Note from Fantasque:  In the name of the "French Gang" (which incidentally has included at times two Russian, one Japanese, one Dutch and one Italian colleagues) I want to thank Gary but also Mark Bailey and Geoff Mowbray who are helping us to a considerable extent. Remember also the first discussion launched last year by Ramtank and Imah (Loïc) without whom the project would never have been started. Comments on Italian logistics done by Mark Bailey at this time have also been an eye opener for most of us. Geoff Mowbray's detailed work on the seige of Singapore is also fascinating.

Aussi disponible en francais, par lmah.  The French archive repeats the narrative, with some additional comments added. A few additional features are included on the French site, such as maps and illustrations. Some links are provided where appropriate.

Unrelated page hosted on this site: because I have the site up, I am adding the comlpete list of big-gun actions of WWII.

This website is an archive of reports produced from the France Stays in the War project being run by a group of mainly French, European and Austrtalian researchers.  The project is a careful reconstruction of what might have happened if France and its Empire had continued the fight against Nazi Germany in WWII, even after France itself was overrun by German forces.  

Reports make their first appearance on the Naval Fiction Board of Warships1 and NavWeapons Discussion Boards, presented by the lead researcher under his nom de plume Fantasque.  Fantasque can be contacted via the board.

Original reports from the first archive site are available here on a supplementary page, but they are being replaced by re-written and re-organized sections for easier reading and analysis.

It is important to recognize that this narrative and is not so much fiction as a report on research into alternative events which are likely to have resulted from changes under the scenario. The sequence of events is discussed and simulated (via wargames) by team members who include academics of various backgrounds and former military officers who served in staff and operational positions, and in some cases reached flag rank. Discussion from the many knowledgeable members of the discussion board, who are able to apply their academic or professional knowledge in developing the scenario, is also taken in to account by the team under the direction of Fantasque. 

Events and assessments of the industrial and military power of the combatants in this "alternate time line" are based on historical events and capability. Some specific events are simply moved to a different time and place more in keeping with the way the war unfolds in this scenario. Others are used as models: for example the effects of combat activities are used to help scale the relative effects of different events. The historical industrial capacity of the combatants is used to constrain their choices in this reconstruction, even though they may face different events which prompt different reponses. In addition, political realities of inter-Allied and colonial relationships are used to determine likely events.

At this time the story is fully developed from January 1941 onward, with the extent of detail increasing as time goes by. There is, however, some room for work by the research team about detailed events from June 1940 to the end of 1940.  

The reports archived below are being posted much as they are issued, although often in different groupings in the hope of simplifying downloading and maintaining chronological order.  In time, I hope they will be edited in English for greater ease of reading, to catch typographic errors, and to structure chapters and appendices more logicaly.  I expect to post those on a companion page.   // GaryJ (aka VPsoccer)

