Chapter IV

Excerpts from the writings of Mme Jacqueline Dubois
- Translated by Gay Talbot-Stratford

For Worton, settling the scores with the Germans and the Italians was not a problem but he wondered what the correct attitude was towards the French. We knew that that the French officials had adopted a pro-Vichy stance thus avoiding the deportation of their citizens.

Eventually the decision was made that we would not be boorish to the French, but would show them courtesy. This was understandable since Worton had known Roland de Magine before the war in Soochow. At that time, Roland was the French Chief of Mission. In addition to this, he had an attractive daughter called Diane.

“Isn’t it strange” I said to Walter, “You are not going to requisition my house because Worton knew Roland before the war, and because he has a pretty daughter.”
“That is about it” said Curley smiling. “General Worton and I visited the French barracks commanded by a colonel who had served during the Japanese occupation. We told him that we would be taking over apartments in the French Concession for our troops and we would be setting up our headquarters there as well. The colonel and his officers had supported the Vichy regime and offered no resistance now.”

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