STRUCTURE (details)

HISTORY.

• 16.3.39: partial mobilisation with security duties, in Vama / SM, Seini / MM, Apa / SM area (NW of BAIA MARE).
• 25.3.39: withdrawn and replaced with Bg. 2 Munte.

• 20.8.41: cross over the Bug by the bridge of Akmecets, then advance to the Dniepr river.
• 1-14.9.41: deployed on defence lines north of BERYSLAV.
  • 4/5.9.41: Soviet landing in Brigada 4 Munte's sector, at Fisch (N of Sablukovka), counterattacked and pushed back by Bg.1 Mte.
• 15.9.41: cross over the Dniepr by the bridge of BERYSLAV.
• 24/25.9.41: deployed on defence lines in Nogai Steppe (north of the Azov Sea).
• 23.9-4.10.41: it took part to the defensive battle of Malaia Belozerka and Timosevka (at the right flank of Corpul de Munte).
• 5-10.10.41: actioned against the Soviet rear guards in Moločna valley, then it took part to the encirclement battle of Cernigovka (Cernihivka, 30 km E of TOKMAK)- Novo Pavlovka, Kirilovka (9.10.41).
• 11-12.10.41: regrouped in the area of Cernigovka - Mogila Tokmak - Novo Pavlovka.
• 13.10.41: moving towards south, arrived 19.10.41 in the area of Milosserdovo - Moghila Uniroba - Hf. Massaiev - Kurianov.
• 20-21.10.41: regrouped in Partyzany - Reimana - Arkadievka - Gerd - Rodjenstovoe area (W of BERDJANS'K ?).
• 21/22 and 22/23.10.41: Bg.1 Mte. replaced Bg. 8 Cavalerie on its positions west of Salkovo isthmus; `deployed on the following defence lines of Salkovo isthmus until 28.10.41:
  • at Salkovo: 1 Gr.V.M.; 1 division of Reg. 4 Art.; 1 division Mounted Artillery (from Div. 8 Cav.); Dion. 2 Tu.Mte;
  • in the peninsula W of Salkovo: 1 Gr.V.M.; 1 division of Reg. 4 Art.;
  • the Brigade's reserve in Dogmarovka (Dohmarivka, 80 km SW of MELITOPOL) - Utro region: 1 Gr.V.M. (with Bat. 4 V.M. as Mountain Corps' reserve at Dogmarovka).
• 29.10.41: action towards Salkovo - E of Solnoe Lake.
• 31.10.41: the first units crossed with boats over the Sivas in Crimeea at Csongar (in the evening Gr. 1 V.M. and Bat. 14 M.D. arrived at Eski - Djandevle).

• by 1.11.41, 10.00 Hour, all the brigade's units were in Crimeea. By 23.00 Hour they arrived in the area of Bhf. Mamut - DZANKOJ - Nemetzki - Bhf. Kangut - Hf. Mirnova.
• 1-4.11.41: Bg.1 Mte. chased the enemy towards Djankoi, Seitler, Karasubazar; from here the Brigade organized 3 detachments, which passed the Iaila Mountains as follows:
  • Detachment Col. Mociulschi, with Gr. 58 Cc, Gr. 1 V.M. (Bat. 2 V.M., Bat. 3 V.M.), Bat. 14 M.D., Cp. 37 AC, Div.III / Reg. 4 Art., 1 Cp.Pi: on the direction Karasubazar - Enisala - Uskut;
  • Detachment Lt.Col. Breaza, with Esc. 1 Vt.Căl, 1 Btr.Art., 1 Pl.Pi: on the direction Asmat - Bahci Eli - Kalsihor;
  • Detachment Lt.Col. Băjenaru, with Bat. 1 V.M., 1 Btr. Art., 1 Pl.Pi: on the direction Bahci Eli - Salî - Sudak;
  • Grup Lt.Col. Niculiu, with Bat. 23 V.M., Bat. 24 V.M., Cp. 51 AC: in the Brigade's reserve at Karasubazar.
• Soviet POWs taken between 1-4.11.41: 2247.
  

