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WorldWar2.ro Forum > Romanian Army at War > Acts of Bravery

Posted by: PogRomus August 02, 2003 08:55 pm

What extraordinary actions occured during the war, for which low-rank soldiers or pilots recieved high decorations? Were there any "super human" acts of courage or suicidal attempts that are worth noting there? Did any soldier destroy single handedly a number of Tanks or did any pilot ram his aircraft into an ennemy bomber? Did any soldier threw himself over his commander, to protect him from a grenade? Or die anyone else comitt self sacrifice to save his comrades or his people? During this horrible 4 year war in which Romanian Troops fought, --- there must have been! Known..and unknown. :cry:

Posted by: C-2 August 02, 2003 09:50 pm

Be a little pacient ,and you'll be able to read about a pilot who rammed a B24( Carol Anastasescu)and other pilot (Nicolae Traian) who shoot down a FW 190 with a Panzerfaust (anti tank roket).On the pilots page .

Posted by: Dénes August 03, 2003 04:29 am

It appears that '80 pilot Slt. av. Carol Anastasescu - despite what he is currently claiming - did not 'ram' an American Liberator bomber, but rather collided with it, or even better described as 'brushed' with it, the most. How else would you explain that the much smaller fighter plane survived the impact airworthy; moreover, the pilot could belly landed it in one piece, despite being wounded. However, he most probably scored fatal hits on the B-24 with his plane's on-board guns and was credited with 3 victories accordingly. Dénes

Posted by: Victor August 03, 2003 01:11 pm

Yes, it is true that slt. av. Carol "Charley" Anastasescu did not ram the B-24 flown by Rowland Houston, as proven by the Gendarmerie report found by mr. Cicos. However, I do not know for sure that this was his idea or of the propaganda guys and then he had to go along with it. Traian Nicolae did not shoot down that Fw-190 with a Panzerfaust! He was in the TV Division and they did not have Panzrfausts! When I said AT section I was referring to a 14.5 mm AT-rifle section. There are many cases of brave actions; unfortunately many are unknown to us. I will try to find several that come to mind. Maybe others could do the same. Good topic.

Posted by: PogRomus August 05, 2003 10:15 pm

I knew this would generate discussion. *The "Panzerfaust" story is not really an act of bravery, more like a terrible coincidence, with a great deal of luck. It must be very hard to down a moving fighterplane with a rocket propelled weapon, designed to fight tanks. Did this take place, sure?? Probably not :? There are stories from Stalingrad of Romanian soldiers climbing on Russian tancs with Axes, that's right , an Axe because that is all they had to fight the armored beast. And that, in minus -35o celsius, on the frozen steppe. That requires more courage than pointing a panzerfaust and firing it! What about that Romanian unit who defended the German airfield from Soviet attacks and beat them back? And the Royal Navy Commander who evacuated tousands of Axis troops from the Crimea... What about the 2nd Battle for Odessa? Yes, when Odessa fell to the Russians again late in the war? I heard Romanian troops suffered 20 000 casualties in that battle? There must have been some acts of bravery there.

Posted by: Der Maresal August 06, 2003 02:52 am

My own grandfather, a pilot in the airforce evacuated top Airforce officials to Bern, Switzerland at the end of the war to escape being captured by the Russians. They told him to stay too, but he refused and in return they gave him a present, a brand new motocycle which he took back to romania, and which was later stolen...unfortunately.. :cry: This was not an act of bravery during the war, but still I think he did an amazing job by flying these men to a neutral country, because otherwise who knows what fate awaited them in the post 23 August chaos. *My Grandfather's uncle, René Ganescu was also a pilot , and he died in the war in 1942. I don't know enything else about him, only these 3 facts;..Pilot,...died in war...1942. For all the brave aviators who performed above and beyound the call of duty a Monument now stands, ..for those who died, and for those who risked their lives to save others..

Posted by: Dénes August 06, 2003 02:59 am

Here's what I found about your grandfather's uncle, René Ganescu QUOTE 1942 iulie 25   He 111H-3+   Gr. 5 bomb.   slt.pil. 1 Valeriu Demetrescu+       slt.pil. 2 René Ganescu+     smstr. Boris Friptu+       serg. Florea Mehedintu {ranit} Pipera aerodrom   accident zbor de noapte,  angajat   [Jurn. Op. Flot. 1 bomb.] May I ask what was your grandfather's name? What type of airplane did he fly to Switzerland and when? Dénes

Posted by: Der Maresal August 06, 2003 03:49 am

This is incredible!! I never tought I would ever find anything about this man! Wow, Denes, I thank you 1000 times, look like this forum has proven itself very usefull! I finally found out what happened this distant familly member of mine! I too tought he was a bomber pilot. Thanks again, but the biggest suprise would be if I found something about my own grandfather whom I never met. Mircea Vrânceanu is his name, Sublocotenent, (Lieutenant) Bomber pilot like his uncle. Bombed Odessa from what I heard. He recieved an Iron Cross I think, but that's just from what my grandmother tells me. He was young and he looked quite good. I have pictures of him and some of his planes, tough I'm not sure what plane he flew in battle. If you find out anything about him, a big prize awaits you, - I'll share some of his unique airforce pictures with you. Thank's again Denes, we'll talk again. This has been very helpfull. * PS:I don't know what he flew to switzerland with, I have however some documents too including a motocycle permit dated 1946, and also an aircraft flight certificate of some sort dated December 1939 and autorizing him to fly "all tourist aircraft". +++You have some pretty serious research material..where did you get the info? I'll give you more facts next time we talk. Great help, thanks' again, I'll go tell my familly what I found out :wink: :idea: !!!

Posted by: Dénes August 06, 2003 04:17 am

I am glad I could help with your relative. At first attemp, I did not find any info on pilot Vrânceanu in my losses database (luckily for him, as it appears he wasn't involved in any combat loss or accident). I have to check my piles of documents on ARR. I'll be back when I'll find something noteworthy (to claim my prize ). Dénes P.S. Most of my information comes from the Rumanian Military Archives and interviews with veteran airmen.

