Watch the “Pointe Du Hoc Bunker Story.” This video gives viewers a first-hand look at the observation bunker on the cliffs of Omaha Beach. Constructed during World War II, the bunker served as the nerve center for the Germans at Pointe Du Hoc.
Geert Van Den Bogaert walks you through this space and shares historical details about this location.
Pointe du Hoc is on the coast of Normandy (Northern France) and overlooks the English Channel. The German army had control of this crucial area and had fortified it well against attacks.
On the morning of D-Day (June 6th, 1944) the United States Army Ranger Assault Group landed at the base of the cliffs and scaled the 100-foot cliff face. They were able to do this thanks to rocket launchers that had been fitted to their landing craft; they used these to fire ropes and grapnels up the cliffs. Their aim was to take control of crucial German artillery that could be used against American troops that were landing on nearby beaches.
Once at the top of the cliffs, they found that the artillery they were in search of was not in the bunkers; where they had been expected it to be. This caused them to send out a patrol to search the weaponry down; these were found and disabled, using thermite grenades to destroy the firing mechanisms.
The U.S. Rangers had to fend off attacks from the German 914th Grenadier Regiment whilst not losing the ground they’d gained; this was the costliest part of this battle. Back-up, in the form of the 5th Ranger Battalion and part of the 116th Infantry Regiment, moved from Omaha Beach toward Pointe du Hoc from. Unfortunately, of these soldiers, only 23 Rangers from the 5th Battalion managed to reach them.
Throughout the night the Rangers were herded into a small enclave further along the cliff by the Germans and several Rangers were taken prisoner.
The following morning, June 8th, further troops managed to get to Pointe du Hoc to relieve the Rangers; these were made up of the 1st battalion, the 2nd and 5th Rangers, and the 116th Infantry – as well as tanks from the 743rd Tank Battalion.
By the end of this 2-day assault, the forces of the Ranger Landing parties dropped from 225+ men to approximately 90 men that could still fight.
Pointe du Hoc is now a popular tourist spot and holds memories of those fateful days; there is a museum you can visit which is dedicated to this battle. There’s also a monument, World War II Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument that the French erected in honor of the Second Ranger Battalion and their command Lt. Col. James E. Rudder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3UGje5INJk