Franco-British Union WI

[ruisramos]

June 1940: to avoid an unilateral exit of the war by France, the UK proposed a union of both countries which was ultimately refused by France and led to the following armistice with Germany, leaving Britain to stand alone. What if the propose had been accepted? That would have probably kept Paul Reynaud as Prime Minister for the French Government and this would evacuate to Algiers to continue the fighting from North Africa.

How would things have proceeded from here? How long would take for the Germans to complete their occupation of Metropolitan France? And what the war in North Africa? The Italians would now be facing a two-front war in that war theater..

 

[DrHackenslash]

Wasn't the proposal for a complete and permanent union? If so, there wouldn't have been a French Government for Paul Reynaud to lead - there would have been a "United Kingdom of Great Britain and France" Government for, I assume, Churchill to lead?

Knowing the details of what would happen in terms of political shuffling is almost impossible. I doubt there was any time to actually thrash out how such a union would work in terms of merging, so the reality would be - I imagine - France being a de facto subservient state to the UK with promises of "sorting out the niceties once Germany is dealt with".

Can't see much difference in the immediate military outlook. Would it encourage the French to continue the fight in the South? Or from Africa?

Having the French Navy join the Royal Navy (again, assume it wouldn't be merged as such, just two seperate navies under command of a theoretical joint command) could have a wider impact. If it allowed the resources to be spared for the Far East, then the outcome of Singapore may be different but I am not convinced.

And despite the technicalities of it all, would the British really risk IOTL Britain in exchange for "the French part of Greater Britain"? I doubt it.

 

[KingOnTheEdge]

Edward III would throw a party in the afterlife, but i don't know. With all the French Military (that isn't dead) still in the war, Italy may not join, Japan might decide against attacking the Franco-British Colonies in indochina, since otl it technically got permission from Vichy, which would forestall american entry into the war.

Or it's just otl but De Gaulle is shafted and we don't see butterflies until after the war

 

[Lee-Sensei]

Having the French Navy join the British would make the Allies much stronger in the Mediterranean. I think that’s the biggest upside to this.

 

[Corjomc]

To have any possibility of the French accepting this I think Reynaud would have to be made Prime Minister. An assurance to the French they were not just an adjunct to England.

The big question at the end of the conflict is does it continue. If things go relatively the same as in OTL do the Soviets present a big enough threat.

Do the Communists in France become the Nationalists trying to liberate her from perfidious Albion.