Posted by: Victor August 06, 2003 06:59 am

QUOTE *The \"Panzerfaust\" story is not really an act of bravery, more like a terrible coincidence, with a great deal of luck. It must be very hard to down a moving fighterplane with a rocket propelled weapon, designed to fight tanks. Did this take place, sure?? Probably not :? It was not a panzerfaust, but a 14.5 mm AT rifle. QUOTE There are stories from Stalingrad of Romanian soldiers climbing on Russian tancs with Axes, that's right  :( , an Axe because that is all they had to fight the armored beast. And that, in minus -35o celsius, on the frozen steppe. That requires more courage than pointing a panzerfaust and firing it! I heard about one story with a hammer, not an axe. A T-34 was advancing on an artillery battery. One of the officers jumped on the tank withalarge hammer and broke the machine-gun's barrel with it. Then he started hitting the tank furiously. The Soviets probably thought they wre taking fire from an AT gun and retreated.

Posted by: Csaba Becze August 06, 2003 09:57 am

Dénes, The Rumanian loss report means, that the He 111 crashed in Pipera airport in a night accident? Victor, This story with a hammer sounds very interesting.

Posted by: Victor August 06, 2003 12:51 pm

The story was told by a former Romanian artillery officer at a TV show, when he was promoting his book about his experiences in the war and then in the POW camp. Unfortunately I did not have the time then to look for the book and later I could not find it. Cristian, Renee Ganescu was part of the 5th Bomber Group and fought in it in the 1941 campaign. He and his crew also have one victory confirmed against a VVS fighter on 16 August 1941.

Posted by: Dénes August 06, 2003 01:53 pm

QUOTE Renee Ganescu was part of the 5th Bomber Group and fought in it in the 1941 campaign. He and his crew also have one victory confirmed against a VVS fighter on 16 August 1941. AFAIK, airman Ganescu was a man, not a woman, therefore his name is René, rather than Renée BTW, his name was mispelled 'Renée' in the 'Aviatia Româna...', Vol. 1. Dénes

Posted by: Dénes August 06, 2003 02:02 pm

QUOTE Dénes, The Rumanian loss report means, that the He 111 crashed in Pipera airport in a night accident? Apparently, the Heinkel crashed during a nighttime test flight nearby Bucharest-Pipera airport. Dénes

Posted by: Geto-Dacul August 06, 2003 05:49 pm

PogRomus wrote : QUOTE There are stories from Stalingrad of Romanian soldiers climbing on Russian tancs with Axes, that's right  , an Axe because that is all they had to fight the armored beast. And that, in minus -35o celsius, on the frozen steppe. That requires more courage than pointing a panzerfaust and firing it! Victor wrote : QUOTE I heard about one story with a hammer, not an axe. A T-34 was advancing on an artillery battery. One of the officers jumped on the tank withalarge hammer and broke the machine-gun's barrel with it. Then he started hitting the tank furiously. The Soviets probably thought they wre taking fire from an AT gun and retreated. The story with the Romanian soldiers trying to destroy Soviet tanks with axes was taken from Alexandru Teodorescu-Schei's book, "Invins si Invingator 1941-1949, Campania din est si prizonieratul". We could not say that it was an act of bravery... But of a last desperate fight to push back the tanks, when the Romanian soldiers and officers saw that their AT weapons and molotov cocktails were totally inefective against the iron beasts!

Posted by: Der Maresal August 06, 2003 10:39 pm

I now have more information on my Grandfather's couzin Réne Ganescu, that's right! His couzin not his uncle. I asked and I found out that he was only 1 year older than my grandfather, - 24 ! 2nd Lieutenant Ganescu is burried in Gencea Militar, Bucuresti, the military cimitery for soldiers and aviators. On his grave is written something like "Mother, don't cry for I wanted to become an Aviator.." Rene Ganescu * 1918 - 1942 + (24 years old when he died), besides him is also an aviator, from his familly named Constantin Eustachiade, tough I think this man died much later after the war. So..it seems he flew a He-111, ...something like this? :wink: :arrow: * Denes, maybe you can help here.. By asking I found out that Vranceanu, (Grandfather) had a friend in his unit named Vîrgolici, (I don't remember his first name), and this man might still be alive today and probabily lives in Bucharest. If you find out about him it will be easier to track the unit Mircea Vranceanu belonged to. I have pictures of him sitting in various planes (Fighter Planes) including a Pzl 11c, polish fighter, and I heard he trained in these planes before the war,- later he switched to bombers. * Also, after the war he became a very very good friend with the High Ranking Airforce "Kommodore"? "Braşoveanu" !! Braşoveanu had photographs of himself with German officers, - he might have been a little pro-german and therefore he suffered long prison terms after the war. Perhaps someone can help me here, with either this high ranking officer "Georghe Braşoveanu" or the other pilot from my Grandfather's Unit "?. Vîrgolici" Any help is grately appreciated. * Perhaps if I send an Airforce group photo with officers and NCO's from my album, someone can identify some men at least. Thanks, Cristian :wink:

Posted by: Dénes August 07, 2003 12:27 am

QUOTE I now have more information (...) besides him is also an aviator, from his familly named Constantin Eustachiade, tough I think this man died much later after the war. Are you sure his name is spelled correctly? Also, was he certainly an aviator? I could not find any airman under this name, who died between 1939 and 1997. Dénes

Posted by: Dénes August 07, 2003 12:35 am

QUOTE Denes, maybe you can help here.. By asking I found out that Vranceanu, (Grandfather) had a friend in his unit named Vîrgolici, (I don't remember his first name), and this man might still be alive today and probabily lives in Bucharest. If you find out about him it will be easier to track the unit Mircea Vranceanu belonged to. Unfortunately (or fortunately for him), similarly to Vrânceanu, I could not find in my computerised database the name Virgolici among the airmen who were involved in any sort of accidents or combat loss. I have to keep looking in the paper mountains lying on my shelves... QUOTE I have pictures of him sitting in various planes (Fighter Planes) including a Pzl 11c, polish fighter, and I heard he trained in these planes before the war,- later he switched to bombers. It would indeed be nice if I could take a look on those airplane photos (if you don't want to make them public, please send them to me as private mail). QUOTE Also, after the war he became a very very good friend with the High Ranking Airforce \"Kommodore\"? \"Braşoveanu\" . I foud only one entry for an active aviator called Brasoveanu: lt. obs. Pompiliu Brasoveanu of Escadrila 1 recunoastere (Blenheim). Could he be you man? Dénes

