The Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior
The bombing of the Rainbow Warrior was an historical event in New Zealand that occurred on July 10th 1985 at Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour when French secret service agents planted two bombs on the hull of Greenpeace’s flagship, the Rainbow Warrior which sunk the flagship killing one crew member. It was caused by the French bombing Greenpeace’s flagship because of Greenpeace’s decision to protest against the French testing nuclear weapons in Maurora and by New Zealand’s unpopular position on the nuclear issue. This led to a number of consequences including the death of a fellow crew member, It led to the French government having to pay $13 million compensation and their two agents being arrested. New Zealand did not feel that she received support from other Western countries and eventually New Zealand adapted a nuclear-free policy as well as Greenpeace also gaining a significant increase in its membership base.
On the days leading up to the event, the two French secret service agents, Marfart and Preiur had entered New Zealand using bogus passports. After receiving further details about the vessel and Greenpeace’s plan from an agent. They made arrangements to attach two bombs to the hull of the ship. This was carried out on the 10th of July 1985 at 8pm. The first bomb went off at 11:38pm and the second at 11:45pm. One crew member was killed, Fernando Pereira was killed when he went to retrieve his camera after the first bomb, the second bomb went off and he drowned. New Zealand police initially believed this was a domestic criminal act. However acting on information received from members of the public they became aware of possible international connection. Two people with French accents who had been observed acting suspiciously near the wharf. Within a matter of days they had been located and taken in for questioning. It later became apparent that their Swiss passports were fake. Later these two agents were identified at DGSE agents, Allain Mafart and Dominique
On the days leading up to the event, the two French secret service agents, Marfart and Preiur had entered New Zealand using bogus passports. After receiving further details about the vessel and Greenpeace’s plan from an agent. They made arrangements to attach two bombs to the hull of the ship. This was carried out on the 10th of July 1985 at 8pm. The first bomb went off at 11:38pm and the second at 11:45pm. One crew member was killed, Fernando Pereira was killed when he went to retrieve his camera after the first bomb, the second bomb went off and he drowned. New Zealand police initially believed this was a domestic criminal act. However acting on information received from members of the public they became aware of possible international connection. Two people with French accents who had been observed acting suspiciously near the wharf. Within a matter of days they had been located and taken in for questioning. It later became apparent that their Swiss passports were fake. Later these two agents were identified at DGSE agents, Allain Mafart and Dominique