American artillery in action

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The loader prepares to ram in the next round into the still smoking breech of this M3 105mm artillery piece, after the No1 Cannoneer has opened. He holds the lanyard in his other hand that will fire the piece when ordered. The Artilleryman kneeling to his front will set the howitzer to the required elevation.

The M3 105mm howitzer was issued to the organic cannon companies of US Army infantry regiments, as well as the Parachute infantry. These men are not wearing parachute infantry boots and uniforms so we may presume they are the former. Possibly men if the 4th ID, making them members of the the 8th, 12th or 22nd IR.