AP Was There: Allied troops land in Normandy on D-Day

The AP is republishing Whitehead’s original report to mark the 75th anniversary of the assault that began the liberation of France and Europe from German occupation, leading to the end World War II.___Fighting as American troops did in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy, doughboys have smashed through the outer crust of Hitler’s fortress in a gallant display of courage and skill.Never before has an army attempted to land such vast numbers of men and materials in such a short time, but the job is being done after a shaky start.When we landed behind the assault troops the enemy still was pouring a heavy machine-gun mortar and artillery fire into the boats as they drove ashore and had our troops pinned behind a gravel bank just above the water’s edge.Supplies Pile UpTroops, supplies and vehicles began to pile up on the beach at an alarming rate. Riekse of Battle Creek, Mich.Eight hours after landing, not a single enemy plane made an appearance over our beach.Wounded Man Topples OverWe had waded ashore to the rattle of machine guns and the bursting of shells.A soldier riding on the rear of a “duck” at the water edge behind me suddenly gave a startled cry and toppled into the water. Foley, Trenton, N.J.Although nicked by a bullet over one eye, Foley came through enemy fire to carry an important message which resulted in the general sending reinforcements to a certain sector.“You’ve done a fine job, lieutenant,” said the general, “and shown great initiative and good judgment.”Then the general began working to get troops off the beach.