De Gaul did a huge disservice to the French Nation by claiming the French Military didn’t fight and the resistance did. The truth is actually the opposite. The French military fought back magnificently—-it was done in by stupid Generals, political infighting and corruption. Again, it is too early to discuss WWII until all the players are long departed,
As an American, I am ashamed what we Americans did to the French. Desperate for anything, France was gougied by Curtis to accept their obsolescent Hawk 75s/P 36s. As for the As for the MS 406, it wasn’t a death trap like the Cauldron 714 or a waste of resources like the Blosch MB510-30, nor was it like the brilliant Dewoitane D520. It was in the middle. Yes, the MS 406 had its problems 1. Poor build quality & design—-the canopy would shatter on violent turns, it’s hideous 20mm gun would consistently jam, the panels would fall off in turns and its tail section would rust solid, engines would wear out with very little mileage on them ( no excuse) . I view the MS406 as a slightly weaker version of the Hurricane Fighterwhich was inferior to the ME BF 109E3. Remember, at the 1938 Paris Air Show, the MS406 was judged best fighter in the World beating out the ME BF 109D!!?
No, what did France in was it’s leadership. The head of the French Air Force stands accused of deliberately holding back completed, modern aircraft so that France & England would go down together!!! GEN Weygrand is a serial liar who claimed France lost 1940 because of inferior aircraft which was false. By JUN 1940, France had rid itself out its mid 30s Designs and fought with comparatively modern Aircraft.