Pointe du Hoc....not in scale but for real!

Now I know that I have dedicated this Blog to the Brothers and our gaming but I thought many of you might be interested in a place I recently visited- and it's why I haven't blogged for a while. I was lucky enough to get to Europe recently and visit the Normandy beaches...and my first stop was Pointe du Hoc. So I hope you'll all forgive my departure from the regular stuff!

This is Point Du Hoc, just near Omaha Beach in Normandy...captured on the 6th of June 1944 by the 2nd Ranger Battalion under Colonel James Earl Rudder. Of the 225 men, 90 were still on their feet when they were finally relieved 2 days later.

The remains of an Ack Ack mounting

 

These guys had to scale 150 foot cliffs to get to the battery of German 155mm guns at the top. These guns could fire along Omaha beach  so had to be neutralised.  I won't go into all the details...but it makes a fascinating story. Enjoy the photos!

The interior of a gun emplacement

Shell holes and damage done to the concrete bunkers

More shell holes!

Bunker system and observation post

The barbed wire

Shell holes from the bombardment

A seriously BIG shell hole

The shattered bunkers indicate the power of the naval guns that hammered the place!

The view onto the beaches....the 2nd Rangers scaled up this under fire!

The Monument to the 2nd Rangers!