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== With the Blocking ==

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Talk:Romanian Campaign (1916)
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Foreword
In 1848 my family Barbu Balcescu and his brother Nicolae Balcescu , and many other Moldavian, Valahian and Transylvanian families , for a brief time, trying to accomplish the Romanians ideal of unification of all Romanians in one country, before and after , just as Mihai Viteazu did in 1600, unfortunately for a short while, in reality the unification of Moldavia , Valahia and Transilvania into one state .However this ideal has been accomplished by His Majesty King Ferdinand of Romania in 1918, with the great contribution of His Majesty King Carol of Romania in 1877-1878 which made the independence of Romania , 1913 ,the peace in the Balkans , etc.And also, with the great help of Romanian Army and again with some small contribution from historical families of Moldavia , Valahia and Ardeal ,like Aristide Razu, Nicolae Mandrea Zoe Mandrea, and and of course many others before them. Here in his masterpiece ,named -The War for Unification of Romania 1916-1919 -,Constantin Kiritescu captures and stories for the youth generation, as he says himself , with great accuracy these document moments of history making thus with this face as the great historian Nicolae -Balcescu which wrote- Romanians under Mihai Viteazu Voievod- years before ,would have surely named, - The History of Romanians under King Ferdinand of Romania-,Kiritescus work thus . This War of Romanians of 1916-1919 streches on 3 Campaigns in 1916 , Over Charpatians ,Defending the Carpathians , the Campaign in Dobrogea ,the Occupation of the enemy in 1916 ,and then in 1917 the battles in Marasesti sector and lateral sectors ending thus with the 1918-1919 Campaign in Hungary


Contents
1 The Romanian Campaign of 1916 Chapter I Over Carpathian Mountains 1.Romanian Offensive in Transilvania
2 Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians
3 Romanian campaign -Dobrogea Campaign-1916
4 The Invasion-1916
5 The agony of a capital
The Romanian Campaign of 1916 Chapter I Over Carpathian Mountains 1.Romanian Offensive in Transilvania
The Romanian Campaign of 1916 Chapter I Over Carpathian Mountains 1.Romanian Offensive in Transilvania
Romanian Campaign of 1916

[URL=https://s734.photobucket.com/user/rrazu/media/w5.jpg.html][IMG]https://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww345/rrazu/w5.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Chapter I in this image you can see General Aristide Razu midlle , the unmistakeable General Constantin Prezan a bit to the right with mustache and a bit of beard etc. ...at Leu Monument , Bucharest,1928, monument of Romanian army engineers — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2003:CF:BF29:86AC:2593:B473:6AEA:675A (talk) 16:53, 20 June 2020 (UTC)

Over Carpathian Mountains

1.Romanian Offensive in Transylvania

Crossing the mountains

"In the night of 14/27-15/28 of August our troops have attacked the Austro-Hungarian frontier".With this sober sentence the first official communicate of the Great Romanian Headquarter announced the event,epochal of crossing the Carpathian Mountains.The dungeon wall,which closed half of the Romanian nation,was demolished.The Carpathians were no more!Through the valleys ,eighteen centuries ago,passed the legions of great Roman Emperor Traian ,to bring the Latin civilization and Roman order in the country of simple and heroic Daci,through the same valleys were three centuries ago,have crossed the flags of the most heroic and unhappy Romanian voievod-medieval king-,to unite the sons of the same nation under the same scepter ,on the same routes was passing now the army of King Ferdinand,determined to make for eternity what Traian ,Roman emperor wanted,and Mihai the Brave has made only for a brief moment.

The covering Romanian troops occupied for some while the ridges of the mountains and the passes from Virciorova to Dorna.In the day of 27th of August they received the order that at 9 in the evening to cross the frontier and to attack the Austro -Hungarian troops ,which they will meet.In points of bigger circulation,like Predeal,Ghimes,the first detachment which set foot cross the frontier had to begin by cleaning the terrain of the guards at the border,which was accomplished fast and with insignificant losses.In other parts,the advance begun without encountering any resistance;only after a few kilometres ,in the enemy country,the enemy appeared.The surprise have been complete.In this first night of our war ,fell ,as first victims ,among the officers;Lieut-Colonel Poenaru Bordea G.,the Commander of 30th Muscel Regiment,hit by an enemy bullet in Bran mountain Pass and Lieutenant Macarie N.,of 13th Stefan Cel Mare Regiment,in Oituz Pass.

The entering in Transilvania was made through 18 points.The resistance opposed by the Austro-Hungarian troops have been defeated very fast;the Romanian troops were advancing impetuously towards the fixed goals.This resistance was made in the beginning by small detachments,of one battalion at most,mostly they had numerous machine guns,nested in trenches and shelters ,hidden carefully through the most narrow parts of mountains defiles,behind corners,at roads junctions,near the waters and under the mined bridges.Their aim was to make big gaps in the rows of our troops,and slow their advance.But the elan of the Romanian troops knew no obstacles.The cover Austro-Hungarian detachments,more and more numerous,were either crushed,or set to run away,either captured and the advance of Romanians was made without difficulty.


Firsts objectives were quickly met.Tuesday,29th of August,in the afternoon,in less then 48 hours from the beginning of the war,the Romanain troops entered Brasov. In the same time ,on Jiu Valley.they occupied Petrosani,important industrial city,the center of mining industry in this valley.In the angle of Carpathians has been occupied Tirgu Secuiesc,and the whole Sesul Secuilor.Three days after war declaration,we were in front of Orsova and Sibiu,beyond Brasov,close to Miercurea Ciuc.All the mountain passes of Carpathian Mountains were in our hands;their heights were behind our front.We have taken from the enemy over 4000 prisoners.

The hurricane advance of the Romanian Army made a delirious enthusiasm in the Kingdoom and consternation between the Hungarians.The cities neighbor with Carpathians are quickly evacuated by the authorities.The Romanian elite,especially intellectuals,priests and teachers,are arrested as hostages and dragged in the Hungarian prissons. Together with the authorities,runs away the wealthy Hungarian population and Saseasca,of which consciousness had some blame to make ,for itself. Ardeal(name of Transilvania) begins to know the tragedy of exodus of population in front of the entering which,of the most happy provinces of the Central Powers ,under this aspect,than the states of the Entente,only Oriental Prusia and Galitia had known.The roads and driveways are full with the population of Hungarians and Sasi(German minority of Transylvania),which have left their homes,carrying in the carriages the own,loaded in haste,and sending ahead the herds of thousands of animals,running for fear of Romanian advance,which they think vengeful and plundering,when in reality is a silence and respectful one of life and own.*

The Romanian columns advance cheerfully,in a highness of soul easy to understand.It is the day of triumph,of millennia sufferings.And the victory seems easier than hoped for,our boys,handsome in their beautiful new uniforms.Not thoughts of plunder and violence close the minds of these enthusiast and gentle liberators;they are content with the thankfulness of the soul of victory.Because in the Romanian villages they go,people come their way with tears of joy,and the priests rise hot prayers to the sky"four our High King Ferdinand I" and for the victory of his army!


The War Declaration.
After the famous second Crown Council on the morning of 14/27 August 1916,presided by King Ferdinand, at 4 in the afternoon the decree for the state of siege was on the streets of Bucharest. By evening the pedestrian gendarmes announced the general mobilization(of the army).

At 9 in the evening ,our minister at Viena presented himself at the Palace of Foreign Ministry in Ballplatz,and in the absence of the minister ,he put in the hand of the service-men a document of extreme importance.It was the war declaration which the Kingdoom of Romanian was making to Austro-Hungarian Empire.The declaration made the entire process of connections with the Triple Alliance,numbering the deceptions and vexations endured ,the entering of Italy in war against Austro-Hingary,which implicated the obligations of Romania,talked about the barbar treatment of the Romanians and attempts of breaking the Romanian Nation in the A-H Monarchy,in-spite of the alliance and friendship of the two states...etc"From these motives ,Romania considers herself ,from this moment ,in a state of war with Austro-Hungary"

[URL=https://s734.photobucket.com/user/rrazu/media/w6.jpg.html][IMG]https://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww345/rrazu/w6.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://s734.photobucket.com/user/rrazu/media/DSC_0014-1-1.jpg.html][IMG]https://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww345/rrazu/DSC_0014-1-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Romanian Arch de Triumph — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2003:CF:BF29:86AC:2593:B473:6AEA:675A (talk) 16:56, 20 June 2020 (UTC) The Romanian army

Getting on foot of war in the night of 27-28 August, 1916,our army mobilized 833 758 men of troops,commanded by 18000 officers.Made out of 378 Infantry battalions,299 Artillery Batteries and 104 Cavalry Escadrons-quadrons-,281 240 Horses.The reserve was made of 416 000 men.So the total was 1083000 men called under the flag,representing 15 pro cents of the population of the Kingdom,the totality of men between 18-45 years of age.All these forces mobilized 23 Infantry Divisions,and two Cavalry Divisions.Divisions 1-10 were old Divisions,with active officers ,strong divisions:made out of three Brigades of two Infantry Regiments each,at which it was added a Hunter Regiment,a Brigade of two Artillery regiments with quick firing ant other troops of services.Divisions 11-15 were new units,made in 1914-1916,by transforming the old territorial commandments.they were made of two Infantry Brigades,made of reserve-men,with a weaker artillery-a Regiment for each Division-and reduced services.Divisions 16-23 made of Regiments taken from old Divisions,from the fourth Battalion of the Infantry Regiment and with some new Units.These Divisions were weaker;Reserve officers mainly,their artillery made out of old cannons of 87 and 75 with slow firing-very reduced services.Divisions 1-10 one machine gun section per battalion,11-15 one section per Regiment,16-23 some of them not at all.

So Divisions 1-10 were very good Divisions

Divisions 11-15 were medium Divisions

Divisions 16-23 were weak Divisions/new divisions

Cavalry -made out of 22 Regiments which made two Independent Divisions,in six Rosiori Regiments each, with mounted artillery,75 mm batteries and cyclists. The Calarasi Regiments which were weaker as combative value have been united two by two,making five Brigades ,one for each Army Corps.

The number of officers was increased in 1916,from 8500 to 20000.

The Artillery

227 batteries(one battery=four cannons) of heavy and light :one Regiment of mounted artillery,25 Regiments of Light Artillery(75mm),Five Regiments of light Shells(105mm),one Regiment of Mountain Artillery 63mm and one division of 75mm;four Regiments of heavy Artillery

The Plan of Military operations.

A.The Carpathians Front

the I-st Romanian Army....134000 men

the II-nd Romanian Army....127000 men +the general Reserve 51000 men

B.Southern Front-the III-rd Romanian Army-Western Group(in Oltenia)-20000 men,Central Group(between Olt and Arges) 50000 men,Eastern Group(Turtucaia Silistra and Dobrogea Detachment) 72000 men The Romanian Front

Entering in the war ,Romania took place in direct elongation of the Russian fighting front.The right side of this front was made of Lecitki Army,Brusilov group,which have occupied Cernauti an almost entire Bucovina,resuming the left flank on Carpathian Mountains ,and Dorna region.The Romanian Army,mobilized ,had to stretch along the our frontier of North-East and South.Because of the curious geographical shape of the Kingdom,this front was occupying along Carpathians from Dorna to Virciorova,then along Danube River,from Virciorova to Turtucaia,and finally,from Turtucaia ,along Dobrogean frontier until the Black Sea.-a length of 750 Miles[148].it was the longest front in Europe,longer even than the Russian Front,from Baltic Sea to Dorna,had only 687 Miles!Face with this fantastic front unfolding and of the weak effective of the armies of the new adversaries ,it was obvious that none of them could occupy it in a continuous line.They had to tend on occupying shorter lines.Our war could not be in the beginning a war of position,as the other fronts,but a War of Movement.

From the stretch of our front,the most important sector was ,without mistake,the Carpathians,which connected directly with the Russian Front.Our entering in the action was determined by the pressure requests of the Russians ;our action had to unfold in tight connection with theirs.On the Southern Front,Danube River,could not become from the beginning a principal war theater ,because of the difficulties imposed by nature which obstacles the military operations ,in the other sectors(Carpathians);then this front was far from the most important line.There is also a sort of a certainty pertaining the Bulgarians intentions.The Russians seemed confident that Bulgarians would not fight them.It was clear that an action could take place only at the Dobrogean frontier,in the beginning of the war,easily to attack both sides.So at our entering in the war there were two fronts:Carpathians Front and Dobrogean Front.

Z Hypothesis

out of the numerous strategical combinations ,created by the Big Romanian Headquarter,the one adopted definitely,to correspond with the political and military situation of the Kingdom,was the one named "Z hypothesis".The hypothesis of a principal action against Bulgarians ,was dismissed. In the end it was adopted the Z Hypothesis of the Romanian Headquarter :The Offensive over Carpathian Mountains ,with direction Budapesta,to conquer the territories lived by Romanians,Defensive on the Southern Front,to ensure the freedom of action of the bulk of the troops ,defending the Kingdom and repulsing the attacks which Bulgarians could enterprise from South.

The plan of Romanian operations.

The operations army has been separated in four groups.On the Southern Front,from Calafat to Ekrene,to Black Sea was the III-rd Army of which Command was given to General M.Aslan. It was comprised of a group of observation,made out of Divisions 16th and 18th of Infantry and !st Cavalry Division,stretched along the Danube River,to the mouth of Argeas River,and of other three Divisions-17th,9th and 19th along Dobrogean frontier.At this came the Russian help ,made out of two infantry divisions and one of cavalry.Over the Bulgarian intentions were made the following hypothesis,from which it had to pour the action of the III-rd Army:the Bulgarian forces concentrated along Danube River,having the aim,of course to attract as much Romanian troops as possible South,to make impossible an action in great style in Transylvania-or Transilvania ,they will bombard the localities on the Romanian shore ,they will also execute demonstrations they will threat to cross the Danube and advance to Bucharest(capital);this thing would be impossible as the Bulgarians to not have the necessary forces to this purpose.The Bulgarian forces within Rusciuk-Sumla-Varna ,will ofcourse have the mission to enterprise a forced offensive in Dobrogea ,to rise the Bulgarian population and obstacle the Russians troops landings.

The operations of Romanian Army against Bulgaria ,not taking into account an aggressive political goal,but only a means of defense ,the Romanian forces concentrated on Danube and Dobrogea were considered sufficient.So it was decided that most of the troops must be concentrated on the North and North West Fronts.Victory here would be decisive,even if the Bulgarians would have some small local successes.They will vanish once the victory was obtained on the principal fronts.

The Offensive Carpathians Front was served by Armies I-st,II-nd and IV-th.The Ist Army ,under the Command of general Culcer was stretched from Calafat to Arges River streams.The II-nd Army,under the Command of General Al.Averescu,occupied the front from Arges streams to Vrancea region.Finally,the IV-th Army or Northern Army,under the Command of General Prezan,occupied Moldavian Carpathian Mountains,making in Dorna region,the junction with the Russians.Each of the three armies was made of three ,four divisions in the first line ,one or two divisions were organizing in the back as reserves.

Around Bucharest ,was made a strategical general reserve ,made out of two divisions:in the same time there was activity to make and form some new divisions.The three armies on the Carpathian front will have to advance in Transilvania and Banat,with the goal of concentration of the army for a decisive battle ,which would be given in region Ciucea (towards north) and Caransebes(South)They will operate in tight connection with the Russian armies ,having as line of separation ,Somes River Valley.The zone of gathering of the three Romanian armies will be in the immediate vicinity of the Carpathians mountainous. The mountain eous massif of Carpathians ,being a serious obstacle ,will be crossed by surprise, at once,through all the points of communication which cross the massif ;in the 12th day of mobilization ,it could be had beyond the mountain 12 columns of one division.the echer form of the mountain frontier is very favorable because,after crossing the frontier,each step forward will gather gradually the occupation front ,by the concentric advance of troops towards Mures Valley.

To avoid enemy incursions on our territory,with the purpose to obstacle the mobilization of the Romanian army,the whole frontier was filled with Covering Groups ,having complete effective .They could be found,dislocated on the frontier sine August 1915,so they knew well the terrain.Even in the night prior to general mobilization,the groups will advance into enemy territory,will seize the dominant positions beyond frontier,to ensure the mountain passes to Transylvanian this face,the thick of the troops will gather behind them,even in the valley were the covering groups are to be found,which will ease the rapid advance into the enemy territory;the moves of the covering groups will be in the beginning directed by the center ,the Big Headquarter .So in this way it will be possible to throw over enemy territory ,even from the beginning ,135000 men.

King Ferdinand had the Supreme Command of the Romanian Army in the war.As Chief of the Big Headquarter was General A.Zottu. Due to illness he could not conduct the operations ,which were conceived and conducted by General D.Iliescu.

Enemy countermeasures

The enemy was watching with unrest the unfolding of the events in Romania.The rapports of their official representatives or spies ,the public opinion and the failure of tratatives-negotiations ,did not leave any doubt over the end.Still,the governments and the headquarters hoped for a delay ,provoked by the territorial offers of Austro-Hungary,in which time a favorable turn on the Eastern Front to change the situation.The Hungarians,the most direct and grave threatened ,took airs of bravado. Count Karoly[151] declared in the Hungarian Chamber that Romanians attacking Hungary,would find in Carpathian Mountains not soldiers,but tigers ,to defend it,and Tisza assured that the Romanians would not put their hands not even on a Hungarian tree.In reality the weakness of the forces-engaged in totality on the fighting fronts-the difficulty to find new forces ,to be opposed to the new enemy,made the rulers of the Central Powers to wait with great fear the threatening decision of Romania;in the case in which it would be unavoidable ,it was expected around the end of September .

When our war declaration arrived,unexpectedly ,in the evening of 27th of August,it has produced a considerable emotion at headquarters of the enemy armies.Especially in the conducting circles of Germany it was thought that "it is impossible that a Hohenzollern to attack another Hohenzollern"."over Emperor Wilhelm-writes General Cramon-this news fell as a lightning strike out of blue sky"*.

The grave turn,which the situation was taking ,critical enough,of The Central Powers,imposed to the German rulers heroic measures.The first one was replacing the the Chief of the Great German Headquarter .Falkenhayn,which came to the Supreme Command of the German Army,in the wake of Marna defeat ,and which have conducted the war for two years ,lost his big post,because of entering of Romania in to the war.He was accused that he has not foreseen our entering in the war,and has not taken all the measures of precaution for this eventuality.In reality a coalition of adversaries risen against the over powerful generalisim. The ruining offensive at Verdun it was imputed to him as a grave personal failure.The strong adverse current asked to bring in the head of the German Army of Marshal Hindenburg[152],which had in front of the German soldier and public something which touched idolatry.The Romanian declaration of war gave the Emperor the awaited occasion .Hindenburg was named chief of the Great German Headquarter in the place of disgratious now Falkenhayn. Ludendorff[153],the inseparable mate of the old Marshal,was attached to him ,in the function of "prim-quartier-maistru.Germany was breathing again;her trust came back.

In the day of 29th of August ,second day after the war declaration made by Romania to Austria,the German Government invoke the Federal Council of the Empire and,in the same day,Germany calls back her Minister at Bucharest,and declares war to Romania.Germany accomplished to Austro-Hungay the role of accomplice.In front of Romania was rising the formidable military power of the Two Central Empires .Our war declaration surprised the Central Powers;it hasn't arrived all by surprise though,and did not find them unprepared.The Austro-German espionage managed to track down the tratatives-negotiations, Romanian-Entente-ist and Count Cezerin could announce in time ,with a small edge of error,the decision of Romania,as well as the approximate date of entering the war.These information were considered,at the headquarters of the enemy,as exaggerate;especially it was believed that Romania will not enter the war before the harvest,meaning end of September.

Still,at 29th of July,exactly a month before our entering in the war,was held at the German Headquarter of Pless(Silezia),a conference between Falkenhayn and Conrad von Hotzendorf,Chief of the Austro-Hungarian Headquarter and Colonel Gancev,Bulgarian military delegate,pertaining of the eventuality of entering of Romania in to the war against Central Powers,and of the measures to be taken in this situation.It has been closed a military convention at which adhered after seven days also,Enver-Pasa,in the name of Turkey.the lines of this plan have also been kept by Hindemburg-Ludendorff.It was foreseen that our offensive will aim the thick of the Romanian Army to Carpathian Mountains.The line of Danube River and Dobrogea will remain uncovered,thus.based on this judicious hypothesis the plan of the enemy was scetched:he will respound by attacking our back in Dobrogea ,and defending in Transilvania,till big forces will be brought there too.So as Makensen was available due to occupying of Serbia,he has been detained at Sofia,announced that he will use all the Bulgarian,German and Turkish forces available in the North-East of Bulgaria.In the same time Austro -Hungarian General Arz von Straussemberg was tasked with defending Transylvania frontier.

Princess Blucher,on of the intimates of the Court in Potsdam,writes:"Someone who happened to be at his Majesty Kaiser Wilhelm,in the moment when Romania declared war and also that when the news of the American war declaration has been known,assured us,that about Romania,the Kaizer came into the room agitated ,white at the face as a piece of paper ,with the knees shaking and said:"Everything is lost,it would be better for me to abdicate immediately" as about America,even the ones around him were joyful"no problem,because America would never be able to transport her troops ,because of the submarines".Princess Blucher,>>An English Wife in Berlin,London,1920.

Reorganizing of the German Army

Face with the big consume of men and the need to have new units ,to post them and oppose them to the new enemies,the Germans have brought an important change in their bigger units organization .They have reduced the number of regiments of a division ,from four to three;with the fourth regiment they made new divisions.The weakening of the effective of a division has been compensated mechanical means.The number of machine guns,firstly,has been increased to considerable numbers.Also the artillery has been increased,especially the heavy one,with which each division has been equiped. With this face,the fighting unit,the division,became much more aerodynamic,more mobile.The brigade,the intermmediary unit ,between the division and the regiment ,has been disband,which simplified the command and supreme a series of complications in sending the orders.Also it was gained a number of commanders for the new divisions created.The Germans succeeded to make ,by this reorganization,a significant economy in both commanders and men,without to diminish the combative power of the army,on the contrary,men have been replaced by machines.With these measures ,helped by a formidable technic apparatus,by the excellent preparation for war of their officers and soldiers ,consolidated by two years of modern warfare,the new commanders of the German Army thought they will be able ,not only to withstand the first blow which the new enemy was preparing to apply them,but once the crisis defeated ,at their turn,a vigorous offensive ,from which they expected important strategical benefits ,political and economical ones.


The Romanian Intervention saves Verdun

Painful sacrifices and of other nature were imposed to the enemy.The offensive against Verdun have been stopped.In this way,the Germans were sealing one of the biggest failures suffered on the Western Front and they were giving up at the battle on which they made so many hopes ,but which gave them after six months of bloody fights,immense piles of dead bodies.

The situation of the immense fortress has become ,lately,critical.

At 17th of August 1916,the French Ambassador at Petrograd,Paleologue,asked the Foreign Russian Ministry that the Russian Government to quicken up the decoration of city of Verdun with St,Gheorghe Cross,because ,"he has received from his government,information which made him consider the fall of the fortress as possible in the actual moment".So the decoration of Verdun with the Legion of Honor and other foreign decorations ,could take place ,finally at 13th of September.And in a few days the French were starting the offensive against the weakened German forces. Mangin[154] reconquered in a great attack ,Daumont[155]."in four hours -says beautifully Joffre-our troops have reconquered a terrain for which the Germans fought four months to take it,from us"

In this time ,though,the ceremony of giving the city the French Legion of Honor ,which was supposed to take place at 31st of August,with a great assistance,by the President of the Republic,with the Ministers and Military Chiefs,was suspended,as to not celebrate the defense of a fortress ,of which fall was probable.

Verdun was saved by the intervention of Romania.The effects of our entering in the war have started to be felt ,even from the second day.The French were relieved by one of the biggest burdens.Romania was stepping in the bloody arena ,giving France ,in a supreme moment a priceless helping hand.It was the first proof of gratitude ,which by our martyr,we were bringing to our noble sister nation.Five German divisions of infantry and a cavalry division,taken from the Western Front and from the Eastern Front,with powerful modern means of fighting-heavy artillery,aviation,a.s.o.-have received the order to embark in trains even on 29th of August,and to start towards the new Front of Ardeal(Transilvania).Germany was starting the role of stalk for her rotten ally(Austro-Hungary).


Constituting of the great commandments

The geographic conformation of our mountainous frontier has imposed the Romanians,from the beginning a strategic dispozitive very disadvantageous and risky.The Romanian Army was spread through all the parallel valleys of the mountains.So it was needed that the gathering of the columns and focusing them in units to be made before the enemy could have gathered sufficient forces as to organise its defensive and -maybe-even offensive.This was the task of the great commandments which,after a few days from entering the campaign,have received the command of their units.The isolated and ,here and there ,columns ,had to advance with energy,get out of the mountainous region in to the field one,defeating the enemy resistance and to focus,establishing connections between them,as well as with the Russian left flank.

In the initial campaign plan,it was established that at the back of the covering curtain,which occupied the passes in Ardeal(Transilvania),the concentration of the thick of the army to be made ,exactly ,in the mountain passes .Face with the weakness of the enemy,the Great Headquarter ,decided at 31st of August to push the covering groups further,such as the concentration of the units to be made even in the enemy terrain.This strategical operation has been tough criticized by General Averescu,which considered a big mistake to combine the cover of the mobilizing with the unfolding of the operations;the result was that,before the strategical operation to be plotted ,our army in the mountains has found herself stretched on a continuous cordon,without availability in the depth.

At 1st of September ,the situation of the Romanian troops on the Carpathian front was as follows;from Virciorova to Arges water flows was stretched the I-st Army(General Culcer) with the Headquarter at Craiova.This army had advance 1st Division in Cernei Valley and she was founding herself in front of Orsova;with the 11th Division on Jiu Valley,were she has occupied Petrosani and Merisor Pass;with the group Lotru-Olt-latter the Divisions 13th and 23rd-has went out of Olt Defile and spread in Sibiu field.As reserves of the I-st Army,were destined Divisions 2nd and 12th.

At the center,the II-nd Army(General Averescu),after occupying Brasov,has prepared to cross Olt River to advance in North -West direction,towards line Fagaras Mountains -Sighisoara.It was the most compact group which,thanks to the terrain,could concentrate in a bundle the divisions in its composition.They were;3rd Division at the left,4th Division at the center ,Divisions 5th and 6th at the right side.As reserves ,formed in the back Divisions 21st and 22nd.

At the right wing of the Romanian front ,was the IV-th Army(Northern Army),General Prezan.Through the transversal valleys of the Carpathians of Moldavia advanced in continuous fights towards the superior valleys of Mures River and Olt River,Divisions 7th,8th and 14th,rejecting continuously the enemy;on the left of the army,was advancing the 2nd Cavalry Division,trying to connect with the II-nd Army.

It hasn't yet been established a connection between the three Romanian armies ,neither between the Romanian front and the Russian one.


The enemy forces

The enemy forces which were trying to opose the Romanians advance,were those which constituted the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army,Commanded by General Arz von Straussemberg,of sas(Germans in Transilvania) origin,from the surroundings of Sibiu.The I-st Army was part of the Group of armies of Archduke inheritor Carol,and was in founding herself along VII-th Army(General Koevess),which occupied the Galitian and Bucovinean Carpathian Mountains.The forces that Arz disposed in the first days were not numerous.In the first line were 30 infantry battalions and Landstrum[1] ,three battalions of militarized miners, 12 battalions of stage,8 escadrons-squadrons- and 18 batteries.The reserve was made of 6 battalions of stage with four and a half batteries ,2 escadrons and 5 batteries concentrated between Alba Iulia and Sebesu Secuiesc,as an atom of the 51st Division,on way of reconstituting herself.Every day,though,Arz was receiving reinforcements,Austro-Hungarian and German ones.Even from the first days the Germans send few commandments,then troops begun to arrive,so it can be said ,that even from the beginning,the commandment of the troops in Transilvania (Ardeal) was in the hands of the Germans.


The greatest resistance has been organized by the enemy from the beginning,towards the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains were it seemed to them the most threatened sector,because the neighboring with the Russian front and of the danger of turning the Galitian front.Here was constituted the North-East Group,under the Prussian General von Morgen,Commander of the I-st Reserve German Group.Morgen was considered a good soldier.He has commanded a division in Tannenberg[2],and then the I-st Reserve German Corps in all the battles given on the Russian front,from 1914 to 1916.After the end of the campaign against Romania ,we find him in France at Lille and Cambrai,in the general un- route of the German armies.From Morgen Group were:the 61st Infantry DIvision Austro-Hungarian in the Norther sector,and the 71st Division a little to the South;between them was a Husar Brigade de Landstrum. Morgen Group stretched in Dorna region ,until the region between Sighisoara and Brasov.

In the Southern part,Morgen Group continued with the Southern Group,Commanded by Prusian General von Staabs,Commander of the XXXIX-th Corps of Reserve.This group was ,in its turn,made out of two parts:at its left wing,stretching to West of Sibiu,was a group made out of 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division,3rd German Cavalry Division,brought from the Russian front,the 143 Austro -Hungarian Brigade and 51st Hanovezi Division.Commander was the German Cavalry ,Count Schmettow.A little to the right,in Hateg land,opposing to the advance of our troops which were coming from Jiu Valley,was the 144 Austro-Hungarian Brigade.Behind this one ,were arriving from Vosgi front[3],even from the first week of the war,the first elements of the 187 German Division.At Orsova was the 210th Brigade ,changed after few days with 145th Brigade of reserve,strengthened with the so called the Danube Group(Grupul Dunarii),made out of 5-6 companies .Important units of help were disembarking every day in Cluj,Deva and Timisoara,from where they were send to the fighting fronts.For Morgen Group,were destined the 37th and 39th Hanovezi Divisions,72nd Austro-Hungarian and 89th Prusian,brought from Lithuania;Morgen remained with the command of the right wing,and the command of the left wing was given to Austrian Feldmarshal Fabini.For Staabs Group were destined:the 76th German Division,called from Curlanda,the Bavarian Alpine Corps,brought from Verdun,and the Mountain Brigades 2nd and 8th Austro-Hungarian,from the Italian front.With this face ,the adversary was strengthening every day that past,such that,after two weeks from entering the war,the Austro-German forces from Ardeal were up to 11 Infantry Divisions*,two and a half Cavalry Divisions,balancing the Romanian forces almost Division by Division.


The 143 Brigade from Sibiu has entered later in the made up of the 72nd Austro-Hungarian Division,which belonged organically A program which cannot be accomplished

As the military situation presented itself at the beginning of the war declaration,the Romanians possessed in Carpathian Mountains the advantage of initial superiority.The greatest part of the Romanian Army was on the front line ,as the enemy needed time to bring the forces from other European fronts .Will the Romanian succeed ,that by an energetic action to profit from this superiority and give the enemy big blows ,disorganize their covering forces and to obstacle him from making necessary concentration of forces,accomplishing in this time the Romanian one?By this depended the success of the first campaign in Ardeal(Transilvania).

Two causes came to make in an unfavorable manner the rapid accomplishing of the Romanian operatios plan.First,the Romanian columns ,flowing through the numerous mountain passes ,were parted one of the other, by mountain massifs ,which were sometimes 100km thick.Fighting with the heavy terrain ,but also with enemy resistance,before he could concentrate its forces,our detachment have to construct resistance positions over the mountain ridge and strengthen within them,until the arrival of the bulk of the army,by the fear of eventual attacks by surprise, with superior forces ,from the enemy.The difficulty of convoys arriving,made tougher by the destroys made by the enemy,have forced the troops to advance with precaution,such that the entering of the Romanians in Transilvania did not had the thunder character ,manifested in the first two days.To this,came the second cause more determining than the first one.The unfortunate events,happened at the Southern border,made their effect quick.Important forces ,destined to the Northern front,have been turned from their way and send South.This causes have paralyzed from the beginning the elan of the Romanian offensive in Ardeal and compromised the entire campaign.


2.The operations of the I-st Army

The isolation of the I-st Army

Of the three Romanians armies on the Carpathian frontier ,the I-st Army was the most isolated.By the II-nd Army ,she was parted by the formidable massif of Fagarasi Mountains,which is the thickest and has the highest peaks from the whole chain of Romanian Carpathian Mountains .The isolation was not only towards the neighbor army,but also the own units were parted themselves by mountain massifs of over 70-80 km thickness.The three groups ,disposed on the mountain frontier,Virciorova,Jiu and Olt could not communicate on the sides and direct;the connection between them could be made only by big going arrounds,on the railways and driveways of the Kingdom.

The fourth group-20th Division-was stretched along Danube River ,from Virciorova to the mouth of Olt River,with the mission of guarding the Bulgarian shore and to reject the eventual crossing attempts over the River.


The Fights of Cerna Group

At the left extremity of the I-st Army and of the entire Carpathian front,was "Cerna Group",made up of the troops of the 1st Division ,Commanded by General Dragalina.From Banat,starting his career as officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army,Dragalina was to Command the army to liberate his birthplace.

The mission of this group was from the beginning limited ,to a local action,because of the pivot role of the great strategic move which had to be accomplished, by the army of operations, in Transilvania,as the operations plan.It was also imposed by its eccentric situation,altogether outside the operations zone,but also because of the very bad terrain,made out of a mountains succession,high,parted between them by steep valleys ,altogether improper for unfolding tactical operations.That is why,the Division has only to occupy solidly the Northern shore of the Danube River and Cerna Valley,were she flows into the Danube.,to make impossible a passing through here of the enemy,which would have threatened the left flank of the I-st Army dispozitive. With this face,it was also completely stopped the traffic on the Danube.This mission have been accomplished with success by the troops of the 1st Division and by her eminent Commander.

The fights in this region will be very difficult because the lack of roads and special equipment for transporting the provisions,food and munition.They were brought from big distances ,by small mountain horses ,mounted with bags ,on narrow and serpent paths,with many rocks.Transporting the cannons constituted a real problem of ingenuity and efforts for both human and animals.Even more penible was the evacuation of the wounded at the sanitary posts and from there to the hospitals ,organised in the first poor small villages(smaller than a village),at the mouths of the valleys,far and away from the operation lines.


The hostilities have begun in this sector even from the first day.The Austrian auxiliary monitor "Almos",coming from Cladova,on Danube,has bombarded the city and the military commandment ,making small damages then retreated to Orsova.The troops of the 1st Division have occupied the heights of the frontier ,giving heavy fights for Tudor,in front of Toplet. The position was conquered by a hurricane assault given by the soldiers of the 57th Mehedinti Regiment,which in the fever of the first attack given by them in this war,were pulling by hand the poles of the barb wire fences,in the middle of the bullet rain of the enemy machine guns.

This operation made possible for the Romanian Commander to notice that the Hungarians have constructed a system ,strong,of strongholds on the heights over the frontier.The central of these strongholds was Alionu Mountain .It is a dear Mountain to the Hungarians .At his feet,in 1848,the partisans of Kossuth[4],after the smashing of the Hungarian Revolution,have hidden the crown of Saint Stefan[5];on this spot have build later,Emperor Franz Joseph a chapel. Alion ,together with the heights that follow towards North,Ozoina and Drenecul,were very heavy strenghtened;concreted trenches and covered disposed on levels,nets of barbwire fence,on metal frames.The reconnaissances and the information of the Romanian Commander ,have priced at three to four battalions the troops occupying the position.In truth,Colonel Fiebich,the Commander of the enemy sector,had four and a half battalions,a cavalry squadron and four batteries of the 210th Brigade.Obviously,after receiving other reinforcements the position would have been very hard to take.And this was indispensable for mastering Cernei River Valley.


The fight for conquering Alion Mountain was given in the day of 1st of September.General Dragalina has send a secondary group to attack North of Padesul hills and Padeglava hills-which was executed without success-keeping under his command the thick -seven battalions-for the principal action.So,as at 5 in the morning,four batteries installed on Duhovna Hill have started the bombardment of enemy positions,the infantry attacked on several columns.In the center of attack,the soldiers of the 1st Hunters Regiment have taken with assault Culmea Ozoinii,the key position.In the middle of the furious bombardment,beaten by the enemy machine guns,the Hunters have to cut with scissors the barbwire fence,row by row and through them,to make space to advance with the bayonet ahead.Many remain hanged between the nails of the wires,many are thundered by the explosions of the underground mines.But one by one heights 287 and 314 fall in to the hands of the Hunters.At 2,30 pm the whole position is conquered.

