In 1938 , at the outbreak of World War II , which had a larger population , the Western Allies ( United Kingdom , France , Poland and British Dominions ) or the European Axis ( Germany and Italy )
France is also often counted among the Western Allies , because although the Vichy Regime collaborated with the Axis powers and fought the Allies , the Free French military forces played a major role against the Axis Powers throughout the war , similarly to many nations that endured military occupation and collaboration .