Recently, I saw a really interesting documentary called "Bloody Omaha".

They spoke of the recently discovered German battery at Maisy.

I re-read the letters I have from Mike and I am pretty sure he was part of the Rangers who were re-directed to Charlie Beach (Omaha Beach) when they thought the assault at Pointe-du-Hoc had failed.

There was always a gap in the story he told me in his letters and the course of the fightings in that sector.

But with the discovery of the German battery, it all falls in place.

So, I presume this is what happened;

Mike was part of the follow-up group of the 2nd or 5th Rangers destined for Pointe-du-Hoc, reinforcing the 225 Rangers there.

At some moment, this follow-up group gets the message that the assault failed and that they had to re-direct to Charlie Beach which is on the right side of Omaha Beach (Vierville).

There, they stormed out of their landing craft and climbed the bluffs, passing the so-called "German villa" (no longer there unfortunately) and hit the German defenses on top of the bluffs from the rear.

They - taking stragglers from the 116th Infantry Regiment and other units - then went on towards that battery at Maisy and finally linked up with the surviving Rangers at the Pointe-du-Hoc area.

This would make sense.

But I am open to remarks and suggestions.

Erwin

Erwin,

Here are some pictures I took in August 2007 of the German battery Maisy !

Vee

Erwin,

A news report will soon be achieved (in English) about the Maisy battery. This, supported by the testimony of many Rangers and many historical and archaeological work, describes the theories of Gary Sterne about sites from the Pointe du Hoc and Maisy.

Band announces is available on the following link :

Vee

Veronique, thank you so much for the very interesting photos of the Maisy Battery.

I sure do appreciate you taking the time to put these photos here.

If I'm not mistaken, there were six 155mm gun positions at this site?

I tend to believe Mike was with 5th Rangers (I made an error stating he was with 2nd Rangers).

He probably was one of them running through the trenches, capturing that battery's occupants.

I still need to look into this further.

As a matter of fact, I might be lucky as I found a relative seeking information regarding him.

I sent her an e-mail and hopefully she will reply.

Erwin

Erwin,

According to Mr Stern,the Battery Maisy contained:

- 12 guns of 88 mm

- 6 guns of 155 mm

- 4 guns 100 mm

- Several 50 mm cannon

If this information is accurate, it appears that more than 12 guns, and not least, have been "forgotten"

The guns of Pointe du Hoc are 155 SHF418 (f)

And to Maisy are 155 SFH 414 (F)

Picture one Maisy picture two Pointe du Hoc

Vee

Erwin ,

Here is a picture of Maisy in bie bunker in June 1944 !

Vee

Erwin ,

Here are link with a description of this battery:

http://www.armourer.co.uk/maisybattery.htm

Vee

YEP, things wuz tough all over in '43'44'45. Rocky--

This is great information, thank you so much.

Tomorrow morning, 65 years ago, two of my friends set foot on French soil and .... together with thousands of other Allied soldiers, started to pave the road to our Freedom.

Never forget!

But also never forget the capture of Rome (June 5, 1944) and Midway (June 4 - 7, 1942).

Erwin

Yes, today is the anniversary of the capture of ROME. An important but most overlooked day in EUROPE! Thanks for reminding everyone. This girl appreciates your attention to this.