Unused Romanian Armor in the summer of '44

[mabadesc]

I was just wondering if anyone has heard of the theory that in the summer of '44, Antonescu was amassing some (quasi) modern armored vehicles somewhere in Transylvania (or around Craiova? I forget exactly where), with the purpose of keeping them in reserve for a potential conflict with Hungary, i.e., the reconquest of Ardeal. These tanks had slowly been purchased from Germany and kept aside in reserve.

According to the accounts I've heard, this was a top state secret, of which even high-ranking officers were not informed of. The vehicles were enough for equipping 1-2 modern tank divisions. Some Romanian generals involved in the '44 defensive battle against the Soviet invasion asked Antonescu to use this dearly-needed armor on the front, but Antonescu reacted very aggresively, to the tune of "How do you know about these, this is a state secret".

Ultimately, they were not used in August '44, but they were dispersed and incorporated into existing Romanian divisions in September-October, during the liberation of Transylvania.

I don't have any proof other than some personal accounts and recollections.

Has anybody heard about this incident and if so, can you please post some info? Thanks.

[Michi]

QUOTE

The vehicles were enough for equipping 1-2 modern tank divisions.

At least 80 tanks per division.
So if this rumor is correct, we have to ask if the German meticulously made statistics are faulty.
(but I don't think so; just my €2.- opinion)



MfG Michi

[mabadesc]

Thanks, you're probably right - that's why I was asking if anyone else heard about this.

[DevanG]

i haven't ... but 160 tanks and aferent manpower , and other vehicles is a lot to keep a secret off ...
even in the mountains of Romania .. even if they were light to medium tanks ...

[Victor]

Aside from the tanks in 1st Armored Division Romania Mare, the other tanks in the Romanian army in August 1944 were in:
- the 2nd Tank Regiment in Bucharest (mostly obsolete material): FT-17s, R-35s and R-2s
- the 8th Armored Cavalry Divison, which had 30 Pz IVs and 21 StuGs
- the 5th Motorized Cavalry Division, which had 8 Pz IVs and 20 StuGs
However, the equipment of the 8th Divison was taken over by the German Maj. Braun Detachment, while the 5th Division never actually got to see its tanks, due to the events in August.

The armored elements that took part in the battles in Transylvania were:
- Lt. Col. Matei Armored Detachment, organized from the remnants of the 1st Armored Division
- Gen. Niculescu Armored Detachment, organized from the Training Center of Mechanization in Targoviste

As you can see no mystery tanks from top-secret reserves.