Today in World War II History—April 11, 1944

Allied map showing German gun emplacements and defenses at Pointe du Hoc, Normandy, dated 21 April 1944 and used in preparations for D-day (Imperial War Museum MH 24806)

75 Years Ago—April 11, 1944: Due to increasing instances of sabotage in factories by the French, the German SS orders public execution as the penalty for sabotage.

Countdown to D-day: Lt. Col. James Rudder submits plan for US 2nd Ranger Battalion’s assault on Pointe du Hoc on D-day.

Soviets take Kerch in the Ukraine.