Posted by: mabadesc August 08, 2003 05:05 pm

I don't remember the exact details, but I know the story is true and documented. Agarici, a well-known pilot stationed at the time near Constanta, at Tomis, had his plane being worked on by his mechanics, when a group of Soviet Bombers (6?) approached. He pushed his mechanics aside and took off in his plane although the plane was still under repair. He succeeded in shooting down 2 of the russian planes and chasing the others.

Posted by: Dénes August 09, 2003 12:15 am

QUOTE Denes, maybe you can help here.. By asking I found out that Vranceanu, (Grandfather) had a friend in his unit named Vîrgolici, (I don't remember his first name), and this man might still be alive today and probabily lives in Bucharest. If you find out about him it will be easier to track the unit Mircea Vranceanu belonged to. I spent the past couple of hours going through a lot of paperwork on ARR personnel. I went through hundreds of names. Unfortunately, I could not find trace of either Vrânceanu, or Vârgolici. In order to narrow down the research, we must know something more about them, at least what type of unit did they serve in. I am sorry. Maybe I still deserve a small prize for my effort Dénes

Posted by: Geto-Dacul August 09, 2003 01:48 am

mabadesc wrote : QUOTE Agarici, a well-known pilot stationed at the time near Constanta, at Tomis, had his plane being worked on by his mechanics, when a group of Soviet Bombers (6?) approached. He pushed his mechanics aside and took off in his plane although the plane was still under repair. Talking of Agarici here... Is anybody aware of Agarici's fate during WWII and after? In Priest Palaghita's book Istoria Miscarii Legionare - Garda de Fer spre reinvierea Romaniei (the History of the Legionnary Movement), Palaghita writes that Agarici was a member of the dissoluted Iron Guard during the war, and was oftenly wearing the icon of the Archangel Michael.

Posted by: Dénes August 09, 2003 03:00 am

There were more than one Agarici in ARR. Are you sure you're talking about the same person? Dénes

Posted by: Geto-Dacul August 09, 2003 03:07 am

Yes... Horia Agarici, the one who defended Constanta...

Posted by: Victor August 09, 2003 09:25 am

He was thrown in jail, but he was released after a few months by the Communist authorities only to be put under house arrest. In 1951 he was downgraded to the rank of soldier. In 1965, the rank of captain was returned to him. He passed away in July 1982 and was buried at Constanta. It seems very unlikely that Agarici was a legionnaire. There were rumors, but probably that is what they were only. He was very disliked by some of his comrades, mostly because of the episode on 26 June 1941. He was not a very good pilot, but his success attracted the envy of others. He generally showed more interest in writing poetry than in dogfights afterwards. His CO recommended that he should be transferred to a training or technical unit. He then passed through the 52nd Fighter Squadron (which replaced the 53rd on the Mamaia airfield), the 7th Fighter Group (in a staff position), the 3rd Dive Bomber Group (where he stayed shortly during the training period) and thenagain the 7th Fighter Group in 1944,when he scored his last kill (a B-24). In a couple of words: he disliked being a hero.

Posted by: mabadesc August 11, 2003 10:10 pm

Agarici died in poverty....after the war, he went to Bucharest and was pretty much homeless for a while (he was pursued by the police). Finally, he moved back to Constanta and passed away in poverty. If you wish, I can find out more.....Agarici is (was) the grandfather of a good friend of mine... From the little I know, he was a very daring man who just loved adventure enormously. He acted on instinct in most situations, not just while flying. He was also a sensitive man, but he did not like to talk about his days in the war. I'm not sure it's fair to say that he was not a good pilot, Victor. You can argue that he was not an "ace", like Cantacuzino or others, but he was certainly a "very good" pilot, one of the better Romanian pilots.

Posted by: Der Maresal August 12, 2003 02:17 am

It seems that out of a crew of four only one survived that Night accident. You first think that one of your grandfather's couzins who died in the war,...died "heroically", shot down or missing in action...you don't think that it was a stupid night accident on Pipera aerodrome.. So the Heinkel has a crew of 4,| 1 - Pilot (Valeriu Demetrecu+), 2 - Navigator, Co-Pilot and Front Gunner (Rene Gânescu+), 3- Bottom Gunner (Boris Friptu+), and top-rear gunner (Florea Mehedintu)Wounded. I can imagine that if the aircraft crash landed really badly both pilots and bottom gunner were killed instantly, the 4th crew member who was sitting on top, right between the wings survived. *By the way, is Florea .M still alive today, did he survive his wounds,...if he lives he could perhaps tell the story, and I would know more about Gânescu himself... Indeed both Denes and Victor deserve a price for their research here, thank you, and thank's for telling me about the Soviet plane shot down by Ganescu's Bomber, that's about the only good news here... perhaps is was himself who fired, I don't know...who claimed the kill? Thanks for the help,

Posted by: Der Maresal August 12, 2003 03:37 am

Ohh, Dénes...if you can help me further...perhaps I'll buy some of your books :wink: .... My friend tells me, this one here in particular is quite interesting....

Posted by: dragos August 12, 2003 09:40 am

Lieutenant-colonel Bradateanu Emanoil - commander of 10th Mountain Battalion - awarded post-mortem with "Mihai Viteazu" 3rd class on 12.02.1942 On 27 September 1941, at Malaia Belozerka, the 10th Mountain Battalion was encircled by strong Soviet forces with tanks. The battle was fierce, in two hours of struggle the battalion losing 20 officers and over 400 soldiers. Leading repeated counterattacks for breaking the encirclement, lieutenent-colonel Bradateanu was first hit in the shoulder, but carrying on, he was hit in the head and in the chest. His last words were ordering another counterattack.

