The French Problem

[vontysk]

With A&AE’40 and the inclusion of the French, it seems like there needs to be at least some way of dealing with the French after the fall of Paris. So here’s my idea: constructive criticism would be helpful.

-After Paris falls Southern France, Morroco, Algeria, Tunisia and Syria become Stirct Neutral. Southern France is defended by 3 Armies if invaded and the others by 2. Normal rules for Strict Neutrals apply*.

-Any units inside these tts dispand, and are removed.

-All other French Territories become Free French. Units in these territories (or in non-French territory) stay on the board, and fight the Axis. Each Turn France can place 1 infantry unit per turn for every 3 territories they contol or one artillery unit for every 4 territories they control. These can be placed in any Free French Territory, with a limit of 2 per territory per turn.

-The French Navy remains fighting for the Allies.

*Exeception to the Strict Neutral rule: If Free French forces invade a former French, now Neutral, Territory, there is no combat. The Free French take control of the Territory, but do not gain the free infantry units.

Its hard to properly represent what happened with Free French and Vichy French Forces during WWII in an A&A game, but at least this way the French can remain a fun part of the game until Frence is liberated and all neutral French and Free French territories are returned to its control, along with all Free French Forces.

What do you think?

[lnmajor]

i think your ideas are good. the problem for me is it complicates the game and slowes things down  abit when its Frances turn to go. they pretty much get mowed over and by turn 3 there is almost nothing worth wasting time on. I am leaning toward after Continental France falls, let frech fleet fight on. treat french owned colonies like China rules. Can build only infantry here or there. If France is liberated they may function as a major nation again. France is definitely not worth slowing the game down for just to keep them in symbolicaly.

[CWO Marc]

Another point to keep in mind is that, in historical reality, most French territories went along with Vichy control after France fell, with only a small number going over to the Free French side in the first few months.  Having most of them switch to the FF side is perfectly fine as an alternate-history scenario, and sounds like it would be a fun scenario to play, as long as everyone playing the game is clear about the fact that it’s an alternate version of the war.

[FieldMarshalGames]

I suggested something similar a few months ago in a Historical Varient I am working on.

It went like this

"The Growing FREE FRENCH

I have given France the ability to build new units even though Paris is under the Axis boot.  They are produced in the same way Chinese Forces are produced in AA50 (With revision) For every 4 territories France can build ONE INFANTRY unit.  MAX ONE unit can be placed per territory.  This will recreate the slow build of FREE FRENCH forces coming from all over the Empire but not allow them to over power the Axis at any one point alone.  Indeed they will sometimes be a burden to the Western Allies as they may need to be Transported around etc… as was the case."