LOL well i think Hitler probably wanted N. Africa for more than occult reasons...this isn't Indiana Jones!
Regarding the axis getting Vichy france as an ally...i don't think it really would have meant anything. I don't think the Vichy government would have waged a war against the allies...i think that they would have only defended their territories. Otherwise for any other activities...i think the french would not have helped the germans as much. The only difference i see in what was said is that maybe the French woyuld have defended longer thats all.