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Last modified on: 5-01-2011

In October 1944, right after the Battle of Arnhem, the Battle of Overloon took place. This battle is also known as 'The battle in the shadow' and 'The forgotten battle'. A fierce battle between the allied forces and the German forces, with big losses on both sides.

The American 7th Armored Division, nicknamed The Lucky 7th, was one of the participants in this battle. To honour this division a group of volunteers is working on the restoration of a Sherman tank. By exception the Ministry of Defence was prepared to hand over a tank to the municipality of Boxmeer. To receive this goal the committee had already had several fruitful negotiations with the American Ministry of Defence and the American embassy. For years the particular tank wreck was used as a shooting target on a Dutch shooting range.

The restored tank will be added to the monument of the 7th Armored Division on the Museumplein in Overloon. The inauguration of the tank is planned in May 2011. Our website (www.shermantankoverloon.nl) contains all information and on this web site the tank restoration can be followed by frequent updated photo's and articles.

The committee will also produce a documentary about The Lucky 7th and their battle in the Peel- and Maas area. Important part will be the battle of Overloon. Besides honouring the division the documentary will also support the monument project. The recordings are expected to start in November 2010.

As far as restoration finances are concerned the committee is depending on donations, this project is not subsidized. Hence a special bank account no. was opened on which companies, businesses and private persons can make financial donations.

Bank account no.:14.35.88.850 in the name of: Comité Shermantank Overloon in Nederweert
(Rabobank Weerterland and Cranendonck) indicating: Sponsoring Sherman tank.

IBAN: NL87 RABO 0143 5888 50
BIC/SWIFT: RABONL2U

The committee would like to emphasize that the donations will only be used for the tank restoration, not for the documentary.

Press release Committee