The column which attacked Drenecul has been held on place by the strongholds of wires ,which our artillery did not break;the hunters ,though ,have surrounded Drenecul by South and managed to occupy it by evening.In the same time ,the soldiers of 17th Mehedinti Regiment,with the help of a Hunters Company,have conquered Alion Mountain.The Romanian troops pursued the enemy without stop up to Cerna Valley,taking him out af all the strong positions and running him away in disorder.The Monitor "Almos " has tried to intervene,bombarding the Romanian troops ,without effect,but was set on the run by the batteries on Duhovna.

The Austro-Hungarian defeat was decisive;they have left in the hands of Romanians 9 officers and 645 soldiers,prisoners,ahead with Major Wolff,the Commander of Alion sector,as well as an immense material:seven cannons,machine guns,horses,a reflector,ammunition and provisions in great quantity.

Pursuing with energy the enemy, beaten,Romanians have occupied at 4th of September Orsova and both shores of Cerna,close to Ieselnita;to North they have occupied the localities on the left shore of Cerna:Coramnic,Toplet,Birza strengthening on positions on the heights which dominates the shore,close to Mehadia.

After occupying Orsova things have quiet on Cerna.At 1st of october,Colonel Szivo,the Commander of 145th Austro-Hungarian Brigade (seven battalions,one escadron-squadron ,six batteries),which occupies now the sector ,thought it is the moment to reconquer Orsova.Well informed that the Romanian troops have been weakened,by sending two Regiments(1st Hunters and 57th Jiu),he has attacked on the whole front from Toplet to Orsova,helped on the right side on Danube River also by three monitors.The enemy attack had in the beginning whatever success;at the left side the enemy has occupied Birza and Toplet,and at the right side he managed to enter the Western part of Orsova.In the afternoon of the same day,the Romanian counterattack,eecuted with troops of the 17th Mehedinti Regiment,has repulsed the enemy back on his starting positions,reconquering Orsova by violent street fights,with hand grenades;have been also taken 165 prisoners.

To take revanche,after three days ,at 4th of Ocober,the 17th Mehedinti Regiment has attacked the enemy position by the front and from behind,surprising the Hungarian soldiers sleeping in the trenches and run them away ,beyond Iesalnita and Orjadin,capturing 4 officers and 216 soldiers.All the enemy position near Danube River have been conquered.The enemy behaved by this unfortunate result of his attempt,has remained quiet from now on.

With all the thinness of the front ,because of lack of units,Cerna Group has acomplished the mission.The Romanian cannon kept under his firing range Danube Valley.The important way to the Orient was thus closed;he will not be a way for the enemy troops to reprovision themselves,anymore,on the Dobrogea border.

Cerna sector will be from now on a relatively quiet secor.Sheltered in their trenches,the two enemies will look eachother in the eye and not enterprise any action of importance.The enemy will give from time to time attacks for fixation,to away the attention of what is going on in the neighbor sectors.In time the effectives of the two adversaries have diminished more,by sending troops in neighbour sectors,mor agitated.



Jiu Sector

Another importance had Jiu sector.After the covering troops,Commanded by Colonel Cocorascu and made up by Gorjeni Regiments 18th and 58th,have occupied Petrosani,it was constituted the 11th DIvision,under the Command of General Muica,hahing 21st and 22nd Brigades,of infantry.The aim of this Division was that,by union with the divisions in Olt Valley,to form up the oak of the entire surrounding move,which the Romanian front was making towards West and North -West.That is why,the advance had to be smaller in this region,and the positions occupied near the frontier to be as much as possible strengthened. The enmy had in this region 144th Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian with six battalions of infantry,with four Husari escadrons and with four batteries (Colonel Berger),at which it was added the three battalions of militarized miners ,from Petrosani and Lupeni mines,commanded by their chiefs and engineers.

The great Romanian Hedquarter has ordered the 11th Division to occupy the defensive positions North of Hateg.General Culcer ,the Commander of the I-st Romanian Army,counting this position as too advanced and risky,because it was leaving behind Hateg-Caransebes Defile,where it could have been turned(the front),taking into account also the enormous distances which separated him by the neighbor sectors,covered by strong mountain massifs and with very difficult communications,has decided to remain on a position less advanced,closer to the frontier.That is why the troops of the Division have occupied firstly Jiu Valley with important mining localities ,Vulcani and Lupeni,cleaning it entirely by the enemy.After this,the Romanians entered towards North-West of Petrosani,occupying solidly Merisor Pass.


In Merisor Pass

Merisor Pass is a long corridor,tightened between Hateg Mountains (Muntii Hategului) ,on the left side and Sebes Mountains(Muntii Sebesului) ,on the right side.Through it,you have to cross Banitei Valley,a -fluent of Jiu River,which flows to South -East,in the valley of Strei River,afluent of Mures,which flows North-West,through Hateg Field.The dividing place of the two flows of water form the culminate point of the defile,of almost 1000 meters high.

At 7th of September ,the troops of the 11th Division,were in the defile,leaning on the near heights;Bran Hill,at South and Baloi Hill ,at North.The enemy made an attempt in the second day,at 8th of September,to take out the Romanians from these positions.With all the strong bombardment of their artillery,he did not succeed and was repulsed by the troops of Regiments 18th and 36th,which took over 300 prisoners,two cannons and other material ,as well.The Austro-Hungarian communicate ,describes this defeat under an euphemistic form:"...Our troops have send back the enemy at 4 km behind his positions;a new and strong enemy attack against the right wing ,of this group,determined us to reoccupy our start positions".The ROmanian line of resistance -almost perpendicular on the direction of the old frontier -was streched cross the pass from North to South,over the heights Angros,Muncel,Oboroca,turning then South-west,on the heights which dominates from North Jiu,up to Fagetel Peak.The line was well strengtened .The Romanian avanguards have passed ,though,over the exit of the pass and have occupied in Streciului Valley ,villages Baru Mare and Baru Mic.The reconnaissance patrols descended to Crivadia and even close to Pui locality.They have come into contact at 10th of September ,with German patrols .There were the first troops of 187th Prusian Division and of the Alpine Bavarian Corps,brought from Verdun front.


Battle of Merisor

The German commander was ,of course,not knowing of the purely defensive Romanian intentions on this front.The advance of the Romanians was ,of course ,considered to be extremely dangerous.It seemed that it threatens with the entering in the Valley of Mures which,in this region,is closere than anywhere by the old frontier.Occupying this valley by the Romanian army meant the cutting of the most important line which goes along Ardeal(Transilvania),obstacling the concentration of enemy forces ,which was accomplished at Sasesc Sebes,and threatened in the back the principal direction of advance of the enemy to Sibiu.In front of this danger,the enemy decided that,before the complete arriving of reinforcements he was expecting,to attack us in the most periled point.Taking out the Romanians from Superior Jiu Valley would also had the great advantage that was giving back to Hungarians the possession of the carboniferous pool of Petrosani,so precious for the neighbor state economy.

For the planned counteroffensive,has formed in Hateg region a group,constituted ,outside 144th Austro-Hungarian Brigade,by adding six battalions of Divisions 187th and three battalions of the Alpine Bavarian Corps,in total eighteen battalions.A powerful artillery,comprising of heavy cannons and mountain cannons ,as well as an airplane squadron ,for bombardment,which were appearing for the first time in our war-and armoured cars ,have been put at the disposal of the said group;the Command was of German General Sunkel,the Commander of the 187th DIvision.Added to the superiority of the weaponry,the German commander had also excellent troops of Alpine Bavarians,especially trained and utilated for mountain warfare.


The Romanian dispozitive-fighting position- front had the misfortune that the troops of the 2nd Division,were stretched in a cordon of 14 Miles,between Fagetel Hill and Baloi Hill,having only two battalions in reserve;was thus a line easy to breakthrough.

Battle of Merisor has started on 14th of September by a violent bombardment of heavy artillery.The Romanian soldiers had immediately the intuition,that they find themselves in front of another enemy than the one they were fighting.The strong bombardment of the ROmanian positions kept till 4 in the afternoon,when infantry attacks have produced.They have been given in front over the principal positions of Bran Hill and Baloi Hill,which dominates the defile.The enemy attack has been repulsed by 18th and 26th Regiments;especially on Bran Hill,the fights have been very violent and made heavy casualties both sides.Romanians had managed not only to repulse the enemy ,but a counterattack made by the troops from the left wing ,had successfully pushed the Germans beyond Baru Mare.

In the attacks given by the enemy the following day,had the same insuccess. Bran Hill,for which ferocious fights have been given,went from one hand to another,remaining in the end in Romanian ones.In the third day of the battle ,after a very violent bombardment,given with all the calibers of the enemy,getting in to the line of fight all his troops,has succeeded to break the Romanian front South of the Pass,between Bran Hill and Angros Hill.Retreating of the troops in here ,attracts also the evacuation of the position in the right side,of Baloi Hill.Merisor Pass was in the hand of the enemy.To protect Petrosani and the enter in Jiu Valley,are occupied positions in the right side and over to the left side of the metal road,on Fata(Girl) Hill and at Cetatea Bolii.The Romanian front executes in its retreat,a conversion to the right .At the beginning of the battle ,the front had a direction almost North-South,mounted on the driveway Pui-Crivadia-Merisor.The driveway making in Petrosani region a n almost right angle,the new front of Banita has almost the West-East direction,parallel with the old frontier,covering Petrosani;the front leans,left, on the height of Tulisa and Oboroca,in the Valley of Jiu Romanesc.


Fight of Banita and the retreat on the old frontier

In the next few days,the enemy continues the ferocious fight for taking the second Romanian line ,which would give him Petrosani.The attacks have been given on six columns,in two directions:one of front,from Banita towards Petrosani,along the driveway and railway;the second one ,in the flank of principal Romanian position,with North -South direction,facing Lupeni and towards Jiu Romanesc line.The columns of the exercised alpiners have succeeded to make a surrounding move of the Romanian flank,on Tusila Mountain.To avoid the surrounding which was threatening,the Romanian Commander have ordered of evacuating Petrosani and retreating on the right side,towards the old positions on the frontier.With all the enemy pressure ,with all the pursuit he was making with his armored cars ,the retreat was made with a lot of patience and with small losses.At 20th of September the German troops entered Petrosani.

By a mistake interpretation of an order given by the Commander of the 11th Division,the retreat of the Romanian troops was made to far behind,towards Bumbesti,leaving the ridges of the frontier weakly occupied.The enemy takes advantage of this situation and takes the more important peaks,occupying them,as well as the mouth of Vulcan Pass(Buliga) and of Jiu(surduc) Defile,together with heights Straja and Obirsia Merisor.Given the importance of these positions ,the Romanian troops had to give very violent fights ,to reconquer them.Especially Obirsia Merisor Peak have been taken and lost three times on 22nd of September until,around four in the afternoon,in the wake of a last attack made with the last available battalion,the peak remained to Romanians.With the help of a detachment arrived by forced marching from Cerna through Baia de Arama ,the situation along the old frontier has been reestablished.

After nine days of continuous and bloody fights ,the battle of Merisor and Petrosani came to an end.One part of the enemy troops were recalled to be used somewhere else.In the same time ,the Commander of the I-st Romanian Army was organizing his troops to begin a counteroffensive which will soon ,put him back in the possession of Petrosani Pool.

The battles of Merisor and Banita,although they were lost by the Romanians,and has brought with it the loss of the terrain conquered,has not been altogether a shameful defeat.The surrounding Manoeuvre,tried by the enemy,did not succeed,and the retreat,executed in time and with clever ,made that the number of prisoners and the pray made by the enemy to be insignificant.For the first time the Romanians were facing ,on the Carpathian front,with the strongest of their adversaries,and this encounter,with all the inferiority of their military prepare,has not altogether been compromising.The adversaries have the ocazion to notice and admit with sincerity their qualities and misgivings."The Romanians have showed themselves courageous and heroic adversaries ,which know how the use the smallest advantage offered by the bad terrain and steep of the mountains",writes K.Rossner."Because the adverse infantry defended bravely almost in all the points,she has suffered great losses ,especially on Bran Hill,where resisted longer.The numerous lively attacks prove the Romanian infantryman it is a brave one",writes Ad.Koester.And the enemy Commander,General Sunkel,tells to General Falkenhayn,which comes to take supreme command,his impressions:"The Romanian soldier ,as an individual,does not put a bad fight.The Romanian troop,however is resisting hard to veiling trials of the flanks and back,or to the concentrated artillery fire,probably,face with the command insufficiency ,feels without defense in such situations".

In the wake of the defeat suffered by the 11th Division,General Muica,a distinguished technician Officer ,but without the qualities and experience of a front commander,has been replaced from Division Command by General Cocorascu.

The Romanian counteroffensive. Re-occupying of Petrosani.

The enemy did not joy to much by the result of his breakthrough.The German battalions ,which belonged to 187th Division,together with their commander,have been called in the neighbour sector,from Olt River,where the new generalisim needed all the available forces ,to give a decisive blow.At Jiu has remained the 144th Austro-Hungarian Brigade,strengthened with two battalions of infantry and two German batteries,and with an Austro-Hungarian battalion,brought from Cerna;the troops were under the Command of Austrian Colonel Berger.

Mastering the defiles in Jiu region and Petrosani Pool,was indispensable to Romanians ,for the solidity of the left flank of the armyThe enemy,installed here,we were under constant threat of a run through toward South.That is why,General Culcer decided to give a counteroffensive,with bigger forces ,to regain the lost terrain Of the troops brought from Cerna,in forced marching,through Baia de Arama and Dobrita,is constituted at Birsesti,Scarlatescu Detachment,with the mission to operate a move in the flank of the enemy,while the troops of the 11th Division will attack frontal.The effective of the group have been lifted to 18 battalions,of which took part in the actual fights 16 battalions,many of them with decreased effective in the wake of battles at Bran and Obirsia-Merisor;the other have been kept in reserve or in the fixed points which had to be supervised.General Cilcer has personally conducted the operations of the group.At 25th of September have started the operations. Scarlatescu Detachment,crossing the mountain at Muncelu,over Scurtu Hill and Coarnele Zanoagei,rejects the Austro-Hungarian and falls ,mounted over Jiu Romanesc Valley,between Oborocea and Barbatenii de Sus(Upper Barbatenii),facing East.The German battalions which were occupying Jiu Defile,attacked in front by the troops of 11th Romanian Division,turned West through Jiu Romanesc Valley ,with the retreat line threatened,are forced to leave the positions and to retreat North of Petrosani.The ROmanian troops have reoccupied the old positions of Cetatea Bolii,and the enemy established on a line leaned over the heights of Tulisa-Oboroca.

The battle of Sibiu,which has started on 26th of September,reclaiming in that direction the attention of the German Commandment,Jiu action have been left on second plane.At the stubborn requests of reinforcements by the Command of the Austro-German troops of Jiu,Colonel Berger,Falkenhayn send him only one battalion of the troops from Cerna.Although the eventual advance of the Romanian troops was threatening the railway in Mures Valley,with all the great loss which represented for the Economy of the Hungarian State ,the loss of the mines of Petrosani,the German Commander thought that no men should leave the principal operation of Sibiu,to be send in the secondary sector of Jiu.The decission was awaited from Sibiu;it could not be periled by passing and secondary as importance failures like the one in Jiu.Same considerations have determined the Romanian Commander to not follow the obtained success and,thankful with reoccupying Petrosani,to stop the fight in the day of 27th of September,remaining on the conquered positions.

The enemy re-occupies Petrosani

Nor the Romanians have joyed for a long time by the victory;the raport of forces had to change again in the favour of the enemy.The 2nd Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian,brought from the Isonzo front[6],disembarked behind the front and has been imediately brought in Jiu sector.The enemy forces ,increased in this way felt,with special troops ,were put under the command of German General von Bussche,the Commander of Headquarter of the 301st Division.

The fights restarted at 30th of September.The Austro-Hungarian Alpiners ,seated at the right wing of the enemy dispozitive-fighting position,attacked left Romanian from the heights Fagetel-Oboroca,pressuring in the Romanian flank the same veiling movement,executed by Romanians few days before,in inverse direction.Ferocious fights are given at this wing.The soldiers of the 1st Hunters Regiment succeed to reject ,by evening of 30th of Sptember,an enemy attack and take 80 prisoners.But at 1st of October the enemy attacks become violent;they are helped by a strong heavy artillery-which takes out of service our small guns-and axfixiant gas.The superiority of the enemy artillery is crushing;she makes behind our lines barrier ,thus making impossible the arrive of the reinforcements.A ferocious fight took place in the night of 1st-2nd of October ,on Oboroca Hill,between Austro-Hungarian Alpiners and the Soldiers of 18th Gorj Regiment.All night, dark as molasses and with thick myst,they were bloody fighting at bayonet.At 2nd of October ,face with the enemy superiority,left Romanian retreated ,in order,on the ridges of the frontier,after both adversaries have suffered heavy losses.For a week,day and night were given unstoppable fights for mastering of every hill and every height and every valley,till the Romanians established along the whole front,on the ridges of heights on the frontier.Especially in the fights for Siglau Mountain and neighbor heights,Cornu Zanoagei and Muntele Negru(Black Mountain),1st Regiment of Hunters had bravely fought and suffered heavy casualties .Petrosani have been,for the second time abandoned in the hands of the enemy,after damages have been made at the installation of the coal mines,as to not be of any use for a while.

For almost a month ,Jiu sector has remained quiet.Violent clashes were permanently taking place for occupying or re-occupying of one or another domination height;many bloody losses have suffered both adversaries on the heights beaten by winds and blown by snowstorms.Actions in great style have not taken place in this time;all the attention of the fighters was concentrated on the other sectors of the fighting front.


Olt Sector

The strongest group of the I-st Army was the one occupying Olt Valley.It was formed,during the mobilization as:"The Group of cover Olt-Lotru"(Both river names),under the Command of General Manolescu;latter it has transformed by adding of a new unit,in "Olt Corps",constituted of 23rd and 13th infantry Divisions and one brigade of Calarasi(horsemen).The mission of this group was to put mastering on Olt River Defile and on the Sibiu Field(Cimpia Sibiului),in which opens up this Defile,and to solidly strengthen the occupied positions,accomplishing ,together with the 11th DIvision the role of pivot of the movements in Ardeal(Transilvania)

From the old frontier,at the fall of Vad River into Olt River,Olt Defile sneaks,like a long corridor of about 6.25 Miles ,narrowed between Cibinului Mountains and Fagaras Mountains(tallest in Romania over 2000meters),until it opens at Boita,in Sibiu Field.A massive tower ,painted in red-with the blood of the Turks,killed in one of their incursions in Ardeal,says the legend-was staying as guard at the Defile entrance,which takes the name from it.Along the defile ,on the dusk(west) shore of Olt River,it is the driveway build on the old Roman road;on the dawn (East) shore ,is the railway.The Defile is easy to put a cap on it and to defend against a frontal attack coming from the South.

The enemy had in this region the 143th Brigade(Commander COlonel Barwik),made out of eight battalions ,with few cavalry and artillery.In reserve ,was gathering ,North of Sibiu,the 51st Hanovezi Division(General Tanarky).

The Romanians have attacked Olt Defile by surrounding moves .In the night of 27th-28th of August a Detachment of the 1st Regiment of Graniceri(borderarmy),under the command of the heartily Lieut-Colonel Cantacuzino,which occupied the ridge of the Coti Mountain,on the frontier,East of the Defile,descended the North inclines of the mountain,attacked a Battalion of Hungarian Hanovezi,between Sebes and Porcesti and occupied both localities.An armored enemy train,which was entering Porcesti train station,was hit and lighted up from the first blow ,by our artillery.The Hungarian Battalion have left almost 100 dead and 100 prisoners in the hands of the Romanians;the rest is thrown beyond Olt River.In the same time ,the troops of Olt Group(Regiments 42nd and 44th),starting from Titesti,were crossing the frontier West of Olt River,to turn the positions at Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) and Boita through Valleys of Lotrioarei and Sadului,and towards the West,Lotru Detachment(Regiments 2nd Vilcea and 5th Hunters)were passing at Voineasa,on the superior course of Lotru River.


At 29th of August the troops of Olt Group have taken after lively fight ,Boita,at the Northern mouth of the Defile.The enemy had strongly strengthen North of Boita,with three battalions and with a strong artillery,having well repered the space between the tower and Olt River,with the driveway,through which the attack troops could pass.By evening,though,the Romanian troops ,fighting without cannons and machine guns,have turned the right wing of the enemy and forced him to leave over the night Boita,with great cassualties.Boita in the hands of Romanians ,meant the pass opened .On the way,now open,passes now the thick of the troops and the long columns of artillery,the mountains,provisions,luggage,flowing in Sibiu Ield .The Red Tower Pass has been forced.

The pursuit continues also in the day of 30th of August for occupying the region Talmaciu-Vestem.Cantacuzino Detachment occupies ,at East of Olt,Racovita and Brad. Olt Detachment attacks the enemy at Talmes.To obstacle the advance of the Romanians,Arz send in to the fight few battalions of the 5th Division,to strengthen the troops of Barwik.Faced with these forces the troops of Olt Group could not advance anymore.

In Cisnadie Field the enemy troops have occupied a line Cisnadie -Vestem,leaned at the East wing on Cibin River.The enemy line have been defeated by the action of Lotru Group.At the left side of the Romanian dispozitive the troops of Lotru Group,operating in the mountain region and forested ,vere accidented(bad terrain),West of Olt River ,climbing ridges and descending valleys ,were advancing along Sadului Valley and occupied Sadu.At 30th of August,Colonel Mosoiu,Commander of Lotru Group,leaving from Sadu with the reserve of the group-three infantry battalions and two batteries for mountain-advanced along road Sadu-Cisnadie and attacked the enemy strengthened South of this locality.After a short fight,but violent ,the small city,an industrial Sasesc center ,but flourishing ,was occupied by Romanians.Has fallen during the fight ,Colonel V. Popescu,the Commander of 2nd Vilcea Regiment,as he was in the first line of shooters ,with the gun in his hands,as well as 60 dead and wounded.The enemy had big casualties ;he has left in our hands one Captain and 104 soldiers,prisoners.The entire enemy dispozitiv,stretched between Cisnadie and Vestem,being now turned by the right wing,had to leave the fighting line and retreat to Sibiu.

The mission of Group Olt-Lotru,beeing considered as finished,the Romanian troops have received in the night of 30th of August the order to remain on positions,strengthening thus ,as to form a bridge head,leaned at the left on the heights of Magura near Sadu,in the right on the heights of Brad-Roscovita,and in the center ,passing North of Vestern,in Olt Valle.This strengthened line,permitted the gathering,behind ,of the troops of 13th Division.


The fights arround Sibiu

In the day of 31st of August presents ahead of Lotru Group a delegation of Sasesc(German population in Transilvania) Magistrat from Sibiu,made out of a Sas ,the great comerciant Borger,the most heavy contribuabil of the city and a Romanian ,lawyer Preda.The dellegation knowledge the Romanians that in the city was no enemy troop,and to avoid the bombardment of the city,have come,in the name of the population,to surrender it to the Romanian Commandment.They declare that they guarantee with their lives that the Romanian troops will not be exposed to any aggression from the part of the enemy.The delegation was presented in front of General Castris,the Commander of the 23rd Division,which took dispositions for occupying the city,intervening at the Great Headquarter ,to obtain the approval of this action,which was not written in the operative orders of Olt Corps.The operation was meant to be made with troops from Lotru Group which,advancing to the West wing ,had to surround the city and to occupy the heights of Sura Mare ,north of Sibiu,and with a Detachment of Graniceri(frontier army) which,advancing from South,had to enter Sibiu at 2nd of September.

In the day of 1st of September the Graniceri patrols,closing in to Sibiu,have been greeted with cannon shots by the Austro-Hungarian artillery,installed on Gusteritei Hill,by gun shots and machine-gun,fired from the Southern edge of the city and by an armoured train.The Romanian Detachment,made out of two battalions of Graniceri,with a little artillery and cavalry,have not advanced to Sibiu,but remained in Selimbar Village,from where an order of the Commander of Olt Group,have called it back,on the line Vestem,"the role of Olt Corps not being offensive,but deffensive".Selimbar is the old historical locality where,317 year before[7],the briliant victory of Mihai the Brave over Andrei Bathory decided,for the first time,the faith of Ardeal(Transilvania).Over the night ,the Romanian soldiers have been attacked by the Sasi(German minority population of Transilvania) inhabitants of the locality wit revolver shots,shooted over the windows of the houses.The attack repeated in the next morning,as the troops left the village.It was noticed ,that in the village have nested enemy patrols and a number of armed villagers.The detachment suffering whatever losses,the Romanian Commander,leaving the village have applied a severe repression.


With all the defensive role which was imposed,the Romanian troops have executed operations meant to better the positions they occupied,especially that the enemy,encouraged by the Romanians inertia and thus interpreting it on a wrong manner ,was indeed very active ,bombarding the Romanian positions and making dear incurssions of patrols.At 4th of September ,Colonel Mosoiu has attacked the troops which were concentrating at the left Romanian wing and occupied Rasinarii,the big Romanian village,Poplaca and Gura Riului,throwing the enemy to Orlat and Cristian.At 9th of September ,Olt Corps has enterprise a general movement on the whole front,to push the line of the advanced posts further to Sibiu. It was ,necessary to occupy the villages ,which remained between the Romanian line and the enemy one and which have become nests,were numerous attacks were always prepared and started .The Romanian troops have occupied villages Selimbar,Bungard,Casolt,Rosia,Nucet,Cornatel widening the occupation zone around Sibiu,fixing on the heights between Olt Valley and Hirtibaciului Valley,East of Sibiu,along the driveway and narrow railway Sibiu-Sighisoara.The enemy retreated altogether on the lines of heights North of Sibiu.The Romanian Cavalry occupies Avrig and Sacadate on Olt.In interval,Olt Corps have become the 23rd Division,under the Command of General Castris;in the back begun to gather the units of the 13th Division,destined to form the East wing of the Corps,of which Command was of General Manolescu.

The enemy activity has manifested continuously by surprise attacks.At 13th of September ,he attacked with numerous artillery the left Romanian wing at Orlat,trying a turning of front at Gura Riului.In the ferocious fight given here,the violent counterattack of 5th Hunters Regiment has produced heavy casualties to the enemy,taking also 130 prisoners of the 305th Infantry Regiment,Austro-Hungarian.A Battalion of 2nd Vilcea Regiment,and a Cavalry Escadron have intervened into the fight and throwed definitely ,back th aggressor.The Hunters occupied Orlat.The Cavalry Escadron has made an incursion until close to Saliste.From the pretor of the region,Romanian by origin,the commander of the Detachment found out that at Miercurea(=wednesday),near Sebes ,disembark and gather German troops .There were prepared serious events.the Commander of the Olt Corps,feeling the need to strengthen its right,withdraw the 5th Hunters Regiment from Lotru Group,which makes Orlat to be reoccupied by the enemy.


During the night of 15th-16th of Septemner,the enemy has executed an attack by surprise from Gusterita -Cornatel direction over Casolt Village,occupied by troops of the 42nd Regiment.The Romanian positions have been bombarded very violently by artillery with the help of reflectors.The enemy soldiers closed in the Romanian trenches ,cheating the guards with shouts"Don't shoot brothers we are Romanians of the Kingdoom!".Once near the position,begins the game of rockets ,machine guns and grenades.Taking advantage,then,of the panic,by the darkness and of the rain which was falling,the enemy sneaked through the Romanian lines and rejected them off Bucatei Hill,which dominates Casoltu.Towards morning ,acquainted with the situation,the Romanians have passed to counterattack,aided also by the troops of neighbour units.The fights,very ferocious,body to body,were given against the enemy,which was away-ed from the positions he has occupied and pursued up to Daia Saseasca.This fight has cost serious losses ;42nd Regiment had two Officers and 72 Soldiers dead,three Officers and 164 soldiers wounded.But the enemy had even bigger losses;only on the terrain he left 5 Officers and 150 dead Soldiers.

Now the circle of fire and metal of Romanians surrounds from dusk(West) from midday and dawn(East) Sibiu.The Romanian front is leaning at left on the heights South of Orlat,in Cibinului Valley,goes parallel with the valley and with the line of the metal road Sibiu-Saliste-Mures,passes South of Sibiu,through the cemetery of the city and the exercises field,surrounding by North, Mihai Viteazu Colina ,then makes an elbow toward Nort-East near Gusterita Hill,solidly occupied by enemy artillery,crosses La Fintina Rece(At the Cold Fountain) Forest,heading then by a large curve in South-East direction,near Daia,Cornatel,Glimboaca and the two Porumbace,to lean with the right flank over Fagaras Mountains.At this wing,the Romanain front was weaker occupied.


Romanian interaction at Sibiu

Sasi(German minorities of Ardeal) metropol,in the same time intelectual center of Romanian life,it is at the Romanians disposition;we only have not manage to take it(Sibiu).The city is deserted;the authorities and all the people contained of Hungarians and Sasi,angry ,they left it.Under the intersected fires of the two artillery has been made the methodical evacuation of the archives and wealth of all kinds ,of the city.Its occupation is waited ,any day now;even the enemy has retreated to the North. Sibiu is situated between two fires ,but remains untouched ,cared by the today master and by the tomorrow one.

The enemy Commander,as well as the foreign war correspondents,are starting to wonder, of why the Romanians have not yet occupied Sibiu.In truth,fixed on their positions which,at South,touched the edge of the city,the Romanian troops have not advanced one step,since 9th of September.The enemy explained this un-action,by the fear which Romanians would have,that the city is occupied by strong enemy forces.We know the real cause of this attitude;it was in the strategic plan of the Romanian campaign.Still,the order of operations of the Great Romanian Headquarter,was to occupy a defensive position North of Sibiu;in this way ,the city would enter in the occupied zone.But General Culcer ,the Commander of the I-st Army,has judged that,by this dispozitive,would have remained behind Olt Corps,the superior valley of Olt River,difficult to observe ,risking an attack by this side and veiling.That is why,he preferred to remain on a position a little behind-as he did in Jiu sector-calculating that in this way the pivot of the general movement will be more solid.Anyway,the Commander of the I-st Romanian Army was embarrassed by his moves and obstacles in the realization of the mission given to him,by the weakening of the forces he has received in the beginning.The painful events which were taking place on Dobrogea front,forced the Great Headquarter to take the whole reserve of the I-st Army ,made out by Divisions 2nd and 12th ,tu use them on the Southern Front.Reduced only to the units engaged on the front,the Commander felt obliged to maintain close to the frontier,ensuring solid the communications line with the Kingdom,by fear of attacks which symptoms made to be foreseen as imminent. In truth,behind the thin curtain of Austro-Hungarian troops,the trains were bringing in ,day and night troops from all European fronts.A strong German army was gathering and organizing ,for a great action.The Romanian inertia ahead of Sibiu,made by reasons purely of prudence ,permitted to the enemy to execute in quiet the troops concentration moves.

The Offensive of the 2nd Romanian Army

Towards Brasov

The II-nd Romanian Army was in the middle of the Romanian dispozitive,in the most inside part of the Carpathian Mountains arch.The importance of this sector came from two circumstances.Her were,on a relative small stretch,most of the mountain passes:Bran,Predeal,Bratocea,Buzaul and these are only the most important.Secondly,this sector dominated the most direct and comfortable route ,which goes from the capital city of the Kingdoom in Transilvania.She had 16 Miles of frontier ,Brasov ,important not only as population and commercial center,but as a communication node of numerous railways and driveways which converge to this point from the whole South-Eastern region of Ardeal(Transilvania) .Because of its central situation,the II-nd Army has to advance quickly,to connect the two armies in the right and in the left,closing an unic and strong front.

The operations have started just in the night of 27th of August.At quarter past eight in the evening,the troops of "Predeal covering Group" have occupied Predeal train station and the slopes which descend towards Timis Vallei.On all the driveways which converge to Brasov,are starting to move the troops of the respective covering groups.On Bran driveway advances 30th Muscel Regiment and 22nd Dimbovita.On Timis Valley descends 6th Hunters Regiment and 6th Mihai Bravu Regiment.From Predeal and Bratocea start,through the valleys of Doftanei and Tarlungu,the troops of "Bratocea Group"(Regiments 7th,9th and 32nd);from Tabla Butii 8th Regiment.On Buzau Valley,the road of Mihai the Brave(Mihai Viteazu) in 1599,are going the soldiers of 10th Putna Regiment and 11th Siret Regiment. Through Putna valley are passing the troops of 24th Tecuci Regiment.

The enemy had in the region Brasov-Oituz the 71th Infantry Division,Commanded by General Goldbach.the defense of Brasov has been especially given to 82nd Regiment,made exclusively of Secui,the local Hungarian population,inner-ed like a feather along the Moldavian Carpathian mountains ,between the masses of Romanians .The Regiment took part at the Austro-Hungarian disaster from Volinia[8],in June 1916 and now,remade,was brought to Carpathian to defend his small "ancestor land"against the "conqueror".Along this regiment,the Division had three battalions of infantry and four battalions taken from the local stage troops.

At 28th of August the resistance have been defeated along the whole line.At left ,Magura Branului ,strongly attacked by Musceleni,have been evacuated by the two Hungarian battalions which occupied it.Bran belonged to Romanians.


At the center the enemy resistance was very live one.

In the evening of 27th of August a short fight,but violent,in custom and train station Predeal,makes the Romanians masters on the entrance in Timis Valley.the Romanian troops advanced without big obstacles.The Hungarians,in their emotion and haste,have deranged the the installations of the cables which lead to the mines set under the tunnels and in different points of the driveway,so they could not make the big destruction planned.Only the bridge at Darste has been blow up.

The first serious resistance has been organized by the enemy a little to the valley,at Hanovezi Monument,between Upper Timis (Timisu de sus) and Lower Timis,few meters ahead of Marienof penssion. It is the most narrow part of the Timis Defile.On a mount in the edge of the railway ,the Hungarians have build a Monument for Hanovezi,which tried at 1848(revollution) to stop the advance of the Russians of General Luders,called in by Austrians and by Saguna.

The Hungarian position at Hanovezi Monument was strong,especially by its natural position.It barrier-ed across the road through the Defile which here was very narrow,like a corridor,leaning in the right and in the left on the rocky walls almost vertical of Postavaru and Pietri Mari(The Big Stone).This position could not be turned ,and could only be attacked frontal.A ferocious assault has been thus ,given in the day of 28th of August against the enemy position by first Romanian troops ,which have crossed the border ,formed by detachments of Regiments 6th and 21st of infantry,6th Hunters and 2nd Graniceri. Sustained also by a battery of obusiere(shells),the Romanians accomplish,after a few hours of battle and with felt losses ,to conquer the strong position and to put on the run the rest of the Hungarians,which escaped alive.By evening ,the Romanian troops were in Timisu de jos(Lower Timis).


....

On the right side ,the enemy is swepd like dirt by storm.A whole Hungarian battalion ,taken out of the trenches on Beldiei height,is surrounded and captured in Buzau Custom,with all its tresures. Groups Predelus,Bratocea and Tabla Butii get out of the Defiles;at 29th of August the 5th Division occupies Sacele.

Threatened at south by the advance of the II-nd Army ,threatened also from East by the advance of the Northern Army through Oituz,Goldbach retreats on the Eastern heights of Persani Mountains.Pursued ,though,by the troops of the Bran Group,after he tries to resist at Zarnesti,retreats more to the North;threatened here ,as well,by a turn of the Northern wing,left entirely Barsei Country and retreated on the stronghold ed positions on North-West shore of Olt,in Homorod sector-Fagaras.At 30th of August,all the exits from the North of the mountain passes were in the Romanian hands .We are mastering Brasov Field.