• 4.11.41: the cavalry advanced units arrived in the evening on the Crimean southern shore, between Uskut and Kalsihor.
• 5.11.41: the main forces seized Sudak (50 km W of FEODOSIJA), arriving by evening between Sudak and Tuak (after a march of 180 km in 4 days). So, the Brigade is now deployed between Uskut, Sudak, Koktebel, Otusi.
• 6-18.11.41: the first actions against the partisans of the Iaila Mountains (the area between the highway of Simferopol - Alusta and Feodosia), with Bat. 1, 2, 3, 24 V.M., Esc. 4 Vt.Căl, Dion 2 Tu.Mte. A total of about 1000 partisans were killed in action (for example, 100 were killed in the areas of Frenkmesse, Eskiiurt, Kisiltash.)
• 19.11.41: Bg.1 Mte. is replaced by Brigada 4 Munte; then moved to SEVASTOPOL (through Feodosia - Sudak - Alusta - Ialta and Karasubazar - Simferopol - Alusta -Ialta); here it was assigned to the German XXX Corps.
• 22.11-16.12.41: the Bg.1 Mte. units were split, as follows:
  • Grup 2 V.M, Reg.3 Cav.Purtat, Esc.1 Vân.Călări: deployed in the area ALUSTA, JALTA, Mishor, Alupka, for coastal defence and further actions against partisans at Urkuska.
  • Grup 1 V.M. (Bat. 2 V.M., Bat. 3 V.M.), Bat. 2 Pi.Mte, Cp. 37 AC, Reg. 4 Art.: arrived in the area of Biiuk Muskomia - Urkusta - Shella, and here assigned to the German 72^nd Division for the assault of Sevastopol:.
    • 24/25.11.41: Gr. 1 V.M. replaced the German 124^th Regiment in Alsu area.
    • 25.11.41: the Group seized the Alsu village.
    • 27-28.11.41: failed attack on the Denkmal Höhe height.
    • 6/7.12.41: Grup 1 V.M replaced with "Grup Lt-Col Dinculescu" (Bat.23 + 24 V.M).
    • 8-16.12.41: "Grupul Dinculescu" in defence between Kamarî-Karlovka.
• 17-19.12.41: Bg.1 Mte. (now also with Gr. 2 V.M.) in action at Karlovka, the village is seized on 19.12.41.
• 20-22.12.41: it seized Nij. Ciorgun (21.12.41) and Capela Hill.
• 23.12.41: Verh. Ciorgun is seized.
• Bg. 1 Mte losses between 17-23.12.41: 1266 (331 dead, 806 wounded, 129 missing). It took 418 Soviet POWs.
• after 23.12.41: the Brigade moved to a northern position replacing the German 50^th Division.

• 10.1-2.6.42: a quiet period at SEVASTOPOL: the Brigade (renamed 15.3.1942 as Divizia 1 Munte) deployed on defence lines in the central sector:
  • most of the Division's units at SEVASTOPOL, assigned to the German LIV Corps;
  • Reg. 4 Art, Bat. 14 M.D., Esc. 1 Vt. Căl, at SEVASTOPOL, assigned to the German 72^nd Division.
  • Statistics (6.2.42): since 16.3.39 the Division totalised 770 days of mobilisation, 230 days of operations, 136 days in the first line.
    Losses:
    Officers:NCOs:Troops:

    	Deads	Wounded	Missing	Total
    40	102	1	143
    14	55	1	70
    848	2125	208	3181

  Awards:
  • The "Mihai Viteazu" Order II^nd Class: Batalion 1 V.Mte, Divizion 1 Obuziere Mte;
  • The "Mihai Viteazu" Order III^rd Class: The Brigade's Command, Batalion 2, 3, 4 V.Mte, Divizion 2 Tunuri Mte.

• 2-7.6.42: artillery preparations for the final assault of SEVASTOPOL (the "Störfang" Operation).
• 7-16.6.42: Div.1 Mte. took part to the final assault of the German 11^th Army and seized on 16-17.6.42 Hof. Marindaki, the hills of Nordnase, Zuckerhut and Füsteig Höhe.
• 18-27.6.42: continues its action at Bastion II, Fediukinî, Denkmalsbrücke, Nov. Shuli and Altes Fort (it seized 22/23.6.42 the bridge over Cernaia).
• 27.6.42: regrouped in the area S-W Cernaia valley - N-W Nijn. Ciorgun, assigned to the German XXX Corps.
• 29.6.42: it seized the Nov. Shuli village and defeated the Soviets at Altes Fort (Sapun Gora heights). Then regrouped and assigned again to Corpul Munte.
• 30.6-2.7.42: Div.1 Mte. moved to Balaklava with action against the encircled Soviet units.
• 3.7.42: regrouped in the area of Balaklava-Satteldorf, with a battalion W of Balaklava (SE of SEVASTOPOL).
  

