Romanian Infantry Division

The Infantry division was organized after the German model: three infantry regiments; one partially motorized reconnaissance group; one antitank company (6 x 47mm Schneider model 1936); a pioneer battalion; and two artillery regiments. It has a total of 17,500 men.

During 1941, several reserve divisions were formed: the 25^th, 27^th, 30^th, 31^st, 32^nd, and 35^th. Only the 35^th Reverse Infantry Division actually took part in the battles for Bessarabia. They had the same organization as the normal divisions, but were formed from the recently mobilized regiments: 41^st-81^st, 111^th, and 112^th, which were equipped with older weapons. There was also the 1^st Fortification Division.

The Infantry regiments (1^st-40^th, 82^nd-96^th) and the “Vanatori” (Hunters) regiments (1^st-10^th), from which the active divisions were organized, had the same structure. The name was only the 19^th century tradition. Each regiments consisted of three battalions (each battalion of three companies, each company of three platoons, each platoon of three sections), a heavy weapons company (an 81.4mm Brandt mortar platoon, a 37mm Bofors antitank gun platoon, and a 47mm Schneider antitank gun platoon; each one with 6 artillery pieces), and a reconnaissance company.  At battalion level, there was also a heavy weapons company (a machine gun platoon and one mortar platoon).

In 1941, Romanian infantry divisions fought well enough against a demoralized and retreating Red Army, but, when on the defensive, their lack of heavy modern weapons, especially effective antitank guns, resulted in them suffering heavy losses.

On September 4, 1939, 18 new mixed artillery regiments were formed for the 9 infantry divisions newly created, as well as 19 independent heavy artillery battalions. Subsequently, the 12^th and the 34^th Heavy Artillery Battalions were combined into the 10^th Horse-drawn Heavy Artillery Regiment. During the course of World War II, six heavy artillery battalions of fortification were also created.

Motorization of the Romanian artillery was initiated in 1937, when, at the fall maneuvers, the field guns were towed by Fiat tractors and the 150mm howitzers were towed by Skoda tractors. The first motorized heavy artillery batteries were formed in 1938, and in two years (1938-1940) almost the entire heavy artillery (eight regiments and six battalions) was motorized.

Typical organization of 194 Romanian infantry division was as follows:

• Reconnaissance Company
• Three Infantry Regiments, each with three battalions (at right)
• Artillery Regiment, with two Artillery Battalions
• Antitank Company
• Pioneer Battalion

Total Strength:, 17,500

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