Realistic Vichy France Rules
Introduction: When playing Vichy rules, I was excited with the general concept but found that the game play could be improved by connecting playability with historical realism. I reviewed online variants to develop a ruleset that works in out-of-box and mod games. I added historical facts as footnotes to clarify some key rules. For feedback, please email: phd_angel@yahoo.com
Activation: upon occupying Paris and Normandy-Bordeaux, Germany has the option of continuing to fight against France or declaring the Franco-German Armistice with Southern France. It becomes the French State during Germany’s income collection. Vichy is friendly to the Axis under special conditions and exceptions. (1)
Setup: Replace France units and markers with Vichy ones in Southern France, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, Madagascar, French Indochina, and SZ93. Remaining territories and units in Africa and UK remain Free France. (2)
Movement: Vichy units cannot move. Axis units can move in Vichy territories as friendly allies, except for French Indochina (which can be occupied by Japan for its IPCs).
Combat: Vichy units can only defend, never attack. They roll at regular defense rates, except for infantries in the colonies, rolling as militias (roll for 1 instead of 2). Axis units in Vichy territories defend and attack at regular rates. (3)
Income: Vichy collects no IPCs. Germany loots 17 IPCs when first occupying Paris and gets 3 IPCs per round as Vichy forced reparations. Adjust the IPC table (4).
National Objectives:
- Italy: Vichy Southern France counts for “Greater Roman Empire”
- Italy: Vichy colonies do not count for “North Africa” (5)
- Japan: its occupation of French Indochina negates “Trade with America”
End of Vichy: the French State can collapse in two ways, requiring markers, units and IPCs to be changed:
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Occupation: Germany invades Southern France and declares its occupation in combat phase. No combat happens. Vichy units in Southern France and SZ93 are removed. Other Vichy territories and units become Free French, or become Axis if Axis units are present.
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Liberation: Allies enter Southern France. Vichy territories and units become Free French, but Vichy territories hosting Axis units become Axis. France starts collecting IPCs.
Conclusion: Vichy rules dramatically affect the game in the Mediterranean. Germany benefits the most: it earns 3 IPCs per round (4), it gains a defense buffer against the Allies, and can move across any Vichy territory (e.g., Syria). In contrast, Italy cannot occupy Vichy territories and cannot enjoy the “North Africa” national objective (5) but can still enjoy easy passage to the Middle East…
Historical footnotes:
(1) Hitler wanted to neutralize France in the fight against Britain. He was concerned with its Mediterranean fleet and bases. In turn, France was happy not to be destroyed while maintaining rich colonies in Africa.
(2) French colonial officers were ambivalent about cooperating with Vichy, Germany or Italy. Weak ties led them to flip according to circumstances.
(3) Germany and Vichy agreed to coordinate military operations but rarely fought together. Vichy refused a military alliance with Germany. Moreover, colonial troops suffered low morale and often disobeyed orders.
(4) Germany exploited Vichy economically, extracting logistical support to 300,000 German troops in Northern France. In addition, Germany used Frenchmen captured before the armistice to work as slave labor in Germany.
(5) Hitler forbade Mussolini from occupying French colonies. But French Indochina was an easy prey for Japan interested in blockading Nationalist China and in attacking Dutch-owned oilfields.
Enjoy.
phd_angel@yahoo.com
Chicago, 2020
PS: Madagascar was added in setup in July 2023
