The Daily: The Sunday Read - ‘Unburying the Remains of the Third Reich’

Host: Michael Barbaro
Guest Author: Nick Casey
Release Date: April 13, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Daily, host Michael Barbaro presents Nick Casey’s in-depth exploration of the Volksbund, a private German organization dedicated to exhuming and properly burying the remains of German soldiers from the world wars, including those affiliated with the Nazi regime. As Europe grapples with the lingering shadows of its tumultuous past, Casey delves into the ethical, historical, and political complexities surrounding the unearthing of these mass graves.

The Mission of Volksbund

Nick Casey begins by introducing the Volksbund, whose mission has been to locate and provide dignified burials for every German who died in the world wars, irrespective of their roles or affiliations. Operating primarily in countries like Germany, Poland, and Hungary, the organization annually exhumes thousands of remains, seeking to bring closure to families and commemorate the vast losses of conflict.

"The Volksbund says it's not here to commemorate or honor any of the people are buried at their cemeteries. They're simply here to remember the deadly toll of war."
(03:45)

Casey highlights the sheer scale of their operations, noting that approximately 12,000 German remains are exhumed each year, down from peaks of 25,000 decades earlier. This ongoing effort underscores Europe’s continuous struggle to reconcile with its war-torn history.

Personal Stories: The van Bregen Family

One of the poignant narratives Casey shares is that of Daniel and Victoria van Bregen in Wrocław, Poland. Upon moving into their newly acquired villa, they discover remains that soon lead them to the Volksbund.

• Discovery: The van Bregen’s backyard transformation from a serene garden to an excavation site reveals a mass grave containing 128 bodies.

"There was a complete jumble of bones. Leg bones, arm bones, multiple skulls with tree roots coming out of them."
(10:25)

• Emotional Impact: The discovery of personal items like medallions and a Nazi-era helmet brings a human face to the victims, emphasizing the individual lives lost amidst the atrocities of war.

The van Bregen’s experience exemplifies the unexpected and often distressing encounters with history that ordinary people may face when uncovering the remnants of bygone conflicts.

Rise of Populism and Its Impact on Volksbund

Casey connects the work of the Volksbund to the rise of populist and far-right movements in Europe, particularly in Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The AfD’s increasing parliamentary presence and its members' neo-Nazi affiliations have stirred controversy around the Volksbund’s mission.

"Germany's far right party, Alternative for Germany, or AfD, just doubled its seats in parliament... some of its politicians have been found to have neo Nazi ties."
(12:50)

This political shift has led to increased support for the Volksbund from right-wing factions, complicating its objective to honor all fallen soldiers without glorifying Nazi perpetrators. The association with extremist groups raises questions about the Volksbund’s impartiality and the broader societal implications of memorializing controversial historical figures.

Historical Context and Organizational Challenges

Casey provides a historical backdrop of the Volksbund, founded in 1919, initially focused on World War I casualties. Post-World War II, the organization expanded its scope, facing the daunting task of addressing the massive number of German war remains.

• Organizational Evolution: Transitioning from World War I to World War II, the Volksbund has had to navigate the complexities of unearthing remains that include both regular soldiers and war criminals.

"Sometimes we have truly evil perpetrators... but sometimes the organization will instead find itself seeking a grave for... conscripted teenage soldiers who were forced at gunpoint to murder Jews."
(16:40)

• Ethical Dilemmas: The organization grapples with determining how to handle remains of individuals with known Nazi affiliations versus those who were victims or innocents caught in the horrors of war.

Furthermore, Casey discusses internal conflicts within the Volksbund, including leadership struggles and resistance to reform. Former leaders like David Livingstone and Dirk Bakken have attempted to steer the organization towards a more reflective and responsible approach, emphasizing the need to acknowledge Germany’s culpability in war crimes.

Controversial Graveyards and Public Backlash

Casey highlights specific incidents where the Volksbund’s actions have sparked public outrage, particularly concerning the burial sites of high-profile Nazis:

• Anne Frank’s Arrestor: In the Netherlands, the decision to bury SS officer Julius Dettmann alongside other soldiers at a Volksbund cemetery ignited protests from Jewish leaders and survivors.

"Dead people need to be buried, he said when I called him in the Netherlands. You can't just leave them lying there... but it made Nazi dead look like the war's victims, not its criminals."
(22:15)

• Italian Cemeteries: Similar conflicts arose in Italy, where residents demanded the removal of SS officers’ remains from local graveyards. The Volksbund’s inability or unwillingness to comply led to prolonged disputes and tarnished the organization's reputation.

These controversies underscore the tension between theVolksbund’s mission and the moral imperative to differentiate between victims and perpetrators of Nazi war crimes.

Reform Efforts and Future Prospects

Amidst mounting criticism, attempts at reform within the Volksbund have been met with resistance. Dirk Bakken, the organization’s chief executive, emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of history, advocating for the recognition of both individual tragedies and collective guilt.

"We have to understand the complexity of history... Was he born as a monster? No, he was made into that by someone foreign."
(28:40)

However, entrenched organizational cultures and political support from extremist factions hinder meaningful change. The struggle to balance remembrance with historical accountability remains a significant challenge for the Volksbund.

Conclusion: Navigating Memory and Responsibility

Nick Casey’s exploration reveals the intricate dance between memory, history, and responsibility in Europe’s ongoing reconciliation with its past. The Volksbund stands at the crossroads of honoring the fallen and confronting the darkest chapters of history, all while navigating the turbulent waters of contemporary politics.

As Europe continues to evolve, the role of organizations like the Volksbund becomes increasingly complex, necessitating a delicate balance between remembrance and accountability. The Daily underscores the importance of these discussions in shaping a future that acknowledges and learns from the past.

Notable Quotes:

• "The idea of searching for the bones of Nazis in forests around Germany is terrifying to many people for what it means today."
  — Nick Casey (04:10)

• "What allows men to kill each other... what war can turn a nice, caring family father into a fighting machine."
  — Arne Schrader, Volksbund Representative (17:30)

• "We have to have places to remember the dead, including figures like Dettmann."
  — Arthur Graf, Protest Organizer (24:50)

Further Engagement:

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