The 1st Maneuver Support Brigade “Argedava” (Brigada 1 Sprijin Manevră “Argedava”) is a brigade of the Romanian Land Forces. It was initially formed as the 36th Infantry Regiment, and named after the Moldavian Voivode Vasile Lupu.
The brigade is considered the best and most modern infantry brigade in the Romanian Land Forces; its headquarters are located in Bucharest. The 1st Brigade is formed around a command with a multifunctional staff, intended to ensure the conduct of operations in the rear area and includes structures of paratroopers, CBRN, CIMIC, engineering, military police, anti-aircraft defense, as well as logistical support. The unit is under structural reorganization which is set to complete in 2024.[1]
History
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Monument for the 36th Infantry Regiment in Mihail Kogălniceanu, Constanța
Origins to World War I
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On 1 April 1909, the 36th Infantry Regiment “Vasile Lupu” was established.[1] In 1910, the Regiment was assigned to the 18th Infantry Brigade, at the same time being moved to Cernavodă. It participated in the Second Balkan War, and was assigned to the Turtucaia garrison after its conclusion.[2]
During World War I, the 36th Infantry Regiment took part in the Battle of Turtucaia suffering heavy losses. The regiment continued to fight in the 1916 campaign being merged with the 76th Infantry Regiment into the 36/76th Infantry Regiment. From December 1916 to May 1917, the Regiment was reorganized and rearmed, and it participated in the Battle of Mărășești during the summer. In December 1917, the 36th Regiment ensured the public order and the disarmament of the Russian troops in Northern Moldavia. From July 1918, it was deployed to the Dnister border where it defeated a Bolshevik uprising in January 1919 in the Ataki area. It returned to Turtucaia in 1920.[2]
World War II to present day
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After the Treaty of Craiova, it was relocated to Cernavodă. From September 1942, the Regiment participated in the battles on the Don bend, where it repelled Soviet attacks until 19 November when it was forced to retreat and suffered heavy losses during the general offensive of the Soviet forces. By 21 November, the disorganized troops escaped the encirclement and withdrew, eventually being moved to Transnistria between January and February 1943, and returning to Cernavodă in September. After King Michael’s Coup, the 36th Regiment participated in the disarmament of the German troops in Dobrogea, then in the battles in Northern Transylvania. The Regiment continued with the campaigns in Hungary and Czechoslovakia until 12 May 1945.[2]yh. .
. There are two or three “on-line” experts who have slightly contradicting ideas on this one.
I have only this to go by as there is nothing on a water cooled MG15 in any of my machine gun books.
Internet conjecture:
i. Produced by Germany in Romania (never fielded kept in storage) exported to UK then by IMA to the US as parts kits.
ii. France to Romania in WW2, converted for export by German officials, Romania changed sides never fielded, and guns stayed in storage - then to US as parts kits.
It is an MG15 machine gun converted to ground use, with a water cooled front end.
The receiver is marked 1943 but has been stamped ST61.
All MG15 parts are waffen marked and also have the more imperial looking eagla sans swastika.
The water cooled parts are rougher finish and unmarked - no waffens or eagles and only mismatched numbers.
There are no markings on the bipod.
Would love to see any pictures of it in “period” use - if anyone can find any.
The best anyone has come up with is a Romanian training manual that looks circa 1950’s but could be more modern.
Quite a high ROF (1200 to 1500 RPM) - with a very violent ejection, in fact never seen anything quite like it, almost dangerous to shooter’s toes appendages.
Anyway for your study and conjecture.
https://www.warrelics.eu/forum/world-firearms/st61-converted-mg15-350387/.