The U.S. Rangers at Pointe du Hoc | History Traveler Episode 53 

Thanks for this. I attended a funeral recently for a Ranger who landed at Point du Hoc. He was 98, Denman Wolf.

These type of videos are the best way to present such important history. Soon all the veterans of WWII will be gone, their stories must be preserved. Thanks for doing your part.

My grandfather was a 2nd ranger that scaled those cliffs. He made it home. I miss him every day. Thank you for sharing this. I hope someday I'll be there to see his struggle with my own eyes.

Me and my family visited in 2005 with a personal tour guide....I'm a WWII history buff, but one of the most striking stories I had never heard: The French and Polish people who were forced to build the concrete revetments here (basically slave labor) were able to secretly add large amounts of sugar to the concrete, greatly reducing it's strength...made it more vulnerable to bombing and shelling. All done with the help of the French Underground. Fascinating!

I knew one of the Rangers who climbed it. He was a Lt. said the CO didn’t care for him. Sent him back down the cliff to collect all the linen maps off his buddies bodies. Said that was worse for him than the initial climb.

I went there about 2 years ago after my graduation. Normandy has always been a bucket list item of mine. It was more solemn and beautiful than I could’ve ever imagined.

Fantastic video's, always very interesting, i took my daughters to see all of the nornmandy beaches as my grandfather landed on the mulberry harbour on june 22nd with the Duke of Cornwall light infantry regiment. I took them up to pointe du hoc and just to make you feel happy after what you said about the young child on her phone my nine year read every piece of information she could find and would not let us move on until she had finished.....great work, thank you.

Yes thank you from UK. A colleague of mine working with me in a school asked a class of teenagers when the anniversary of D Day was being remembered here.. 'what do you know about D Day? ' a silence and then somebody replied ' is it something to do with Brexit sir?' It's truly desperate. Lord help us. Thanks for your education. I'm 73 and my father was in Italy during the war. He cried when I tried to talk to him about his experiences.

Pointe du Hoc is particularly worth visiting because it is the only place in Normandy where the landscape has not been repaired since the war. Everywhere else, as far as I am aware, all the bomb craters and shell holes have been filled in and in many places you wouldn't know that a battle had ever been fought there. The French certainly did a remarkable clean up job after the war. But at Pointe Du Hoc you can get a real feel of what much of Normandy near the beaches must have looked like in June and July 1944. For me, the war really comes alive at Pointe du Hoc. And of course, you stand on top of those cliffs and look down and think "how on earth did they climb up that under fire??". In addition, a least one of the bunkers on the cliff is in remarkable condition and it is quite something to look through the view slits and think: 76 years ago German soldiers looked out these very slits and saw the invasion fleet out there.

I remember when I was young getting showed places of history and all I could think about was getting home to play with my friends. However as I got older I started to appreciate history as you take it in more and absorb it and learn to see how much it changes your outlook in our civilisations. . So don't worry about the young as they exactly that and I'm sure there was plenty students at school staring out the window during a history class of WW1 wanting to get home to play whilst the ramps of the landing craft were falling as their brothers , fathers, uncles and so on stormed the beaches on the 6th of June

Just recently found your channel and I'm loving it! History comes alive here on your videos. Thank you so much.

Thank you for sharing these stories. I was in France with some family June of 1994. Saw men around 45 with their dads. We didn't get to Normandy but I was so moved by these veterans with their sons. Just thinking about those bluffs... unbelievable.

Just seeing the bunkers and knowing how similar the bunkers standing in Norway and how similar they are to the ones all the way down there in France. All of it being apart of the "Atlantic Wall". I hope what hapepend on these beaches and elsewhere will never be forgotten.

Great video. The Rangers were based at Bude, Cornwall prior to D-Day and my Mother as a small child remembers seeing them scaling the cliffs where a memorial remains to them. Bude is a small town, and the local people took to their American visitors warmly, who finally were suddenly gone early one morning, to discover D-Day a few days later.

Thank you for bringing history to life ,and the life of those who paid the ultimate price.What you do is priceless.

Side note love what you been doing on here History Underground. Some of the stuff you put out I never knew about at all. Why I love watching this channel.

