Omaha Beach, Provisional Ranger Group

Operational Area

Allied Forces

• 2^nd Raider Battalion
  • Company A
  • Company B
  • Company C
  • Company D
  • Company E
  • Company F
• 5^th Raider Battalion
  • Company A
  • Company B
  • Company C
  • Company D
  • Company E
  • Company F
• Ranger Cannon Company

Operation

During Operation Neptune, V Corps of the U.S. First Army is tasked with assaulting the German coastal defences across a 5.5-kilometre stretch of shoreline known as Omaha Beach. This front lies between Vierville-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Mer. The objective for D-Day is to establish a beachhead extending five to six kilometres inland, from the Drôme River to the area near Isigny-sur-Mer.

Two infantry divisions, the 1^st and 29^th, form the spearhead of the assault. They are supported by armoured and artillery detachments. On the western flank, however, a separate and more complex task is assigned to a specialist assault force.

Located six kilometres west of Omaha Beach is Pointe du Hoc. Here, the Germans construct a fortified battery position for six 155-millimetre howitzers of French origin. Four of the guns are positioned in open emplacements, while two are housed in concrete casemates. Intelligence from April and May indicates that further construction is underway.

The battery at Pointe du Hoc poses a serious threat. With a range of 23 kilometres, the guns can strike both the approach routes to Omaha Beach and the naval anchorage supporting V Corps. Their reach extends even further, to the sea lanes and transport zones supporting VII Corps during its landing at Utah Beach, near the base of the Cotentin Peninsula.

The Germans protect Pointe du Hoc heavily from a seaward assault. Between Grandcamp-les-Bains and the Omaha sector, the Norman plateau ends in steep coastal cliffs. At Pointe du Hoc, these cliffs rise sheer, up to 30 metres, and in some places overhang the narrow beach below. There is no natural cover for an attacker at the base of the cliff.

Aerial reconnaissance confirms what local French civilians also report: the Germans regard this position as virtually impregnable from the sea. They focus their defensive preparations on an inland assault. The Pointe itself forms part of a larger defensive complex, enclosed with wire and mines. Its flanks are guarded by two smaller positions armed with machine guns. On the western side, a light anti-aircraft gun provides additional fire support. These flanking positions can deliver enfilade fire onto the narrow beaches beneath the cliff and defend the site from any attack from the rear.

German strength at Pointe du Hoc is estimated at 125 infantry and 85 artillerymen. These troops belong to the 716. Infantrie Division, which is responsible for the coastal defence line stretching from the River Vire to the River Orne. The division consists largely of non-German conscripts and is regarded as being of limited combat value. Elements of the 726^th Infantry Regiment hold the sector from Vierville to Grandcamp. Along this section, the high cliffs limit the number of strongpoints. The closest German positions to Pointe du Hoc are over one and a half kilometres to the west and just over three kilometres to the east.

The Germans do not prepare this part of the coastline for defence in depth. The 716. Infantrie Division is stretched thinly across nearly 50 kilometres of shoreline. Behind it, the 352. Infantrie Infantry Division is the nearest mobile reserve, stationed in the Saint-Lô–Caumont area. It is expected to take 10 to 12 hours to reach the coast in the event of an Allied landing.

The mission to assault Pointe du Hoc is assigned to the Ranger Group. This formation is attached to the 116^th Infantry Regiment and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder. It consists of two battalions. The 2^nd Ranger Battalion, under Rudder’s direct command, includes Companies D, E, and F. These companies are tasked with landing at H-Hour and scaling the cliffs to capture the battery position. The 5^th Ranger Battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel Max F. Schneider, together with Companies A and B of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion, forms the support element.

The support force waits offshore. If the assault on the cliffs is successful, the remaining Rangers are to land at the Point. Once assembled, the Ranger Group is to move inland, sever the coastal road between Grandcamp and Vierville, and await the arrival of the 116^th Regimental Combat Team. Together, they are to advance westward toward Grandcamp and the Maisy battery complex.

A contingency plan is in place. If the support element receives no signal of success by H+30 minutes, it is to divert to the Vierville sector on the western edge of Omaha Beach. There, it is to land behind the 116^th Regimental Combat Team and proceed overland toward Pointe du Hoc, avoiding engagement along the route unless necessary.

Company C of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion is assigned a separate objective. It is to land with the first wave of the 116^th Infantry Regiment and destroy enemy strongpoints near Pointe de la Percée, immediately west of Omaha Beach.

December 1943

On December 1^st, 1943, the men of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion arrive in England. Companies A to F, along with the Medical Detachment and Headquarters Company, are in transit. All companies disembark at 10:00. At 18:00 they board trains bound for a new station. Together with the Medical Detachment of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion the unit heads to Bude, Cornwall. Headquarters Company’s advanced detachment remains unchanged in its status but also disembarks at 10:00 and entrains at 18:00 for its next location.

In the United States, the 5th Ranger Battalion remains at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Companies A to F, the Medical Detachment, and Headquarters Company continue their preparation for deployment.

One day later, on December 2^nd, 1943, the 2^nd Ranger Battalion and the Medical Detachment, arrives in Bude, Cornwall. All companies reach the town by train at 13:00. The arrival of the Rangers in Bude is a well-organised affair. A local American artillery band plays at the station to welcome them. Also waiting are members of the battalion who left the United States earlier as a quartering and billeting party. The reunion is warm and familiar. Old friends meet again, and it feels good to see other Rangers in uniform.

From the station the battalion marches up through the narrow, winding streets towards the centre of town. The station lies at the foot of a steep hill, so the climb is hard. Each man carries all his possessions. Heavy overcoats and steel helmets make the ascent more uncomfortable.

They reach their destination, the battalion mess. The hall is a converted garage, now serving as a dining room. Equipment is dropped outside in the alley before the first meal in England is served. After chow, the men form up in the street. English officers greet them and give instructions. They explain how to behave among their new neighbours and what to expect in daily life.

The most surprising news concerns housing. There are no barracks nearby, and the cold weather rules out tents. Instead, the men are to live in private homes. The government has asked civilians to give up rooms or spare space, and many households have agreed. The Rangers will live as boarders among local families.

That evening they are settled into billets across Bude. The arrangement feels generous. The British people, already under wartime strain, now give up parts of their homes to soldiers from abroad. It is a gesture of real friendship.

Bude itself is a peaceful seaside town on the south-west coast. Its normal peacetime population is no more than 5,000. Yet wartime conditions and the town’s distance from heavy raids have brought an increase in residents. Bude is a holiday resort, modern and up to date, with hotels and guest houses once busy with tourists.

Most Rangers are billeted two or three to a home. Some are luckier. One Ranger finds himself alone in a house with an elderly couple and their maid. He is given a fine room, and the maid looks after him well. The kindness of the hosts soon overcomes the initial shyness of both sides. With time, soldiers and civilians grow comfortable with one another.

Company billets are concentrated on the edge of town, above the railway station. Two blocks of houses are used, enough to house the entire company. The men are close enough to form up quickly for drill or parades. The battalion mess remains in the centre of town. Each meal therefore means a march through the streets.

Battalion headquarters lies at the far side of Bude in the Flexbury Lodge Hotel. The men can reach it by road through the town centre, or they can cut across the golf course. The course is steep and rugged, more like an obstacle range than a place for play. Either way, the journey is long enough to remind them that the town is now their training ground as well as their home. Headquarters Company of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion Advanced Detachment, that served as an advanced party, returns from detached service to full duty. They are Major Max F. Schneider, First Lieutenant Louis A. Dahan, and Second Lieutenant William G. Heaney.

In the first days at Bude the Rangers follow a light training schedule. The aim is recovery from the sea voyage and time to settle into billets. Men use these days to arrange themselves in their new homes.

As the days pass the training intensifies. Physical drills are demanding. They keep the men fit and mentally sharp. Weapons training ensures basic soldiering skills are not forgotten. Compass work and map reading exercises maintain constant readiness. Night courses are regular. These reinforce the fact that Rangers must operate in both daylight and darkness. The training reminds every man of his role. A Ranger is expected to complete his mission under any conditions.

On December 11^th, 1943, the Advanced Detachment of Headquarters Company, 5^th Ranger Battalion, assembles at Fort Hamilton, New York. This small unit is ordered overseas ahead of the main body. Its task is to prepare accommodation, billets, and facilities for the battalion on arrival in Great Britain.

The 5^th Ranger Battalion moves to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on December 20^th, 1943. They assemble there for embarkation to Europe. On the same day, the Advanced Detachment of Headquarters Company, 5^th Ranger Battalion, arrives in Crewe, Wales. Their role is to prepare for the reception of the battalion in Great Britain. One day later, on December 21^st, 1943, the Advanced Detachment of Headquarters Company, 5^th Ranger Battalion, moves from Crewe to Llangattock, Wales. The detachment continues preparations for the arrival of the main battalion.

