Chapter Sixteen: I Must Investigate Chanel

The High Court was tasked with handling senior officials of Vichy France and notorious collaborators with a well-known reputation. As for civil servants, writers, and ordinary French citizens who cooperated with the German occupying forces, they were handed over to the Judicial Purification Committee.

It was certain that the latter group far outnumbered the former; this was beyond doubt.

The French Youth Division was naturally responsible for dealing with this much larger group of collaborators, including their arrest and interrogation. The High Court could not possibly try every single individual in detail; it was reserved for high-ranking officials like Pétain.

“Although the Youth Division is mentally prepared for the upcoming tasks, interference is inevitable,” Major General Duval was very clear about his position. Such unpleasant duties were never smooth sailing—otherwise, why would they fall upon him at the age of fifty-eight?

Therefore, Duval had already mentally anticipated that the Judicial Purification Committee’s work would offend many people. “Respected General de Gaulle, I must secure a few conditions first. Foremost, we will undoubtedly face issues of counterattacks and reprisals in the future. To mitigate such risks, I hope to receive your commitment.”

“Please, speak,” de Gaulle responded patiently, having anticipated the complexities of such work.

“Once the trials conclude, the criminals must be stripped of their voting rights and eligibility for office. For two generations, they shall be barred from government positions, including employment in state-owned enterprises. Otherwise, they will inevitably harbor resentment toward the current purge and question the legitimacy of France’s renewed unity.”

This provision was naturally the addition of Admiral Dragon’s brilliant son, Coman, who was currently en route to Paris by train and felt a mysterious force of destiny enveloping him.

De Gaulle fell into deep contemplation. Stripping political rights from criminals was understandable and not difficult to justify. But, for France—the pioneer of modern republican ideals—depriving two generations of political rights? Could a nation that prides itself on liberty, equality, and fraternity truly enact such a measure?

Little did de Gaulle know, this wisdom Coman absorbed from the distant East was drawn from Soviet practices. If the Soviet Union had such strict standards, no one born into a worker’s class could ever hope to become its foremost leader.

After much thought, de Gaulle finally resolved to proceed. Though it violated the spirit of republican France, modern France had never before been occupied for four years—it was time to vent the nation's frustration.

De Gaulle stood at the crossroads between the Third and Fourth Republics. During this brief transitional period, history granted him the greatest authority France had seen since Napoleon. As a line of dialogue once stated, as the liberator of France, de Gaulle’s powers were unlimited.

“Then so be it.” After a long pause, de Gaulle gave his answer, even if it went against the spirit of the republic.

The train from Marseille finally arrived at Paris station. Six hours was not a long journey, but enough to wear down the passengers’ spirits. Many in Coman’s company had never traveled by train before.

A group of soldiers wearing black masks disembarking drew curious glances from other travelers.

“This is Paris?” Martin exclaimed with a tone of reverence, as if he had arrived at a promised land of the soul.

“Looks like the war hasn’t destroyed it too badly,” Coman muttered, unsurprised by Martin’s attitude. Paris’s reputation had always been immense.

Indeed, Paris’s fame far outstripped its hard power, possibly due to its status as the cradle of revolutionary fervor.

Before leaving Syria, Coman had even met two spiritual leaders of Arab nationalism, both of whom had studied in Paris.

There was no rush. Coman had no strong impression of Paris; his family were no aristocrats, or he wouldn’t have served as a major in Dragon’s regiment after so many years. Though a major was respectable and above the average Frenchman, among the two million French soldiers captured by Germany, there were at least a thousand majors.

According to his father Dragon, their family had lived in Lorraine a century ago and was no different from a group of comrades—a literal embodiment of a humble outsider entering a grand estate.

Standing before the Eiffel Tower, he had no camera to capture the moment.

“Guess we’ll have to snatch one from the Germans,” Coman joked as his comrades expressed regret. When in doubt about foreign affairs, blame the Germans.

Soon, the Judicial Purification Committee was established, jointly led by a ministerial secretary-general and General Duval, marking the official launch of the anti-collaboration purge.

Coman’s company was formally assigned to the Youth Division. On their way to the Judicial Purification Committee, Coman paused before a building numbered 404, muttering, “If I had a choice, I’d set up the Committee right here.”

It was unusual for a warrant officer like Coman to visit the Committee’s headquarters, but with connections, he sought information from Major General Duval regarding the scope of authority and boundaries.

They certainly couldn’t just drag anyone off the street and label them collaborators—it would be farcical.

If Duval had not accepted the role of purging traitors, he would never have been appointed commander of the Youth Division or placed in charge of the Judicial Purification Committee.

With the Committee now established, Duval was still at a loss as to where to make a breakthrough.

When Coman met Duval, the general remained perplexed, pondering whether to bring colonial tactics back home.

“I think the key is to mobilize the masses,” Duval said.

Coman quickly interrupted, “Colonial methods won’t work here; the homeland is entirely different. Besides rallying the public to provide intelligence on collaborators, we should also look for breakthroughs among the German prisoners of war currently held. Of course, I don’t yet know how many there are or if this involves intelligence, but it’s just a suggestion.”

“Sounds difficult,” Duval sighed helplessly. It seemed this task required more than just a willingness to take the blame. “Coman, will you stay here or go out on duty?”

Duval cared for Coman and quickly received his reply: “I want to investigate Chanel.”

Duval looked puzzled. He didn’t know who or what Chanel was, but it sounded like a woman’s name. Was there a major female collaborator in France?

“Not exactly,” Coman replied with a smile. “Just an inquiry. Whether or not it leads anywhere depends on how you judge it. You decide, I’ll follow.”