Videos like this are so therapeutic for me. Thank you

Thanks for posting this. .... General Rudder was a Texas legend in his own lifetime. All the men involved in D Day were heroes. Sadly the majority today have no clue or gratitude for what happened there... The Greatest Generation indeed

Hi from England. I am so pleased I found your channel. I found this in the endless hrs. spent at home recovering from Covid 19. I have always had an interest in WW2 and especially D Day. It is SO great to see these locations in the present day after I had read about them many, many times previously. And you are right, It is so sad that someone would be playing on their phone at such an ICONIC place. And you are right..it is a place of Lore. I look forward to looking at all your other videos and this is inspiring me to visit these places. Keep up the great work. Darrell

Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful places with me.

I visited this place in the late 1990's before the fence installation. I was locked in the front observation bunker by the guide. He told me to let my imagination show me the events based upon his explanation of the war. It gave me a lot of time to reflect on what happened at this site. It really made me appreciate the heroes of those days. The guide and I had quite a reflective discussion about the area when he returned to unlock the gate. I thanked him immensely for the opportunity to be in the bunker alone. Your videos are terrific! Thank you !!!

Again I was lucky enough to visit Pointe Du Hoc during the 60th anniversary celebrations, I found it unnerving and eerie, thank you for the Video once again.

Point Du Hoc just blew my mind when I was there. Nothing was fenced off at the time so I got to explors where ever I wanted.

I enjoyed this greatly and appreciate all of your series. I am a now-retired Ranger (30+ years ago) from the Vietnam era and was in a Ranger company prior to the re-formation of the battalions and then also served in both the 1st and 2nd Bns. One of the great things about being in those units during those days was getting to attend the reunions of WWII Rangers and Merrill's Marauders. So much history was passed on there over a few drinks and good company; men like Leonard Lomell who was on patrol behind the Point, discovered the guns and destroyed them. An ultimate soldier and is in the Ranger Hall Of Fame. I echo your disappointment at the young girl buried in her phone instead of learning the sacrifices necessary so that she can now live in freedom. Blame the parents too, but at least they were there so maybe something got through to each of them. My nephew took his family (3 young boys) on a 2-week visit of Normandy and surrounding area, and they were able to recite who went where and did what, giving me a great rundown after their return; especially the areas of the Pointe and Dog Green Sector where the now-motto "Rangers - Lead The Way" was ordered. Thanks again and I intend to make my way through all of the postings.

This is such a great series. I had a trip planned to go visit these sites, but good old 'Rona had other plans. Thank you so much for uploading these videos.

I remember visiting Pointe du Hoc back in 2008, and like you said, there was no fence preventing anyone from exploring. I still remember climbing down into the tobruk you shared around the 1 minute mark. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks so much for this video. I became aware of Point Du Hoc when I visited the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. Just an incredible act of bravery and sacrifice. My father was a WWII vet who served with the Marines in the Pacific. A great way to describe these heros is the quote made by Tom Brokaw about the greatest generation, "ordinary people who did extraordinary things". Nothing, nothing was ordinary about them!

Another great presentation, thank you. Those Rangers certainly pulled off an amazing assault. The Germans must have thought what the hell are we up against here 😯. It must have been hell on earth during the bombing and shelling.

Pointe du Hoc is just breathtaking. Thanks for the vid!

I really like your videos from Normandy, I am also a big fan of the history from WWII, and I think it’s important that the younger generation learns of the sacrifice this young men made. Thank you Dan from Denmark

I was privileged to have visited this hallowed ground and pay respect to these amazing men. Great video.

Bravest of the brave, God bless all the souls of every person who took part in D-Day. We owe them so much.The fencing was not up in 2017 when I was there you could walk in the Shell holes and some were quiet deep and large.Thanks for your work.

Great video. I was in Pointe du Hoc just 9 days ago and in the rain also. Actually, I felt that the rain was a contribution to the senses experienced there. Thanks for your reflections & all the best!

Amazing! Thank you for these incredible videos!

Tnx for all your work. Few weeks ago I visited Normandy with my brother inlaw and we have been to pointe du hoc ofcourse and I do appreciate this video!

Thanks you very much for this video. Went there only once (so far) back in 1996 and still remember as I watch your video how impressive the area is. I am now 61 and looking forward to engage my feelings again in Normandy. Back then I spend two days, that was begining of may. Now I suppose you have to spend one week in order to see all the new stuff all around the five beaches. Thanks again, keep up the good work!

loved the way you did your lead-in at the beginning ... "We ...... are at Pointe du Hoc" awesome dramatic effect !!

