Preserving the Legacy of the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division
The 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division carved a remarkable path through the European Theater of WWII - from the frozen forests of Alsace to the liberation of Dachau concentration camp.
Beyond the battles lies a rich collection of personal stories—the men of the Rainbow were men of courage, sacrifice, humor, and camaraderie who forged unbreakable bonds in extraordinary circumstances.
A Journey Through 42nd Infantry Division History:
Standing at the gates of Dachau concentration camp in 2015, I unknowingly began what would become years of intensive research into the 42nd "Rainbow" Division—the American soldiers who had liberated this site of unimaginable horror on April 29, 1945.
Throughout 2016 and 2017, I deepened this research, collecting documents, photographs, and accounts of the history of Dachau and its survivors, as my focus on the Rainbow Division's role in the liberation and their broader European campaign began to deepen through meeting with, and learning about, these intriguing veterans.
By the end of 2018 I connected with the story of Rainbow veteran Lockered "Bud" Gahs, whose friendship and firsthand accounts anchored what would become a tremendous passion and labor of love. From these beginnings my research has resulted in an extensive archive that I maintain. This collection includes materials from my own independent research efforts, generous contributions from veterans and their families, documents from official repositories, and resources shared through collaborations with fellow historians and organizational partners. These now comprise over 100,000 historical items—a living testament to the Rainbow Division's legacy that continues to grow. Throughout this journey, I've formed meaningful connections with researchers and families internationally, and I take pride in both these relationships and in helping to preserve this vital chapter of history.
To truly understand their experiences, my research has taken me back and forth across Europe, walking the same ground these soldiers traversed—from the frozen forests of Alsace where they faced their baptism of fire in Operation Nordwind, to the ruins of Würzburg where they fought house-to-house, to the solemn grounds of Dachau where they confronted horrible inhumanities. Each site visit deepens my understanding of their experiences in ways archive work alone cannot provide. Through photography, film, and careful documentation of these locations including cultivating connections with locals who also carry the legacy of the Rainbow Division, I've been able to help preserve the physical context of their stories.
While it includes traditional military history such as tactics and strategy, my Rainbow Division interest and research centers on the human experience—the individual soldiers who wore the Rainbow patch and the families and communities connected to them. I believe that understanding the personal stories behind historical events creates a more complete and meaningful picture of our World War II past.
This work is driven by a passion for ensuring that these stories are not lost to time. Every soldier who served with the Rainbow Division during WWII had a unique experience worthy of remembrance. By sharing this history, I hope to educate future generations about both the sacrifices made and the lessons to be learned.
My mission is to preserve these irreplaceable human narratives before they're lost to time, ensuring that we remember not just what the Rainbow Division accomplished, but who these men were as individuals—their hopes, fears, sacrifices, and the bonds that sustained them through one of history's darkest chapters.
“Let no boy’s soul say:
Had I the proper training … “
Major General Harry J. Collins
The Rainbow Division Legend Reborn in World War II
The story of the 42nd Infantry Division begins in World War I, when it earned its distinctive "Rainbow" nickname. As Douglas MacArthur, then the Division's Chief of Staff, remarked: "The 42nd Division stretches like a Rainbow from one end of America to the other." This name reflected its unique composition—National Guard units drawn from 26 states and the District of Columbia. The WWI Rainbow fought valiantly in the bitter trench warfare in France, and became legendary for their Rainbow valor.
When World War II erupted, military planners recognized the value of reviving this storied infantry division. On July 14, 1943, the Rainbow Division was reactivated at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. Unlike its WWI predecessor, the WWII Rainbow Division was composed primarily of draftees rather than National Guard units, though it proudly carried forward the Rainbow name and fighting spirit.
The Rainbow Division Order of Battle
222nd Infantry Regiment
232nd Infantry Regiment
242nd Infantry Regiment
Headquarters 42nd Division Artillery
232nd Field Artillery Battalion
392nd Field Artillery Battalion
402nd Field Artillery Battalion
542nd Field Artillery Battalion
142nd Engineer Combat Battalion
122nd Medical Battalion
42nd Reconnaissance Troop
132nd Signal Company
742nd Ordnance Light
42nd Quartermaster Company
42nd Military Police Platoon
Division Headquarters Company
42nd Division Band
By the time they complete their training, these men have formed the bonds that will sustain them through the challenges ahead—bonds between soldiers who will soon be tested in combat far from the Oklahoma hills of Camp Gruber where their journey as a unit began.