Posted by: dragos August 12, 2003 09:42 am

2nd lieutenant Dumitrescu Aurel Marius - 4th Dorobanti Regiment - awarded post-mortem with "Mihai Viteazu" 3rd class on 17.10.1941 On 14 August 1941, he charges in front of his platoon the Soviet casemates at Oserka (Hill 102). He enters the enemy positions through a rain of bullets and shrapnels. He fell together with the entire platoon.

Posted by: Victor August 12, 2003 10:40 am

QUOTE I'm not sure it's fair to say that he was not a good pilot, Victor. You can argue that he was not an \"ace\", like Cantacuzino or others, but he was certainly a \"very good\" pilot, one of the better Romanian pilots. He was an ace (look at his score in the ace list) by Western/Romanian standards, but he lacked the fighting spirit and dedication. Probably the envy of others and all the rumors that appeared affected him (due to his sensitive nature) and this showed up in his behavior. The yearly reports of his superiors are not too favorable. It is said that he even avoided dogfights and retreated when he saw enemy aircraft back in 1941. That is why he was relegated to non-combat activities. The propaganda machine made him a legend, but he was just a good pilot, not a myth. QUOTE perhaps is was himself who fired, I don't know...who claimed the kill? In ARR the kill was attributed to the entire crew, not to a specific gunner (like in the RAF). It is unlikely that tour uncle made the kill, as frontal attacks were rare. Generally the fighters attacked from behind. However, as on-board commander he directed the defense.

Posted by: Victor August 12, 2003 10:40 am

On 8 July, the 11th Regiment entered in the first line south of Tiganca. It was however powerfully assaulted. At about 1000, col. Bardan, the regiment’s CO, reported that he was in a desperate situation together with the 1st Battalion. They were almost out of ammo. At noon, it was again attacked. Two companies pulled back, but col. Bardan remained on the position together with 68 men. He ordered the regiment’s flag to be raised and the trumpet sounded the attack. Meanwhile, gen. Dascalescu took over the rest of the 11th Regiment and counterattacked, saving the situation. Col. Stefan Bardan was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order, 3rd class on 17 October 1941.

Posted by: Victor August 12, 2003 12:49 pm

Col. Andrei Mihail Nasta – deputy CO of the 21st Infantry Division, awarded Mihai Viteazul Order, 3rd class post-mortem, on 17 October 1941: For the courage he displayed during the battles east of the Dniester, especially at Odessa, when, on 31 August, he was sent to see the progress made by the front line troops, he took personal command of the assault, led a battalion to the objective and secured it; but he was hit by enemy fire and died. Cpt. Stefan Tebeica – from the 8th Cavalry Brigade, awarded Mihai Viteazul Order, 3rd class post-mortem, on 17 October 1941: For the courage he displayed on the battlefield, where, on his own initiative, he took command of a squadron, which had remained without a CO, after he had been wounded; he led the unit into an assault, which took out several pillboxes, he himself blowing them up with dynamite. He was killed leading his men.

Posted by: Csaba Becze August 12, 2003 04:52 pm

Nice stories about the brave Rumanian soldiers. How many officers got the Mihai Viteazul Order, 3rd class during the war? It war really the highest Rumanian order? Csaba

Posted by: Victor August 12, 2003 08:26 pm

QUOTE Nice stories about the brave Rumanian soldiers.   How many officers got the Mihai Viteazul Order, 3rd class during the war? It war really the highest Rumanian order? Csaba Yes, it was and it is the highest Romanian military Order. In total, during WWII, 1252 orders were awarded to Romanian officers, 131 were awarded to Romanian units and the rest up to 1720 to foreign officers.

Posted by: Victor August 13, 2003 07:41 am

Cpt. Carol Andras Koenig – from the 54th Artillery Regiment, awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class post-mortem on 12 February 1942. For the bravery he displayed at Bol Molokish and for the action on 11 September 1941, when he supported the battalion of maj. Pretorian, which was encircled; he continued to fire while the enemy was closing in on his observation point, until he was killed by the enemy's bullets. Cpt. Alexandru Borcescu – from the 63rd Artillery Regiment, awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class post-mortem on 12 February 1942. For the heroism he displayed in the battles for the Bucovat Valley (8 July 1941), where although his battery was encircled, he continued to fight; after his positions were overran he managed tosneak out together with some of his men, found a howitzer of another battery and started to fire it at the enemy tanks, until he was killed by a mortar shell. Cpt. Valerie Negut – from the 54th Artillery Regiment, awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class post-mortem on 12 February 1942. For the patriotism and bravery he displayed in the battles west of Miclauseni (8 July 1941), when, although surrounded, he continued to fight, firing his pistol at the attackers, until he was severely wounded and captured. Taken to Vorniceni for interrogation, he refused to give away any information and was shot. Cpt. Eugen Petit – from the 4th Rosiori Regiment Regina Maria, awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class post-mortem on 12 February 1942. For the exceptional bravery he displayed on 29 September 1941, when his regiment took the Polegrad and Kosos villages and he succeeded, with his squadron, in stopping the assault of a superior enemy force, which he held at bay until 17:30; seeing his sector threatened, he led the reserve platoon into a counterattack which repulsed the enemy battalions. He died like a hero in front of his men.

Posted by: Csaba Becze August 13, 2003 10:24 am

1252 for the Rumanan officers? Hmm Just approx two dozen officers got the highest Hungarian officers medal. Approx. 35 Hungarian soldiers got the highest medal for soldiers and warrant officers. Was not an inflation with this medal (means got this at the first stage of war for bigger feat, than later)?

