The Eastern front, My father was there. I need help to find

[trudan]

Sorry, I forgot this is an English-speaking forum and I first posted my message in Romanian.
I’m addressing this to whoever may help me with some information. My father fought on the Eastern front. His name was Cesar Popescu. He was ca captain(then a major) and a veterinarian, therefore he accompanied the cavalry troops. When e was telling war stories I was still too young to understand or to remember whatever he was saying.
All I remember is that he got as far as the Kalmyk Steppe and that he was decorated (again I’m confused: I think it was Michael the Brave, all I recall is the addition “With sword and ribbons of military virtue”). Of course, he could never show this award, which had to be kept hidden away…
Is there any chance for me to find anything about his routes and where he was all those years?
Is there any list with the participants in that campaign?
Any information would be for me a starting point.
Thank you in advance.

[Victor]

Hello,

"With sword and ribbons of military virtue" means that it wasn't the Mihai Viteazul Order, but the Steaua Romaniei or Coroana Romaniei Order.

Regarding the unit he served in and retracing his steps, you should try to see if his file still exists at the Military Archives in Pitesti or on microfilm in Bucharest.

As a starting point, if he served in the Kalmyk Steppe, then he was part of either the 5th or 8th Cavalry Divisions. Since the 8th Cavalry Division had been recently reorganized as a motorized unit, then I suppose it is logical to consider he was assigned to 5th Cavalry Division, which still had horses in late 1942.