Romanian tank aces
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Csaba Becze
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Victor
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Other Romanian tank aces:
I decided to reactivate this topic because I want to gather more info on Romanian tankers, as, unlike the glamorous pilots and observers of the ARR, there has been little written about them and very few are known. It is true that the tanks weren't employed by the Romanian army in WW2 on a very large scale, due to limited resources, but they are, I believe, an interesting chapter of our history and deserve more attention. So, if you have stories, names etc. related to Romanian tankers in WW2 post it here.
I decided to reactivate this topic because I want to gather more info on Romanian tankers, as, unlike the glamorous pilots and observers of the ARR, there has been little written about them and very few are known. It is true that the tanks weren't employed by the Romanian army in WW2 on a very large scale, due to limited resources, but they are, I believe, an interesting chapter of our history and deserve more attention. So, if you have stories, names etc. related to Romanian tankers in WW2 post it here.
Last edited by Victor on 26 Jan 2005 16:03, edited 2 times in total.
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Victor
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Cpt. Radu Balacescu was born on 12 December 1913 in Bucharest. He graduated the Cavalry Officer School in Targoviste in 1933 and, after serving several years in the 5th Rosiori Regiment, he went to the Special Cavalry School in Sibiu, which he finished second out of 46 officers.
He took part in the 1941 campaign on the Eastern front with the 9th Rosiori Regiment Regina Elena from the 6th Cavalry Division, as squadron CO, fighting in Bessarabia, Western Ukraine, all the way to North of the Sea of Azov, where lt. Balacescu distinguished himself during the fights at Adamovich and Oblitovshnaya. He was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for his deeds during that battle. In 1942 the 6th Cavalry Division was involved in the August offensive in the Caucasus. Cpt. Radu Balacescu was wounded by a mortar shell in the battles around Temryuk. He was admitted in the Military Academy. In 1943, when he was again on the front, he was wounded at the liver. He returned to Romania and graduated from the Military Academy in 1944 and was assigned to the Mechanized Troop Command.
After 23 he was sent to the front with the rest of the Mechanized Corps (the former Mechanized Troop Command), at his own request, after growing tired of the desk job he had received since early 1944.
On 7 September he acted as liaison to the General Niculescu Mechanized Group, located at Cornesti (in Transylvania), between the 8th Motorized Cavalry Division and the 9th Infantry Division, facing troops from the Hungarian 2nd Armored Division. Because the less experienced Romanian tankers were hesitating to attack the village, he took personal command of the detachment and, in cooperation with troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment, he entered the village and retook it, destroying two enemy tanks.
During the night, a Hungarian counterattack retook the village. On 8 September cpt. Balacescu received again the command of a detachment that had to take the village. With two tanks, one commanded by him and the other by plut. Trifan Colan, he advanced to the center of the village where the machines were immobilized by several Faustpatrone hits. Cpt. Balacescu and several of the crewmembers that survived continued to fight from the houses nearby, while trying to return to the Romanian positions. He was wounded by machine-gun fire in the left hip and shoulder and in the belly. He managed to crawl into the courtyard of the Eastern Orthodox church, where he reportedly was killed by two locals. He was later awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class with swords , being among the 19 men who received both the 1941 and the 1944 models during WW2.
He took part in the 1941 campaign on the Eastern front with the 9th Rosiori Regiment Regina Elena from the 6th Cavalry Division, as squadron CO, fighting in Bessarabia, Western Ukraine, all the way to North of the Sea of Azov, where lt. Balacescu distinguished himself during the fights at Adamovich and Oblitovshnaya. He was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for his deeds during that battle. In 1942 the 6th Cavalry Division was involved in the August offensive in the Caucasus. Cpt. Radu Balacescu was wounded by a mortar shell in the battles around Temryuk. He was admitted in the Military Academy. In 1943, when he was again on the front, he was wounded at the liver. He returned to Romania and graduated from the Military Academy in 1944 and was assigned to the Mechanized Troop Command.
