The collapse and occupation of France, together with Germany's alliance with the Soviet Union, fascist Italy, benevolent neutrality of fascist Spain and Portugal, with little of Europe outside of Axis hands led many to assume that the United Kingdom had been defeated. Indeed it would appear that the, seemingly foolish, descision of the relativly weak United Kingdom to continue the war took the Axis powers off guard. This desicion ensured the remaining British Empire was still involved in the war, with Japan threatening many British possessions in Asia. | The collapse and occupation of France, together with Germany's alliance with the Soviet Union, fascist Italy, benevolent neutrality of fascist Spain and Portugal, with little of Europe outside of Axis hands led many to assume that the United Kingdom had been defeated. Indeed it would appear that the, seemingly foolish, descision of the relativly weak United Kingdom to continue the war took the Axis powers off guard. This desicion ensured the remaining British Empire was still involved in the war, with Japan threatening many British possessions in Asia. |