A Machine gunner in Normandy

12th July 1944: An American infantryman describes life with a machine gun - and a narrow escape in the hedgerows

‘Training its .30-caliber machine gun to fire on unseen Germans across a hedgerow, an American crew suppresses the enemy response to a dash into the field beyond, which other American soldiers are preparing to execute.’

Private First Class Ernest ‘Andy’ Andrews had waded ashore - under fire - onto Easy Red, Omaha Beach at around 6 pm on D-Day. He had tra…