Utah Beach was the code name for the right flank, or westernmost, of the Allied landing beaches. Point du Hoc was located to the east of Utah beach and to the west of Omaha beach and stands on 100 foot cliffs overlooking the sea. It was the position of six 155mm cannons with a range of 25,000 yards.
The Americans dropped over 5000 bombs, but were only able to hit one cannon. However the land is still pock-marked for miles from all the bombing.
Lt. Colonel James Rudder, a native Texan and Texas A&M graduate along with his 2nd Ranger Battalion was given the assignment to scale the cliffs under constant fire from above and take out the deadly artillery. This was an extremely important assignment, but virtually impossible. With heavy losses he and his men were able to complete the mission and as a result the casualties on Utah beach were extremely small.
It was cold and very windy standing on the cliffs above the water. We walked all around the bunkers and out on the edge of the cliffs to see the Rangers Monument. Brian & Taylor were more adventurous and went down inside the bunkers for a closer look.
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