So Vichy actually was able to retain a form of control over the majority of the fleet. In particular Admiral Darlan ordered the fleet to get out of the Atlantic ports, and even better all of Metropolitan France, including Vichy territory. And the majority of the large units took refuge in African ports, namely Mers-el-Kebir and Dakar, along with Touloun on the French Mediterranean coast. Additional units also fled to other overseas French ports, or were interned at British ports, since technically they were now non combatants. The navy in general had a high percentage of loyalty to Vichy, and Darlan within, and he saw Germany as the smart bet, and if nothing else the fleet was a powerful bargaining chip for both Vichy's integrity, and potential concessions from Germany, and a tool to potentially force Britain to respect the new govt in the face of the emerging Free French competition.

Darlan had promised to Churchill to if nothing else, keep the fleet out of German hands, CHurchill however wasnt going to leave that to chance. In July of 1940 a British Task Force including Hood 2 battleships and a carrier stood off Mers-el-kebir where France's 2 newest battleships, a pair of older ones, and their escorts were ported. And demanded they either join FF, sail to the Caribbean, intern with America, be disarmed, or scuttle themselves. It was rejected and a battle ensued in which almost 1300 french sailors were killed(1000 at once when one of the French battleships exploded) to almost no British losses. A similar battle occurred 2 months later at Dakar, though both sides took a more equal bloody nose.

Following that those ships that could were returned to Touloun, including what battleships could return, while the incomplete Richelieu and Jean Bart remained Dakar and Casablanca. Thus things remained relatively unchanged until November of 1942 when the Allies invaded North Africa. Jean Bart aided the defense of Casablanca and was sunk by aircraft from USS Ranger, while naval vessels also defended the port of Oran. Soon after though in a move to end fighting in the area and perhaps check De Gaulle, Darlan was recognized as the Supreme French leader in Africa. He then ordered a ceasefire that was followed, however Darlan was not favorite of the Allies either. In any event he was assassinated by a French Monarchist a month later on Christmas Eve 1942. Germany however was less than pleased at the turn of events and proceeded with the occupation of Vichy, including the port of Toulon. Before they could secure the fleet though it was effectively sortied or the majority scuttled. So in the end no useful French ships of any size were captured in any state of immediate use to the Germans.