Occupying Brasov

Even from the night of 27th 28th of August,the news of declaring the war has been known in Brasov.In the morning of 28th of August the city has been taken by panic.The authorities have lost their heads.In waves the Hungarian and Saseasca(German mynority poulation was running in waves towards the train station,with the owning that they could gather in haste ;amongst the first to leave the city were the military and civilian authorities .In the haste of the disorderly running are left in barracks yards convoys of filled up with luggage.Through the deposits of the train station remain great quantities of ammo ,food and other materials.At the train station were taking place terrible scenes amongst the people assaulting the trains.

The Romanian population was taken over by the joy of victory,which was announced by the voice of the Romanian cannon,more and more closely.,but consternation with the arrest of the Romanian intelectuals ,ahead with the Romanian priests from church ST.Nicolae and their families ,taken and dragged by the Hungarians, in their running.

Tuesdey,29th of August the decisive clock has ranged.The las Austro-Hungarians patrols were going quickly through the city,running North.At 3,30 in the afternoon ,a dellegation of the city council,together with the Romanian Medic Dr. Baiulescu,solicited to join the delegation,went out of the city,by foot ahead of the Romanian troops.At the junction of roads which go to Dirste and Harman,the dellegation has been received by Colonel Darvari,the Commander of the 6th Mihai Viteazu Regiment,to which it was made the surrender of the city.At 5 ,the Romanian troops entered the old city,full of historical memories and linked by so many cultural and economic connections with the Kingdom of Romania.Enthusiastic acclamation and flowers have received the victorious troops;the Romanian population was living a moment of the highest rising of the soul.The other nationalities associated at this celebration,out of respect for the armed force which brought order and inspired fear...In the Piata Sfatului(City hall Plaza),facing the Romanian Church in the Fortress ,the troops have listened to the prayer ,with their head uncovered .Then the public buildings were occupied and installed Romanian authorities.Dr. Vecerdea has been named Prefect and Dr. Baiulescu was named Mayor,the firsts Romanians authorities ,taken out by the new purpose of things. Brasov has become Romanian.

Constituting the II-nd Army

At 3rd of September,General Averescu took the Command of the II-nd Army,constituted instead of the covering groups.It was formed by Army Corps II(Divisions 3rd and 4th) and III-th (Divisions 5th and 6th).From the two Corps some units were taken out,with which was constituted Divisions 21st and 22nd.In advanced positions were to be found:at the wing-Persani-Sercaia;at the center was 4th Division at Feldioara;at the right wing was the 6th Division,concentrated at St.Gheorghe. The concentration of the other three divisions was made behind.

The hurricane advancement of the first few days diminished quickly.The misfortune turn of the South front influenced the operations on the Northern Front.The Romanian Army received led in the wings.A sort of unrest and hesitation boiled in the the decisions of the superior Commandment.At 9th of September ,the Great Headquarter announced that because of the serious situation on the Southern Front it is suspended the general offensive in Transilvania;The ii-nd Army will strengthen solidly on the occupied positions.It is the effect of disastrous situation at Turtucaia and Southern Dobrogea.

Under the power of emotion which overwhelmes ,to a certain extent, the conducting circles ,it is made a considerable movement of forces towards South of Bucharest(capital of the Kingdom),which seemed threatened.It is planned the retreat of the unit counted as available of the II-nd Army,to be send on the periled ftont.The 5th Division is taken out of the front and sent to Dobrogea(South-Eastern region of Romania).Even the Commander of the Army,general Averescu is sent to the Command of the III-th Army.His successor is General Crainiceanu,officer with a rich career spend in technical services ,as well as Chief of Staff,and as a War Minister ;for a few years the General has passe into reserve and,during the neutrality,has been one of the most active interventionists,publishing in newspapers headlines of outstanding authority.

Few days,the II-nd Army does not enterprise offensive actions,but only to consolidate positions.But the emotion of from the Big Headquarter disappear ,the Government and Commander get back the cold blood,operations restart.


Battle on Olt River

To meet the army front in Transilvania and to enlarge its defensive power ,the supreme Romanian commander decided to push ahead the front of the II-nd Army.Occupying a shorter line of front ,it was ensured a better connection between the three armies(Ist,II-nd,III-rd Romanian Armies) which were operating in Ardeal(Transilvania).With this aim ,the II-nd Army received at 11th of September the order to enterprise an offensive action for mastering Olt River Valley and Homorod Valley,from Fagaras Mountain up to Homorod-Almasu,strengthening then on the new positions,conquered.This offensive will be sustained at the right side by the Northern Army,which will attack -with the 2nd Division of Cavalry and with the 7th DIvision -in the region of Odorheiu.The action will be given for mastering the middle course of Olt River of Ardeal(Transilvania),with the convexity towards North;it is a real long Defile of 16 Miles,tightened between heights Baraoltului and Harghitei at North and Persani Mountains ,South, at the concavity of the arch.

The principal operation,the hardest one was, crossing the river,under the enemy fire ,which was occupying the opposite shore,which he stronghold-ed in the main point of crossing,with trenches and barb wire nets.All the bridges were destroyed ,except the one at Hoghiz,which was strongly defended.The crossing has to be tried by surprise.General Crainiceanu seats the 3rd Division at the left side ,to attack the front of Fagaras until Highiz ;in the center the 22nd Division,has to attack in Homorod sector.At the right side .the 6th Division,coming from the dawns(East),from St.Gheorghe,has to surround the curve made by Olt River ,through the North,to fall in the flank and back of the positions attacked frontal by the 22nd Division.

The defense was made by the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division.general Goldbach left on Olt,in Fagaras -Homorod sector,only five battalions with artillery and cavalry,and the rest he has retreated a little to the North,at Cirt,to be able to entervene in the space between II-nd Army and Norther Army,Romanians,or against one or the other,as the need will be felt stronger.


....

In the day of 14th of September ,the Romanian troops begin the approaching march,towards the initial fighting positions.In the night of 14th-15th of September,at 3 in the morning,the troops of the 3rd Division, positioned on three columns,have crossed Olt River.The right hand side column,made out of troops of 30th Muscel Regiment and 22nd Dimbovita Regiment ,have croosed through the strait of Crihalma,attacking by the front the enemy very strong strenghtened in this point.At crossing the Olt have died by the death of the braves ,Colonel Baltaretu,Commander of the 22nd Regiment ,hit by a bullet in his forehead.Upset with the death of their beloved Chief,the soldiers have attacked the enemy at bayonet,took him out of his trenches ,and well supported by artillery,run him far and away,occupying Daisoara.

The central column,constituted of troops of Regiments 30th ,29th Infantry and 2nd hunters,have crossed the Olt through Halmeag,without artillery because the steepness of the shores in this part.The croosing of the river in this region was due to the devotion of a young Romanian ,Maria Manciulea,from comuna(bigger village) Parau.From her own initiative,she presented herself to the Romanian Commander ,and showed him a favorable place for crossing undefended by the enemy.Lead by the heroic girl,the troops crossed the river ,falling behind the enemy which,formidable re-trenched and armed with plenty of machine guns,was waiting fir the cross attempt to be made through the only known strait,and dominate by him.For her patriotism and her bravery , Maria Manciulea was decorated in front of the troops with the "Military Virtue"(Virtutea Militara).

The left hand side column,operating in the region of Fagaras,has occupied the city in the morning ,crossing then Olt through Galati.After lively battles ,he away-ed the enemy installed on the heights of Calbor,occupying them.At the left of the Division,the 2nd Calarasi Brigade ,attacked by troops of the 1st Cavalry Division,Austro-Hungarian,could not cross Olt at Voila and remained thus on the Southern shore.

In the evening of 15th of September,the whole 3rd Division was on the right shore of Olt.This success was payed with the loss of 12 Officers and 628 Soldiers,dead or wounded.The difficulty of the fightss came from where the enemy,hearing about the Romanians intention of forcing the crossing of Olt,has taken measures,such that the surprise did not succeed but only in part;the crossing was made mostly everywhere by fight,under the bombardment of cannons and of machine-guns fire.Plus ,the troops did not have telephone connections ,such that the communications were made only by runners .Was missing completely the bridge material;that is why all the Infantry has crossed through the water,and the artillery remained on the Southern shore.Only at 16th of September,has arrived the bridge crews,which throw ed a bridge between Venetia de Jos-Halmeag. The troops of the 22nd Division ,starting from Feldioara,cut the cord of Olt arch through the South,forcing the crossing at Hoghiz,as the 6th Division surrounds the arch of Olt River,to North.The two arms of the cracker has to unite in the region Cohalm-Homorod.the enemy resist in the region of Homorod with a lot of artillery;Regiment 11th Siret,occupies Homorod and especially ,Almasul Homorodului;Regiment 12 Cantemir occupies Cata.in the same time,troops of the 22nd Division have crossed the Olt through straits at Racosul de Jos and Bogata Olteana;32nd Regiment surrounds the enemy position of Ugra ,which force the Hungarian to leave Hoghiz;on this bridge crosses also the artillery.Now,Colham,attacked by Romanians from East and North,is conquered by lively fight .In the same time ,with the defeat on Olt,General Goldbach receives bad news also from his left:the 7th Romanian Division,starting from Miercurea Ciuc,has taken Vlahita and is marching towards Odorhei.The Hungarian General ,retreats the 71st Division towards Archita,retreating in the same time Szabo Brigade ,this side of Odorhei.

With this,the Olt Battle has ended.the II-nd Romanian Army has won the battle in the day of 15th of September ,she has made prisoners 6 officers ,seven Cadets and 750 men of troops.

Even in the evening of the same day,the 22nd Division is taken out from during fight,beeing called on the Southern Front,togeter with the 21st Division;the empty space between Divisions 3rd and 6th is filled with Regiments 2nd Hunters and 30 Muscel,which reestablish the connection.the next day,16th of September,the 4th Division starts marching towards Fagaras,to constitute the extreme left wing of the II-nd Army.Hearing the cannon at North ,towards Calbor,the division stops the march and sends two columns in the aid of the 3rd Division,engaged with the enemy at Calbor.The left column is stopped by the enemy artillery firing range from Cincsor,as she was crossing Olt at Beclean and manages to cross the river in the next day,at 17th of September.

The followed goal by the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army was acomplished;the army receives the order to stop on defensive,strengthening on positions,on the Northern shore of Olt.The army has been ,otherwise,weakened by retreating of three Divisions;the 5th ,the 21st and 22nd;she remained only with the other three ,of which the 4th at left in Fagaras sector,the 3rd in the middle in Halmeag-Daisoara sector,and the 6th at the right side ,in Cohlam-Homorod sector.


4.The Offensive of the Northern Romanian Army(a IV-a)

The IV-th Army and her operations terrain

the IV-th Army Corps ,made up of Divisions 7th and 8th ,strengthened at the right with 14th Division and at the left with 2nd Cavalry Division,formed the IV-th Romanian Army,or Northern Army,destined to cross the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains along the frontier and to advance in Ardeal(Transilvania), from East to West.The lead of this Army was given to general Prezan.The role of the Northern Army was of the most important,and the battle ground(terrain) was one of the most difficult.In the strategical dispozitive of our fighting front ,the IV-th Army was the Advance Wing(l'aile marchante).As at the left ,the I-st Army ,solidly installed in Hateg Land and Sibiu,formed the oak of the movement,at the right ,the IV-th Army had to advance on a considerable depth in the enemy theritory,executing the exercise of moving the front to the left.She was also making the connection with the Russian Front of Bucovina with which,together,had to execute the movement,forcing by their advance the retreat of the VII-th Austro-Hungarian Army(General Kovess) from the Forested Carpathians(Carpatii Padurosi).

Moldavian Carpathians are strolled by a great number of passes ,which allows military operations.The most important are the passes of Bistricioarey Vallei(Prisacani-Tulghes),Bicazului,Trotusului,Ghimes,Uzului and Oituz.These transversal valleys ,which head from East to West,once crossed ,one arrives in a big geographical depression,with direction North-South,through which flows Olt River and Mures River,the first one heading South,and the second one North.The Valleys of Olt and Mures are populated exclusively by Secui(Hungarian minority),which have here the most important places:Gheorgheni,Miercurea-Ciuc,Tirgu-Secuiesc,St.Gheorghe.towards West the valley is edged by the second mountain wall which goes parallel with Moldavian Carpathian Mountains:they are the Mountains of Gurghiu,Harghita and Baraolt.In this way,the valleys of Olt River and Mures River are closed in a sort of long corridor,from which the two rivers escape,surrounding at South and North the Western mountainous wall.The armies which come from dawns(East) through the Carpathians Passes of Moldavia ,have to descend in the valleys of Olt and Mures,then to climb again and to descend the second row of mountains ,to reach the upper Valleys of the two Tirnave.These two valleys are together with Middle Mures(Mures Mijlociu) Valley-north of them-and with Olt Valley-at South-the four big ways of invasion in the heart of Ardeal Field.Through the Moddle Olt Valley was now advancing ,as we know,the II-nd Army;to the IV-th Army was given the mission to master the other three ways.


The first offensive of the Northern Army.

Forcing the passing in to Ardeal(Transilvania)

From the fist day of the war ,the northern Army has started the operations on the whole front of Moldavian Mountains.Long before the beginning of the operations ,the Austro-Hungarian Commandment could not imagine that Romanians will enterprise an action of importance in this mountaineous region,so difficult for military operations.The Austro-Hungarians brought here only the 61st Division of Infantry(General Major Grallert) with two brigades ,of which Brigade 19th-Colonel Szabo-in connection with the troops of the 71st Division,defended the entrance in Ciuc Pool(Uz-oituz) and the 16th Brigade of Mountain-Colonel Bernatzky-occupied Gurghiului Mountains,to close the Valley of Superior Mures River.

The fragile barrier was quickly broken by the push of the Romanian flow. Oituz Group,made up of the troops of the 15th Brigade of 8t Division of Infantry(General Patrascu),passe like a storm through Oituz mountain Pass.In the day of 28th of August,13th Regiment Stefan Cel Mare was master over Sandru Mountain,from which Ardeal was unfolding like a panorama before the eyes of the soldiers ,deeply moved by it.At 31st of August,the small city Tirgu Secuiesc was occupied by Romanians.Through the wide open gate has started in this day the advance of the 2nd Cavalry Division,along the driveway of Oituz.

Groups Uz and Ghimes ,made out of troops of the 7th Division-general Istrati-entered ,at their turn,in Ardeal,over the Mountains of Cincului,throwing Szabo's troops in Olt Valley.The Romanians have stopped then for over a week to organize their positions in the mountains;it was lost in this way precious time ,and was given thus time to the enemy to strengthen.

Further to the north,the 14th Division-General Vasilescu Paraschiv-operating on two columns ,in a very accident-ed region(bad terrain),has crossed the border along the Valleys of Bicaz and Bistricioara,occupying Almasu,Tulghes and Bilbor.All the heights of the Massif Gurghiului,which dominates to the East the superior course of Bistricioara to the mouth of Glodului,are in the Romanian hands.A third group of the Division,Bistrita Group,starting from Brosteni,has occupied Almasu Height and all the heights over Bilboru.Because of the slow move of the Russians ,the connection with them to the right could not be made in time,so from the first days the enemy troops which formed the right extreme of the Austro-German front ,leaned on Dorna Mountains(Muntii Dornei),have entered on Neagra Sarului Valley and Calimanel valley and occupied villages Panci,Saru Dornei and Neagra Sarului,stopping on the heights Paltinis,Calimanel,barnarul,occupied by our troops.the inhabitants of these villages had to know from the beginning the pains of foreign occupation,of which they have been liberated only later.This occupation was also creating a threatening situation for the right side of the 14th Division.between 31st of August and 4th of September ,the Division rejecting the troops of Bernatzky,occupied the whole Massif of Gurghiu,mastering the last height which dominate the superior valley of Mures River,and the Western exits of the defiles.All the Passes of Moldavia in Ardeal(Transilvania),cross the mountain massif have been breached(forced).


The second offensive of the Northern Army

Battle of Miercurea-Ciuc

At 6th of September ,General Prezan retakes the offensive movement of the Northern Army,on the whole stretch of the front, to master the Valleys of Olt and Mures(rivers).For six days ,6th-11th of September ,the Austro-hungarian troops have been dug out of their positions and rejected further.The most important actions took place at the two wings of the Northern Army.

At the left wing the Romanian troops attacked Miercurea -Ciuc,the most important center of Secuimii(Hungarian Minority).The city has been attacked in a veiling mode ,through the north of Ghimes Group,by the front of Uz Group,and at the South by the troops of Oituz Group.,starting from direction Tirgu-Secuiesc,have crossed river Olt and attacked the enemy by the flank and from behind.The fight was lively and the city strongly bombarded.by evening the enemy has left the city;Romanians,though,have not occupied it ,because the enemy artillery was firing over .They have remained at ant-posts ,at the edge of the city lightened by the flames of the fires made by the bombardment of the artillery of the defenders and by the fires of bivouacs on the surrounding hills.The next day(second) the fight restarted.In front of the veiling move at the two wings ,the enemy started to retreat ,after devastating the city and retreating at Vlahita.Miercurea-Ciuc has been occupied by Romanians at 8th of September.At the attack of Miercurea-Ciuc has died of the most pretious death of the braves Captain N.Vulovici.One of the poet raised soldiers,of Koerner and Petoffy,which if he did not equal in poetic genius ,surely he did not stand back as feeling and elan.He fell as he was commanding a company of the Avanguard Battalion of 15th Razboieni Regiment,hit by a bullet in the forehead.He died of the death he wanted to and which he called in his brave lyrics :

"If it would be that I die ,-You God,give me -a brave death

A bullet in the flower of my hat-in fight would hit me!

Don't wanna'die on bed-like all the commoners,

On metal or ground-sleep for eternity the soldiers!

My poor body folded -in the cloth of three colored flag(red yellow blue)

Will tear my trumpeters -no mother,nor sister...

With helmet and weapons dressed-a groom chosen by death-

Not the cemetery men but soldiers carry me!

(...well something like that)

.....


At the Northern wing,a detachment of troops of the 14th Division,descended the slopes of Gurghiu Mountains ,attacked Toplita,taking out the enemy of all his positions ,very well strongholded-dug in ,without artillery could intervene.At the fall of the evening,the Hungarians arson the timber factories from the city,blow up the bridges and retreat in Calimanel direction.The detachment seized the exit towards East of Mures Defile,repelling the enemy towards interior ,then pursued him step by step,through the Defile,seizing also the ridge which parts the field Miclausului-superior pool of Mures River-by the middle pool.

In the same time ,the troops of Bicaz detachment and the 4th Mixt Brigade ,operating between the two wings ,have entered in Gurghiu Defile and Tirnava Mici,which rove through the second mountain wall,of Gurghiu and Harghita,pushing enemy troops towards East covering thus the concentration of 8th Division which was making behind,in Bicaz region.At 7th of September Gheorgheni city havebeen seized by Romanians.

The enemy troops ,incapable of resistance ,were on the point of being repeled over the second mountainous barrier in field of Mures River.In front of this danger,von Arz sends all available troops which have arrived n the concentration zones,to sustain and stop the confusion of the troops of 61st Division,on all four directions of advance of the Romanians .In Mures Valley he sends 72nd Division,Austro-Hungarian,of Infantry,which occupies positions at Lunca Bradului,stopping the retreat of Bernatzky Group.The column retreating through Gurghiului Valley towards Reghinu Sasesc,have been stopped and strenghtened at Fincel by the 39th Infantry Division.From Praid runs on Tirnava Mici valley a Husar brigade de Lundstrum and a Bosniac Regiment-Csecsi group-and behind Szabo Group ,which retreating from Miercurea Ciuc has stopped at Vlahita,was brought the thick of 71st Division.the mission of this division was to supervise on one hand the advance of the Northern Romanian Army,on the other hand,the II-nd Romanian Army to operate ,after need ,in the flank of one or the other.At 11th of September ,the Northern Army have stopped the advance move ,in which she succeeds to seize completely th superior valleys of olt River and Mures River and to master the entrances from the East of the second row of heights ,which separates this pool from the field of middle Mures River.


The Battles in Calimani Mountains

The advance of the Northern Army opened beautiful perspectives for the neighbor Russian Army.This one,though,did not look to make them useful.The Russians did not advance through the Northern mountain passes of Moldavia which,by forcing them and occupying them by our armies ,stood at their disposition and they could have turned the positions of the Austro-Hungarian armies of Bucovina Mountains,which was in a dangerous situation.The offensive through which Russia obliged-by military convention with Romanai-to begin to cover the mobilization and concentration of the Romanaian troops ,was started only at 31st of August.Brusilov's forces ,weakened by the bloody fights which lasted three months,already,they were not capable to give that strong forcing,needed to break the Austro-German front.Much that ,in Bucovina Mountains,has formed of German divisions ,a new army,under the Command of General von Conta,by which the frontal attacks of the Russians crushed in a futile way.

The advance of the 14th Romanian Division on Mures Valley,to Lunca Bradului started,because the Russian insuccess,to become risky;it exposed the right flank of the Northern Army to enemy attacks;also there were signalls ,in Calimani Mountains,concentrations of enemy troops belonging to to the 37th Austro-Hungarian Division.To prevent this peril,the Commander of the Northern Romanian Army,constituted the "Covering Detachment Bistrita",under the Command of Colonel Colori,with the mission to cover the right flank of the army,in Calimani region.

The operations of this group were executed in very difficult circumstances .the soldiers have to climb in chest the slopes of the mountains towards Mures River Valley.Pietrosu Peak (2102meters) has been occupied by a battalion of the 16th Regiment at 16th of September,after a fight of infantry and artillery;Retitis Peak has been seized by a battalion of the 56th Regiment ,which rejected two companies of Hungarian Geandarms.The Southern part of the principal ridge of the strong bastion which forms the well known triplex confinium,the point of land between Moldavia,Bucovina and Ardeal(Transilvania) was in Romanian hands

Alarmed by the situation,Feldmarshal Habermann,the Commander of Dorna sector,has send numerous troops with machine guns and artillery ,of mountain,to repulse the Romanians,attacking them from Bistricioara Peak.Violent fights have been given in very difficult conditions ,on high plateaus ,on fog and rain,snow and snowstorms.The snowstorms froze the hands and feet of the soldiers ,diminishing the effectives of the fighters.Attacks and counterattacks have been given ,making considerable losses .In the fight given for seizing Vf. Piatra Rosie (Red Stone Peak) a battalion of the 56th Romanian Regiment had 80 dead.The Romanians could not stretch their occupied zone,their attacks over Peaks Timaului and Strumioru have remained undecided but neither the enemy could dislocate us from Pietrosu Peak.The adversaries remained face to face on the high peaks ,beaten by snowstorms ,of Calimani and strengthened their positions

At the right side of Calimani ,Bistrita Detachment ,making the connection with the Russians tried to fall in the back of the positions at Dorna and Calimani,attacked frontal by Russians.The enemy ,though,could not be taken out of his positions ,very strong strenghtened ,because they defended not only the principal position of Vatra Dornei-Iacobeni,but also the mines of mangan(coal) from this latter locality,indispensable for the war economy of the Central Powers.


The third offensive of the Northern Romanian Army. Odorhei Battle

The II-nd Romanian Army ,starting on 15th of September ,a vigorous offensive from Brasov with direcion Fagaras -Colham -Hamorod-which provoked the Olt Battle -the Northern Army received the mission to ease this offensive,attackimg the enemy which was in front of it.the plan of the action was made as follows:the left wing of the army will have the principla action;the 2nd cavalry Division and the 7th Division will operate in Homorod region,in tight connection with the II-nd Romanian Army,attacking the back of the enemy of this region;they will seize the heights which barrier the road Miercurea-Ciuc-odorhei.the 8th Division which in the mean time has concentrated and place d herself at the right side of the 7th Divsion,between this one and the 14th Division,as well as the latter one ,will fix the enemy by attacks ;the 8th Division will push strong detachments towards the exits of the defiles of Harghita mountains and Gurghiu Mountains towards the flat of Mures,and the 14th Division will supervise Calimanii.

The troops of the 7th Division have started the offensive at 15th of September ,having as ax of advance the driveway Miercurea-Ciuc-odorhei ,which rove along the depression between Harghita Mountains at North and Baraoltu at South,it is the passing gate between Olt Valley and Homorod and Tirnavei Mari Vallei.Beyond the ridge ,Vlahita Village ,strongly defended is the principal obstacle .the village,attacked by the front and flank have been conquered bya ferocious fight,in which 4th Hunters Regiment distinguished ,especially.At the right side,troops of the 16th Regiment have occupied Capilnita and at the left,regiment 27th conquered Lueta Village.The 19th Mountain Brigade,Colonel Szabo,beaten has been forced to retreat beyond odorhei,occupying positions one side and the other of Tarnava.The 71st Hungarian Division,situated between Beia,Dirjiu and Archita ,cornered by the offensive of the II-nd Romanian Army,could not come in Szabo's help and had to retreat as well.In 18th of September ,the 4th Hunters Regiment have seized Odorhei,left by 82nd Secui(Hungarians)Regiment;the Mayor of the city have made the solemn surrender.

At the right side of the 7th Division,the troops of the 8th Division have started the offensive move in 18th of September.Advancing on three columns ,they have attacked the enemy troops ,made up of the 16th Mountain Brigade of the 61th Division-Colonel Bernatzky-strenghtened with troops of the 39th Division with a brigade of Husari de Lndstrum and a Bosniac Regiment ,making Gyergyo Group.The enemy have been threown in Tirnavei Mici Valley until Praid,and in Gurghiu Valley until Ibanesti.Alarmed by this situation,von Arz has brought in haste the 37th Division-general Major Haber-of calimani Mountains and placed it at Reghin,behind the 39th Division,to intervine in the fight ,as the Prusian Division ,89th,freshly arrived ,was placed at Tirgu Mures,as general reserve.


The fight of Rastolita

In the region of superior Mures River,in the sector of 14th Division,the Romanian Commander observed ,that the enemy takes forces from Mures Valley and sends them to Calimani and Dorna for strengthening the troops there.Rastolita Valley,affluent which descends from Calimani Mountains on the Northern side of Mures River,constituted the communication road used by the enemy troops for this circulation.The Romanian Commander decides to attack the enemy in this region,to occupy and obstacle the troops transport of the enemy.

The fight from Rastolita was given at 24th-28th of September and was extremely difficult because of the terrain on which it took place:the region very accident-ed (bad terrain) with quick slopes ,covered with forest,becomes mor difficult because of the tree trunks and branches remained after forestier exploatation.The Romanian attack colums ,made out of Regiments 54th,55th an 67th,have fought hard with an enemy well strongholded.An armoured train ,with machineguns and with a reflector,which light up the firing range during the night ,gave the enemy a pretious help.The column of Lieut-Colonel Gherascu have taken with assault at bayonet ,in the day of 26th of September ,the redoubt on Salasel Mountain,very strong fortified.After a fiercly fight ,in the day of 27th of September,he seized the position solidly fortified at Tomoroaga and throw the enemy in disband toward Mures River.The fight of Rastolita ,brought to 14th Division a rich war material,captured and a number of 10 officers and 300soldiers,prisoners;she was mastering now the whole defile of superior Mures River.Bernatzky Group-the 16th Mountain Brigade of the 61st Austro-Hungarian DIvision-was repulsed up to Deda at the exit from West of the defile into the field.


5. The German Counteroffensive in Transilvania

Falkenhayn and the IX-th German Army

It was almost a month now,since the entering of Romania in the war.The Ardeal(Transilvania) campaign was entering a new faze .The situation was presenting with the following face:the Romanian front,in the shape of an arch of circle ,was advancing forward with the right wing(Northern Army),as the left wing(I-st Army) made,in the region of superior Jiu and Olt,the oak of this movement of conversion ,which tended to give the front the shape of a straight line,with the North-East direction -South -West.the forces of the three Romanian armies had to,as we know,concentrate,connected one by the other ,and brought on Mures River Valley.the advance was slow since the armies were thined ,by sending troops in Dobrogea and at danube River.The I-st Army-General Culcer-was made out of Divisions.1st,11th,23rd and 13th;the II-nd Army -General Crainiceanu-of Divisions 4th,3rd and 6th and the Northern Army -general Prezan-by Divisions 7th,8th,14th and 2nd Cavalry Division.The biggest advance was made by the Northern Army which ,at this epoch ,was fighting to cross the heights of Harghitei and Gurghiului.

Eased by the Southern menace,by establishing of the Dobrogean Front,the Big Romanian Headquarter had turned attention to Transilvania.At 25th of September ,General Iliescu addressed to General Joffre-by the intermedy of french attache Desprez-with the request to dispose that Lecitzky[9] to start the offensive move on bistrita line,with Sighet direction,so that the Northern Army ,with the right flank in the air,to be able to continue the advance,making possible same movement for the II-nd Army.It was necessary that before the arrival of rain ,the two armies to occupy the line Reghin-Sighisoara_sibiu,which shortened the front from 150 Miles to 81 Miles.With the troops taken out of this front it could be constituted a general reserve ,of which absence start to feel.It was very important that this action be through before the enemy troops concentration could succeed.Because it was not a secret anymore,that behind the thin enemy line,always rejected,the Hungarian trains were running under the biggest of pressures ,day and night ,bringing everything(troops and war material)which was not absolutely indispensable on other fighting fronts of Europe .The desperate scream for help of Austro-Hungary,badly cornered,has not remained unheard by the Big Friend of Riga ,Divina,from Volinia and on Stohod,from Isonzo,from Vosgi,from Verdun,from the fighting fronts ,as from recovery and rest camps ,Ludendorff was rising German Division and send them to Transilvania .Making use of the fact that the action of Romanians was evolving slow,and the Russians does not move,the enemy went ahead.At 21st of September,three weeks from the war declaration,the concentration of forces of the enemy was enaugh,to pass to offensive.

.....

The Situation of the Romanian armies in Transilvania in the eve of the German counteroffensive

Map Legend:Teren ocupat de romani=terrain occupied by Romanians,Limita ocupatiei romane la 1 octombrie=the limit of Romanian occupation at 1st of October,Corpul olt=Olt Corps,Grupil Jiu=Jiu Group,Grupul Cerna=Cerna Group,D23=23rd Romanian DIvision,DXI=1th Romanian Dvision,DI=1st Romanian Division,A. de Nord=Northern Romanian Army,Armata a II-a=II-nd Romanian Army,Armata a I-a=I-st Romanian Army,Mures=Mures River,DUNAREA=Danube River,Jiu=Jiu River,Arges=Arges River, Ialomita=Ialomita River; Siret,Bistrita=rivers,BUCURESTI=Bucharest,MAREA NEAGRA=The Black Sea


....

General Arz's forces were disposed in three groups,corresponding aproximately to the three Romanian armies.In front of General Prezan was Morgen Group,mad out of Austro-hungarian Divisions 39th,37th,61st,71st,72nd and the Prusian Division 89th,as well as a Husar Brigade ,at the right wing.Morgen Group was stretching the front also in front of some part of II-nd Romanain Army,connecting in Fagaras region ,with Cavalry Group Schmettow,made out of two cavalry divisions.

At the right side,in front of the I-st Romanian Army ,was constituted the strong Staabs Group,made out of a Hungarian Division of Hanovezi=the 51st-three German Divisions :76th,187th and Bavarian Alpine Corps,and three Austro-Hungarian Brigades ,143rd,144th,145th,at Olt River,Jiu and Cerna,strenghtened with other small units,also.Two Alpine Austro-Hungarian -2nd and 8th-disembarked behind the front line.*

The enemy army was continuously retreating in the face of Romanian Army,finishing its concentration of forces.This retreat was maximum at Morgen's army,which although the most numerous,could not withstand the impetuous assaults of Prezan's army.In the region of Oltenia(Romanian region near Olt River),on the contrary,the advance of our troops has been the most reduced,for the pivot role of the conversion movement,but also because the enemy,thinking his communication line to be threatened ,from Mures River Valley,has started at 14th of September,Sunkel offensive ,which has pushed the Romanian troops in Jiu Valley,on the frontier line.in this situation,general Falkenhayn,ex-Chief of the German Headquarter ,arrived at 19th of September at Deva ,assuming the Command of the IX-th Army,which was in its birth.It was constituted ,for the time being,by Staabs groups and Schmettow.The North_east Group ,Commanded by Morgen has remained under direct Command of Arz,as The Austro-Hungarian Army.Both armies entered in the composition group of armies ,Commanded nominal by the inheriter of the AustroHungarian throne,Archduke Carol.


In reality,the Commander of the "Romanian Front" of Carpathian Mountains was Falkenhayn,of which orders-conform with the dispositions of the two headquarters ,or because of spirit of comradery and collaboration well understood -listened also by General von Arz.The new German Commander has a choosen intelligence, good undertanding of facts,energic and methodical.As a military ,he was backed by a brilliant career.He has been Minister of War of Germany and has prepared the army which entered the war.Two months after the breakout of the European War,in the wake of defeat of Marna,Falkenhayn received the inheritance of Moltke[10],as Chief of the Big German Headquarter -in other words the Generalisim of this army,because the supreme Command of the Kaizer was nominal(appointed to a certain person).In this quality,he has lead for two years the operations of the German Army.The failure of the offensive against Verdun and our entering in the war ,makes him to fall and be replaced by the duality of Hindemburg-Ludendorff[11].Touched in his ego,Falkenhayn has propesed himself to prove ,on the terrain,in his new Commandment,his military capacity.For the knowledge ,and his strategical cleaverness,the conduct of the war against the young and inexperienced Romanian Army,seemd an easy game.The mission given to Falkenhayn was to get immediately to offensive.The Dobrogea Campaign(against Romania) has been efective;it has pomped all the available troops and reserves.The Romanian Army in Transilvania(Ardeal),reduced at the thin line of fighting front,was to shake and collapse under the heavy blow which Falkenhayn would apply.

The enemy official publications ,give at 7th of September ,the following effectives:128 Battalions,22 Divisionary Cavalry Escadrons and 117 batteries ,to which one must add the 2 independent Cavalry Divisions ,with 7 Regiments and corresponding artilley,as well as the two Brigades ,Austro-Hungarian Alpiners,which at this date were in transport. .....


The plan of German counteroffensive

The fight plan of the Great German Commandment was determined by the situation of the Rmanaian Army.The concentration of groups could not be realized but only in a small amount.The Romanian Army could not unite but only in a bundle;what it represented beyond Carpathians were just small heads ,sneaked through the breaking of mountains barriers.These isolated groups ,separated between them by thick massifs ,which obstacles their interconnection,represented an easy target for a courageous aggressor and powerful. Falkenhayn decided to concentrate all available forces in a single sector and attack the Romanian group there.Once the Romanian group has been destroyed ,the enemy forces will immediately head for the neighbor groups ,to prepare them the same faith.The action meant to be carried swiftly,the isolated Romanian groups will be,one by one defeated ,which will have as effect the opening of the mountain passes of Carpathians for invasion.Of the Romanian groups of importance ,Olt Group seemed to the German Commander as the most suitable to be attacked.It was the most isolated .it was disposed arround Sibiu City,having as communication line with the Kingdom only the narrow Olt Valley.Towards West ,the mountain massifs of Cibinu and Sebes isolated completely by Jiu Group at over 44 Miles distance ;an intervention for help from this part was excluded.Towards East,the link with the II-nd Romanian Army has not been made.Between Olt Group and the II-nd Army was a big gap,of which the enemy thought to make use.

At 18th of September ,in his Headquarter at Deva ,the new German Commander has taken the definitive decision;he will start the counteroffensive ,by attacking the Romanian group at Sibiu.

The choosing of the attack point ,once fixed,Falkenhayn has taking his measures.He had to concentrate,firstly,a strong army.So he ordere to suspend the offensive ,started at 14th of September,in Jiu Valley,which repulsed the Romanian troops up to the frontier;it was only an operation of secondary importance.Detachments,belonging to the Alpine Corps and to 187th Division,which entered in the constitution of the offensive group from Hateg,have been withdraw and brought to Sibiu.In Jiu region have been left only the troops counted as sufficient to stay in defensive ,keeping the occupyed positions on the frontier.Just the same,on the fronts of the other groups,the commanders have received the order to resist as best as they could ,retreating,if needed,only one step at a time.

