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    Morar Andrei

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    1. A quick update of the situation: my latest video, about the equipment of the Romanian armed forces (subtitles will be added tomorrow, I promise). What do you think about?
    2. 1) Good news for any English speaker: English subtitles for "The Charge of Prunaru" are finally here! 2) Who would like to see a next video about the weapons used by the Romanian troops during the Great War?
    3. If there is anyone curious, I also made a video version of the subject (English subtitles included). Enjoy!
    4. A little update to the situation (sorry fir the lack of subtitles, they will be added tomorrow):
    5. This year, Romania gets into the aniversary of 100 years since the end of the Great War and the Great Union of December 1st 1918. Because Romania is many times forgotten in the history pages, I decided to initiate 2 cultural programmes to inform the people: 1) the blog "Miltary Hitory of Romania", where I write different stories about the army and its battles from 1916-1917, or about social aspects, such as "Romanian Soldiers in the Austro-Hungarian Army" 2) by creating a series of videos on YouTube called "Battles of the Romanian Army", where I talk about different battles, more or less known, that took place in the First World War. The first one is already done, being entitles "The Battles for Făgăras County" *Note: I'm sorry for the lack of activity on the blog on the last month. I was looking for an interesting article, but got nothing, at least yet.
    6. All these photos look very nice! How would look these ones?
    7. Continuing the series of the Romanian made planes, here comes the IAR 37, a bomber produced during the Interwar period and used on the Eastern Front. IAR 37, IAR 38 and IAR 39 is a series of Romanian biplane airplanes with three seats for easy reconnaissance and bombardment of Romanian conception and achievement of the 1930s. Its producer is the Romanian Aeronautical Industry. In 1936, the IAR Factory carried out the design of a reconnaissance and bombardment aircraft easily derived from the French aircraft Potez 25. Initially, this aircraft was equipped with the engine IAR 14K, a Gnome-Rhône Mistral Major engine, which was manufactured under license. The prototype (IAR 37.1) was tested in the spring of 1937, and as a result of the good test results, it began to be manufactured under the name of IAR 37. On the basis of a contract with the Ministry of Air and Marine, by the end of 1937, pieces. Still, the IAR 14K engine was not available anymore, so there was the problem of adapting another engine. In the summer of 1938, the BMW-132A engine, 700 hp, was adapted for which some changes to the cell were needed. The version equipped with this engine was called IAR 38 and from this version were produced 75 copies. In November 1938, the new IAR 14K II C32 engine was equipped with 49 IAR 37 airplanes, but due to the increasingly powerful engine variants, there were structural problems that required changes to the project initial. The first device of the new variant, called IAR 39, made the first flight on 13 March 1940, and by the end of the year 95 pieces were produced. As the IAR plants were busy with the production of IAR 80 and SM 79B bombers, starting with 1942, the production was transferred to SET Bucharest, where the aircraft also received an improved engine, the IAR 14K IVC engine. The variant made at SET was called IAR 39A. Production ceased in the autumn of 1944 after 160 aircraft had been produced. On the series of airplanes produced at the SET was added the letter "S". • Use in combat The first planes were equipped with the observation squadrons in 1939. By the end of 1940, three Information Floats were fully equipped with IAR 37, 38 or 39 planes. The organization was as follows: Fleet 1 Information, based on the Iaşi airfield, consisting of 19, 20, 21 and 22 observation squadrons; Fleet 2 Information, based on the Someseni-Cluj aerodrome, which consisted of observation squadrons 11, 12, 13 and 14; Fleet 3 Information, based on the aerodrome in Galati, which consisted of observation squadrons 15, 16, 17 and 18. Each squadron consisted of 12 apparatus. The first wave in 1941 Modification These fleets participated in World War II with the start of Operation Barbarossa on June 22, 1941. Each army corps was attached to observation squadrons, used to observe and photograph the front line and the movements of enemy troops. Of the total, 11 squadrons (No. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21 and 22) were used in reconnaissance, observation and liaison missions and one (18) easy bombardment. They were also used to attack enemy troops, artillery positions, convoys, anti-aircraft guns, and partisans. The distribution of the squadrons was as follows: Squadrons 11, 12, 13, 14 were assigned to the Aeronautical Command as the escorts to link to the 3rd and 4th Armies. Squadron 15 was attached to the 1st Armored Division. Squadron 16 is at the disposal of the Dobrogea Aeronautical Command. Squadrons 17, 20, and 22 served the 4th Army as observation squadrons. Escadillo 18 was part of Group 2 of Fleet 2 Bombardment. Squadrons 19 and 21 served the 4th Army as observational escads. The first loss occurred on the very first day of the attack, when an IAR 37 of Recognition Squadron no. 19 was shot down by a Polikarpov I-153 VVS (Voenno-Vozduhnîe Silî) - Soviet Air Force. On this day, four observation devices were lost. The first victory was approved two days later, when Sergeant Vasile Puşcaşu, the backside machine gun of an IAR 39 apparatus of the Recognition Squadron no. 22 shot down a Polikarpov I-16 "Rata". During this first campaign, 30 IAR type 37, 38 or 39 were lost. • At Stalingrad in 1942 Modification In the Stalingrad campaign from September 1942 to January 1943, six of the observation escorts and the light squadron were involved. Campaign losses were 13 IAR 38/39. • In 1943 Modification In 1943, most missions aimed at recognizing the Black Sea and escorting convoys between Constanta, Odessa and Sevastopol. Also, missions to recognize the front area were performed. Since November 1943, some IARs 37 and 39 have been used to tow DFS-230 sailplanes of the Aircrafts Squadron 109 Squadron. The IAR 38 machines, due to their weaker engines, could not pull the loaded gliders to their payload capacity of 1100kg but loaded with only 500kg. • In 1944 Change In 1944, IAR 39s were fused into 9 observation squats, and IAR 37s equipped the light bombardment squadron. They all performed missions in the front area. After the events of August 1944, two observation squads of the Observation Group 2 took part in the campaign in Transylvania. Two more observation squads of the Observation Group 1 soon joined them. In the Transylvanian campaign, 10 appliances were lost. The campaign continued in Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Due to the few remaining enemy fighter jets, the losses in the observation devices were determined by the air defense. The last plane lost in the war was an IAR 39, on May 8, 1945, near Voderady, in eastern Moravia. The last mission of ARR in the war was on 9 May 1945, observing the handover of German troops. With all their low speed and vulnerability due to the lack of any armor, IAR 37, 39 and 30, nicknamed "Santa Claus", were used by ARR from the first to the last day of war. Because of them, the infantry had a sense of security knowing them patrolling over and directing the artillery. • After the war After the war, the remaining planes received civilian registrations and were used until the 1960s. None has been preserved to date. • Technical detailes The Piaggio-P.XI engine is derived from the same engine Gnome-Rhône Mistral Major as the IAR 14K, which is extremely similar in appearance. The fuel could be loaded into two tanks, one of 539 liters and one 123 liters fitted under the pilot's seat. The propeller was bipolar, wooden, with a diameter of 3,400 m. The board equipment with which it was equipped also allowed night-time navigation. The plane had two retractable headlamps. The airplane had a fire-extinguishing facility and oxygen installation for each member. The aircraft had a Telefunken 901 A/F radio with a power of 20 W with a fixed antenna and a moving antenna. Machineguns Browning PWU Wing 2 x 7,92 mm 2 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm Machinegun Browning FN Ventral 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm Machineguns Rheinmetal MG 15 Turret 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm 1 x 7,92 mm Bombes Under wing 12 x 50 kg 12 x 50 kg 24 x 12 kg 24 x 12 kg
    8. I want to know a bit more about the role of the hungarian units during this battle, especially about the ones composed in a large portion from transylvanians, such as the 23rd Honveds frim Hermenstadt. Were they fighting bravely or desserted to the russians? More than that, how did they perform at Przmesyl?
