Military history of France during World War II the Allies in several campaigns. These complex opposing forces were called, in a simplistic manner, Vichy French forces and Free French forces. They fought battles all over the world from 1940 to 1945, and sometimes fighting against each other. These forces were composite, made of rebel factions and colonial troops; France controlled a large colonial empire, only second to the British empire. The military participation of the French ground armies, navies and air forces on the Allied side in each theater of World War II (1939–1945) before, during and after the Battle of France, even though it was on various
Military history of France during World War II negotiate with the Vichy French governor, but if this was unsuccessful, to take the city by force. The Vichy French forces present at Dakar were led by a battleship, the "Richelieu", one of the most advanced in the French fleet. It had left Brest on the June 18 before the Germans reached it. "Richelieu" was then only about 95% complete. Before the establishment of the Vichy government, , an aircraft carrier, had been operating with the French forces in Dakar. Once the Vichy regime was in power, "Hermes" left port but remained on watch, and was joined by the Australian