Having done some brief study of the British governments far from crystal clear feelings towards the French State (Vichy) between '40 and '42, I've often wondered what, as could so easily have happened, would have transpired if de Gaulle had been ignored by the government and the BBC and not been given resources to set up what he went on to do? First, what would need to happen to make this the case, and second, what would be the result? Vichy being recognised? Not much else changing in terms of the going of the war? Certainly no de Gaulle presidency, of course, but what would France look like if she had been Vichy for either the entire war or the usual period (for would no Free French government mean Darlan doesn't trigger Vichy's liquidation by bargaining away Algeria for a place in the government in exile?)?