Transylvanian Saxons in the Romanian Army 1919-1940

[Hoplophile]

In the course of writing a (very) short biography of Rudolf Johann Kratzert, I found myself wondering about the service of Transylvanian Saxons in the Army of the Kingdom of Romania in the years between 1919 and 1940. (The first date is that of the incorporation of many areas inhabited by Transylvanian Saxons into Romania. The second date is that of a treaty between Germany and Romania that, among other things, seems to have made provision for the enlistment of Transylvanian Saxons into the German armed forces.

All I know about Kratzert's life before he joined the German Air Force in 1940 is that he was born in Karlsburg (in 1898, when it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) and served in the Austro-Hungarian Army in World War I. The fact that Kratzert joined the German Air Force in 1940 is consistent with the theory that, having spent the interwar period in Romania, he joined the German Armed Forces as soon as it was legal for Romanian subjects of German descent to do so.

With this in mind, I would be grateful for any information about Krazert's life before 1940. In particular, I am wondering if he served in the interwar Romanian Army, whether on active duty or as a reserve officer. I am also wondering if he got "credit" for previous service when he joined the German Air Force or if he was, at the age of 42, required to work his way up from the ranks.

I would also be grateful for any information about the policies of the German armed forces with respect to men who had served in the armed forces of states other than Germany or Austria.

[Hoplophile]

I've just learned that Kratzert, who commanded the Third Battalion of the 3rd Fallschirmjäger Regiment at Monte Cassino, wrote an autobiography. Alas, as it was self-published and mail from Germany to the US is still precarious, it may take a while before I get a hold of a copy.

[steppewolf]

Two of the most well known Transylvanian Saxons in Romanian army in Interwar were:

1. General Arthur Phelps
https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artur_Phleps

2. General Hugo Schwab
https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Schwab