When I settled in Deurne in 1995, I came across the German military cemetery in Ysselsteyn by chance. The sight of the vast fields of modest graves made a profound impression on me. During my visit, I entered into conversation with a woman whose father is buried there. Standing at his grave, she told me candidly that she wished to write a book about her father, but at the same time realized how little she knew about him. At that moment, I offered to conduct research on her behalf.
This encounter marks the origin of an activity that, over the years, has developed into a lasting and serious commitment. That initial search sparked a broader interest in researching the often unknown lives and the frequently undocumented deaths of war victims.
I am regularly asked why my research focuses in particular on German soldiers who were killed in action or reported missing, given that they were once regarded as “the enemy.” My response is that this distinction holds no relevance for me. As a member of the post-war generation, I see no reason to continue viewing matters in such terms. To me, all fallen soldiers are united in death.
My decision to focus largely on German war victims is primarily pragmatic in nature. A significant proportion of this group was never recovered, and for many of those who were, essential information about the circumstances of their deaths or their original burial locations is lacking. Under the chaotic conditions of war, they were often buried in mass graves without extensive documentation. While this is historically understandable, it has resulted in many uncertainties that persist to this day. It is precisely these gaps that motivate my research. Over time, I have therefore increasingly specialized in the study of records relating to German war victims, with the aim of providing as much clarity as possible.
This commitment led to contact with the interest group Weltkriegsopfer.de, a German organization dedicated, among other things, to the study of missing and unidentified soldiers. In time, I became involved in handling research inquiries from the Netherlands, and my role developed into that of a national point of contact. This resulted in collaborations with various organizations, including former Allied military and governmental bodies, as well as the Dutch Recovery and Identification Unit of the Royal Netherlands Army.
These developments have led to the point where this work can no longer be described as a hobby. Although the research is conducted on an unpaid basis, it has effectively become a structured and nearly professional activity dedicated to the investigation of war victims.
The website oorlogsslachtoffers.nl represents a tangible outcome of this long-standing commitment. The aim of this initiative is to provide residents of the municipality of Deurne, as well as other interested parties, with the most complete and carefully documented information possible about war victims connected to Deurne. No distinction is made on the basis of nationality: Dutch, Allied, and German victims are all included in the research.
Richard Schoutissen