In uniform, this is so and it was arranged to be so by SHAEF, for propaganda purposes with DeGaulle at the lead.
However, the Resistance (some commies, some not) provided incomparable support and force protection for the Allies. And, they did this upon activation by coded message (”Wounds my heart with monotonous langour”) announcing D-Day in all areas of France including the pro Nazi Vichy controlled South.
The Maquis were an exceptional example. And the people paid with their lives. About which see: Nancy Wake link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nancy_Wake
The town that was no more... Oradur-sur-Glane. Link:http://www.oradour.info/
The entire town (642) was wiped out by Waffen-SS in reprisal for their having Maquis elements who had kidnapped (following pre-arranged D-Day orders from the OSS) General Kampfe (whom they quickly killed when the Germans began to kill off other villages in their search.
The town is now a museum, left just as it was.
I would not generally say the “French” are or were, chickens, but they have been generally poorly lead and have had much to recover from over the last 140 years.
French leadership since the Franco-Prussian War could write a book on how NOT to lead a nation or a military.
In fact if such a book existed you use it to have a well led nation and military by doing the polar opposite!
Everyone thought DeGaulle was a regular nose bleed.