Posted by: Der Maresal August 14, 2003 03:41 am

Major Gheorghe Rasconescu Rasconescu was a battalion commander in the 15th Dorobanti [infantry] Regiment of the 6th Infantry Division. His was the only Romanian formation of Lascar's embattled group to escape Soviet encirclement during the Battle of Stalingrad. From 26th November until 3rd December 1942 Rasconescu's battalion prevented the Soviet 8th Cavalry Corps from capturing the vital German airfield at Oblivkavia, a heroic stand against overwhelming odds which earned this very junior officer a Ritterkreuz. Anyone know more?

Posted by: Der Maresal August 14, 2003 03:43 am

These two are from the Romanian Knights Cross Holders of WWII artice on Feldgrau, but I hear it is full of mistakes and unreliable information therefore how much of this is true? http://www.feldgrau.com/romkc.html

Posted by: Der Maresal August 14, 2003 03:44 am

Colonel Ion Hristea Hristea commanded the famed 2nd Calarasi Cavalry Regiment, which during the Battle of Stalingrad defended an eighty-kilometer stretch of front for the embattled Romanian 4th Army. Incredibly, Hristea held this sector against Soviet attacks for nearly a month before being forced to withdraw. Hristea himself suffering grievous maiming wounds while leading his troops against heavy Soviet armor, in one instance firing his pistol at a KV-1! Anyone know more? this sounds almost like a landscape from the apocalypse... did this truly take place?.. :shock:

Posted by: dragos August 15, 2003 08:03 am

QUOTE 1252 for the Rumanan officers? Hmm Just approx two dozen officers got the highest Hungarian officers medal. Approx. 35 Hungarian soldiers got the highest medal for soldiers and warrant officers. Was not an inflation with this medal (means got this at the first stage of war for bigger feat, than later)? The order "Mihai Viteazul" had three classes: III, II and I. To get cl. II one has to already have cl. III. Romanian officers awarded with cl. II: General Gheorghe Avramescu - commander of Mountain Corps Lieutenant-colonel Dumitru Carlan - commander of 9th Mountain Battalion (cl. III in WW1) General Corneliu Dragalina - commander of 6th Army Corps (cl. III in WW1) General Ioan Dumitrache - commander of 2nd Mountain Division General Petre Dumitrescu - commander of 3rd Army General Mihail Lascar - commander of 6th Infantry Division General Leonard G. Mociulschi - commander of 3rd Mountain Division Lieutenant-colonel Ioan M. Palaghita - commander of 94th Infantry Regiment (post-mortem) Lieutenant-colonel Florin M. Radulescu - commander of 7th Mountain Group (cl. III in WW1) General Corneliu Teodorini - commander of 6th Cavalry Division Awarded with cl. I: Marshal Ion Antonescu - commander of Romanian Army Marshal Mihai I - King of Romania Foreign officers awarded with cl. II: General Vittorio Ambrosio - chief of Italian General Staff Marshal Etture Bastico - commander of Italian Army in septentrional Africa Marshal Ugo Cavallero - chief of Italian General Staff Grand-admiral Karl Donitz - commander of Kriegsmarine General Serghei Kondratievici Goriunov - commander of 5th Airforce General Franz Halder - chief of staff OKH General Erik Hansen - commander of 54th Army Corps General Erwin Jaenecke - commander of 17th Army General Hans Jeschonnek - chief of staff Luftwaffe General Filip Fedoseevici Jmacenko - commander of 40th Army General Alfred Jodl - chief of staff OKW General Andrei Grigorievici Kravcenko - commander of 6th Guard Tank Army Field marshal Siegmund Wilhelm von List - commander of Army Group "A" General Alexander Lohr - commander of IV Air Fleet General Ivan Mefodievici Managarov - commander of 53rd Army Field marshal Erich Fritz Georg Eduard und von Levinski von Manstein - commander of 11th Army General dr. ing. baron Friedrich Wolfram Wolfgang von Richthofen - commader of IV Air Fleet Field marshal Erwin Rommel - commader of Army Group "B" General inspector cavalier Eugen Franz von Schobert - commander of 11th Army (post-mortem) General Mihail Stepanovici Sumilov - commander of 7th Guard Army General Vladimir Ivanovici Vostruhov - commander of Steppe Front General Otto Wohler - commader of 8th Army and Army Group "Wohler" General Matvei Vasilievici Zaharov - chief of staff 2nd Ukraina Front General Kurt Zeitzler - chief of OKH Foreign officers awarded with cl. I: Field marshal Fedor von Bock - commander of Army Group "South" Field marshal Heinrich Alfred Walther von Brauchitsch - commander of OKH Marshal of the Reich Hermann Goring - commander of Luftwaffe Field marshal Wilhelm Keitel - commander of OKW General Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist - commander of 1st Tank Army Marshal Rodion Iakovlevici Malinovski - commander of 2nd Ukraina Front Marshal baron Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim - commander of Finnish Army General Friedrich Paulus - commander of 6th Army Grand-admiral dr. Erich Raeder - commander of OKM Field marshal Karl Gerd von Runstedt - commander of Army Group "West" Marshal Umberto de Savoia - commader of Italian Army Group South

Posted by: Csaba Becze August 15, 2003 02:17 pm

Nice to read the Soviet and German names 8) Actually I wanted to ask this medals (cl. II and I) as highest decorations. This is very strange for me, that this meadals had more foreigner recipients, than Rumanian. In Hungary, the situation was very different. Only 3 German officers got the highest Hungarian officer award, but just under Szálasi, not under Horthy; and none foreigner got the highest award for soldiers and warrant officers. Maybe it had a propogandistic role? BTW, the two "greatest freiherr all the time", Hitler and Stalin didn't got it? :wink:

Posted by: Geto-Dacul August 15, 2003 04:45 pm

Csaba Becze wrote : QUOTE BTW, the two \"greatest freiherr all the time\", Hitler and Stalin didn't got it? Hitler and Stalin were not recipients of this medal. In exchange, I know that Stalin received the Order of the Star of Romania in the grade of "Great Cross" in 1947, and was also made "citizen of honour of Romania", or something like this...

Posted by: Csaba Becze August 15, 2003 07:56 pm

Hmm, thanks.