Bodies were everywhere. Some of the wounded were calling pathetically for medics, while some tried to crawl their way into the multitude of black craters that spotted the light snow cover. Someone yelled … “Get your asses down!”
Norman Thompson, Company G, 242nd Infantry Regiment
Under the command of Major General “Hollywood” Harry J. Collins and Brigadier General Henning Linden, elements of the Rainbow Division prepare for European deployment as Task Force Linden while the war in Europe intensifies.
Timeline: Key Moments in Rainbow Division WWII
July 14 1943: 42nd Infantry Division reactivation at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma
November 25 1944: Task Force Linden (TFL) departure from New York Harbor
December 8 1944: Rainbow Division TFL arrives at Marseille, France
January 1945: Operation Nordwind, Hitler’s last offensive
March 1945: Operation Undertone, assault on the Siegfried line through the Hardt mountains
April 1945: Battle of Würzburg, capture of Schweinfurt, Furth, Nuremberg, Munich
April 29 1945: Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp and capture of Munich
May 1945 through 1946: Occupation of Austria
The Rainbow Trail
From Alsace to Austria: The Rainbow Division's WWII Combat Path
When the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division arrived in southern France in December 1944, the European war had reached a critical phase. The German Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge) was about to explode, and Allied forces were being tested across the Western Front. The Rainbow Division would soon find itself thrust into the desperate situation, beginning a combat journey that would take them from the French-German border to the heart of the Third Reich.
Baptism by Fire: Operation Nordwind and the Rainbow Division
The division's first combat experience came during Operation Nordwind, Hitler's last major offensive on the Western Front. In the frozen forests of Alsace, Rainbow Division soldiers—most experiencing combat for the first time—held firm against German units in January 1945. Despite temperatures dropping and determined enemy attacks, the 42nd Infantry proved its might in defensive operations in villages like Hatten, Hagenau, and Rittershoffen, and along the Moder River.
Rainbow Division Push into Germany
By March 1945, the 42nd Infantry Division had transitioned from defense to offense. They breached the Siegfried Line—Germany's western defenses—and pushed into German territory. The Rainbow Division advance took them through cities like Würzburg and Schweinfurt, where they engaged in treacherous urban combat.
In Würzburg, the Rainbow Division faced the challenge of crossing the Main River under enemy fire and capturing the imposing Marienberg Fortress that dominated the city. The fighting was house-to-house, room-to-room, with the ruins of destroyed buildings hiding enemy defenders. They pushed on through Germany to capture villages and towns alike, among them Schweinfurt, Furth, and Nuremberg.
“The GIs who liberated the camp looked like gods to us.”
Ben Lesser, survivor of Dachau
The Rainbow Division Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp
On April 29, 1945, elements of the Rainbow Division, alongside elements of the 45th Infantry and 20th Armored Divisions, reached Dachau concentration camp. What they discovered there would leave a lasting mark on all who witnessed it. More than 30,000 prisoners in desperate condition, thousands dead or dying, and evidence of systematic mass murder confronted the GIs.
A Rainbow Division chaplain wrote: "There are no words in the English language to describe what I saw." The liberation of Dachau concentration camp stands as one of the most significant humanitarian actions in the 42nd Infantry Division's history and crystallized for many Rainbow soldiers the purpose behind their sacrifices.
Next, Rainbow Division troops captured the bed of Nazism itself, Munich - known as München to the locals - after overcoming scattered resistance.
Final Operations and Occupation Duty
When the war ended, the Rainbow Division remained in Europe for occupation duty, primarily in Austria, until its inactivation. During this time, they helped restore order, assisted displaced persons, and began the long process of rebuilding a shattered continent.
Throughout their European campaign, the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division demonstrated remarkable adaptability—from defensive operations in the bitter cold of Alsace to rapid advances through Bavaria, from brutal urban combat to the humanitarian mission at Dachau concentration camp. Behind each operation were thousands of individual stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that deserve to be remembered.
