Customer Reviews

Liberation of Pointe Du Hoc

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Most histories of D-Day include the exploits of the 2nd Rangers lead by their thrice-wounded CO, Lt. Col. James Rudder and their taking of Pointe Du Hoc. The daring heroics involving their scrambling up 100' cliffs on ropes and ladders while under small arms fire is the stuff of legends. On those cliffs the Germans had placed six 155mm guns which could rain fire down upon both Omaha and Utah beach. Gen. Omar Bradley labeled the elimination of these guns by the 2nd Ranger "the most dangerous mission of D-Day". A book giving them a more detailed account and the recognition they deserve is most appropriate.

This account include the birth of the 2nd Rangers, their training, the plans for D-Day and most importantly, their story after their primary mission was accomplished. For the next two days and nights, scattered members of D, E and F companies were subjected to three determined German counterattacks. When the in-land hook-up finally did occur, only 90 of the original 225 men were left to command.

The book moves so quickly, it can be read easily in less than a day. Maps are numerous and allow the reader to following the action without effort. Photos of the personnel and the terrain added a much-appreciated dynamic element. This is another book I wish I had read before visiting the Normandy beaches.

For their action on Pointe Du Hoc, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion won a unit citation for "grim determination and extraordinary heroism".

Most everyone knows the story of the 2nd Rangers and how they scaled the heights of Pointe-du-Hoc to take out the German artillery, which posed a threat to both Omaha and Utah beaches.

The Liberation of Pointe-du-Hoc recounts that feat with first person accounts and much more. It starts with the origin of the Rangers and their training. The book then describes the action in scaling the cliffs and taking out the guns. Most accounts of this extraordinary feat-of-arms stop here. McDonald continues the narrative to the little known defense of the Pointe for the next 2 days.

Outnumbered, outgunned and without reinforcement or resupply, a small band of Rangers cut the coast road and defended the Pointe from determined German counterattacks.

This book is a tribute to the courage and determination of the Ranger force that conducted this defense. It is replete with maps, weapons diagrams, pictures, a robust bibliography and is fully indexed.

This book is an important contribution to the history of World War II and was an essential research source in my own book.

John E. Nevola
Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II

Most histories of D-Day include the exploits of the 2nd Rangers lead by their thrice-wounded CO, Lt. Col. James Rudder and their taking of Pointe Du Hoc. The daring heroics involving their scrambling up 100' cliffs on ropes and ladders while under small arms fire is the stuff of legends. On those cliffs the Germans had placed six 155mm guns which could rain fire down upon both Omaha and Utah beach. Gen. Omar Bradley labeled the elimination of these guns by the 2nd Ranger "the most dangerous mission of D-Day". A book giving them a more detailed account and the recognition they deserve is most appropriate.

This account include the birth of the 2nd Rangers, their training, the plans for D-Day and most importantly, their story after their primary mission was accomplished. For the next two days and nights, scattered members of D, E and F companies were subjected to three determined German counterattacks. When the in-land hook-up finally did occur only 90 of the original 225 men were left to command.

The book moves so quickly, it can be read easily in less than a day. Maps are numerous and allow the reader to following the action without effort. Photos of the personnel and the terrain added a much-appreciated dynamic element. This is another book I wish I had read before visiting the Normandy beaches.

For their action on Pointe Du Hoc, the 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion won a unit citation for "grim determination and extraordinary heroism".

Another self-promoting individual exploting the kindness of the old-timers. Although the information is interesting, it lacks real scholarship and passion.