The first Christmas overseas is spent in the town of Bude. By December the Rangers have earned the respect and confidence of the townspeople. Many men receive invitations to family gatherings for Christmas dinner. Several accept and join local families at their tables.

The battalion’s own Christmas meal is a major event. Turkey with full trimmings is served. Beer flows freely, and cakes and sweets decorate the tables. The men rise from the meal feeling heavier than when they sat down.

That afternoon the Rangers host a Christmas party for the children of Bude and nearby villages. For weeks they have pooled their weekly candy rations to prepare a sweet table. The local dance hall is decorated with a Christmas tree and festive trimmings. The children are delighted. Sweets and gum, rare in wartime England, bring wide smiles. Watching their happiness lifts the spirits of every Ranger present.

In the evening the battalion enjoys its own entertainment. A USO troupe, touring the region, gives a lively performance. Afterwards, a dance begins. Alcohol flows and the hall remains busy until the early hours. When the men finally return to their billets they are tired, content, and merry after a Christmas well spent.

On December 28^th, 1943, the 2^nd Ranger Bttalion are divided between several stations. Companies B, C, E, together with the Medical Detachment and Headquarters Company, remain at Bude, Cornwall.

A Company, 2^nd Ranger Battalion, moves to a new station. Medical orderly Private First Class Robert C. Lambert transfers from the Medical Detachment to A Company. At 06:30 the company entrains and travels south. They arrive in Southampton at 12:30. At 17:00 they continue by truck convoy and reach Titchfield, Hampshire, at 17:30.

D Company is ordered to Park Gate, Hampshire. Medical orderly Private First Class William A. Geitz is attached to the company from the 2^nd Battalion Medical Detachment. At 06:30 the company entrains. They arrive in Southampton at 12:30, then mount trucks. At 13:30 they depart and reach Park Gate, Hampshire at 16:00.

F Company is sent to Botley, Hampshire. Medical orderly Private First Class Charles W. Korb is attached for duty from the 2^nd Battalion Medical Detachment. At 06:30 the company entrains. They reach Southampton at 12:30, then transfer to trucks at 17:00. By 17:30 they arrive in Botley, Hampshire.

For the next 10 days, training for the 2^nd Ranger Battalion is divided by company. Companies A, D, and F carry out physical conditioning and watermanship in the Southampton Bay area. They train under Commando instructors. Emphasis is placed on the handling of motor dories and the correct technique for disembarking from Landing Craft Infantry (Small).

At the same time, Companies B, C, and E undertake a four-day reconnaissance exercise. Their route runs from Bude in Cornwall to Braunton Sands in North Devon, a distance of about eighty kilometres. The exercise focuses on small-unit movement, navigation, and endurance.

During this period, plans for Ranger participation in raids are delayed. The obstacle lies in obtaining the specialised equipment required. Such items are not readily available through normal United States Army supply channels.

While his companies move to new stations, Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder travels to Devon. He is scheduled to attend the United States Army Assault Training Centre. His task is to study its methods and observe the operational practices taught there. These techniques are designed for amphibious assaults. They are the very skills his Rangers will require on the beaches of Normandy.

January 1944

On Tuesday, January 4^th, 1944, Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder is summoned to London. His Battalion is stationed at Sandown, on the Isle of Wight. He is accompanied by his executive officer, Major Max Schneider. Their destination is the headquarters of General Omar Bradley’s First United States Army, situated in Bryanston Square, near Paddington Station.

At this point, neither Rudder nor Schneider has been granted “Bigot” clearance. Under Operation Neptune’s layered security structure, normal “Secret” classification is no longer sufficient. A new level, “Secret-Security”, later renamed “Top Secret”, is reserved for those requiring general knowledge of the invasion plans. An even more restricted category, “Secret-Security-Bigot”, grants access to specific operational details, including objectives, timings, and unit roles.

Rudder and Schneider do not yet hold this highest clearance. As a result, their meeting focuses on broad tactical concepts, with no mention of precise timings or invasion dates. Bigot clearance is only extended to them in March.

Colonel Truman “Tubby” Thorson, G-3 Operations Officer at First Army, conducts the initial briefing. Thorson explains the strategic significance of Pointe du Hoc. Intelligence maps show the firing arcs of the German artillery positioned there. The battery’s guns, if operational, threaten the entire Transport Area offshore from Beach 46, soon to be renamed Omaha Beach.

At this stage, Utah Beach is not yet part of the Neptune plan. Its inclusion comes later in the month. The plan for neutralising Pointe du Hoc remains under development. One possibility, based on past Ranger operations at Arzew in North Africa, is an assault from the landward side.

Thorson instructs Rudder to begin detailed planning for a direct assault on Pointe du Hoc. This is to be done in cooperation with V Corps and the British Combined Operations Headquarters. The objective is clear: capture and neutralise the German battery before it can fire on the approaching invasion fleet. Rudder is also informed that the newly arrived 5^th Ranger Battalion will reinforce his 2^nd Ranger Battalion. Together, they will form a Provisional Ranger Group under his command.

On January 6^th, 1944, the 5^th Ranger Battalion remains assembled for embarkation. However, Second Lieutenant Mehaffey of B Company, Second Lieutenant Gawler of C Company and First Lieutenant Bryne and First Lieutenant Garvik from Headquarters Company transfer from duty to detached service at the New York Port of Embarkation, Brooklyn, where they serve as a loading officer. They all return to duty the following day.

On the evening of January 7^th, 1944, the men of the 5^th Ranger Battalion depart Camp Kilmer. They travel on a crowded military train bound for the port. Their destination is H.M.S. Mauretania.

That very same day, Rudder requests that Schneider be transferred back to the United States for medical reasons. Schneider, a veteran of earlier Ranger operations in North Africa and Italy, is suffering from both physical and psychological strain. Captain Block, the battalion’s medical officer, supports the request, warning that Schneider may be close to a mental collapse. The request reaches General Eisenhower’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force headquarters but is denied. Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force insists that experienced officers are too valuable to release in the lead-up to Operation Overlord. Schneider remains with the Rangers.

On January 8^th, 1944, the H.M.S. Mauretania, as is it about to leave, is involved in a minor collision. Still within harbour, she is accidentally rammed in the bow by the American tanker Hat Creek, a vessel of the United States Marine Corps.

The impact forces H.M.S. Mauretania to return to dock. While being secured she strikes the dockside, sustaining additional but light damage. Repairs are completed quickly. At 16:30 on January 9^th, 1944, she sails again, carrying the 5^th Ranger Battalion and thousands of other troops bound for Liverpool, Great Britain.

On January 10^th, 1944, the 2^nd Ranger Battalion prepares for raids from southern England. Company A moves to Beachborough House, Folkestone in Kent while a detachment from Company D trains at Dartmouth. Their base shifts to Titchfield, Hampshire.

Company A, reinforced to ninety-four men, is tasked with a prisoner raid near Calais. Three detailed plans are prepared, ranging from capturing a prisoner on the beach to probing enemy command posts inland. Rehearsals include boat drills in Dover Bay and full-scale exercises observed by senior commanders. Despite readiness, the raid is cancelled as rough seas repeatedly prevent embarkation.

The Company D detachment trains with No. 4 Commando in reconnaissance and dory handling. Their mission is to land silently on Herm, reconnoitre sectors, and withdraw to a waiting gunboat. Communications planning is extensive, with multiple radio nets, signal lamps, and even escape contingencies.

By the end of January 1944, both missions are abandoned. Adverse weather in the Channel makes the crossings too hazardous, and the Royal Navy declines to proceed.

By mid-January 1944, the 2^nd Ranger Battalion is scattered across the south coast of England. D and F Companies move into Hampshire, while E Company settles at Freshwater and C Company at Sandown on the Isle of Wight. B Company and elements of Headquarters remain further west at Bude, Cornwall. The dispersal is deliberate. Each location offers access to the sea, ensuring the Rangers can focus on amphibious assault training and develop different specialisations that strengthen the battalion as a whole.

Every site chosen lies on the coast. Training therefore revolves around repeated landings from British Landing Craft Assault, usually crewed by Royal Navy personnel. Companies embark each morning, practise their assaults, and return wet, tired, and often bruised in the evening. D Company specialises in demolitions, learning to destroy obstacles and static defences under live conditions. They practise both daylight and night landings, drilling until the men can strike unseen, blow their targets, and withdraw quickly in the surf.

The position of D and F Companies near the Hamble Estuary proves ideal. With embarkation points always at hand, the companies can operate daily without delay. The cycle soon becomes routine: embark, assault the beach, demolish obstacles, fire live rounds, and re-embark. Along the waterfront, the Rangers build a rifle range. A high earth bank is thrown up as a backstop, adding live-fire accuracy to their daily routine of amphibious drills and demolition practice.

On January 19^th, 1944, the 5th Ranger Battalion arrives in the outer harbour of Liverpool. From there, it moves inland to Leominster in Herefordshire to begin its own period of training.