After 23 he was sent to the front with the rest of the Mechanized Corps (the former Mechanized Troop Command), at his own request, after growing tired of the desk job he had received since early 1944.
On 7 September he acted as liaison to the General Niculescu Mechanized Group, located at Cornesti (in Transylvania), between the 8th Motorized Cavalry Division and the 9th Infantry Division, facing troops from the Hungarian 2nd Armored Division. Because the less experienced Romanian tankers were hesitating to attack the village, he took personal command of the detachment and, in cooperation with troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment, he entered the village and retook it, destroying two enemy tanks.
During the night, a Hungarian counterattack retook the village. On 8 September cpt. Balacescu received again the command of a detachment that had to take the village. With two tanks, one commanded by him and the other by plut. Trifan Colan, he advanced to the center of the village where the machines were immobilized by several Faustpatrone hits. Cpt. Balacescu and several of the crewmembers that survived continued to fight from the houses nearby, while trying to return to the Romanian positions. He was wounded by machine-gun fire in the left hip and shoulder and in the belly. He managed to crawl into the courtyard of the Eastern Orthodox church, where he reportedly was killed by two locals. He was later awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class with swords , being among the 19 men who received both the 1941 and the 1944 models during WW2.
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Victor
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Cpt. Ioan Cernea was born on 28 January 1900 in Galata, near Iasi/Jassy. In 1943 he was the CO of the 55th Tank Company, equipped with T-38 tanks (Romanian designation for the CKD LT VZ 38 ), which was subordinated to the Mountain Corps. On 1 November 1943, the 4th Ukrainian Front started the first offensive in Crimea. It managed to establish a bridgehead south of the Sivash Sea. This bridgehead was contained by the Romanian 23rd and 24th Mountain Battalions, the 2nd Battalion/4th Artillery Regiment and 37th AT Company (from the 1st Mountain Division) and 15th Mountain Battalion and 53rd Tank Company (from the 2nd Mountain Division), which were under command of col. Grigore Balan, the deputy CO of the 2nd Mountain Division. The tank company arrived at Karanky during the night of 3/4 November 1943. The following day, cpt. Cernea led his 12 tanks against the Soviet positions on Hill 19.2 and overran them, advancing 9 km northwards. His tank was hit probably by an AT gun and he was killed. By the end of November 1943, his company had lost 9 out of 12 tanks. Cpt. Cernea was later awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class posthumously.
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Victor
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Other tank commanders that received the Mihai Viteazul 3rd class:
1. lt. Dinu Marin Georgescu, from the 2nd Tank Regiment, KIA on 17 July 1941.
2. slt. (r ) Gheorghe Sotir, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who distinguished himself at Tomai, Vosnicei, Plahteevka and Lihtental, where he was eventually killed in action in his tank.
3. cpt. Nicolae Mitu, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who commanded the attack that captured Franzfeld on 24 August, during the battle of Odessa.
4. slt. (r ) Alexandru Oltei, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who commanded a tank platoon in the fights around Franzfeld on 24 August.
5. cpt. Florea Parvanescu, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who distinguished himself in the fights at Osinovsky during November 1942, whern the 1st Armored Division was struggling to escape destruction at Stalingrad.
1. lt. Dinu Marin Georgescu, from the 2nd Tank Regiment, KIA on 17 July 1941.
2. slt. (r ) Gheorghe Sotir, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who distinguished himself at Tomai, Vosnicei, Plahteevka and Lihtental, where he was eventually killed in action in his tank.
3. cpt. Nicolae Mitu, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who commanded the attack that captured Franzfeld on 24 August, during the battle of Odessa.
4. slt. (r ) Alexandru Oltei, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who commanded a tank platoon in the fights around Franzfeld on 24 August.
5. cpt. Florea Parvanescu, from the 1st Tank Regiment, who distinguished himself in the fights at Osinovsky during November 1942, whern the 1st Armored Division was struggling to escape destruction at Stalingrad.
