Download or read book An Informal History of the 697th Field Artillery Battalion written by Major Hermon E. Smith and published by Lulu.com. This book was released on 2015-04-05 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Merriam Press Military Reprint MR28 (First Reprint Edition, 2015). The 697th Field Artillery Battalion not only has a history stemming from the oldest battery in the U.S. Army, but it also has the distinction of being the first 240mm howitzer battalion formed for World War II. To carry on this proud history the 697th Field Artillery was the first 240mm howitzer outfit to enter combat in World War II, when it was committed under the aegis of the Fifth Army at Cassino, Italy, on 30 January 1944. From that time until 8 May 1945 when "Peace through Victory" was secured, the battalion remained in combat to become the last 240mm howitzer battalion to continue actively in battle in the European Theater. Contents: Historical Background; Italy; France and Germany; Peace; Appendices: Campaigns, Battalion Soft Ball Team, List of Awards, Commendations, Roster of Officers, Headquarters Battery, Medical Detachment, A Battery, B Battery, C Battery, Service Battery. 34 photos and illustrations, 2 maps.