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.

46 Georges Marin

The 31000 and 45000By Matthieu Landour EngelMay 16, 2022