Discover Dutch Military Captivity Records with the New NIMH WWII Database

The Dutch Institute for Military History (NIMH) has released a major new database containing detailed information on more than 22,000 Dutch soldiers who became prisoners of war during the Second World War. It brings together transport lists and surviving prisoner records into one consolidated source, making it easier for researchers to trace the wartime experiences of Dutch military personnel held in German captivity.

Written by Glenn Henskens

What Is This Database?

The NIMH has compiled a renewed dataset on Dutch servicemen taken prisoner by the German occupiers. These captures occurred in three major waves:

  • May 1940 – After the Dutch capitulation, many soldiers were taken prisoner as part of the immediate military surrender. Most of this group was released again in June 1940 once active resistance had ended.
  • May 1942 – The German authorities targeted specific groups such as career officers, cadets, and midshipmen. They were seen as potential leaders of resistance and were therefore interned to limit their influence.
  • May 1943 – A third wave followed when the German occupiers introduced compulsory labour deployment. Soldiers who had previously been exempt or demobilized were rounded up and taken prisoner as part of this broader German mobilisation effort.

The database is built from several historical sources, including German transport lists and surviving individual prisoner records. Because these documents were created under wartime conditions, they are not always complete. Names, units, and spellings were sometimes altered or recorded under pressure, but the compilers have brought together and corrected the available information in order to create the most reliable overview possible. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

What Information Is Available per Person?

Each individual entry contains key biographical and military details, as well as information about the captivity period.

1. Personal Details

  • First name or initials
  • Last name
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth

2. Military Background

  • Rank (for example soldier, sergeant, lieutenant)
  • Branch of service: Army, Navy, or KNIL
  • Unit information where available, such as regiment or department

3. Captivity Information

  • Camps or locations where the person was held, often listed with codes such as Stalag or Oflag
  • Dates of imprisonment and release
  • Reason for release, such as discharge, liberation, or death
  • Prisoner registration number when known

Not all prisoner files have survived. For example, the dossiers of the officers interned in 1942 are largely missing. It is therefore possible that a person is listed in the transport records but does not have an accompanying prisoner file. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

How to Search the Database

The database can be accessed through Netwerk Oorlogsbronnen / Archieven.nl. The search environment offers tools for both beginners and advanced researchers. You can search by:

  • Initials, first name, or last name
  • Year range
  • Military unit
  • Branch of service
  • Camp

There is also a filter to show only individuals with available files, and the interface supports wildcards to help capture spelling variations or incomplete information. For example, searches such as Jans* 1919 or "Stalag XI A" can help locate individuals or groups with shared characteristics.