Commander Thierry Arnoult says New Caledonians have not forgotten the NZ troops who trained there. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Commander Thierry Arnoult says New Caledonians have not forgotten the NZ troops who trained there. Photo / Mark Mitchell
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A French frigate has stopped in Wellington Harbour to pay respects to the New Zealand troops who trained in New Caledonia during World War II.
Vendemiaire, which is based in Noumea in the French territory and employed for maritime surveillance in the Pacific, arrived in the capitalon Wednesday after the French Embassy in New Zealand requested a visit during the commemorations.
The frigate is headed by Commander Thierry Arnoult, a recipient of the prestigious Legion of Honour - the highest award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France. He will attend the Anzac dawn service in Wellington today and lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Buckle Street at 11am.
Commander Arnoult told the Herald that he would also honour Lazare Ponticelli, the last French veteran of World War I, who died last month at 110.
The French Defence Attache for New Zealand, David Bleau, said the French forces in New Caledonia took part in Anzac Day services in New Zealand whenever possible.
"The people of New Caledonia have not forgotten the Australian and New Zealand troops that trained in New Caledonia before leaving for combat elsewhere in the pacific during World War II or who visited New Caledonia on their way home ... at the end of the war."
The Vendemiaire has 12 officers, 59 naval officers and 21 leading seaman and sailors on board. The 2600-tonne, 93 metre-long frigate is open for tours from today until Sunday from 1.30-4.30pm.
