Army News
The Oritsa submachine gun begins production in 1943, and begins arming infantry units. The Mareșal tank destroyer begins production in late 1944, armed with the 75mm Resita AT gun. The Maresal is to arm the new vânător battalions attached to the blindat (armoured) and infanterie divisions. The Romanian Army begins a period of restructuring and modernization of equipment in 1943 beginning with the purchase of 384 Renault Char 6D, which will be known in Romania as the R-8 Vulpe as well as the purchase of 384 PZInz 32TP which in Romania will be known as the R-9 Tigru. The Romanians wish to upgrade their artillery park and anti-aircraft defenses with an eye to making the Romanian army more mobile, so studies are undertaken to determine the viability of mounting 10.5cm and 15cm guns on the chassis of the R-7 light tank (1). Studies are also begun to mount the 75mm Resita AT gun in an open topped R-7 chassis in order to improve the mobility of the Infanterie divisions antitank companies (2).
Internal Romanian News
King Carol abdicates the throne in favour of his 23 year old son, Prince Michael who is crowned King Michael I of the Romanians in 1944. Construction begins on the autostrada network in Romania, with the A2 highway heading north towards Hungary, the A3 heading northeast towards Poland, the A8 heading east to Yugoslavia, and the A2 heading south towards Bulgaria.
(1) Grille clone
(2) Marder III clone