Footsteps of WWII · The Netherlands

Overloon War Museum

Museum · 30 Sep – 18 Oct 1944

The story

After Market Garden the Germans held a bridgehead west of the Maas around Venlo. From 30 September 1944 the US 7th Armored Division attacked Overloon and failed, losing many tanks in the woods. The British 3rd Infantry Division, supported by 11th Armoured Division, took over and captured Overloon and then Venray by 18 October; the 1st Royal Norfolks suffered especially heavy losses. The village was destroyed. So much wrecked equipment was left on the battlefield that a museum was set up among it, opening on 25 May 1946 as the National War and Resistance Museum, the oldest Second World War museum in Western Europe.

What to look for

Museum halls set in the wooded park where the battle was fought. Highlights include a Panther tank knocked out at Overloon, a running T-34, a B-25 Mitchell, a Spitfire, a Horsa glider, a Dakota, the 'Turning Point Europe' exhibition and a Lancaster pavilion. Allow several hours.

Plan your visit

Open almost all year; online tickets are €1.50 cheaper than at the desk. Free parking, wheelchair friendly, dogs allowed on a lead. Hours and prices change by season: check the website before you go.

Nearby sites

• Freedom Museum (Vrijheidsmuseum), Groesbeek · 24 km
• Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and Memorial · 25 km
• Waal crossing memorial (De Oversteek), Nijmegen · 33 km
• John Frost Bridge, Arnhem · 45 km
• Old Church and Kate ter Horst house, Oosterbeek · 46 km
• Airborne Museum Hartenstein, Oosterbeek · 47 km

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