  Sinthesis of the Divisions actions at Sevastopol:

  • 1^st Stage (7-28.6.42): Div.1 Mte. seized the fortified heights of Nordnase and Zuckerhut (Capela Hill area), helping the right flank of the German XXX Corps, which was kept in the Kamarî area under the fire from these fortifications; then Div.1 Mte. seized the heights Fediukinî, a stronghold in front of the Sapun heights. Thus the actions in Balaklava region were made possible.
  • 2^nd Stage (29.6-4.7.42): Div.1 Mte. defeated the enemy from the heights north of Balaklava.

• 5.7-1.8.42: actions against the partisans of the Iaila Mountains (assigned to the German XXX Corps).
• 1.8-1.11.42: deployed between JALTA and FEODOSIJA, with missions of coastal defence.
• 1.11.42-9.6.43: redeployed to a more restricted defence line, between SUDAK and ALUSTA.

• 1.11.42-9.6.43: deployed betwen Sudak and Alushta, with coastal protection mission.
• 10.6.43: Div.1 Mte. started the march to Caucasus, over the Kerč straits.

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  CAUCASUS (KUBAN)

• 28.6-15.9.43: it replaced in Kuban Divizia 3 Munte, along the NOVOROSSIJSK - Neberdzaievskaia operational sector (Adamovicia ?); it formed here the "von Bünau" Group (together with the German 73^rd Infantry Division), assigned to the German V Corps. The Division's units were split, as follows:
  • in the 1^stline: Bat. 2 V.M., Bat. 3 V.M, Btr. 37 & 137 AC, the German 186^th Inf.Regiment, 3^rd battalion of the German 213^rd Inf.Regiment;
  • in the Division's reserve: Bat. 1 V.M;
  • the Division's artillery: 1^stDion of Reg. 4 Art, 2^nd & 4^th Dions of the German 175^th Art.Regiment;
  • the rest of the Division's units were assigned to the Germans:
    • Bat. 23 V.M.: assigned to the German 213^rd Inf.Regiment (the German 9^th Division), north of Div.1 Mte.'s positions;
    • Bat. 4 V.M. and Bat. 24 V.M. (=Gr. 2 V.M) and Esc. 1 Vân.Călări, which were already in the German 9^th Division's reserve;
    • 3^rd Dion of Reg.4 Art was already on its positions in Nova Bakanskaia area (to the German 9^th Division).
• Main actions in Kuban's bridgehead, between 28.6-15.9.43:
  • 24-30.7.43: the battalions 1, 23 and 24 V.M. were attacked during the 5^th Soviet offensive in Kuban. Heavy losses (454) at Bat. 23 V.M. in Neberdsaievskaia area (assigned to the German 213^rd regiment). Failed counterattackes of the German Regiments 421 and 186 and of Bat. 24 V.M.
  • 7-12.8.43: resume of Soviet attacks; however Bat. 4 V.M. keeped its position W of Krimskaia (between 2 battalions of the German 116^th Regiment).
  • 7-18.8.43: Soviet attacks pushed back at Dolgaia.
  • 10-15.9.43: Soviet attacks pushed back at Novorosiisk.
• 15/16.9.43: Div.1 Mte. (inclusively the units assigned to the German 9^th and 73^rd Divisions) retreated from the "Goten" position up to the "Siegfried" position, in the S-E Werch - Bakanskaia - Gorni sector (Atakaiskaia valley).
• 17.9.43: repulsed Soviet attacks in Atakaiskaia valley.
• 18/19.9.43: Div.1 Mte. retreated behind the "Wolker"line (in Krasno Medvedovskaia), then regrouped around Mertshenko (10 km S-E of Gostagaika).
• 19/20.9.43: retread towards Taman.
• 20.9.43: arrived in Gostagaia - Suvarovsko area, with Bat. 3 and 23 V.M. in Starotatarovskaia area.
• by 22.9.43: Dion 3 / Reg.3 Artilerie and Btr. 37 AC crossed over the Kerč Straits; Bat. 4 V.M. transported by air with planes from Taman to SIMFEROPOL (in Crimeea), from where arrived by trucks in JALTA area.