    9. Do you have any other old coins in your personal collection?
    10. This my first topic from a series that will cover at least some of the planes used by Romania during the Second World War. First one will be about the only romanian-built fighter, the IAR 80. IAR 80 was a monoplane fighter and dive bomber. It was conducted at IAR Braşov by a team composed of Prof. Ion Grosu, Ion Coşereanu, Eng. Gheorhe Zotta, Viziru Grosu and Ion Wallner. At that time, the IAR 80 was comparable to the most modern combat aircraft, such as Germany's Bf 109, Mitsubishi A6M Zero in Japan, Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire in the UK. In the second part of the war, this project proved to be technologically outdated. About five years after the end of the war, the planes were completely replaced by Soviet models. In 1955, the Military Air Force Command decided to dismantle the apparatus and destroy it. No plane has been preserved, but two copies are now found at the National Museum of the Aviation, and the other at the National Military Museum, both in Bucharest. At the end of 1937 the IAR 80 started working, initially designed with the open cockpit and the IAR K14-III C32 engine of 870 hp (649 kW). Slow work was done on this project and the first flight was conducted in April 1939. Subsequent tests were impressive: the airplane reached a speed of 510 km / h at a height of 4000 m. Several small issues discovered by the tests were resolved in the following year. For more power, a new engine of 930 hp (690 kW), ie version C36 of K14-III, was installed. Due to the power of this engine, it was also necessary to modify the fuselage. As a result, the tank was increased to 455 l, the wings extended and the tail modified to eliminate some aerodynamic problems. Carlinga was moved a little in the back, and to offset the visibility of the pilot's seat, the entire cockpit was lifted. The improved prototype was tested on the Heinkel He 112 plane that had just arrived from Germany as the beginning of a larger order. Although the He 112 was somewhat more modern and much better armed, the IAR 80 with a stronger engine proved to be much more performing in the rest of the range. The Royal Aviation, being impressed, immediately ordered 100 pieces on December 18, 1939, and the orders for He 112 were canceled. • Characteristics - Length: 8,16 m. Width: 10.0 m. - Height: 3.6 m. Carrier surface: 15,50 m². Weight (empty): 1780 kg. - Mass (maximum): 2280 kg. - Engine: IAR K14-III C32, 870 hp (649 kW), later IAR K14-III C36, 930 hp (690 kW). • Performances: - Maximum speed: 510 km / h at 4000 m. - Ceiling: 10500 m (34,500 ft). - Climbing time at 5000 m: 6 min. - Weapons 2 × FN (Browning) 7.92 mm • Variants: - IAR 80: Production was supposed to begin immediately, but procurement of weapons proved to be a serious problem. On the prototype, only two Fabrique Nationale guns of 7.92 mm Belgian production were mounted. This weapon was obviously too weak for use in war and according to the project the plane should have been equipped with six such weapons. On the occasion of the invasion of Belgium and the Netherlands by Germany, the supply of these weapons ceased and unfortunately there were no Romanian weapons fitting on the plane. In the absence of weapons, production was stopped. In November 1940, Romania entered into an alliance with the Powers of the Axis, and the Germans allowed the resumption of Belgian arms transport. Even if more weapons were purchased, the planes produced had only 4 machine guns fitted. Serial specimens have increased the length, width and bearing surface. It received a stronger engine and increased overall weight. A total of 50 devices, numbered 1 - 50, will be built from this version. - IAR 80A: In April 1941, Romania was included in Germany's sphere of influence, so the Germans supplied