6 JUNE, 1944, 06.30 HOURS, OBJECT: POINTE DU HOC

On the D514 you take the first road to the right on the roundabout that leads a small road (Rangers Road) to a large complex of six bunkers atop of the cliffs. Halfway was a guardhouse that guarded the only entrance. At the end of the road is the Battery of Pointe du Hoc. Allied Command were convinced that the bunkers gave shelter to 155 mm cannons with a range of 25 kilometers. This was a big risk to the invasion fleet with the heading UTAH and OMAHA Beach. From May, 1944, the complex was regularly bombed. The threat was that big that the 2nd Ranger Battalion was given the order to clear this point of the garrison with 100 Germans that were believed to be there to defend the place.

June 6 1944, 05.45 uur

STANDING NEAR THE CLIFF THAT RUNS INTO THE SEA (THE RANGER MEMORIAL ATOP THE FIRE CONTROL BUNKER):

About 400 metres to the right is the spot were the Rangers landed on the small beach on the foot of the cliff. From here they climbed with ladders, ropes and even daggers to reach the top. This was a heavy struggle because of the eroded cliff that was pulverised by the navy guns of battleship TEXAS. Once atop the 'clean-up' was swift and to the point. When the men reached the bunkers at was found that the guns were never installed. The commander, Colonel Rudder sent a small unit to the D514. In a orchard they found the camouflaged cannons and they were destroyed by the Rangers. Until this point the casualties were minor, around 30 to 40 men. In the afternoon the Germans placed a counter attack and the casualties rose in a alarming rate. Reinforcements from OMAHA Beach came to the rescue but were stopped just a kilometre from their obejetive.

The Rangers were driven into a small corner but held their ground, thanks to some covering fire from navy vessels. The next day the German troops retreated. But it was not until June 8th that the reinforcements came to the relief. By then from the 225 Rangers that landed, there were 135 men killed, wounded or missing.

HET COMPLEX;

Pointe du Hoc has changed little over the years. The terrain is covered in bomb craters and blown up bunkers. It is most impressive, don't miss this one out and think for a moment what a struggle it must have been for those Rangers.

Battleship TEXAS can be visited in Houston, Texas, at the San Jacinto Park.

More on the background and silent witnesses on the battle for Pointe du Hoc, I advise you a visit to the Musee des Rangers in Grandcamp-Maisy. When approaching this town, you see an enormous statue that welcomes you with here arms spread. At the bottom of this statue is a small monument on a tobruk bunker as a remembrance to the men of the American National Guard. The monument is called 'Espace Frank Peregory'. More on this man and his heroism that gave him his Medal of Honor, you'll find lower on this page.

Drive into town and head for the harbour. At the boulevard you'll find the Musee des Rangers. It is rather small, but the intentions are sincere. First floor has a display of personal items from some Rangers who fought at Point du Hoc. Many pictures with written narratives illustrate the ordeals of these men. Second floor has a small theater that shows a remembrance video.

Honderd meters further down the boulevard stand a large monument dedicated to the Free French that served in the RAF with Bomber Command.

Of the three winners of the Congressional Medal of Honor who rest at the American Cemetery, at Colleville, the only one not mentioned yet is Technical Sergeant Frank D. Peregory. He got his Medal of Honor for extreme bravery around Grandcamp-Maisy. On June 8th, 1944, when the first units of Comp. K, of the 116th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division reached Grandcamp-Maisy, they were pinned down by heavy machinegun fire.

The German fire came from a higher level of ground and covered the city. When even the American tanks were unable to crack these defenses, T/Sgt Peregory took his own initiative and headed for the German positions. At the top he found a trench and moved through it till he came to a stronghold 200 meters further. Without hesitation he fought eight Germans with hand grenades and bayonet, another three surrendered. His aggressive attack ended at the machinegun point where Peregory on his own forced 32 Germans to surrender. His action cleaned the way for the advancing American units. Unfortunately Peregory was killed six days later during an attack near Couvains. His grave can be found in sector G, Row 21, grave 7.

For those who wish to see some interesting bunkers, drive around the harbour. Take a stroll along side the local camping (watch out for the many rats around here!). Here are some amazing bunkers that were fire upon by the American navy. There were no landings during D-Day in this area.