Although the 97th was one of the best trained divisions in the Army, it had to deal with the problem of having substantial numbers of its soldiers transferred to other units. For example, in 1944 approximately 5,000 soldiers were "stripped" from the Division while is was undergoing training a Fort Leonard Wood. Some of these men were sent as far away as the China-Burma-India Theater where they were assigned to Merrill's Marauders, an American unit that fought remarkably well against the Japanese in the jungles of Burma. However, most of the soldiers transferred from the Division went to Europe. The "stripping" process had a negative effect on strength levels, morale and military effectiveness.

"Old Style" 155mm Howitzer (Note: Single Support Rail), #1 Section Gun - July 1944 Fort Leonard Wood, MO

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