Vichy france question

[myperfectvictory]

When germany forms it, why isn't vichy france immediately at war with the allies since it becomes part of axis? Was it intended for that historically?

[Mack]

Vichy France was independent (although obviously under the heel of the Nazis), but was recognised neutral, with the US & Soviets both accepting it's neutrality for a few years, along with the Free French being disorganised and lacking credibility (as much of the overseas empire rejected it).

Most military action involving it was scattered, the British attacked their fleet in Algeria then had a truce not long after, the Free French slowly gathered some strength under de Gaulle who decided to fight what could be termed a civil war with Allied support.

The Japanese also spent 4 years trying to take over Vietnam, so it wasn't just the Allies trying to take French land of whatever flavour.

By late 1942 the situation had solidified enough that the Vichy French were effectively considered part of the Nazi alliance, and the Operation Torch landings had the Allies officially attacking Vichy France, with the Free French involved.

When Vichy French forces surrendered in November it caused the Germans to invade (Case Anton), turning Vichy France into a Nazi puppet state under occupation.

In terms of the game, it's probably mostly to ensure that the Allies can't instantly naval invade the newly created Vichy France.

[Immortalis]

Historically speaking Vichy France took little to no action against the Allies and the Allies took little to no action against Vichy France for quite a while, if we discount the attack on the French fleet at Mers-El-Kebir (and in fact the attack happened on the 3rd of July 1940, a few days before Vichy France came into existence on the 10th).

To put it simply, the Allies had their hands already full without having to open new fronts all around the world (the Mediterranean, pretty much every single French colony in Africa, Asia and a few possessions in the Americas).
And France had little enough capability and quite enough troubles as it was without going to war against their former allies.
And Petain made sure to follow a policy of collaboration with Germany but neutrality in the war

Throughout the years the only struggle that Vichy France was part of was the mostly diplomatic push and pull with De Gaulle and his Free France to obtain the allegiance of the colonies and it was only with Operation Torch and the actual invasion of North Africa by the Allies that the tide really begin to turn against Vichy