From the War Museum

When Germany invaded the Soviet Union, Romania's military contributed the most soldiers of all the satellite powers. The soldiers were the worst equipped of Germany's allies, according to the War Museum, but their numbers enabled them to conduct major operations on their own.

Romanian divisions were almost exclusively responsible for the siege and capture of the Black Sea port of Odessa. Following the bloody victory, the Romanians participated heavily in the conquest of Sevastopol, in the Crimea.

In 1943 all of Germany's co-belligerents experienced disasters and retreat and the Romanians still serving on the Eastern Front retreated as well.

In August 1944 Romania changed sides and fought against the Germans until the end of the war. Unfortunately, the Soviet Army occupied Romania for fifteen years after the war's end, ensuring its captivity behind the "Iron Curtain."