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Can anyone provide details related to this quote?

New Caledonia joined the Free French organization in September 1940. Prior to the entry of the United States into the war, an Australian garrison was stationed on the island.

I think the Allies wanted to ensure that the Vichy French did not take over the island in a coup, so they sent a small Australian unit there to support the Free French government.
In 1940 the Aussies were not only worried about Japan but about German AMC raiders like Kormoran that might use New Caledonia to replenish.

Search the internet for "Robin Force".

From the Australian War Memorial website:

"Robin Force consisted mainly of the 3rd Independent (Commando) Company, but also included an artillery component commanded by NX71033 Captain (Capt) Charles Harris Arnell Carty-Salmon, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). The gunners and supporting engineers arrived at Noumea on 21 July 1941 and commenced work on the two gun positions" (two six inch CD guns).

Some pictures here


For more details, you may want to get this - maybe through inter-library loan ?

See the link above. They sent a battery of two six inch guns. I will add them to the garrison of Noumea,
two guns, one spotter and two more support squads. This is very similar to the units (and named in the same
bird convention) as the Guano Islands a bit farther to the NE from New Caledonia.

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

I think the Allies wanted to ensure that the Vichy French did not take over the island in a coup, so they sent a small Australian unit there to support the Free French government.
In 1940 the Aussies were not only worried about Japan but about German AMC raiders like Kormoran that might use New Caledonia to replenish.

Here is a link to additional information on the bird units.

http://www.sparrowforce.com/other%20bird.htm

An excerpt from your link;

About 160 members of Lark Force were massacred
at the Tol Plantation circa. 4th February, another 35 were shot at Waitayalo Plantation

I know there were atrocity's but didn't think they happened this early in the war.

These Aussie units are worked into RHS now. Both Level I and Level II.
Using the link I was able to add still more.

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

Search the internet for "Robin Force".

From the Australian War Memorial website:

"Robin Force consisted mainly of the 3rd Independent (Commando) Company, but also included an artillery component commanded by NX71033 Captain (Capt) Charles Harris Arnell Carty-Salmon, Royal Australian Artillery (RAA). The gunners and supporting engineers arrived at Noumea on 21 July 1941 and commenced work on the two gun positions" (two six inch CD guns).

Some pictures here


For more details, you may want to get this - maybe through inter-library loan ?

Look at the Operation SF scenario on the Babes website. The scenario begins in June 42, so there are many units in Noumea and Plaine des Gaiacs that were not there on Dec. 7. However, the Noumea Defense Bn serves as a model for the artillery component. There were only about 30 RAA personnel, serving under Capt Salmon, whose function was to oversee installation of the guns and train the local French militia in their use.

There were two NZ manufactured (Armstrong) 6” BL Mk-V CD guns, on fixed mounts, on the summit of Ouen Toro to command Anse Vata, des Citrons, and Sainte-Marie.

Roughly 300 militia were enrolled in les Troupes de défense (Nouméa) at the outset. These served the guns on Ouen Toro, provided a security ‘company’ armed with NZ supplied Enfields, Lewis LMGs, and some Stokes pattern 81mm (3-inch) mortars. They were organized with an integral AA defense ‘peloton’ serving two 37mm CAIL modele 1933 weapons and supporting Lewis pattern AA-MGs.

This is modeled as
2x 6” Mk V guns
2x 37mm/50 mle 33 AA guns
21x squads of FFR Militia
4x ANZ 3” Mortars
4x ANZ lewis AAMGs (in pairs)
Support as necessary.

The 3rd Independent Company is a no-brainer, but is should be in the area of Plaine des Gaiacs. They were withdrawn very early and show up in Australia on Dec. 21.

Matt