Two days later, on January 21^st, 1944, the 2nd Ranger Battalion again disperses across southern England. A Company remains at Folkestone in Kent. B Company crosses to the Isle of Wight and arrives at Shanklin at 09:30. C and E Companies, together with the Medical Detachment, are based at Sandown. D Company is stationed at Freshwater, while elements of Headquarters settle at Titchfield in Hampshire. The battalion now occupies a wide stretch of England’s southern coastline, well positioned for the amphibious training that will define its role in the coming invasion.

Multimedia

February 1944

General Bernard Montgomery, newly appointed commander of Allied land forces, expresses concern that commando raids may reveal Allied intentions. In February, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force cancels further coastal raids.

As preparations for Operation Overlord continue, several tactical options for the Pointe du Hoc assault are reviewed. Since responsibility for Omaha Beach lies with V Corps, its G-3 Operations Section begins formulating a plan that complements the corps’ wider objectives.

Major General Leonard T. Gerow, commander of V Corps, takes a direct and personal interest in the planning process. Earlier in the war, he had served in the War Department’s General Staff as Assistant Chief of the War Plans Division, where he worked with then-Colonel Dwight Eisenhower. Gerow’s background in strategic planning influences his vision for the mission.

During a planning session on February 4^th, 1944, Gerow outlines his expectations. He recommends that the main strength of the two Ranger battalions land west of Beach 46, beyond the cliffs, and neutralise enemy positions as far as the Passe d’Isigny. He suggests landing the force on the beaches behind the Roches de Grandcamp, provided naval landing conditions allow it. This proposed landing zone would avoid interference with naval bombardment or air strikes.

If such a landing proves unfeasible, an alternative is considered. The Rangers could instead land on the right flank of the 29^th Infantry Division’s beach sector. Gerow also proposes that the commander of the 1^st Infantry Division might wish to employ Ranger elements on the division’s left flank, depending on evolving tactical needs.

The Roches de Grandcamp are a band of rocky shoals running east from the mouth of the Vire River to within several hundred metres of Pointe du Hoc. The Passe d’Isigny is a tidal channel through the marshes west of Grandcamp, roughly five kilometres from the cliffs. In this context, Gerow is likely referring to a broader need to address German artillery batteries located near Maisy, further inland from Grandcamp.

On February 14^th, 1944, E Company, 5th Rangers, is recorded at Acton Court, Wrexham, Great Britain. The reason for this temporary detachment remains unclear. The company stays there for several days before rejoining the battalion. That very same day, the Medical Detachment of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion arrives in Bude, Cornwall at 17:00 hours, travelling by truck. D Company departs Shanklin on the Isle of Wight by train at 08:15. After a long day of travel, they arrive in Bude, Cornwall at 19:00. E Company leaves the Islae of Wight on the same day and arrives in Bude later that day. Headquarters Company also returns to Bude the same day. The company departs Titchfield, Hampshire at 11:00 hours and reaches Bude at 18:00 hours by truck. Twenty-one enlisted men from Headquarters Company come back to duty from detached service with A Company.

On February 15^th, 1944, A Company returns to Bude, Cornwall following the final cancellation of their planned raid. That same day, B Company departs Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. They board a train at 08:15 and arrive in Bude at 19:00. C Company also leaves the Isle of Wight, departing Sandown at 08:20 and reaching Bude at 19:00. On arrival, both companies are billeted in private homes.

F Company departs Botley, Hampshire by truck at 00:11 hours. They reach Fareham at 12:15, board their train at 12:30, and complete their journey with arrival in Bude at 19:00.

On February 25^th, 1944, First United States Army releases its initial Neptune plan. This document includes no clear guidance on how the Rangers are to capture Pointe du Hoc.

In response, Colonel Hewitt, V Corps Assistant G-3 for Operations, issues a request on February 27^th, 1944, for a combined study. This involves representatives from V Corps, the Ranger battalions, the Navy, and British Combined Operations Headquarters. The purpose of the study is to determine suitable tactics for assaulting and securing Pointe du Hoc.

Preliminary planning identifies key constraints. The Ranger battalions are limited to six infantry landing ships and their associated landing craft. Their assault cannot begin before H-Hour. An air bombardment is scheduled to strike the target from H minus four hours to H minus one hour and thirty minutes. A naval gunfire programme is to follow, beginning at H minus forty minutes and continuing up to the landing itself.

Planners also discuss the possibility of an airborne operation in support of the seaborne assault. This option remains under consideration as planning continues into March. The final assault plan will reflect a balance between tactical necessity, available resources, and coordination with the wider Allied invasion force.

March 1944

On March 1^st, 1944, Detachment A of Headquarters Company 2^nd Rangers Battalion moves to the U.S. Assault Training Center in Devon. That very same day the 5^th Ranger Battalion moves from Leominster to the British Commando Training Centre in Tighnabruaich, Scotland. The course, based in the Highlands near Lochaber and Fort William, proves decisive.

The Rangers train in physical fitness, survival, map work, cliff and boat assaults, demolitions, and unarmed combat. They study both Allied and German weapons. Exercises are relentless, carried out by day and night across mountainous terrain and in foul weather.

Live fire is constant. Bren guns, rifles, grenades, and mortars are used at close range to simulate battle. Casualties occur, with men injured and even killed during training. Amphibious assaults are rehearsed daily on fortified beaches modelled on those of Normandy.

Map problems involve marches of up to seventy kilometres. Students sleep in rain, cross rivers, and endure exhaustion while making tactical decisions. Knife fighting, tank hunting, and demolition of obstacles and minefields are practised repeatedly.

The month in Scotland is remembered as the hardest training the battalion ever undertakes. Many Rangers later credit it with their survival and success in Normandy and in the campaigns that follow.

Meanwhile, the 5^th Ranger Battalion experiences a major internal crisis, later known as the “Captains’ Revolt.” Lieutenant Colonel Owen E. Carter, the battalion’s commanding officer, comes under increasing criticism from several of his company commanders. Unlike inspirational leaders such as Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder or Colonel William Darby, Carter is viewed as aloof and rigid. His leadership style does not reflect the Ranger ethos, which prizes shared hardship and mutual respect between officers and men.

Frustrated by Carter’s perceived detachment and ineffective command, three company commanders decide to bypass the usual military chain of command. Instead, they appeal directly to Rudder, who is regarded as the senior Ranger officer in the European theatre. They urge him to intervene and request Carter’s removal.

Major Richard Sullivan, the battalion’s executive officer, learns of this direct appeal. On March 4^th, 1944, he summarily relieves all three officers of their commands and orders them to leave the unit. However, when Rudder is informed, he brings the matter to senior officers in V Corps. After reviewing the situation, V Corps determines that the concerns are valid. The decision is reversed: Lieutenant Colonel Carter is relieved of his command, and the three dismissed captains are reinstated.

Rudder recommends that Major Max Schneider take over the 5^th Ranger Battalion. Despite previous doubts about Schneider’s health, Rudder believes him to be a capable and trusted leader. V Corps approves the appointment on March 24^th, 1944 and Schneider is placed in command of the 5^th Ranger Battalion two days later on March 26^th, 1944.

To fill the resulting vacancy in the 2^nd Ranger Battalion, Captain Cleveland A. Lytle is promoted to executive officer. With new leadership in place, the battalion continues its preparation for the upcoming Normandy landings as part of the Provisional Ranger Group.

On March 4^th, 1944, sixteen enlisted men from other U.S. Army units are assigned to Headquarters Company, 2^nd Ranger Battalion. These men, experienced in artillery and armoured warfare, form the basis of the battalion’s cannon company, rocket squads, and defensive infantry elements. An adaptation is made to the standard M3 half-track. A 75-millimetre cannon, of First World War vintage, is mounted on the rear deck, firing forward over the driver’s cab.

Second Lieutenant Frank Kennard, photographed beside his two half-tracks at Bude, is given command of one section. First Lieutenant Conway Epperson commands the second. Both officers lead a newly formed Cannon Platoon of thirty-three men, drawn from the above reinforcements. Each half-track carries a M-1897 75-millimetre field gun with supporting crew. The gun mounted at centre. Ammunition lockers line the floor. The exterior carries tools, bangalore torpedoes, petrol cans, and personal kit. These improvised arrangements are necessary to keep ammunition space clear.

The Rangers regard the cannon platoon as expendable. No long-term plan exists for its continuation beyond D-Day. Officially designated 75-millimetre Gun Motor Carriages, the vehicles are intended primarily as tank destroyers. They are used in direct fire only. The gun is forward-firing, with limited traverse, and relies on the manoeuvring of the half-track for aim. The platoon is therefore a specialised but short-lived addition to Ranger strength on the eve of the invasion.

Responsibility for refining the Pointe du Hoc assault plan shifts to British Combined Operations Headquarters in March 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Dermot L. Richardson, a British Army staff officer with extensive experience in amphibious operations, is assigned the task. Combined Operations is also expected to supply the necessary specialised equipment for the Rangers.

