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Pointe du Hoc (Paperback)

Military WWII > Battles & Campaigns > D-Day & Normandy

By Tim Saunders
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: Battleground: WWII
Pages: 234
Illustrations: 32
ISBN: 9781473889163
Published: 21st May 2018

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The attack by Rudder’s Rangers on Pointe du Hoc, as one of the opening acts of D Day, is without doubt an epic of military history. As a result of Montgomery’s upscaling of the invasion General Bradley’s First US Army had to deal with a dangerous coastal gun battery that would dominate the approaches to both Omaha and Utah Beaches. When the plan to climb the defended cliff and put the guns out of action was first discussed, an astounded staff officer said ‘Two old ladies with brooms could sweep them off those cliffs!’

Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder, commander of the Provisional Ranger Group consisting of 2nd and 5th US Rangers, set about training his men and developing techniques to get up the hundred-foot-high cliff. Rocket fired grapples, ladders of various types and even free climbing of a similar lose cliff on England’s south coast were practiced.

On D-Day everything that could go wrong did go wrong. Lesser men would have given up, with the force having navigated towards the wrong headland, been continuously under fire as they motored back towards Pointe du Hoc, shipping water in the rough seas, craft sinking and few of the saturated grapples reaching the cliff top. None the less determined Rangers with German infantry hurling grenades down on them struggled up the cliff but the guns were not there.

With the Rangers fanning out across the wrecked battery and into the fields beyond the guns were found in an orchard and destroyed with thermite grenades. Mission accomplished but at 1300 hours there was no sign of the relieving force from Omaha. Colonel Rudder with his radios barely working appealed for help but with a near disaster at Omaha, neither help or relief was forthcoming. Consequently, the 200 Rangers fought on against mounting pressure in an equally epic battle until finally relieved two days later.

As featured in

Despatches Spring 2018

Pointe Du Hoc is undoubtedly one of the most heavily visited sites in Normandy. This newly released guidebook written by our own Tim Saunders gives the visitor a comprehensive account of the dramatic US Ranger operation to neutralise the guns that threatened OMAHA and UTAH beaches. Packed with useful maps, photographs and historical narrative it really is a comprehensive guide. Tim does have the unusual distinction of having made the climb to the Battery himself during an exchange with the US Army Rangers – he knows the ground!

Guild of Battlefield Guides

A valuable resource if driving to the site on a private battlefield visit.

Gun Mart, December 2018 – reviewed by John Norris

A useful book to have with you if you visit the Normandy landing beach areas.

Read the complete review online here.

Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland

As featured 'ON THE BOOK SHELF'

Wargames Illustrated, February 2018

About Tim Saunders

TIM SAUNDERS served as an infantry officer with the British Army for thirty years, during which time he took the opportunity to visit campaigns far and wide, from ancient to modern. Since leaving the Army he has become a full time military historian and has made nearly fifty full documentary films with Battlefield History and Pen & Sword. He is an active guide and accredited member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides.

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