The hit ,planned for Sibiu will be given at 26th of September .Till then the troops brought from the neighbouring sectors ,as well as the units brought from the European fronts,freshly disembarked close by,in the train stations ,were concentrating and organising in to an impetuous offensive army.The Battle of Sibiu was announced as the first big battle on the Carpathians Front,of the Romanian war.

....

6Sibiu Battle
Romanian Olt Corps

Even from the last days of August ,around Sibiu was quiet.After the offensive at Selimbar,the Romanian troops have established,as our plan of operations have atributed to the I-st Romanian Army,few Miles South of Sibiu,on a line which leaned at West over the heights of Orlat ,and at East reaches the region of Avrig.Sibiu,completely dominated by the Romanian Army,has been entirely evacuated by the enmy. The Romanian patrols were making incursions up to the exercise field ,at the edge of the city.The city have not yet been occupied by Romanians and was also cleaned of bombardment.

On the interval,Olt Group,was made under the form of an army corps-I-st Corps-constituted of two divisions.On the western part of Olt ,was the 23rd Division,Commanded by General Castris ,and in the Eastern side was the 13th Division ,Commanded by General Sanatescu.A Cavalry Brigade,completed the corps ,which from 16th of September ,went under the Command of General I.Popovici.The Hedquarter of the Commander was at Talmaciu ,at the fall of Sad into Olt,some 9 Miles behind the front.the Romanian troops were,as origin ,a bit mixed.there were elite units ,as 1st Graniceri(frontier army) Regiment, and some good active units.The 23rd Division was a new made unit,which lacked homogeneity,with preponderance of reserve-men and police.The artillery of the corps was insufficient;the heavy and mountain ,artillery were almost non-existent.


The fight of Glimboaca Cornatel

With all the prescribed role,to stay inactive,and only to organize a strong defensive position,still,General Popovici enterprises at 22nd of September an energizer action.The aim was to better his positions at the right wing and to put an end to the unstoppable harasings of the enemy.On the other hand,the Romanian Commander ,wanted to better secure his communication line on Olt Valley towards Fagaras,to the II-nd Army.

The attack,given by troops belonging to the 13th Division,struck with force Schmettow's army,made of troops of infantry and cavalry,German and Austro-Hungarian,stretched from Cornatel to Glimboaca.At Nou Sasesc and in the forest La Fintina Rece(at the Cold Fountain),the Germans with all the resistance they mustered ,are rejected ;188th Hanovezi Regiment has suffered here heavy casualties .The Romanians occupy the bridge head , organised by the Germans at Casol.The troops of the 3rd German Division of cavalry,are forced to retreat over the water Hartibaciu and,with great difficulty they can fix over the heights South of Rosia Saseasca and on the Northern shore of the river.

At the extreme left wing of the enemy was the 1st Austro-Hungarian cavalry Division.The division have been gravely beaten ,and throwed back few Miles .The Romanian troops crossed with manhood Olt River,pursuing the enemy,from which they took couple of hundred of prisoners,rejecting him on the Northern shore of Hirtibaciu.The whole Schmettow front was shaken;he has to organize a new defensive position on the Northern shore of the river ,from Rosia Saseasca untilHosman.The right Romanian wing was now consolidated.A battalion of the 44th Infantry Regiment seized Pahuiului Peak,excelent observation point,which dominated far , Sibiu Field.


The fight at Orlat

As at the right wing of Olt Corps ,this victorious action was taking place ,in the same time ,at the left wing,Mosoiu Brigade enterprized towards Orlat an offensive reconnaissance ,to establish the identity and value of enemy forces.,of which presence and action,in this region,was becoming more and more threatening.The reconnaissance detachment started on two columns:the left column ,made out of two companies of 2nd Vilcea Regiment ,advanced on Cibinu water ,to attack Orlat from South and East,and the second column,also two companies,followed by a battalion ,started from Gura Riului,to attack the village from West;in reserve ,in Gura Riului there were 6 companies of Graniceri(frontier army).The right hand side column has started a violent fight with the Germans ,which were retrenched with many machine-guns ,even at the edge of the village ,they reject them,taking with assault ,house by house fighting fiercely all day and all night;she fell in the middle of an artillery bombardment which made her retreat.The left hand column,after a first success,attacked by superior enemy forces and losing connection with the right side,had also to retreat.The result of this unlucky offensive was-above the big casualties ,in deaths,wounded and prisoners-that it was established ,that the region is filled with important enemy forces ,identifying the presence of 187th German Division.

...

Operations arround Sibiu

Map Legend:small white circles=localities,black triangles=heights in meters,thick black line=German positions,dotted line=Romanian positions,Marsul Corpului Alpin=marching of Bavarian Alpine Corps,Muntii Sebesului=Sebes Mountains,D Gusterita=Gusterita Hill,Vf.Magura=Magura Peak,Saliste=Saliste Stream,Sadu=Sadu Stream,Olt=Olt River,Valea Ciinenilor=Ciineni Valley,D.189 G.=189th German Division,D.51 A.U.=51st Austro-Hungarian Division,D.76.G=76th German Division,D.1Cv.A.U.=1st Austro-Hungarian Gavalry Division,D.23 R=23rd Romanian Division,D.13 R.=13th Romanian Division 28 March , 2009 ....

Constituting of the enemy army

of attack and her fighting plan

The operations of 22nd of September alarmed the German Commander.He estimated the Romanian effectives at almost double their value and this determined him to take measures of strenghtening of his forces ,especially at his Eastern wing.The 76th German Division ,equipped with a division of heavy mortiers-shells,will work together with the cavalry at this wing ,and to shelter from an eventual surprise attack from the II-nd Romanian Army,Falkenhayn asked ,and obtained ,by the direct intervention of the Great German Headquarter ,to be set under his direct orders the 89th German Division,which till then depended by the Group Commanded by general von Arz.So now,Falkenhayn counted that he had in his hand all the cards of the great game which he wanted to play.The Alpine Corps,three infantry divisions,two cavalry divisions,with a strong artillery,made out ,without the division artillery,also by some formations independent;this was the formidable power which would wave over the Romanian group from Sibiu,made out of two infantry divisions and one cavalry brigade.

Falkenhayn conceived the Battle of Sibiu as a fight of destroying:Vernichtunsschlacht.Olt Valley had to be a Canne [12] or a Sedan[13] of the Romanian Army.The Germans had some sort of predilection for this kind of fight for extermination ,of which theoreticians were their grand masters:Moltke and Schlieffen.Veiling through the wings and the complete surrounding of the enemy army-sedanization-has succeeded,in the course of the mondial war to Hindenburg,at Tannenberg,over the Russian Army of Narewului.Gelous over the glory of his rival ,which replaced him at Supreme Command of the German Army,falkenhayn has proposed to take a resounding revanche ,preparing,in his turn,to the Romanian Army a resembling catastrophe.The Army at olt had to be surrounded ,caught like in a trap,with all the retreating lines cut.Tightened in this way in the metal circle of the enemy,it would then be exterminated ;the rests which would have escaped extermination would then be caught.


The operations plan was made as follows:the Germano-Austro-Hungarian Army has been separated in three groups:

a)The Western Group,Commanded by Krafft von Delmensiengen.constituted by the Alpine Bavarian Corps,this group wil execute a large movement of surrounding of the left Romanian wing,to take place in her flank;then,pushing to East her extreme Southern wing,The Alpine Corps had to occupy Turnu Rosu Pass,behind the Romanian Army,cutting completely her replenishment and retreating line.

b)Eastern Group,Commanded by Schmettow,constituted by Divisions 3rd German Cavalry and 1st Austro -Hungarian Cavalry-fighting mostly unmounted-strengthened with infantry units and artillery,and also the heavy artillery of the Alpine Corps,had the mission to defend the left flank (eastern) of the enemy army.He had to conquer the heights North of Avrig ,the to descend to Olt River,towards South,to the ridge of the mountains ,seating like a wall between Olt Corps and the II-nd Army .With this face,any attempt of the II-nd Army to come in the aid of the Olt Corps was obstacled,and was closed the acces of this one towards the passes of Fagaras Mountains,to where might try to retreat.

c)The Central Croup,under the Command of Stabbs,made out of 187th German Division,51st Hanovezi(Austro-Hungarian) and 76th German Division,with a powerful heavy artillery.it was the principal group,which had to attack frontal the Romanian Army,giving her decisive blows.

With this face ,Falkenhayn was throwing at the left side and at the right sid eof Romanians two giant arms which closing,behind the Romanian positions,parted them by the retreating line and isolate them by the aid neighbour armies ,to obstacle the turmoil of the conceived plan,by the eventuality of the aid action enterprised by Jiu Group, or by the II-nd Army.

The Marching of the Bavarian Alpine Corps
The preliminary operation,to which hanged the success of the entire enterprise of the enemy,was the one given to the Alpine Corps.It was a daring operation ,with great difficulties ,which could only be executed with an elite troop.And ,truly ,the Alpine Corps ,constituted in the German Army an exceptional formation.The Bavarian Alpine Corps has been established in the spring of 1915,foreseeing the entering in the war of Italy,as a special formation for mountain warfare.It was made out of Bavarians and Prusians ,only carefuly choosen men,all under 30,equipped and trained for mountain war.The corp was comprised of three regiments of three battalions each;the infantry regiment of the Bavarian guard,a regiment of hunters,Prusian,and another one Bavarian;plus,six field batteries,six mountain batteries and a heavy battery,geniu-engineers in army- and train.One battalion had three companies;the soldiers were wearing ash-colored uniform,with knees protections and blazers of leather;they had piolets .The three companies of the battalion were:first one of riflemen,second one of machine-gunmen the third one of artillery-men which also handled small mortiers.In the summer of 1915,the Alpine Corps fought on the Italian Front;then crossed into Serbia,were they took part at the pursiut of Serbians in their memorable retreat in the Albanian mountains.From here,it was send to France,at Verdun,were it is atributed the conquer of Fleaury Village,but has bled in vain ,in front of Souville Fort[16].At the Romanian war declaration ,the Alpine Corps reconstituted with elements from deposits,has been send to the Romanian Front,were it was counted on important mountain battles.After the finish of the first part of the Romanian campaign ,the Alpine Corps has been send to Vosgi then,in summer of 1917,always where there was an important hit to be given,has been retreated in Moldavia ,where it took an important part in Marasesti battle,in Panciu region.In the autumn of the same year,has been transported on the Italian Front,were it had formed the forehead of the columns of Below la Caporreto[17],Tagliamento,till Piave;in the spring of 1918 we found it in front of the famous Monte Grappa[18].The Commander of the Corps was the Bavarian General Krafft von Delmensiengen,who passed as the most distinguished German commandeers.


The Alpine Corps has started the marching in the day of 22nd of September ,four days before the attack day.The starting point has been Jina Village the highest locality of Ardeal(Transilvania)-916 meters -South of Poiana and 22 Miles towards West of Sibiu,on the Northern slopes of Sebes -Cibin Mountains.The march had to be executed perpendicular over Cibin Mountains,very large massif and accident-ed(bad terrain),which rises in a sort of amfitheatre,with the highest point, at Cindrel Peak(2240 meters high).On narrow paths ,in a deserted region,at foot of the mountain through dense forests then,up,in the high regions ,between rocks or plateaus swiped by cold winds,the columns of the Alpiners walked for four days in the rib of our armies ,to occupy their fighting positions .This expedition,executed through such difficult regions ,deserted and without roads,by a numerous corps,carrying artillery and followed by long columns of provisions ,munitions ,formations and sanitary material,and different machines for war ,constitutes,of course, a military performance.

In two stages ,the column passes over Guga Mountains (1390 meters),Strimba(1831 meters),Cindrelu(2240 meters) and Steflesti(2236 meters).After passing Negovanu Peak,the column separated into two groups.The thick ,under the direct Command of General Tuscheck,changed direction,engaging left,goes into forced marching parallel with the frontier line and places in fighting position,on a North-South line ,from Preajba Peak(1748 meters) until Virfu Mare(2073 meters)-this exactly on the frontier.From high,the Alpiners dominate Olt Valley of Transilvania,in to the flank of provisioning line ,and retreat of the Romanian Olt Corps.Near the frontier ,at Lunci,the Bavarians install exactly in the trenche made by the Romanian troops during the time of neutrality.The second Alpiners group,in oblique direction towards right,crosses the frontier into the Kingdom,in Lotru region and installs on Robu Mountains (1905 meters),Vadu and Murgasu,forming the right wing of the Alpine Corps ,which covers them against the eventual attacks that could come from Muntenia(Central -Southern Romania,also known as Wallachia).The detachments of this group ,also had the mission to climb down in Olt Defile and cut,behind the Romanain Army,the railway and driveway,the only lines of connection of the Romanian Army with the Kingdom.In this way at 25th of September,the Alpine Corps was occupying the fighting positions.


How was it possible such an important move to be made ,undisturbed in the flank of the Olt Romanian Corps?This is a very difficult question which was asked and is asking by everybody,from the need to establish the answers of the responsabilities of the grave defeat of Sibiu.How was it possible to let a troop,of over 10000 men,carrying an imense convoy of animals,mounted with heavy burdens ,to advance for four days ,at a distance of arround 7-18 Miles,in the rib of the Romanian Army and its communication lines?A neutral military critic,Colonel Egli of the Swiss Army,says harshly:"That it was possible the closing in of such a powerful column...to not be noticed by security Romanian service,only when it was too late,this can only be explained by condemned neglecting of the most elementary principles of service during campaign ".

It is true ,that the region between Jiu and Olt ,in a wide ness of over 44 Miles in the bird flight,very bad terrain,made out of mountain massifs with deep valleys ,was hard to be watched and offered posibilities for surprise attacks.Still ,what could have been done to prevent them has not been made.The Commandment of the Ist Army has installed a Company of Graniceri(frontier army) on Dobrunu Peak at the crossing from Sadului Valley in Lotru Valley.the situation of this company permited the observation of the two valleys.The crossing of the Alpine columns through Negovanu and Balindru,in the immediate vicinity,could not have escaped unobserved and the Romanian Commandment would have been noticed in due time.General Popovici has taken this company,though,from her place and send it to the battalion ,to increase the effectives.That is why the German columns meet only sheep-men,and only on 25th of September few rare patrols.

Some indices,proved that grave things are taking plaace on this side.One company of Vilcea regiment ,send by Colonel Mosoiu to explore the heights towards Saliste encounterd,few days before,small groups of Bavarian Alpiners and have captured even a Captain,which have made semnificative declarations over the sense of these troops.The Commander of the Romanian group has not given any importance whatsoever,to these observations and also did not give belief to the news which started to be reported by particular individuals or by civilian authorities about the appearance of the enemy in the rib and over the line of communication;that is why he did not take in time the proper measures imposed by the circumstances.He even considered them man-oeuvres of the enemy,to impress and demobilize the fighters.Only at 25th of September he sends up the valleys of Sadu and Lotru two , mixt detachment,made out of a battalion each,of infantry with some cannons;they made contact with the enemy at 26th,when the surprise was made and the battle begun.

...


In the eve of the battle

In the same time,when the Commander of the Romanian Olt Group realized ,finally, the gravity of the situation,alarming news,which came directly and also through locals of the villages,have reached the headquarter of the I-st Army and of the Big Hedquarter of Peris,determining them to take measures.A detachment of five battalions of the 20th Division,which made guard at the Danube River in Southern Oltenia,has been sent by train to Rimnicu Vilcea ,under the personal Command of the Division Commander,General Praporgescu,with the purpose to give help to the Olt Army.On the other hand the II-nd Army,at Brasov,was supposed to start with the 4th Division ,which was in Fagaras region,an offensive action against the left flank of the German Army which operated at Sibiu.Tardive decissions,which still,executed with determination,could not only ease the action of the Olt Group,but also ripp victory.

At 25th of September ,in the evening,all Falkenhayn's preparatives were finished.The two parties were in unequal situations .On the German side,there was the numeric superiority:four infantry divisions with 36 battalions and two cavalry divisions ,with a crushing superiority of weaponry in artillery and machineguns,soldiers equiped and trained for mountain warfare ,with experience earned on all important battlegrounds of Europe,commanded by a General which had one of the illustrious names of the German Army.In front of them,the Romanian Group of Olt,made out of two infantry divisions,of 25 battalions and one cavalry brigade .The Romanian commanders were inexperienced ;they had to begin to make the school of real war ,measuring up with one of the strongest modern of armies.Especially ,Romanians had no preparation,whatsoever for mountain warfare.The foreign policy of Romania,under King Carol the first,has been dominated by the idea of war against Russia.The idea of war against Austro-Hungary was total unthinkable(excluded).So ,the total lack of mountain artillery(because Austro-Hungary is over the mountains and Russia is on this side of the mountains)-with which the actual enemy was such abundantly equiped. Also ,because of the same motive,there has never been military manoeuvre in the mountains-it would have been considered as treason next to the allied Central Powers.The lack of experience in mountain warfare explains the ease with which the Alpine Corps has been able to surprise the Romanian troops.

The clever man-oeuvres of the German Commander assured to his troops an overwhelming tactic superiority.Closed in the narrow Valley of Olt River,surrounded almost in every part by the metal circle of the enemy,superior in number,weapons ,conduct,with the connections cut,to Olt valley and to the Kingdom,the Romanian's situation seemed disperate. Could it be that the strength without pair ,of the peasant soldier ,to make the wonder of escaping total disaster ,and make Sibiu Battle remain a defeat but not a catastrophe?


First day of the battle

In the night of 25th -26th of September ,the 54 batteries of the German attack group,begin a violent bombardment of the Romanian positions ,reaching in the morning of the next day an extraordinary intensity.From the Romanian side it cannot be respounded with the same strenght ;they only have 16 batteries.Next to the great numerical inferiority,adds the inferiority of calibers:Romanians do not have heavy artillery as the enemy had, 42 pieces of heavy artillery,of which 12 mortiers of 21 centimeters.Not even the eight cannons of 120 mm caliber ,arrived to the Romanians in the evening eve of the beginning of battle,coud not be used because of the defectuosity of the shutters and because they were served by reserve officers ,untrained.During the night,after the strong bombardment,position Gusteritei Hill,South-East of Sibiu,the highest position which dominates Sibiu Field,is attacked by the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Brigade Thyl,strenghtened with the German Regiment de Hessa of the 76th Division and is taken with assault.A battalion of the 44th Regiment Romanian has defended it ,body against body fight ,but they had to give it up face with the crushing superiority of the enemy.

The day of 26th of September,the first day of Sibiu battle,is forecast in the morning as a splendid autumn day.From his command post,on a height North of Orlat,Falkenhayn gave the order for general attack(full attack).The principal direction of the attack was towards the positions of the left Romanian wing ,from Gura Riului(River Mouth) to Poplaca.Against this wing ,Falkenhayn throwed the concentrated troops of the entire 187th Division,sustained by a strong arttillery mass ,which engulfed the mounted artillery of the Alpine Corps.The Romanian position was defende by the 3rd Brigade of the 23rd Romanian Division.The unit was uncomplete.to defend a front of almost 12.5 Miles ,against a whole division,Mosoiu had only the four battalions of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment.only in the afternoonand by evening he received also the help of a battalion of Graniceri and one of the 42nd Infantry Regiment .

With all this great inferiority of forces ,the Romanians fought brave and rejected all enemy attacks.Cioara(Crow) Hill has been all day defended by two companies of the 2nd and 42nd Regiments;all the attack waves of the enemy have been throwed back with hand grenades.A last enemy attack,tried with one volunteers detachment ,has been bloody rejected at 4 in the afternoon,after which,the enemy has tried nothing.Ursul(Bear) Hill ,defended by the Graniceri Battalion with an artillery section,has been also attacked in vain ,by two enemy battalions.

At the center and left wing of the attack group(Divisions 51st and 76th),the Germans have installed on all the heights North -East of Sibiu a numerous artillery,which all day bombards the Romanain positions,the infantry attacks do not succeed to take out the Romanians of their positions.Schmettow Group,sustained by heavy artillery -the 10,5 cannons of the Alpine Corps-positioned at Cirta,manages to cross Olt River and to sneak between Avrig and Porumbacu the 3rd German Cavalry Division,positioning it as a falang perpendicular over the road that goes, from Fagaras to Sibiu,to isolate Olt group by the II-nd Romanian Army.of the three Regiments of the Division,Regiment de"Chevaux-Legers"[19] was facing West,towards olt Corps,and the two Husars Regiments facing East,towards Brasov.


On the Souther side,the detachments of the Alpine Corps manage to close in ,to Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) Pass and occupy positions in the imediate edge of the defile at Boita,at Turnu Rosu train station ,at Riul Vadului and at Ciineni.Here was the great danger.Here is focused all attention ,of the attacker and of the defender.Will the enemy succeed to close up the pass ,then Romanians are lost.It is catastrophe.

General Popovici sends a strong detachment -48th Regiment,the reserve of Olt Corps-towards South ,to clean up the defile by the enemy.But in the same time ,without the knowing of the commander ,a more eficient action is organized at ciineni towards north.An Officer of the Headquarter of Olt Corps ,Liet-Colonel Popescu Toma,coming back from Craiova with the secret mail at the headquarter of the corps,has been stopped at Ciineni by German machineguns ,which occupied positions on Vladul hill and at Lunci,as the enemy patrols advanced through the defile towards the bridge over Olt River ,towards Ciinenii of Argesi.Realising the gravity of the situation and of the great danger threatening the Romanian Corps,Popescu summons from the village the only 13 peasants left there-the others had run away-arms them with German rifles fron the village hall,fills their shirts bossom with crtridges ,and framing them between a geandarm sergeant and a pioneers one,which were there by chance,gets them into the trenches of Malu Hill,West of Olt River bridge.

Time of three clocks ,the 13 Peasants -15 with their Commanders-seated rare in the trenches ,have fired with missfortune and great use of bullets(whithout economy),in the German patrols which appeared either on defile,or on the hills in front :Vladului and Chitanet.Misslead by this fire ,thinking they have to deal with a strong position,the German Alpiners have stopped.Making use of this delay,Popescu took,out of his own initiative,more important measures.At Brezoi was a Hunters Battalion and two obusier batteries.Few platoons,sustained by obusiers(shells) have bben send up the valleys ,to make demonstrations to misslead the enemy over about real forces.Two and a half companies have been brought to Ciineni,an a battery of obusiers has arrived in horses gallop on the driveway.At 4 in the afternoon ,the defense of Ciineni has been organized with the help of these troops;the brave peasants have ben taken out of the trenches and put to defend the bridge downslope of Ciineni.the obusiers have opened fire over Vladului Hill and Olt defile,and after some minutes the Romanians could find out from a group of seven prisoners that they have the honor to have in front the Bavarian Guard Regiment ,freshly arrived from Verdun,under the direct Command of Prince Henric of Bavaria,nephew of brother of Bavarian King.


Thanks to this act of initative and of the heroic atitude of a handful of old peasants ,which were defending their lands and village,the narrow corridor could not be closed by the enemy at Ciineni.Still ,in the long of the defile there have been many points exposed to to cannon fires and machine guns installed by the enemy on the western shore of Olt River,and many bloody fights ,sometimes chest to chest,have been given between the Romanian patrols and enemy detachments.That is why,the Romanian Commander send troops to strenghten the detachments in Sadului Valley and on other side valleys ,to try with them to unblock the defile.In this way passed the first day of the battle ,without bringing to the German Commander the quick victory,they expected so sure.He cannot hide his uncontent and concern.He has received unrestful news from the neighbour fronts and knows that those events could well influence the unfolding of Sibiu battle,if he not manages to obtain a quick victory.So,at Jiu the Germans have been away-ed from their positions by the threat of a surrounding move ;the Romanians have re-conquered Petrosani.Towards East,the extending of the battle could bring the intervention of the II-nd Army.Towards South ,the closing of the defile is not complete and,ofcourse,there are other passes as well,not written on the maps,which coud give the Romanians a safe retreat.That is why,Falkenhayn gives orders that in the next day(second day),the action to be restarted with greater violence and takes from the 89th Division,Prusian,to his dispozition by von Arz,a Regiment of Infantry and a section of obusiers,to strenghten even more the army effectives.

At his turn,the Romanian Commander realises the gravity of the situation.The manoeuvre ,with which he wants to respond to the enemy is,to pivot arround his right ,which will stay on place to connect with the left flank of the II-nd Army which comes from Fagaras.The left wing ,west by Olt ,will be retreated a little,not wanting to losse the conquered terrain.That is why,Mosoiu Brigade is retreated from the position which he defended with so much stuborness,on a line a little back ,which passed on the heights North of Cisnadie -Obrejii hill-West of Rasinari.Especially that,the Romanian Commander will sick to clean his back,Olt pass,for the security of the communication line where he awaited helps.


Second day

In the second day of the battle ,27th of September ,te fight is begun with fury on the whole line of battle ,on a stretch of 50 Miles.The central group of Staabs attacks with all the power of his three divisions ,precedenting the attack of a violent prepare of artillery.Popovici keeps the fighting front with 20 battalions belonging to Olt Corps;the rest of five are send towards South ,to face the attack of the Alpine Corps and clear Olt Pass .The principal attack of the enemy is given against the left Romanian wing.The brave troops of the 23rd Division resist vigorous and cannot be taken out of their positions of Valea Rea-Cioara(Bad Valley-Crow),but only when ,by a combined attack of the 187th Division ,German,and of the alpine detachments,the enemy occupyes Onesti Plateau(1774 meters),which dominates fron great height thee Romanian positions from flank and from the back.

In the eve of the evening ,a German battalion ,coming from Rasinari ,surprises the line of Romanian avan-posts,which run and enter Cisnadioara.Arrived in the market of the village ,they are ,all of a sudden attacked by the troops of the Romanian battalion ,which awaits them in hide.Surrounded,the Germans escape by running,after leaving on the terrain over 150 dead and wounded.The Commander of the German sector is forced to admit that"the Romanians have put up quite a fight".

The right side of the 23rd Division,constituted by so called "Combined Brigade"(44th Infantry Regiment and two battalions of Graniceri),which occupy Selimbar,could not mentain because of the violent bombardment of enemy artillery from Gusteritei Hill and the advance of a strong Austro-Hungarian column,which was coming from Sibiu.At 1 in the afternoon ,the 23rd Division,has started retreat to the second position ,South of line Rasinari -Selimbar.Thanks to the strong conduct of the 1st Graniceri Regiment ,the connection between Romanian, 23rd Division(at the left) and 13th Division(at the right) is kept intact.The Romanian troops at the left occupy strong the new positions ,on one side and the other of Cisnadioarei,in front of which the enemy consumes himself till evening in futile attacks.

At the right of the Romanian wing,the 13th Division has been attacked and bombarded with heavy artilley .At Sacadate ,from Glimboaca direction,as at Avrig,from Sarata direction.helped by the formidable bombardment ,a Hanovez Regiment manages to seize Bucatei Hill,leaving the Romanians to evacuate it.but troops of the 13th Division ,coming from Bungard ,reoccupy the hill in violent counterattacks. The Hanovez-ers are forced to evacuate also Selimbar.All the afternoon are given bloody fights in this sector;the Hungarian Regiment escapes the difficult situation in which he finds ,with heavy losses ,only thanks to the intervention of the important reinforcements of the neighbour 76th German Division.


The curtain of German cavalry continues to close the road from Fagaras ,occupying Olt shore between the two villages Porumbacu;an enmy detachment could occupy the heights La Cetate (at the Fortress),seaking to obstacle from there,the circulation of Romanians through Scara(Ladder) Pass..In Olt Defile ,things were not going at all,for the Germans "conform with the plan".Nowhere the Bavarian Alpiners could occupy the driveway,not to mention croosing over it.All over,the Romanian troops ,fighting with despair ,repulse him back,causing significant losses ,espacially to the Bavarian Guard Regiment,at Vadului River and Ciineni. ,The Battalion of Bavarian Guard ,Commanded ,as we know,by the Prince which have seized for a brief moment the train station at Ciineni,has been rejected back into the mountain with heavy losses.From the South ,troops of the 20th Division have started to arrife on the fighting front ,attacking the positions of the Bavarian Alpiners over the Mountains Robu and Murgasu.

Falkenhayn shows very unpleased of the result of the second day of the battle;in his memoirs he is forced to admit again the "braveness of Romanians".The situation of the Alpine Corps seems concerning to him;he is desilusioned by the attack of the principal group.What preocupies him mostly is that there are signs more and more precise ,that he will be attacked in the left flank by the II-nd Army and that he would not be able to opose to this side attack ,enaugh forces,if the already started battle is not finished.With all the uncertainty and fear,the German Commander thinks he must not give up the initial plan of the battle.That is why,in the evening of 27th he gives the order to Staabs that in the next day,early in the morning,to restart the attack on the whole battlefield "without mercy" of men and material,putting also into the battle the units taken from the 89th German Division,freshly arrived;he also sends to the left wing reinforcements ,for more security of this wing ,weak and perilled.Under the threat of dezastre,which he sees as iminent and of the responsibilities which overwhelms him,the Romanian Commander start lossing head.He thinks "he is betrayaled on the whole line",he sees spies everywhere and writes to the Commander of the I-st Army that all the population must be slaughtered;he talks about War Council and hanging...His all hopes goes to the intervention of the II-nd Army,of which set to move has been signalled to him by a cavalry patrool;he connects the faith of the battle by the arriving in time of this troop in the fighting zone.As a precautionary measure ,he takes the dispozition that the trains and columns of the division of Olt Corps to group at the mouth of the defile ,in the ideea of a retreat.


The third day

In the third day of the battle-28th of September-the situation of the Romanian Army has become critical.Exhausted by the losses suffered in the two days of battle ,with an enemy which was attacking her continuously and from all directions ,with crushing superiority,with the downed moral because of the news of closing the defile,which was known by now ,with the usual exagerations ,by the whole army,she supports still,with manhood a frightening bombardment in the morning of the day,on the line Magura-Vestem,disposed in arch arround Talmaciu Village,where there was the Headquarter of the Group.Numerous enemy airplanes were throwing bombs over our convoys,which were sneaking between Talmaciu and Boita ,over the train stations pf Porcesti and Sebes,and over talmaciu Village.The Romanians did not had aeroplanes to counterbeat them.The chief forcing of the enemy was aimed still over the right wing of the 23rd Romanian Division.With all the failures of the last two days,the enemy was pursuing the plan of turning of this wing ,through Sadului Valley for to,by the concorded action of the 187th German Division with the one of the Alpine Corps,the closing over,of Olt Pass and surrounding of Olt Romanian Corps , be complete."The Great plan" of Falkenhayn must be with any price acomplished.

The 3rd Brigade (Colonel Mosoiu),which was forming at all times the left wing of the 23rd Romanian Division must,in its turn,to save the defense situation by stubborn resistance.The rows of the brigade are thinned.The biggest part of 42nd Regiment has been send at the right wing of the 23rd Division ;at the left flank has remained only Balanescu's Detachment,of a power of six companies ,on Magura Peak,with the order to not leave the position under any word.The Brigade resists furiously to the enemy's attacks ,which has an overwhelming superiority.At 2,30 in the afternoon ,the enemy has seized Cisnadie and Cisnadioara.A company and a half,of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment gives a vigorous counterattack through the forest of Cisnadie,and rejects the Germans with bayonets to South of Cisnadie .At the right side of the brigade at the connection point with the Combined Brigade,the resistance wekens.A breach is made in Romanian center,through which powerful German columns ,in attack waves ,are advancing fast towards North of Talmaciu,where there were the havy batteries of the Romanian Division.The advance of the enemy is threatening to turn the two internal wings of the said Romanian Brigades.But a mountain Romanian battery,by a precise firing range ,dams the advance of the enemy.And ,in the same time ,a new Romanian counterattack ,given with troops of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment and 5th Hunters Regiment ,hits the ahead enemy column ,rejects it back to Vestem,as the enemy cannons fire with fury Talmaciu.


Towards evening,the retreat movement of Romanians is pronouncing on the whole battlefield.The hope of arriving of the II-nd Army from Fagaras is getting weaker by the minute.The Commander of Olt Corps has lost contact with the 13th Division ,which is in retreat towards South.The enemy has seized Vestem and Avrig .His artillery is beating now behind the position at Talmaciu,North of Boita.The aeroplanes are throwing bombs over the convoys which are pouring South and over train stations at Porcesti and Sebes.The shrapnels fall in the yard of the headquarter of Olt Corps producing panic in the fighting trains .The Commander of the Corps,convinced that the battle is lost gives the retreat order.

The enmy enters at nine in the evening in Talmaciu.Exhausted as well,and of heavy losses ,has not the power to attack anymore and cease the fight ,without obtaining and today the much awaited result.

The 3rd Brigade had retreated over the heights South of Sadu,where it kept the resistance until 10 in the evening when,after cease of the fight ,the Commander of the brigade also starts the retreat towards Talmaciu,with the goal to make contact with the Romanian troops,wich he thought to still bethere.Numerous enemy troops advance to the Western flank of the Brigade.Balanescu's detachment,remained isolated on the heights of Magura,with the strict order of General Carstris to not leave the position under any circumstance ,is surrounded and captured.In the mountains near the Defile ,same situation as the day before.The Alpiners do not succeed in any place to master the defile.They must stay in defensive .from South,the troops of the 20th Division are advancing ,attacking the positions in the mountains between Lotru and olt.From the North ,a detachment constituted by two battalions of Graniceri,starting from Boita,climb hard the mountain ribs ,forested ,fighting facing South ,attack at bayonet the Alpiners wherever they meet them.,rejects them from Vincei Ridge ,taking them 7 machineguns ,which they destroy.The fight go on till late in through the night when,informed that the thick of Romanian troops retreats ,Graniceri(frontier army) descend again to Boita.through the woods ,through the darkness isolated by any troops,the retreat is made shamelesly.One of the two battalions is surrounded and captured by the enemy.At Ciineni,the Bavarian Alpiners are definitely rejected ,but the driveway in the defile,remains ,in some points,exposed to the enemy fire.


The intervention of the II-nd Army

The unfolding of the battle of Sibiu starts to be influenced from outside.Towards East important events are taking place,which bring rays of hope in the souls of Romanian Olt Corps Commanders ,but unrest the German Commander.

The II-nd Army has engaged the offensive action towards West and its effects start to feel.The 4th Romanian Division ,rejecting the enemy detachments ,arrived in the evening of the day at Arpas;only 7.5 Miles parted her by the left wing of Falkenhayn .Divisions 3rd and 6th were advancing in the empty space between the IX-th Army and I-st Army of Arz,threatening the back of Falkenhayn.Arz was resisting with difficulty to the Northern Romanian Army and was retreating the Southern wing in front of Romanians attacks.Unfortunatelly ,the action of opening,started from the East, it is started to late and with too much slow ,to be able to decisively influence over the unfolding of the battle of Sibiu.Still.the German Commander realises the threat.His eyes remain focused ,with unrest,especially in Fagarasi Mountains direction,at the progress of the 4th Romanian Division.If he cannot continue the resistance to the East,until after the ending of Sibiu battle,he losses not only the battle ,but the whole situation in Transilvania.He takes measures of strenghtening of the resistance in the face of II-nd Romanian Army and Northern Romanian Army,bu he also count on the lack of energy of the Romanian Commandment:"The Romanian Command has proceeded till now,extraordinarily hesitating and unsure.Same were the moves of the Romanian troops.Though it is without doubt that "the Romanian soldier,taken aside,was fighting with heroism,it is obviously for the Romanians very hard to coordinate the isolated troops in an ansamble action".With these ideeas the German Commander remained unmoved in the beliefs which dictated his plan of operations.He takes again dispozitions,that in the next day,29th of September ,to exterminate Olt Corps,to be able to then,turn all his forces towards the enemy threatening from rising sun(East).He asks,in the same time ,his comrade Arz to keep with any price ,the positions in the face of II-ns and IV-th armies ,Romanians.This day will have to decide,not only the faith of the battle of Sibiu,but that of Transilvanian campaign.Falkenhayn confesses:"Very rarely in my life,pretty rich in dramatic culminant points,I have awaited for the result ,with more apprehension that in the morning of 29th of September".


The retreat of Olt Corps.