Posted by: Florin September 20, 2003 06:40 pm

[quote]I knew this would generate discussion. *The "Panzerfaust" story is not really an act of bravery, more like a terrible coincidence, with a great deal of luck. It must be very hard to down a moving fighterplane with a rocket propelled weapon, designed to fight tanks. Did this take place, sure?? Probably not :? There are stories from Stalingrad of Romanian soldiers climbing on Russian tancs with Axes, that's right , an Axe because that is all they had to fight the armored beast. And that, in minus -35o celsius, on the frozen steppe. That requires more courage than pointing a panzerfaust and firing it! What about that Romanian unit who defended the German airfield from Soviet attacks and beat them back? And the Royal Navy Commander who evacuated tousands of Axis troops from the Crimea... What about the 2nd Battle for Odessa? Yes, when Odessa fell to the Russians again late in the war? I heard Romanian troops suffered 20 000 casualties in that battle? There must have been some acts of bravery there.[/quote] There are 3 paragraphs in your message. So each of my 3 paragraphs will be regarding one of yours. Sometimes even the German soldiers knocked-out an airplane with a Panzerfaust. Technically it is possible only when the airplane flies at a very low level, and straight toward you. It is like a stationary target, increasing in size. An old man told me how he climbed on a T-34 tank, opened the hatch, then thrown a grenade inside. Later he became POW, and accepted to enter in Tudor Vladimirescu division. While in Hungary, his battalion felt into a German trap (with Tigers painted in the same shade with the surrounding corn plantation). Only 2 men survived: he and another one. I know that during the defense of Odessa and Southern Bessarabia, the Romanian soldiers used for their defense the Soroca Fortress, built in the 15th century during the reign of Steven the Great. Regards, Florin [/quote] :?

Posted by: Florin September 20, 2003 06:55 pm

Hi, I think the coolest thing a small group of Romanians ever did was the joint action with a group of Germans in the rear of the Soviet lines, in Crimea in 1942. The Russians started the abandoning of Crimea, but their only way toward Kerci and the awaiting Russian fleet was a road blocked by this mixed German-Romanian group. The Axis group was several days and nights under attack. Then the Russians gave up. About 30 Russian divisions remained entrapped because of that. The mixed group was in the beginning under the command of a German. Because he died, at the end of the action the group was under the comand of a Romanian. Once somebody from Australia gave me their names, but I don't have them on hand now. Regards, Florin

Posted by: Victor September 21, 2003 06:15 am

Maybe this will refresh your memory :wink: http://www.worldwar2.ro/operatii/?article=5&language=en

Posted by: Florin September 21, 2003 05:22 pm

[quote]Maybe this will refresh your memory :wink: http://www.worldwar2.ro/operatii/?article=5&language=en[/quote] Hi Victor, Thank you for the interesting link. What a pitty that much more people read von Manstein's memories, and nothing else from the "Allierte". Fortunately, what you mentioned are not the only mistakes inserted in "Lost Victories", so if somebody by chance read the Romanian version of the Crimea campaign, it may sound credible when it is in opposition with a von Manstein quote. Your article starts the naration with the end of December 1941. According to what do I understand, Sevastopol was kept by the Russians during 1941, and it was lost only once, in 1942. Also I see now that when the German-Romanian final attack started to "clean" Crimea, it was not from the narrow isthmus line, but from more advanced positions. Thus I got another thing: the Soviets never recuperated Crimea completely, in 1941-1942. From a ink seal mark I can say that my grandfather was in the "15th Battalion of Mountain Unit". But what division? The clue I have: 1. His unit was in Zalau. After the Vienna/Wien Treaty (August 30th, 1940), they relocated to Deva. 2. He was in the Caucasian Mountains. I guess not all of the Romanian mountain units "travelled" as far as that. 3. My grandfather was countinuously on the front lines, Eastern Front, from June 22nd, 1941, to April 25th, 1944 - when the barge "Leo" lest Sevastopol 4. To check my memory about what I heard as child: The name of divison's commander was "Dumitrache" or "Dumitrana". I can attach a photo with the staff of the unit (Staff of a battalion, or a regiment? I don't know.) At the back of the photo it is written just "1942". I don't know how to do it, from a technical point if view. It is already scanned, and I have it as jpg.files (full size or reduced) in my computer. Something funny, for all people here... After Romania became Communist, in the early 50's, Soviet Union ordered us to disband the mountain units from the Romanian Army. The Russians had so many bad memories from them... So, as far as I know, this really happened, for some years. So, thank you for creating this interesting site, together with Dragos. Regards, Florin :?

Posted by: Florin September 21, 2003 05:27 pm

In stead of "lest Sevastopol" please read "left Sevastopol". Florin

Posted by: Victor September 21, 2003 08:01 pm

[quote] Your article starts the naration with the end of December 1941. According to what do I understand, Sevastopol was kept by the Russians during 1941, and it was lost only once, in 1942. Also I see now that when the German-Romanian final attack started to "clean" Crimea, it was not from the narrow isthmus line, but from more advanced positions. Thus I got another thing: the Soviets never recuperated Crimea completely, in 1941-1942.[/quote] There is an article about the 1941 Crimean campaign in the same Operations section. [quote] From a ink seal mark I can say that my grandfather was in the "15th Battalion of Mountain Unit". But what division? The clue I have: 1. His unit was in Zalau. After the Vienna/Wien Treaty (August 30th, 1940), they relocated to Deva. 2. He was in the Caucasian Mountains. I guess not all of the Romanian mountain units "travelled" as far as that. 3. My grandfather was countinuously on the front lines, Eastern Front, from June 22nd, 1941, to April 25th, 1944 - when the barge "Leo" lest Sevastopol 4. To check my memory about what I heard as child: The name of divison's commander was "Dumitrache" or "Dumitrana".[/quote] Maj. gen. (Ritterkreuztragger) Ioan Dumitrache was the CO of the 2nd Mountain Division, which took Nalchik, the southernmost city captured by the Axis in the Caucasus. [quote] I can attach a photo with the staff of the unit (Staff of a battalion, or a regiment? I don't know.) At the back of the photo it is written just "1942". I don't know how to do it, from a technical point if view. It is already scanned, and I have it as jpg.files (full size or reduced) in my computer. [/quote] Send it to me via email and I will put in the article about the Caucasus Campaign in 1942.

