US AIRBORNE

The War Department authorized the creation of “First Test Parachute Artillery Battery” in February 1942. Having enlisted the officers and the men, their assets increased parachutist’s patents, the “ Parachute Battery Test ” under the command of Lieutenant Joseph Harris developed a system of airborne gun to support the action of infantry. During summer 42, they perfected the system by exploiting a gun of 75mm dismountable Pack Howitzer in 9 containers parachutable of C-47. Once on the ground, this gun could have gone up in 30 minutes.
On September 24, 1942 the first field artillery battalion , the 456th PFAB, under the command of Colonel Harrison B. Harden Jr was activated with the officers and the men of the “ First test Parachute Artillery Battery ”. 456th PFAB was permanently attached to the 82rd Airborne the October 1st, with Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Initially, the battalion was composed of 3 batteries, each with 4 M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer and a section of anti-tank armed with 4 guns 37mm M3A1. During all the Second War, it 456th PFAB provides the officers for the other artillery battalions. The first battle that the 456th was involved in Sicily. After making a jump in the night of July 9, 1943, in support of 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Their missions were to destroy the enemy troops and panzers by using indirect fire. During the battle of the peak of Biazza, the battalion gained its first victories against the panzers in direct fire. After the engagements in Sicily, the battalion was split. The batteries C and D remained with 82rd Airborne and were transferred in England for the jump in Normandy.The HQ as well as the batteries A and B remained with 1st Special Service Forces and participated in campaigns of Italy to Cassino, Anzio and Rome.
In February 44, they Re-designated in 463rd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion with its head Major Hugh A. Neal.His command is short, a piece of shrapnel seriously wound, 4 months later. It will be replaced by Major John T. Cooper Jr. who remained at the head of the battalion until the end of the war.