Rangers Lead the Way: Pointe-du-Hoc D-Day 1944

Osprey Raid #1

by Steven J. Zaloga, Howard Gerrard (Illustrator), Mariusz Kozik (Illustrator)

In the early hours of D-Day, 1944, a group from the US Army 2nd Rangers Battalion were sent on one of the legendary raids of World War II. Their mission was to scale the cliffs overlooking Omaha beach and assault the German coastal artillery at Pointe-du-Hoc, which allied intelligence had identified as a threat to the impending invasion. It was thought that only a raid could ensure that the guns would remain silent during the D-Day landings. But allied intelligence was wrong. After climbing the cliffs under aggressive German fire and securing the battery site, the Rangers discovered that the guns themselves were no longer there. The determination of those heroic Rangers involved in the initial raid allowed them to locate the guns, which had been relocated to firing positions facing Utah beach, and destroy them before they could be used.

In the first of a brand new series for Osprey, this act of audacious daring is brought to life, complete with fully illustrated artwork, detailed maps and rare German accounts. Taking a closer, more critical look at a famous story, Steven Zaloga analyzes every detail of the raid, from the intelligence failings behind the mission to the boldness of the Rangers' actions in the face of incredible odds. You'll never get so close to the action!

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Steven Zaloga is an author and defense analyst known worldwide for his articles and publications on military technology.  He has written over a hundred books on military technology and military history, including “Armored Thunderbolt: The US Army Sherman in World War II”, one of the most highly regarded histories of the Sherman Tank.  His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He was a special correspondent for Jane’s Intelligence Review and is on the executive board of the Journal of Slavic Military Studies and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/producer for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series Firepower.  He holds a BA in history from Union College and an MA in history from Columbia University.

Mr. Zaloga is also a noted scale armor modeler and is a host/moderator of the World War II Allied Discussion group at Missing-Lynx.com, a modelling website. He is a frequent contributor to the UK-based modeling magazine Military Modelling. He is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society.

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good if small overview of the Rangers raid on D-Day. The author looks at both sides of it, and takes the time to compare and contrast the intelligence that was available then and available now. The intelligence available then via the aerial photographs dictated the raid was needed, and even though the guns were moved they found them and incapacitated them. Their actions on D-Day led to them having a successful place in our military once they found a place and the US Army reevaluated which missions they were best suited for.

[Ben Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise but a good overview of the famous small unit action. Maps describing the events were top notch.

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

The more I learn the more I want to know. Super quick read about the rangers that risked everything at the beginning of the D-Day invasion. Such amazing soldiers.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summary of the attack, from both sides of the conflict. Good maps and photos to complement the narrative…