Pointe du Hoc

France / Basse-Normandie / Saint-Pierre-du-Mont / D514A
 Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, cliff, artillery battery, interesting place
Pointe du Hoc is best known for the assault made on it during the World War II Normandy landings, June 6, 1944. The Germans had fortified six 155-mm artillery emplacements on the cliffs which overlooked the landing beaches. These guns would enable artillery fire to be directed over both Omaha and Utah approaches, undoubtedly causing massive casualties in the landing forces. Although there were several bombardments,from the air and by naval guns, intelligence reports assumed that the fortifications were too strong, and would also require attack by ground forces. The US 2nd Ranger Battalion was therefore given the task of destroying the strongpoint early on D-Day.
The plan called for the three companies of Rangers to be landed by sea at the foot of the cliffs, scale them using ropes, ladders, and grapples under enemy fire, and engage the enemy at the top of the cliff. (The US soldiers were trained by British forces for the assault) This was to be carried out before the main landings.
Despite initial setbacks due to weather and navigational problems, resulting in a 40-minute delay and loss of surprise, the cliffs were scaled and the strongpoint was assaulted successfully, with relatively light casualties. Fire support was provided during the attack by several nearby Allied destroyers. However it was discovered that the main objective of the assault, the artillery battery, had been moved out of position, possibly as a result of air attacks during the buildup to the invasion.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Hoc
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   49°23'43"N   -0°59'19"E

Comments

  • you can see the craters from the heavy shelling
  • I was there 10 years ago. Nothing has changed from 1944. You can see the char marks inside the bunkers from the US flame throwers