It has been proven that some Luxembourgers were actively involved in the Holocaust - the systematic extermination of the Jewish people. These were individuals part of the „Reserve Police Battalion”, 14 of which were already confirmed Luxembourgers. Two historians from the National Museum of Resistance have now found photos that show that at least one of these Luxembourgers participated in the execution of Jewish people and resistance fighters during World War 2.
Elisabeth Hoffmann and Jérôme Courtoy explained in weekly newspaper Woxx as well as in conversation with RTL, how it can happen that normal people can become mass murderers. According to both historians, the majority of the Luxembourgish „Fräiwëllege Compagnie” resisted while others became mutinous. Those who participated in criminal activities consciously made the choice to do so. Those who were part of the battalion and refused to collaborate were either charged with other tasks and tried to avoid the risk of being shot.
The man implicated in this photo is already dead and can no longer be judged for his crimes. He will remain anonymous, as it was one of the conditions under which his family agreed to share the picture with the museum. What kind of implications this new knowledge might have, in terms of how Luxembourg’s involvement might be taught, is something to be decided by both politicians and the public.
The National Museum of Resistance is preparing an exhibition revolving around these latest findings in combination with the museum’s renovation, which is planned until the end of 2021.