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Victor
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Cpt. Florea Parvanescu (mentioned in the list above) was born on 11 March 1910 at Turnu Magurele. In November 1942 he commanded the 8th Medium Tank Company of the 1st Tank Regiment/1st Armored Division.
On 20 November 1942, his company attacked Soviet troops near the Winterlager farm in cooperation with the 4th Medium Tank Company. One artillery battery, 4 AT guns and numerous mortars were destroyed. Seven T-34s counterattacked his company and he destroyed 4 of them.
On 23 November 1942, at Ossinovsky, for seven hours, he stopped the charge of Soviet cavalry that could have infiltrated behind the 3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment.
On 26 November 1942, at 3 km south of Chernicheskaya, he led a formation of six tanks without infantry or artillery support against enemy positions north and norteast of the vilage and destroyed 4 AT guns, 10-12 AT rifles, numerous mortars and machine-guns. The same day he entered with 2 tanks under the command of hptm. Mielenhausen, in the attack on Varlamov to clear a German panzergrenadier company. The mission succeeded and the company was saved.
As mentioned above, cpt. Parvanescu was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for his deeds during late 1942.
Source: Tanchistii by col. dr. Constantin Ucrain and lt. col. Dumitru Dobre.
On 20 November 1942, his company attacked Soviet troops near the Winterlager farm in cooperation with the 4th Medium Tank Company. One artillery battery, 4 AT guns and numerous mortars were destroyed. Seven T-34s counterattacked his company and he destroyed 4 of them.
On 23 November 1942, at Ossinovsky, for seven hours, he stopped the charge of Soviet cavalry that could have infiltrated behind the 3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment.
On 26 November 1942, at 3 km south of Chernicheskaya, he led a formation of six tanks without infantry or artillery support against enemy positions north and norteast of the vilage and destroyed 4 AT guns, 10-12 AT rifles, numerous mortars and machine-guns. The same day he entered with 2 tanks under the command of hptm. Mielenhausen, in the attack on Varlamov to clear a German panzergrenadier company. The mission succeeded and the company was saved.
As mentioned above, cpt. Parvanescu was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for his deeds during late 1942.
Source: Tanchistii by col. dr. Constantin Ucrain and lt. col. Dumitru Dobre.
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Victor
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Cpt. Arcadie Duceac was born on 30 August 1909 in Dragoiesti.
In December 1942 campaign he commanded a tank company made up of the remains of the 1st Tank Regiment from the fighting in November 1942. His unit was assigned to support the 3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment on the Chir front. On 19, 21 and 22 December he intervened while the regiment was defending the heights south of Chernichevskaya and caused many casualties to the enemy. During the retreat southwards on 24 December 1942, his company formed the rearguard and managed to hold the enemy for 8 hours, also allowing the 22nd Panzer Division to retreat.
During the fighting near Solotovsky on 25 and 26 December, cpt. Arcadie Duceac counterattacked together with the 1st Battalion/3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment the Soviet troops that had managed to enter the northwestern corner of the village. He drove his tank in the enemy lines and destroyed 4 mortars that were firing upon the village. The tank was set on fire by enemy AT weapons, but he brought it back to Romanian lines and then evacuated it to be repaired.
He was awarded the Steaua Romaniei Order Knight class with Virtute Militara ribbon, for his actions during the 1942 campaign.
In August 1944 he was on leave when the Jassy-Kishinev started and did not see any fighting. According to the memoirs of lt. Ion S. Dumitru (read the first story in the thread) he encountered him on the front, where he attempted to take over several stray formations retreating south, including that of Dumitru. The situation ended in direct conflict between the two. It is obvious his memoirs, that Ion Dumitru did not like him at all and considered him a poor officer. But that may have been his subjective opinion.
In the March-May 1945 campaign of the 2nd Tank Regiment as part of the Soviet 27th Tank Brigade in Czechoslovakia and Austria, cpt. Duceac commanded the 1st Company/2nd Tank Battalion, equipped with the ancient Renault R-35 tanks. During the first action of his unit he supported the attack on Dol. Pial carried out by the 43rd Rifle Regiment/93rd Rifle Division on 26 March. The attack succeeded. It also stopped a German counterattack by infiltrating and destroying the artillery group that supported it. But the company lost several tanks and two of its officers. His company suffered more casualties the following days.