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  CRIMEA

• 24.9.43: all the Divisions's units in Kertch Peninsula, Crimeea. Regrouped here, then in march to Sably - Toply area (southern shore), with coastal defence missions.
• 30.9-9.10.43: Div.1 Mte. replaced Grupul 4 V.M. (of Div. 2 Munte) and the German units as follows (HQ at Kilburun):
  • Gr. 1 V.M (Bat. 23 V.M., Bat. 24 V.M) and Reg. 4 Art: replaced Div.2 Munte in Alushta sector, between 30.9-3.10.43;
  • Gr. 2 V.M: replaced the German units from Ialta, with Bat. 4 V.M. in 21.9.43 and with Bat. 1 V.M. in 4.10.43;
  • Bat. 2 V.M. replaced Bat. 7 V.M (from Div. 2 Munte) at Shumhai in 5.10.43;
  • Dion 2 Tunuri Munte entered the front in 9.10.43;
• 9.10-4.12.43: Div.1 Mte. deployed on the above positions, between Cap. Foros and ALUSTA.
  • 10.11-12.12.43: Bat. 23, 24 V.M, Dion 2 / Reg.4 Art, Btr. 37 AC: formed Detaşamentul Dumitrache (of Div.2 Munte), which actioned in the area South of Sivas Sea (the Perekop position).
• from 4.12.43: Div.1 Mte. replaced Div. 10 Inf, between Nikolaevka and Kap Ajufa Burnu (Alushta).
• 8.12.43-11.4.44: deployed on the above positions.
  • 29.12.43: it started operations against the main partisans group of the Central Mountains, 20 km E of SIMFEROPOL, with: Bat. 2 V.M, 2 howitzers 120 mm, 1 signal detachment, 1 sappers platoon (all grouped as "Tactical Group No. 2"), with 1 alarm company as reserve.

• 1.1.44: anti-partisan actions: regrouping of the forces: "Gruparea Nr. 2" takes over the "Tactical Groups" No. 2 and 3.
• 2-3.1.44: general attacks with heavy losses for the partisans.
• 4.1.44: after 7 days of action, the partisan group is totally destroyed. Soviet losses: 1147 dead and wounded, 2559 POW.
• 16-18.1.44: a new anti-partisans action in the areas W of Bachčyisaraj - Shumi - Beschuy (between Alma valley and Katscha valley), with 3 Romanian and 1 German detachments.
• 7-9.2.44: other anti-partisans actions in Iaila Mountains: in the area of Sably - Martha valley - Springor - Sumchay - Kurtzy - Sably (Stari Krim ?), with Bat. 2 V.M, Esc. 1 Vân.Călări, Cp. 37 Lucru, Cp.2/Bat. 1 V.M, 2 pl / Cp.37 Politie, 1 Btr / Dion 2 Tu.Munte, Btr.2 / Reg.2 Artilerie and German units.
• 10-11.2.44: the same units as above, plus Bat.15 V.M in action against partisans in the area of Kukurekovka - Martha valley - Bija Sala - Kukurekovka.
• 8-16.3.44: anti-partisan actions at Salby - Beschuy.
• as of 10.4.44: Div.1 Mte. was deployed on defence lines between ALUSTA and Nikolaevka (on a 140 km front), exclusively Sevastopol Citadel. The main forces were in action against the partisans at Bg. Ciornaja, 12 km N-W of ALUSTA.
• 12.4.44: the retreat to SEVASTOPOL Fortress. The Division's HQ moved from Bachtschisaraj to Ialta; 2 battalions with the captured artillery remained for defence in Alushta and Ialta areas. The reinforced Bat. 23 V.M sent from Alusta to Perival (10 km N of Alusta) for defending the passes in the Iaila Mountains, from Simferopol to Alusta.
• 13.4.44: the division's main forces (4 battalions and the artillery) deployed to the resistance positions of SEVASTOPOL Fortress (in the central sector of the German 49^th Corps), the rest (2 battalions and 1 art.division) for coastal defence at Alushta and Ialta.
• 14.4.44: the Soviets seized Bachčyisaraj, being in touch with their forwarded units with Div.1 Mte.
  • 14/15.4.44: "Detasamentul Alusta" (Bat.23 V.M., Bat. 7 V.M., Dion II / Reg.4 Art) was attacked and then distroyed in 15.4.44 at Perîval in an useless sacrifice mission.
• 15.4.44: the Division's HQ and the rear guard transported by trucks from Ialta to Sevastopol.
• 15-16.4.44: Soviet attacks in all division's sectors.
• 17-26.4.44: further 10 Soviet attacks pushed back.

• 27.4.44: the evacuation by sea from Sevastopol is suspended by Hitler.
• 27-30.4.44: daily Soviet bombardments, but without day-light attacks, only night raids from both sides. The Division is operationally assigned to the German 336^th Division (the German XLIX Corps).
• 1-5.5.44: minor Soviet raids.
• 6.5.44: heavy Soviet attack, finally pushed back.
• 7/8.5.44: some of the Div.1 Mte. units were retreated from the resistance position of Sevastopol to the Chersones position (arrived here in 8.5.44: Gr. 2 V.M: Bat. 1 V.M., Bat. 3 V.M., Bat. 4 V.M, Cp.Ar.120 mm, 1 pl.AC 50 mm); the rest of the units assigned to the German 98^th and 73^rd Divisions remained along the resistance position in SEVASTOPOL.
• 9.5.44: the evacuation by sea resumed.
• 9.5.44: Bat. 2 V.M. and Bat. 24 V.M. retreated with heavy losses, together with the Divisions 73 and 98.
• 10-11.5.44: Soviet attacks pushed back at Chersones by Bat. 1, 3, 9 V.M.
• 11.5.44: the Division's HQ was the last to be evacuated.
• Unevacuated units: the HQ of Grup 2 V.M. (Col. Ilie Vasilescu), Bat. 1 V.M. (Lt.Col. Petre Marinov), Bat. 3 V.M. (Lt.Col. Opris), Bat. 4 V.M. (Lt.Col. Ioan Popa), Bateria 137 AC Moto, Cp.Ar.Grele of Grup 2 V.M, Pl. 50 mm AC of Grup 2 V.M. (Bat. 23 V.M. previously lost with Detasamentul Alusta).
• Losses between 1.4-12.5.44: 3524 (dead, wounded, missing); 6031 were evacuated by sea;

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  ROMANIA

• May-August 1944: in the resting area (around Sinaia / PH).
• 23.8-5.9.44: grouped S of BRAŞOV (in the area Braşov - Sinaia).
• 3.9.44: Statistics:

  Unit	Officers	NCOs	Troops
  Bat. 2 V.M.	16	8	463
  Bat. 3 V.M.	15	8	413
  Bat. 23 V.M.	14	8	420
  Dn. 2 Tu.Mte.	17	28	351
  Dn. 8 Tu.Mte.	10	12	246
  Dn 1 Ob.Mte.	3	3	83
  Total	75	65	1976

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  ROMANIA (Northern Transylvania, occupied by Hungary)

• 7.9.44: in action towards SFÂNTU GHEORGHE - Malnaş / CV.
• 8.9.44: Div.1 Mte. liberated SFÂNTU GHEORGHE, then Arcuş / CV, Bodoc / CV, Zălan / CV (9.9.44).
• 9.9.44: NW of Bodoc.
• 10.9.44: N of Băţani / CV.
• 11.9.44: it liberated ODORHEIU SECUIESC.
• 14.9.44: arrived on the Târnava Mică valley in Solocma / MS area.
• 15-17.9.44: deployed in Niraj valley, between Bereni / MS and S of Acăţari / MS.
• 28.9.44: in TÂRGU MUREŞ, then it established by 4.10.44 a bridgehead on the Mureş river, W of Târgu Mureş.
• 5-8.10.44: deployed on the Mureş river, between Târgu Mureş and Ogra / MS.
• 9.10.44: in action from N of TÂRGU MUREŞ towards Nazna / MS - Pănet / MS, it seized Band / MS.
• 10.10.44: in action at Pogăceaua / MS, arrived in the evening N of Sărmaşu / MS.
• 12.10.44: regrouped W of Sâmbăteni.
• 13.10.44: moved and grouped in Sucutard / CJ - Ghiolţ area (20 km SE of GHERLA).
• 14.10.44: grouped in Sic / CJ area (15 km S of GHERLA).
• 15.10.44: grouped in Stoiana / CJ - Lujerdiu / CJ area (SW of GHERLA).
• 16.10.44: passed to the MSM reserve.
• by 18.11.44: Div.1 Mte. returned to its peace garrisons.

• 11.44: disbanded. (Instrucţiuni 70200 / 1.11.44).

HQ LOCATIONS. (abbreviations)

OPM Numbers (see the OPM list)

CODE NAMES (see the list)

25.8.44-

Vâltoarea

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