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WorldWar2.ro Forum > Romanian Army > Romanian map symbols from WWII


Posted by: BrianW January 11, 2012 08:13 pm
I am trying to find the symbols that were used on maps during WWII by the Romanian army. By that, I mean what is the Romanian equivalent to the Soviet markings (for example) that specify whether a unit is a rifle platoon, company, an armor unit or etc?

I have posted a page from the US Army's 1945 Handbook of USSR Military Forces that shows what I am talking about, since I realize my explanation might not be very clear. Here is the page:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/806/page2ha.jpg/

Uploaded with http://imageshack.us

If there was not a separate Romanian map symbol system, would they have been more likely to have used a French version, given the prewar alliance with France, or the German system?

I do appreciate any help that the members here could give me with this.
Thanks,
Brian Weathersby

Posted by: Florin January 12, 2012 04:14 pm
When Romania was a kingdom, the enemy was marked on maps with red, and the Romanian forces with blue. After Romania was forced to turn into a Socialist state (not even Soviet Union was Communist by the book, if you are aware of the final goals of the doctrine tongue.gif ), the enemy was marked with blue, and the Romanian forces with red.

Posted by: BrianW January 12, 2012 04:35 pm
Florin,
I knew that even if I did not 'know it' from a source. It seems to be standard among most armies that your positions are marked in blue and the enemy's in red. I did know about the Soviet "us in red, them in blue" from doing some research on them.

What I am looking for though is the actual military symbols used to mark maps of the WWII period. Most armies have a sort of 'shorthand' that they use in their Tables of Organization and Equipment and on maps to mark their positions, and I don't know if the Romanian army used a different version of the standard symbols or not.

English language sources on the Romanian army are very few. I have Mark Axworthy's book in a reprint from Haier Press, I have the Osprey book, and I have one entitled Reluctant Axis: The Romanian Army in Russia 1941-1944 by Mihai Filipescu, which is published in Guatemala. Unfortunately, none of them seem to have the information I am looking for. So, I was hoping that someone on this forum might be able to assist me, as this is THE place to go (in English, anyway) for information on the Romanian army.
BWW

Posted by: dragos January 12, 2012 07:40 pm
I'll provide some scans, give me a day or two.

Posted by: BrianW January 12, 2012 07:49 pm
Dragos,
Thank you very much! I greatly appreciate it.
BWW

Posted by: dragos January 17, 2012 08:15 pm
I don't have a complete list of symbols but here are some. As you can see, they are pretty similar

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/641/001cqx.jpg/

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http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/715/002fub.jpg/

Uploaded with http://imageshack.us

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/707/003qua.jpg/

Uploaded with http://imageshack.us

Posted by: BrianW January 23, 2012 06:21 pm
Dragos,
Thank you, those were very helpful. They do bear a great similarity to the French symbols of the period. Of course, that is not surprising given Romanian history pre-war.

I was able to figure out everything except the middle symbol of the first group on the second page. They are mortars, ???, and anti-tank guns. What is the one I am missing?
BWW

Posted by: dragos January 23, 2012 07:59 pm
Infantry guns

Posted by: BrianW January 26, 2012 06:30 pm
"Infantry guns."

That's what I thought, but wasn't completely sure. Thanks again.
BWW

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