Unfortunately,Falkenhayn fears have disipated with the dawns of 29th of September.The Romanian army South of Sibiu had break the fight and was in retreat.

The troops of Olt Corps ,exhausted,did not have the power to resist anymore.The saving intervention of the II-nd Army had not produced in the necessary time.General Crainiceanu had not arrived at Olt,same as Grouchy did not arrive at Waterloo.In the evening of 28th of September,the Commander of the Corps have given the order of general retreat.Artillery columns and carriages had to start retreat imediately through Olt Defile,and the infantry of divisions had to start the move the next day,making use of all the paths and places of crossing over the heights of the mountains,one side and the other of the Defile.The 23rd Division had to begin the retreat from Boita position,and the 13th Division from Porcesti direction.The contact with the latter one has been broken,so the order has been sent indirectly ,through the 23rd Division.The retreat through the Defile has started even in the night of 28th-29th of September ;it is executed in very dramatic circumstances.Along Olt River,on 9-15 Miles lenght ,the Defile is so narrow ,that it is hardly room for driveway and railway.From Boita to Vadului River they follow ,one on one shore,the other the oppsite shore,for then,from Vadu River to Ciineni to both be on the Western shore of Olt River.Only here and there a meadow and a grapes growing.On the driveway and on the railway crowded the unfinished columns of men and animals,artillery,carriages,herds,seeking in haste to escape the narrow.There were more than 2000 vehicles of all sorts ;cannons of all calibers ,from the 120 mm one to the 53mm,dragged by oxes ,pears of four or three for a carriage,or the ones with eght,six,four and two horses ;captured carriages in fighting trains ,administrative convoys,ammunition columns ,sanitary carriages ,aviation park.The conductors and acompanies of carriages,armed or unarmed ,ordonances of officers or platoons,climbed in carriages or taking by the hand horses ,cows,dogs,luggages etc...complicated the imense convoy,which moved in to the darkness of the night with difficulty.There were given most severe orders,to walk in absolute quiet,like in a procession,without shouts,without talk.Order and silence were difficult to keep in this mass of men with drowned moral,nervous,anxious to escape the unending Defile,made hard by the long convoys of animals and vehicles.


In the middle of the columns the General Commander,surruonded by its staff,accompanies on foot the convoy.He has left the Headquarter of Talmaciu in the last moment,by nightfall,as the projectiles have started to fall over the quarter.Defended by an Infantry Guard ,the Commander which have lost the battle ,was forcing himself,that by his strenght of character and personal action,to save the retreat.At evry step,teams of policemen and relevation had to intervine to put order in the move of the columns.Many people taken down by exhaust and dizzied by sleep ,were stopping in the driveway trenches felling asleep.In some of the places the driveway narrows ,grasped between Olt River and the stone wall,that only two vehicles side by side could go at once.Closing off,the driveway was producing panic ,overcrowdings,confussions ,felling into the water;the order was reestablished then with difficulty..What was giving,though ,to the retreat the most tragic character ,were enmy's attacks .In some places or lateral valleys ,hidden in terrain crests or behind the stone walls and abrupt of the Defile,nested in Romanians own trenches or others ,dug just then and there,the German shooters were firing in full in to the crowds ,in the valley.The rattelings of the guns or machineguns were mixing with the roars of the water magneticwavelike movements ,with the shouts of people and the screams of animals ,repeated and enhanced by Defile's echos,rising up in to the sky in a frightening woof.The Defile was becoming,in this way,here and there a real hell.In this criticla points had to be organized fighting detachments to attack the enemy,to away him,open up the road and permit the continuation of the retreat movement.


At the mouth of Lotrioara,near Vadului River,in the power of night,the road has been barricaded,at the passing of the driveway onto a wooden small bridge,by the multitude of killed horses or wounded, by the machineguns,fired from close distance,and by the turned upside down carriages.The enemy was firing from underneeth the bridge ,and also from the vecinity of it.It has to be put into position a cannon of 53 mm to away him and reestablish the road.Towards morning,a detachment of the Bavarian Guard,which had occupied with machineguns the cantoon of point Lunci and neighbouring heights,attacks the center of the Romanian column in retreat,producing panic an disorder.A Romanian detachment crossed a bridge ,over Olt River in full enemy fire,going then through the railway tunnel;helped by another detachment ,which have gone arround the enemy ,through the back,through the mountains ,acomplishing to surround the enemy which have been runthrough bayonet,until the last one of them ,together with their officer in command.One mile further South from Lunci cantoon a new enemy attack with machineguns ,it is produced.By the energic action of a Granicer battalion ,coming from South,the enemy was runned away and pursued into the mountains.

In the afternoon of 29th of September ,at 2 o'clock,the firsts of the carriages of the column appeared at the Southern exit Defile and entered in Ciineni;the village was occupied by troops of the 20th Division.Almost entire artillery has been saved .Many wagoons with ammunition and provisions ,crushed ,had to be left on the road,,or pushed in Olt River.Hundreds of free horses rambled for days through the pass and the neighbouring woods,and the rapid waters of Olt have carried in the valley many bodies of men and animals.The infantry retreat has been made as the dispositions taken,on several paths in the mountains .The enemy who did not know this paths ,especially the ones built lately,hve not pursued.That is why,different units,which had the order to retreat"through wherever they can" or"however the God will enlight them" have been able to pass without losses ,saving them entirely.One part of the 13th Division's troops have tried to retreat towards East,on fagaras road;here,though,the road was closed by the troops of General Schmettow.That is why ,they passed through the mountains towards South ,over the high edges of Suru and Scara Peaks.One part of the regimentar trains of the 13th Division and Calarasi Brigade,not being able to reach the Defile ,have been captured by the enemy.Granicerii(frontier army) under the enrgic Command of Colonel Cantacuzino,have covered at Boita the retreat of Olt Corps,then stayed on the position at Coti,on the frontier,on the same places from where they started with hope and elan in the evening of 28th of August.The ridge of the mountains have been strenghtened by them during the summer with systematic build trenches.

From the South,the troops of General Praporgescu have managed to reestablish completely the communication through the Defile,repulsing the enemy ,also, over the heights West of Olt River.Village Ciineni,as the heights of Murgasu and Vladu,were in the hands of Romanians .The troops of Olt Corps,decimated ,with big losses of men and especially material-carriages,automobiles,sanitary trains-were saved and could breath,occupying new positions over the heights in the right side and left side of Olt River,this side of the frontier.At 30th of September,the troops of the 23rd Division were concentrating at Titesti,and those of the 13th Division at Boisoara and the surroundings.At Ciineni was to be found Ciineni Group-5 battalions-and in Lotru Valley and Olt Valley was Praporgescu 's Detachment,made up of the troops of 20th Division.


Defeat The battale of Sibiu was now over.The Olt Corps have been defeated ;together with the battle ,the course of Romanian offensive in Ardeal(Transilvania).Only now,towards East,the advanced troops of the II-nd Romanian Army have finally arrived to fall on the left wing of Schmettow and to give the glorious battle,but of no use now,at Porumbacu...

Falkenhayn is victorious at Sibiu.It was not ,though,the decisive victory,crushing,which the German General intended,prepared with so much strategical science and followed ,for three days,with so much cold blood.trust and tenacity.The German official comunicate ,of 30th of September trumpeted to the world the great victory:"The number of prisoners and the considerable prey","the number of prisoners keeps rising" etc.The next day ,the great victory takes modest proportions:3000 prisoners and 13 cannons!To faten the picture,the comunicate was counting the carriages and wagoons left on the rails ,as well.Moreover,the Romanian comunicate could announce that ,in their retreat towards Ciineni,the Romanian troops have taken the enemy 300 prisoners and 5 machineguns.

Sibiu have not been a Sedan or a Tanneberg of the Romanian Army.The surrounding planned by the enemy did not succeed.Olt Corps,defeated in the great battle given with its powerful adversary,could retreat.The inexperience or neglect of the High Command of this army have exposed the troops,from the beginning ,in a tactical situation,almost disperate.In exchange,though,the initiative of some of Commanders in sub order,which took initiative on their own responsability,and especially the heroism showed by the soldiers,which fought like lyons,individual ,and in groups,have managed to clear the army by the metal circle in which she has been grasped and transformed in to a heroic epode what could have become a shameful desaster.It cannot be brought a more diserved omage to these troops ,but only by giving the word of the enemy.The German war correspondent Koester*,which have watched the fight from the Headquarter of the German Commander,writes:'The Battle of Sibiu was given against a stuborn enemy.The one who would try to shame the heroism of the enemy,to diminish its conduct,would comit the gravest mistake against our own troops.The Romanian(soldier) have prove today that he is better lead than in the last year the Serbs crowds ,that he is in a total different manner supported by the Entente.His tactical countermeasures and strategical ones,as his own operative ideeas ,betrays almost everywhere the spirit and energy of German education.If he was defeated in the great battle of surrounding at Sibiu,the cause is not his incapacity,but the maester command ,in the same time circumspect and bold of our chiefs and the superiority of the German soldier...."**.

The epilogue of the drama followed fatal.General Popovici,the Commander of the Olt group,has been replaced in Command by General Praporgescu David.

Known German writer.After the closing of peace he was part of different ministies of Germany,as Internal and Foreign minister. Not knowing what was going on in Romania ,the German war correspondent gives wrong explanations,which ,the reader wil rectify himself.

7.The Battle between Olt and Mures.
28th of September-4th of October.

Helpping the Olt Corps.

The Battle of Sibiu,have painfully impressed the Romanians.Not so much the defeat.In a war is fatal to receive blows ,not only to give.Especially when is the first serious collision with a superior adversary,in number and preparations,as the Germans.What was bittering the Romanians souls and brought over them unrest,were the conditions in which the battle have been given,and which brought the defeat.The surprise at Ciineni was the proof of shallowness and neglect.So,Turtucaia[20] was repeating itself.Truly,in smaller proportions,but in similar circumstances.The moral diminishes of the Commandment ,which showed,were the same.We haven't learned ,yet,nothing.The most important thing to do now,was the damming of the danger.For the time being,it did not seem to great,and the means we had in Ardeal(Transilvania) seemed suficient to the Romanian Commandment .Even,during the unfolding of Sibiu Battle,the Big Headquarter,alarmed by the critical situation of Olt Corps,took the decission which imposed in an imperative mode:the lighting of the position of the attacked army,by an energic offensive action,enterprised by the II-nd Army and by the Northern Army,with the direction from East to West.,to hit into the flank of the IX-th German Army and threaten her back.The order,started in the morning of 27th of September,the second day of Sibiu Battle.The troops of the two armies have to begin their movement even in the same day.The II-nd Romanian Army had to occupy the line Hirtibaciului,indicated by the localities Cornatel-Agnita-Iacobeni-Bradeni.The Northern Army had to arrive on the line Sovata-Praid Chibed-Cristuru Secuiesc-Saschiz(South East of Sighisoara).

The action,if conducted with speed and energy-had to turn the roles and transform Falkenhayn ,from attacker in to attacked one,forcing him to put himself into defensive,liberating Olt Corps of the pressure of the enemy.The Romanian counteroffensive for release,unleashing the two armies ,at the right side of Olt Corps,have gave birth to a gret battle ,stretched on the whole fighting front of Ardeal(Transilvania),of Fagaras Mountains to upper Mures River Valley ,engaging almost in totality the forces of the two enemies.

Unfortunately,the intention with which it was enterprised was not realised.The movement of the II-nd Romanian Army was not made with the speed,promptitude and energy needed,to be able to fall,in due time,in the flank and back of the IX-th German Army of Sibiu.The units of the II-nd Army,wasted and entangeled futile and imprudent in movements of tactical exercises,could not be gathered and aimed towards thheir objective,but only with a delay which gave the enemy necessary time to finish Sibiu Battle and then turn his sword against the new adversary.


The Offensive of the II-nd Army

In the afternoon of 27th of September,the advance dispozitions of the II-nd Army have been communicated to the troops.The army had to set to move with all three divisions and namely,with the 4th Division at the left,the 3rd Division at the center and the 6th Division at the right.The 4th Division,starting from Fagaras,along Olt River at Talmaciu.A little to the North,the 3rd Division had to follow the road Crihalma-Cincu Mare-Agnita.At the right wing the 6th Division,starting from Rupea,will advance through Barcut towards Bradeni.The 2nd Brigade of Calarasi will protect the left flank of the 4th Division and the 3rd Brigade of Calarasi,the right flank of 6th Division establishing the link,through the 2nd Division of Cavalry,in Saschiz region,with the Northern Army.

The 4th Division set to move in the evening of 27th of September,between Fagaras Mountains ,at the left and Hirtibaciu River at the right,having as ax of advance ,Olt Valley.The move was a daring one ,promising of beautiful results,but also full of risks.It elongated far the front of the II-nd Romanian Army,which was easy to incline from North-East_South-West,making a dangerous portrussion(out-ing) towards West and exposing the flank from North to enemy attacks,which occupyed Hirtibaciu line.Other than this,the advance was made on a narrowed corridor,along Olt Valley,having in the left the high wal of Carpathian Fagaras Mountains ,with heights between 2000-2500 meters,without any mountain pass ,and on the right hand side was the enemy line.Another retreat was also only the same route.But in this war,more than any othe enterprise ,fortune favours the brave.And then,at the end of the road was Olt Corps which,caught in turmoil,was beating and reaching his arms,calling to God .

The troops of the 4th Division advance on two columns .One North of Olt,rejects at Calbor four enemy escadrons ,attacks again the enemy at Cincsor,where it aways him and in the evening of 28th of September occupies Rucar ,on Olt.The column which operates South of Olt advances hard in a terrain which is crossed avery step of the way with streams and water torrents,which come from the mountain to fall into Olt River,separated between them by hill edges with quick slopes.The column occupies Vistea de Sus(upper) and Vistea de Jos(lower),repulsing the enemy avanguards.At Ucea de Sus,6th Hunters regiment attacks 18th German Husari Regiment,repulsing it beyond Oprea-Cirtisoara.After a night of heavy marching and collisions through the darkness between patrols,in the morning of 29th of September,the Romanians enter Arpasu de Sus;de Sus(=upper),de Jos(=lower).

At the center of the II-nd Romanian Army,the 3rd Division hits strong the enemy occupying Rodbav with unmounted cavalry,infantry and eight cannons,defeats it,capturing 200 prisoners and pursue it till beyond Cincu Mare,which occupies in the evening of 28th-29th of September.The right wing of the II-nd Army,the 6th Division,starts from Colham,attacks between Steaua and Fiser the enemy-troops of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division-taking as prisoners 2 officers and 100 soldiers;crushing the oposing resistance,occupies in the evening the line Barcut-Moha.The right of 71st Austro-hungarian Division was throwed back towards Bradeni,behind Hirtibaciului.Fearful of the turning of its right wing,von Arz gives the order to 71st Division to retreat behind line Bradeni-Iacobeni.At the right extremity,the 3rd Calarasi Brigade ,have seized through fight Fiser and Bunesti.

The II-nd Army hase made in the day of 28th of September a formidable jump.Spreading away the enemy forces which she met in her way,she was to be found unfolded in the evening of the day on a front of 37 Miles ,drawing an arch of circle which leaned with the left on Fagaras Mountains at Arpas,and with the right touched the region between Homorod and Tirnava Mare.The heads of the columns of 4th Division ,the most advanced ,were at 7 Miles from line Porumbacelor(because we have Upper Porumbacu and Lower Porumbacu),occupied by the Husars of Schmettow ,the left wing of the IX-th German Army.


The Fight of Hundrubechiu(Movile)

The unfolding of the offensive of the II-nd Romanian Army emotions deeply Falkenhayn.He is under the impression that ,he goes through a grave crisis,which can become a catastophe.Between the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division stretched between Olt and Hirtibaciu Valley and 71st Division it has produced an empty space ,of about 12.5 Miles ,where the enemy has no troops whatsoever;through here,General Crainiceanu could sneak through and turn the flank of IX-th German Army,in the culminant moment of Sibiu Battle.That is why,Falkenhayn cunjures Arz, at thlephone,to revoke the order of retreat of the 71st Division;she has to make front on the line Mesendorf-Archita and resist with any price,to permit ,by the back ,to the 89th German Division, to run ,in forced marching,on the front and fill the empty space.So ,by evening,the 89-th Division,made out of Berliners-Commander General Luttwitz-arrives on the front and occupies the heights between Retisdorf (Retis) and Hundrubechiu.The connection was reestablished and the enemy line closed in the face of 6th Romanian Division.

Falkenhayn constitutes ,out of Divisions 89th and 71st a new group,which puts under the Command of General Morgen.His mission is to defend Hirtibaciu line ,in the center of the enemy dispozitive in Ardeal(Transilvania),opposing the biggest resistance at the advance trials of the Romanian Divisions 3rd and 6th towards Sighisoara,which would have caused the break of the center of the enemy and the turnning of his interior flanks.It would have been,firstly,the saving of the Romanian Group of Olt,and secondly,ruining the whole fighting plan of Falkenhayn,the lossing of Transilvania campaign.

The 6th Romanian Division in the morning of 29th of September from Barcut-Moha towards West,on two columns :the 12th Brigade on the right side and 11th Brigade on the left.In its marching,the right hand side column collided with the 89th German Division,which from Retisdorf was going towards Hundrubechiu and Jalisteat(Selistat).

The phalanx-guard of the column , a battalion of 12th Cantemir Regiment,Romanian, going to Iacobeni,is attacked at the edge of the forest Lempes by superior German forces from Retis direction ,rpulsed,and spread, and in part ,captured.The thick of the Column ,advancing towards Hundrubechiu,meets a formidable resistance .The enemy infantry ,occupies trenches ,on the edge of the forest on the hill La Dumbrava,stretching to the right side ,until Dorului Peak(height 631 meters).From the West and South -West of Merghindeal-the enemy artillery ,especially heavy artillery,throws rain of projectiles.Airplanes fly in the air ,driving the artillery firing range which becomes more and more precise.The soldiers of the II-nd Army ar forced to notice ,that today,they have in front of them,another enemy than the one before.

The Romanian infantry advances to attack ,hard,in the bullet rain and of shells.The heavy German artillery has framed the Romanian Divizion of Artillery,which was firing from Mesteacanu Hill and destroys its cannons;the servants ,remained alive are overwhelmed by panic and leave the cannons.From the right side ,the brigade is attacked by troops which have repulsed the Romanian phalanx-guard;the whole 89th German Division falls now over 12th Romanian Brigade.The runaways increase the panic caused by bombing ,the troop,not used with heavy fight (Romanian),enters disband.From the small valley ,near Mesteacanu Hill,eves the 3rd Hunters Regiment,the reserve of the Romanian Division.The Hunters attack with bayonet,seize back three cannons from the divizion and aways the enemy,sending him back to its positions.The brigade is thus ,saved;she can retreat now,with losses,which are serious especially to Cantemir Regiment .During the night ,the spread platoons have gathered and reconstituted themselves .The Germans announce,that they 've taken as prisoners 11 officers and 591 soldiers and captured 7 cannons.

The left hand side column,the 11th Brigade,advancing towards Agnita,has rejected the enemy and occupied positions on Sulumberg Hill and Merghindeal Hill,strenghtening them.Because of the failure of the 12th Brigade ,with the right flank in the air,had to retreat on Cincului Hill,after the 12th Brigade.


Stopping the offensive of the II-nd Army
The calculus for the day of 29th of September was unsatisfying for Romanians.The 4th Romanian Division,fighting hard with the accident-ed(bad) terrain ,dug out by rain fwhich was falling continously,more than with the enemy itself,has hardly advanced few miles .The 3rd Romanian Division ,at North of Olt,has attacked the troops of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division ,strenghtened with "Chevaux-legeres" Regiment ,brought from South of Olt and by the 8th Infantry Regiment de Landwehr,the reserve of the IX-th German Army,brought by aotomobiles on to the battle field and a detachment of easy shells(obuse),have inched them and touched the line Chirpar-Ilimbav-Sasaus.

What use though!The Olt Battle was over;the to late help of the II-nd Romanian Army could not produce any effect.Olt Corps have retreated on the mountaineous frontier ,the continuation of the II-nd Army's offnsive was of no tactical use.On the contrary,she risked to put herself,again in a dangerous situation .The failure of the 6th Romanian Division ,left the right side of the army,uncovered .Only the speed of intervention of the 3rd Hunters Regiment(Romanians) ,escaped the Division of total desaster.The threat remained,though,on its feet and it had to be conjured.

After the proposal of General Crainiceanu ,The Big Headquarter dicided the suspension of the offensive of II-nd Romanian Army,and a ne regrouping of her forces ,to move the offensive to the right ,where the new group of Morgen cunstituted the threat.The 3rd Romanian Division has received the order to retreat and,in forced marching,to move towards the right side of 6th Romanian DIvision.The 4th Romanian Division to retreat,to constitute the reserve of the II-nd Army.The 2nd Cavalry Division has been attached to the II-nd Army.The saviour role of the II-nd Army has finished with a failure;she had now to fight for her own safety.


The Fight at Porumbacu
The 4th Romanain Division advanced faster than the 3rd and the 6th.If Feldioara Brigade ,which was advancing North of Olt,repulsing the Cavalry troops ,unmounted of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Division,was ahead just a bit from the 3rd Romanian Division,the other brigade,which was advancing South of Olt,in close fighting contact with the Husars of the 3rd Cavalry ,German Division,has advanced much further than the pair brigade.Face with this threatening advance,Falkenhayn has send troops of the 78 Ifantry German Division ,to strenghten the resistance of Husars.Still.Romanians,beaten by the heavy German artillery,installed on Chicera Hill,have repulsed again at 29th of September the enemy in Oprea-Cirtisoara and they were preparing to attack at 30th of September the principal enemy line ,which was leaning with the left on to Olt River,and with the right side on to the mountains ,passing through Porumbacu de Jos(lower),Sarata and Porumbacu de Sus(upper).

In this time though,the Romanian Commander has decided the cease of the offensive;the 4th Division had to stop and retreat,to cunstitute in the reserve of the II-nd Romanian Army.The retreat order could be handed ,in the course of 29th-30th of September,to General Boureanu,the Commander of Feldioara Brigade.It dose not come in time to Colonel Paianu,the Commander of the Southern Brigade.From this cause,the brigade,starts in the eves of the morning of 30th of September ,the attack,as the Northern Brigade has started the retreat.The Romanians,are giving,in this way,the fight at Porumbacu,South of Olt River,without any goal,whatsoever,and having the Northern flank completely uncovered.The Romanian attack is given with elan.The enemy is repulsed from Oprea-Cirtisoara,then it is attacked at bayonet and rejected from villages Sarata and the two Porombacs,which are occupied by Romanians;they capture an entire battery of obusiere(shells) of 105 mm,which they turn imediately,aimed over to the enemy,continuing to repulse this one to the West.The losses of dead and wounded of the enemy are very big,especially at 18th Husars Regiment and 263rd Infantry Regiment of the 76th Division,send in haste to help;Kuhl Battalion of this regiment is destroyed.The Romanians have taken 200 prisoners .The enemy stops for a moment on the wooden ridges West of the two Porumbacs(the two villages);he is attacked then again,though, and repulsed towards Olt and Racovita,where he is received by troops of the 76th German Division,which are running in haste to save the situation.


It has distinguished during these fights,6th Hunters Regiment and 21st Infantry Regiment,which have fought with a courage and devotion,worthy of the good name of the Romanian warrior.Ahead of the soldiers,the officers have given the good example,giving with heroism their lives..Colonel Iacobini,the Chief of Staff of the Division,has fallen as he conducted the assault of 6th Hunters Regiment ,with his hat in his right hand risen,ten steps ahed the line of shooters .Major Porumbaru has fallen,as well,in the rain of fires of machinegun,as he advanced in row with the shooters ,elbow to elbow ,with them.

Unfortunately,the heroism of the troops was of no use .The retreat order has finally reached the Commander.From full victory,the brave soldiers had to be withdraw.The column in the left side of Olt,remained uncovered,by the retreat of the column;from North ,did in time,starts at its turn ,the retreat on the same road on which it came ;during the night it stops on the line Vistea de Sus-Dragus.Because of the speed with which the retreat has to be made,the troops could not take with them the captured battery.The following day,the 4th Romanian Division was occupying the line Cincu Mare-Fagaras,facing West.The Romanian victory at Porumbacu,with all its shine,has benn null as strategical importance .It came to late to have a say over the faith of Sibiu battle.It could not even stop the regrouping of the IX-th German Army,which sotpped at the back of cavalry curtain.At 1st of October ,this regrouping was finished.Falkenhayn could now start the offensive over the II-nd Romanian Army.


The Fight at Barcut-Moha
The days of 30th of September and 1st of October,are tireing days.The sky is cloudy,and a thin and cold rain fells continuously .The soldiers have to ferment the muds of roads and paths ,making long and exhausting marches in executing the moves of regrouping of the II-nd Romanian Army.And this regrouping ,oh well,means retreat.Turmoiled is also the state of mind at the Headquarter,sadness is also in the officers souls and of soldiers ,deception.

The troops of the 3rd Romanian Division had to make a day and a night forced marchings,retreating through Radbav and Cincu Mare,then to go round through the back of 6th Romanian Division,to assume positions at the right side of this division,between Jalisteat and Barcut.At the right wing of the army of the 2nd Cavalry Division,Romanian,to which is attached the 3rd Calarasi Brigade,is operatively attached to the II-nd Army.She has to attack towards Mesendorf ,South of Cristur,to fall behind the enemy.The Division Avanguard is attacked in the wooden defile of Roades ,by the enemy with artillery and infantry.The thick of the Division has to change direction ,and goes through Homorod and Cata la Rupea.The Brigade,not being able to connect with the Division,remains at Fiser.

The Great Hedquarter communicates to the II-nd Army tha any offensive action is from now on forbidden;no reinforcement can ,now,be send to the Northern Front.The whole attention is now focused on the Southern Front,where the blow of Flaminda is preparing.

The retreat of the Cavalry Division has produced a big gap between the II-nd Army and Northern Army.No troops to fill it.The enemy could well sneak through here, and threaten the principal line of communication with Brasov,line which goes through Rupea and Hoghiz.So,the retreat is,unavoidable.For to days she(the retreat) tempter the spirit more and more as an obsession.In the face of unsuccess of the offensive,it has to be occupied a strong defensive position,in which the army to await a favourable occasion.The actual positions,to much spread and to exposed,with the right in the air,with the left insufficient protected ,were not safe.The Great Headquarter ,addmited the proposal of General Crainiceanu to reterat the II-nd Army on the left shore of Olt River,occupying solid all the communication lines which go towards Brasov.The retreat movement,was supposed, to start in the morning of 2nd of October;the 3rd Division,in Barcut region,will protect the retreat.

At the enemy,the preparations for restarting of the offensive movement, were almost over.At 2nd of October,Falkenhyan has to start towards Brasov with Staabs Army.Though,the situation at his left is making him concerned.Arz could not face the blows given by Prezan and was continuously retreating.That this retreat was made in the Valley of Northern Mures or of Gurghiului ,the thing did not alarm much the Commander of the IX-th Army.The retreat of the right wing of Arz ,in Tirnavei region,presents a grave danger,though;it could make difficult the movement to the East.To obstacle these fatal retreats ,which seemd to him to be more the effect of some weakness of command,than ,dictated by a tactical necessity,Falkenhayn asked,and obtained in the day of 1st of October from the Great Austro-Hungarian Headquarter from Teschen,the concentration of all the troops in Transilvania under unique command.In this way,Arz Army ,goes under the Command of Falkenhayn,"in the perspective of a concentration of troops for the decissive attack".It has to be said that until now,the colaboration of Arz with Falkenhayn ,was a very tight one and the Austrian General received and executed all the suggestions of his authoritarian camarad.Falkenhayn dispozitions,for the day of 2nd of October ,were:at the left side ,Arz would resist with any price in Sighisoara region,against the Romanian push at the center,Morgen to start the offensive with the 89th Division and,if possible ,also with the 71st Division;he will make possible ,by doing this,the principal action of Staabs which,at the right side,will start the offensive marching of Sibiu ,with direction Fagaras-Brasov.The offensive movement of Morgen in South-East direction provokes a violent collision with the troops of 3rd and 6th Romanian Divisions in Barcut region.The soldiers of the 3rd Romanian Division,marching with difficulty on muddy and dug out roads,with the small wooden bridges broken,through cold and rain ,have occupied in the morning of 2nd of October with the 5th Brigade ,at the right side,Moha,and with the 6th Brigade ,at the left side,Barcut.The avanposts of the brigades occupied the Hills of La Furci,La Ciresi and La Dumbrava.In elongation,of the last one,the 12th Brigade of the 6th Division,occupyes the Hills Hula-Cincului towards North-East,in direction Cincu Mare.


.....

In the morning ,the enmy has aimed a strong heavy artillery,and field one, bombardment ,over Romanian positions on the hills.At 11,30 thinking the Romanian position destroyed,the infantry starts to attack.But the 6th Romanain Brigade unfolded in mass,jumped over to the enemy,and in body fight ,repulsed him back,in the start positions.The soldiers of the 5th Brigade ,attacked at North-West of Moha,rejecting here as well the adversary.The enemy has restarted then the artillery bombardment ,which fired till 8 in the evening,interrupting from time to time to give attacks.The soldiers of the 3rd Division,which for the first time ,met the heavy artillery,have taken the bombardment with manhood,and repulsed bloody all attacks,making couple of hundreds of prisoners.

At the left wing,the soldiers of the 12th Brigade ,in position on Morii de Vint Hill,have been violently bombarded by the heavy artillery,from 7,30 in the morning until 2.30 in the afternoon,when the Berliners of General Luttwitz have started to attack.His job,though,went badly.The soldiers of Cantemir Regiment and Siret Regiment, together with the 3d Hunters regiment ,wait in quiet the closing in of the enemy columns.At once,they jump up of their improvised shelters and in a frightening speed ,in the sounds of trumpets and shouts of Urra! they throw to attack with bayonet ,without preparing the attack by fire shots .The determination of Romanians is big;the soldiers of Cantemir Regiment have to duel over the one of 29th of September.The enemy is oscillating,gets back,and start to run in disband.The German Commander sees the situation and sends new troops from Mesteacan direction;but the Romanian artillery of the neghbour brigade is reeled,and takes , under her violent firing range, and spreads them away.The Romanians begin the pursiut on the whole line.The enemy tries to maintain on the domminant height of the region,la Dumbrava,height 706 meters,but is throwed away,from there as well .He has to retreat a few Miles,until the Hirtibaciu line ,from Iacobeni to Bradeni,abandoning in Romanian hands hundreds of prisoners,piles of weapons and munitions.With difficulty,the Romanians who have ventured to far in the pursiut,are recalled by signalls of gathering up.From Schmettow Army is send to the German Division ,which is drifting,the 8th Regiment de Landwehr,which trials a turn of the left Romanian wing,through Meghindeal and Toarcla;the trial is stopped by the cannons of the 4th Romanian Division Artillery ,which was at Cincu Mare.At the right side of Romanians,the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division,of Morgen's Group,detained by other Romanian troops,could not intervene in the aid of her camarad;she never reached the fighting front,but only late in the night.


The Marching of the Bavarian Alpine Corps
The preliminary operation,to which hanged the success of the entire enterprise of the enemy,was the one given to the Alpine Corps.It was a daring operation ,with great difficulties ,which could only be executed with an elite troop.And ,truly ,the Alpine Corps ,constituted in the German Army an exceptional formation.The Bavarian Alpine Corps has been established in the spring of 1915,forseeing the entering in the war of Italy,as a special formation for mountain warfare.It was made out of Bavarians and Prusians ,only carefuly choosen men,all under 30,equiped and trained for mountain war.The corp was comprised of three regiments of three battalions each;the infantry regiment of the Bavarian guard,a regiment of hunters,Prusian,and another one Bavarian;plus,six field batteries,six mountain batteries and a heavy battery,geniu and train.One battalion had three companies;the soldiers were wearing ash-coloured uniform,with knees protections and blazers of leather;they had piolets .The three companies of the battalion were:first one of riflemen,second one of machinegunmen the third one of artillery-men which also handeled small mortiers.In the summer of 1915,the Alpine Corps fought on the Italian Front;then croosed into Serbia,were they took part at the pursiut of Serbians in their memorable retreat in the Albanian mountains.From here,it was send to France,at Verdun,were it is atributed the conquer of Fleaury Village,but has bleeded in vain ,in front of Souville Fort[16].At the Romanian war declaration ,the Alpine Corps reconstituted with elements from deposits,has been send to the Romanian Front,were it was counted on important mountain battles.After the finish of the first part of the Romanian campaign ,the Alpine Corps has been send to Vosgi then,in summer of 1917,always where there was an important hit to be given,has been retreated in Moldavia ,where it took an important part in Marasesti battle,in Panciu region.In the autumn of the same year,has been transported on the Italian Front,were it had formed the forehead of the columns of Below la Caporreto[17],Tagliamento,till Piave;in the spring of 1918 we found it in front of the famous Monte Grappa[18].The Commander of the Corps was the Bavarian General Krafft von Delmensiengen,who passed as the most distinguished German commaders.


The Alpine Corps has started the marching in the day of 22nd of September ,four days before the attack day.The starting point has been Jina Village the highest locality of Ardeal(Transilvania)-916 meters -South of Poiana and 22 Miles towards West of Sibiu,on the Northern slopes of Sebes -Cibin Mountains.The march had to be executed perpendicular over Cibin Mountains,very large massif and accident-ed(bad terrain),which rises in a sort of amfitheatre,with the highest point, at Cindrel Peak(2240 meters high).On narrow paths ,in a deserted region,at foot of the mountain through dense forests then,up,in the high regions ,between rocks or plateaus sweeped by cold winds,the columns of the Alpiners walked for four days in the rib of our armies ,to occupy their fighting positions .This expedition,executed through such difficult regions ,deserted and without roads,by a numerous corps,carrying artillery and followed by long columns of provisions ,munitions ,formations and sanitary material,and different machines for war ,constitutes,of course, a military performance.

In two stages ,the column passes over Guga Mountains (1390 meters),Strimba(1831 meters),Cindrelu(2240 meters) and Steflesti(2236 meters).After passing Negovanu Peak,the column separated into two groups.The thick ,under the direct Command of General Tuscheck,changed direction,engaging left,goes into forced marching parallel with the frontier line and places in fighting position,on a North-South line ,from Preajba Peak(1748 meters) until Virfu Mare(2073 meters)-this exactly on the frontier.From high,the Alpiners dominate Olt Valley of Transilvania,in to the flank of provisioning line ,and retreat of the Romanian Olt Corps.Near the frontier ,at Lunci,the Bavarians install exactly in the trenche made by the Romanian troops during the time of neutrality.The second Alpiners group,in oblique direction towards right,crosses the frontier into the Kingdom,in Lotru region and installs on Robu Mountains (1905 meters),Vadu and Murgasu,forming the right wing of the Alpine Corps ,which covers them against the eventual attacks that could come from Muntenia(Central -Southern Romania,also known as Wallachia).The detachments of this group ,also had the mission to climb down in Olt Defile and cut,behind the Romanain Army,the railway and driveway,the only lines of connection of the Romanian Army with the Kingdom.In this way at 25th of September,the Alpine Corps was occupying the fighting positions.


How was it possible such an important move to be made ,undisturbed in the flank of the Olt Romanian Corps?This is a very difficult question which was asked and is asking by everybody,from the need to establish the answers of the responsabilities of the grave defeat of Sibiu.How was it possible to let a troop,of over 10000 men,carrying an imense convoy of animals,mounted with heavy burdens ,to advance for four days ,at a distance of arround 7-18 Miles,in the rib of the Romanian Army and its communication lines?A neutral military critic,Colonel Egli of the Swiss Army,says harshly:"That it was possible the closing in of such a powerful column...to not be noticed by security Romanian service,only when it was too late,this can only be explained by condamned neglecting of the most elementary principles of service during campaign ".

