US Field Artillery in Action near Carentan, France
June 1944

The crew of a 105mm Howitzer fires a round during the fighting near the French town of Carentan.  Located between the American landings at Utah Beach and Omaha Beach, the capture of Carentan was vital to the success of the Allied invasion of Normandy.  The German 6th Parachute Regiment put up stiff resistance there against the 101st Airborne, the 2nd Armored, and 4th Infantry Divisions.  Carentan was liberated by the Americans on June 12, 1944.

National Archives, NARA #28-1185a