more weapons. The weaponry was quickly incorporated into the project and the 80A model resulted, according to the project, was equipped with 6 weapons. The windscreen was also made of armored glass and armored pilot's seat. The plane was powered by the new IAR K14-1000A engine, 1025 hp. Because this engine was too strong for the original cell, the fuselage was modified and strengthened. Although the IAR 80A had a stronger engine, the addition of weapons, ammunition, and armor weight contributed to a slight reduction in maximum speed to 509 km / h. The new model was an obvious breakthrough and replaced the old model with the 51th aircraft. Eight new planes were completed in time to participate in the war of liberation of Bessarabia starting June 22, 1941. From this version will be built 90 devices with numbers 051-090, 106-150 and 176-180. - IAR 80B: In this version, two of the Browning machine guns were replaced by two NF machine guns of 13.2 mm and the range increased. Improved fuel tank and armor protection on the pilot's side. From this version, 20 appliances were manufactured, with numbers 181-200. Next, 11 appliances in the series 201-211 will be equipped with two additional fuel tanks of 100 l, wide, located under the wings. - IAR 80DC: At the Aircraft Repair Workshops (ARMV), which later became the Aircraft Company Bucharest, several IAR 80 units were converted to the training biloc, the version being called IAR 80DC (double command). These machines were equipped with hunting pilot schools. - IAR 81: It is a version equipped to carry out missile bombing (Bo-Pi) missions. For this purpose, it started from various versions of IAR 80, which were equipped with bomb launchers. The IAR 81 base version started from the IAR version 80A, to which were added three bomb launchers, two 50kg bombs placed under the wings and one for a 250kg bomb placed under the fuselage. The weapon was the same as the IAR version 80A. From this version, 50 copies were produced, with the numbers 091-105, 151 -175 and 231-240. - IAR 81A: This version comes from the IAR 80B version. The differences consisted of a 13.2 mm machine gun cartridge, and instead of the 50 kg bomb, it had additional fuel tanks. There were 29 copies, with the series 212-230 and 291-300. - IAR 81B: In this version, 13.2 mm machine guns are replaced by two 20 mm Ikaria (20-mm license), each with 60 strokes each. Thus his fire power was similar to that of the Spitfire V device. There were 50 copies, with the series 241-290. - IAR 81C: In this version, Ikaria cannons were replaced with Mauser MG 151 cannons of 20 mm, with increased bumps. From this version there were produced 38 copies of the 100 series ordered, with the series beginning with 301. • Other versions: An Junkers Jumo 211 Da Engine, a twelve-cylinder turbocharged 12-cylinder turbocharged engine with a higher power output of 1340 hp (1000 kW), has been tried on an IAR 81. The results are little known. Also, an IAR 80 replaced the original engine with a BMW 801, used by the German Focke-Wulf Fw 190, which could develop a speed of at least 600 km/h, but this could not be put into practice on a scale because of the fact that the Germans were unable to provide the engine.
    11. If anyone has other coins/banknotes in their collection, leave a reply together with some images. Happy New Year!
    12. The only wartime photo of the TACAM R2 I know. What can I find about it?
    13. Finally got an image from the movie. Sorry for bad resolution...
