Oorlogsmuseum Overloon (Overloon War Museum)

'War Belongs in a Museum' has been the motto for the museum since it was opened. This message remains as relevant today as it was back in 1945.

Oorlogsmuseum Overloon was founded in 1945 and opened it's doors to the public in May of 1946 - just over a year after the end of World War 2 in Europe. It hosts a vast collection of military and civilian objects from the era, including over 150 vehicles, planes and even a midget submarine! It is the only museum in the world to offer a free bicycle bridge through it. How very Dutch! 

The museum is located on the site where in September-October 1944 the Battle of Overloon was fought out between a German Kampfgruppe and American and British troops. It took the Allies nearly 3 weeks to clear the village and surrounding areas from German troops. The Battle of Overloon was one of the fiercest battles fought on Dutch soil in World War 2. Some of the vehicles in the museum collection still bear the marks of what happened here in 1944.