The Romanian army acquired its first tanks in 1917-18. These were 76 Renault FTs, the 48 with a 37 mm gun. and the rest with an 8mm machine gun. In 1936 it was decided to form the first Romanian armored division.
For this purpose, 36 Czechoslovak Skoda AH-IVR tankettes, armed only with machine guns, were ordered and eventually allocated to the cavalry brigades. Czechoslovakian LT 35 and French Renault 35 tanks were also ordered . Of the latter, 200 were ordered but only 41 were delivered. Also 35 more tanks of the type intended for Poland fell into the hands of the Romanians.
As for the LT 35, 126 tanks were ordered and received the designation R2. These tanks joined the 1st Tank Regiment, while the Renault 35s joined the 2nd Regiment. The two regiments joined the 1st Armored Division which acted against the Soviets participating in the occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina, the campaign in Ukraine and the Crimea.
The 1st Regiment fought well in the Battle of Chisinau, but suffered heavy tank losses from Soviet anti-tank fire in Odessa. The Germans granted the Romanians 26 tanks of the type from their own stocks. Later they were also given 50 Pz 38 (t), 11 Pz III Ausf N with 75mm short gun, 142 Pz IV Ausf G and 118 StuG III assault guns.
The Romanians simultaneously re-equipped 34 captured Soviet T-60 light tanks with a Soviet 76.2 mm gun. and used them as TACAM T-60 tank destroyers and 12 R-2s in TACAM R-2s also equipped with a Soviet 76.2 mm gun. Later, German Hetzer tank destroyers and Soviet T-34 and T-60 tanks were used, while a number of Renault 35s were equipped with a Soviet 45mm cannon.
Armored Division "Great Romania"
The 1st Armored Division was formed in April 1941. In addition to the two tank regiments, each of the two divisions and the reconnaissance division with 28 armored vehicles, mainly Italian Autoblinda, it had two motorized infantry regiments, each with two battalions, an artillery regiment (36 guns), 12 120 mm mortars. 30 anti-tank guns of 47 mm, 30 of 20 mm. and 1,124 trucks and other vehicles and 11,700 men.
With the start of the attack on the USSR the division was allocated to the German 11th Army. The division fought well , but the speed difference between the Renault 35s and the R-2s did not allow the former to easily follow. The R-35s, however, had stronger armor and could withstand Soviet fire, unlike the lighter armored R-2s.
After the battle of Odessa the division had 80% of its tanks out of action due to losses or damage. However, only around 30 tanks were permanently retired and replaced by German Pz 35 (t). The motorized elements of the division, however, continued to fight as part of the "Eftimiou" Tactical Complex, named after its commanding officer of the same name.
After Odessa the division remained 10 months in reserve for replenishment, repairs and training. In 1942 the division was assigned to the Romanian 3rd Army which took part in the Don and Stalingrad operations.
During the Soviet counterattack in November 1942, the division attempted, together with the heavily overworked German 22nd Panzer Division (MPa), to intercept the Soviets. But against three Soviet army corps – one of tanks – he had no luck. Soon he was left with 28 operational tanks and just 1,000 fighting men. By December the division was left with 3 tanks.
It later regrouped and fought against the Soviets during their offensive against the Romanian 3rd Army. Fought well, destroying about 150 Soviet tanks. The division retreated with 40 tanks. Even 54 "ancient" Renault FTs were made available for its reconstruction. It was gradually re-equipped with German tanks and assault guns and with Romanian self-made tank hunters.
The division was again declared operational in February 1944. During the Soviet offensive of 1944 the division fought dispersed in regular formations. When Romania changed sides the division was disbanded by the Soviets who kept only the "Tactical Group Matei" which was integrated into the 7th Guards Army.
Tankette Skoda AH-IVR.
Romanian R-35 tank equipped with a Soviet 45 mm gun.