 HIAG embraced the "Suchdienst" activities, not only because it was concerned for the fate of some 40,000 members of the Waffen-SS who were missing in action, but because this outwardly humanitarian and non-political activity could help improve its perception by the West German government and the society at large.Such public relations activities ("image polishing", according to Large) were important to HIAG as it faced ongoing scrutiny, and even calls for a ban on the organisation.The "Suchdiensttreffen" events (literally