Romanian Pz IV delivery dates April/May 1944

[IMW]

Hi Guys

Would anyone on the forum know about delivery dates for Pz IV's issued to the 1st Romanian Armoured Division, Romania Mare, during the months of April and May 1944.

Cheers Mike

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi IMW,

Try Third Axis, Fourth Ally by Axworthy. There is an entire chapter on Romanian armour.

Cheers,

Sid.

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi IMW,

Try Third Axis, Fourth Ally by Axworthy. There is an entire chapter on Romanian armour.

Cheers,

Sid.

[steppewolf]

Here is a thread that counts some deliveries in 1944:

https://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/index.php?showtopic=5766

[CNE503]

Axworthy gives the following figures for PzKpfw IV (or T-4):
- 1942: 12;
- 1943: 31;
- 1944 (before August 23rd): 83.

Additionnaly, he mentions that two 16-tank T-4 companies were available from the 1st Armored Regiment on March 28th, 1944.
32 "worn T-4" were received from the German 23. Panzer-Division in April and May 1944.

On July 5th, 1944, the 1st Armored Division "Romania Mare" reported to have 48 T-4 at hand.

CNE503

[IMW]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for your help and advice. One further query, did the Romanians hand over 5 Pz IVs to a German unit in mid April 1944, I'm thinking specifically to SS-Pz.Rgt 3.

Cheers Mike

[IMW]

Just wondering if there might be a reference or a personal account regarding this query.

[Sid Guttridge]

According to p.153 of "Third Axis, Fourth Ally" deliveries of T4s to Romania came under the Olivenbaum I, II and III programmes and the Quittenbaum I programme.

Actual deliveries were more erratic than the programmes but kept roughly to promised delivery totals:

1943
Nov. 4
Dec. 27
1944
Jan. 19
Feb. 2
Mar. 15
Apr. 15
May 17
Jun. 15
Jul. 15?
Aug. 15?

The maximum possibly received was 129, assuming the July and August deliveries got through.

Many of those received in the summer of 1944 were second hand from German panzer divisions (especially 23 Panzer Div.) being redeployed out of Romania, which may explain photographic evidence of unexpected sub types. Axworthy notes Hs, F2s and Js among them.

On 21 August 20th Panzer Division took back 23 Romanian T4s training with it.

Similar information on TAs (Stug.) deliveries are available in "Third Axis, Fourth Ally".

Cheers,

Sid.