the red flag to fly over the Élysée Palace?

De Gaulle was about to intervene when Mandel beat him to it.

"Can you imagine, Generalissimo, this cabinet unaware of our situation? Not knowing the heroism of our troops? Ignorant of the military situation? Contemptuous of the suffering of the French?

But this cabinet is also aware of the barbarity of the enemy we are facing! Hitler is a new Attila and France can only live when he and his bloodthirsty hordes are annihilated!

The..."

Weygand then vituperates...

"Hitler is an Attila for certain categories only..."

Mandel then looks at him coldly and then turns to Reynaud with an explicit look that means, "Do something Mr. President of the Council!"

Reynaud, reassured by the strength of conviction of his ministers, then uttered this decisive sentence.

"You are dismissed from your position as supreme commander of the French army, General.

Weygand then turned red with anger.

"What right do you have to do this?

"By the fact, or rather the principle, that military authority is always subordinate to political power..." replied Paul Reynaud simply.

Maxime Weygand had understood. Mandel and de Gaulle's stroke of genius had changed the situation. He, General Weygand, could no longer put pressure on the presidency of the council to take the decision, more honorable according to him, to conclude a political armistice rather than a military surrender of the Metropole.

The ex-generalissimo, in a much calmer tone of voice, but nevertheless animated by a tic, a sign of his extreme nervousness, then asked for permission to be assigned to the head of a fighting unit.

Reynaud, finally satisfied with Weygand's submission, agreed.

Maxime Weygand silently saluted the President of the Council and withdrew.

Weygand, who asked to be demoted to colonel, committed suicide, after having fought valiantly.

June 23, in the early morning...

Seeing that their last trump card had just collapsed with the ousting of Weygand, the supporters of the armistice, led by Chautemps, who although mute for some during the meeting of the 16th, but having revealed themselves in broad daylight the day before, left the room.

Fortunately, having committed no crime, Mandel, the Minister of the Interior, could not totally neutralize them, but a heavy surveillance was exercised on them from that day on. [4]

The supporters of the continuation of the struggle, suspecting that they were being prolonged in their mission, remained in the room, which was obviously the case.

With the Flanchards gone, Reynaud announced, to the astonishment of the ministers and presidents of the chambers, that he would resign in favor of Georges Mandel.

Faced with their opposition, Reynaud insisted.

"No, no, ministers, my decision is irrevocable. I am no longer the right man for the job. The actions of Messrs. De Gaulle and Mandel have proven that. Mr. Mandel is the best placed to lead France to final victory. As for you, General, my last decision as President of the Council is to appoint you as a permanent general.

President Lebrun immediately approved this double decision.

It now remained to announce to the world the new French determination.

Mandel's words on the air, although universally known, deserve to be transcribed in this book.

"My dear compatriots,

The President of the Republic has appointed me to head the government in these tragic hours for our country.

Yes, we are suffering a great defeat. A bad military system, the mistakes made in the conduct of operations, the spirit of abandonment of some, have made us lose the battle of France.

Indeed, although we were and are overwhelmed by the mechanical, ground and air force of the enemy, the last word has not been said. Hope must not disappear and defeat is not final!

Believe me, I am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts and I tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that defeated us can bring victory one day.

For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can stand shoulder to shoulder with the British Empire, which holds the sea and also continues the struggle. She can, like England, make unlimited use of the immense industry of the United States.

This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not cut off by the battle of France. This war is a world war. All the faults, all the delays, all the sufferings, do not prevent that there are, in the universe, all the necessary means to crush one day our enemies. Crushed today by mechanical force, we will be able to win in the future by a superior mechanical force. The destiny of the world is here.

Honor, common sense, the interest of the Fatherland, command all Frenchmen to continue the fight

Aware of all this, the government of the Republic over which I preside has decided to leave for North Africa to continue the fight.

Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not and will not be extinguished.

Long live the Republic! Long live France!"


But the General had not been content to help Mandel write the appeal to the people of France and his friends. De Gaulle also helped the newly appointed president of the council to compile a list of names for his government. Reconducting the other vice-president of the council of the previous government, Camille Chautemps, was obviously excluded. But who was to replace them in this position, which logically could only be held by major political figures?