Posted by: Florin September 22, 2003 09:34 pm

Hi PogRomus, In www.feldgrau.com, under "Allierte", there is the site "Romanian Knights Cross Holders of WWII". Mr. Nitu mentioned that the site has some imperfections. However, it is a good start for a foreigner interested in Romania. Most of the distinctions were awarded to the generals for the bravery of the troops under their command. This was quite common regarding Axis Allies, and politically convenient. A good example are the 2 Japanese KC's: admiral Yamamoto and general Tojo, if I am not wrong. I think the admiral Horthy of Hungary also got a Knight Cross (please do not kill me if I am wrong), and also some Italian high ranks. But under the "Romanian Knights Cross Holders of WWII" of the above site, you'll find 3 lower ranks: major Gheorghe Rasconescu, major Ioan Palaghita and colonel Ion Hristea. I am sure these gentelmen with lower ranks really deserved their Knight Crosses, and their acts of bravery were impressive even under German eyes. Regards, Florin :?

Posted by: Victor September 27, 2003 11:31 am

QUOTE Mircea Vrânceanu is his name, Sublocotenent, (Lieutenant) Bomber pilot like his uncle. Bombed Odessa from what I heard. He recieved an Iron Cross I think, but that's just from what my grandmother tells me. He was young and he looked quite good. I have pictures of him and some of his planes, tough I'm not sure what plane he flew in battle. Looks like my azure peltite theory was correct. Your grandfather was a recon pilot. Pilot's License no. 2274/13.04.1941. Now we just have to find his unit.

Posted by: Bernard Miclescu September 27, 2003 03:38 pm

In Bacau lives mr Mancu T Tanase "comandor de aviatie". He made all the war like an observer on the obsolete observation planes IAR 39. He was an officer (slt then lt) of the "escadrila 19 de observatie". When I met him he told me a interesting story about the "mission of his life" It was in the middle of the battle of Odessa when he and his crew took off for an reconnaissance mission. He discovered and made photos of some important battle ships in the port of Odessa. The flak was terrible, but the "mos Neatza" landed in safe conditions bringging the news. Minutes after a Stuka squadron followed by Romanian bombers (Heinkels I think) bombed and distroyed some of those battle ship. Slt Tanase was decorated with Virtutea Aeronautica golden cross (I have a propaganda picture with him -- unfortunatly the last photo of the war that he still has (don't worry I took a photo of his picture -- Mr Bernad should have it also)) He also told me the mission near Galatzi, when he and the IAR 39 crew distroyed a russian canon which made some "dégats" in Galatzi. In the magazine AIRMAG no8 is another mission of Mr Tanase. After the war he established Bacau beeing a profesor of economy. Well, please accept this small tribute in my bad English to a man who was part of the History. Now, if someone knows something about the Odessa mission please do not hesitate to write it on this forum. Salutations, BM[/b][/i]

Posted by: Der Maresal September 30, 2003 04:44 pm

[quote]Looks like my azure peltite theory was correct. Your grandfather was a recon pilot. Pilot's License no. 2274/13.04.1941. Now we just have to find his unit. [/quote] Thanks Victor ...at least someone cares... *Another small thing if you can find 109 pilot instructor.. This may sound funny but my grandmother goes to a Romanian doctor who's name is Michali . When i talked to me once he told me his father was 'Instructor on the Messerschmitt' :wink: - so, if you can find any pilot or flight instructor with the name Michali or Michale ..tell me.. ok? :idea:

Posted by: USAF1986 October 04, 2003 12:21 am

Another brave Romanian officer: Nicolae Dabija. Of note, he received the German Cross in Gold on 10 February 1944 while a Cǎpitan serving as Chief of the 5th Company of the 38th Infantry Regiment. Courtesy of Victor from the TRF (thanks again!): QUOTE Order of the day no. 39/30 March 1943 The company of cpt. Nicolae Dabija, from the 38th Infantry Regiment distinguished itself especially at the beginning of February 1943, during the enemy landings in the Novorosiysk region. Because of the determined leadership of cpt. Nicolae Dabija of his soldiers, the company, although encircled held out for 4 days and 4 nights in front of enemy attacks carried out with superior numbers of men and supported by numerous tanks.   Being relieved by other forces, the company counterattacked and managed to destroy completely the enemy troops and to throw the remains in the Sea.   For its outstanding actions the company of cpt. Dabija Nicolae is cited by order of the day on the entire Army. ss. Ion Antonescu Marshal of Romania and Leader of the State Dabija also received the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for this action. During 1945, he received the 3rd class with swords, but with the rank of major and for fighting against Germany (in the same 38th Infantry Regiment). Regards, Shawn

Posted by: Victor October 18, 2003 03:10 pm

The list of examples of winners of the MV Order continues: Cpt. Marcel Marinescu (10th Mountain Battalion) awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class posthumously: For the heroism with which he resisted with his company to the swarm of Russians in the battle of Malaya Belosyorka, in the days of 27 and 28 September 1941, thus halting the enemy which was trying to brake through the battalion. Although wounded twice, he refused to be evacuated and continued to fight until 28 September, when the troops fell back to another position and he formed the second echelon in the brake through from the encirclement. He was wounded once again, this time mortally. Cpt. medic Constantin Cosma (16th Mountain Battalion) awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class posthumously: For the heroism he displayed in the bloody battles carried out by this battalion between 24 and 27 September 1941, when the command post of the mountain group was surrounded, by his own initiative he counterattacked with a handful of men from the command post and the pioneers, managing to flank and get behind the enemy and retake the guns of the mountain artillery battalion. Returning to the battalion he took over the right wing of the counterattack, which was attempting with the remains of two companies to take for the 3rd time the part of the village in the hands of the enemy. He managed to occupy the northern outskirts. He then thought of the wounded who had fallen in the last counterattacks and tried to rescue them, but was captured. The following day, when the village was reoccupied, he was found shot. Lt. Constantin Husarescu (CO of the Recon Group of the 1st Armored Division) awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class posthumously: For the exceptional courage displayed on 6 August 1941, when during a recon of Mikhailovka he personally entered the village, surprising an enemy battalion. He opened fire, engaging it, and with the arrival of another platoon, which maneuvered around the enemy, they forced them to retreat after suffering many casualties. During this fights, the brave officer was killed.

