Anthonie Vreeken was born on 15 January 1910. He had earned a University degree in law and was a scribe at the courthouse of  Zevenbergen.

As the Dutch army mobilized in 1940 with the threat of a German invasion, Anthonie Vreeken was called to arms. He was commander of the anti tank group of the 16th Infantry Regiment (16 R.I.). They were stationed at the Asschat defense line of the Grebbeline, the main Dutch line of defense.

16 Regiment Infantry

On 10 May 1940 the German forces invaded Holland. There was a lot of chaos at the Grebbelinie, were the Germans were expected any time, as news of the airborne landings had reached the men here. Both on the 10th and the 11th there are reports of enemy sightings, but patrols don't make contact. Enemy planes do strafe the positions. At 20.30 in the evening of the 11th, Lt. Vreeken is sent out on a patrol to investigate yet another sighting of enemy troops. He finds nothing but when he approaches his own line, he is mistaken for a German paratrooper and shot and killed.

Reserve 1st Lt. Vreeken is buried at Amersfoort (Oud Leusden) General Cemetery.

His wife died in 1991 and is buried in the same grave. The grave is also a monument to all the members of 16 R.I. that lost their lives during the first

Amersfoort, The Netherlands

Directions to Amersfoort General Cemetery

Sources:
De Grebbeline Website

If you have any suggestions, comments or additional information, please contact me.

This website is dedicated to the men and women who died and/or are buried in The Netherlands during World War II.

 

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