I went into those bunkers when I was 16 when my father took me there. Brings back memories. Thanks for the 2nd tour!

Your work is incredible and am so glad you are doing these! Thank you so much!!

Thanks for making these. Using them as research for a 4 day 2023 bikepacking trip starting at Cherbourg and going along the beach areas to see the D-Day sites and finishing at Ouistreham. Your video's have certainly added a couple of spots to see.

Just came across the channel while doing research during my final semester in college and i have to say the content is fantastic and I love this channel!! cant stop watching lol

Absolutely wonderful history series, so well done, thank you for doing these!

Thanks for keeping the memories alive. My father, George Schneller was among the wounded there. I was lucky enough to have visited there in 2004 with some of my father’s co-combatants. It’s nice to be able to revisit on line.

I was there back in 1969 at 6 years old when I lived in Belgium but remember it well. There used to be an old metal (sketchy) staircase that went down to the beach. Went into the cave on the “pyramid” rock on the beach. Great memories of all the beaches in Normandy With my Dad. I am sure it has changed quite a bit in the 53 years since I was there but on the bucket list to go back. Thank you for the great videos!!

10:29 Amen bro... AMEN and bless you and bless those there that helped forge our freedom!

Thank you for what you do. A very good family friend of ours was one of those RANGERS that went up that cliff that morning.

For anybody that likes history and video games Call of Duty 2 back in ‘05/ ‘06 made an amazing story about the 2nd Rangers and one of the missions was the assault of Pointe Du Hoc. It gave gave people a glimpse to experience what the battle was about the showcased and educate people what these guys went through for our freedom. It really help me and encourage me to be a history teacher later on in my life

Great Great Uncle Earl Rudder-awesome job!

I have been watching your videos for a few months, and have enjoyed every one. The recent videos of the Normandy Beach area have been especially interesting. My father was in the Royal Navy during the invasion. I don't know the name of the ship, but they were supporting the British troops landing on the beaches. Watching your videos has given me an insight into what the troops experienced during they're fighting to get ashore. Having been a history enthusiast for more than 30 years especially American history. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your videos!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I have been to Pointe du Hoc and I completely agree with your feelings. It was amazing to think how the allies accomplished any of their objectives on D Day. Your videos are well done and convey some of the sensations of being in Normandy.

The more of these I see, the more do I appreciate the people who make them. They are performing an important service and should be applauded.

Yet another excellent episode. Thanks for the adventure, mate. And to your observation of that family at the end... that's simply adults crapping out on their parenting. All too common nowadays.

Wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing this and bringing us all out there. I'm not surprised by the child playing games on their phone... Makes me wonder about the future... Take care. See you later.

Great subject I'm a history nut especially WW2 what that generation did was literally save the world and thanks for the series you have a skill for story telling very interesting and informative

Sgt. James Kerr, mortar squad, company B, 2nd Ranger Battalion. Proud of my Uncle. His “boat” drifted away from the Point and went ashore with regular infantry.

This is my new favorite channel. Going back and watching all your videos now and learning a ton. These are so well made and edited.

I wish that I had studied some of history more when I was younger. I always liked the old WWII movies but never had the appreciation of what they really were! Now that I’m older I wish that maybe one day I can take a trip to these types of places and really embrace what they mean and the men that paid the ultimate sacrifice for us today! Thanks

Just found your channel. Excellent and informative! We were in Normandy a week before you were. Saw Utah, Omaha, US and Canadian cemeteries, Juno, Gold, and Angoville Au Plain. If ever you have a chance, Angoville is an amazing story! We even stayed in a WW2 themed B and B. The host was amazing! This whole trip really opened not only our eyes but also those of our teens. It was amazing to see them involved in this trip and ask questions. Keep the videos coming

You're on a roll with your excellent videos. Really enjoying them and also thrilled to see someone from your generation so interested in history as I am. Thanks so much for keeping these great historical events alive and in people's minds. Keep up the great work!