Richardson presents his plan to V Corps at its headquarters at Clifton College, Bristol, on March 3^rd, 1944. His proposal is based loosely on Major General Gerow’s earlier concept but introduces a dual landing scheme. The plan calls for the Rangers to land at two separate locations: east of Pointe du Hoc at Vierville, and west over the Roches de Grandcamp. An additional airborne element is proposed, around thirty-five paratroopers to be dropped south of Pointe du Hoc to support the assault.

Despite its alignment with earlier guidance, the Richardson plan is quickly dismissed. By this stage, V Corps planners recognise the severe limitations of Gerow’s original ideas. The Royal Navy refuses to support landings over the Roches de Grandcamp. The shoals present a serious hazard to even shallow-draught craft. Moreover, the beaches in that area are overlooked by several fortified German strongpoints, particularly around the port of Grandcamp-les-Bains.

Even if the Rangers succeed in landing at Grandcamp, the plan requires them to march several kilometres through enemy-held territory to reach Pointe du Hoc. This would delay the attack on the German battery by hours, far too long given its threat to the invasion beaches.

The idea of a small airborne detachment is also rejected. A force of thirty-five paratroopers cannot hope to take the position alone. Nor could such a group penetrate the strong landward defences protecting the battery. These defences form part of a continuous belt of bunkers, trenches, and machine-gun nests.

With both Grandcamp and airborne options discarded, Richardson’s plan defaults to a landing near Vierville, followed by a ground advance toward Pointe du Hoc. However, this too is deemed unworkable. The Rangers would again be forced to fight their way through several kilometres of German defences before reaching their objective. Such a delay renders the entire mission ineffective.

The responsibility for finalising the Pointe du Hoc assault plan is passed to Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder and his staff. They work closely with British Combined Operations Headquarters and liaise with the operations officers of V Corps and the U.S. 1^st Infantry Division.

Initial concepts involving landings east and west of Pointe du Hoc are reconsidered. Combined Operations Headquarters raises concerns based on prior experience during Operation Torch in November 1942. At Cap Matifou near Algiers, British Commandos had failed to reach Batterie du Lazaret in time to prevent it from firing on Allied forces, despite sustained aerial, naval, and ground assaults. The lesson drawn is that even light opposition can delay a ground force long enough for a coastal battery to inflict serious damage.

One option involves a landing inside the small port of Grandcamp, about 3.2 kilometres west of Pointe du Hoc. Aerial reconnaissance reveals that the Germans have flooded the terrain between Grandcamp and the cliffs, intended to deter airborne landings. These inundations severely restrict ground movement and contain likely ambush zones along the remaining access routes. Even if Rangers manage to pass through, they would still need to breach dense minefields and barbed wire before reaching the objective. This route would cost valuable time, during which the German guns could target the invasion fleet. The western approach is therefore dismissed.

Another alternative is a landing closer to Pointe du Hoc, at the base of the cliffs east and west of the point. This would avoid long inland marches from Vierville or Grandcamp. However, the cliffs in this sector are steep and exposed. Unlike those at Dieppe, where British Commandos had scaled slopes under cover of darkness, Pointe du Hoc offers no natural clefts or gaps. Moreover, the Rangers would be landing in daylight, after aerial and naval bombardment had alerted the German defenders. The landing craft would be visible during the entire approach. This plan still requires the Rangers to overcome the strongpoint’s heavily defended southern perimeter.

It is at this point that a new idea emerges: land directly at the base of Pointe du Hoc and scale the 30-metre cliffs from below. Although risky, the approach is not without precedent. Commandos have previously executed similar cliff assaults. Intelligence reports confirm that the German defences are mainly oriented inland. The vertical cliffs are considered sufficient protection, and major seaward fortifications are absent. Climbing under fire would be dangerous, but it would place the Rangers directly at the objective without facing the layered landward defences.

With the method of attack finalised, Rudder must determine how many troops to commit. The beach at the base of the cliffs is narrow and cannot accommodate many landing craft at once. Rudder concludes that the initial assault can be carried out by just a few companies. Reinforcements can land either at Pointe du Hoc or further east near Omaha Beach, depending on the situation.

In late March, Rudder meets twice with Major General Huebner, commander of the 1^st Infantry Division. Huebner raises concerns about a pair of German field gun positions identified in recent aerial reconnaissance. These are located on the cliffs near Pointe et Raz de la Percée, west of Omaha Beach. Huebner considers them a threat to the main landing zone. Following these meetings, the mission is expanded. In addition to neutralising the Pointe du Hoc battery, the Rangers are now tasked with destroying these additional German gun positions. This marks the final major adjustment to the assault plan.

Multimedia

April 1944

On April 2^nd, 1944, the 5^th Ranger Battalion departs the Commando Training Centre at Tighnabruaich, Scotland, at 11:45 by motorboat. They arrive at Rothesay at 13:00 after covering fourteen miles by water. At the same hour, they embark on T.S.S. Sussex. By 19:25 they reach Wemyss Bay, Scotland, completing a 40-kilometre sea passage. At 21:30 the battalion departs Wemyss Bay by rail, arriving at Preston around midnight. Minutes later they continue by train, reaching Braunton Camp of the U.S. Assault Training Centre in North Devon, Great Britain at 15:30. Here, Major Max S. Schneider officially assumes command of the Battalion. One day That very same day, the 2^nd Ranger Battalion departs Bude, Cornwall, by train at 10:30. They arrive at Braunton Camp at 14:30.

At the Assault Training Centre, the Ranger battalions undertakes a seven-day course in beach and fortification assault. Modern methods for attacking fortified enemy positions are taught in detail and practised under realistic conditions. Each company is divided into two assault teams of thirty men under Assault Training Centre guidance.

The training programme begins with fundamentals and basic principles. This stage lasts only a few days. Afterward, the school courses start. The company is divided into groups. Each group attends a different class of instruction. The sections are organised into demolitions and explosives, mines and booby-traps, barbed wire, and weapons. The weapons group covers the bazooka, flame-thrower, anti-tank grenades, and individual small arms.

Each group is instructed by an expert. These teachers are specialists in their subjects. More is learned here than in all previous training combined.

The barbed wire group is shown every method of breaching and crossing wire obstacles. The demolitions group studies explosive formulas and the way to prepare them. The mine and booby-trap class receives the latest knowledge on laying, blowing, neutralising, and safe-ing minefields. They are taught how to use mine detectors. They practise probing and seeking by eye and hand for enemy booby-traps.

The weapons group absorbs instruction on all firearms. They learn when and how to use their weapons. They are shown their construction and operation. They become skilled in firing each type of weapon. By the end, they are regarded as experts.

During the courses the Rangers find time to strengthen their bodies and build stamina. The hilly, sandy ground near Braunton beach provides an ideal training route. Officers insist on long hikes and speed marches across this terrain. The men drag their weary bodies along, shoulders slumped, tongues hanging, but discipline drives them on.

After the individual courses, the company reorganises. Training shifts to combined problems. Each section brings its new skills together. Platoon and company exercises follow.

On many mornings the company marches up the steep road to Baggy Point. Each man carries weapons and heavy equipment. Sweat pours, curses fly, yet songs rise as they prepare for dry and wet run problems.

Baggy Point becomes a defensive training site. The defence is simulated but realistic. Several pillboxes command all approaches. Dummy targets represent open emplacements. Real barbed wire surrounds the strongpoint. Additional wire barriers lie between the positions, creating more than one obstacle. There are no mines or booby-traps in these exercises.

The final test takes also place at Baggy Point, where a replica of the French coastal fortifications has been constructed. They must take, destroy, and hold the position. Once secured, they reorganise to defend or move to a fresh objective. They must also be ready to repel any counter-attack.

The attack plan is simple. The wire-cutting team leads. A squad of riflemen follows, providing covering fire. Behind them come the bazooka team, the flame-thrower men, the demolition team, and the anti-tank grenadiers.

The initial advance is supported by artillery and mortar fire. Half-tracks carry 75-millimetre guns that add direct fire onto the enemy position. The bombardment aims to suppress open emplacements and force defenders inside their pillboxes.

The company then advances to the first wire obstacle. The wire party breaches it by cutting, blasting, or bridging. Riflemen cover their movements. Once the obstacle is cleared, bazooka teams and grenadiers take positions to fire on the pillbox slits. Their task is to keep the enemy sealed inside.

Under this protection, flame-throwers and demolition men move forward. The wire party breaches the final obstacle. Riflemen suppress the open emplacements. At this stage, the company’s mortars, artillery, and self-propelled guns cease fire. They are masked by the advance and begin to displace forward.

The direct assault now begins. Riflemen continue to cover. Bazookas and grenadiers keep the pillbox shut. Flame-throwers advance and fire into the openings. Each burst of flame lasts no more than thirty seconds.