As vice-presidents of the council, de Gaulle and Mandel agreed to appoint Joseph Paul-Boncour and Louis Marin, a former president of the council (left wing) of the French Republic and the leader of the French conservative right.

The first, a strong anti-Munich supporter, was a strong advocate of Franco-Soviet rapprochement during the rise of the perils.

The second, a minister of state until then, moved up the ranks. He will serve to rally the most conservative of the French. Marin is a real sign that anti-fascism is not only of the left. Although he was the leader of the right-wing Republican Federation, this did not prevent him from being a supporter of the resistance at all costs.

Two heavyweights of French political life for a fighting government.

A man of the left and a man of the right.

The Sacred Union...

In foreign affairs, while de Gaulle foresaw the global nature of the conflict and the future German-Soviet war, and in line with the appointment of Paul-Boncour as vice-president of the council, he obtained from Mandel the appointment of Léon Blum.

The leader of the French socialists. Appointing him to the government was therefore in line with the renewal of the Sacred Union of 1914. Moreover, it allowed to place an individual capable of negotiating with Stalin at the head of the diplomacy of the Republic.

De Gaulle would have liked him to be the vice-president of the council representing the left, but Mandel categorically refused. For him, placing two Jews in the highest spheres of the State could have scuppered his government by inciting the anti-Semites to action.

Alas, his "Jewishness" was at that time the source of a profound complex in the new head of the French government.

Indeed, after the meeting that saw him propelled to the presidency of the council, Mandel experienced a moment of doubt.

"I am a Jew," he said to the General. "They will never accept me..."

To which de Gaulle replies.

"The only devotion that counts in these troubled times is devotion to the party, M. Le Président du Conseil..."

Mandel, reassured by these fair words, but still aware of the terrible domestic threat posed by the anti-Semitic far right, retained the portfolio of the Interior. And it was in this capacity that he issued a decree ordering the civil authorities to remain in place and to maintain republican authority until the Germans arrived. The police and gendarmes were forbidden to withdraw. Better still, they had to help contain the Exodus, which was bothering the French army and which was now quite useless, as the country was destined to be totally occupied in the short term...

Better still, the police and gendarmerie would soon be providing information on German activities in the country to the government in exile!

As a true cabinet of struggle, de Gaulle and Mandel endeavored to link up with the fighters of the first hour, even if it meant giving them secondary portfolios on paper.

The President of the Council and the General immediately agreed to rally Henri de Kérillis, the only right-wing deputy who had voted against the Munich agreements and who strongly denounced the capitulation that delivered Czechoslovakia to Hitler.

"Gentlemen, those of us who would have liked to find the line of resistance to German pretensions much earlier, to save Czechoslovakia and at the same time to save peace, are accused of having wanted war. (...) No, gentlemen, I did not want war, but when war threatens a country, one should not give the impression of fearing it if one wants to make it retreat. (...) This peace consecrates the triumph of Hitler, that is to say at the same time that of Germany and that of international fascism. (...) I am well aware that there are among us men imbued with patriotism (...) who hope that France will be able to live in peace, proud and free, next to this new and gigantic Germany. [...] No! Do not hope! Germany is insatiable in front of the weak, Germany is merciless for the weak, Germany respects only the strong and we have just shown her that we are not! (...) You think she will become soft and conciliatory. I believe that it will become demanding and terrible. Hitler warned us, in Mein Kampf, that his supreme goal was to crush France.

A sad omen from a Cassandra...

De Kérillis became minister of veterans in the "Surge"[5].

Finally, in order to show a break with Reynaud while at the same time demonstrating the extremist character of his cabinet, Mandel recalled as Minister of State the man who had declared war on the Reich after its invasion of Poland and who had been dismissed by Reynaud, his enemy, in early June.

Edouard Daladier

But the continuation of the struggle would be impossible without the help of the fleet, which Admiral François Darlan of France had made his "thing".

