Divizia de Mare, Divizia de Dunare, OOB and Operations

[mabadesc]

Does anyone have any information about these two Romanian units?

Divizia de Mare
Divizia de Dunare

Were they regular land infantry units subordinated to "Fortele Terestre", or were they subordinated to the Navy (similar to Soviet naval infantry units)?

Were they organized as regular divisions, with typical infantry equipment and weapons?

Finally, did they participate in combat at any time?

The only information I have is that, before the war began, they assured the protection of the Black Sea coast and of the border with the Soviet Union in the general vicinity of the Danube Delta.

Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Agarici]

From what I know, „Divizia de mare” (Sea Division) and „Divizia de Dunare” (Danube Division) were basic organizational elements of the Romanian Navy, introduced in it’s organizational structure as early as the Romanian state gained acces to the Black Sea, after the Independence War. So „Divizia de mare” included all the maritime ships of the navy, and „Divizia de Dunare” all the (military) vessels which operated on the Danube river.

[Victor]

http://www.worldwar2.ro/organizare/?article=25

All explained here.

[Petre]

Ref. to The German Naval presence in the area, correction :
In Sofia was since Feb.1941, first as Admiral 'Z', then re-named Admiral Südost (South-East) after Apr.1941, then Jul 1941 Marinegruppenkommando Sud. Under his command were The Black Sea Admiral, The Adria Admiral and The Aegea Admiral.

Admiral Schwarzes Meer
Formed in Feb.1941 as a section of the Deutschen Wehrmachtmission in Rumanien and named Deutschen Marinemission in Rumanien. On 05 Apr 1941 a Chef was installed. On 01 Jul 1941 it was re-designated Admiral Schwarzes Meer. The staff quarters lay in Bucharest, from 12 May 1942 Eforie, from 23 Jun 1942 Simferopol ( summer 1942 a small Fuhrungsstab lay in Ivan Baba), from Feb 1943 in Carmen Sylva. (from 24 Aug 1944 at "Tirpitz" battery).
The Admiral Schwarzes Meer was the sea and land commander of all naval forces in the Black Sea area (the whole of the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and all adjacent coasts in German hands). On 01 Feb 1943 it was re-designated Kommandierender Admiral Schwarzes Meer.

This post has been edited by Petre on August 06, 2009 01:21 pm

[Petre]

Also important :
Deutsches Marinekommando Rumänien
Formed in March 1941, Deutsches Marinelehrkommando Rumanien (Training Naval Command) was subordinate to the Deutsche Marinemission Rumanien/Admiral Schwarzes Meer and controlled all German services in the area of Romania. The Chief was also the German Chef des Stabes of the Romanian Naval Forces and Geleitchef Schwarzes Meer (Escort leader) . It was re-designated Deutsches Marinekommando Konstanza (Naval Command) on 01 Apr 1943. In January 1944 the Chief also became leader of the 10 Sicherungsdivision ( The 10th Sea Defence Division).

This post has been edited by Petre on August 06, 2009 01:23 pm

[Petre]

Die Zusammensetzung der rumänischen Flotte von 1940
( Weyers Taschenbuch der Kriegsflotten, 1940 )
..........

*Patrol Ships*
Capitan Nicolae Lascar Bogdan
No.3 (ex Capitan Romano Mihail)
No.7 (ex Locotenent Calinescu Dimitrie)
Maior Ene Constantin
Maior Giurascu Dimitrie
Maior Nicolae Grigore Ioan
Maior Sontu Gheorghe

*Guard boats and auxiliary minesweepers*
Porumbita
Soimulet
Argesul
Teleorman
Trotusul
Vedea
Opanez
Rahova
Randunica
Granicerul
Pandurul
Poterasul
Santinela
Vegheatorul
Locotenent Stoicescu
Locotenent Vartosu
Smardan
Silistra
Sublocotenent Gheorghiu
Locotenent Atanasiu Cicerone
Sublocotenent Pavelescu

*Ships of the border guard*
Bistrita
Oltul
Siretul
Maior Caracas Petre
Capitan Popescu Constantin
Capitan Constantinescu Traian
Capitan Pantulescu Eugeniu
Gr.D1 bis GR.D9
Gr.N1 bis Gr.N3

*Armed steamboats*
General Maican
Capitan-Commandor Paun
Locotenent-Commandor Demetriade
plus 6 floating batteries

*Administrative ship*
Macin

This post has been edited by Petre on September 10, 2009 06:25 pm