On 17 April he took over a mixed tank company made up of the remains of the regiment: one T-4 (Pz IVH) platoon, one TAs (Stug IIIG) platoon and one R-35 platoon. At the time, the 2nd Tank Regiment was supporting the 4th Rifle Division. On 18 April it captured Wilfersdorf and on 19 Aspern. At 1800 hours german tanks and infantry attacked the Romanian company, but they were repulsed, loosing two tanks, one SPW, two AT guns and 12 machine-guns, most of the kills probably being achieved by the T-4 platoon of slt. Iosif Forgaci. The Germans retreated towards Eibenstahl. The following the fighting continued around that location. The company repulsed another counterattack, damaging two German tanks and two SPWs, while loosing a R-2 tank. Later that day, the Romanian company received the task to flank the German positions. The mission succeeded withoput problems, because apparently the Germans thought the tanks where reinforcements (Pz IVH and Stugs).
The 27th Tank Brigade returned to Czechoislovakia and between 25-30 April, cpt. Duceac's company was engaged near Musov-Nova Ves, supporting the 409th Guards Division, in some bitter fights with German infantry and Panthers (tanks that have little to fear from Duceac's unit). On 7 May 1945, the mixed tank company, reduced to several T-4s and R-35s took part in the initial fights of Operation Prague near Pasohlavki. After that the fighting practically ended as the advance wasn't challanged any more, as the war in Europe was close to its end.
Cpt. Duceac was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order with swords 3rd class after the war. Although he lost many tanks while commanding the 1st Company/2nd Battalion, I must also take into account that the R-35s were obsolete in 1945 and easy prey for German AT weapons. At the command of the mixed company, which included modern medium tanks and support guns, cpt. Duceac obtained better results, even though he apparently did not "lead from the tank".
In December 1942 campaign he commanded a tank company made up of the remains of the 1st Tank Regiment from the fighting in November 1942. His unit was assigned to support the 3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment on the Chir front. On 19, 21 and 22 December he intervened while the regiment was defending the heights south of Chernichevskaya and caused many casualties to the enemy. During the retreat southwards on 24 December 1942, his company formed the rearguard and managed to hold the enemy for 8 hours, also allowing the 22nd Panzer Division to retreat.
During the fighting near Solotovsky on 25 and 26 December, cpt. Arcadie Duceac counterattacked together with the 1st Battalion/3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment the Soviet troops that had managed to enter the northwestern corner of the village. He drove his tank in the enemy lines and destroyed 4 mortars that were firing upon the village. The tank was set on fire by enemy AT weapons, but he brought it back to Romanian lines and then evacuated it to be repaired.
He was awarded the Steaua Romaniei Order Knight class with Virtute Militara ribbon, for his actions during the 1942 campaign.
In August 1944 he was on leave when the Jassy-Kishinev started and did not see any fighting. According to the memoirs of lt. Ion S. Dumitru (read the first story in the thread) he encountered him on the front, where he attempted to take over several stray formations retreating south, including that of Dumitru. The situation ended in direct conflict between the two. It is obvious his memoirs, that Ion Dumitru did not like him at all and considered him a poor officer. But that may have been his subjective opinion.
In the March-May 1945 campaign of the 2nd Tank Regiment as part of the Soviet 27th Tank Brigade in Czechoslovakia and Austria, cpt. Duceac commanded the 1st Company/2nd Tank Battalion, equipped with the ancient Renault R-35 tanks. During the first action of his unit he supported the attack on Dol. Pial carried out by the 43rd Rifle Regiment/93rd Rifle Division on 26 March. The attack succeeded. It also stopped a German counterattack by infiltrating and destroying the artillery group that supported it. But the company lost several tanks and two of its officers. His company suffered more casualties the following days.