    14. Another tech tree realised, this time for Romania: Romania Tech Tree a) Infantry - 1914 rifle infantry (old style) - 1914 vânători/chasseurs - 1916 rifle infantry - 1917 assault infantry - 1918 SMG infantry - machinegun: Maxim b) Artillery - 1880-1890 field artillery: 75mm Krupp M1880 - 1914 field artillery: 155mm De Bange - 1914 siege howitzer: 210mm M1888/1891 Krupp - 1915 howitzer: 150mm M1912 Schneider - 1916 field artillery: 75mm Krupp M1904 - 1916 rail artillery: none - 1917 heavy howitzer: 155mm M1917 Schneider - 1917 siege howitzer: 120mm M.1888/1891 Krupp - 1918 field artillery: 75mm Puteax (upgraded) - 1918 rail artillery: none - anti-aircraft artillery: 76,2mm Putilov autocanon *If you conquer an enemy town with the facility to produce rail artillery, you can recruit (as Romania) French or Austro-Hungarian one (not decided yet) c)Armoured vehicles - 1914 armoured car: Renault Auto-Mitrallieuse - 1916 armoured car: Austin Mark III - 1916 early tank: none - 1917 tank: none - 1918 advanced tank: Renault Ft.17 (Romanian marks) *In case of conquering a tiwn with acces to tank industry, Romania can also recruit the French 1916 tank Schneider CAI1 d) Cavalry - 1914 hussars - 1914 lacers (Roșiori) - 1914 dragoons (guard cavalry) - 1916 mounted infantry (same look as the 1916 "dismounted" version") e) Aviation: - 1914 scout plane: Bleriot - 1915 fighter: Aviatik C.I - 1916 bomber: Farman 40 - triplane: none - 1916 fighter: Nieuport 11 - 1918 fighter: Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter *Romanua doesn't have acces to zeppelins (they didn't use any during the war, just scout baloons)
    15. Initially, my idea was to use, such as in other strategy games, historical events based on what happened (certain battles), but might also be some where the history may be changed. The idea is that the outcome of a level to be based in the skill of the player, not on a certain nation bias. In Conquest mode, there can be a mix between reality and alternate history, because not all of the European nations were yet part of a certain faction. If there any advice or anything I can change, I'm opened to any new ideas. Here is also an idea for the German tech tree, as an example. Hope to be good! Germany Tech Tree a) Infantry - 1914 rifle infantry uniform (the one with the spike-helmet) - 1914 jägers (they remain same for all years, but in 1916, may get the stallhelm) - 1916 rifle infantry (stallhelm and grey uniforms) - 1917 assault infantry (storm troopers) - 1918 SMG infantry - machinegun: MG08 Spandau b) Artillery - 1880-1890 field artillery: 77mm M.1896 - 1914 field artillery: 75mm Krupp M.1903 (it may also be used by Romania), or I can replace it with the - 1914 siege howitzer: 420mm "Big Bertha" - 1915 howitzer: 150mm M.1913 - 1916 field artillery: 105mm Leichte Feldhaubitze 16 - 1916 rail artillery: 380mm Langer Max - 1917 heavy howitzer: 210mm Morser 10 - 1917 siege howitzer: 280mm Haubitze L/12 - 1918 field artillery: 150mm Kanone 16 - 1918 rail artillery: the "Paris Gun" c) Armoured vehicles - 1914 armoured car: Ehrhard E-V/4 - 1916 armoured car: Bussing - 1916 tank: the germans didn't produce any of their own until 1918, but the can have the "Beutepanzers" (captured British tanks - Mark I or Mark IV) - 1917 light tanks: none - 1918 advanced tanks: A7V * I haven't decided yet if there will be both "male" and "female" tanks, but if I'll do so, the "male" will have a larger firing range, and the "female" will have an anti-infantry bonus d) Cavalry - 1914 hussars - 1914 lancers - 1914 dragoons - 1916 mounted infantry (same look as the "dismounted" 1916 version) e) Aviation - 1914 scout plane (with little attack capability and low HP and damage): Aviatik B.1 - 1915 fighter: Fokker Eindecker - 1916 bomber: Zeppelin (universal looking fir most of the factions) and Gotha G. IV - triplane: Fokker Dr.1 - 1916 fighter: Albatros D. III - 1918 fighter: Fokker D.VII *There will also be anti-aircraft artillery, represented for Germany by the 88mm Flak 16 I'm still on the ideas developing stage, so any opinion may count. But where can I find someone that actually can help me turn this game into reality? Merry Christmas to you all!
