In 46 months of U.S. presence, more than one million GI were stationed in New Caledonia, which was transformed into a giant aircraft carrier, a springboard for the reconquest of the Pacific.
New Caledonia, country allied with the Free France, represented for the Americans a hinge point of strategic importance: it was on route to Australia and they had to prevent the Japanese to advance southward. Moreover, it also offered adequate infrastructure: good roads, two airports, and a large port in addition to a healthy climate compared to the surrounding islands.
On March 12, 1942 arrived the first American convoy consisting of 15 large ships, with troops and war material, escorted by a dozen cruisers and destroyers. Noumea became the Pacific headquarters.
The capital was happy to welcomed the U.S. presence. Dollars rained down. Chocolate, chewing gum, Coca-Cola, egg powder, vitamins, Californian pies, and cigarettes were the delight of the inhabitants. Local restaurants were making a fortune by selling at high prices deer (venison) roast with green papaya, salads of raw fish, Bulimes (escargot) from the Ile des Pins – (Isle of Pines), and roussette (- i.e. fruit bat)4 . The Caledonians embarked on the production and sale of fruits and vegetables; laundries, snacks and all types of shops were opened. The black market for cigarettes, liquor and other commodities, including illicit smuggling of alcohol, were organized.
The death in combat became a reality and required that the soldiers were entertained. Caledonians in the company of these 300,000 soldiers attended boxing matches, and wrestling. Jazz concerts, theatre for the soldiers, free movies projected outdoors, dancing, and performances by Hollywood idols arrived in Noumea for the morale of the troops. Bonds were created between the locals and the American soldiers. Sixty-seven marriages between Caledonian and Americans were celebrated in Noumea and many Caledonian were getting ready to follow their husbands in the US.
A strategic hinge
Influence of American culture
