I've often wondered how it was like in the areas that were colonized by France, Belgium, etc., when their colonizing countries were themselves occupied by Axis forces.

Here's a link to an overview of the end of colonialism. Looking into the history of specific former colonies will get you more in depth information.

Link didn't work after repeated tries.

I can't answer for all French colonies but I know that after France fell Japan started to move into French Indochina. The U.S. demanded they pull out, which they didn't, and Roosevelt put on the embargo of U.S. items to Japan.

French colonies in North Africa were still under Vichy control until Operation Torch.

It should now...a little too much code in there. Sorry. I should have checked before leaving the thread.

Some suprisingly isolated little outposts were invaded by the Allied....eg how many of you knew that Madagascar was invaded during WWII? Syria was another bitter little campaign between the Vichy French and veteran Australians; quite fiercly contested and with a lot of ill-feeling and casualties. In contrast the Vichy French gave up in Algeria/Morrocco with only a few token actions for honour's sake.