[kach22i]

http://mason.gmu.edu/~ssledge/situation1.htm

Navy. The Vichy Navy considers itself as the primary defender of France’s national interest.4 Allied planners fear that the Forces Maritimes Francaises (FMF) will sortie to defend the French colonies against any Allied invasion. Should the French Fleet at Toulon sortie against the Allies, they will temporarily alter the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean to the Axis’ favor. They have the combat potential to destroy an entire Naval Task Group if supported by Axis airpower and submarines. It is the third largest fleet in the Mediterranean (behind Britain and Italy), and it is equipped with modern capital ships. French naval leaders have assured the Allies that they will not allow the Axis to seize the fleet.

These forces are willing and ready to fight, if ordered to do so. British attacks at Mers el Kebir (July, 1940) and the British seizure of Madagascar (May, 1942) infuriate the French. Allied and Vichy naval forces regularly skirmish across the Mediterranean.

http://mason.gmu.edu/~ssledge/situation1.htm
Allied and Vichy naval forces regularly skirmish across the Mediterranean.


http://mason.gmu.edu/~ssledge/situation1.htm
Two Free French divisions (equivalent of two Allied brigades) are fighting for the Allies in the Western Desert.