Hitler was impressed with Pétain's commitment to defending the French colonial empire. False rumours abounded that France had made major concessions regarding colonies and German control of French ports and the French fleet. This was announced to the French public on 30 October in a radio broadcast speech when Pétain declared, "I enter, today, into the way of collaboration."
Hitler was pleased with Pétain's resolve to protect the French colonial empire. False claims circulated that France had made substantial concessions regarding colonies and German control of French ports and the French fleet. This was publicly disclosed on October 30 in a radio broadcast when Pétain declared his intention to collaborate.