So lets just say for our purposes that the MN dispatches the two Dunkerque class battleships and a small task force, say elements of the Force de Raid, a light cruiser, two large destroyers, and three or four smaller destroyers, to help the British intercept the Bismarck when she sorties. The French then for whatever reason keep this force in UK waters for the next several months, maybe the MN is assembling a force for action in Norway.
With the fall of France these ships, their officers, and crews, refuse their orders to return to France and cease combat operations. Instead they vow to fight on and request that they be allowed to help the RN. Their proximity to the British Royal navy may or may not influence this decision to keep fighting.
This done the British now have a relatively capable and large force of fast French warships available to them. What does the RN do with this free French unit? Will it be kept together or broken up? Were will it see action? In the Atlantic helping to patrol convoys, likely not in the Med I wouldnt think, and do they later fight in the Pacific against Japan? How well would these ships do if they had continued fighting, and what are the odds they get stuck into major action?
With the fall of France these ships, their officers, and crews, refuse their orders to return to France and cease combat operations. Instead they vow to fight on and request that they be allowed to help the RN. Their proximity to the British Royal navy may or may not influence this decision to keep fighting.
This done the British now have a relatively capable and large force of fast French warships available to them. What does the RN do with this free French unit? Will it be kept together or broken up? Were will it see action? In the Atlantic helping to patrol convoys, likely not in the Med I wouldnt think, and do they later fight in the Pacific against Japan? How well would these ships do if they had continued fighting, and what are the odds they get stuck into major action?