Posted by: Victor October 22, 2003 02:39 pm

Lt. Tudor Iordanescu (4th Mountain Artillery battalion) awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class posthumously: For the courage and skill with which he led his battery, during the fighting at Malaya Belosyorka, firing directly at the enemy, until the last round. Although surrounded he managed to brake through with his men. He then counter attacked and again reached the artillery position, where he was killed.

Posted by: mabadesc October 31, 2003 04:37 pm

Getting back to Romanian recipients of the Mihai Viteazu Order 2nd class, I find it surprising that HALF of the recipients were officers of the Mountain Corps (actually, the number is 6 out of 10 if we count Lascar, who originally commanded the 1st Mountain Brigade in Crimea). This seems disproportionate... Why was this? I find it hard to believe it's purely coincidence. The only reason I can think of is that some of the officers may have been initially in the Mountain Corps, but received the award later on, when they were part of different units... Here is the list of recipients, as posted by Victor: Romanian officers awarded with cl. II: General Gheorghe Avramescu - commander of Mountain Corps Lieutenant-colonel Dumitru Carlan - commander of 9th Mountain Battalion (cl. III in WW1) General Corneliu Dragalina - commander of 6th Army Corps (cl. III in WW1) General Ioan Dumitrache - commander of 2nd Mountain Division General Petre Dumitrescu - commander of 3rd Army General Mihail Lascar - commander of 6th Infantry Division *also 1st Mountain Brigade* General Leonard G. Mociulschi - commander of 3rd Mountain Division Lieutenant-colonel Ioan M. Palaghita - commander of 94th Infantry Regiment (post-mortem) Lieutenant-colonel Florin M. Radulescu - commander of 7th Mountain Group (cl. III in WW1) General Corneliu Teodorini - commander of 6th Cavalry Division

Posted by: aerialls December 04, 2003 07:58 pm

on topic: http://www.hobby.ro/roarmy/photo/big/u3.jpg

Posted by: mabadesc December 04, 2003 08:49 pm

Could you please re-post picture or send us a link? It's not displaying in your message. Thanks a lot...

Posted by: Dénes December 04, 2003 10:05 pm

See below:

Posted by: mabadesc December 05, 2003 05:16 am

Thanks, Denes. Regards.

Posted by: aerialls December 05, 2003 08:10 am

That's it. Thanks. An corporal and an sergeant seems to me...

Posted by: Victor December 05, 2003 12:31 pm

Inerestingly the Romanian NCOs in the photo haven't removed the frontplates on their helmets.

Posted by: dragos03 December 13, 2003 03:32 am

my grandfather was an engineer leutenent (transmissions), assigned to the romanian 3rd army. after crossing the Bug, he was ordered to establish a forward transmission post in a village reported to be evacuated by russian troops. he went there with a truck and around 20 soldiers. when they approached the village, he saw that the russians were there, they had around 30 men. but only one of his men had a rifle and he had his officer pistol (because they weren't considered combat troops). he waited until nightfall and then ordered his men to start screaming and firing their 2 weapons. the russians thought they are under attack by a strong force and surrendered. he received a romanian medal for that. his name is Virgil Baldescu

Posted by: mabadesc December 13, 2003 04:06 am

Thanks for sharing your interesting story, Dragos03. That was definitely an act of bravery and courage (very clever, too). Do you know what medal he received?

Posted by: dragos03 December 13, 2003 06:43 pm

no, but i will ask

Posted by: Victor December 14, 2003 06:23 pm

Maybe you can get him to share more of his stories. We would be more than happy to host them them on the website.

Posted by: dragos03 December 14, 2003 07:29 pm

I will try, but he only fought in the first year of the war, then he was sent back to country. So i don't think he's got that much to tell. I know that after the first months of the war he was commander of a newly-formed demining unit. After the death of german general Von Schobert (his plane landed in a minefield), this unit was formed to check all newly-conquered airfields for mines. He was the leader of the unit. I will ask more, anyway. Dragos

Posted by: dragos03 December 14, 2003 07:38 pm

I forgot to tell you that my grandfather's uncle (Radu Baldescu) was a general. He commanded a division (18th Infantry) in Crimeea and in the Kalmuc steppes, and he received the "Mihai Viteazul" order. He died in a communist prison, but maybe grandpa can tell me more about him. Dragos

Posted by: Victor December 14, 2003 08:01 pm

Brig. gen. Radu Baldescu was the CO of the 18th Infantry/Mountain Division from January 1942 to April 44. Hedied in December 1953 at Jilava. Regarding his memories: anything would be interesting. Here is something similar: http://www.worldwar2.ro/memorii/?article=4&language=ro

Posted by: dragos03 December 14, 2003 10:57 pm

Thank you, i knew that. I have also read all the memoirs on the site, except the one about Odessa, because my browser crashes at that page. I have some family photos with gen. Baldescu, my grandfather and other relatives (like gen. Macici), if you are intersted. Dragos

Posted by: Victor February 20, 2005 09:25 am

Getting back on topic, on 28 September, during the fierce fights north of the Azov Sea, where the 3rd Army was facing the offensive of the Soviet 9th and 18th Armies, Stefan Ciorbagiu, an NCO of the 1st Company/7th Mountain Battalion of the 2nd Mountain Brigade, took out an enemy tank that had entered the Romanian positions, using only grenades. He also captured the Soviet crew. For his actions he was awarded the Virtutea Militara Medal war version 2nd class.

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