Chapter 1:	10-June-1940 to 19-June-1940	Point of Departure from the historical version of events, formation of the French Government, and strengths and order of battle for French and Italian Air Forces.
Chapter 2:	20-June to 20-July-1940 overview to end 1940	Fall of Continental France, and the move to North Africa.  Italian activities and the Mediterranean campaign is such that Germany moves to aid Italy.  (Revised Sept. 29 to include report of RN and MN attack on Taranto, August 22-24, 1940.)
Chapter 3:	Situation on January 1, 1941.	The political setting and Orders of Battle January 1st 1941.  Includes French and British vs Italian and German forces around the Mediterranean.
Chapter 4:	January-February 1941.	Not much activity in January, but Corsica and Sardinia attacked in February.
Chapter 5:	End of February 1941	Overview of the state of French Armée de l'Air after heavy fighting, and a discussion of efforts to rebuild its forces and acquire replacement aircraft.
Chapter 6:	1-March-1941 to 17-March-1941	Intense campaign for Corsica and Sardinia, including air and sea battles.  Importance of air power vs. ships comes into play.  Many similarities with the historical battle for Crete.
Chapter 7:	January to March 17.	Naval losses in campaign for Corsica and Sardinia, include allied CVs and BBs sunk or damaged, and cruisers and destroyers on all sides.  Role of Italian navy in successful campaign.
Chapter 8:	18-March-1941 to 30-April-1941	Balkan campaign is launched, with German forces coming in to save Italian forces in Albania. Tension rises and conflict breaks out between Thailand and French Indochina.
Chapter 9:	May-1941 to 6-June-1941	Balkan campaign continues, and the battle for Greece is on. Allied naval forces fight to keep supply lines open, while the Italian navy and the Luftwaffe attempt to isolate Greece. French procurement to replace losses and make up for lost production capacity in France.
Chapter 10:	6-June to 30-June, 1941	Naval losses to all sides to January to June 6.  Struggle over the Aegean continues as German forces push the Allies south through Greece.  Iraq campaign begins.
Chapter 11:	July 1941	Greece is lost, but fierce fighting continues in the Aegean.  The whole campaign is very different from historical because of increased Allied forces, and the increased control of North Africa which allows resupply.
Chapter 12:	August 1941	Long-range planning for Far East between France and USA.  Battle for Crete ends.
Chapter 13:	14-29 August 1941	Aegean campaign and a summary of Allied air strength at the end of the chapter.   (Revised Sept. 29 to include a summary of MN as of August 1941, including major losses and planned acquisitions.)
Chapter 14:	September-October 1941	Aegean campaign and meetings September 8 (weapons development) and September 18 (strategic situation and reinforcements for the Far East).  Japan moving to act.  First reinforcements start to Singapore.
Chapter 15:	November 1941	This is a big month.  Japan's moves result in counter moves by the French in Indo-China.  Mediterranean battles continue, with RN/MN attack on Genoa to continue the immobilisation of the Italian fleet in harbour. Operation covered by aircraft from 4 CVs as well as land based.  Commando ops in Corsica spur German retaliation.
Chapter 16:	December 1-7 1941	The last hours of peace for the USA tick away, while the Allies continue attack in the Mediterranean and prepare for war in the Far East.
Chapter 17:	Infamy	A Day Which Will Live in Infamy  (Chapter Revised Sept 5 to include Allied Naval and Japanese Naval and Air allocations.)
Chapter 18:	December 9th, 1941	War breaks out all over the Pacific and southern Asia.  The Phillipines are under seige and the war in Malaysia and Indo-China roars along in high gear.  Air action in Singapore and Malaysia is hot and losses heavy.  First naval action vs. the IJN.  (Chapter Revised Sept 25 to include parts of former Appendix A on RN naval vessels damaged in opening two days.)
Chapter 19:	December 10th, 1941	War heats up.  IJNAF shows its stuff.  Guam falls.  European powers assess the situation.
Chapter 20:	December 11-12 1941.	Germany and Italy declare war on the USA.  Japanese establish airfields in Philipines.  British and French tanks continue to be a force on the ground in Malaysia and Indo China.  Japanese air power is battering the Allies.
