During a tracing project in Bemmel (province of Gelderland), ECG recently came across corpses. Since the preliminary investigation conducted by ECG had revealed that German troops had been manning foxholes in the area, it could certainly not be ruled out that a German soldier was involved. In accordance with the rules, the search for remains at this location was stopped immediately, the site was covered up again and left untouched.

Yesterday, the Royal Netherlands Army Salvage and Identification Service (BIDKL) arrived on the scene and expertly and meticulously removed the human remains. The BIDKL has existed since 1945 and is responsible for tracing, salvaging and identifying victims from the Second World War. It concerns both military and civilians. The service wants to give war victims a name and inform their families. It never passes judgement on 'right' or 'wrong'.

The remains collected yesterday have been taken to the laboratory at Camp Soesterberg. Here, attempts will be made to identify the remains and to provide the fallen with a name.