Rangers at Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc

For Pfc. Daniel Farley and the 5th Ranger Battalion, June 6 began a four-day odyssey from the beach, to the cliffs, to the Maisy Battery.

https://ww2thebigone.com/2016/06/05/rangers-at-omaha-beach-and-pointe-du-hoc/

 

Enjoyed the article. Powerful photo. Thanks.

 

I always think the blokes that climbed those 'ladders' performed one of the most remarkable recorded attacks of the entire war.
Don't think there's ever been a point in my life I could comfortably get up one of those, let alone under intense gunfire and raining grenades. (Though, presumably once they were on, the gunfire and grenades were also something of a motivating factor... :unsure: )

"Lead the way."

 

The rangers were used to climb these ladders, they did it over and over again in England.

It is always fascinating to read what these famous batteries really were. Pointe du Hoc consists of 6 open 155mm field guns and i bet, not enough ammunition. Half the artillery of a light cruiser but without the protection of an armoured turret.
About 100 soldiers including the gun operators.

 

Weren't a lot of these "German" artillerymen from the East and were the ones that wanted to surrender?

 

No, the Osttruppen in the area were [SIZE=10pt]Ost-Btl. 439 (IV./Gren.-Regt. 726). They were at La Vey, west of Isigny and were one of the units that later counterattacked the Rangers. Of course, all German units had elements of Volksliste III troops with them. They were those who had been declared ethnically German and eligible for conscription.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10pt]2./Heeres-Kuestenartillerie Abteilung 1260 had been in the area since May 1940, although its designation had changed a number of times.[/SIZE]

 

Major salutes to the Rangers ! Tough assignment there, thanks for sharing.

 

Actually a couple of British soldiers climbed the ropes too. http://www.theobservationpost.com/blog/?p=727

The British soldiers who fought for the longest on the D Day beaches were RASC truck drivers. No Commando or Ranger Training.