'divizie de fier'/'Iron Division

[LascarGroup]

I have been reading 'Armata Romana in Valtoarea Razboiului, 1941-1945' from the Romanian Veterans Association and I have run across a phrase that I have a few other times in Romanian 'Ordin de zi'. After the early victories in Bessarabia and into Russia commanders decided to concentrate their division as 'an iron division' (o divizie de fier).

My question is this, does anyone know if this was an informal award or was it official, like a Soviet 'Guards' division? It seems that it might be linked to underlying pro-fascist leanings, most clearly the Iron Guard, Garda de Fier, if it was an informal award. I know there was a 'divizie de garda' that included the Royal and Leader (conducator) Guard battalions which we clearly official. It seems to me like this 'divizie de fier' idea may be the result of remaining Iron Guard feelings in the army, even after the official suppression of the Iron Guard in January 1941.

Any additional information would be appreciated, thanks!

[Victor]

There was no formal "iron division" award. Just a nickname. The first "Iron Division" was the 15th Infantry Division of gen. Eremia Grigorescu that held the Oituz Pass during the difficult times in the autumn and winter of 1916. It has absolutely nothing to do with the Iron Guard.

[LascarGroup]

Thanks for the info! So, when using the 'iron division' nickname the generals of the Second World War were harking back to those important battles of the First World War, very interesting.