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BattleAnalysisExamplePPT.pptx)
Pointe Du Hoc, June 6, 1944 Battle Analysis
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Agenda
Step 1: Define the Subject.
Step 2: Review the Setting.
Step 3: Describe the Action.
Step 4: Assess the Significance.
2
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Step 1: Define the Subject
World War II, Normandy, France
Operation Overlord (encompassed the entirety of the European invasion)
Operation Neptune (the amphibious beach landings at Normandy) 50-mile length of coastline on Hitler’s Atlantic Wall
Utah, Omaha, Gold Juno, and Sword beaches
Omaha Beach
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
D-Day Invasion, Point Du Hoc
Omaha Beach, Normandy France
US, Great Britain, Canada
2nd Ranger Battalion
June 6, 1944
Research material
Omaha Beachhead.
Small Unit Actions.
James Rudder, After-Battle-Report, Point Du Hoc.
Christopher Klein, The Weather Forecast That Saved D-Day.
Michael Frederick, D-Day: Interview with Two U.S. 2nd Ranger Battalion Members Who Describe the Attack at Point-du-Hoc.
David Hogan, U.S. Army Special Operations in World War II.
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Step 2: Review the Setting
Strategic/Operational Overview
Identify the War
Objective of principle Antagonists
Campaign Overview
Study Area of Operations
Weather
Terrain/OAKOC
Compare Antagonists/Belligerents
Size & composition
Technology
Doctrine & Training
Logistics
C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
Condition & Morale
Leadership
State Mission, Objective & Initial Disposition of Opposing Forces
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Strategic/Operational Overview
Identify the War
D Day Invasion, Point Du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France 06 June 1944
Mission
Allies: Secure the beachhead along the Normandy coastline in order for follow on forces.
2nd Ranger Battalion: Remove the threat of the 155mm howitzer (6) in the vicinity of Point Du Hoc that were directed on to Omaha Beach.
Germans: Defend the Atlantic coastline wall against allied invasion force
Campaign Overview
There were over 50 operations in support of (ISO) the D-Day Invasion.
Operation Overlord: Pointblank (allied bombing campaign) Neptune, Torch, Bodyguard (deception plan) Fortitude (beach landing specic), Jedburgh.
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Area of Operations - WX & Terrain
Poor weather and rain prior to 6 June was responsible for rough seas and beach landing.
A storm front delayed the planned invasion on the 5th of June. The brief break in weather, allowed the allies to continue with the invasion, much to the surprise of the Germans, who did not expect the attack given the poor weather.
On the 6th the weather was in the 50’s with the water temperature in the high 40’s.
The rough seas were partially to blame for wet gear once on the beach.
The ropes that were brought for climbing the cliffs at the pointe were wet, making it much more difficult to ascend.
Many of the rockets used to “shoot” the ropes over the top of the cliffs failed due to the extra weight of the wet ropes.
The cliffs were muddy and contained a lot of clay, making it difficult to climb, as the ropes became muddy as well.
The biggest advantage that the weather provided was the unexpectedness of the attack for the allies.
OAKOC
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Compare Antagonists/Belligerents
Compare Antagonists/Belligerents
Size & composition
Technology
Doctrine & Training
Logistics
C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance)
Condition & Morale
Leadership
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Ranger
Size & composition: 3 companies of (D, E, and F), of 190 men.
Technology: BAR, Rocket Launcher
Doctrine & Training: Pre-Mission Training in Scotland; cliff climbing, amphibious assault tactics, and physical training.
Logistics: Well supplied
C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance): encrypted radio communications
Condition & Morale: High
Leadership: LTC Rudder
Germany
Size & composition: 125 infantry troops and 85 artillerymen of the 716th Infantry Division
Technology: small arms, hand grenades
Doctrine & Training: less trained and prepared. The more experienced and capable units were fighting in the Eastern Front against Russia.
Logistics: Limited
C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance): encrypted radio communications
Condition & Morale: Low
Leadership
Compare Antagonists/Belligerents
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Mission, Objective & Initial Disposition of Opposing Forces
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Step 3: Describe the Action
1630 on 05 June, departed Britain for France.
0300 on 6 June, they reached the transport area.
0445 began movement on the DUKW to beach landing site (BLS).
0630 H-Hour (synchronized landings) for Operation Neptune
0705 2nd Ranger BN landed (delayed 35 minutes/navigational error)
the Rangers moved 30 yards to the base of the cliffs under German sniper and machine gun fire, along with a “constant rain of grenades”, where a temporary command post (CP) was established.
0715 Rangers reach the top of the cliffs. 10 minutes after landing.
The allied bombing had effectively destroyed 1 x anti-aircraft gun, 3 x 155mm emplacements and 1of the six 155mm howitzers.
By 1200, they had received at least 7 killed, and 24 wounded. Accountability of only 70 men.
After reorganizing, the Rangers continued mission of finding and destroying the remaining five 155mm’s. The remaining five were discovered a short distance away and destroyed.
D+1, the 2nd Ranger Battalion had been reinforced with the other Ranger elements.
D+2, the Rangers had completed their mission and were relieved.
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Step 4: Assess the Significance
Q: Cause and Effect: Why did events turn out the way they did?
A: Planning, Training, and Execution.
Q: Relevance: What is relevant about this study to current operations?
A: A lesson in Planning, Training, and Execution. The destruction of the 6 x 155 howitzers eased the burden and death toll on
Q: Who won? Who lost?:
A: The Allies quickly won Caen and St Mere Eglise from the Germans and destroyed their Atlantic Wall defensive plan. The Germans would surrender to the Allies in less than a year. The immediate removal of the 155’s eased the burden and loss of life on Omaha Beach, where
Q: What were the constants that affected the outcome?
A: Planning, leadership, speed, and the allied bombing campaign.
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Step 4: Assess the Significance
Principles of War
Objective. Offensive. Maneuver. Mass. Economy of Force. Unity of Command. Security. Surprise. Simplicity.
Warfighting Functions
Mission Command. Movement and Maneuver. Intelligence. Fires. Sustainment. Protection.
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Step 4: Assess the Significance: Threads Of Continuity
Internal Threads
Military Professionalism
Tactics
Operations
Strategy
Logistics and Administration
Military Theory and Doctrine
Military Leadership
External Threads
Military Professionalism
Tactics
Operations
Strategy
Logistics and Administration
Military Theory and Doctrine
Military Leadership
Political Factors
Social Factors
Economic Factors
Technology
Military Geography
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
Closing
Review Learning Objectives:
Questions
Book selection due for review and approval
Next Lesson:
The Formative Years, 1783-1812
Cadet Post-Class Assignment
Chapter 5, “The Formative Years, 1783-1812” in American Military History Volume I, pp. 107-129.
Revision Date: Nov2017
MH303 Battle Analysis Lesson