    16. I have an idea for a new Turn Based Strategy game for mobioe platforms, different to the ones already existent. Here's the basic idea: on the one hand, it's the campaign mode. Here I have the following ideas: - Western Front (1914-1918), with playable countries Germany, Belgium, France, England -The East Front (1914-1923) with playable countries Germany, Austria-Hungary, Serbia, Romania, the Tsarist Russian Empire and the Bolshevik Revolution -the Italian front (1915-1918), Italy, Austria-Hungary and Germany - Balkan Front (1914-1918), with Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Otoman Impact, England, France None of the levels will have a limited number of turns for realism, or maybe 40-50, but if you get over that number, the enemy may have a little advantage. There is also a "Headquarters" section, where you can upgrade units (I'm not sure if I want to add generals to buy them with ingame currency, considering them a bit OP in the EasyTech games, but I can change my mind). Upgrades work as follows: instead of upgrading a single unit by improving its stats, you can unlock new units (new types of infantry, more advanced, modern combat equipment, new planes, etc.). You start with 1914 level technology and get to the 1918 type (I'll explain later how the tech tree will work). There will also be a Conquest mode in several ways. There will be: the western front 1914, 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1923, same years for the eastern front (or perhaps a huge map of Europe, very accurate with many towns, correct borders between countries and natural enviorenents that can give a buff or nerf to certain unuts, for these years). All countries in Europe are playable. The prize will be medals or research points. No number of turns decided yet, but it could be somewhere between 300-400 (the purpose would be, as it was in the real war, to win as fast as possible, but not having the pressure of doing that on a certain number of turns). The two major factions would be the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary) and Antanta (England, France and England), but the neutral countries can also create their own factions. The rest of the countries can choose which one they join or they can stay neutral. Follows the tech tree: - From infantry you can search: infantry 1914 / basic (old-style), infantry 1916 (new model), assault infantry (1917), SMG infantry (1918) - armored vehicles: armored cars (basic), tanks (1916), light tanks (1917), advanced tanks (1918) - aviation: early planes (base), fighters (1915), bombers and triplanes (1916), fighters 1918 - artillery: (1880-1890) field artillery, (1914) field artillery, (1914) siege howitzer, howitzer (1915), field artillery (1916), rail artillery (1916), heavy howitzer (1917), siege howitzer (1917), field artillery (1918), rail artillery (1918) Back to the Conquest Mode: In Conquest 1914, you can recruit infantry 1914 (old), armored cars (1914), early planes (1914), machineguns, cavalry (dragoons and lancets), infantry (1914 including chaseurs / jägers), field artillery (old model), siege howitzer (old model), and a few other things I'll decide to add In Conquest 1915, you can recruit same as previous, but there are added fighters (1915), howitzer (1915) Conquest 1916 brings more same as before, but a bit more stuff: field artillery (1916), rail artillery (1916), infantry 1916 (new models, represented by a different unit skin), tanks (1916), bombers, triplanes (1916) New elements for Conquest 1917: heavy howitzer (1917), siege howitzer (1917), light tanks (1917), assault infantry (1917) In Conquest 1918 and 1923 you have same things fromm previous years, but with new elements: rail and field artillery (1918), SMG infantry (1918), advanced tanks (1918), fighters 1918 *Note: countries that never used tanks in WW1 will not be able to produce them, unless the conquer a factory where they can be built. In that case, the will can produce tanks similar to thei allieds'. *Note: infantry category is classified in 5 kinds you can create: rifle/line infantry, chasseurs, assault infantry, SMG infantry and machineguns * Note: cavalry avaible is by 4 kinds: lancers, dragoons, hussars and mounted infantry (avaible by 1916 tech) *Note: artillery classification: field artillery, siege howitzer, (field) howitzer, heavy howitzer, rail artillery *Note: armoured units avaible: armoured cars, armoured trains (looking the same for all years), early tanks, light tanks and advanced tanks *Note: planes avaible: reconaissance planes, fighters (biplanes), triplanes, bombers All countries will have different unit skins, for a larger diversity, not all will look the same. I'm waiting for different suggestions, what can I add, what can I change or improve. If there is anyone who can help me with this idea or is intetsted in creating/modding games, he can use this idea. I just want to see this thing coming alive. Thank you very much and happy holidays!
    17. Indeed, these were wartime banknotes, most probably there was a huge inflation. Also, after the war, Romania had to pay huge repairments to the Soviets Union by any means: military occupation (until 1956), a large ammount of grains, oil, minerals, locomotives and many others. Combined with the harsh weather of 1946, this caused a huge famine in the country, and mist probably another hyper inflation. But most interesting thing is that until 2005-2006, the banknote which now has the value of 1 "leu" was the value of 10000 "lei", the 10 lei was 100000 and the 100 lei was 1000000. That's why in the common language there are still used the names of "one milion lei" instead of one hundred and so on for the other banknotes.
    18. Very interesting indeed. But what happened to the members of the regiment after that? Since many of its members (aproximatly 60% were romanians), and the russians eliberated some Autro-Hungarian POWs to the Romanian Army, is that possible that thei have returned to their country after 1916 or 1917? Thank you again!
    19. Thank you! I had doubts if to place this topic here or in the collections category. Anyways, here are a few more:
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