After seeing the "WI: Britain uses the Bomb?" thread it got me to think about France and the possibility of it using the "Bomb". What could get France to use the Bomb? If it used the bomb how would the world react?
Maybe get it used in Algeria after a military coup there
Maybe get it used in Algeria after a military coup there
I was thinking more along the lines of using it in Indochina, but that involves a Pod having France win the First Indochina war and might lead to war with China.
There's Operation Vulture, where France asked for a nuclear bombing mission from the US to give it an assist in Dien Bien Phu and the Eisenhower Administration rightly said "You're fucking nuts"...
Were those his exact words?![]()
One thing, France using the bomb in Colonial Wars is ASB for one reason, France planned to rule the colony after the war, which means they don't want a radioactive dump, but a profitable territory to exploit.
After seeing the "WI: Britain uses the Bomb?" thread it got me to think about France and the possibility of it using the "Bomb". What could get France to use the Bomb? If it used the bomb how would the world react?
It's Eisenhower...he's the guy who sentenced an African president to Death By Toothpaste...so who knows?
However for such a scenario, you will need a moment of chaos, confusion and insanity on the part of the junta. Because any sane observor will know, the moment a mushroom cloud raises over Tonkin, the world will see to it that the French government falls. Paris will be a living riot. The Empire is fucked as locals revolt and sections of the military mutiny. Outside, NATO, NAM and the Warsaw Pact will all by baying for blood.
- a planned test (technically that counts as using the bomb)
- an offensive into Europe, to be used against enemy troop concentrations, key installations, or fleets (the tactical AN-52 gravitational bomb and the Pluton tactical missile were designed for this)
- an offensive into Europe that develops into threatening France's existence or truly vital interest (that's the other face of nuclear deterrence)
- a nuclear/chemical/biological strike against France/French troops (and then it would also depend on the circumstances).