Remembering D-Day

June 6, 1944

by Tina~in_ut

The Mayors of Grandcamp and Cricqueville, join veteran Rangers Len Lomell and Jack Kuhn and the two daughters of Col. Rudder, in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor departed Rangers.

I realize there are many stories from D-Day and many heroes, but I want to tell you about one event from that day that is of particular interest to me. I can’t believe how little I know about WWII and the many sacrifices and acts of heroism that were carried out by our young, brave soldiers during the D-Day invasion. In school, I either didn’t pay much attention during class, or we just didn’t cover WWII in depth. In any case, I want to tell you about Pointe du Hoc.

On June 6, 1944, during the pre-dawn hours, Companies D, E, and F of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, led by Lt. Colonel James E. Rudder, began their mission to scale the sheer cliffs at Pointe du Hoc in order to take out the six 155mm guns set in casemates along the Normandy coastline. The German stronghold had been bombed repeatedly in the weeks prior to the invasion, but it was thought that the guns still posed a threat and needed to be neutralized. The 225 men were to land at the base of Pointe du Hoc by 6:30am and signal for reinforcements by 7:00am, but they found themselves off course and landed 40 minutes late. Using ropes and ladders, they were to scale the 100 foot cliffs while under enemy fire. They had a heck of a time because the ropes were soaked and slippery, but they persevered and were still able to climb up the cliff in record time and most of the men were at the top within 15 minutes.

At the top, the men found that the guns had been moved and the landscape looked like the moon…..filled with craters from the bombing. This worked to their advantage as they were able to use the craters for cover and immediately began to shoot at the Germans. A smaller group of men moved out to find the guns. They had been moved about a mile inland facing Utah Beach. The men destroyed the guns one by one using thermite grenades. Their mission was a success and it was only 9:00am.

One of the guns discovered inland

Lt. Col Rudder set up his command post near the edge of the cliffs and the men went on the defensive. They had expected reinforcements to arrive, but because of their late arrival at Pointe du Hoc, the reinforcements were re-deployed to Omaha Beach. For two days, Rudder’s Rangers held off the German counterattacks and were finally relieved around noon on June 8th by troops from Omaha Beach. Of the 225 men who set off the morning of the 6th, no more than 90 were able to continue the fight and nearly 80 lost their lives. Rudder himself sustained wounds but carried on despite them.

Colonel Rudder's HQ on the edge of the cliff

Every year at this time, thousands of people visit Normandy and attend ceremonies to honor those who served. Families of those who gave their lives and even some of the veterans themselves attend. Friends of mine took their granddaughter this week. Another friend is there today. And yet another wishes she was there. Why? To show respect for the men who courageously fought to liberate Europe.

The Mayors of Grandcamp and Cricqueville, join veteran Rangers Len Lomell and Jack Kuhn and the two daughters of Col. Rudder, in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor departed Rangers.



If you ever get a chance to visit France, make it a point to visit Normandy. When you see the enormous dagger monument out on the Pointe, remember Lt. Col. Rudder and his Rangers and all that they, and men just like them, have done for our country.

For more in-depth analysis, see:
World War II History