I have a simple question, did French Polynesia stay with Vichy France or become a part of Free France after the Fall of France? From all i know, USA used one of the islands as a resupply base. Would be also useful if someone could shed some light upon the history of the islands during ww2 as I'm quite interested. Best regards, NihonNOGAY.
After the usual maneuvering (as in other French colonies) French Polynesia did side with Free France. In fact it was one of the first French territories to do so. The colony provided a complete infantry battalion (Battalion du Pacifique) which saw action at Bir Hakim and in all the subsequent battles of the 1st Free French Division. After Pearl Harbor New Caledonia (the biggest island by far) was a vital Allied base in the South Pacific, particularly during the Guadalcanal campaign. Without New Caledonia the offensive in the South Pacific would have been far more difficult, if not impossible, The attached photo shows De Gaulle reviewing troops from French Polynesia.
