Historical Information (Source: CWGC)

The Netherlands fell to the Germans in May 1940 and was not re-entered by Allied forces until September 1944. There was severe fighting in the vicinity of Overloon in October-November 1944, when the Germans were being cleared out of the region south and west of the Maas in preparation for the final attack on the Rhineland. Most of the burials in Overloon War Cemetery are of men who died during these months.

The cemetery contains 280 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War, and one Dutch war grave.

Stirling III BK718 – 90 Sqdn

Took off 2326 3 July 1943 from RAF West Wickham. Shot down by Flak crashing at Mehlem on the W bank of the Rhine.

Crew

Sergeant Oliver BEARD (1379617) Wireless Operator RAF

Sergeant Robert FREELAND (1553565) Air Bomber RAF

Pilot Officer Andrew Patrick GILMOUR (148843) Navigator RAF

Sergeant Hugh MURRAY (632757) Flight Engineer RAF

Flight Lieutenant Robert Charles PLATT (139424) Pilot RAF

Pilot Officer Geoffrey Charles SMITH (155192) Air Gunner RAF

Prisoners of War for Stirling III BK718

Sgt I H NORRIS (1315147) Stalag 357 Kopernikus

Halifax BIII MZ772 – 102 Sqdn

Took off 1741 4 Nov 1944 from RAF Pocklington. Cause of loss unknown.

Crew

Sergeant Edward Cornelius Martin SWART (1486325) RAF  III. A. 9.

Lancaster BI NG251 – 550 Sqdn

Took off 1634 6 Dec 1944 from RAF North Killingholme. Crashed after being hit by Flak 1 km W of D_lzig 12 km W from the centre of Leipzig.

Crew

Flying Officer Arthur LEONARD (160715) Navigator RAF: III. A. 7.

Sergeant George Charles DENNIS (2204350) Air Gunner RAF: III. A. 8.

Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery

Sergeant Thomas Joseph HOOPER (2217010) Air Gunner RAF: 6. G. 12.

Lancaster I LL741 – 50 Sqdn

Took off 1702 21 Feb 1945 from RAF Skellingthorpe to attack the Mittelland Kanal near Gravenhorst.

Crew

Flight Sergeant Denis Alphonsus McCAULEY (1394837) Air Bomber RAF: II. B. 1.

Sergeant Fred Seddon LANGTON (1043747) Air Gunner RAF: II. B. 2.