Vichy France

[SkyVon]

Please correct me if I am wrong here, but wasn't Vichy NA pretty much off limits to German/Italian troops prior to the Allied invasion of western NA? I understand there was cooperation between the two, but were German divisions/corps/air units allowed to move/base freely throughout French NA?

If so, then for the Axis to have free regin in Vichy "occupied" NA seems a bit unfair towards the Allies. If I am correct, then perhaps a *gasp* house rule is necessary here?

[Mark Stevens]

The Vichy government did its best to discourage other Axis troops from being based in its territory, as it was clinging to the fiction that it was an independent power. Hitler didn't want to antagonise the French without good reason.

In 1941 Germany sent Luftwaffe planes via Vichy Syria to support the Iraqi rebels, and planned to send advisors and combat troops, which led to an Allied invasion and the collapse of Vichy control later in the year.

As soon as the Allies landed in North Africa the Germans occupied both mainland France and Tunis.

I think that if Hitler had insisted - and perhaps he should have - that German troops be allowed to garrison some strategic Vichy cities, the French would have been unable to resist his demands.

If you were to agree a House Rule that this isn't allowed, you should also consider a very similar Rule for Anglo-French cooperation prior to the Fall of France, i.e. no units stacked together, no UK units holding French territory, especially the colonies...

I think it's easier to treat both sides as full allies all of the time - the Vichy French can't move until attacked, which limits them hugely when planning a defense.

[SkyVon]

Originally posted by Mark Stevens
I think it's easier to treat both sides as full allies all of the time - the Vichy French can't move until attacked, which limits them hugely when planning a defense.

I think it is more like the Vichy French can't move until an Allied unit moves NEXT to or attacks it. In my game with Chuck, I haven't attacked a single Vichy unit yet all of his in WA are mobil. And with Malta taken, I have no choice but to move past those Vichy units in Casablanca when I try to reinforce Egypt.

Perhaps either those Vichy units should go into Garrison mode or a safe passage around Casablanca created?

[Mark Stevens]

Actually that's a fair point: I've moved Casablanca and Rabat one hex along the coast so that you can steer units around the Vichy troops that appear there. And changed the Supply Point. And the entry points for the Vichy and possible Paul Reynaud units. And moved the 'Richeleau' naval unit to Oran (and renamed it 'Dunkerque') rather than Senegal.

Remember, immediately after the Fall of France, Churchill's first action was to cripple or intern the (Vichy) French fleets in the Mediterranean, killing several thousand French sailors.

This'll all be included in (g), which is nearly ready.