Achtmaal

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Achtmaal is a little village in the South of the Netherlands falling under the municipality of Zundert. There are many successful tree nurseries now. It lies on the border with Belgium. The country side is lovely because of the nice forests where many people come to walk or ride bicycles.

Achtmaal was liberated on October 27, 1944 by the United States Army 104th Infantry Division, 415th regiment. For the regiment it was their baptism of fire. For the people of Achtmaal these were scary days. Operation "Pheasant" (code-name "Suitcase") started on the morning of Friday October 20 just after seven AM. On October 27 the 3d Battalion of the 415th Infantry entered the village and Lieutenant Colonel Kelleher was handed papers by the Dutch resistance. They proved to be very helpful for the liberators. The Regiment sustained thirty-seven killed and 135 wounded during the operation.