Pointe du Hoc

Located between the two landing beaches of Omaha and Utah, the Pointe du Hoc was an observation post armed by the Germans in France during World War II. It was thought to be the most dangerous post with regards to the Americans’ plans to invade via the beaches.

 

Looming 100 feet above the sea approximately 8 miles west of Omaha Beach, this location was a prime vantage point for attack via the sea. The Germans had six 155mm canons placed here that had a 20 kilometer range – easily being able to destroy anything that landed on either of the two beaches.

 

The results of the bombing that took place at 5:50 on June 6 (and for weeks before) are still visible and being able to enter the concrete bunkers augments your experience. Just before dawn on June 6 the battleship Texas began again bombarding Pointe du Hoc.

A Visual Step Back in Time

 

 

It was really discomforting to go inside these bunkers and literally step back in time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

French Memorial Marker

A granite needle memorial erected by the French marks the edge of the cliff and honors the American troops.

 

 

 

 

The Texas bombarded this area, stopping just before the a battalion of Army Rangers landed. They attacked this German vantage point by scaling the cliff. Although 135 Rangers were lost in the combat, this move allowed American troops to land safely on D-day, June 6.

 

 

 

Beauty can now be found among the barbed wire from that war, as you walk around and through the craters. Remember, though, that on that fateful day the equivalent explosive power of the atomic bomb used at Hiroshima was felt here.

 

70th Anniversary Pointe du Huc Commemoration

---

<< Back to Normandy