On 17 April he took over a mixed tank company made up of the remains of the regiment: one T-4 (Pz IVH) platoon, one TAs (Stug IIIG) platoon and one R-35 platoon. At the time, the 2nd Tank Regiment was supporting the 4th Rifle Division. On 18 April it captured Wilfersdorf and on 19 Aspern. At 1800 hours german tanks and infantry attacked the Romanian company, but they were repulsed, loosing two tanks, one SPW, two AT guns and 12 machine-guns, most of the kills probably being achieved by the T-4 platoon of slt. Iosif Forgaci. The Germans retreated towards Eibenstahl. The following the fighting continued around that location. The company repulsed another counterattack, damaging two German tanks and two SPWs, while loosing a R-2 tank. Later that day, the Romanian company received the task to flank the German positions. The mission succeeded withoput problems, because apparently the Germans thought the tanks where reinforcements (Pz IVH and Stugs).
The 27th Tank Brigade returned to Czechoislovakia and between 25-30 April, cpt. Duceac's company was engaged near Musov-Nova Ves, supporting the 409th Guards Division, in some bitter fights with German infantry and Panthers (tanks that have little to fear from Duceac's unit). On 7 May 1945, the mixed tank company, reduced to several T-4s and R-35s took part in the initial fights of Operation Prague near Pasohlavki. After that the fighting practically ended as the advance wasn't challanged any more, as the war in Europe was close to its end.
Cpt. Duceac was awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order with swords 3rd class after the war. Although he lost many tanks while commanding the 1st Company/2nd Battalion, I must also take into account that the R-35s were obsolete in 1945 and easy prey for German AT weapons. At the command of the mixed company, which included modern medium tanks and support guns, cpt. Duceac obtained better results, even though he apparently did not "lead from the tank".
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David C. Clarke
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Csaba Becze
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Victor
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He was from Caransebes. As usual, when coming from a multicultural area like the Banat, his ethnic origins are difficult to establish. Except for that, all I was able to find out is that he was 1.9 m tall and won the title of champion of the Balkans at hammer throw. I'll keep searching.Csaba Becze wrote:Josif Forgaci sounds a Hungarian name (Jozsef Forgacs) Do you know his ancestors?
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DenesBernad
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Rumania
I very much doubt he was, or considered himself, Hungarian.Csaba Becze wrote:Josif Forgaci sounds a Hungarian name (Jozsef Forgacs) Do you know his ancestors?
Those years, there were no Hungarian ethnic officers allowed to serve in the Rumanian army.
Dénes
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Victor
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I have updated the initial short story on lt. Alexandru Velican.
On 20 November 1942, during the attempt of the 1st Armored Division to link up with the 22nd Panzer Division, of which it had been isolated the previous day, the Romanian tankers were engaged in several heavy fights with Soviet mechanized forces. Slt. Alexandru Velican was a T-3 platoon leader in the 1st Tank Regiment. That day, the Romanian Pz IIIs were fighting around Winterlager farm. He led his platoon in the Soviet artillery position, destroying a battery, several AT guns, mortars and AT rifles. The regiment was counterattacked by Soviet armor after noon. By 1500 hours he had already destroyed 2 T-34s, when his tank was hit by an AP shell and the driver was killed. However, he remained in his tank with the rest of the crew and continued to fight until they ran out of ammo. He destroyed another T-34, raising the total to three that day.
The following day, slt. Velican distinguished himself once again, by destroying an AT gun and several AT rifles and repulsing a Soviet attack on the regiment's flank, during the retreat towards Bol. Donchinskaya. He was later awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class.
Another two officers who who received the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for the fighting around Winterlager on 20 November 1942 were cpt. Victor Stroescu, the CO of the tank company (posthumously) and slt. Gheorghe Budu, whose exploits are unknown to me however.
