French reinforce war link with NZ

French troops will visit New Zealand as part of Armistice Day commemorations in Cambridge next month.

Twenty members of a French marine infantry battalion based in New Caledonia will attend, and Armistice in Cambridge spokeswoman Amanda Scott said a big welcome was being prepared.

The Waikato town commemorates the World War I ceasefire each Remembrance Day (the Sunday closest to Armistice Day, November 11) with parades and entertainment.

This year's commemorations, on November 13-14, will be the fourth time Cambridge has marked the event.

Its involvement comes about through a sister-city relationship with the French town of Le Quesnoy.

On November 4, 1918, New Zealanders used ladders to scale Le Quesnoy's medieval walls to liberate the town from the Germans. Many of the Kiwi soldiers were from Cambridge.

Plans for the two-day event include a militaria market and a victory dance on the Saturday, followed by a military parade, a militaria market, memorabilia displays, mock battles, re-enactments and a commemorative service on the Sunday.

Organisers hope to bring a World War I tank owned by film director Peter Jackson.

- NZPA