It is true ,that the region between Jiu and Olt ,in a wide ness of over 44 Miles in the bird flight,very bad terrain,made out of mountain massifs with deep valleys ,was hard to be watched and offered posibilities for surprise attacks.Still ,what could have been done to prevent them has not been made.The Commandment of the Ist Army has installed a Company of Graniceri(frontier army) on Dobrunu Peak at the crossing from Sadului Valley in Lotru Valley.the situation of this company permited the observation of the two valleys.The crossing of the Alpine columns through Negovanu and Balindru,in the immediate vecinity,could not have escaped unobserved and the Romanian Commandment would have been noticed in due time.General Popovici has taken this company,though,from her place and send it to the battalion ,to increase the effectives.That is why the German columns meet only sheep-men,and only on 25th of September few rare patrols.

Some indices,proved that grave things are taking plaace on this side.One company of Vilcea regiment ,send by Colonel Mosoiu to explore the heights towards Saliste encounterd,few days before,small groups of Bavarian Alpiners and have captured even a Captain,which have made semnificative declarations over the sense of these troops.The Commander of the Romanian group has not given any importance whatsoever,to these observations and also did not give beliefe to the news which started to be reported by particular individuals or by civilian authorities about the appearance of the enemy in the rib and over the line of communication;that is why he did not take in time the proper measures imposed by the circumstances.He even considered them manoeuvres of the enemy,to impress and demobilise the fighters.Only at 25th of September he sends up the valleys of Sadu and Lotru two , mixt detachment,made out of a battalion each,of infantry with some cannons;they made contact with the enemy at 26th,when the surprise was made and the battle begun.


In the eve of the battle
In the same time,when the Commander of the Romanian Olt Group realized ,finally, the gravity of the situation,alarming news,which came directly and also through locals of the villages,have reached the headquarter of the I-st Army and of the Big Hedquarter of Peris,determining them to take measures.A detachment of five battalions of the 20th Division,which made guard at the Danube River in Southern Oltenia,has been sent by train to Rimnicu Vilcea ,under the personal Command of the Division Commander,General Praporgescu,with the purpose to give help to the Olt Army.On the other hand the II-nd Army,at Brasov,was supposed to start with the 4th Division ,which was in Fagaras region,an offensive action against the left flank of the German Army which operated at Sibiu.Tardive decissions,which still,executed with determination,could not only ease the action of the Olt Group,but also ripp victory.

At 25th of September ,in the evening,all Falkenhayn's preparatives were finished.The two parties were in unequal situations .On the German side,there was the numeric superiority:four infantry divisions with 36 battalions and two cavalry divisions ,with a crushing superiority of weaponry in artillery and machineguns,soldiers equiped and trained for mountain warfare ,with experience earned on all important battlegrounds of Europe,commanded by a General which had one of the ilustrous names of the German Army.In front of them,the Romanian Group of Olt,made out of two infantry divisions,of 25 battalions and one cavalry brigade .The Romanian commanders were inexperienced ;they had to begin to make the school of real war ,measuring up with one of the strongest modern of armies.Especially ,Romanians had no preparation,whatsoever for mountain warfare.The foreign policy of Romania,under King Carol the first,has been dominated by the ideea of war against Russia.The ideea of war against Austro-Hungary was totaly unthinkable(excluded).So ,the total lack of mountain artillery(because Austro-Hungary is over the mountains and Russia is on this side of the mountains)-with which the actual enemy was such abundently equiped.Also ,because of the same motive,there has never been military manoeuvre in the mountains-it would have been considered as treason next to the allied Central Powers.The lack of experience in mountain warfare explains the ease with which the Alpine Corps has been able to surprise the Romanian troops.

The clever manoeuvres of the German Commander assured to his troops an overwhelming tactic superiority.Closed in the narrow Valley of Olt River,surrounded almost in every part by the metal circle of the enemy,superior in number,weapons ,conduct,with the connections cut,to Olt valley and to the Kingdom,the Romanian's situation seemed disperate.Could it be that the strenght without pair ,of the peasant soldier ,to make the wonder of escaping total desaster ,and make tha Sibiu Battle remain a defeat but not a catastrophe?


First day of the battle
In the night of 25th -26th of September ,the 54 batteries of the German attack group,begin a violent bombardment of the Romanian positions ,reaching in the morning of the next day an extraordinary intensity.From the Romanian side it cannot be respounded with the same strenght ;they only have 16 batteries.Next to the great numerical inferiority,adds the inferiority of calibers:Romanians do not have heavy artillery as the enemy had, 42 pieces of hevy artillery,of which 12 mortiers of 21 centimeters.Not even the eight cannons of 120 mm caliber ,arrived to the Romanians in the evening eve of the beginning of battle,coud not be used because of the defectuosity of the shutters and because they were served by reserve officers ,untrained.During the night,after the strong bombardment,position Gusteritei Hill,South-East of Sibiu,the highest position which dominates Sibiu Field,is attacked by the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Brigade Thyl,strenghtened with the German Regiment de Hessa of the 76th Division and is taken with assault.A battalion of the 44th Regiment Romanian has defended it ,body against body fight ,but they had to give it up face with the crushing superiority of the enemy.

The day of 26th of September,the first day of Sibiu battle,is forecast in the morning as a splendid autumn day.From his command post,on a height North of Orlat,Falkenhayn gave the order for general attack(full attack).The principal direction of the attack was towards the positions of the left Romanian wing ,from Gura Riului(River Mouth) to Poplaca.Against this wing ,Falkenhayn throwed the concentrated troops of the entire 187th Division,sustained by a strong arttillery mass ,which engulfed the mounted artillery of the Alpine Corps.The Romanian position was defende by the 3rd Brigade of the 23rd Romanian Division.The unit was uncomplete.to defend a front of almost 12.5 Miles ,against a whole division,Mosoiu had only the four battalions of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment.only in the afternoonand by evening he received also the help of a battalion of Graniceri and one of the 42nd Infantry Regiment .

With all this great inferiority of forces ,the Romanians fought brave and rejected all enemy attacks.Cioara(Crow) Hill has been all day defended by two companies of the 2nd and 42nd Regiments;all the attack waves of the enemy have been throwed back with hand grenades.A last enemy attack,tried with one volunteers detachment ,has been bloody rejected at 4 in the afternoon,after which,the enemy has tried nothing.Ursul(Bear) Hill ,defended by the Graniceri Battalion with an artillery section,has been also attacked in vain ,by two enemy battalions.

At the center and left wing of the attack group(Divisions 51st and 76th),the Germans have installed on all the heights North -East of Sibiu a numerous artillery,which all day bombards the Romanain positions,the infantry attacks do not succeed to take out the Romanians of their positions.Schmettow Group,sustained by heavy artillery -the 10,5 cannons of the Alpine Corps-positioned at Cirta,manages to cross Olt River and to sneak between Avrig and Porumbacu the 3rd German Cavalry Division,positioning it as a falang perpendicular over the road that goes, from Fagaras to Sibiu,to isolate Olt group by the II-nd Romanian Army.of the three Regiments of the Division,Regiment de"Chevaux-Legers"[19] was facing West,towards olt Corps,and the two Husars Regiments facing East,towards Brasov.

... On the Souther side,the detachments of the Alpine Corps manage to close in ,to Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) Pass and occupy positions in the imediate edge of the defile at Boita,at Turnu Rosu train station ,at Riul Vadului and at Ciineni.Here was the great danger.Here is focused all attention ,of the attacker and of the defender.Will the enemy succeed to close up the pass ,then Romanians are lost.It is catastrophe.

General Popovici sends a strong detachment -48th Regiment,the reserve of Olt Corps-towards South ,to clean up the defile by the enemy.But in the same time ,without the knowing of the commander ,a more eficient action is organized at ciineni towards north.An Officer of the Headquarter of Olt Corps ,Liet-Colonel Popescu Toma,coming back from Craiova with the secret mail at the headquarter of the corps,has been stopped at Ciineni by German machineguns ,which occupied positions on Vladul hill and at Lunci,as the enemy patrols advanced through the defile towards the bridge over Olt River ,towards Ciinenii of Argesi.Realising the gravity of the situation and of the great danger threatening the Romanian Corps,Popescu summons from the village the only 13 peasants left there-the others had run away-arms them with German rifles fron the village hall,fills their shirts bossom with crtridges ,and framing them between a geandarm sergeant and a pioneers one,which were there by chance,gets them into the trenches of Malu Hill,West of Olt River bridge.

Time of three clocks ,the 13 Peasants -15 with their Commanders-seated rare in the trenches ,have fired with misfortune and great use of bullets(whithout economy),in the German patrols which appeared either on defile,or on the hills in front :Vladului and Chitanet. Misslead by this fire ,thinking they have to deal with a strong position,the German Alpiners have stopped.Making use of this delay,Popescu took,out of his own initiative,more important measures.At Brezoi was a Hunters Battalion and two obusier-shell batteries.Few platoons,sustained by obusiers(shells) have been send up the valleys ,to make demonstrations to mislead the enemy over about real forces.Two and a half companies have been brought to Caineni,an a battery of obusiers has arrived in horses gallop on the driveway.At 4 in the afternoon ,the defense of Caineni has been organized with the help of these troops;the brave peasants have been taken out of the trenches and put to defend the bridge downslope of Ciineni.the obusiers have opened fire over Vladului Hill and Olt defile,and after some minutes the Romanians could find out from a group of seven prisoners that they have the honor to have in front the Bavarian Guard Regiment ,freshly arrived from Verdun,under the direct Command of Prince Henric of Bavaria,nephew of brother of Bavarian King.


Thanks to this act of initative and of the heroic atitude of a handful of old peasants ,which were defending their lands and village,the narrow corridor could not be closed by the enemy at Ciineni.Still ,in the long of the defile there have been many points exposed to to cannon fires and machine guns installed by the enemy on the western shore of Olt River,and many bloody fights ,sometimes chest to chest,have been given between the Romanian patrols and enemy detachments.That is why,the Romanian Commander send troops to strenghten the detachments in Sadului Valley and on other side valleys ,to try with them to unblock the defile.In this way passed the first day of the battle ,without bringing to the German Commander the quick victory,they expected so sure.He cannot hide his uncontent and concern.He has received unrestful news from the neighbour fronts and knows that those events could well influence the unfolding of Sibiu battle,if he not manages to obtain a quick victory.So,at Jiu the Germans have been away-ed from their positions by the threat of a surrounding move ;the Romanians have re-conquered Petrosani.Towards East,the extending of the battle could bring the intervention of the II-nd Army.Towards South ,the closing of the defile is not complete and,ofcourse,there are other passes as well,not written on the maps,which coud give the Romanians a safe retreat.That is why,Falkenhayn gives orders that in the next day(second day),the action to be restarted with greater violence and takes from the 89th Division,Prusian,to his dispozition by von Arz,a Regiment of Infantry and a section of obusiers,to strenghten even more the army effectives.

At his turn,the Romanian Commander realises the gravity of the situation.The manoeuvre ,with which he wants to respond to the enemy is,to pivot arround his right ,which will stay on place to connect with the left flank of the II-nd Army which comes from Fagaras.The left wing ,west by Olt ,will be retreated a little,not wanting to losse the conquered terrain.That is why,Mosoiu Brigade is retreated from the position which he defended with so much stuborness,on a line a little back ,which passed on the heights North of Cisnadie -Obrejii hill-West of Rasinari.Especially that,the Romanian Commander will sick to clean his back,Olt pass,for the security of the communication line where he awaited helps.


Second day
In the second day of the battle ,27th of September ,te fight is begun with fury on the whole line of battle ,on a stretch of 50 Miles.The central group of Staabs attacks with all the power of his three divisions ,precedenting the attack of a violent prepare of artillery.Popovici keeps the fighting front with 20 battalions belonging to Olt Corps;the rest of five are send towards South ,to face the attack of the Alpine Corps and clear Olt Pass .The principal attack of the enemy is given against the left Romanian wing.The brave troops of the 23rd Division resist vigorous and cannot be taken out of their positions of Valea Rea-Cioara(Bad Valley-Crow),but only when ,by a combined attack of the 187th Division ,German,and of the alpine detachments,the enemy occupyes Onesti Plateau(1774 meters),which dominates fron great height thee Romanian positions from flank and from the back.

In the eve of the evening ,a German battalion ,coming from Rasinari ,surprises the line of Romanian avan-posts,which run and enter Cisnadioara.Arrived in the market of the village ,they are ,all of a sudden attacked by the troops of the Romanian battalion ,which awaits them in hide.Surrounded,the Germans escape by running,after leaving on the terrain over 150 dead and wounded.The Commander of the German sector is forced to admit that"the Romanians have put up quite a fight".

The right side of the 23rd Division,constituted by so called "Combined Brigade"(44th Infantry Regiment and two battalions of Graniceri),which occupy Selimbar,could not mentain because of the violent bombardment of enemy artillery from Gusteritei Hill and the advance of a strong Austro-Hungarian column,which was coming from Sibiu.At 1 in the afternoon ,the 23rd Division,has started retreat to the second position ,South of line Rasinari -Selimbar.Thanks to the strong conduct of the 1st Graniceri Regiment ,the connection between Romanian, 23rd Division(at the left) and 13th Division(at the right) is kept intact.The Romanian troops at the left occupy strong the new positions ,on one side and the other of Cisnadioarei,in front of which the enemy consumes himself till evening in futile attacks.

At the right of the Romanian wing,the 13th Division has been attacked and bombarded with heavy artilley .At Sacadate ,from Glimboaca direction,as at Avrig,from Sarata direction.helped by the formidable bombardment ,a Hanovez Regiment manages to seize Bucatei Hill,leaving the Romanians to evacuate it.but troops of the 13th Division ,coming from Bungard ,reoccupy the hill in violent counterattacks. The Hanovez-ers are forced to evacuate also Selimbar.All the afternoon are given bloody fights in this sector;the Hungarian Regiment escapes the difficult situation in which he finds ,with heavy losses ,only thanks to the intervention of the important reinforcements of the neighbour 76th German Division.


The curtain of German cavalry continues to close the road from Fagaras ,occupying Olt shore between the two villages Porumbacu;an enmy detachment could occupy the heights La Cetate (at the Fortress),seaking to obstacle from there,the circulation of Romanians through Scara(Ladder) Pass..In Olt Defile ,things were not going at all,for the Germans "conform with the plan".Nowhere the Bavarian Alpiners could occupy the driveway,not to mention croosing over it.All over,the Romanian troops ,fighting with despair ,repulse him back,causing significant losses ,espacially to the Bavarian Guard Regiment,at Vadului River and Ciineni. ,The Battalion of Bavarian Guard ,Commanded ,as we know,by the Prince which have seized for a brief moment the train station at Ciineni,has been rejected back into the mountain with heavy losses.From the South ,troops of the 20th Division have started to arrife on the fighting front ,attacking the positions of the Bavarian Alpiners over the Mountains Robu and Murgasu.

Falkenhayn shows very unpleased of the result of the second day of the battle;in his memoirs he is forced to admit again the "braveness of Romanians".The situation of the Alpine Corps seems concerning to him;he is desilusioned by the attack of the principal group.What preocupies him mostly is that there are signs more and more precise ,that he will be attacked in the left flank by the II-nd Army and that he would not be able to opose to this side attack ,enaugh forces,if the already started battle is not finished.With all the uncertainty and fear,the German Commander thinks he must not give up the initial plan of the battle.That is why,in the evening of 27th he gives the order to Staabs that in the next day,early in the morning,to restart the attack on the whole battlefield "without mercy" of men and material,putting also into the battle the units taken from the 89th German Division,freshly arrived;he also sends to the left wing reinforcements ,for more security of this wing ,weak and perilled.Under the threat of dezastre,which he sees as iminent and of the responsibilities which overwhelms him,the Romanian Commander start lossing head.He thinks "he is betrayaled on the whole line",he sees spies everywhere and writes to the Commander of the I-st Army that all the population must be slaughtered;he talks about War Council and hanging...His all hopes goes to the intervention of the II-nd Army,of which set to move has been signalled to him by a cavalry patrool;he connects the faith of the battle by the arriving in time of this troop in the fighting zone.As a precautionary measure ,he takes the dispozition that the trains and columns of the division of Olt Corps to group at the mouth of the defile ,in the ideea of a retreat.


The third day
In the third day of the battle-28th of September-the situation of the Romanian Army has become critical.Exhausted by the losses suffered in the two days of battle ,with an enemy which was attacking her continuously and from all directions ,with crushing superiority,with the downed moral because of the news of closing the defile,which was known by now ,with the usual exagerations ,by the whole army,she supports still,with manhood a frightening bombardment in the morning of the day,on the line Magura-Vestem,disposed in arch arround Talmaciu Village,where there was the Headquarter of the Group.Numerous enemy airplanes were throwing bombs over our convoys,which were sneaking between Talmaciu and Boita ,over the train stations pf Porcesti and Sebes,and over talmaciu Village.The Romanians did not had aeroplanes to counterbeat them.The chief forcing of the enemy was aimed still over the right wing of the 23rd Romanian Division.With all the failures of the last two days,the enemy was pursuing the plan of turning of this wing ,through Sadului Valley for to,by the concorded action of the 187th German Division with the one of the Alpine Corps,the closing over,of Olt Pass and surrounding of Olt Romanian Corps , be complete."The Great plan" of Falkenhayn must be with any price acomplished.

The 3rd Brigade (Colonel Mosoiu),which was forming at all times the left wing of the 23rd Romanian Division must,in its turn,to save the defense situation by stubborn resistance.The rows of the brigade are thinned.The biggest part of 42nd Regiment has been send at the right wing of the 23rd Division ;at the left flank has remained only Balanescu's Detachment,of a power of six companies ,on Magura Peak,with the order to not leave the position under any word.The Brigade resists furiously to the enemy's attacks ,which has an overwhelming superiority.At 2,30 in the afternoon ,the enemy has seized Cisnadie and Cisnadioara.A company and a half,of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment gives a vigorous counterattack through the forest of Cisnadie,and rejects the Germans with bayonets to South of Cisnadie .At the right side of the brigade at the connection point with the Combined Brigade,the resistance wekens.A breach is made in Romanian center,through which powerful German columns ,in attack waves ,are advancing fast towards North of Talmaciu,where there were the havy batteries of the Romanian Division.The advance of the enemy is threatening to turn the two internal wings of the said Romanian Brigades.But a mountain Romanian battery,by a precise firing range ,dams the advance of the enemy.And ,in the same time ,a new Romanian counterattack ,given with troops of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment and 5th Hunters Regiment ,hits the ahead enemy column ,rejects it back to Vestem,as the enemy cannons fire with fury Talmaciu.


Towards evening,the retreat movement of Romanians is pronouncing on the whole battlefield.The hope of arriving of the II-nd Army from Fagaras is getting weaker by the minute.The Commander of Olt Corps has lost contact with the 13th Division ,which is in retreat towards South.The enemy has seized Vestem and Avrig .His artillery is beating now behind the position at Talmaciu,North of Boita.The aeroplanes are throwing bombs over the convoys which are pouring South and over train stations at Porcesti and Sebes.The shrapnels fall in the yard of the headquarter of Olt Corps producing panic in the fighting trains .The Commander of the Corps,convinced that the battle is lost gives the retreat order.

The enmy enters at nine in the evening in Talmaciu.Exhausted as well,and of heavy losses ,has not the power to attack anymore and cease the fight ,without obtaining and today the much awaited result.

The 3rd Brigade had retreated over the heights South of Sadu,where it kept the resistance until 10 in the evening when,after cease of the fight ,the Commander of the brigade also starts the retreat towards Talmaciu,with the goal to make contact with the Romanian troops,wich he thought to still bethere.Numerous enemy troops advance to the Western flank of the Brigade.Balanescu's detachment,remained isolated on the heights of Magura,with the strict order of General Carstris to not leave the position under any circumstance ,is surrounded and captured.In the mountains near the Defile ,same situation as the day before.The Alpiners do not succeed in any place to master the defile.They must stay in defensive .from South,the troops of the 20th Division are advancing ,attacking the positions in the mountains between Lotru and olt.From the North ,a detachment constituted by two battalions of Graniceri,starting from Boita,climb hard the mountain ribs ,forested ,fighting facing South ,attack at bayonet the Alpiners wherever they meet them.,rejects them from Vincei Ridge ,taking them 7 machineguns ,which they destroy.The fight go on till late in through the night when,informed that the thick of Romanian troops retreats ,Graniceri(frontier army) descend again to Boita.through the woods ,through the darkness isolated by any troops,the retreat is made shamelesly.One of the two battalions is surrounded and captured by the enemy.At Ciineni,the Bavarian Alpiners are definitely rejected ,but the driveway in the defile,remains ,in some points,exposed to the enemy fire.

The intervention of the II-nd Army
The unfolding of the battle of Sibiu starts to be influenced from outside.Towards East important events are taking place,which bring rays of hope in the souls of Romanian Olt Corps Commanders ,but unrest the German Commander.

The II-nd Army has engaged the offensive action towards West and its effects start to feel.The 4th Romanian Division ,rejecting the enemy detachments ,arrived in the evening of the day at Arpas;only 7.5 Miles parted her by the left wing of Falkenhayn .Divisions 3rd and 6th were advancing in the empty space between the IX-th Army and I-st Army of Arz,threatening the back of Falkenhayn.Arz was resisting with difficulty to the Northern Romanian Army and was retreating the Southern wing in front of Romanians attacks.Unfortunatelly ,the action of opening,started from the East, it is started to late and with too much slow ,to be able to decisively influence over the unfolding of the battle of Sibiu.Still.the German Commander realises the threat.His eyes remain focused ,with unrest,especially in Fagarasi Mountains direction,at the progress of the 4th Romanian Division.If he cannot continue the resistance to the East,until after the ending of Sibiu battle,he losses not only the battle ,but the whole situation in Transilvania.He takes measures of strenghtening of the resistance in the face of II-nd Romanian Army and Northern Romanian Army,bu he also count on the lack of energy of the Romanian Commandment:"The Romanian Command has proceeded till now,extraordinarily hesitating and unsure.Same were the moves of the Romanian troops.Though it is without doubt that "the Romanian soldier,taken aside,was fighting with heroism,it is obviously for the Romanians very hard to coordinate the isolated troops in an ansamble action".With these ideeas the German Commander remained unmoved in the beliefs which dictated his plan of operations.He takes again dispozitions,that in the next day,29th of September ,to exterminate Olt Corps,to be able to then,turn all his forces towards the enemy threatening from rising sun(East).He asks,in the same time ,his comrade Arz to keep with any price ,the positions in the face of II-ns and IV-th armies ,Romanians.This day will have to decide,not only the faith of the battle of Sibiu,but that of Transilvanian campaign.Falkenhayn confesses:"Very rarely in my life,pretty rich in dramatic culminant points,I have awaited for the result ,with more apprehension that in the morning of 29th of September".


The retreat of Olt Corps.

Unfortunately,Falkenhayn fears have disipated with the dawns of 29th of September.The Romanian army South of Sibiu had break the fight and was in retreat.

The troops of Olt Corps ,exhausted,did not have the power to resist anymore.The saving intervention of the II-nd Army had not produced in the necessary time.General Crainiceanu had not arrived at Olt,same as Grouchy did not arrive at Waterloo.In the evening of 28th of September,the Commander of the Corps have given the order of general retreat.Artillery columns and carriages had to start retreat imediately through Olt Defile,and the infantry of divisions had to start the move the next day,making use of all the paths and places of crossing over the heights of the mountains,one side and the other of the Defile.The 23rd Division had to begin the retreat from Boita position,and the 13th Division from Porcesti direction.The contact with the latter one has been broken,so the order has been sent indirectly ,through the 23rd Division.The retreat through the Defile has started even in the night of 28th-29th of September ;it is executed in very dramatic circumstances.Along Olt River,on 9-15 Miles lenght ,the Defile is so narrow ,that it is hardly room for driveway and railway.From Boita to Vadului River they follow ,one on one shore,the other the oppsite shore,for then,from Vadu River to Ciineni to both be on the Western shore of Olt River.Only here and there a meadow and a grapes growing.On the driveway and on the railway crowded the unfinished columns of men and animals,artillery,carriages,herds,seeking in haste to escape the narrow.There were more than 2000 vehicles of all sorts ;cannons of all calibers ,from the 120 mm one to the 53mm,dragged by oxes ,pears of four or three for a carriage,or the ones with eght,six,four and two horses ;captured carriages in fighting trains ,administrative convoys,ammunition columns ,sanitary carriages ,aviation park.The conductors and acompanies of carriages,armed or unarmed ,ordonances of officers or platoons,climbed in carriages or taking by the hand horses ,cows,dogs,luggages etc...complicated the imense convoy,which moved in to the darkness of the night with difficulty.There were given most severe orders,to walk in absolute quiet,like in a procession,without shouts,without talk.Order and silence were difficult to keep in this mass of men with drowned moral,nervous,anxious to escape the unending Defile,made hard by the long convoys of animals and vehicles.

......


In the middle of the columns the General Commander,surruonded by its staff,accompanies on foot the convoy.He has left the Headquarter of Talmaciu in the last moment,by nightfall,as the projectiles have started to fall over the quarter.Defended by an Infantry Guard ,the Commander which have lost the battle ,was forcing himself,that by his strenght of character and personal action,to save the retreat.At evry step,teams of policemen and relevation had to intervine to put order in the move of the columns.Many people taken down by exhaust and dizzied by sleep ,were stopping in the driveway trenches felling asleep.In some of the places the driveway narrows ,grasped between Olt River and the stone wall,that only two vehicles side by side could go at once.Closing off,the driveway was producing panic ,overcrowdings,confussions ,felling into the water;the order was reestablished then with difficulty..What was giving,though ,to the retreat the most tragic character ,were enmy's attacks .In some places or lateral valleys ,hidden in terrain crests or behind the stone walls and abrupt of the Defile,nested in Romanians own trenches or others ,dug just then and there,the German shooters were firing in full in to the crowds ,in the valley.The rattelings of the guns or machineguns were mixing with the roars of the water magneticwavelike movements ,with the shouts of people and the screams of animals ,repeated and enhanced by Defile's echos,rising up in to the sky in a frightening woof.The Defile was becoming,in this way,here and there a real hell.In this criticla points had to be organized fighting detachments to attack the enemy,to away him,open up the road and permit the continuation of the retreat movement.


At the mouth of Lotrioara,near Vadului River,in the power of night,the road has been barricaded,at the passing of the driveway onto a wooden small bridge,by the multitude of killed horses or wounded, by the machineguns,fired from close distance,and by the turned upside down carriages.The enemy was firing from underneeth the bridge ,and also from the vecinity of it.It has to be put into position a cannon of 53 mm to away him and reestablish the road.Towards morning,a detachment of the Bavarian Guard,which had occupied with machineguns the cantoon of point Lunci and neighbouring heights,attacks the center of the Romanian column in retreat,producing panic an disorder.A Romanian detachment crossed a bridge ,over Olt River in full enemy fire,going then through the railway tunnel;helped by another detachment ,which have gone arround the enemy ,through the back,through the mountains ,acomplishing to surround the enemy which have been runthrough bayonet,until the last one of them ,together with their officer in command.One mile further South from Lunci cantoon a new enemy attack with machineguns ,it is produced.By the energic action of a Granicer battalion ,coming from South,the enemy was runned away and pursued into the mountains.

In the afternoon of 29th of September ,at 2 o'clock,the firsts of the carriages of the column appeared at the Southern exit Defile and entered in Ciineni;the village was occupied by troops of the 20th Division.Almost entire artillery has been saved .Many wagoons with ammunition and provisions ,crushed ,had to be left on the road,,or pushed in Olt River.Hundreds of free horses rambled for days through the pass and the neighbouring woods,and the rapid waters of Olt have carried in the valley many bodies of men and animals.The infantry retreat has been made as the dispositions taken,on several paths in the mountains .The enemy who did not know this paths ,especially the ones built lately,hve not pursued.That is why,different units,which had the order to retreat"through wherever they can" or"however the God will enlight them" have been able to pass without losses ,saving them entirely.One part of the 13th Division's troops have tried to retreat towards East,on fagaras road;here,though,the road was closed by the troops of General Schmettow.That is why ,they passed through the mountains towards South ,over the high edges of Suru and Scara Peaks.One part of the regimentar trains of the 13th Division and Calarasi Brigade,not being able to reach the Defile ,have been captured by the enemy.Granicerii(frontier army) under the enrgic Command of Colonel Cantacuzino,have covered at Boita the retreat of Olt Corps,then stayed on the position at Coti,on the frontier,on the same places from where they started with hope and elan in the evening of 28th of August.The ridge of the mountains have been strenghtened by them during the summer with systematic build trenches.

From the South,the troops of General Praporgescu have managed to reestablish completely the communication through the Defile,repulsing the enemy ,also, over the heights West of Olt River.Village Ciineni,as the heights of Murgasu and Vladu,were in the hands of Romanians .The troops of Olt Corps,decimated ,with big losses of men and especially material-carriages,automobiles,sanitary trains-were saved and could breath,occupying new positions over the heights in the right side and left side of Olt River,this side of the frontier.At 30th of September,the troops of the 23rd Division were concentrating at Titesti,and those of the 13th Division at Boisoara and the surroundings.At Ciineni was to be found Ciineni Group-5 battalions-and in Lotru Valley and Olt Valley was Praporgescu 's Detachment,made up of the troops of 20th Division.

....


The defeat
The battale of Sibiu was now over.The Olt Corps have been defeated ;together with the battle ,the course of Romanian offensive in Ardeal(Transilvania).Only now,towards East,the advanced troops of the II-nd Romanian Army have finally arrived to fall on the left wing of Schmettow and to give the glorious battle,but of no use now,at Porumbacu...

Falkenhayn is victorious at Sibiu.It was not ,though,the decisive victory,crushing,which the German General intended,prepared with so much strategical science and followed ,for three days,with so much cold blood.trust and tenacity.The German official comunicate ,of 30th of September trumpeted to the world the great victory:"The number of prisoners and the considerable prey","the number of prisoners keeps rising" etc.The next day ,the great victory takes modest proportions:3000 prisoners and 13 cannons!To faten the picture,the comunicate was counting the carriages and wagoons left on the rails ,as well.Moreover,the Romanian comunicate could announce that ,in their retreat towards Ciineni,the Romanian troops have taken the enemy 300 prisoners and 5 machineguns.

Sibiu have not been a Sedan or a Tanneberg of the Romanian Army.The surrounding planned by the enemy did not succeed.Olt Corps,defeated in the great battle given with its powerful adversary,could retreat.The inexperience or neglect of the High Command of this army have exposed the troops,from the beginning ,in a tactical situation,almost disperate.In exchange,though,the initiative of some of Commanders in sub order,which took initiative on their own responsability,and especially the heroism showed by the soldiers,which fought like lyons,individual ,and in groups,have managed to clear the army by the metal circle in which she has been grasped and transformed in to a heroic epode what could have become a shameful desaster.It cannot be brought a more diserved omage to these troops ,but only by giving the word of the enemy.The German war correspondent Koester*,which have watched the fight from the Headquarter of the German Commander,writes:'The Battle of Sibiu was given against a stuborn enemy.The one who would try to shame the heroism of the enemy,to diminish its conduct,would comit the gravest mistake against our own troops.The Romanian(soldier) have prove today that he is better lead than in the last year the Serbs crowds ,that he is in a total different manner supported by the Entente.His tactical countermeasures and strategical ones,as his own operative ideeas ,betrays almost everywhere the spirit and energy of German education.If he was defeated in the great battle of surrounding at Sibiu,the cause is not his incapacity,but the maester command ,in the same time circumspect and bold of our chiefs and the superiority of the German soldier...."**.

The epilogue of the drama followed fatal.General Popovici,the Commander of the Olt group,has been replaced in Command by General Praporgescu David.

Known German writer.After the closing of peace he was part of different ministies of Germany,as Internal and Foreign minister. Not knowing what was going on in Romania ,the German war correspondent gives wrong explanations,which ,the reader wil rectify himself.

7.The Battle between Olt and Mures.
28th of September-4th of October.

Helpping the Olt Corps.
The Battle of Sibiu,have painfully impressed the Romanians.Not so much the defeat.In a war is fatal to receive blows ,not only to give.Especially when is the first serious collision with a superior adversary,in number and preparations,as the Germans.What was bittering the Romanians souls and brought over them unrest,were the conditions in which the battle have been given,and which brought the defeat.The surprise at Ciineni was the proof of shallowness and neglect.So,Turtucaia[20] was repeating itself.Truly,in smaller proportions,but in similar circumstances.The moral diminishes of the Commandment ,which showed,were the same.We haven't learned ,yet,nothing.The most important thing to do now,was the damming of the danger.For the time being,it did not seem to great,and the means we had in Ardeal(Transilvania) seemed suficient to the Romanian Commandment .Even,during the unfolding of Sibiu Battle,the Big Headquarter,alarmed by the critical situation of Olt Corps,took the decission which imposed in an imperative mode:the lighting of the position of the attacked army,by an energic offensive action,enterprised by the II-nd Army and by the Northern Army,with the direction from East to West.,to hit into the flank of the IX-th German Army and threaten her back.The order,started in the morning of 27th of September,the second day of Sibiu Battle.The troops of the two armies have to begin their movement even in the same day.The II-nd Romanian Army had to occupy the line Hirtibaciului,indicated by the localities Cornatel-Agnita-Iacobeni-Bradeni.The Northern Army had to arrive on the line Sovata-Praid Chibed-Cristuru Secuiesc-Saschiz(South East of Sighisoara).

The action,if conducted with speed and energy-had to turn the roles and transform Falkenhayn ,from attacker in to attacked one,forcing him to put himself into defensive,liberating Olt Corps of the pressure of the enemy.The Romanian counteroffensive for release,unleashing the two armies ,at the right side of Olt Corps,have gave birth to a gret battle ,stretched on the whole fighting front of Ardeal(Transilvania),of Fagaras Mountains to upper Mures River Valley ,engaging almost in totality the forces of the two enemies.

Unfortunately,the intention with which it was enterprised was not realised.The movement of the II-nd Romanian Army was not made with the speed,promptitude and energy needed,to be able to fall,in due time,in the flank and back of the IX-th German Army of Sibiu.The units of the II-nd Army,wasted and entangeled futile and imprudent in movements of tactical exercises,could not be gathered and aimed towards thheir objective,but only with a delay which gave the enemy necessary time to finish Sibiu Battle and then turn his sword against the new adversary.


The Offensive of the II-nd Army
In the afternoon of 27th of September,the advance dispozitions of the II-nd Army have been communicated to the troops.The army had to set to move with all three divisions and namely,with the 4th Division at the left,the 3rd Division at the center and the 6th Division at the right.The 4th Division,starting from Fagaras,along Olt River at Talmaciu.A little to the North,the 3rd Division had to follow the road Crihalma-Cincu Mare-Agnita.At the right wing the 6th Division,starting from Rupea,will advance through Barcut towards Bradeni.The 2nd Brigade of Calarasi will protect the left flank of the 4th Division and the 3rd Brigade of Calarasi,the right flank of 6th Division establishing the link,through the 2nd Division of Cavalry,in Saschiz region,with the Northern Army.

The 4th Division set to move in the evening of 27th of September,between Fagaras Mountains ,at the left and Hirtibaciu River at the right,having as ax of advance ,Olt Valley.The move was a daring one ,promising of beautiful results,but also full of risks.It elongated far the front of the II-nd Romanian Army,which was easy to incline from North-East_South-West,making a dangerous portrussion(out-ing) towards West and exposing the flank from North to enemy attacks,which occupyed Hirtibaciu line.Other than this,the advance was made on a narrowed corridor,along Olt Valley,having in the left the high wal of Carpathian Fagaras Mountains ,with heights between 2000-2500 meters,without any mountain pass ,and on the right hand side was the enemy line.Another retreat was also only the same route.But in this war,more than any othe enterprise ,fortune favours the brave.And then,at the end of the road was Olt Corps which,caught in turmoil,was beating and reaching his arms,calling to God .