Chapter 21:	December 13-15 1941	RN operates in the South China Sea.  Japanese attacks stalled and front stabilised in Malaya.  Reinforcement convoy (apparently for Singapore?) leaves UK.  Some US reinforcements are moving forward. (Chapter Revised Sept 25 to include parts of former Appendix A on RN naval vessels damaged.)
Chapter 22:	December 16-17 1941	Japanese air power shatters an RN squadron.  Japanese paratroops and glider-landed infantry establish themselves in Borneo and capture some oil installations.
Chapter 23:	Reports December 14-17 1941;French Gold	Reports from various commanders in the Far East:  Dec. 14-17th.  Plus, there is a listing of historical gold shipments from France before the fall.  These help explain how France is able to finance the continued fighting in this alternate development of time.
Chapter 24:	December 18-20, 1941	Supply convoy for Singapore is enroute and air reinforcements are being located and sent to Far East. Allied fighters are hard pressed as IJAAF and IJNAF forces continue to attack Malaya and Singapore. Defenders of Philipines are hard pressed, as are French forces in Indo China. Tanks are hard for the IJA to handle, and these are helping to equalize the ground fighting. They help defeat IJA landings on West coast of Malaya. Added is Order of Battle for IJA forces in Southern Area Army attacking Malaysia and Indo China.
Chapter 25:	Dec 17th and following	Various intercepts and reports describing the air-sea action in the Malacca Strait.  Includes detailed damage reports.
Chapter 26:	December 21-23, 1941	The large convoy from the UK to Singapore battles heavy air attacks in the Mediterranean.  Meanwhile attacks on Penang and Northern Sumatra affect the flow of aircraft reinforcements to Singapore.  Wake falls to the Japanese.  (Chapter Revised Sept 25 to include part of former Appendix A: list of IJN losses to Dec 23.)
Chapter 27:	December 7-23, 1941.  Kondo's report.	Admiral Kondo's detailed report on the operations to date.  The IJN has suffered heavier losses than historiclaly, but has also learned lessons earlier as a result.  Kono lists some of these, such as submarines useage, anti-submarine capability, and damage control.  What remains is to see how well this insight is used.
Chapter 28:	December 24-31, 1941	Japanese attacks continue across South East Asia.  Allies plan for significant submarine reinforcements, and are trying to keep othr supplies coming.  Japanese air and sea landings at Kuching are supported by heavy IJN forces and the Kido Butai--the IJN First Air Fleet.  (Revised Sept 26)
Chapter 29:	December 1941	Intercepted report from IJN 2nd Fleet.  Report from comander of MN submarine le Centaure.  Russian report from their agent in Japan.
Chapter 30:	December 30-31, 1941	Battle of the South China Sea.  Narrative account of large air and sea battle.
Chapter 31:	December 30-31, 1941	Battle of the South China Sea.  Japanese reports:  summation from Kondo, reports from survivors and comanding officers on the action and damage received.
Chapter 32:	December 30-31, 1941	Battle of the South China Sea.  French report from General Catroux (French CinC Far East).  No contemporary British reports survive. The loss of copies from the Far East is understandable, but there is no clear explanation for the loss of reports and analysis by the British Admiralty.
Chapter 33:	Year-end 1941	Comprehensive Report on the Marine Nationale.  This report summarizes the forces and their utilization past present and proposed, as well as new construction or acquisition.  Additional reports cover submarines and naval aviation.
Chapter 34:	January 1-9, 1942.	The Allies maintain pressure in the Aegean, and the threat of whatthey might do begins to provoke a German response.  In SEA, Japan maintains and increases pressure, even as the main striking arm of the IJN gathers itself together and moves south and west to intervene.  Allied reinforcements are close.
Chapter 35:	January 10-13, 1942	While the Allies plan to attack in the Mediterranean, SEA has them on the defensive. Japan coordinates air attacks from land based forces and the Kido Butai to destroy Allied air power in Singapore and Malaya. Japanese forces sweep through the Celebes Sea area, taking all they find. Allied land forces continue to hold well, inflicting heavy casualties as they withdraw slowly in Malaya and Indo China.
