Utah Beach and Pointe du Hoc : June 6, 1944

The Allied Forces landing on this shore which they call Omaha Beach liberate Europe – 6 June 1944.

After the evacuation of British troops from northern France (see Medieval War Torn North-West France post), the British and Americans began preparing for an undertaking without precedent in the history of war-fare.   The weather was so bad in the English Channel during the first week of June 1944 that the Germans believed an invasion was impossible.  In fact it had been delayed 24 hours before Eisenhower gave command to begin.

Utah Beach

Just before dawn, battleships started shelling the beach as the landing craft crept towards the continent in heavy seas.

Monument at Pointe du Hoc to the American 2nd Ranger Battalion.

The 82nd SOS Parachute Infantry Regiment dropped in the early hours by mistake into Sainte-Mere-Eglise where many were shot landing.  One soldier found himself dangling from the church town.  Feigning death saved his life.

USA troops led by Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jnr advanced on Utah Beach, the tide sweeping them off their intended landing point into a relatively lightly defended area.  By the end of the day 23 000 men had come ashore with some 200 casualties only.  The cliff, Pointe du Hoc, had to be climbed in the face of enemy fire by the US Ranger Battalion.  They were only relieved by troops fighting through from Omaha Beach 2 days later by which time 60% of the Rangers were dead.