Pointe du Hoc 1944

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Reference, Atlases, History, Military, World War I, World War II
Cover of the book Pointe du Hoc 1944 by Tim  Saunders, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Tim Saunders ISBN: 9781473889187
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: February 28, 2018
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military Language: English
Author: Tim Saunders
ISBN: 9781473889187
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: February 28, 2018
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military
Language: English

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 cold 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.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

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 cold 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.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book Ships and Shipbuilders by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book Foul Deeds and Suspicious Deaths in Barking, Dagenham & Chadwell Heath by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book British Battleships 1919-1945 by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book The Brunei Revolt by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book The Great War Explained by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book Black Arrow Blue Diamond by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book Nachtjagd, Defenders of the Reich 1940-1943 by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book My War in the Air 1916 by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book Waterloo 1815 by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book The Maginot Line by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book The Eastern Front Air War 1941-1945 by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book RAF Air Sea Rescue 1918-1986 by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book The Great Central Railway by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book Marching with Wellington by Tim  Saunders
Cover of the book The Crimean War at Sea by Tim  Saunders
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy