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

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

Overview

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. The mission was to scale the cliffs overlooking Omaha beach and assault the German coastal artillery at Pointe-du-Hoc. 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. It was only due to the heroic actions of the Rangers involved that the guns were located in firing positions facing Utah beach and destroyed 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 illustrated artwork, maps and rare German accounts. Taking a more critical look at the story, Steven Zaloga analyses every detail, from the intelligence failings to the boldness of the Rangers' in the face of such odds.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780962351
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	12/20/2011
Series:	Raid , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in history from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think-tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history, with an accent on the US Army in World War II.
Steven J. Zaloga received his BA in History from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for three decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and history, including NVG 294 Allied Tanks in Normandy 1944 and NVG 283 American Guided Missiles of World War II. He currently lives in Maryland, USA.
Howard Gerrard studied at the Wallasey School of Art and has been a freelance designer and illustrator for over 20 years. He has won both the Society of British Aerospace Companies Award and the Wilkinson Sword Trophy and has illustrated a number of books for Osprey including Campaign 69: Nagashino 1575 and Campaign 72: Jutland 1916. Howard lives and works in Kent.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 10 Up—A comprehensive presentation on the Rangers' participation in the Allied invasion of the Normandy coast on D-Day. Facts concerning the activities at Pointe-du-Hoc prior to and following June 6, 1944, have not always been clear. The text, which is rather scholarly, indicates that thorough research has been done. The introduction does a nice job of setting the stage for readers who may not be familiar with Operation Flashlamp. The remainder of the text covers the planning and the execution of the raid. There are several detailed color maps, though one seems to have an incomplete key. One chart contains bombing attack data and another lists the leadership of both the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions. Vintage black-and-white photos and a limited number of well-captioned color photos appear on almost every page. A chevron design containing time, date, and battle appears as a sidebar on occasion. An analysis and further-reading suggestions conclude this outstanding title. The only criticisms are the small size of the font and the lack of a map showing Pointe-du-Hoc in relationship to the rest of the Normandy coast. This title belongs in high school and public libraries.—Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS

School Library Journal

In his book on this most famous of Ranger missions, author Steven J. Zaloga covers the initial construction of the site, the planning of the Allies and the assault itself. As usual, the mission did not go quite according to plan. The following chain of events is clearly depicted in the book, along with some excellent 3-D maps of the various areas of interest, excellent period photos and color photographs of many of the remaining relics that are part of Normandy today. It is a superb read as seen from both sides of the event with interviews of survivors that really add a lot of spice to things. A superb start to a new series and one I know you will enjoy reading.” —Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness (October 2009)

From the Publisher