The troops of the 4th Division advance on two columns .One North of Olt,rejects at Calbor four enemy escadrons ,attacks again the enemy at Cincsor,where it aways him and in the evening of 28th of September occupies Rucar ,on Olt.The column which operates South of Olt advances hard in a terrain which is crossed avery step of the way with streams and water torrents,which come from the mountain to fall into Olt River,separated between them by hill edges with quick slopes.The column occupies Vistea de Sus(upper) and Vistea de Jos(lower),repulsing the enemy avanguards.At Ucea de Sus,6th Hunters regiment attacks 18th German Husari Regiment,repulsing it beyond Oprea-Cirtisoara.After a night of heavy marching and collisions through the darkness between patrols,in the morning of 29th of September,the Romanians enter Arpasu de Sus;de Sus(=upper),de Jos(=lower).

At the center of the II-nd Romanian Army,the 3rd Division hits strong the enemy occupying Rodbav with unmounted cavalry,infantry and eight cannons,defeats it,capturing 200 prisoners and pursue it till beyond Cincu Mare,which occupies in the evening of 28th-29th of September.The right wing of the II-nd Army,the 6th Division,starts from Colham,attacks between Steaua and Fiser the enemy-troops of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division-taking as prisoners 2 officers and 100 soldiers;crushing the oposing resistance,occupies in the evening the line Barcut-Moha.The right of 71st Austro-hungarian Division was throwed back towards Bradeni,behind Hirtibaciului.Fearful of the turning of its right wing,von Arz gives the order to 71st Division to retreat behind line Bradeni-Iacobeni.At the right extremity,the 3rd Calarasi Brigade ,have seized through fight Fiser and Bunesti.

The II-nd Army hase made in the day of 28th of September a formidable jump.Spreading away the enemy forces which she met in her way,she was to be found unfolded in the evening of the day on a front of 37 Miles ,drawing an arch of circle which leaned with the left on Fagaras Mountains at Arpas,and with the right touched the region between Homorod and Tirnava Mare.The heads of the columns of 4th Division ,the most advanced ,were at 7 Miles from line Porumbacelor(because we have Upper Porumbacu and Lower Porumbacu),occupied by the Husars of Schmettow ,the left wing of the IX-th German Army.


The Fight of Hundrubechiu(Movile)
The unfolding of the offensive of the II-nd Romanian Army emotions deeply Falkenhayn.He is under the impression that ,he goes through a grave crisis,which can become a catastophe.Between the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division stretched between Olt and Hirtibaciu Valley and 71st Division it has produced an empty space ,of about 12.5 Miles ,where the enemy has no troops whatsoever;through here,General Crainiceanu could sneak through and turn the flank of IX-th German Army,in the culminant moment of Sibiu Battle.That is why,Falkenhayn cunjures Arz, at thlephone,to revoke the order of retreat of the 71st Division;she has to make front on the line Mesendorf-Archita and resist with any price,to permit ,by the back ,to the 89th German Division, to run ,in forced marching,on the front and fill the empty space.So ,by evening,the 89-th Division,made out of Berliners-Commander General Luttwitz-arrives on the front and occupies the heights between Retisdorf (Retis) and Hundrubechiu.The connection was reestablished and the enemy line closed in the face of 6th Romanian Division.

Falkenhayn constitutes ,out of Divisions 89th and 71st a new group,which puts under the Command of General Morgen.His mission is to defend Hirtibaciu line ,in the center of the enemy dispozitive in Ardeal(Transilvania),opposing the biggest resistance at the advance trials of the Romanian Divisions 3rd and 6th towards Sighisoara,which would have caused the break of the center of the enemy and the turnning of his interior flanks.It would have been,firstly,the saving of the Romanian Group of Olt,and secondly,ruining the whole fighting plan of Falkenhayn,the lossing of Transilvania campaign.

The 6th Romanian Division in the morning of 29th of September from Barcut-Moha towards West,on two columns :the 12th Brigade on the right side and 11th Brigade on the left.In its marching,the right hand side column collided with the 89th German Division,which from Retisdorf was going towards Hundrubechiu and Jalisteat(Selistat).

The phalanx-guard of the column , a battalion of 12th Cantemir Regiment,Romanian, going to Iacobeni,is attacked at the edge of the forest Lempes by superior German forces from Retis direction ,rpulsed,and spread, and in part ,captured.The thick of the Column ,advancing towards Hundrubechiu,meets a formidable resistance .The enemy infantry ,occupies trenches ,on the edge of the forest on the hill La Dumbrava,stretching to the right side ,until Dorului Peak(height 631 meters).From the West and South -West of Merghindeal-the enemy artillery ,especially heavy artillery,throws rain of projectiles.Airplanes fly in the air ,driving the artillery firing range which becomes more and more precise.The soldiers of the II-nd Army ar forced to notice ,that today,they have in front of them,another enemy than the one before.

The Romanian infantry advances to attack ,hard,in the bullet rain and of shells.The heavy German artillery has framed the Romanian Divizion of Artillery,which was firing from Mesteacanu Hill and destroys its cannons;the servants ,remained alive are overwhelmed by panic and leave the cannons.From the right side ,the brigade is attacked by troops which have repulsed the Romanian phalanx-guard;the whole 89th German Division falls now over 12th Romanian Brigade.The runaways increase the panic caused by bombing ,the troop,not used with heavy fight (Romanian),enters disband.From the small valley ,near Mesteacanu Hill,eves the 3rd Hunters Regiment,the reserve of the Romanian Division.The Hunters attack with bayonet,seize back three cannons from the divizion and aways the enemy,sending him back to its positions.The brigade is thus ,saved;she can retreat now,with losses,which are serious especially to Cantemir Regiment .During the night ,the spread platoons have gathered and reconstituted themselves .The Germans announce,that they 've taken as prisoners 11 officers and 591 soldiers and captured 7 cannons.

The left hand side column,the 11th Brigade,advancing towards Agnita,has rejected the enemy and occupied positions on Sulumberg Hill and Merghindeal Hill,strenghtening them.Because of the failure of the 12th Brigade ,with the right flank in the air,had to retreat on Cincului Hill,after the 12th Brigade.

....


Stopping the offensive of the II-nd Army
The calculus for the day of 29th of September was unsatisfying for Romanians.The 4th Romanian Division,fighting hard with the accident-ed(bad) terrain ,dug out by rain fwhich was falling continously,more than with the enemy itself,has hardly advanced few miles .The 3rd Romanian Division ,at North of Olt,has attacked the troops of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division ,strenghtened with "Chevaux-legeres" Regiment ,brought from South of Olt and by the 8th Infantry Regiment de Landwehr,the reserve of the IX-th German Army,brought by aotomobiles on to the battle field and a detachment of easy shells(obuse),have inched them and touched the line Chirpar-Ilimbav-Sasaus.

What use though!The Olt Battle was over;the to late help of the II-nd Romanian Army could not produce any effect.Olt Corps have retreated on the mountaineous frontier ,the continuation of the II-nd Army's offnsive was of no tactical use.On the contrary,she risked to put herself,again in a dangerous situation .The failure of the 6th Romanian Division ,left the right side of the army,uncovered .Only the speed of intervention of the 3rd Hunters Regiment(Romanians) ,escaped the Division of total desaster.The threat remained,though,on its feet and it had to be conjured.

After the proposal of General Crainiceanu ,The Big Headquarter dicided the suspension of the offensive of II-nd Romanian Army,and a ne regrouping of her forces ,to move the offensive to the right ,where the new group of Morgen cunstituted the threat.The 3rd Romanian Division has received the order to retreat and,in forced marching,to move towards the right side of 6th Romanian DIvision.The 4th Romanian Division to retreat,to constitute the reserve of the II-nd Army.The 2nd Cavalry Division has been attached to the II-nd Army.The saviour role of the II-nd Army has finished with a failure;she had now to fight for her own safety.


The Fight at Porumbacu
The 4th Romanain Division advanced faster than the 3rd and the 6th.If Feldioara Brigade ,which was advancing North of Olt,repulsing the Cavalry troops ,unmounted of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Division,was ahead just a bit from the 3rd Romanian Division,the other brigade,which was advancing South of Olt,in close fighting contact with the Husars of the 3rd Cavalry ,German Division,has advanced much further than the pair brigade.Face with this threatening advance,Falkenhayn has send troops of the 78 Ifantry German Division ,to strenghten the resistance of Husars.Still.Romanians,beaten by the heavy German artillery,installed on Chicera Hill,have repulsed again at 29th of September the enemy in Oprea-Cirtisoara and they were preparing to attack at 30th of September the principal enemy line ,which was leaning with the left on to Olt River,and with the right side on to the mountains ,passing through Porumbacu de Jos(lower),Sarata and Porumbacu de Sus(upper).

In this time though,the Romanian Commander has decided the cease of the offensive;the 4th Division had to stop and retreat,to cunstitute in the reserve of the II-nd Romanian Army.The retreat order could be handed ,in the course of 29th-30th of September,to General Boureanu,the Commander of Feldioara Brigade.It dose not come in time to Colonel Paianu,the Commander of the Southern Brigade.From this cause,the brigade,starts in the eves of the morning of 30th of September ,the attack,as the Northern Brigade has started the retreat.The Romanians,are giving,in this way,the fight at Porumbacu,South of Olt River,without any goal,whatsoever,and having the Northern flank completely uncovered.The Romanian attack is given with elan.The enemy is repulsed from Oprea-Cirtisoara,then it is attacked at bayonet and rejected from villages Sarata and the two Porombacs,which are occupied by Romanians;they capture an entire battery of obusiere(shells) of 105 mm,which they turn imediately,aimed over to the enemy,continuing to repulse this one to the West.The losses of dead and wounded of the enemy are very big,especially at 18th Husars Regiment and 263rd Infantry Regiment of the 76th Division,send in haste to help;Kuhl Battalion of this regiment is destroyed.The Romanians have taken 200 prisoners .The enemy stops for a moment on the wooden ridges West of the two Porumbacs(the two villages);he is attacked then again,though, and repulsed towards Olt and Racovita,where he is received by troops of the 76th German Division,which are running in haste to save the situation.


It has distinguished during these fights,6th Hunters Regiment and 21st Infantry Regiment,which have fought with a courage and devotion,worthy of the good name of the Romanian warrior.Ahead of the soldiers,the officers have given the good example,giving with heroism their lives..Colonel Iacobini,the Chief of Staff of the Division,has fallen as he conducted the assault of 6th Hunters Regiment ,with his hat in his right hand risen,ten steps ahed the line of shooters .Major Porumbaru has fallen,as well,in the rain of fires of machinegun,as he advanced in row with the shooters ,elbow to elbow ,with them.

Unfortunately,the heroism of the troops was of no use .The retreat order has finally reached the Commander.From full victory,the brave soldiers had to be withdraw.The column in the left side of Olt,remained uncovered,by the retreat of the column;from North ,did in time,starts at its turn ,the retreat on the same road on which it came ;during the night it stops on the line Vistea de Sus-Dragus.Because of the speed with which the retreat has to be made,the troops could not take with them the captured battery.The following day,the 4th Romanian Division was occupying the line Cincu Mare-Fagaras,facing West.The Romanian victory at Porumbacu,with all its shine,has benn null as strategical importance .It came to late to have a say over the faith of Sibiu battle.It could not even stop the regrouping of the IX-th German Army,which sotpped at the back of cavalry curtain.At 1st of October ,this regrouping was finished.Falkenhayn could now start the offensive over the II-nd Romanian Army.


The Fight at Barcut-Moha
The days of 30th of September and 1st of October,are tireing days.The sky is cloudy,and a thin and cold rain fells continuously .The soldiers have to ferment the muds of roads and paths ,making long and exhausting marches in executing the moves of regrouping of the II-nd Romanian Army.And this regrouping ,oh well,means retreat.Turmoiled is also the state of mind at the Headquarter,sadness is also in the officers souls and of soldiers ,deception.

The troops of the 3rd Romanian Division had to make a day and a night forced marchings,retreating through Radbav and Cincu Mare,then to go round through the back of 6th Romanian Division,to assume positions at the right side of this division,between Jalisteat and Barcut.At the right wing of the army of the 2nd Cavalry Division,Romanian,to which is attached the 3rd Calarasi Brigade,is operatively attached to the II-nd Army.She has to attack towards Mesendorf ,South of Cristur,to fall behind the enemy.The Division Avanguard is attacked in the wooden defile of Roades ,by the enemy with artillery and infantry.The thick of the Division has to change direction ,and goes through Homorod and Cata la Rupea.The Brigade,not being able to connect with the Division,remains at Fiser.

The Great Hedquarter communicates to the II-nd Army tha any offensive action is from now on forbidden;no reinforcement can ,now,be send to the Northern Front.The whole attention is now focused on the Southern Front,where the blow of Flaminda is preparing.

The retreat of the Cavalry Division has produced a big gap between the II-nd Army and Northern Army.No troops to fill it.The enemy could well sneak through here, and threaten the principal line of communication with Brasov,line which goes through Rupea and Hoghiz.So,the retreat is,unavoidable.For to days she(the retreat) tempter the spirit more and more as an obsession.In the face of unsuccess of the offensive,it has to be occupied a strong defensive position,in which the army to await a favourable occasion.The actual positions,to much spread and to exposed,with the right in the air,with the left insufficient protected ,were not safe.The Great Headquarter ,addmited the proposal of General Crainiceanu to reterat the II-nd Army on the left shore of Olt River,occupying solid all the communication lines which go towards Brasov.The retreat movement,was supposed, to start in the morning of 2nd of October;the 3rd Division,in Barcut region,will protect the retreat.

.....


At the enemy,the preparations for restarting of the offensive movement, were almost over.At 2nd of October,Falkenhyan has to start towards Brasov with Staabs Army.Though,the situation at his left is making him concerned.Arz could not face the blows given by Prezan and was continuously retreating.That this retreat was made in the Valley of Northern Mures or of Gurghiului ,the thing did not alarm much the Commander of the IX-th Army.The retreat of the right wing of Arz ,in Tirnavei region,presents a grave danger,though;it could make difficult the movement to the East.To obstacle these fatal retreats ,which seemd to him to be more the effect of some weakness of command,than ,dictated by a tactical necessity,Falkenhayn asked,and obtained in the day of 1st of October from the Great Austro-Hungarian Headquarter from Teschen,the concentration of all the troops in Transilvania under unique command.In this way,Arz Army ,goes under the Command of Falkenhayn,"in the perspective of a concentration of troops for the decissive attack".It has to be said that until now,the colaboration of Arz with Falkenhayn ,was a very tight one and the Austrian General received and executed all the suggestions of his authoritarian camarad.Falkenhayn dispozitions,for the day of 2nd of October ,were:at the left side ,Arz would resist with any price in Sighisoara region,against the Romanian push at the center,Morgen to start the offensive with the 89th Division and,if possible ,also with the 71st Division;he will make possible ,by doing this,the principal action of Staabs which,at the right side,will start the offensive marching of Sibiu ,with direction Fagaras-Brasov.The offensive movement of Morgen in South-East direction provokes a violent collision with the troops of 3rd and 6th Romanian Divisions in Barcut region.The soldiers of the 3rd Romanian Division,marching with difficulty on muddy and dug out roads,with the small wooden bridges broken,through cold and rain ,have occupied in the morning of 2nd of October with the 5th Brigade ,at the right side,Moha,and with the 6th Brigade ,at the left side,Barcut.The avanposts of the brigades occupied the Hills of La Furci,La Ciresi and La Dumbrava.In elongation,of the last one,the 12th Brigade of the 6th Division,occupyes the Hills Hula-Cincului towards North-East,in direction Cincu Mare.


In the morning ,the enmy has aimed a strong heavy artillery,and field one, bombardment ,over Romanian positions on the hills.At 11,30 thinking the Romanian position destroyed,the infantry starts to attack.But the 6th Romanain Brigade unfolded in mass,jumped over to the enemy,and in body fight ,repulsed him back,in the start positions.The soldiers of the 5th Brigade ,attacked at North-West of Moha,rejecting here as well the adversary.The enemy has restarted then the artillery bombardment ,which fired till 8 in the evening,interrupting from time to time to give attacks.The soldiers of the 3rd Division,which for the first time ,met the heavy artillery,have taken the bombardment with manhood,and repulsed bloody all attacks,making couple of hundreds of prisoners.

At the left wing,the soldiers of the 12th Brigade ,in position on Morii de Vint Hill,have been violently bombarded by the heavy artillery,from 7,30 in the morning until 2.30 in the afternoon,when the Berliners of General Luttwitz have started to attack.His job,though,went badly.The soldiers of Cantemir Regiment and Siret Regiment, together with the 3d Hunters regiment ,wait in quiet the closing in of the enemy columns.At once,they jump up of their improvised shelters and in a frightening speed ,in the sounds of trumpets and shouts of Urra! they throw to attack with bayonet ,without preparing the attack by fire shots .The determination of Romanians is big;the soldiers of Cantemir Regiment have to duel over the one of 29th of September.The enemy is oscillating,gets back,and start to run in disband.The German Commander sees the situation and sends new troops from Mesteacan direction;but the Romanian artillery of the neghbour brigade is reeled,and takes , under her violent firing range, and spreads them away.The Romanians begin the pursiut on the whole line.The enemy tries to maintain on the domminant height of the region,la Dumbrava,height 706 meters,but is throwed away,from there as well .He has to retreat a few Miles,until the Hirtibaciu line ,from Iacobeni to Bradeni,abandoning in Romanian hands hundreds of prisoners,piles of weapons and munitions.With difficulty,the Romanians who have ventured to far in the pursiut,are recalled by signalls of gathering up.From Schmettow Army is send to the German Division ,which is drifting,the 8th Regiment de Landwehr,which trials a turn of the left Romanian wing,through Meghindeal and Toarcla;the trial is stopped by the cannons of the 4th Romanian Division Artillery ,which was at Cincu Mare.At the right side of Romanians,the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division,of Morgen's Group,detained by other Romanian troops,could not intervene in the aid of her camarad;she never reached the fighting front,but only late in the night.


On the sky the clouds gather more and more ,the rain becomese denser ,the night falls quickly.The fight stops;Romanians dose not pursue anymore.

Falkenhayn and Morgen admit,one and the other,that the situation of the group is critical:"If the Romanians would continue the pressure further,the group could not maintain on positions,and would have to retreat in the mountaineous region,very difficult and without roads,between Hirtibaciu and Tirnava Mare".It would be a desaster:this would mean the ruining of the offensive plan of Falkenhayn.Fortunately,for the enemy in the evening,at 6 o'clock,the Romanian Army have received the order to break up the fight and to begin the retreat towards Olt River.The breaking off from the enemy,could not be done without loss.The wounded spread all over the field could not all be collected;the patrols and flank detachments could not be found in the dark and told about,or could not find in time their units.That is why,the enemy could find them on the battlefield and make a number of prisoners of the 3rd Romanian Division.In this way,a sad fatality made us at Barcut ,as at Prumbacu,to not be able to make use of our victories."the Romanian never pursue his victories until the decissive"-writes a German historian.The German Commanders breath esily now;they have the sincerity to admit that not their reinforcements,but the retreat of Romanian Army have saved their situation,almost desperate in which the Romanian victory threw them.

The fourth offensive of the Northern Romanian Army
Battle of Praid-Sovata
In the same time with the II-nd Romanian Army begins the offensive movement of the Northern Army,with West direction with the same mission;thereatening to fall in the back of the IX-th German Army,to ease the situation of Olt Romanian Corps,caught in Sibiu battle.For the Northern Army,this offensive had other importance as well.In the wake of the last three victorious offensives,General Prezan(Romanian),masterd the row of heights -Gurghiului Mountains and Harghita Mountains -which separate the superior valleys of Olt and Mures(rivers),by the flat of Tirnavelor and middle Mures River.One more forcing and the last one of natural obstacles ,which favoured the enemy,being in this way aside,the army could unfold the plenty of her forces in a battle,given in a flat field.

The Northern Army had to start the move in the day of 27th of September,on her entire front,of Tirnavei Mari Valley until Mures Valley.At the left wing,the 2nd Romanian Division of Cavalry will make the connection with the II-nd Army,advancing towards Sighisoara;at the right wing ,the 14th Division will form the pivot of the manoeuvre ,keeping solid occupied the Mures River Valley in Rastolita Region.The principal action will be given at the center,by the 7th Romanian Division,between Tirnava Mare and stream Corund and by the 8th Romanian DIvision,between Corund Stream and Gurghiului Valley.

The Commandment of the enemy army realises as well as our Hedquarter, the importance of the game which was starting now.Falkenhayn had to be free in his movements;by no means he had to be troubeled by the action of the two Romanian armies.Arz received the order to resist by any means to any trials of the Northern Romanian Army.He has met here ,under the Command of Feldmarshal von Fabini,brought from the Italian front ,all the forces he could summon ,up to now:Divisions 61st,39th,72nd ,a Brigade of 37th Infantry and 1st Brigade of Husars de Lundstrum,to oppose them to the Northern Romanian Army,as the new group,made out of thr 89th German Division and 71st Austro-hungarian,under the Command of General von Moyen,has been moved towards right in Sighisoara region,between armies Ist and Ix-th ,to oppose to an eventual advance of the II-nd Romanian Army.


The battle between the Northern Romanian Army ,under the Command of General Prezan and the group of Austro-Hungarian Divisions,Commanded by Feldmarshal Fabini,will be ,thus,given between 27th of September -4th of October;she carries the name Battle of Praid-Sovata,after the name of the small town with the old salt mines and beautiful localities for baths,on the Tirnavei Mici(Small Tirnava),in the center of the fighting front.The troops of the 7th Romanian Division begin the offensive advance of Odorheu towards Cristur,on two columns ,along Tirnava Mare(Big Tirnava).After hevy fights,in which most of the times,the last word is of the bayonet ,the northern column occupies ,at 28th of September ,Villages Forteni,tarcesti,heights Bisericani and Mihaileni,strongholded,with heavy losses ,but taking numerous prisoners.Criseni locality has been taken ,after a hard fight,by the combined action of the two Romanian columns ;the enemy troops of Szabo 's brigade had very heavy casualties.

The Southern column operates in tight connection with the 2nd Cavalry Division which,advancing to left,veils from the South the enemy positions of Ulies,which troops of the 7th Romanian Division attacks them by the front .The Village of Dirjiu is attacked in the day of 29th of September by a column of the 27th Regiment with machineguns and artillery,coming from North,from Nicolesti,and by a cavalry brigade with a mounted (of cavalry) battery and a Cyclists Company,coming from the East,from Daia.The fight goes on till evening;the enemy ,defeated,rretreats ,pursued by Romanians ,which occupy at 30th of September the heights which dominates Villages Alunis and Lutita.

In the wake of these successes,the last heights between Odorhei and Cristuru Secuiesc and the whole defile Tirnava Mare are in Romanian hands,in front of which is closing now the flat field of Transilvania.The 2nd Cavalry Division is attached now to the II-nd Romanian Army,to begin the operations against Morgen.

Szabo's troops ,dug out of their strenghtened positions,are throwed towards Cristur.In their pursiut, begin the Romanians the marching of advance in the 1st of October.In the afternoon of 1st of october though,the 7th Romanian Division receives the order to stop;the right side of the II-nd Army has been attacked and was in a difficult situation.

....


At the right side of the 7th Division the troops of the 8th Division hit hard the enemy,along Valleys of Tirnava Mici and Gurghiului.The 8th Romanian Division is a strong unit:six infantry regiments,two of hunters,three of artillery and one calarasi(horsemen) brigade.The fight is given at the right flank by 37th Brigade and at the left one,by 16th Brigade;the 15th Brigade is kept like a general reserve of the Northern Army.

At the right wing of the division,the Romanian troops attacks Hettinger Group in the defile of Gurghiu River,which flows from East towards West and falls into Mures River at Reghin.The enemy troops resist strong,in positions strenghtened solidly with nets of barb wire fence defended by numerous artillery.The impetous attacks of Romanians manage to take them out of their positions;at 30th of September the troops of 77th Regiment have taken with assault the Nicolii Hill,the key to the enemy positions.Vilages Ibanesti,Hodac,Casava,train station Orsova are conquered one by one.In the next few days the fights continue ,with ferocity,supported both sides by artillery.A cold and dense rain makes the operations difficult.The Romanian troops counquer at bayonet the strong fortified hills and repulse towards West the enemy.Units of 72nd Division and 37th Division are added day by day to the enemy,defeated and his resistance is afirmed more and more stuborn.The Romanian troops have to seize trench by trench,to cut the nets of wires one by one,fighting with bayonet under the rain of machinegun bursts and grenades.A Battalion of the 69th Regiment(Dorohoi) has heavy casualties ,but makes numerous prisoners ;another one advances West of Gurghiu and cuts over the rail way.Romanians are 6 miles of Reghin.

At the left wing of the Division fights the 16th Brigade ,in the region of streams of Tirnava Mica,against Csecsi Group,strenghtened with the 39th Austro-Hungarian Division.At 29th of September ,the 8th Hunters Regiment takes in vigorous assaults with bayonet,Villages Corund and Atid,defended by a strong artillery,which has everywhere observers and telephone lines.The next day,the fight carries on with vigor,the 29th Regiment seizes Atid,and the 8th Hunters Regiment occupies in heavy fight Siclod.At 1st and 2nd of October ,ferocious fights are given for occupying the formidable position of heights Bichesu-height 1079m-by the 37th Infantry Regimentand 8th Hunters Regiment.At 3rd of October is brought to in to the fighting line,also,the 4th Hunters Regiment.The enemy positions were dominant,with concrete strongholds and with 5-6 rows of barb wire fence.Under the rain of projectiles of artillery and bomb throwers,by machinegun fires and weapons ,the Hunters have given violent attacks ;the enemy trenches go from one hand to another.At 3rd of October,in the evening,Romanians are masters on one part of positions on Bichesu.

In full fight with an enemy which becomes stronger ,more and more,incapable,though,to resist to the 8th Division 's soldiers attacks,the Romanian troops receive at 4th of october the order to cease fight.The 8th Division has to close the count on the battle of Praid-Sovata with the loss of 10 officers and 320 soldiers,dead,33 officers and 1300 soldiers wounded.But the seven officers and 1205 enemy soldiers,prisoners and forcing the barrier of Gurghiului Mountains ,is the undoubtful confess of victory.An important strategic result have,thus ,been obtained by the victorious action of the Northern Army.She has crossed,finally,the last barrier of the mountaineous region in which she operates and descended in to the Transilvanian Field.Liberated from the narrow and isolated mountain passes,the brave army of General Prezan seemed now to be obstacled by nothing to focus and proceed to decissive manoeuvres.In 35 days of continuous heavy fights,against an enemy which was strenghtening all the time and on a terrain which was becoming more difficult ,the front of this army had advanced on a depth of 50-63 Miles in to the heart of Ardeal(Transilvania).She has reached at 20th of September on the line (aproximativ) Ibanesti-Magherus-Cristur,at 6-12 Miles of Reghin and Sighisoara.


The retreat of the Romanian armies
The offensive of the II-nd Army and Northern Army ,Romanians,have pushed the Romanian occupation on the most advanced line they touched in Ardeal(Transilvania).This line ,the cord of Carpathian Mountains arch,drew an easy curved line ,leaning with the left on Carpathians,in the region between Fagaras and Sibiu,with the right on Calimani Mountains ,closing in ,few Miles to Sighisoara,Cristur and Reghin .The occupied territory by the Romanian armies represented one third of the total surface of Ardeal.But this line of maximum advance was only for a brief moment;the moevment of reflux of the Romanian wave it has produced faster than the one of flux(tide).

The II-nd Army has started in the night of 2nd-3rd of October the retreat on this side of Olt.This move had to determine ,automatically,an analogue move of the Northern Army.Because the war has its inexorable laws.It ties the faith of the armies not only by their successes or failures,but also of those of the neighbour armies with which colaborates.

Surprised in the midst of its successes by missfortuned events,which took place on the other fronts,just in the moment when,with the price of great efforts and of some beautiful victories ,has managed to acomplish a great deal of its mission,the Northern Army has been forced to bow her head in front of the unforgiving faith and to martyr herself on the war felloship altar.At 4th of October,in full victory,she has to suspend her advance and begin retreat.Confused by this retreat,which followed after a campaign in which they reputed victory after victory,with the hearts overwhelmed by sadness,silenced and grimaced,have started the soldiers of the Northern Army to walk again,this time in opposite direction,the mountains and valleys which witnessed of their bravery.Praid,Barcut,Porumbacu,brilliand victories but without effect....So much heroism unfolded,how many efforts wasted without use,so much spilled blood with plenty!To defeat the formidable enemy,and instead of seting the flowers of victory on your forehead and step forward with pride and trust,instead ,turn back humiliated on the undeserved way of defeat,this is the greatest hit which can endure the spirit of an army.The soldiers of the II-nd Army and Northern Army,Romanians,victorious with the arm,were broken inthe spirit.Turtucaia and Sibiu were giving their crops.

The retreat was made in painful circumstances.Through the Romanian villages ,which saluted with enthusiasm the advance of the liberating army the population,afraid of the perspective of the Hungarians might come back,greeted with distrust the retreating army.The priests,teachers and the elites take the road of exile,leaving their houses and own.With vengeance for the brotherly behaviour of the locals towards the Romanian Army the Hungarians,when reoccupying the Romanian villages ,set fires to the Romanian houses ,hang on spot ,without trial, those guilty of brotherly behaviour towards Romanians.

Along the columns of the Romanian Army in retreat,is aligning the sad column of the refugees.Pain and silence can be read on the faces of the refugees ,shame on the soldier's faces,which feel responsible-without their will-by the missfortune they brought upon the heads of their brothers.

The retreat of the two Romanian armies is going in two divergent directions .The link,between them,which was made in the region of Odorheiu Secuiesc,must break.Between the two Romanian armies and behind ,the 2nd Cvalry Division makes the connection and covers the retreat.As Prezan's Army is going over Harghita Mountains and Gurghiu Mountains towards Moldavian Carphatians,General Crainiceanu starts the regrouping of the troops of the II-nd Army on the heights which guard Brasov geographical pool.


8.The Offensive Marching of the Germans from Sibiu to Brasov
Falkenhayn organizes the offensive against the II-nd Romanian Army
Falkenhayn was a Commander with to much military experience as to not try to profit to maxim of the victory at Sibiu.Exploiting the situation created by this battle ,he sets to apply to Romanians a decissive blow,which was supposed to take them out of Ardeal(Transilvania).The situation of the enemy was now,as advantageous as possible.The Romanian Olt Corps was taken out of the fight,now,and throwed over the mountains.Its remains did not concern now the German Commander ;he leaves the Alpine Corps in the mountains ,arround the mountain pass Turnu Rosu(Red Tower),with the mission to defend the conquered positions ,meintaining for the time being ,into defensive.Later on,when it will receive the reinforcements,which were on their way,will begin here as well, the offensive.To safe his back ,from an attack which could surprise him from Jiu Valley,he proceeds,with the help of the troops ,freshly arrived of the 2nd Alpine Brigade,Austro-Hungarian,to offensive move which ends at 2nd of October,with the rejection of Romanians on to the mountaineous ridge.

The principal attention of the German Generalisim ,aims towards the II-nd Romanian Army,in his face.In the following days after the Battle of Sibiu,Falkenhayn had two goals:on one hand to barrier as muchas possible the blows of the armies of General Prezan and General Crainiceanu,which were threatening his left and back.This was the mission given to General Arz and General Morgen.In the same time,in Sibiu region,behind the cavalry curtain of General Schmettow,the German Commander proceeds at the regrouping of the thick of the IX-th Army.The three divisions which were forming Staabs Group were concentrating,exchanging front with the face to the East,to make up the army which will take the offensive against the II-nd Romanian Army,in Fagaras -Brasov direction.

In Falkenhayn conception this action,threatening the Southern flank of the Romanian Army,will determine the retreat of the advanced elements of this army from Sighisoara direction and with this face will ease the situation of Morgen Group and of the Austro-Hungarian Army of Arz,which were forced to retreat all the time under the pressure of the two Romanian armies.The advance of the IX-th German Army,on Olt River line and threatening of the communication line of Predeal,will intimidate the Romanian Commandment "which did not had the nerves ironed enaugh of war".Threatened with lossing his principal line of communication-because the second communication line ,Ghimesul,because of the damages made by Hungarians,had not the value of the first one-the Romanian Commandment will be forced to retreat both armies from Ardeal(Transilvania).The German Commander had now assured also the numerical superiority.Against the II-nd Romanian Army,made up of three divisions of infantry and one cavalry brigade ,Falkenhayn sends the three divisions of Stabbs,the two divisions of Morgen and also two cavalry divisions of Schmettow.


Sinca Battle
At 2nd of October,Staabs Group,finishing his regrouping ,facing East,starts to move.It is made out of the three divisions which have given the frontal attack in the Sibiu Battle.At the right is the 76th German Division,between Olt River and Fagaras Mountains;at the center is 51st Austro-Hungarian Division,and at the left the 187th German Division.The two cavalry divisions of General Schmettow begin the marching behind Morgen Group,to go between this one and the army of Arz.The Group is advancing fast,with West -East direction,along Olt Valley,towards Fagaras and Brasov,on the tracks of Romanians,which are retreating now.All the roads are full by the crowds of troops and convoys of the enemy.It is an imposant military force;armies trialed in big battles on all the fronts of European War,veterans of Somme and from Ancre[21],from Flandra and Verdun,from Narew[22] and Isonzo,and they were lead by expeienced generals ,big specialists in the art of war.Behind the army are coming huge convoys of formidable weaponry.A numerous artillery ,from easy cannons for mountain,carried on mules back,to the heavy cannons of 210 mm,unpieced in four pieces each,dragged by huge Pomeranian horses,trucks ,automobiles heavy loaded with munitions ,provisions,ambulances ,aviation parks.The rains have ended,now and the beautiful autumn days favorized the advance of the formidable phallanx.At 4th of october ,Fagaras,evacuated by the Romanian troops in the eve,has been occupied by the enemy.At 5th of october Staabs was in front of positions from Sinca-Persani,occupied by Romanians.

Even from the time of our advance in Ardeal ,has been taken the decission to strenghten some positions,to be able in case of need ,to be used as defensive lines.Such a line was the one at Persani-Sinca,on the Western versant(side) of Persani Mountains.It is a mountain massiff with peaks over 1000 meters (Magura Codlei 1300 meters),very forested ,stretched in a direction almost North-South,separating Fagaras Country of Birsei Country.


Two main roads ramble the mountain masiff as two defiles:one,followed by the driveway,leaves from Persani,going in large serpentines through the huge forest,for then to ,through Vladeni and Tintaru ,open up,at Codlea ,in Birsei Country.The other one,a bit to the South,starts from Sinca Veche and climbs up the defile Sinca towards the high region of Bran and in the Southern part of Birsei Country,through Poiana Marului(Apple Clearing) and Zarnesti.The two roads are dominated completely by Persani-Sinca position,this being in this way an excelent strategic line.The defend works could not yet be completed ;they were in course of execution.Still ,General Crainiceanu took the necessary dispozitions for defending the line which,worse case scenario,permited him to cover,behind it ,the flow of the thick of the troops and occupying the mountain passes.

The Romanian positions of Persani-Sinca are occupied by the troops of the 4th Romanian Division,in retreat from Porumbacu.They are attacked by the whole army of Staabs.The German Commander distributes his troops in the following manner:the 76th Division ,sustained by a powerful heavy artillery,to which he ads also the heavy artillery of the 187th Division,attacks the Romanian left wing,towards Sinca Veche,with the aim to make his way up to Sinca Valley,to go inside Bran region.The aim of this division is forcing Bran Pass.The Romanian position,South of Sercaita to Plesului Hill,is defended by 2nd Hunters Regiment with two artillery batteries.The 51st Austro-Hungarian Division attacks the center ,which comprises the positions on Plesului Hill(height 550m) and Ulmilor,defended by 6th Infantry Regiment with two batteries.The 187th Division is send north,to go round the right wing of the Romanian dispozitive ;the position on Bataturii Hill(height 563m) is defended by 21st Infantry Regiment and a battalion of 6th Hunters Regiment with one battery.The 2nd Brigade of the 6th Division was retreating on Persani-Vladeni driveway;units of infantry and artillery of this brigade took part in the battle.The Battle of Sinca-Persani is given with great fury by one side and the other.The heavy German artillery,installed at Vad,aims with precission.The line of hills on which Romanian positions find,constitute a perfect target.The projectiles are making considerable ravages.In the crystal clear atmosphere of this beautiful autumn day the rays of sun,which fall directly from West,reliefs out ,all the ridges and terrain crests.The Romanian positions are seen like ina panorama.The works of redoubt,undone,are easily destroyed.The superiority of enemy artillery is overwhelming as number of mouths of fire,calibers,richness of munitions and lenght of firing range.The enemy grenades and shrapnels beat from great distances,falling also behind the Romanian front,producing panic ,killing horses and servants of Romanian cannons,disorganizing the services.It is an unequal fight,in which the powerful mens of destruction of the Germans crush from distance the weak means of defence .The field of battle has the aspect of a section of dug out terrain by artillery,of the fight theatre of the Western Front.


