Alllies plotted to arm Vichy

[dhermann1]

This is in today's Telegraph. It says that high ranking allied brass plotted to arm the French Vichy government, and did it without informing Prime Minister Winston Churchill, or Free French leader Charles De Gaulle.
Having read Lord Alanbrooke's memoirs, I must admit that I can imagine him doing this. It doesn't really make clear under what cicumstances they would have done this, or how far the talks actually got.
During this pre Pearl Harbor period, I believe the Americans gave more credence to the Vichy government than the Brits did, so there may have been US involvement, too, though the story doesn't mention any.
Yes, Brookie would have been on Winston's bleep list for sure, if this had come out.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/...-in-World-War-II-secret-documents-reveal.html

 

[Renault]

Makes sense. Admiral Leahy whom Roosevelt sent to Vichy was infatuated with Petain (as was Roosevelt). DeGaulle and other Free French were all considered a criminal element by the US Govt. There is an pretty decent book that hits on the subject.

"Allies At War"
http://www.winstonchurchill.org/sup...hill-roosevelt-and-de-gaulle-by-simon-berthon

There were several confontations between the Free French an the US early on. I think the biggest was the Migelon/St. Pierre Island incident, Christmas 1941.

I've always wondered about all of the "Vichy-love" by the USA in those early days. Definitely not seen in Hollywood. I know that there was a massive transfer of gold bullion from Vichy to the US orchestrated by Sec of State Cordell Hull. The same Hull who stopped fuel deliveries to the Spanish Loyalist in the late 30's but allowed Standard oil shipments to arrive to Nationalist forces. And the same Hull that stopped the delivery of already paid for American fighter aircraft to the French in Indochina in 1940. That pesky "Neutrality Act" thingy. Not trying to take a political stand, or make any kind of 70 year old statement. Just wondering?????

Would love to hear Chasseur's take on this. I think he's taught the subject.....

Renault