Rainbow Division Research
Discovering Your Family's 42nd Infantry Division Connection
For many families, the stories of their Rainbow Division relatives remain shrouded in mystery. Perhaps you have a photograph of a loved one wearing the distinctive Rainbow patch, or letters sent home from Camp Gruber or European battlefields. Maybe you've inherited World War II medals or memorabilia but aren't sure about the full story behind them.
My specialized 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division research services can help you discover and preserve these important family connections to World War II history.
Please contact me to discuss your specific 42nd Infantry research needs and how I can help you connect with your family's Rainbow Division legacy.
For Rainbow Division families, I offer special rates that reflect my commitment to preserving this important World War II history.
Rainbow Research
-
Comprehensive knowledge of the Rainbow Division's formation, training at Camp Gruber, and European combat operations
Extensive archival research across international military records and civilian historical sources
Documentation of personal Division-wide experiences through letters, diaries, and oral histories
Identification and preservation of World War II photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia
Connections with Rainbow Division veterans' families and communities across generations
-
A comprehensive investigation into your relative's 42nd Infantry Division service can include:
Verification of Rainbow unit, rank, and World War II service timeline
Reconstruction of their movements through Camp Gruber training and European combat
Location of relevant Rainbow Division military records and documents
Identification of World War II battles and campaigns they participated in
Connections to personal accounts from the same Rainbow Division unit
Mapping of their individual footprints and journey through the European Theater
Historical context for understanding their specific 42nd Infantry experiences
-
Drawing on my extensive World War II and Rainbow Division archives and research experience, I can help locate:
Official military records and Rainbow unit histories
Photographs of specific 42nd Infantry companies or platoons
Letters or accounts from soldiers in the same Rainbow Division unit
Maps of European areas where your relative served with the Rainbow
Contemporary newspaper articles about their Rainbow Division unit's activities
After-action reports from specific 42nd Infantry battles
-
Understanding your relative's World War II experience often requires broader historical context:
Detailed information about daily life at Camp Gruber during Rainbow Division training
Conditions during specific Rainbow campaigns or battles in the European Theater
Insights into the roles of different units within the 42nd Infantry Division
Cultural and social aspects of World War II military service
-
My approach to 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division research is thorough and personalized:
Initial consultation to gather all known information about your Rainbow Division relative
Preliminary assessment of available resources and research potential
Comprehensive research using military records, archives, and my personal Rainbow Division collection
Regular updates throughout the World War II research process
Final presentation of findings in your preferred format (report, timeline, narrative, etc.)
Ongoing support for any additional questions or Rainbow Division discoveries
Rainbow Division Resources & Preservation
Contributing to the 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division Legacy
The history of the 42nd "Rainbow" Division belongs to all of us—the families of those who served, researchers dedicated to preserving their World War II stories, and future generations who need to understand this important chapter of military history. My work is part of a broader effort to ensure these Rainbow Division stories aren't lost to time.
The Importance of Rainbow Division Preservation
Every day, precious materials related to the 42nd Infantry Division are at risk of being lost forever. Letters are discarded during estate clearances, World War II photographs fade in attics, and as the WWII generation passes away, their firsthand accounts go unrecorded. My preservation work focuses on collecting, digitizing, and properly storing these irreplaceable Rainbow Division historical resources.
How You Can Contribute to Rainbow Division History
You can play a vital role in preserving 42nd Infantry Division history:
Share Your Family's Rainbow Division Materials: Letters, photographs, diaries, and artifacts related to Rainbow Division soldiers can be digitized and preserved for future generations.
Record Rainbow Division Family Stories: If you have relatives who served with the 42nd Infantry Division or remember those who did, recording their memories (even secondhand) provides valuable historical context.
Donate Items for Documentation: Donate your digital files of your Rainbow history, or original 42nd Infantry materials can be professionally photographed or scanned and returned to your family.
Support Rainbow Division Research Projects: My ongoing work to document 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division stories includes films and publications that keep these World War II memories alive.
Have a Rainbow story or need my help finding your family’s 42nd Division history?
