The Final Battle – An Untold Story of WWII’s Forty-Second Rainbow Division

There is a brand new book out which tells the untold story of the Forty-Second Rainbow Division, who fought the SS, Volksstrum and Hitler Youth fiercely and sometimes hand-to-hand in the waning days of the war in Europe, and then liberated the concentration camp Dachau. The book uncovers parts of WWII history which some thought were lost forever, and uncovers other parts which will surprise many. For example, who really was the first to take Hitler’s mountain retreat called the Eagle’s Nest?

The book is titled, “The Final Battle: An Untold Story of World War II’s Forty-Second Rainbow Division.” Unfortunately, the Rainbow Division’s service has been an untold footnote in the history books. However, what was remarkable about their obscurity had nothing to do with an unremarkable service record. In fact, the division engaged in fierce and unrelenting combat on par with the well-documented history of the 101st Screaming Eagles.If you want to learn about some truly unsung American heroes who never sought or wanted the limelight, this is the book for you. You can learn more about the book at www.TheFinalBattle.net.

Ten years of research and writing went into the book, which became a labor of love. The author is the son of the protagonist who truly believes the way to honor these brave men was to tell their story. The book can be purchased at many places, but the easiest is at Amazon. The reviews being left by verified purchasers of the book are outstanding and all with five stars, containing comments like “highly recommended,” “well written,” “meticulously researched,” “taught me things about WWII I never knew,” and “a must read.”The book is written in the first-person style like “Flags of Our Fathers,” and follows the story of a young 18 year old boy (the protagonist) who joined the Army after high school and became a replacement “745“ infantry rifleman assigned to the Rainbow Division.

However, it also encompasses the overall tactics and campaigns of the division, while in addition providing individual accounts. Further, the book provides the overall historical perspective and context.An added feature is that the book provides a perspective from the German side. This is especially poignant since the protagonist was fighting against family who were in the German army, the Hitler Youth and a highly placed member in the Nazi Party.I hope you agree that this untold story needs to be read in order to honor these true American heroes.

About the author:
About the Author: William G. Hansult Jr. From the time I was a teenager, I was fascinated with the history of World War II. I studied it in school and later read numerous books on the subject. I knew my father was in the war and assigned with the Forty-Second Rainbow Division.

However, he would never talk about it, and when I would ask him he would always say that he just typed Army forms and guarded POWs. I doubted he was telling me everything because when I was younger, I discovered boxes hidden in the back corner of the attic that were nailed shut; and when I pried them open there were many Nazi and SS artifacts, together with my father’s Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.

Many years later, when I was almost 50 years old, my parents and I took a trip to Germany and Austria where, by coincidence, we visited many of the places my father had been during the war. After the trip, I was convinced that there was much more to my father’s war experiences than he had told me. That trip triggered a curiosity to learn of my father’s experiences. But even more compelling was that the trip caused me to feel that the men of the Rainbow Division were calling me to tell their story, one that was incredibly untold.

As a result, after the trip, I began researching my father’s and the Rainbow’s history. Although I’m a lawyer, not a professional historian or writer, I figured if I kept digging deeply and long enough, I would be able to find the answers. During this time, unbeknownst to my father, I began combing every resource I could find.

I was able to find numerous materials, including unpublished declassified action reports, diaries and recorded histories written by men he served with, together with many other published historical resources. Finally, the parts of the puzzle started to come together. My journey finding and reading all the materials was a labor of love. It was also fascinating.

However, there was a part of the picture still missing . . . my father’s own words. Finally, I told him of the research I had done. He was pleased, and it was only at that point he began to open up and tell me of his experiences with the Rainbow Division. Shortly before my father passed away in February 2014, I began assembling the years of research and started writing this book as a tribute to him and the men he served with in the Forty-Second Rainbow Division.

My hope is that this book brings to light the accomplishments of the men in the Forty-Second Rainbow Division during World War II and to honor them for their bravery and service. I was educated on both the East and West coasts, and hold a BS and MBA from New York Institute of Technology and a JD from the Santa Barbara College of Law. I am a member of the State Bar of California and make my home on the Central Coast of California.

Author: caLegion Contributor