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Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
History & Heritage

Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery

historyWWII

Established in June 1945 on land provided permanently by the Netherlands government, the cemetery holds 1,684 Commonwealth graves, of which 243 are unidentified, alongside 79 Polish, three Dutch, and four non-war graves. Most died during Operation Market Garden in September 1944, when the 1st British Airborne Division attempted to hold the Rhine crossings and was overwhelmed by German armour. Newly discovered remains continue to be reinterred here. Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the grounds are immaculate and entry is free.

An annual memorial service is held on the first Sunday after September 17 — the date of the original parachute drop in 1944 — and has continued without interruption since 1945. In 2026 the service falls on September 20 at 11:00. Dutch schoolchildren each place a flower on a grave, a custom maintained by local volunteers for over 80 years. The cemetery is about 8 km west of Arnhem; take bus 1 from Arnhem Centraal towards Oosterbeek.

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Visit Info
AddressVan Limburg Stirumweg, 6861 WL Oosterbeek
TransportBus: Oosterbeek, Van Limburg Stirumweg
HoursOpen 24 hours
AdmissionFree