Soviet preparations Soviet occupation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina
by directives ov/583 , ov/584 of soviet people commissariat of defense, military units of odessa military district ordered battle-ready state in spring of 1940. soviet troops concentrated along romanian border between april 15 , june 10, 1940. in order coordinate efforts of kiev , odessa military districts in preparation of action against romania, soviet army created southern front under general georgy zhukov. composed of 5th, 9th , 12th armies. southern front had 32 infantry divisions, 2 motorized infantry divisions, 6 cavalry divisions, 11 tank brigades, 3 paratrooper brigades, 30 artillery regiments, , smaller auxiliary units.
two action plans devised. first plan prepared eventuality romania not agree evacuate bessarabia , bukovina. soviet 12th army strike southward along prut river towards iaşi, while soviet 9th army strike westwards, south of chişinău towards huşi. objective of plan surround romanian troops in bălţi-iaşi area. second plan took consideration possibility romania agree soviet demands , evacuate military forces. in such situation, soviet troops given mission reach prut river , oversee evacuation of romanian troops. first plan taken default course of action. along portions of border offensive planned take place, soviets prepared @ least triple superiority of men , materiel.
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