This is a large, 8 X 34-inch group photo of Battery A of the 328th Field Artillery Battalion.  Photo was taken at Fort Dix just prior to their embarking for North Africa on December 24, 1943.  The 85th Custer Division completed their desert training in California in October and traveled across the US.  They spent about 3 months in Fort Dix, while completing final preparations for shipping overseas.  Many of the soldiers were able to take leave and go home to see their families for one final time.
      This photo was taken on parade ground at Fort Dix, NJ.  The other photos  of Batteries B, C, Service and HQ were taken on the exact same location.  However in some of these photos, the men are wearing their dress uniforms consisting of a coat and tie.

     Due to the large format, the photo was divided into 3 composites with some overlap.  Each section can be viewed up close to see faces.  Click to enlarge and photo will open in a seperate window.
 

              This "yard-long" is divided into 3 composite sections.  First break is to the left of the man in front row that
               has a fold crease across him.  The break between the 2nd and 3rd sectios occurs where there is a gap
               in the second row.

   1 -   Left section shows the Photo ID number DC 635.   This section includes 11 men on the front row and
          ends just to the left of the crease.

   2 - This section starts at the crease and the 3rd man on the Back Row.  This section contains the officers.