Administrative divisions of the Kingdom of Romania (1941–1944)

During the period of 1941–1944, encompassing much of World War II, the Kingdom of Romania underwent significant territorial changes and, consequently, administrative restructuring. This restructuring was largely driven by Romania's alliance with the Axis powers and its participation in the war against the Soviet Union.

The administrative divisions of this era reflected both pre-existing structures and newly annexed territories. Romania was divided into counties (județe), which were the primary administrative units. These counties were further grouped into governorates or regions, particularly in the newly acquired territories.

Key changes and features of the administrative divisions during this period included:

• Territorial Expansion: Romania annexed territories such as Bessarabia, Northern Bukovina, and Transnistria (between the Dniester and Southern Bug rivers) from the Soviet Union in 1941. These territories were incorporated into the Romanian administrative structure.
• Governorates: To administer the newly acquired territories, Romania established governorates. The most notable was the Transnistria Governorate (Guvernământul Transnistriei), which was not formally incorporated into Romania but was administered as a separate entity. Other governorates might have existed to administer Bessarabia and Bukovina, but Transnistria was the most prominent and had a distinct administrative structure.
• County Structure: Within these governorates, the traditional county structure was imposed, though often with adapted borders and jurisdictions. New counties were created to manage the expanded territory.
• Military Administration: Due to the ongoing war, military administration played a significant role, especially in areas close to the front lines. The military often exerted influence over civilian administrative functions.
• Population Management: The administrative divisions were also used to implement policies related to population control, including census taking, conscription, and, tragically, the segregation and persecution of Jewish and Roma populations, particularly within the Transnistria Governorate.

Following the turn of the tide of war and the eventual Soviet offensive in 1944, Romania lost control of these territories. The administrative divisions established during 1941-1944 were largely dismantled as the country reverted to its pre-war borders and later transitioned into a communist state. The study of these administrative divisions is crucial to understanding Romania's role in World War II and the impact of its policies on the populations living within its borders at that time.