Great film thank you. I was there 11 years ago on a D Day Landings tour. We were only given 10 minutes at Pointe du Hoc which was unfortunate. Thanks again. Very informative 👍🏻

I always enjoy these History Traveler episodes, especially these from Normandy. I have photos of my son standing in those huge shell craters but must point out that they were made by the Battleship TEXAS in the early morning of June 6th.1944. The USAAF bombing of the Normandy beach defenses was mostly inaccurate and ineffective but the Naval gunfire was devastating. - Possibly the USS Texas' finest moment in her history. On June 6th. 2013, my son and I visited the Normandy; beaches, German defenses, towns, museums and the gravesites of the young soldiers who fought and died to liberate Europe from Fascist Germany.

I will take my boys to Normandy this summer, these videos are a great information source explaining what we will be seeing. Very well presented. Thank you!

My husband and I went there for the first time in March 2020 (the last weekend of the shutdown for C*v*d. What a memorable experience! We saw those bunkers you were pointing out, it was almost as if I was looking at my own video that I took! I agree, history needs to be remembered and watched so the same mistakes are not made :(

I had the extreme privilege of visiting this place 5 years ago. When I got home I got to interview a local man who was a Ranger. He landed on D-Day plus 1. He joined the Rangers while in England because using his words "he wanted to be the best" so was not alowd to land on D-Day. His stories put chills all over my body. Vince passed a couple years ago. It was a privilege to meet him and talk to him. RIP. Thank you for your video.

This D-day series you’ve made, is amazing. The best I’ve seen on youtube so far. Thank you for sharing. I will definately check out the other stuff you have here also. Keep up the good work, /Greetings from Belgium

I had the privilege of walking on both Omaha Beach and Pointe Du Hoc in about 1995. My Dad was a WWII vet, and I heard all the stories growing up. To finally go there and see it first hand was almost overwhelming. I can still feel the profound sense of sacrifice that pervades the whole area. We lost Dad in 2012, and we are losing the rest of the vets at a rapid rate. Thank God for the efforts and technology that document and preserve their stories.

Thank you for taking me to Normandy!!! I really enjoy your videos!! Great companion I as study WWII history!!

Nice vid. Gotta say I love the fact the little girl was playing on her phone oblivious to what actually went down where she stood. If those guys were looking down at her I'm sure most would smile at the fact they gave her that chance to do it..

Just discovered your channel while doing some research. My Grandad was in the Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) of the British army and landed at Normandy on D-Day. I've been wanting to go over and visit and follow in his footsteps from the beach he landed on to all of the towns and areas he would have gone through. It's taking some hard work to piece together though as they aren't a very well documented regiment.

My grandmother’s cousin, Staff Sergeant Benjamin H. Wirtz was KIA there. I haven’t been able to find much about him and I’ve been told they never found his body. He was in D Company who lost some men when their craft sank before landing, so maybe he was one that was never recovered. Either way, I’m proud to have someone like him in my family line. Thanks for doing what you’re doing. Your videos are amazing.

These videos from various locations connected to D-day are sensationally good. 10 days ago I visited many of these places and looked at History travels before the visits! The films are a good documentation of Overlord for future generations. A very nice and important work! Thank you or ” Tack” as we say here in Sweden. / Tomas Johansson

I hope you dedicate your life to teaching. You have a wonderful way to explain things and it's so easy to understand when someone does it so well. You would make a great history teacher, you are so passionate of it!!

Thank you! I had the opportunity to visit the area earlier this week. May these heroes rest in peace.

I just got back from Normandy last night.....a trip I will never forget.

It’s incredible just to look at this place in aerial photography and see the scars that still remain. The scope of the violence that happened there is almost lost to living memory.

OUTSTANDING video work, narration, facts, etc .... I can't imagine what it would be like to walk those areas .... and think of what it would've been like on that particular point in time, both for the American and German soldiers. Mind blowing ....

Some beautifully shot footage. Thank you so much.

It`s great how it is clearly visible on that aerial photo of bombing of Point Du Hoc hedgerows around fields in Normandy that have given so much headache and casualties in Allies breakthrough from Normandy.

I appreciate this vid and I'm very grateful to be watching, many thanks from Australia mate .

Also wanted to say...I should have a while ago, but I've learned so much from these!! Like "Weiderstandnest" and the "draws" along each landing beach. Never knew the technical names, even over the course of my intense studies!!! The whole thing could have gone the other way so quickly. Thank God in Heaven that the Allies were able to exploit Hitlers' mistakes....and overcome their own.