By the summer of 1944, Alexandru Velican had been promoted to the rank of locotenent (1st lt.) and was CO of the 1st Company/1st Battalion of the 1st Tank Regiment from the 1st Armored Division of brig. gen. Radu Korne. On 20 August 1944, when the Red Army launched the Jassy-Kishinev Operation, the 1st armored Division executed a counterattack in the flank of the Soviet forces that had penetrated the front line. The 1st Tank Regiment, isolated from the rest of the division, engaged a Soviet armored spearhead at 1 km south of Scobalteni on the road from Dobroscani to Podu Iloaiei. In fact just the 1st Tank Battalion and the regimental command platoon – all the T-4 tanks available. The 2nd Battalion equipped with Stug IIIGs did not take part in the action. Lt. Velican’s company held the right flank of the regiment and was the first to enter the battle, because of the dominant position of the hill he was positioned on. The Soviet AT guns and tanks hidden in the outskirts of Scobalteni damaged and immobilized 3 tanks from his company. He stopped the advance and adopted a defensive formation. Soon JS heavy tanks appeared in the Soviet lines and four of them advanced toward the Romanian lines in open field, but were knocked out by the concentrated fire of the 1st and 2nd Tank Companies. The fighting continued until nightfall and the regiment was eventually encircled. During it broke the encirclement and retreated southwards. However, in the process, the columns got separated. Lt. Velican ended up with only 7 tanks under his command and in the following days fought delay actions. He later met up with 3 stray Stug IIIGs and in the evening of 23 August, at Pildesti, with elements of the 2nd and 3rd Tank Companies (14 tanks), under the command of slt. Ion Dumitru. Together they continued the retreat south after 24 August, until they encountered other tanks of the regiment and lt. Col. Gheorghe Matei, the deputy commander. On 25 August they reached Tazlau, where the armored group linked uo with the 7th Heavy Artillery Regiment. The following day they were interned in a POW camp.
On 20 November 1942, during the attempt of the 1st Armored Division to link up with the 22nd Panzer Division, of which it had been isolated the previous day, the Romanian tankers were engaged in several heavy fights with Soviet mechanized forces. Slt. Alexandru Velican was a T-3 platoon leader in the 1st Tank Regiment. That day, the Romanian Pz IIIs were fighting around Winterlager farm. He led his platoon in the Soviet artillery position, destroying a battery, several AT guns, mortars and AT rifles. The regiment was counterattacked by Soviet armor after noon. By 1500 hours he had already destroyed 2 T-34s, when his tank was hit by an AP shell and the driver was killed. However, he remained in his tank with the rest of the crew and continued to fight until they ran out of ammo. He destroyed another T-34, raising the total to three that day.
The following day, slt. Velican distinguished himself once again, by destroying an AT gun and several AT rifles and repulsing a Soviet attack on the regiment's flank, during the retreat towards Bol. Donchinskaya. He was later awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class.
Another two officers who who received the Mihai Viteazul Order 3rd class for the fighting around Winterlager on 20 November 1942 were cpt. Victor Stroescu, the CO of the tank company (posthumously) and slt. Gheorghe Budu, whose exploits are unknown to me however.
By the summer of 1944, Alexandru Velican had been promoted to the rank of locotenent (1st lt.) and was CO of the 1st Company/1st Battalion of the 1st Tank Regiment from the 1st Armored Division of brig. gen. Radu Korne. On 20 August 1944, when the Red Army launched the Jassy-Kishinev Operation, the 1st armored Division executed a counterattack in the flank of the Soviet forces that had penetrated the front line. The 1st Tank Regiment, isolated from the rest of the division, engaged a Soviet armored spearhead at 1 km south of Scobalteni on the road from Dobroscani to Podu Iloaiei. In fact just the 1st Tank Battalion and the regimental command platoon – all the T-4 tanks available. The 2nd Battalion equipped with Stug IIIGs did not take part in the action. Lt. Velican’s company held the right flank of the regiment and was the first to enter the battle, because of the dominant position of the hill he was positioned on. The Soviet AT guns and tanks hidden in the outskirts of Scobalteni damaged and immobilized 3 tanks from his company. He stopped the advance and adopted a defensive formation. Soon JS heavy tanks appeared in the Soviet lines and four of them advanced toward the Romanian lines in open field, but were knocked out by the concentrated fire of the 1st and 2nd Tank Companies. The fighting continued until nightfall and the regiment was eventually encircled. During it broke the encirclement and retreated southwards. However, in the process, the columns got separated. Lt. Velican ended up with only 7 tanks under his command and in the following days fought delay actions. He later met up with 3 stray Stug IIIGs and in the evening of 23 August, at Pildesti, with elements of the 2nd and 3rd Tank Companies (14 tanks), under the command of slt. Ion Dumitru. Together they continued the retreat south after 24 August, until they encountered other tanks of the regiment and lt. Col. Gheorghe Matei, the deputy commander. On 25 August they reached Tazlau, where the armored group linked uo with the 7th Heavy Artillery Regiment. The following day they were interned in a POW camp.
