Vichy-French navy NAA-57

[CJE]

Well, gents, it's a very touchy question in France even now.
Though I can't deny that Vichy was an implicit ally of Germany and the best industrial partner of the German war effort, I just said that - unlike Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania or Finland - no Vichy unit ever fought against the Allies side by side with German forces.
Vichy made its own undeclared war against British and US (and also Thai and Japan) forces. In all cases, it was a defensive war (Oran, Dakar, Syria, Madagascar...) - but one, two retaliation air raids over Gibraltar in July '40.

I wrote two books in collaboration with Chris Shores on the Vichy Air Force that were published in France in the mid-80's (he re-used part of them in his book "Dust over Middle East"). It's a topic I do know well.

Incidentally, I'm not a supporter of the Vichy régime.

[Crumpp]

To call the Vichy military actions as "defensive" or to claim they only acted in self defense is a mischaracterization.

In fact the Vichy troops where fighting the Free French Troops and the resistance. They called them "Gaullist" IIRC as Charles DeGaul was the head of the Free French.

France was also considered one of the more zealous countries in its enforcement of Nazi racial policy including passing some 168 of it's own racial policy laws.

http://www.brookings.edu/fp/cuse/analysis/holocaust.htm

All the best,

Crumpp

[CJE]

Please, don't get me wrong. I'm not a supporter of the Vichy régime in any way. I just want to put things right.
I already wrote on this thread that the Vichy régime had been over-zealous concerning the Jewish question and had been the best supplier of the German war effort, always going one step farther than what was required/requested/demanded by the Nazis. The (in)famous shakehand between Pétain and Hitler in the railway station at Montoire speaks for itself.

But Vichy forces have never been under German command in any action or campaign. They have always been attacked by Allied forces (including Free French) and have never taken the initiative bar for two retaliation air raids over Gibraltar.
Allies were definitely right in doing this but this thread is about to turn into a political debate and I am not sure it's the right place to start it.

[Ruy Horta]

To blame Vichy is an easy way around many uncomfortable issues, ranging from Dunkirk to Catapult, from Torch to the murder of Darlan. In some cases it was sheer stupity which pushed the Vichy regime in the arms of the Germany.

IMHO Vichy can't be described as an Axis country, even if people like a simple B&W world. It is tragic and politically there is a lot to discuss about.

Just my 2c. I won't enter a long debate on the issue though.

[Skyraider3D]

Just to get back to the original topic of Vichy-French navy NAA-57s...

Here is a work-in-progress view of the artwork I am working on.

I would just like to ask you guys' opinion on the accuracy of the colours/markings etc?

I think I'll call it "Vichy Fledglings".

[Franek Grabowski]

I suggest a new category, neutral and other. France would fit there perfectly.

[CJE]

Hi Franek!

Something like "Neutral and not quite neutral air forces"? or "almost neutral"?

Chris

[Skyraider3D]

Neutralish

[Skyraider3D]

Hi folks!

I just wanted to let you know that the final artwork is now online. Please have a look here:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showthread.php?t=6678