The archive that made six thousand names disappear

Government Repression Stories · Oct 4, 2026 · 16m

A Catholic boy in Belgium uncovers a political archive that produces a list for deportation. What would you do?

The archive that made six thousand names disappear

This episode explores the story of Louis Collard, a man who went from an idealistic youth to compiling a list for deportation. It asks what happens to a person who genuinely believes in something and then methodically makes decisions that lead to such an outcome.

Person: Louis Collard

Date: November 10, 1947

Location: Charleroi, Belgium

Political Party: Rexist Party

Country: Belgium

- Louis Collard, a twenty-year-old secretary…