This is the first episode of 31000/45000, about Paulin Coutelas.

Paulin was my grand oncle, and I wanted to start this project with him, as he was at the origin of my interest.

This story happens before the deportation of Paulin, and so will the next 5 stories. This is because I must explain a few things before, give some context. The first thing to know is that France brutally and quickly lost the war against Germany in 1940. A new government was put in place, by the French authorities, and started collaborating with Germany. France was not with the Allies anymore.

As a communist, Paulin was arrested by the French authorities and did his best to be released. Because something happened to Paulin as he was in prison, Paulin had become a father and wished to spend his time with daughter.

As a father myself, who was lucky to spend the last year alongside my daughter, the idea of missing the entire first year of her life is unbearable.

4 Christophe Le Meur

The 31000 and 45000By Matthieu Landour EngelJan 17, 2022