The Battle for Overloon

At exactly 11 o'clock more than 200 allied artillery opened fire at Overloon. In the next 90 minutes, more than 100,000 grenades were dropped on Overloon. At a quarter past twelve, as Overloon has changed in one great ruin, two …

1944-10-12

20106

At exactly 11 o'clock more than 200 allied artillery opened fire at Overloon. In the next 90 minutes, more than 100,000 grenades were dropped on Overloon. At a quarter past twelve, as Overloon has changed in one great ruin, two infantry battalions pull forward. On the western flank the 1st Battalion Suffolk and on the eastern flank, the 2nd Battalion East Yorkshire. Both battalions are followed by two squadrons Churchill tanks of the Coldstream Guards and some Flail tanks. The front infantry follow the slowly advancing tanks closely. The first hour, everything goes well. At the moment the East Yorks arrive in the forest north of Overloon, the Germans start defending themselves heavily. The allied suffer heavy losses by the German. After a poorly coordinated attack, the British possess most of the devastated Overloon in the evening. The liberation of Overloon got a bitter aftertaste for the population.

Overloon, Holland

The Battle of Overloon was a battle fought in the Second World War battle between Allied forces and the German Army which took place in and around the village of Overloon in the south-east of the Netherlands between 30 September and 18 October 1944. The battle, which resulted in an Allied victory, ensued after the Allies launched Operation Aintree. The Allies went on to liberate the town of Venray. The battle of Overloon ensued as the Allies in Operation Aintree advanced from nearby positions south toward the village of Overloon. After a failed attack on Overloon by the U.S. 7th Armored Division, the British 3rd Infantry Division and the British 11th Armoured Division took over. The U.S. 7th Armored Division was moved south of Overloon to the Deurne – Weert area. Here they were attached to the British Second Army, and ordered to make demonstration attacks to the east in order to divert enemy forces from the Overloon and Venlo areas. Suffering heavy losses the British captured Overloon and moved towards Venray. The advance on Venray resulted in heavy losses, especially around the Loobeek creek, which was swollen due to heavy autumn rains and was flooded and mined by the Germans. Casualties were heavy here among theist Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment which was serving in 185th Infantry Brigade of the British 3rd Division. During the battle, the village of Overloon was destroyed. In and around Overloon, some 2,500 soldiers died, making it one of the bloodiest battles in the Netherlands during the Second World War. Dozens of tanks, mainly American, were destroyed.

Wikipedia: Battle of Overloon

German

British

Game Type: Standard

Board Type: Countryside

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