The Central Archive of Special Jurisdiction (CABR), containing 425,000 files of suspected and convicted collaborators and war criminals, is now digitally searchable, offering new insights into the Second World War. For decades, this information was largely inaccessible to the families of victims because it could only be searched by the perpetrator’s name, which was often unknown.
The ‘War before the Judge’ project, launching soon, will allow access to these files via five computers at the National Archives in The Hague, with plans to expand to regional archives and, eventually, home access after privacy concerns are addressed. This digital system marks a significant advancement from the previous analogue method, which involved ordering physical files and manually searching through them.
The new search engine allows users to enter names, addresses, or crime scenes, quickly generating a list of relevant files. The system highlights search terms and provides explanations of key concepts, aiding those unfamiliar with the historical context. Documents within criminal files are organized by the phase of legal proceedings, and almost all documents have been converted into plain text for easy reading.
Despite these advancements, limitations remain. Users cannot print or photograph documents due to privacy rules, and the system may not uncover information about every betrayal or arrest. The archive contains approximately 10.8 million digitally available documents, representing about a third of the total CABR archive. Scanning will continue until 2027, adding smaller cases and economic offenses to the database.
Even with these limitations, the digital archive offers a valuable resource for uncovering hidden details and gaining a deeper understanding of the Second World War. The system has already revealed previously unknown witness statements and details about war criminals, demonstrating its potential to shed light on the tragic events of the past. While it may not answer every question, the archive provides a powerful tool for families and researchers seeking to learn more about the fate of their loved ones.