From then on, his fusilliers-marins patrolled Bordeaux from the middle of the night.

To maintain order but, above all, to avoid a coup de force by the defeatists.

Indeed, during the night of June 15 to 16, de Gaulle and Mandel met with Darlan at the Admiralty.

The latter affirmed the loyalty of the fleet to the government and the fierce determination of the French sailors to continue the war. He then emphasized the admirable performance of the navy during the operations, while implying that although the army had behaved badly during the Battle of France, it had its minister in the person of de Gaulle.

He concluded by showing the importance of the latter for the continuation of the fighting from overseas.

Understanding the message, Mandel and de Gaulle promised Darlan the post of Minister of the Navy, which would bring together the merchant and military navies.

In exchange, Darlan provided, among other things, fusilliers-marins to patrol Bordeaux, which was infiltrated by defeatists, including none other than its own mayor, Adrien Marquet, whose mind was gangrened by fascist ideals...

Président du conseil : Georges Mandel

• Vice-présidents du conseil
◦ Joseph Paul-Boncour
◦ Louis Marin

- Ministers:
◦ Minister of National Defense and War: Charles de Gaulle
◦ Minister of Foreign Affairs: Léon Blum
◦ Minister of the Interior: Georges Mandel
◦ Minister of Armaments: Raoul Dautry
◦ Minister of Finance: Paul Ramadier
◦ Minister of Labor: Charles Pomaret
◦ Minister of Justice: Albert Sérol
◦ Minister of the Navy: François Darlan
◦ Minister of the Air: Laurent Eynac
◦ Minister of National Education: Jean Zay
◦ Minister of Veterans and Pensions: Henri de Kérillis
◦ Minister of Agriculture: Paul Thellier
◦ Minister of Supply: Henri Queuille
◦ Minister of the Colonies: Marius Moutet
◦ Minister of Public Works: Charles Vallin
◦ Minister of the French Family: Georges Pernot
◦ Minister of Posts, Telegraph, Telephone and Transmissions: Alfred Jules-Julien
◦ Minister of Information: Daniel Mayer
◦ Minister of Commerce and Industry: Louis Rollin
◦ Minister of the Blockade: Georges Monnet
◦ Ministers of State: Auguste Champetier de Ribes and Édouard Daladier

As for Paul Reynaud, an admirer of Anglo-Saxon regimes and perfectly English-speaking, he was appointed to the no less crucial position of ambassador to Washington.

He would be the voice of fighting France to President Roosevelt.

Now that France had a new government at its head, it was time to organize the "surge", while the German offensive continued relentlessly...




Georges Mandel, new president of the council (Source Wikipedia)
[4] For a time, Mandel considered arresting them for high treason all the same.
[5] Let us note that he was the author of a quality analysis of the 1940 defeat, "Français, voici la vérité." (French, here the truth).

[lordroel]

Sept 11, 2022 16:31:03 GMT ukron said:

Hi everyone.
I decided to publish the English translation of the timeline of my great friend Emile Ollivier (with his approval of course) where the IIIéme République, following unforeseen circumstances, continues the war against the Axis, instead of capitulating shamefully in June 1940.

Quite long and theoretically not yet finished (Emile Ollivier has ideas of development up to our days!), I will try as well as possible to present this uchrony, to translate and to explain all the terms and events which would not be necessarily familiar to all and to transmit your remarks and comments to its author, whom I thank again.

Have a good reading.

P.S: this is one of my first translations from French to English on such a long scale, so don't hesitate to give me remarks and criticisms, thank you.

Original link: forumuchronies.frenchboard.com/f14-lfc-un-autre-destin-pour-la-france (in French)

Well thank you friend then ukron for allowing you to post it on this humble forum.

[ukron]

I won't be surprised if Emille Ollivier and fellow members of Forum des Uchronies Francophones (Forum of French AH) didn't decide to have a look at this forum

[lordroel]

Sept 11, 2022 18:04:22 GMT ukron said:

I won't be surprised if Emille Ollivier and fellow members of Forum des Uchronies Francophones (Forum of French AH) didn't decide to have a look at this forum

Well i am happy to all lurkers who lurk here.