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Victor
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Cpt. Constantin Neagu was born on 2 June 1910 in Luncani, Bacau county. In November 1942 he was the CO of the 3rd Tank Company/1st Tank Battalion, equipped with R-2 tanks (Skoda LT VZ 35).
Early in the morning of 20 November, his company replaced the 1st Tank Company as the 1st Tank Regiment's forward detachment. It took part in the attack on Winterlager farm and cleared all enemy resistance encountered, allowing the motorized vanatori to continue their advance.
On 24 November, his company was sent from Osinovska to Oserkiy to help the 3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment disengage the Soviet cavalry and retreat. He destroyed the Oserkiy farm and the troops defending it, as well as several cavalry squadrons trying to cut off the retreat path of the Romanian motorized infantry.
Early in the morning of 20 November, his company replaced the 1st Tank Company as the 1st Tank Regiment's forward detachment. It took part in the attack on Winterlager farm and cleared all enemy resistance encountered, allowing the motorized vanatori to continue their advance.
On 24 November, his company was sent from Osinovska to Oserkiy to help the 3rd Motorized Vanatori Regiment disengage the Soviet cavalry and retreat. He destroyed the Oserkiy farm and the troops defending it, as well as several cavalry squadrons trying to cut off the retreat path of the Romanian motorized infantry.
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Victor
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And from the ranks of the "forgotten heroes" (the NCOs that unfortunately don't get as much publicity as the officers): serg. maj. Stefan Raducu, born on 26 December 1912 in Grecesti, Dolj county. He was a tank commander, most likely a T-4 (Pz IV), given his achievements.
During the fights at Donchinsky (probably on 22 November 1942) he destroyed two T-34s and two AT guns. During the attack on reference point 302, while attacking another AT gun, his tank was destroyed and he was gravely wounded. He won the Virtutea Militara Medal 1st class (war version), the highest Romanian military award for NCOs.
The source is the same: Tanchistii by Constantin Ucrain and Dumitru Dobre.
During the fights at Donchinsky (probably on 22 November 1942) he destroyed two T-34s and two AT guns. During the attack on reference point 302, while attacking another AT gun, his tank was destroyed and he was gravely wounded. He won the Virtutea Militara Medal 1st class (war version), the highest Romanian military award for NCOs.
The source is the same: Tanchistii by Constantin Ucrain and Dumitru Dobre.
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Victor
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Cpt. Octavian Miclescu was born on 26 October 1909 in Roman. He was the CO of a R-2 tank company in the 1st Tank Regiment, during the 1941 campaign.
On 8 August 1941, during the fights north of Odessa, he engaged with his company a Soviet motorized company retreating towards Zhiminova. He was wounded at the right shoulder during the fights, but his unit managed to capture 10 cars and 170 POWs. For this action he received the Steaua Romaniei Order Knight class with Virtute Militara Ribbon.
On 8 August 1941, during the fights north of Odessa, he engaged with his company a Soviet motorized company retreating towards Zhiminova. He was wounded at the right shoulder during the fights, but his unit managed to capture 10 cars and 170 POWs. For this action he received the Steaua Romaniei Order Knight class with Virtute Militara Ribbon.