Waffen Grenadier Regiment of the SS (1st Romanian)
During World War II, the Waffen Grenadier Regiment of the SS (1st Romanian) (German: Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS (Rumänisches Nr. 1)) was formed out of members of the 4 Romanian Infantry Division which had been refitting in Germany territory when Romania signed a ceasefire with the Soviet Union.
The regiment also included members of the Fascist Iron Guard, which always had a close relationship with the SS. It was attached to the III. SS. Germanisches Panzer Korps and fought on the River Oder front until the beginning of March 1945. It was then transferred to the Eastern approaches to Berlin where it was smashed by the Soviet offensive which was launched against the city on the 16 April. Most of the regimental personnel who escaped fled westwards, where a number managed to reach American troops to surrender.
Construction Battalion
It was hoped by the Germans that this unit would form the basis of a Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Romanian) and to that end a second regiment was formed. Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS (Rumänisches Nr. 2) began forming at Dollersheim in Austria. However, by this stage in the war there was no fuel for vehicles, little food and no weapons or ammunition for the new regiment. In April 1945, the two battalions which had been formed were used as construction battalions.
Commanders
- No. 1: SS-Sturmbannführer Gustav Wagner
- No. 2: SS-Standartenführer Albert Ludwig
Order of battle
- I. Bataillon
- II. Bataillon