When the flames die out, the demolition men rush forward. They place pole charges in the slits, then fall back to safety. The explosion rips through the position. At once, riflemen surge in with bayonets fixed. Grenades fly to finish any defenders. The position is overrun, and the company establishes a defensive line. The exercise usually ends at this point. The men regroup and await critique from the instructors.

The company earns high praise for its performance. Officers from the school commend their effort. The recognition helps to balance the harsh demands of such training.

On April 9^th, 1944 the first Ranger units depart the Assault Training Centre. D Company of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion leaves Braunton by train at 05:00 and arrives in Swanage, Dorset, at 13:10. E and F Companies make the same journey, departing at the same hour and arriving together. All three companies are placed on alert for further movement.

The Medical Detachment of the 2nd Rangers remains at Braunton Camp. Captain Block transfers from duty to detached service. Staff Sergeant Clark and Technician Fifth Grade Hillis also move from duty to detached service at Cambridge. The detachment is placed on alert for departure.

Headquarters Company of the 2nd Rangers also remains at Braunton Camp. The company is placed on alert for departure.

At a meeting on April 3^rd, 1944, Air Chief Marshal Arthur Tedder echoes this view. He maintains that heavy bombers are effective only in two circumstances: either before concrete bunkers are completed and hardened, or in last-minute strikes intended to disrupt operations by damaging communication lines and electrical systems. This aligns with the earlier findings of the Graham Report, which questioned the effectiveness of strategic bombers against hardened targets.

As a result, the first Joint Fire Plan, issued on April 8^th, 1944, assigns the bulk of the early attacks to medium bombers. Aircraft from the United States 9^th Air Force and the Royal Air Force 2^nd Tactical Air Force are selected for these roles. Their lower-altitude bombing runs offer greater accuracy. Heavy bombers from Royal Air Force Bomber Command and the U.S. 8^th Air Force are held in reserve for final pre-invasion missions under the codename Operation Flashlamp.

To preserve the secrecy of the Normandy landings, attacks on the region must be mirrored by equivalent raids elsewhere, particularly in the Pas-de-Calais area. These deception raids form part of Operation Fortitude, the strategic Allied effort to convince the Germans that the invasion will come at Calais. This deception campaign proves highly successful, causing German commanders to retain large reserve forces in the north for weeks after the Normandy landings.

At the same time, Allied air forces are still engaged in Operation Crossbow, a campaign to destroy German V-weapon launch sites. These missions compete with the Normandy operations for limited air resources. By mid-May, however, Crossbow activity is scaled back, releasing more bomber squadrons for use against Neptune targets.

The Pointe du Hoc assault plan has evolved into a three-part operation, designed to reduce risk while maintaining offensive momentum. The plan now includes a direct assault, a supporting attack on nearby German batteries, and a flanking manoeuvre to reinforce or complete the mission if the main assault fails.

The three elements are designated Force A, Force X, and Force Y.

Force A is assigned the primary objective: a direct assault on the Pointe du Hoc battery.
Force X is tasked with eliminating German artillery near Pointe et Raz de la Percée, close to Omaha Beach.
Force Y will land farther east, then advance westward to attack Pointe du Hoc from inland, effectively providing a secondary assault route in case Force A is repulsed.

This comprehensive plan is approved by Major General Leonard Gerow’s V Corps headquarters and is formally issued on April 20^th, 1944 as Annex 19 to the V Corps Operation Neptune Plan.

According to the plan:

Ranger Force A consists of the headquarters element and Companies D, E, and F of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion. These three companies are to land at H-Hour on D-Day directly at the base of the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc. One company is to land west of the point; the other two, along with a naval fire control party, are to land to the east. The objective is to scale the cliffs, destroy the German coastal battery, and prepare to support the rest of the Ranger force as it arrives.

Ranger Force X is composed of Company C, 2^nd Ranger Battalion. It is to land at H-Hour on the right side of Omaha Beach at Dog Green sector. This force is to move quickly westward to the cliff-top position at Pointe et Raz de la Percée, where recent aerial reconnaissance has identified enemy field artillery. After destroying these positions, Force X is to continue west to provide flank security for the main Ranger force.

Ranger Force Y includes Companies A and B of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion, as well as the full 5^th Ranger Battalion. It is to land in two waves, at H plus 28 minutes and H plus 30 minutes, on Dog Green sector of Omaha Beach. This force is to advance westward along a shoreline route, avoiding unnecessary combat, and approach Pointe du Hoc from the rear. Its aim is to seize the battery from the inland side and ensure its destruction. Companies A and B of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion will form the advance guard and provide flank protection.

The Ranger Cannon Platoon is scheduled to land at H plus 120 minutes, also at Dog Green. It is to move west along the coastal road from Vierville-sur-Mer to Grandcamp-les-Bains, supporting Force Y as it converges on Pointe du Hoc.

Following the successful destruction of the battery, all Ranger elements are to regroup and prepare for further action on the Allied right flank. This contingency ensures that the Ranger Group remains operationally flexible for follow-on tasks after completing its initial objectives.

This final version of the plan reflects a balance of audacity and caution. The coup de main by Force A remains central, but it is now backed by coordinated flanking movements and follow-up support. It marks the culmination of months of joint planning between the Rangers, V Corps, Combined Operations, and naval commanders, resulting in one of the most complex and daring missions of the D-Day landings.

Both Ranger battalions relocate to the Assault Training Center at Braunton Burrows in north Devon. This facility includes realistic mock-ups of German defences and cliffs similar to those at Pointe du Hoc. Training now includes rocket-propelled grapnel devices for cliff scaling.

From April 23^rd, 1944 to May 7^th, 1944, the Rangers take part in Exercise Fabius I, the largest full-scale landing rehearsal conducted before D-Day. The operation is held at Slapton Sands, with conditions and procedures identical to those planned for Omaha Beach. The Rangers embark at Weymouth, link up with their assigned Landing Ship Infantry, and disembark into Landing Craft Assault.

During the exercise, three companies land at Blackpool Sands, roughly 3 kilometres north of Slapton, mimicking the Pointe du Hoc assault. Another company lands on the right flank of the beach to simulate the supporting attack west of Omaha. Other Ranger elements land with the infantry and move to relieve the flanking force.

The training exposes a problem: Rangers often become mixed with 29^th Infantry Division troops. To resolve this, a distinctive helmet marking is adopted. Each Ranger paints an orange diamond on the rear of the helmet, with a black number 2 or 5 to indicate battalion. Orange is chosen for visibility, as the standard blue shoulder patch is too dark to stand out against the olive drab helmet.

The aerial bombardment campaign of the Pointe du Hoc battery begins on April 25^th, 1944. Aircraft from the 409^th and 416^th Bomb Groups launch the first raid. It causes notable destruction, eliminating at least one artillery position, damaging German communication lines, and killing two soldiers. As a result, the garrison, part of 2. Batterie, Heeres-Küsten-Artillerie-Abteilung 1260, relocates their artillery approximately 900 metres inland to the Guérin farm, further from the coast.

On April 27^th, 1944, the 5^th Ranger Battalion, moves to Dorchester, Great Britain. The unit is quartered at Camp D-1 in Dewlish. The battalion is alerted for departure as part of Exercise Fabius I. A, B and C Company, the medical Detachment and Headquarters Company of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion also depart the U.S. Assault Training Center in North Devon. They travel by train and reach Dorchester, Dorset, at 16:00. They are quartered in Camp D-5 in Broadmayne. On arrival, all units are placed on alert for participation in Exercise Fabius I.

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May 1944

On May 1^st, 1944, Companies A, B, and C of the 2^nd Rangers embark on the H.M.S. Prince Charles. Companies D, E, and F embark at Swanage on H.M.S. Ben My Chree and H.M.S. Amsterdam. On the evening of May 3^rd, 1944, all companies assemble in Weymouth Harbour.

The vessels have previously carried the 1^st Ranger Battalion during operations in the Mediterranean theatre. On board, the Rangers sleep in hammocks below decks. They are issued American 10-in-1 rations, prepared by the ship’s cooks. Meals are poorly received and rarely anticipated with enthusiasm.

Time on board is filled with briefings and shipboard films. Gambling and games of chance are also common among the men.

Fabius I is a full-scale rehearsal for the coming invasion of Normandy. Units involved include the 1^st Battalion, 116^th Regimental Combat Team, the 2^nd and 5^th Ranger Battalions, and two platoons of amphibious tanks. The exercise takes place on the coast near Dartmouth.

The mission of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion is set in detail. Companies D, E, and F land at H-Hour. Their task is to ascend a slight cliff and secure the assigned objective. Company C also lands at H-Hour with the 1^st Battalion, 116^th Regimental Combat Team and simulates clearing the beach defences.

One hour later, the 5^th Ranger Battalion and Companies A and B of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion, with Battalion Headquarters Detachment, come ashore. Company B acts as the point, with Company A providing flank protection. Together they precede the 5^th Ranger Battalion in a cross-country advance towards the positions of Companies D, E, and F.

