Pointe du Hoc

Pointe du Hoc sits on the Normandy coastline between Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, its jagged cliffs rising 100 feet above the English Channel. On June 6, 1944, it became one of the most dramatic battlegrounds of D-Day.

The Mission

The German army had fortified Pointe du Hoc with concrete casemates and gun pits housing large-caliber guns that could target both Utah and Omaha beaches. Taking out these guns was critical to the success of the invasion.

The US Army 2nd Ranger Battalion was tasked with an almost impossible mission: scale the sheer cliffs under enemy fire and neutralize the gun positions.

The Assault

At 7:10 AM on D-Day, the Rangers reached the base of the cliffs. Using rocket-propelled grappling hooks, extension ladders, and sheer determination, they began climbing while German defenders fired down on them and cut their ropes.

Within minutes, the first Rangers reached the top. The fighting continued for two days until reinforcements arrived.

Visiting Today

The site is remarkably well-preserved. You can walk among the bomb craters left by the Allied naval bombardment, explore the remains of German bunkers, and stand at the cliff edge looking down at the beach where the Rangers landed.

The landscape tells the story viscerally — no exhibit or film can match the experience of standing in those craters and looking up at the fortifications the Rangers had to assault.

Tips for Families

The terrain is uneven with steep drops, so keep a close eye on young children. There are no barriers around the craters or cliff edges. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water — there are no facilities at the site itself, though there’s a small visitor center near the parking area.

Use the DuckAbroad Travel Passport to collect your Pointe du Hoc stamp and test your knowledge with our kid-friendly trivia questions about the Rangers’ mission.