The fortification of Arad dates back in the Medieval Ages as it was first built by the Turks in 1550. Later, however, by order of Maria Theresa of Habsburg the fortress was rebuilt in the Vauban style with battlements and bastions. Additionally, the fortress incorporates a number of baroque buildings within its walls. The construction work took more that 20 years to complete, from 1762 to 1783. Continue Reading »
General Leonard Mociulschi
More and more websites are created with a mind on presenting the Romanian military history to the world. In this matter, I recently discovered a website dedicated to General Mociulschi. The website offers detailed information about the general, his life before the Second World War and his work during as well as other personal information.
Leonard Mociulschi participated in three of the 20th century wars (2nd Balkan War, World War I and World War II), being decorated with more than 25 high awards. In the First World War he had received the French “Cross of War “ (Croix de Guerre) from the general Henri Mathias Berthelot, the commander-in-chief of the French Military Delegation in Romania, according to Brevet No. 834 from the 13th of November 1918. He also received the Order of the “Romanian Crown” (Coroana Romaniei) with swords in the rank of knight, for his “bravery and skills proven in the fights of 1916” (according to the Royal Decree No.1416 from the 13th of June 1917) as well as the Order of the “Star of Romania” in the rank of knight (Steaua Romaniei), received on the 6th of August 1919 (H.D. No.3323). The major Leonard Mociulschi that time was awarded with the “Honor Sign” (Semnul Onorific) by the High Royal Decree No.2292 from the 4th of July 1932, occasioned by his 25th anniversary in the service of the nation. Later on, in June 1945, he received the same distinction for his many decades of active service in the Romanian Army, too.
Visit www.general.mociulschi.ro for more information.
On 27 July 1941, Hitler sent a letter to general Antonescu (he was promoted marshal a month later), in which he asked for the further cooperation of the Romanian troops beyond the Dniester River and the Romanian administration of the territory between the Dniester and the Bug rivers. Antonescu accepted on 31 July. In fact the 3rd Army had already crossed the river on 17 July.
Lt. general Nicolae Ciuperca’s 4th Army commenced the advance over the river on 3 August. The 5th Corps (15th Infantry Division and 1st Cavalry Brigade) forced the crossing between Tighina and Dubosari. During the night of 5/6 August, the 1st Armored Division joined the 5th Corps.
On 8 August, the Romanian General Staff issued the Operative Directive No. 31 stipulating that the 4th Army has to defeat the enemy between the Dniester River and the Tiligulskiy Bank and to occupy Odessa from the move. It was thought that
However, Odessa was a heavily fortified position, which, thanks to the superiority of the ChF (Soviet Black Sea Fleet), could not actually be completely surrounded. The defense was organized on three lines with trenches, AT ditches, pillboxes etc, etc. The first line was 80 km long and situated some 25-30 km from the city. The second and main line of defense was situated 6-8 km from the city and was about 30 km long. The third and last line of defense was organized inside the city itself. The forces that initially manned the fortifications were made up of the 25th and 95th Rifle Divisions, the 9th Cavalry Division, the 421st Marine Division, the 54th Rifle Regiment and an NKVD Regiment. In total some 34,500 men and 240 artillery pieces. Air support was provided by the 69 IAP, two seaplane squadrons and one bomber squadron. Later, other fighters joined the defenders, as did an Il-2 squadron (42 OShAE). Bombers from Crimea and Nikolaev also participated in the battle.
The involvement of Romania in WW2 is hardly known internationally. Major works often ignore or give just a brief account of the Romanian politics, army and campaigns during the Second World War. Nevertheless there are a few websites that focus on this subject. Among the most popular is WorldWar2.ro – there you can find exhaustive information on the Romanian commanders, tactics, weaponry, campaigns and even memoirs of those who served in the front line. They also have a forum dedicated to all aspects of WW2, not just the Romanian involvement.
Romanian military history as a whole is scarcely known and this mainly because of the Communist regime that influenced the nation’s history for almost half a century. In this period, historians tried to glorify every step taken by the army and minimize its defeats and lack of equipment. Anyway, the website gives plenty of information on the Eastern campaign and as well as on the campaign against the Germans with no political influence.
