Pointe du Hoc

Pointe du Hoc , This site witnessed extraordinary acts of courage during the Allied invasion of Normandy. , In World War II, German forces occupied Pointe du Hoc and transformed the quiet spot into a fortified stronghold protecting a battery of heavy guns. On the morning of June 6, 1944, US Army Rangers scaled 90-foot cliffs to capture this heavily defended position and then held it against repeated counterattacks. Their heroic actions helped to establish an Allied foothold in France and begin the liberation of Europe., Reverse , These are the boys of Point du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war. , Ronald Reagan , President of the United States, The American Battle Monuments Commission , In 1923 congress created the american battle monuments commission to commemorate the service, achievements and sacrifice of united states armed forces where they have served overseas since 1917. The commission's military cemeteries and memorials around the world honor america's servicemen and women, living and dead, and fulfill the promise that "Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.", Reverse , Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned ayour undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. , Harry S. Truman , President of the United States, Pointe du Hoc Site Map, Reverse , For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They year but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home. , Franklin D. Roosevelt , President of the United States, Democracy Threatened , During the 1930s, democracy came under threat around the globe. , Elected President of the United States in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt faced a crippling economic crisis at home and growing threats from abroad. Adolf Hitler became Germany's chancellor in 1933 and established a Nazi regime based on authoritarian rule, racial prejudice, and military expansion. Italy had already succumbed to fascist rule, and a fascist military dictatorship soon seized power in Spain. Japan plunged East Asia into turmoil when it invaded China in 1937., The World at War , On September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland, igniting a terrible conflict that soon spread around the globe. , Joining with Germany and Italy in the Axis alliance, Japan pursued military conquests and attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This brought the United States into the war. After years of brutal fighting, the Axis powers were thrown onto the defensive and Allied forces advanced in the Pacific, in the Mediterranean, and on the Eastern Front. By early 1944, Allied troops in Great Britain were preparing for the long-awaited liberation of Northern Europe., Invading Normandy , After months of intelligence gathering and analysis, Allied planners selected Normandy as the invasion site, although it was far from ideal. , Normandy's wide beaches lacked natural harbors, and ocean currents and changeable weather could wreak havoc on fragile landing craft. Predicting the best conditions-a full moon for navigation, low tides to expose beach obstacles, and calm winds for airborne operations--would be essential for landing operations. The Allies originally planned the Normandy landings for June 5, 1944. but deteriorating weather forced General Dwight D. Eisenhower to delay the invasion for 24 hours ,