When we think of ‘war victims’ in the Second World War, we often think only of the victims of ‘the good cause’. But people also fell on the other side: soldiers and civilians with family, friends and loved ones who had to miss them.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers makes no distinction in this.

We are committed precisely to German victims and their next of kin as well. Thanks to years of experience, we have broad expertise in this complex and multifaceted subject.

Shield with cross and orange flame logo iconWar Victims Foundation

Behind every war victim lies a person with their own story – and people who miss them. Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers is committed to making those stories visible and doing justice to all victims of the Second World War.

We do this among other things by:

  • Research into people who were active in German military or administrative service in the Netherlands during the Second World War
  • Research into Dutch nationals in German military service, both at home and abroad
  • Tracing and investigating (former) field graves
  • Grave and family research into victims and their next of kin
  • Archive research at home and abroad
  • Reconstructing personal life stories
  • Sharing these stories through publications and presentations
  • Support in the identification of victims, including unknown soldiers

In this way we contribute to remembrance, recognition and a more complete picture of the past.

These services are offered to private individuals, organisations and institutions. It may concern a limited request, such as information for a next of kin of a fallen soldier. In other cases it involves cooperation with a publication, documentary or large-scale research project, or participation in larger projects in collaboration with for example authorities, museums or foundations.

In this way we contribute to remembrance, recognition and a more complete picture of the past.

Research on people in German service during the Second World War

We research, share, and preserve stories that deserve not to be forgotten.

explore our research, publications, and stories

Portretfoto jonge man jaren dertig stijl kapsel

How a Name Was Lost: Between Discovery and Oblivion.

Zwart-wit portret man met bril en pak

Julius Dettmann, main character in Anne Frank's arrest

Twee mannen zitten op bank in groene begraafplaats

To Never Forget - Documentary about 70 Years of Liberation

Zwart-wit portret man met klassiek kapsel en insignia

Hank Gijsbers, seduced by power, he chose the Waffen-SS

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Unfortunately, objects from the Second World War are often lost when parents or grandparents pass away. Sometimes letters or photographs from the war years are found in attics, and people assume that such personal items are of no real value. It would be a shame if these kinds of objects were lost during clearing out.

Do you, your parents, or your grandparents still have objects or documents from the Second World War at home, or do you know someone who has them but no longer uses or values them? Let us know. The War Victims Foundation would like to preserve these objects and their accompanying stories and make them accessible to everyone. In this way, together we keep the history of the Second World War alive for new generations!

Don’t throw history away… preserve it…