Chapter 36:	January 14-19, 1942	Japanese air power dominates South East Asia and Allied air is almost wiped out. Allies fall back on all fronts, fighting skillfully but desperately. Heavy losses inflicted on the IJA. Allied reinforcements are arriving but there is not enough air defence capability in Indonesia to protect them while they get established. They get drawn into desperate defensive responses to Japanese attacks, and have no opportunity to take any initiative.  Medical report from the front in Malaya. Complete review of Allied naval forces in SEA.
Chapter 37:	January 20-25, 1942	Bitter fighting in Malaya, where British and Empire troops do well on the ground but suffer from lack of air cover.  The Japanese attack down across the Eastern islands of the NEI.  Naval battle at Balikpapan, Ambon falls, and IJN air and sea power rolls south toward Timor.  Indochina slips toward Japanese occupation, but at a fearful cost to the IJA.  In Europe a reinforcement convoy sets out for Rangoon, while the Allies continue to prepare to attack in the Aegean.
Chapter 38:	January 3-19, 1942 Various RN reports on naval matters.	Various naval reports.  Report from SNO Singapore on loss of HMS Prince of Wales, HMS Malaya and damage to HMS Rodney, and a report reconstructing loss of HMAS Canberra, all in Battle of the South China Sea.  Followed by the First Sea Lord's confidential report to Cabinet on the effects of that battle.  This comentary is scathing if perhaps written from too far away from the local siutation. (Amended Oct 24:  RAN proposals moved to Chap 39.  Report on loss of HMS Prince of Wales added.) (Amended Nov 2:  Captain Tennant's post-war report on the loss of HMS Repulse is added here.  Note that these details were not known to the RN at the time.)
Chapter 39:	January 1942. various reports	Capture of Balikpapan with moderate damage to its oil production capability.  Admiral Tanaka's report on the naval battle of Balikpapan, and subsequent salvage operations.  Includes importance of proper treatment of US prisoners, and intelligence findings. Also (moved from Chapter 38) RAN proposals for rapid revival of a submarine force, and possible provision of seaplane carriers to provide air cover at remote locations.
Chapter 40:	January 20, 1942	Lord Gort reports to CIGS Alan Brooke with a detailed order of battle for British and Empire units in Malaya and Borneo at Jan 20.
Chapter 41:	January 26-February 1, 1942	Allied air attacks in Greece and the Balkans appear to be paving the way for an attack, while US reinforcements come across the Atlantic. In Malaya, Japanese attacks are relentless under a strong air umbrella that hampers Allied efforts to support ground forces. Ports and airfields are being put out of action. In Indo China, local leaders make their influence felt, and last-ditch defence efforts are under way. US and Australian forces try to get to Timor ahead of the Japanese, while also moving to block Japanese moves in the Pacific.
Chapter 42:	February 2-4, 1942; postwar report	Japanese attacks continue with heavy air cover, while Allied air is virtually wiped out.  Indonesia is heavily bombed, and the naval bases are becoming untenable even for submarines.  The IJN attack toward Timor is spotted. Allied naval forces attempt to intervene, resulting in the Battle of the Savu Sea.  Japanese naval forces prepare to attack and capture Rabaul, while a US relief force is also enroute.  A postwar report on the IJN submarine campaign on the east coast of Australia includes some of the lessons learned by the Japanese.
Chapter 43:	February 5-12, 1942	IJN and USN carrier fleets meet in the Coral Sea as the Japanese overwhelm Rabaul. RN and MN submarines continue their campaign, hitting Japanese convoys for Luzon where the US is defending Bataan. Timor falls and Bali is next, threatening communication betweeen Australia and Java. Fighting continues in Malaya and Indo China, while major reinforcements arrive at Colombo. In the Mediterranean, Allied air atacks rise to a new high, as Italy and Germany wonder where the blow will fall, and special operations keep them on their toes. (Revised Dec 2: Added list of air activity at and around Rabaul up to its fall.)
Chapter 44:	February 1942	Order of Battle for Allied and Axis air forces in the Mediterranean prior to the start of the Allied operations Avenger and Crusader.   (Revised Dec 2:  Ramsay File moved to Chap 46.)
