Soviet occupation following World War II led to the formation of a communist Peoples Republic in 1947 and the abdication of the king. The decades-long rule of President Nicolae CEAUSESCU became increasingly draconian through the 1980s. He was overthrown and executed in late 1989. Former communists dominated the government until 1996 when they were swept from power. Much economic restructuring remains to be carried out before Romania can achieve its hope of joining the EU. - US CIA World Factbook

In 1939 Romanian armor was concentrated into two armored regiments. The 1st Armored Regiment was equipped with the Czech R-2 (LT vz 35), and the 2nd Armored Regiment, which was equipped with the French R-35. In 1940 the 1st was combined with the four motorized battalions of the 3rd and 4th Rifles and the 1st Motorized Artillery Regiment to form the 1st Armored Division. Following the capture of Odessa, the 2nd Armored Regiment was reformed into a training unit. The 1st Armored Division was refitted and returned to the front line in August 1942.
The Germans supplied PzKpfw IIIs and IVs in October 1942. The 1st Armored Division was almost wiped out around Stalingrad in November 1942, and lost most of its equipment. The division was rebuilt and returned to the front line in the summer of 1944. Now equipped with German supplied PzKpfw IVs, StuG IIIs, Tacams, SdKfz 222s, SdKfz 250, and SdKfz 251, the division appeared formidable. In August 1944 the 8th Motorized Division was converted to an armored division and became the 2nd Armored Division.

Romanian Tanks ---------- Other Romanian Vehicles

Romanian Soldiers at Stalingrad.---Romanian soldier with a panzerfaust in Czechoslovakia, 1945. - photo supplied by Ionica Fonosch.
Romanian Soldiers

Operation Barbarossa---1942
Maps

Photo from the Romanian Military Museum in Bucharest. - Photo by Ionica Fonosch.---Photo from the Romanian Military Museum in Bucharest. - Photo by Ionica Fonosch.---Photo by Ionica Fonosch.---Photo by Ionica Fonosch.

25mm Hotchkiss AT AA dual purpose gun. - Image provided by Ionica Fonosch.---25mm Hotchkiss AT AA dual purpose gun. - Image provided by Ionica Fonosch.---37mm Hotchkiss AT AA dual purpose gun. - Image provided by Ionica Fonosch.---37mm Hotchkiss AT AA dual purpose gun. - Image provided by Ionica Fonosch.
Romanian AT Guns

Photo provided by Ion Fonosch
Romanian Vehicle

This is either a French Latil truck or a Romanian copy. If you have any more details, please email me.
People who helped make this page possible

David Barrett
David Barrett

Ralph D. Norton

Daniella Carlsson
Daniella Carlsson

Alexander Simeonov

Ramirez Romares

Steven Guy
Author Of
Thunder and Steel

Leo Leo

Ionica Fonosch
Ionica Fonosch

Bill Morran

ohoh

guestbook

Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003

Prince Vlad

 This page is dedicated to...
Prince Vlad III Dracula

Defender of Romania against the Turks.