Howitzers in Second World War and beyond - in pictures

  • Second World War 155mm howitzers fire shells at enemy lines from advanced positions in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, where US Marines led the attack on Japanese forces, in January 1943. Getty Images
    Second World War 155mm howitzers fire shells at enemy lines from advanced positions in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, where US Marines led the attack on Japanese forces, in January 1943. Getty Images
  • Troops of a field artillery battery emplace a howitzer in France, following the advance of the infantry and are setting up a new position. in 1944. Getty Images
    Troops of a field artillery battery emplace a howitzer in France, following the advance of the infantry and are setting up a new position. in 1944. Getty Images
  • A CH-54 'Flying Crane' helicopter brings in a 155mm howitzer, circa 1968. Getty Images
    A CH-54 'Flying Crane' helicopter brings in a 155mm howitzer, circa 1968. Getty Images
  • US artillery crews in South Vietnam load shells in howitzers, in 1971. Getty Images
    US artillery crews in South Vietnam load shells in howitzers, in 1971. Getty Images
  • US Marines clean and service a 155mm howitzer at their position as a peacekeeping force inside Beirut International Airport, in 1984. Getty Images
    US Marines clean and service a 155mm howitzer at their position as a peacekeeping force inside Beirut International Airport, in 1984. Getty Images
  • Marines hold their ears upon the firing of an artillery round from a 155mm howitzer at a target in southern Iraq, in 2003. Getty Images
    Marines hold their ears upon the firing of an artillery round from a 155mm howitzer at a target in southern Iraq, in 2003. Getty Images
  • Soldiers load fuses on to high explosive rounds to use in a howitzer at FOB Joyce in Afghanistan's Kunar province, in 2012. Reuters
    Soldiers load fuses on to high explosive rounds to use in a howitzer at FOB Joyce in Afghanistan's Kunar province, in 2012. Reuters
  • Howitzers unloaded at Beirut port after a shipment from the US military aid to the Lebanese army, in 2015. EPA
    Howitzers unloaded at Beirut port after a shipment from the US military aid to the Lebanese army, in 2015. EPA
  • US military forces fire a howitzer during a joint military training exercise with the Philippines in Tarlac province, north of Manila, in 2016. Reuters
    US military forces fire a howitzer during a joint military training exercise with the Philippines in Tarlac province, north of Manila, in 2016. Reuters