232nd Infantry Regiment (United States)
| 232nd Infantry Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943-1947. |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army; Army of the United States |
| Type | Infantry |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
COL Alfred A. McNamee |
| U.S. Infantry Regiments | |
|---|---|
| Previous | Next |
| 228th Infantry Regiment | 242nd Infantry Regiment |
The 232nd Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment of the United States Army during World War II. It served in combat with the 42nd Infantry Division, the "Rainbow Division," and served during the Occupation of Germany before its deactivation in 1947.
The 232nd Infantry Regiment was activated on 14 July 1943 and was assigned to the 42nd Infantry Division, the "Rainbow Division." The 42nd served in World War I as a New York Army National Guard unit, but was activated for service in World War II as a draftee division, in the Army of the United States. Three new infantry regiments; the 222nd Infantry Regiment, the 232nd Infantry Regiment, and the 242nd Infantry Regiment were created to fill the division. The division was activated at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, and after months of strenuous training, the men shipped out for France. The 232nd arrived in Marseille on 8 December 1944, and quickly began preparing for combat.
The three infantry regiments of the 42nd Division (222nd, 232nd, and 242nd) and a detachment of the division HQ arrived ahead of the rest of the unit. They were organized into Task Force Linden, under the command of the division assistant commander, General Henning Linden. Stationed initially at "Command Post 2," or CP2, the men of the 232nd had little luxuries and endured the cold December nights in tents under blackout conditions. They left CP2 and headed to relieve the 36th Infantry Division at Strasbourg on December 19, and entered the frontline on 24 December, Christmas Eve. Holding the left (north) flank, the 232nd was given a sector stretching 22 miles along the Rhine to defend against veteran German paratroops and Panzer forces. Equivalent to be about one man for every 40 feet, which was a very thin defensive force with no reserves. It was about 20 degrees and the one of the worst winters experienced in 50 years. Frostbite was common, and the foxholes offered no protection against the weather.
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