For the exercise, Companies A and B of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion are placed under the operational control of the commanding officer of the 5^th Ranger Battalion.

Exercise Fabius I begins on May 4^th, 1944, and ends the following day. After the exercise, both Ranger Battalions move to Swanage, Dorset. By May 7^th, 1944, both battalions have arrived at the campsite.

On May 9^th, 1944, the 2^nd and 5^th Ranger Battalions are combined to form a Provisional Ranger Group. The group is placed under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder. Battalion planning staffs are admitted into the Group War Office. Preparations for the coming D-Day assault now intensify.

Training for the 5^th and 2^nd Ranger Battalion continues at pace. Companies D, E, and F of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion focus on cliff-climbing techniques. Their practice refines the methods required for scaling coastal defences. A battalion beach assault exercise takes place during this period. The operation employs the until-then secret DUKW’s fitted with fire-fighting type extension ladders. The landing is carried out according to schedule. Companies D, E, and F scale cliffs rising one hundred feet. They secure the required beachhead. The exercise, however, suffers from a major difficulty. The over-inflated tyres of the DUKW’s fail to grip the wet sand. This limits their movement and hampers the landing. At the conclusion of the exercise, the battalion returns to Swanage by motor transport.

One of the lessons learned after Exercise Fabius, is that confusion follows the landing. Some Rangers mistakenly follow officers of the 29^th Infantry Division. The solution is simple. An orange diamond is painted on the back of Ranger helmets. From then on, Rangers follow only their own officers and non-commissioned leaders.

Meanwhile, Allied planners recognise the need to give the Ranger force greater tactical flexibility. A bold assault like Pointe du Hoc could bring decisive success or total failure. If Force A succeeds quickly, why force another element to fight over six kilometres through German defences to reach the same target?

This concern prompts a final adjustment to the Ranger plan. On May 11^th, 1944, as the 1^st Infantry Division’s Neptune plan nears completion, Rudder’s Provisional Ranger Group is formally placed under the command of the 116^th Regimental Combat Team. As a result, the Ranger operations are incorporated into the 116^th Regimental Combat Team’s plan. At the same time, a minor naming change is adopted: Force X becomes Force B, and Force Y becomes Force C.

The core missions remain mostly unchanged for Force A and Force B. However, the largest Ranger element, Force C, receives new, conditional orders based on battlefield outcomes.

Force A, consisting of three reinforced companies, is to land at H-Hour directly at Beach Charlie, the base of Pointe du Hoc. Their objective is to seize the battery position, repel counterattacks, and prepare to support the arrival of other Ranger elements.

Force B, consisting of one company, is to land at H plus 3 minutes on the Dog Green sector of Omaha Beach. The unit is tasked with advancing through a gap in the German wire at the beach’s western end. Their objective is the destruction of German defences at Pointe et Raz de la Percée. From there, they are to move westward along the cliffs, supporting the 1^st Battalion, 116^th Infantry Regiment in clearing enemy strongpoints up to and including Pointe du Hoc. Once they link up with Force A, they rejoin the Ranger Group.

Force C, under Major Max Schneider, comprises the 5^th Ranger Battalion and Companies A and B of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion. This force is to land at H plus 60 minutes. Its mission is conditional, based on whether Force A succeeds or not. Two options are provided:

Plan 1: If Force A signals success by H plus 30 minutes, Force C will land at Pointe du Hoc and land at H plus 60. Their objective is to support Force A, eliminate any remaining German positions between Pointe du Hoc and the sluice gate, and prepare to repel counterattacks. They will also cover the advance of the 1^st Battalion, 116^th Regimental Combat Team. Once the infantry battalion arrives, the Ranger Group is placed under its command.

Plan 2: If no success signal is received, Force C will land as originally planned at Dog Green at H plus 60 minutes. They will then move rapidly overland, approximately 6.5 kilometres, to reach Pointe du Hoc from the east. Upon arrival, they are to secure the battery, eliminate nearby defences up to the sluice gate, reorganise, and defend against counterattack. Again, once the 1^st Battalion, 116^th Regimental Combat Team, reaches the objective, the Rangers come under its command.

The sluice gate, located roughly 2,300 metres west of Pointe du Hoc, sits where the coastal road crosses the Ruisseau de Fontaine-Sainte-Marie. The Germans had used this feature to flood surrounding fields, creating a natural defensive barrier. It also appears clearly on Allied maps, making it a useful waypoint for further operations.

The broader objective for the 116^th Regimental Combat Team and the attached Ranger Group is ambitious. By nightfall on D-Day, the plan calls for the capture of the town of Grandcamp-les-Bains and its defences, including the two German artillery batteries near Maisy. From there, the force is to push inland towards Isigny-sur-Mer.

A second air strike to soften the Pointe du Hoc battery by the 322^nd Bomb Group on May 13^th, 1944, is less effective. Poor weather interferes with targeting, and damage is limited. A third air raid, on May 22^nd, 1944, is carried out by the 323^rd Bomb Group. This attack is more successful, significantly damaging another gun emplacement. It also halts the work of Organisation Todt, the construction agency responsible for completing the bunkers, due to the extent of the cratering across the battery site.

The 2^nd Ranger Battalion moves to a school building overlooking Swanage on the Dorset coast. The 5^th Ranger Battalion is billeted in the Grand Hotel, also in Swanage, which sits atop a cliff. Shore Fire Control Parties join the Rangers here for combined training, focusing on cliff assaults and the use of specialist equipment. The Rangers are allowed visits to Weymouth and Dorchester. Both towns are large enough to offer many recreational facilities. They are crowded with Army and Navy personnel, yet the Rangers usually manage well enough. The real difficulty is transport. The camps lie six to eight kilometres from the towns. Most vehicles are red-lined or being waterproofed for the invasion. As a result, marches along the road are common when no transport is available.

On May 17^th, 1944, the Provisional Ranger Group starts to relocate to Camp D-5 in Dorchester, Dorset, their final station before embarkation. However, D, E & F Companies of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion remain in Swanage, Dorset and continue their rock climbing training. On May 22^nd, 1944, these three companies follow the rest of the Provisional Ranger Group. Final preparations for the invasion take place here. Equipment and supplies are stripped down to essentials. Five men share a single duffle bag for belongings. Everything else is turned in, given away, or carried on the back. Each man is issued a basic ammunition load and an additional first aid kit containing a morphine syrette and tourniquet. Two life preservers are issued for emergency use in the Channel.

In the new camp, the commanding general of the 1^st Infantry Division, Clarence Huebner, addresses them. His speech is short but direct. He praises the Rangers for their reputation and performance. He calls them the finest soldiers in the Army and says he is proud to serve alongside them when they cross the Channel. His words are remembered as both flattering and encouraging.

By this stage, the full Ranger plan for Operation Overlord has been approved. The Rangers are finally told their destination. The unit is kept behind barbed wire to prevent any disclosure. The target is Pointe du Hoc. Major Max Schneider, already a combat veteran, addresses the men. He delivers a clear warning. Prisoners are not to be killed. It cannot be kept secret, he explains. Word will spread, and it will make the task harder. Morally, it is also wrong. He reminds the men that if a German soldier believes surrender means death, he will resist to the end. The work of the Rangers depends on avoiding that. Prisoners must be taken alive.

Final preparations involve detailed study of aerial photographs and topographic maps. Once briefed on their mission, the Rangers are confined to camp under strict security. Military police patrol the perimeter, and no one is allowed to leave. The secrecy of the documents means they must later be destroyed. Few written records survive. The Pointe du Hoc mission remains one of the most closely guarded secrets of the entire invasion.

Meanwhile, V Corps consolidates the 2^nd and 5^th Ranger Battalions into a single unit, the Provisional Ranger Group. Lieutenant Colonel Rudder is named commanding officer on May 19^th, 1944, though he has been acting in that capacity since April. The Provisional Ranger Group does not receive a separate headquarters staff. Instead, officers retain their original battalion roles. Major Sullivan continues as executive officer of both the 5^th Ranger Battalion and the Provisional Ranger Group. Captain Richard Merrill, Rudder’s adjutant, assumes the same role in the group. Training in this period is limited. The focus is on keeping fit and maintaining condition. Close order drill, body exercises, and short hikes are carried out. Double-timing around the area is common. Afternoons are often reserved for sport, with softball the favourite game.

The stay is frequently interrupted by the Luftwaffe. German aircraft fly over almost every night. To the rear lies a P-38 base, another target. The raids are desperate attempts to cause disruption before the invasion. It is during one of these raids that the Rangers come closest to destruction in their entire time in the European Theatre, even including combat.

During the early morning darkness of May 29th, 1944. the roar of aircraft suddenly fills the air. At first it seems like a stricken aircraft is falling nearby. The Rangers waste no time in seeking cover. Trenches dug earlier now prove their worth.

