Da Pwnzlord
Banned
What if when Japan invaded French Indochina in September, Vichy France makes a serious effort to oppose this, and why did they not IOTL? They could sortie their navy in an attempt to send reinforcements. Such a mission could be caused by their desire to assert themselves as the rightful ruler of their colonies, and gain legitimacy as a regime in the eyes of the world.
Such a move would first have to deal with the fact that Vichy France would have to make a deal with the British just to get out of the Mediterranian. However, the United States opposed the invasion IOTL, and encourged Vichy France in its efforts against Axis domination. Perhaps Roosevelt could help broker a deal between Britain and France. It was hardly in Britain's best interests to have Japan snapping up unguarded colonies in the Pacific, so maybe they would be willing to listen. Vichy France may have pleeded the ability to restock at British colonies in their campaign.
If this goes ahead, and the Vichy French fleet sails to Vietnam, what would happen? The Japanese navy has an advantage in practically every catagory; numbers, supplies, quality of vessels. But the real question is whether this would drag the United States into a war, and if Japan was willing to risk it. IOTL, Japan recognized the need to neutralize the US before making a move on Dutch and British colonies. What if the US drew the line in the sand just a little bit sooner and threatened Japan with war?
Such a move would first have to deal with the fact that Vichy France would have to make a deal with the British just to get out of the Mediterranian. However, the United States opposed the invasion IOTL, and encourged Vichy France in its efforts against Axis domination. Perhaps Roosevelt could help broker a deal between Britain and France. It was hardly in Britain's best interests to have Japan snapping up unguarded colonies in the Pacific, so maybe they would be willing to listen. Vichy France may have pleeded the ability to restock at British colonies in their campaign.
If this goes ahead, and the Vichy French fleet sails to Vietnam, what would happen? The Japanese navy has an advantage in practically every catagory; numbers, supplies, quality of vessels. But the real question is whether this would drag the United States into a war, and if Japan was willing to risk it. IOTL, Japan recognized the need to neutralize the US before making a move on Dutch and British colonies. What if the US drew the line in the sand just a little bit sooner and threatened Japan with war?