New Caledonia is an idyllic French speaking archipelago, to the east of Australia. The island has staggering mountains, and the second largest coral barrier reef in the world.

Vichy French Threat Investigated
New Caledinia is a French colony, during WWII the Vichy French in the goverment were identified as a possible threat to Australia, which deployed troops in late Feburary 1942, to ascertained their feelings of support to the Allies. Considered safe, the area became a major Allied staging base for the Americans, and a ferry point for aircraft to Australia.

American Staging Area
On March 12, 1942 the first American troops arrived in New Caledonia. During its height, 40,000 American servicemen were based in New Caledonia, and also as a rest and hospital area for combat troops. As the war progressed, fewer came thru the island, as other more forward bases were established. The local people (Kanaks) were employed on the US bases observed relatively good relations and were paid real wages for the first time, one of the reasons the colony's status was changed to 'French overseas territory' post war.

Today
Close to two hundred thousand residents are an ethnic blend of Melanesian, European, Wallisian, Polynesian and Indonesian live there.

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009