Romanian fortifications

[daveh]

Did the Romanians ever produce any form of fortifications such as lines of concrete pill boxes for MGs, AT guns and/or artillery pieces?
If so where were they built and were any specialised fortress troops employed to man them?
Were any such fortifications lost when the soviets and the Hungarians took over areas of Romania?

[Victor]

The Adjud-Focsani-Namoloasa-Braila defensive line was about 150 km long. It had 1,600 concrete pillboxes, disposed in 2 or 3 lines, with a greater concentration in the more important areas. About 60km of AT ditches protected the positions which were more accessible to tanks. There were also another 1,800 observation posts, prepared firing positions etc. In August 1944 9 specially trained battalions manned the line. The plans were to put 10 divisions behind it, but because of the coup this was abandoned.

However, one should note the lack of appropriate mobile reserves, which could have actually made this fortified line actually work.

In 1941 there was one fortification brigade (1st) created from the battalions of the AFNB line. They were later involved in manning the coastal defenses in Bessarabia and Trans-Dnestra. After Stalingrad, they used mostly to fill in the gaps in the ranks of the infantry divisions, which had suffered heavy losses.

[daveh]

ty for the information victor

As you might have guessed I am going to ask about the type of pillboxes built. Were they of native Romanian design? Were they literally all pillboxes ie free standing structures of concrete with firing slits and no living quarters in them ? Were any fitted with indirect fire weapons ie as artillery forts or bunkers?

[Victor]

Unfortunately corporal daveh ( ) I do not know who designed the fortifications. Some had firing positions for AT guns, some for MGs. I think some had living quarters, but probably not all.

On the seaside there are still many wartime pillboxes, of different sizes and shapes. Most were however small armored firing positions for MGs.

[daveh]

I have been told of a brief suggestion that some fortification equipment was bought from the Czechs in late 1938. This apparently included 47mm AT guns and MGs. numbering c 600 units.
A number of 150mm Skoda guns were also seemingly ordered for fitting in emplacements.

Does any know of anything of these links with the Czechs in respect of Romanian fortifications.?

I will try and get the source of this info and post it here.

[Victor]

This is new to me. Please give more details.

[daveh]

The information comes from Fortress Europe by J E Kaufmann and R M Jurga ISBN 1 85367 341 2
I will try and get a copy from our library and post the relevant parts if you wish.

[daveh]

p 313 Fortress Europe by J E Kaufmann and R M Jurga ISBN 1 85367 341 2

QUOTE

The purchase of 600 units consisting of machine guns and 47mm AT guns from the Czechs at the end of 1938, seems to indicate that additional bunkers were being built to accommodate them. Apparently the Czechs helped the Rumanians design their new positions , which were designed for their own weapons. Supporting positions included emplacements for four batteries of 150mm Skoda guns.

[Dénes]

There was another fortified line on Rumania's Western borders, facing Hungary, called Carol Line.
AFAIK, building started in 1937, with assistance of French engineers.

Dénes

[C-2]

The only fortified line ever built and that "stood against the inveders" is the Great Wall of Chine.And thats before the use of gun powder in battle....

[Victor]

QUOTE

The only fortified line ever built and that \"stood against the inveders\" is the Great Wall of Chine.And thats before the use of gun powder in battle....

Actually the Mongols managed to subdue all of China in the 13th century.

[C-2]

QUOTE

QUOTE The only fortified line ever built and that \"stood against the inveders\" is the Great Wall of Chine.And thats before the use of gun powder in battle.... Actually the Mongols managed to subdue all of China in the 13th century.

By that time the wall was no longer defended in large portions!

[Victor]

When Gengis-Khan attacked the Jin Empire in 1211 the Great Wall as we know it did not exist, though lesser walls did, but these were quickly breached and the Mongols entered northern China. But we are way off-topic.

[jirka vrba]

Have you some informations about Carol Line (descriptions,history,maps...)
Mainly maps - I want to go there.

[Dénes]

I have seen current photos of the remains of the Charles (Carol) Line and you won't be able to see much, even if you will find the remains in the bushes/forest:
http://members.lycos.co.uk/karolyvonal/kar...olyvonal40.html (see previous and following pages)