Browsing Gallery: Pointe Du Hoc

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, which consisted of more total firepower than the bomb Little Boy, 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.