Chapter 45:	February 13-21, 1942 Johore battle: 12-21 January	The war continues with relative calm on all fronts.  Tension builds in the Mediterranean, and aircraft carriers are repositioned in the Pacific. Supplies arrive in Rangoon and other places, but Java is increasingly untennable.  Allied submarines continue to attack the Japanese.  A report is received which details the ground struggle for East Johore following the Japanese landing at Endau in January.
Chapter 46:	February 22 - March 1, 1942	Japanese pressure forces Allies back across South East Asia.  March 27 sees the start of operations Avenger and Crusader, which are described in their own chapters.  Operation Chariot is coordinated with their start.  Also (moved from Chapter 44) the 2nd Ramsay File intercepted from Russian Intelligence, coming from their agents in Japan, details technology trade between Japan and Germany.
Chapter 47:	February 27, 1942.	Allied and Axis orders of  battle, land, sea and air, for operation Crusader and Avenger.  Detailed table of organization and equipment (TOE) for French Armoured and Infantry divisions.
Chapter 48:	February 27-28, 1942	Crusader and Avenger are launched at the Germans and Italians.  Very large scale air attacks and diversions are followed up by multiple landings.  German and Italian responses are mixed, with confusion about the objectives.
Chapter 49:	March 1-8, 1942	Aegean operations procede well for the Allies, with German countermoves initially confused.  Air attacks and fighting are very heavy, with serious losses all around.  Other Mediterranean operations are being prepared, and will strike while the Italians and Germans are busy in Greece.  Large RAF raids begin to hit northern Europe.
Chapter 50:	March 9-13, 1942	Rommel comes to Greece to lead forces against Allied landings in Peloponesus, where heavy reinforcements stop further allied gains, and the Aegean. Air and naval power give the Allies room for initiative, and they use it to take Lampedusa and Linosa while also attacking targets in Italy.  Significant sabotage in Paris brings reprisals. In the Far East, Japanese attacks continue, the Allies fall back.  Singapore is to be defended to the last, and Java is falling . MacArthur leaves Corregidor.
Chapter 51:	March 18-24, 1942	Allies bogged down in Peloponesus against German defences and counterattacks.  Aegean is also bitterly contested as both sides grind up their air power and RN and MN both suffer losses. Germany looks to longer term responses in the air, and decides to bring more U-boats to the Med. Pantellaria falls after a couple of days tough fighting. In the Far East, the Kido Butai sweeps around Java and Sumatra to launch crushing raids from the south, smashing most remaining Allied air power and moving up to pound bases in the Andaman Islands.
Chapter 52:	March -April, 1942	As Axis naval assets are reduced in the Aegean, a plan is made to bring a number of U-Boats through the Straits of Gibralter in an effort to bring reinforcements.  This plan began in March and in April a number of U-Boats attempted to make the passage through heavy Allied ASW forces.  Order of Battle March 20, 1942, for both sides air forces available for the Aegean Campaign. (Revised Feb 10: Added outline of Allied logistical train for Operation Crusader.)
Chapter 53:	March 25-31, 1942	Peloponnesian campaign continues with bitter fighting.  The big news is a major Axis airborne attack on Limnos in Northern Aegean.  This leads to bitter and bloody land, sea and air combat, a meat-grinder for both sides.  Luftwaffe support and reinforcements flow in from the Axis.  Cunningham spares no effort at sea, while long-range fighters are invaluable to the Allies.  War continues in the Far East.  USN carriers make some offensive strikes.
Chapter 54:	February-April 1942	Post-war report on IJN submarine operations, particularly attack on Australian shipping, with lessons learned.  Report on astonishing intelligence findings from IJN salvage operations on wreck of Prince of Wales, sunk in shallow water.  Analysis of Japanese aircraft production in this alternate history.
Chapter 55:	April 1-4, 1942	Allied air and naval support helps choke off supplies for Axis forces on Limnos, which are steadily reduced and contact is lost. Air losses are heavy for both sides. Peloponnesian struggle is fieerce, with both sides bringing in reinforcements and fighting to a standstill.
Chapter 56:	April 5-9, 1942	Peloponnesian campaign stalemated as air forces clash and Allied naval power is brought into play. Japanese assault on Singapore secures beacheads on north and west shores, but fighting is close, fierce and bloody in darkness and smoke.