At least i have not to use Google Translate anymore to read this TL, that is a bonus.

[lfc]

Hello everyone.

Thank you Ukron for sharing et translate !

I hope you like this TL !

[lordroel]

Sept 11, 2022 18:30:04 GMT lfc said:

Hello everyone.

Thank you Ukron for sharing et translate !

I hope you like this TL !

That i will.

[ukron]

Sept 11, 2022 18:30:04 GMT lfc said:

Hello everyone.

Thank you Ukron for sharing et translate !

I hope you like this TL !

Glad to see you Emile! 

[stevep]

   Interesting opening chapters and quite a cabinet.  A lot will depend on how much in terms of people, equipment and the like they can get to N Africa or possibly for units in the north to Britain for onward movement.

  One question is who will handle the surrender of the mainland as I expect the Germans will insist on having someone to negotiate/dictate to on that issue and also to want to find a Quisling for a puppet government. 

  I know for a long time there has been a France Fights On TL elsewhere, starting I believe on a naval site, which has a similar idea.  Is this that TL or a different one?

  Looking forward to seeing how things develop.   It could get hairy for Mussolini in Libya with allied forces being able to operate from Tunisia as well as Malta to cut supply lines.  Assuming that Corsica will have to be given up as well - although quite possibly with a tough fight.  Of course its more likely that most/all colonies will support the government in exile in Algiers rather than any Vichy type puppet but some may go that way.

[lordroel]

Sept 11, 2022 17:50:40 GMT ukron said:

Chapter 2: Alea Jacta Est

- Ministers:
◦ Minister of National Defense and War: Charles de Gaulle

I assume that makes him a 2 ore more star general, you cannot have a 2 star ordering several stars generals.

[ukron]

Sept 11, 2022 19:38:28 GMT stevep said:

   Interesting opening chapters and quite a cabinet.  A lot will depend on how much in terms of people, equipment and the like they can get to N Africa or possibly for units in the north to Britain for onward movement.

  One question is who will handle the surrender of the mainland as I expect the Germans will insist on having someone to negotiate/dictate to on that issue and also to want to find a Quisling for a puppet government. 

  I know for a long time there has been a France Fights On TL elsewhere, starting I believe on a naval site, which has a similar idea.  Is this that TL or a different one?

  Looking forward to seeing how things develop.   It could get hairy for Mussolini in Libya with allied forces being able to operate from Tunisia as well as Malta to cut supply lines.  Assuming that Corsica will have to be given up as well - although quite possibly with a tough fight.  Of course its more likely that most/all colonies will support the government in exile in Algiers rather than any Vichy type puppet but some may go that way.

Don't worry, all the answers to these questions are in the next chapters!

This story is very loosely based on La France Continue la Guerre by Jacques Sapir, Frank Stora and Loic Mahé (first in the form of a forum of the same name, then in the form of two books published by Tallandier, you can find an English translation on the other forum (I posted the link in the thread: What if Indochina joins Free France).

But Emile Ollivier has taken the gamble of a much longer history and with big changes compared to the Second World War, his approach is less analytical but more ambitious on the long term.

[ukron]

Sept 12, 2022 3:16:41 GMT lordroel said:

Sept 11, 2022 17:50:40 GMT ukron said:

Chapter 2: Alea Jacta Est

- Ministers:
◦ Minister of National Defense and War: Charles de Gaulle

I assume that makes him a 2 ore more star general, you cannot have a 2 star ordering several stars generals.

If I remember correctly, this is the case.

Although his position as Minister of War makes him one of the heads of the land and air armies (we are not yet like under the 5th Republic, where the power of the Ministry of War is reduced, and most often shared between the chiefs of staff, the president and his defense advisors).

[lordroel]

Sept 11, 2022 17:50:40 GMT ukron said:

Chapter 2: Alea Jacta Est

- Ministers:

◦ Minister of the Navy: François Darlan

First, i could not think of a other person to hold this position, secondly Darlan and Gaulle in the same government, do we need to be worried.