Description
222nd INFANTRY REGIMENT
The Furnace and the Fire
42nd (Rainbow) Infantry Division • World War II
226 pages scanned. Instant PDF download
Document Overview
Published in 1945 and printed in Vienna, Austria, The Furnace is the official unit history of the 222nd Infantry Regiment — nicknamed the “Triple Deuce” — of the 42nd (Rainbow) Infantry Division in World War II. Written by soldiers who witnessed the events firsthand, the narrative begins with the regiment’s formation at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma in 1943, follows the men across the Atlantic and through the brutal winter fighting in Alsace, France, and continues through the assault on the Siegfried Line, the Rhine crossing, and the drives on Würzburg and Schweinfurt before concluding with occupation duty in Vienna, Austria. The history includes a foreword by Colonel Henry L. Luongo, regimental commander, a detailed account of the pivotal Battle of Ohlungen Forest, a roll of the fallen, and combat rosters. This listing is a digital download of a high-resolution scanned copy of the original printed regimental history.
Campaigns:
• Rhine River defensive sector, Strasbourg, Alsace, France (Christmas Day 1944)
• Battle of Soultz-sous-Forêts – defensive operations along the Rhine
• Battle of Ohlungen Forest – repelling five German regiments along the Moder River (January 1945)
• Actions at Neubourg and Schweighausen – holding key Alsatian towns
• Battle of Wingen – fighting in the northern Vosges
• Schweighausen and Neubourg defensive line – final German offensive in Alsace
• Rhine River crossing and advance into Germany (spring 1945)
• Battle of Würzburg – assault on the Bavarian city
• Schweinfurt and drive south – reduction of Nazi industrial strongholds
• Nazi Citadels – final German fortifications
• Occupation duty – Vienna Area Command, Austria (1945)
Commanders:
• Colonel Henry L. Luongo – Regimental Commander, 222nd Infantry (from June 1944)
• Colonel Edward S. Johnson – Original Regimental Commander, 222nd Infantry (1943–1944)
• Lt. Colonel Karl V. Palmer – Regimental Executive Officer; interim commander (May 1944)
• Lt. Colonel Ed. F. Niblock – Commander, 3rd Battalion
• Lt. Colonel Donald W. Downard – Commander, 2nd Battalion
• Lt. Colonel Walter J. Fellenz – Commander, 1st Battalion
• Brigadier General Henning Linden – Commander, Task Force Linden
• Major General Harry J. Collins – Commanding General, 42nd (Rainbow) Infantry Division
Unit newspaper: unknow.
Table of Contents
The Flame is Kindled
Oceans Are Meant for Sailors
The Barren Hill
Quiet Sector
Ohlungen Forest
Time Out
Booby Traps and Barbed Wire
Impregnable
Over the Rhine
Würzburg
Schweinfurt and Points South
Nazi Citadels
Conclusion
Epilogue
Appendix: These Gave Their Lives
Appendix: Combat Rosters
“This book is dedicated to those who fought so gallantly and gave their lives — we shall owe forever a debt of gratitude to those brave men.”
— Colonel Henry L. Luongo, 222nd Infantry Regiment