My dad was a WW2 vet (Royal Navy), and also lost his brother to a U-boat torpedo. Whenever me or my siblings would get whiny, he'd say "what you kids need is a damn good war." Needless to say he had some poignant stories, and we all grew up with a firm grasp of how much we all owed to his generation. It's so sad that so many children today lack the education we did. I guess it's just going to get worse, as soon there will no longer be any surviving WW2 veterans to pass along their experiences to their children and grandchildren.

Thank you for making these great and informative videos. I'm visiting Normandy at the moment with my wife and kids and your videos give some background information and some awesome footage. Keep up the good work 👍🏻👊🏻

Thank you for the tour I’m glad it’s roped off now it’s sacred ground This generation can’t even fathom the courage and bravery these Allied soldiers embodied

Very good vidéo and great explanations for what appened in this place. Nowdays people find unexploded shells rejected by the sea on the beach where the rangers landed. All my respect for this rangers who gave there life for this extraordinary action.

Have visited all these places.....love you videos and delivery, my compliments

Another amazing video! If I’m not mistaken, wasn’t Pointe Du Hoc where the rangers got their trademark slogan, “Rangers lead the way”. Your channel is about to blow up! Early congrats on 10k sir!

Does anyone remember when Pres. Reagan came here on June 6, 1984, and commemorated the "Men of Point Du Hoc"? Very moving to know what those men went through, and survived.

Thank you for the informative video. I want to visit the areas of D day someday.....to pay respect to those brave soldiers who fought and died for the Allied forces . But if I never visit, I want you to know your videos were so appreciated. Thank you.

A Co 3/75th, 91-95. During that time I was selected to compete against the other Battalions in the 50th Anniversary. I got a chance to meet many of these men. They did not mind talking to fellow modern Rangers about that SUCCESSFUL mission on that day. Thank you for your work.

Great video in a great series. I remember watching President Regan give a speech right at that memorial in 1984 paying tribute to "The boys at Pont Du Hoc" and thinking , "man that was only 40 years ago." Hard to believe that so much time has passed since then.

My husband would love to go to the Normandy beaches and pointe du hoc. He studies about the 2nd Ranger battalion a lot and is currently reading books about them, getting the names of the rangers from d-day to hürtgen forest ( a lot of names). He even found out that these rangers were trained and formed at Camp Forrest Tennessee in Tullahoma, barely an hour from where we live here in Chattanooga Tennessee! He’s getting the names of as many rangers from each company and what they did during WW2 and telling their story. He really believes that it should be made in to a series just like band of brothers

Loved your closing thoughts! However I think the most important point is to Remember the history of the sacrifices that were made! I've made this point before but we're losing our WWII veterans at an alarming rate so thank you for these videos and doing your part to ensure that the greatest generation will be forever remembered!

Thanks for the film, I read the book “Dog company” if you get the chance as I did go onto the Hurtgen forest and climb Hill 400 after you read about their attack, just as incredible as Point Du Hoc.

Your point about the little girl is well taken. I'm enjoying your videos on my phone...the irony with progress and technological advancement is that you yourself are using the same means to share knowledge and insights. Thank you for these fantastic videos.

Thank you brother watch every movie read every book but your little vids show me more than I thought I knew God bless

God bless all of our soldiers from ww2. They will all be gone soon but never forgotten ❤

Just have been there last week. Very impressive! They did un unbelieveble heavy job! 🙏🙏🙏

I've been to the Overlord beaches a number of times but have never made it to Pointe Du Hoc so thank you for this video. As interesting as your film has been, what literally took my breath away was your observation of the 11 year old, face buried in their phone, playing games! I have a son of similar age ( I have a picture of him and I together at Pegasus Bridge when he was aged 3 ) There's no way I'd let him do that and I'm sure he'd thank me later in life. Taking the actual educational aspect aside, what a disrespectful thing to do, parents fault though. I'm sure the kid will grow up to regret not taking in more of the history when they had the chance. As they say 'youth is wasted on the young'

we had the experiance to go and see omaha beech, pointe-du-hoc and the cemetery and being a Scotsman i found it very emotional in all place's but especially the cemetery , will always remember there sacrifice

Phenomenal. Was eagerly awaiting this. An incredible story of heroism.