The whistling of falling bombs confirms the truth. Explosions shake the ground. Stoves, cots, and equipment fall or overturn. Loose gravel, earth, and shrapnel fill the air. It is a heavy bomb, and fear runs through the bivouac. The enemy aircraft circles the area. Anti-aircraft fire and machine guns answer, lifting morale. Soon the sound of friendly fighters approaches. The German bomber turns away, not to return that night. Relief spreads, and the men return to sleep.

The bombs strike the motor pool across the road. One explodes, another buries itself ten feet into the ground without detonating. Casualties are limited. Some Rangers suffer minor cuts and wounds, but none require hospitalisation. The Military Police unit billeted in the motor pool is less fortunate. They lose several men killed and others wounded. A few vehicles are destroyed, but overall damage is light.

In the final days, administrative arrangements are also prepared. Signals and communications are organised with the Navy. Aid stations, supply dumps, command posts, and observation posts are identified. Every detail is planned.

Briefings and orientations continue endlessly. The Rangers memorise maps, aerial photographs, and rubber terrain models. Every feature of the ground is imprinted in their minds. They learn not only their own tasks but those of their comrades, ready to take over in case of casualties. They study the roles of adjacent units until they know the entire battle plan.

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Preperations

On May 20^th, 1944, a report reaches the Chief of Combined Operations in Whitehall. It is written by the Director of Experiments for Operational Requirements and concerns recent trials of Ranger specialist equipment at Burton Bradstock. The trials focus on automatic ladders.

The findings state that the ladders function satisfactorily, though users require more training to understand their full capabilities and limitations. The choice of landing places and the exact cliff position for erection are identified as crucial. The report notes that these issues are a matter of training and will be corrected.

Although the rocket-projected ladder is not an official British project, the same concerns apply. Angle of elevation, windage, and ladder weight must all be considered. Following the trials, four operational models are built and further training takes place.

To protect the weapons, waterproof covers are designed. These removable shields disguise the guns and protect microphones and mounts in poor weather. Photographs show three guns mounted at the ladder tops. Sources disagree on the exact type, citing Aerial Brownings, Browning Automatic Rifles, Lewis guns, and Vickers K guns. The photograph appears to show three Browning Automatic Rifles.

Each ladder head carries provision for six spare magazines or pans. Total weight, including man, weapons, and ammunition, is restricted to 204 kilograms to prevent strain when fully extended.

A later report highlights the advantages of the system. It requires little training except for the operator. It delivers covering fire immediately. It is rapid, relatively silent, most effective on overhanging cliffs, and carries a beach-to-cliff telephone line.

Disadvantages are also recorded. The practical height is limited to 24 metres. A suitable beach, free of obstacles, is required. Effectiveness decreases as cliff slope lessens. The system is not widely available.

Four amphibious DUKW’s, codenamed SWAN, are modified for Force A’s cliff assault. Designated SWAN 1 to 4, each vehicle carries 30-metre fire-department style extension ladders, each with three folding sections from the London Fire Brigade. At the ladder top, a steel shield and twin Vickers K guns are mounted. This allows a gunner to deliver suppressive fire across the cliff edge while assault teams climb beneath.

Each SWAN is operated by a seven-man Ranger crew. They train successfully in landing the vehicles, stabilising them with four jacks, and using engine power to raise the ladders. One vehicle is assigned to each assault company, with a fourth held in reserve. These DUKW’s are intended for both supplies and escalade.

Rocket projectors are also mounted on British Landing Craft, Assault of the 2^nd Ranger Battalion. Each carries six launchers, three per side. They are detachable and can be taken ashore if required. Each craft can fire two rope ladders, two toggle ropes, and two plain ropes. This method works best where beaches are narrow and angles can be judged precisely.

The Small Unit Actions report provides a full description. Ten Landing Craft, Assault are sufficient for three Ranger companies and headquarters, each carrying about twenty-one men. Each craft is fitted with three pairs of rocket mounts at bow, amidships, and stern, wired to fire in pairs from a single control point. One pair launches plain ropes, another toggle ropes, and the third rope ladders with sixty-centimetre rungs. Each rocket carries a grapnel, with ropes coiled in boxes behind the mounts. Every craft also carries two hand projectors with plain ropes for use ashore.

British-manned Landing Craft, Assault are used both in training and the operation itself. Ten are sufficient for Companies D, E, and F and headquarters, each carrying 21 to 22 men including signal and medical staff. Each is fitted with six J-Projectors, in three pairs, controlled from the stern. One pair launches manila ropes, one toggle ropes, and one rope ladders. Each rocket has a grapnel, with ropes coiled in boxes behind. Two portable hand projectors are also carried.

Two types of extension ladders are prepared. Each Landing Craft, Assault carries one 34-metre tubular steel ladder in 1.2-metre sections, each weighing under two kilograms. Sections are partly assembled in five-metre lengths. A Ranger climbs, hauls up the next section, locks it in place, and repeats until full height is reached.

Specially designed scaling ladders are also issued. Manufactured in 1.2-metre sections, each Ranger carries one. At the cliff foot, sections are assembled into a single ladder. Photographs show the difficulty of this task. Men struggle under the weight, pulling the ladder upwards as sections are added at the base. The top carries hooks and a grapnel line called a gripfast anchors it at the cliff top.

Trials show the system is simple but faults occur. Ladders sometimes separate due to poor assembly at the base. A safety rope for each climber is recommended. At the top, a pulley system allows rapid hauling of ladders, equipment, and stretchers.

The assault force is prepared for speed. Rangers carry light loads and limited weapons. Each company has four BARs, two mortars, and ten thermite grenades.

Two additional Landing Craft, Assault follow with rations, ammunition, mortars, and equipment.

Company D is assigned to assault the western side of Pointe du Hoc. Companies E and F attack the eastern side. Their objectives include the gun emplacements and defensive positions on the Point. Once secured, the force pushes inland to hold the coastal highway between Grandcamp and Vierville.

If the Omaha landings proceed as planned, the 116th Infantry Regiment should reach Pointe du Hoc before noon. By then the remaining Rangers, eight companies in total, will have landed and reinforced the position.

Naval fire support is available on call. Artillery landing near Vierville after 08:00 also supports the Rangers. A twelve-man Naval Shore Fire Control Party is attached to Colonel Rudder’s headquarters, along with a forward observer from the 58th Armoured Field Artillery Battalion. Rudder’s command group is distributed among four Landing Craft, Assault of Company E.

Ranger Force B is tasked with neutralising German defences at Pointe-et-Raz-de-la-Percée, which overlooks Dog Green Beach. From here, German fire can strike the 116th Infantry Regiment, part of the 29th Division but temporarily attached to the 1st Division for the landings. Rudder’s Provisional Ranger Group operates under the 116th.

Captain Ralph Goranson commands Force B. Two plans are prepared. Under Plan 1, if the 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry lands successfully, Force B follows through the Vierville draw and advances west along the bluffs to Pointe-et-Raz-de-la-Percée, supported by tanks of the 743rd Tank Battalion. If heavy resistance prevents this, Plan 2 is used. Force B lands 200 to 300 metres west, near the boundary of Dog Green and Charlie Beaches, and climbs directly. In this case no tank support is available.

After securing Pointe-et-Raz-de-la-Percée, Force B advances west to capture the radar station at Le Guay.

The naval element for Pointe du Hoc is Assault Group O-4 of the Royal Navy, commanded by Commander Stratford H. Dennis. It transports the Rangers in five Landing Ship Infantry vessels. Each Landing Ship Infantry carries a flotilla of Landing Craft, Assault.

• H.M.S. Ben My Chree
  • Company F, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Company E, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Battalion Headquarters, 2^nd Ranger Battalion, Detachment
  • 58^th Field Artillery Battalion
• H.M.S. Amsterdam
  • Company D, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Company E, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Battalion Headquarters, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Naval Shore Fire Control Party
• H.M.S. Prince Charles
  • Companies A, B, C, plus Headquarters, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Battalion Headquarters, 2^nd Ranger Battalion
  • Naval Shore Fire Party
  • Detachment, 56^th Field Artillery Battalion
• H.M.S. Prince Leopold
  • Companies A, B, E, 5^th Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Headquarters, 5^th Ranger Battalion
• H.M.S. Prince Baudain
  • Companies C, D, F, 5^th Ranger Battalion
  • Detachment Headquarters, 5^th Ranger Battalion

The two flotillas carrying Force A are escorted by Landing Craft Support (Medium). These are modified Landing Craft, Assault with a 102-millimetre smoke mortar, twin Vickers .50 calibre machine guns, and Lewis guns. Their role is to provide suppressive fire and smoke. The only American-crewed vessel is Landing Craft Tank (5) 413, commanded by Lieutenant Commander A. Hayes, tasked with carrying the four SWAN DUKW’s.

Ranger Force B embarks in two Landing Craft, Assault, numbered 418 and 1038, from H.M.S. Prince Charles. Captain Goranson travels in Landing Craft, Assault 418 with 1^st Platoon under Lieutenant William Moody. LCA 1038 carries 2nd Platoon under Lieutenant Sydney Salomon. Force B is armed with M1 rifles, seven Thompson submachine guns, four BARs, two 60-millimetre mortars, and two bazookas. They carry 20 Bangalore torpedoes and 72.5 kilograms of C-2 explosives. Their LCAs lack J-Projectors, as planners assume cliff-scaling will not be required, though toggle ropes are carried as a precaution.

Force C receives support from two Landing Craft Tanks of Assault Group O-2, attached to the 116^th Regimental Combat Team. These carry the Ranger Cannon Company’s M3 Gun Motor Carriages and administrative vehicles.

Each landing element is guided by a Fairmile motor launch to ensure the flotillas reach their sectors.

June 1st, 1944

The Ranger units embark aboard the vessels of Assault Group O-4. Companies A, B, and C depart D-5 camp at Dorchester at 08:15 in trucks. They arrive at Weymouth, Dorset, by 09:00 and board ship at 11: 00. Companies D, E and F leave Dorchester later, at 10:00, also by truck. They reach Weymouth at 11:15 and board ship at 12:30. Colonel James Earl Rudder, commanding the Provisional Ranger Group, embarks aboard the headquarters ship, Landing Ship, Infantry (Small) Prince Charles, under the command of Royal Navy Commander Stratford H. Dennis.

The weather is cool and moderate, with dark rain clouds passing overhead but rarely releasing rain. The Channel is rough, the ship rocking heavily against the waves. The Rangers realise that this restless water will be their first obstacle.

Life aboard ship follows routine. The men continue duties and training as if on another dry run. No nervousness is seen. They know their task and do not intend to fail. Though the mission promises death and destruction, confidence remains high. Faith in eventual success sustains them.

Quarters are cramped. The men are crammed into the first hold below deck. They sleep in hammocks, slung five feet above the deck. At first, many struggle to climb in. Some swing helplessly between floor and hammock, others fall straight out. With effort and humour, all eventually manage. Once inside, curled like question marks, they find rest.

The invasion date remains unknown. Speculation is constant, but nothing official is said. Instead, battle plans are rehearsed again and again. Every possibility is discussed, every contingency prepared for. Maps and photographs are memorised. Place names such as Pointe du Hoc, Grandcamp-les-Bains, Vierville-sur-Mer, and Dog Green Beach become second nature. Every detail is considered. The senior staff spend endless hours on planning.

Weapons, ammunition, and equipment are checked repeatedly. Life belts are tested. Administrative arrangements are confirmed. Nothing is left to chance. The Rangers know they have a job to do and they are determined to show the world how it can be done.

Although Colonel Rudder initially intends to lead the assault on Pointe-du-Hoc himself, Major General Clarence Huebner reminds him of his broader responsibilities as commander of the entire Ranger group. Rudder concedes, agreeing to accompany Ranger Force C under Lieutenant Colonel Max Schneider, which is tasked with advancing overland to Pointe-du-Hoc. In Rudder’s absence, Captain Cleveland A. Lytle, executive officer of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, is appointed to command Ranger Force A, the principal assault force assigned to scale the cliffs.

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June 3rd, 1944

The battalion vehicles, including four ladder-equipped DUKW SWAN’s, are loaded from the Hard at Portland.

Colonel Rudder boards the Landing Ship, Infantry (Hoisted) Ben My Chree to inform Captain Lytle of his promotion to major and marks the occasion with a celebratory gift of nearly one litre of gin.

That evening, Lytle becomes heavily intoxicated. He voices his opposition to the Pointe-du-Hoc mission, citing intelligence reports, allegedly from French sources, suggesting that the German guns have already been removed from the battery. Lytle publicly denounces the mission as a suicide operation. When confronted by fellow officers, he lashes out physically, attempting to strike Captain “Doc” Block, the battalion surgeon. Lytle is placed under restraint by the Ben My Chree’s commanding officer, Lieutenant C. W. R. Cross.

June 4th, 1944

Worsening weather compels General Dwight D. Eisenhower to delay the invasion by 24 hours. The H.M.S. Prince Charles returns briefly to Weymouth harbour. Upon receiving word of Captain Lytle’s behaviour, Colonel Rudder dispatches Captains Richard Merrill, Harvey Cook, and Frank Corder to conduct an inquiry aboard the Ben My Chree. The investigation confirms that Captain Lytle has lost confidence in the mission. Although Captain Cook recommends against removing him, Colonel Rudder decides otherwise. Rather than pursuing formal disciplinary action, he orders that Captain Lytle be taken ashore under military police guard and placed in hospital.

That very same day, the largest medium bomber raid against Pointe du Hoc is launched. The objective is to weaken the German coastal battery and surrounding defences ahead of the Ranger assault.

Two groups of A-20 Havoc medium bombers conduct the mission. The 416^th Bombardment Group, operating from Royal Air Force Wethersfield, dispatches 37 A-20G and 6 A-20H aircraft. Beginning at 15:02 hours, they drop approximately 45.8 tonnes of bombs. Damage is later assessed as “good to fair.”

Twenty minutes later, at 15:22 hours, the 409^th Bomb Group follows with 42 A-20 Havocs from Royal Air Force Little Walden. They drop roughly 46.3 tonnes of bombs on the same target. However, results from this second wave are deemed “poor to fair.”

A follow-up aerial reconnaissance mission later that day confirms the creation of approximately 60 new bomb craters across the target area. Several bombs land close to key targets, including the command post and gun positions 1, 4, 5, and 6. Nevertheless, the structural damage is mixed.

German reports recorded that same day offer further insight. Three personnel bunkers suffer direct hits but sustain only minor damage. The emplacement for Gun No. 6 is completely destroyed. A decontamination room and a weapons storage area are also demolished. However, there are no reported German casualties from the raid.

However early June 1944, the guns have already been relocated inland to the Guérin farm, roughly one kilometre south of the original battery position.

June 5th, 1944

Captain Lytle’s dismissal forces Colonel Rudder to re-evaluate his own role. He resolves to personally lead Ranger Force A in the assault on the cliffs. Concerned that this decision might spark opposition from higher command, Rudder visits Major General Huebner aboard the U.S.S. Ancon at 02:00, in the morning, to discuss the matter. General Omar Bradley later recalls this as a dramatic confrontation, claiming that Huebner initially forbids Rudder’s involvement, prompting Rudder to threaten disobedience. However, Rudder’s biographer, Thomas Hatfield, contends that the exchange is likely less confrontational, noting that Rudder’s adjusted landing time places him only slightly ahead of schedule.

Ultimately, Huebner grants Rudder permission. Major Richard Sullivan assumes Rudder’s place aboard the Prince Charles as acting group commander afloat.

For the men of the Provisional Ranger Group the day passes as those before it. The men continue their debates on the merits and flaws of the invasion plan. Others lounge and sleep in their “rat-holes”, as the hammocks are called. The card players hold their regular games. From their concentrated expressions, one might never know that they are hours away from an assault. Invasion or no invasion, the cards must be played.

Some men turn their attention to equipment. They test ways of carrying and hauling loads more easily in the assault. Pockets are sewn on trouser legs for grenades. Meat can carriers are fixed behind cartridge belts for the same purpose. These ideas are small but practical, and likely to ease the soldier’s burden.

That evening the ship hauls anchor and moves out. It joins its place in the vast fleet. D-Day is now set for June 6^th, 1944. H-Hour is fixed at 07:00. The waters of the Channel are the final barrier.

As Assault Group O-2 prepares to depart Weymouth Harbour, Rudder visits each Ranger landing ship aboard motor launches, delivering brief final addresses. At approximately 16:45, H.M.S. Prince Charles, the flagship of Assault Group O-4, departs Portland Harbour. Other elements of the group sail from nearby Weymouth around the same time. Together, these vessels form part of a larger convoy bound for the Omaha Transport Area, situated roughly 20 kilometres off the Normandy coast. The entire movement takes place under cover of darkness. Minesweepers lead the way, while destroyers provide escort for the vulnerable transports. Overcast skies and poor visibility hinder navigation.

The Channel is rough. The ship lurches as waves crash against its hull. Still it holds course, keeping formation within the armada.

June 6th, 1944

The convoy reaches the Transport Area in the early hours of June 6^th, 1944. Orders come to retire early. At 03:00 the men are to load into their Landing Craft Assault. The mother ship is considered too large a target. In the smaller craft, they will be harder to hit and better deployed. H.M.S. Prince Charles arrives at 03:28. Colonel James Earl Rudder, commander of Ranger Force A, prepares to lead the assault on Pointe du Hoc. At 03:53, he transfers from H.M.S. Prince Charles to H.M.S. Ben My Chree by motor launch. This vessel carries approximately half of Force A.

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