The enemy infantry occupies the Romanian trenches ,which are pulverized and filled with cavalry,but the Romanian counterattacks manage to away the attacker.Violent fights are given,especially for mastering Plesului Hill,the key of the region,which dominates both roads.The hill has been occupied by the enemy.Violent counterattacks given by Feldioara Regiment(Romanian) through the South and by troops of Regiments 24th and 6th Hunters through the East,are destroyed in the concentrated fire of the heavy artillery.*One of the attack waves have reached 50 meters from enemy line.Romanians manage to seize and keep only Poiana Tilharilor(Robbers Clearing),behind Plesului.The bravery with which ROmanians fight attracts the atention of the enemy:"the Romanian proves yet again in this fight that he is not a weaker man",confesses a german correspondent,witness to the battle.

But all of a sudden begins to thunder the cannon at the right.The troops of the 187th german Division have managed to acomplish their go arround move,from Parau,through Grid.They have turned from the north the Romanian front and attack facing South,in the flank and the back of our right wing.A panic is produced within the Romanian troops at this wing.Excited by the fires of the heavy artillery,to which they are not able to respond,the soldiers leave Bataturii Hill.The 16th Artillery Regiment(Commandr Colonel Gorgos) leaves his cannons on position,and runs with the horses .The panic propagates from the right to the left and back,behind,at the trains and civilian population,were the projectiles of enemy artillery begin to fall.

The resistance is defeated .The Romanians have to begin a hard retreat through Defile Persani-Vladeni with the group of Division 4th and with the Brigade of the 6th Division,as the left-fractions of the 4th Division-retreats through Sinca Defile,towards Poiana Marului.A great number of dead remains on the terrain ,searched by the German shells,witness of Romanian martyr,in fight with the crushing power of mechanical means of the adversary.We lost a big number of cannons ,too.Only a couple of hundreds of prisoners remained in the hands of the enemy.The Gerrmans,infuriated by the stuborn resistance of Romanians,and deceptioned by the small number of prisoners they could make,retaliate,slaughtering the prisoners,defenceless.Falkenhayn himsel confess with cinism:"Our soldiers don't like much to take many prisoners"

Chevalier y of civilized people,with glorious warrior traditions!


Posted 5 April , 2009

The attack is described by one of the officers of the Quarter of 76th German Division:"This last one attack is also the biggest.With a surprising elan,without counting the losses ,attack the Romanians,not in rare lines of shooters,but in crowds are descending the slopes of the hill 620.But,as at the other two attacks,is this one as well rejected in the fires of heavy and light artillery;especially the projectiles of big mortiers make frightening ravages in the compact masses of the attackers"

The fight of Tintaru
The pursiut of the Romanian troops,by the enemy, in retreat-towards Brasov-is made in the day of 6th of October,through Codlei Forest,which is rove through from West to East ,in large serpentines,by the driveway Persani-Vladeni-Tintaru,along Homorod Defile.Near the exit of the defile,towards East,in Brasov Field,the Romanian troops have stopped ,to delay the enemy,giving in this way time to the bulk of the II-nd Romanian Army to concentrate in Birsei Country.There are remains of Feldioara Regiments,26th,4th and 21st Infantry,2nd and 6th Hunters;alltogether 4000 men,very tired ,having also four artillery batteries.Around 4,the enemy attacks the troops of arierguard at Vladeni with the mass of the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division ,forcing them to retreat in disband to Tantaru(Mosquito).It is asked for the intervention of the 3rd Division,which is in Birsei Country,but the division is to far away and the only Regiment,30th which is close by,is to tired by marchings and fightings,to be of any use.After rejecting the arierguard at Vladeni,the enemy attacks the principal position ,between Vladeni and Tintaru,by a bombardment ,which holds from 5 to 7 in the evening;Vladeni village is in flames .At 7 begins the attack of the infantry,on whole front ,especially at the left wing of the position,wanting to turn this one.A strong Romanian counterattack ,given over the right of the enemy ,with troops of the 6th Hunters and 24th Infantry Regiments,has throwed this one in disorder into the interior of the defile.

The Germans get ,then, to the usual tactic of surrounding move:the left wing of the 187th Division stretches to the North;it occupyes Crizbav,North of Tintaru.The Romanian troops of Tintaru has to be retreated.At 9 in the evening the Romanians begin the retreat in order.By night fall,a Hungarian cavalry column ,thinking that the Romanians have completely evacuated the position ,advance with ambition and enter the village,to open up the road towards Codlea and Brasov.They are surprised and attacked by Romanians whith shots and bayonet.One part of the cavalrymen are exterminated ;the others run in disband,followed by Romanians to Vladeni.

Falkenhayn think himself victorious.he thinks he has in front of him only demoralized arierguards seeking escape into the mountains.He prepares,for the next day,7th of October the enter into Brasov and his only preocupation is to capure as many running columns as possible by daring and clever manoeuvres,made through the transversal valleys ,which cut perpendicular the retreating directions of Romanians.

The day of 7th of october reserves ,though,a big surprise.A big battle ,which engages the totality of forces of the two adverse armies ,will be given for Brasov posession,in the days of 7th and 8th of October ,new style(referes to the calendar).


9.Battle of Brasov,7th-8th of October
In retreat
The victory of Sinca and the retreat in a hurry ,of Romanians on the whole front of the II-nd Romanian Army and of the Northern Romanian Army ,gives Falkenhayn tempting illusions.He thinks that the Romanian Army,completely demoralized ,is not able to oppose any resistance whatsoever and so he conceives the daring plan of prsuing with vigor the Romanian troops in retreat,to track them down and to cross the Carpathians mountain passes,in the same time with them.The orders are given in consequence.

In the morning of 7th of October,Staabs Army is all in Birsei Country.The 76th German Division,following the few units of the 4th Romanian Division,along Sinca Valley,has reached Poiana Marului and prepares to cross Birsei Valley in Zarnesti region,to climb the road of Bran,towards Cimpulung.At its left ,the 51st Hungarian DIvision,kept for a day and a night ,by the retreat of Romanian troops,to retake the advancing towards Codlea.At North,the 187th German Division which has bypassed at Crizbav,advances through Satu Nou and Halchiu towards Bod and Sinpetru.Further to the North,still,Morgen Group,back to its senses after the defeat at 2nd of October,has also started the advance on two directions ,coverd in the back by the 3rd German Cavalry Division.As the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division is going towards South-East,bypassing North the elbow of Olt River,the Division of berliners 89th,cuts in length the cord of the elbow of olt River with direction Feldioara to compete with Staabs Army at conquering Basov.The troops of this division,coming from Rupea and homorod,are detained all day of 6th of October in front of Olt,by the 28th Regiment ,in a fight of sacrifice,until the bulk of the 3rd Romanian Division flowed onto the bridges of Hoghiz and Comana,after which the regiment has broke the contact with the enemy from full battle,burning up the bridges.The Germans have succeeded in puting out the fire,though,and cross without fight;in the morning of 7th of October,they begin to gather at Feldioara.in this way Falkenhayn divisions descended ,concentric into Birsei Field,with Brasov as point of concentration.Nothing seemd to stand now in the way of the conquerer.Even in the morning of the day,the German Commander has send the avanguard detachment of the 187th German Division,made out of three battalions of infantry with artillery,cavalry and pioneers (Colonel Gundell),to seize the city counted as evacuated by Romanians.The detachment arrives in the afternoon in the Northern edge of the city and is received by lively shots:Brasov was defended.


Retaking the offensive
The Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army,disencouraged by the defeat at Sinca and convinced he can no longer resist in Birsei Field,intends to evacuate Brasov without fight,to organize resistance on the slopes of the mountains,which have been fortified in the time of neutrality of Romania.That is why the Romanian troops countinue their retreat.During the night of 6th-7th of october they reach,broken down by exhaust and with mixed up units, the enterance in to the defiles:The 3rd Romanian Division was on the line Sacele-Tarlungeni,and parts of the Divisions 4th and 6th were at Timisu de Jos.The retreat of the troops was ,however,stopped .The orders arrived from the Big Headquarter changed the going of things.

The counteroffensive given by Romanians on Southern Front has finished with a failure at Flaminda and a local success at Amzacea.The Romanian Commandment,considering the enemy to be fixed on Dobrogea Front and having available a few divisions,by giving up operations at Flaminda,decided to retake the initial plan of operations in Transilvania(Ardeal).With this goal,all the available units had to concentrate into Olt Valley and Mures Valley,constituting there a mass of manoeuvre to strike the adversary.The offensive was supposed to be made in connection with the Russian troops which the Russian generalisim Alekseev engaged to send in elongation of the right Romanian wing,in Toplita-Praid region,replacing there the troops of the Northern Romanian Army.

The aim of the offensive was to push the Romanian-Russian line in Reghin-Sighisoara-Sibiu line ,for shortening the front at 75 Miles and fixing on to positions before the arrival of winter.General Iliescu,noticing the tendency of the enemy to attack and defeat one by one the Romanian armies,have send in help to the II-nd Romanian Army,gravely threatened ,the Divisions 21st and 22nd ,withdrew from Flaminda;at 6th of October they begun to disembark at Predeal and Cimpulung,train stations.In the same time,General Crainiceanu have received in the evening of 6th of October the order to suspend the retreat of the II-nd Army,the troops to return back from the way, and to assume the new fighting positions,from which to stop the advance of the enemy and to push the front of the II-nd Army on Persani Mountains,to connect to the right with the northern Army.For this,at the left,bits of Divisions 4th and 6th have to occupy the Brasov-Sinpetru front,covering Brasov with the artillery of the 21st Division,up to the heights over Risnov.In the center mthe 3rd Division has to occupy the front Simpetru-Olt.At the right,a brigade of the 6th Division was at Sfintu-gheorghe.The Romanian units,advancing to occupy the indicated sectors by the orders of operations,have found these occupied by the enemy ,which took them ahead.In this way the battle from Brasov -Field was biginning in the afternoon of 7th of October.


First day
The South_western corner of Birsei Country,in Zarnesti region has constituted,in Brasov Battle a sector somehow isolated,by the principal theatre of the battle arround Brasov City itself.All day of 7th the fight has been tough in this sector.The troops of the 76th German Division ,pursuing the few units broken from the 4th Romanian Division after the defeat at Sinca,with the intention and hope to get their hands,by a daring hit,on Bran Pass(mountain pass) ,has found themselves stopped North of Birsa River.At the South of the river,Muncelu Hill which dominates Birsei Valley at the opening of the defile ,has been occupied by the firsts elements arrived from the aid Division ,the 22nd(General Aristide Razu),and this one has rose the moral of the Romanian troops,retreated from Sinca.The two adversaries were finding themselves,one side and the other of the Valley of Birsa River,rove through by the driveway and railway;the Germans to the North,Romanians to the South.

All day the Germans,from their position at Poiana Marului(Apple Clearing),bombard the Romanian lines ,then give in vain assaults;the Romanians counterattacks reject them back ,with heavy casualties ,in to the woods.The trials of veiling of the wings dose not succeed.German detachments are trying to go around the left wing of the Romanian position,through Zarnesti;the Romanians,though,elongate the front and the trial of the enemy fails.By evening,the Germans are trying the same manoeuvre,only this time by the right side of Romanians wing,with the aid of a lateral detachment which have descended from the mountains by Vulcan and attacks Risnov.The same countermanoeuvre from the part of Romanians,throws them back,from here,as well,by elongating the right wing it is established a continuous front with Brasov sector,namely.In the evening the situation is the same;the fight follows ferocious till 11 in the night,and the Germans have not been able to advance not one step in Zarnesti-Risnov sector.

At north,the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division ,coming finaly out from the defile of Tintaru,begins the advance in Birsei flat and occupies Codlea.The beautiful and rich village,which makes to the german war correspondents the impression of a village taken from Thuringia and transported to the foot of Carpathian Mountains ,it is again in the hands of the enemy.The poulation of Sasi(German minority) wellcomes the Germans with voices:the girls throw them flowers.

A death hate against Romanians masters the souls of these practical and well fed inhabitants of Birsei Country.Because they are,above all ,men of privileges .Ever since Andrei the II-nd ,King of Hungarians [23] has brought in the century XIII-th ,the Sasi, colonialists from the Rhine region of Germany,together with Teutons Cavalries,founder of the seven Burgs,and established them on the lands of Ilonti Wallachians,they have used to masteter undisturbed by anyone,all the riches of the beautiful Country.Codlea is the type of fluorishing village in which the contrast between the priviledged Sasi and greedy and the drifted and unclothed Romanian appears more evident than anywhere .To the Sasi belong the big and productive properties ,and the big forests,and fat meadows with beautiful herds.But up ,in ravines ,steeps and sockets,the poor Romanian village ,like a fatal foresight,are haired the houses more and more ,towards the valley.Soon the faith of neighbour Risnov,pecefuly conquerd by Romanians,will threaten the proud inhabitants of the village born around the fortress of Scwarzburg.Zeiden will become Codlea.,as Rosenau has been swallowed by Risnov.


That is why the Sasi girls are throwing flowers on the way of "liberating brothers" and give looks of despy,drunk with the joy of success,towards the village on the hill,where the tears are hidden and the fist tighten in silence.Will ring in a short while the clook of forever victory.Then the Sasi wil wear friendly grimaces towards the despiced Wallachian....etc.

In the afternoon,the Hungarian division occupies positions around Ghimbav,with a lateral detachment at Cristian,were it connects with German troops at Risnov.The troops being tired,are left there in the evening and night for rest.

The principal attack over Brasov has been given in the afternoon of the day by the 187th German Division.With a detachment which occupied on the left Sinpetru and harman,and with another detachment on the right,has reached the edge of Brasov.But the Romanian troops returned from full retreat,although tore with exhaust by the marching and countermarchings which they have been executing for a week,attack the Germans on the whole line.Violent fight go on late in the evening and through the night.At North troops of the 3rd Romanian Division seize Harman ,Sinpetru-which they evacuated in the morning of free will-and Sinpetru Hill(height 704meters) which dominates from the North Brasov Field,with an elongated peak.The German detachment,which occupyed them,is throwed beyond Ghimbaselului Water,over the railway which takes from Brasov to Feldioara through Bod.At South,troops of the 4th Romanian Division have met the troops of the German detachment Gundell in the Northern edge of Brasov,along the railway which unites the big train station of the city with the small one(Bartolomeu),in the edge of old Brasov.Furious fights are going all evening especially around the instalations from the train station and in the vecinity of the Infantry Barraks .All through the night there were shots and bayonet fights between adverse patrols,which stumbled upon eachother.the Germans have been stopped and they coud not advance not one step further;they have retrenched in the edge of the city;at their right wing,they set foot on Sprenghi Hill,near Bartolomeu train station.

By evening have arrived on the battle field the first detachments of the 21st Romanian Division;they have been intercalated between Divisions 3rd and 4th North of Brasov.In the same time ,in Bran region have also arrived elements of the 22nd Romanian Division ,forming up a mixed brigade ,which have occupyed the mountaineous region Bran-Predeal-Magura.On enemy part,Morgen Corps was arriving ,as well,in the fighting zone;the heads of columns of 89th German Division entered in the evening in Feldioara,as the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division started to descend from Baraolt towards South.

The day of 8th of October will be the decissive day of the great battle;it will meet face to face the totality of forces of the two adversaries.


Posted 7 April , 2009

The second day
The day of sunday,8th of October,is forcasted as a splendid autumn day.Erly in the morning the fight is ironing from one extremity to the other of the large field of battle.

At the Southern wing ,in Zarnesti -Brasov,the 76th German DIvision retakes the attacks against the Romanian positions.This time,a strong heavy artillery bombards the position of Muscelu Hill.Behind the German Front,a new enemy unit begins to arrive;it is the 8th Austro-hungarian Alpine Brigade,brought from Isonzo Front;the brigade has a numerous mountain artillery.It sets to move ,in Zarnesti region,executing a large go around in the left flank of Romanians.The Romanians find themselves forced to leave the position,so fiercely defended;they have retreated to Bran,then on to the heights South of Bran.

The German Commander occupies Risnov thinking he has found here the key of victory.He wanted to repeat the clever manoeuvre which gave him the victory at Sibiu.A detachmet of two battalions ,with mountain artillery and machineguns ,has been send through the Valley Risnoavei,to go around Postavaru through South and to get out into the Valley of Timis,behind the Romanian Army,and cut this one the retreat posibility through the narrow and steep Defile.But the lesson of Sibiu ,has come in handy for the Romanians ;the Valley of Timis was now much more well guarded than it has been Olt River Valley.From the troops of the 21st Division ,disembarked in the eve in Predeal train station,have beeen send seven companies to guard the Valley of Risnoavei.They have discovered and attacked convergent the enemy detachment,which was repulsed with big casualties;one of the two battalions have been ,nearly ,completely destroied.The turning of the Romanian left flank did not work out for the enemy.

In the center of the field of battle ,the 51st Hungarian Division unfolds at Ghimbav and starts in at dawns to the assault of the positions West of Brasov.Sprenghi Hill,occupied in the eve by the Germans ,helps them as a support point.The defence of the Hill is made with ferocity by troops of the 21st Division.they have been withdrew from Danube River,where they took part at Flaminda Offensive,and transported by train to Predeal.Disembarked at Predeal,they walked all through the night and,arrived at Brasov,they have been send onto the hills of Brasov,to defend the strongholds in the city,helping the retreat and withdrawal from fight the tired troops and decimated of the II-nd Army.At 2nd of October they were at Rahova ,in Bulgaria;at 8th ,they fight onto Brasov hills.

The 21st Division dose not opearate as a compact unit;arrived in the middle of the fights,its troops are throwed into the fire ,pakage by pakage.In the morning,only two battalions of the 45th Regiment with artillery have taken part into the right side of the 4th Division,making the connection with the 3rd Division.ferocious fights are given in the afternoon of the day for mastering Stejeris (Warthe) Hill.The Hill dominates the city,going in like a feather between old Brasov and Schei,inhabited by Romanians;the possesion of the Hill secures the mastering of the city.The 61st Regiment fights with fury against the masses of the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division,which overwhelmes the Romanians from all sides.The stubbornes of Romanians cannot overcome the advance of the enemy.The Romanians retreat step by step,fighting with bayonet.The Hungarians dominate the city from the height of the Hill and installs machineguns on the slopes and streets of Secheiu,in which they begin to descend.


The heroic fight of Sinpetrului Field
The decissive action was taking place in the North of the city,in the field between Brasov and Sinpetru Village.The Germans are retaking the offensive at the left wing of the 187th Division,with Simpetru direction,to gain the terrain lost in the preceeding evening .The 3rd Romanian Division,attacked between Bod and Sinpetru,withdraws a little her right wing.

At once,the German becomes ,from the attacker -attacked.Troops belonging to the 12th Brigade ,of the 6th Romanian Division,advance towards Harman in Bod direction,taking place at the right of the 3rd Romanian DIvision,sustained by artillery,attack the left flank of the 187th German Division,repulsing it back over the railway.The attack movement propagates in the whole lenght of the Romanian Front;the 3rd Division attacks with vigor the enemy.The attack of the 3rd Division dugs out the enemy from the positions on the Northern and Eastern mounds of Cetatii(to the Fortress) Hill,throwing him back.The fight spreads to the edge of Brasov.Gundell Detachment,which have nested there,and which fought all through the night,is taken out of its positions and repulsed.The Romanians are in progress on to the whole line;the enmy is repulsed alltogether over Ghimbaselu Water and over the railway towards Bod;the German infantry and artillery have felt losses.Two counterattacks given by the Germans are rejected,General Sunkel,Commander of the 187th German Division,is forced to appeal to the neighbour division,Hungarian,to gather all forces in Sinpetru region,where the situation is critical.

Towards midday,the Romanians attack ,over the German divisions lines, rises more and more ain power.The sector in which the fight takes place,is comprised between Brasov,at South,the metal road towards Harman at East,Bod at North and the water of Gimbaselu at West.The ax of the field of battle is formed by the railway and driveway which go together from Brasov towards Bod.In the right,towards Sinpetru and Harman are the Romanians,at the left,from Ghimbav through Stupini towards Bod,are the Germans.The German Commander has been able to gather behind his front an enormous mass of artillery of all calibers ,especially heavy artillery;there are also six pieces of 210 mm.A crushing duel begins between the Romanain troops ,souled by an extraordinary elan,but weakly sustained by a mediocre artillery and the formidable German arillery ,ahead of them.The German infantry is taking part ,a little,to the fight;this fight is given almost exclusivelly between Romanian Infantry and German Artillery.From the tower of the church in Codlea,and from the terras of the inn from Birsei bridge,in the intersection of the driveways with Birsa River,North of Stupini,the German hedquarters and the German war correspondents are watching the picture.


The aspect of the field of battle depicts,an impressive panorama of war.It is a splendid autumn day with sun.All around ,clouds of black smoke ,rove by toungues of fire ,make a dark decor to the tableau.Burns the petrol raffinery at Risnov ,burn the buildings and sheds of Brasov Train Station,the carriages on the rails, the factories in the vicinity of the Train Station.From South of Sinpetru with the direction towards Stupini and towards Steriu Villa,from the corn fields ,in large rows ,are Romanians hasteing to attack.There are infantry battalions ,unfolded on fronts of half a Mile.Behind them,other long columns of troops are going in search of their new fighting positions.Artillery batteries are brought in horses gallop near the infantry line ,to sustain it.The enemy infantry cannot face up the thundering attack;it is set to run away and leaves the fight.The Romanians are not able to pursue the defeated enemy,their artillery is too weak.And as much as it is ,completely disorganized by the powerful enemy artillery.Half of the cannons are out of service.And now the German artillery falls into the rows of Romanians a storm of metal and fire.The rows are breaking,thinned,but they are remade and the assault waves advance carelessly.Exclamations of surprise goes out from the moths of enemy chieftains which are looking at the scene.Then,shouts of admiration.With all the fury of the fight,the spectacle is so grandios in its dramatism,the Romanian heroism impose so much that,for a brief moment ,the fury of the enemy disappears,leaving room only to admiration of the pros:"The heavy artillery is executing a barrier firing range which,with a sinister precission breaks in the rows of Romanians.The line of attack is entangeled ,breaks ,hesitates.Retreats!No! The machineguns are filling thousands of times with death in their rows,but they gather ,attack again,dearing,brave.Bravo Romanian!The German knows to read heroism.But still,war is war!Faster are rorring the cannons,more lively sound the sheels over our heads to enemy.The grenades of mortiers explode now even in to the attack rows of the Romanians.clouds of smoke and smell of gunpwder rises allover to the sky.The firing range of the German artillery takes them now with power from all sides;the grenades seeding death,hit into the their rows .Then the assault stops,they throw themselves into the corn fields,stumble,fell.How many can escape unharmed beyond the mighty line?.Another two times,the Romanian ifantry starts to assault with an heroism worthy of admiration,both times in vain"

.

The enemy concentrates the attack in the Northern edge of Brasov and on the city itself;troops of the 4th and 21st Divisions loose more and more terrain;the 4th Division looses 8 cannons as well;the 3rd Division changes position ,makes the conversion towards left;she fights now facing South-East.Of the 12th Romanian Brigade ,only 11th Siret Regiment continues the fight with the right wing towards Bod;the 12th Cantemir Regiment runs towards left,crosses the empty field and uncovered ,between driveway Prejmer-Brasov and Simpetru-Brasov,swept by the fire bursts of the enemy artillery.A divizion of obusiere (shells) acompany it.The soldiers of the regiment,fighting in the left of the 3rd Division,get close to Brasov train station,reject the enemy ,adavnced to the edge of Brasov,and reconquer the lost cannons by the 4th Division.

Ferocious fights are going on in the city itself.The enemy descends the slopes of Stejeris Hill,advancing along Sechelu.The machineguns installed on the heights,hidden through attics and roofs of houses ,in churches towers,are spreading death in the rows of Romanian soldiers,which fight with fury,but have to retreat step by step.Towards evening ,which was not possible to be made by the straight fight ,,with all the extraordinary unfoding of artillery,manages to acomplish the manoeuvre of surrounding.Morgen Group arrives ,in the end,on the field of battle and falls in to the flank and behind the Northern Romanian wing.The 89th German Division,advancing from Feldioara through Bod,attacks North of Simpetru in flank the troops of 11th Siret Regiment ,as,behind,the avanguards of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division were arriving at Araci.Face to the veiling move of the enemy,the retreat of Romanians is imposed.The glorious phallanx of heroes ,have made their duty with plenty.

The 21st Regiment occupies the position of Dirste and covers the retreat of the rests of the 4th Division ,towards Predeal-Busteni.Divisions 3rd and 6th retreat through Valleys Tarlungului and Buzaului.The field in the edge of North of Brasov it is an old witness of Romanian bravery.More than three centuries ago,at 7th of July 1603,right at the edge of old Brasov,the Romanian Army,lead by Radu Serban Voievod crushed,to the last man,the Hungarian Army of Moise Szkely.The head of Moise,rambled in the spear head on the streets of Brasov,have then been nailed on the gates of Fagaras,as a sign of revenge for the murder of Mihai Viteazul(Mihai the Brave,first Voievod to unite Wallachia,Transilvania and Moldavia),which took place two years before.Eight years after this,in July 1611,Radu Serban beats again the proud Hungarian Army of Gabriel Bathory,between Sinpetru and Brasov,exactly on the same spot where,with 305 years later,the followers of warriors of Basarabu will rip the admiration of the enemy.

The Romanian blood of many generations have redden the land of Transilvania(Ardeal).


Death trench at Bartolomeu
During the eforts made by the Germans to enter the city by the North-West part,it took place one of the most dramatic episodes of the war.All the visitators of Brasov know Bartolomeu Train Station,the small station of old Brasov-North West neighbourhood of the city-from which the train for Codlea is taken,Fagaras and Sibiu,for Risnov and Zarnesti and for the beautiful places for vacantion of Bran.From the end of the Long Street,near the old Church St. Bartolomeu.

At the right side of the station,a company of the 24th Tecuci Regiment had occupied the railway embankment,which has transformed it into an entrench ,defending the driveway in front and the street behind against the enemy attacks which were coming from the North,from Stupini,falling almost perpendicular on the railway.There were 168 men with a machinegun,stretched on a lenght of aproximatively 200 meters.The enemy kept to respect ,from distance could not close in all day of 7th and the next day 8th of October.In the fire of fighting ,completely absorbed of what was going on in front of them,the men did not realise that the left, had remained uncovered,that no friendly troop was defending them from this part.Enemy patrols discovered this weak spot.And a little after this,a German detachment with two machineguns sneaked in silence,into a ruined shed ,and abandoned of the train station,near the Romanian trench ,and set the machineguns on the windows of this one.The pipes of the machineguns had in front of them,at 5 meters the rows of Romanian shooters.Other enemy soldiers,with hand grenades took place behind the Romanians position.The Romanians did not feel a thing.The noise of the fighting and the darkness of the falling evening covered all the enemy preparations.At once,a short commnd.The machine guns start their sinister clicking.On the entrench a shout of fear.The men are are put to the ground like ear of wheat when harvested.The ones who manage to escape the unmerciful fires of machineguns are taken down by the grenades of those behind.Everything kept for two or three minutes.And the total silence of death went over the 168 dead bodies which covered the entrench."The dead company lays now in the ground of the road edge .Man near man sit now there as they have went down in the day of fight ,under the crushing fire of machineguns,with the expression of the formidable fear on their yellow wax faces and with the stretched hands as if they wanted to defend themselves by the missfortune which longed its claw towards them"The German correspondend ends the story of his impressions with the asumption:"Maybe even tomorrow it will be seen a wooden cross on this place ,with the inscription<<here rests a Romanian company>>.The foreign correspondent was half wrong.Not a poor cross of wood,timely and shy will hallow thy names of defeated and humiliated people,will be the sign of honoring the martyrs of German villainy.Because is villainy to kill a sourrounded troop which,after all laws of war,has to be taken prisoner.But the pious gratitude of a victorious people has made the trench of Bartolomeu one of the most impressives forever holly places of heroes.Between rows of flowers and well taken care paths ,an aligning of stone toombs and an imposant monument shows the passer by the place where has given up the soul and where rests forever,the bones of the company martired.In the same place with them have been set the remains of the heroes fallen of Simpetru Field.The martyr has not been in vain.It is the heavy price with which we bought back the land enslaved for centuries of our brothers.Souls of Mucenici(the 40 Martyrs) of the fallen soldiers at Simpetru and Bartolomeu will forever guard around Brasov,Romanian Brasov.


The fall of Brasov
During the night ,Brasov is completely evacuated by the Romanian Army.General Crainiceanu is replaced at the Command of the II-nd Romanian Army by General Averescu,which in this way,comes again ahead of this army,with the mission to defend the Northern strongholds of the defiles.The General finds,though,the troops disorganized and demoralized,and the positions he must occupy are under the firing range of the heavy enemy artillery;he orders the retreat into the defiles ,on a line Giuvala-Postavaru-Piatra Mare-Buzau Valley .But the line cannot be maintained.Even in the morning of 9th of October,Falkenhayn sends his divisions in the pursiut of the Romanian troops,on all directions of their retreat.One column is advancing on Ghimbaselu Valley,with the intention to go around Postavaru;the heavy artillery bombards Predeal from Risnov.The Romanians have to continue their retreat towards the frontier positions.The arierguards bring to full stop the enemy.His frontal attacks ,as the surrounding attempts ,did not succeed.The assuming of Romanians ,of the frontier positions is made in good order.All that the German Generalisim can afford is the luxury of a triumphal enter in the evacuated city ,by the Romanians during the night.There are 40 days since the enterance of Romanians .And the history repeats itself,but with exchanged roles.The Hungarians and Sasi make"the liberators" of today the same triumphal wellcome,as the Romanians made at 29th of August to their brothers.But also the procedures are changed.The today liberators are the representatives of great nations;they want to prove to the barbarian enemy the superiority of their civilization.From all parts of the city screams of revenges are rising against the wallachian,whch had the nerve ,to be for 40 days master in his country.Under the shelter of the German soldier ,begins the vengeful acts."Already some wallachians hang at the gallows,others are taken between bayonets.".As-adds the German correspondent ,to underline more the distinction between the procedures of the civilised German and the barbarian Wallach-"at a street corner can be read a Romanian ordonance,which orders the bringing to death punishment,of those who steal things".

The German Generalisim is triumphant.He has to confess that he has not been able to surround and exterminate the Romanian Army.Because not so much the conquering of Brasov,neither the liberation of Ardeal(Transilvania) has not been the goal of the clever manoeuvres of the German Commander,but seizing the mountain passes,behind the fighters and capturing the II-nd Army.More than Olt Romanian Corps has been capable,the II-nd Army,thanks to the quick manoeuvres and of the heroism with which her troops fought ,has escaped from the surrounding circle of the enemy and will give him hell from the new and strong positions occupied in the mountains,on the ridges.

The Generalisim hides his envy,celebrating his triumph in a lying day order and impertinent.He affirms that"he defeated and exterminated the two enmy armies which were,each one,superior to his army!The shameful conqueror which enterd the heart of Transilvania,has been swept from our holly land".But in his recent memoires more objective and more sincere,he has to confess the deception for the poor tableau of prey :1175 prisoners and 25 cannons crushed."these figures did not correspond to my expectations;the delay of Morgen Corps intervention has caused it".Falkenhayn consolates with the ideea "of the bloody losses of the Romanians,which had to be extraordinarily big;our own losses ,without those of 187th Division and some units of the 76th Division(what happened with those?),was maintained within good limits.".The implacable enemy brings,whithout his intention,the most beautiful omage to the virtues of Romanian soldier.the Battle of Brasov,given under circumstances of tactical inferiority,numerical and especially technicaly,it is for our young army a glorious defeat.


10.The End of Ardeal(Transilvania) Campaign
The retreat of the Northern Romanian Army

At 5th of October,the Austro-Hungarian General Arz noticed that he has in front of him only the Romanian arierguard.The bulk of the Northern Army have started in the previous night ,the retreat.Liberated by the pressuring Romanian offensive,which had tormented him for 36 days,the Austrian General breath now eased and starts,at once,against the Romanian arierguards ,a "victorious counteroffensive",on the whole line from Atid to Calimani!The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army was made,at this epoch,of three army corpses.At the right wing ,the VI-th Corps(Fabini),made out of Divisions 39th and 61st,gathered in Odorhei region,have started the pursiut of the troops of 7th Romanian Division,through Cicuiu region,in Uz and Ghimes direction.The Husar Brigade de Landstrum-Colonel Csecsi-preceeds the Austro-hungarian Corps.On the Romanian part,the retreat of the 7th Division was covered by ,towards South,the 2nd Cavalry Division,which was making the connection with the II-nd Romanian Army.At Petcu,the Division had to re trench and keep the resistance,in a very difficult region ,having as line of communication a road through the defile,until it has flowed ,North of it,the 7th Division.By the retreat of the II-nd Army and of the northern Army in divergent directions,the connection between them is,thus ,broken.The Cavalry Division,attached now to the Northern Army,has continued a hard retreat in direction Tirgu-Secuiesc-Oituz Pass.

At the center of Arz Army,the XXI-th Corps ,Austro-Hungarian-Lutgendorff-constituted of Divissions 72nd and 37th,has begun the advance on to the tracks of the 14th Romanian Division,along Valleys of Gurghiu and Mures River,in direction Bicaz and Tulghes-Prisacani.The retreat of the 14th RomanianDIvision was made in complete order,step by step,covering the retreat of the bulk of the 8th Romanian Division.The troops of the XXI-th Austro-Hungarian Corps,meet with great difficulties,the advance being permitted to it by the measure with which the Romanians evacuated the localities.More to the North,the XI-th Austro-Hungarian Corps, the left wing of Arz Army,stopping in Calimani region,was making the connection with the VII-th Austro-German Army.The change of the Romanian campaign plan ,and the ideea of retaking offensive in Transilvania ,after Flaminda,have stopped for a moment the troops of the Northern Army on to the heights West of the superior valleys of Olt River and Mures River.The Russian offensive,which was supposed to be produced on the same time ,have not given any result whatsoever,,and the Brasov Battle ended in total failure,swallowing ,in the same time,a part of the forces counted for the offensive action.The Romanian Army ,Norther,isolated ,pursiued and attacked strong by Arz Army,cannot maintain on the planned line,but has to start retreat,crossing the valleys of Olt River and Mures River,towards East.Miercurea Ciuc is evacuated at 9th of october .the Romanian troops are following the retreat along valleys Tulghes ,Bicaz and Trotus,to occupy the passes in Moldavian Carpathian Mountains.

Falkenhayn,which has taken now,as we know,also the Command of Ist Austro-Hungarian Army,has set to take all the possible uses from this retreat,so well comed. He orders Arz to attack and harras the Romanian troops in retreat and to try to close the way ,to these,towards Ghimes and Oituz,seizing the mountain passes.For this purpose,he puts to Arz dispozition,one by one,the 1st Austro-hungarian cavalry Division of Schmettow Corps,then the 3rd German Cavalry Division of the same Corps,and finally,the 71st Austro-hungarian Infantry Division.

The trials of von Arz to veil the Southern wing of the Norther Army,in direction Palos-Homorod-baraolt,are futile.The Romanian retreat is made in excelent conditions and the nemy blows only in the air.That is why,the enemy cavalry is happy only to flank the ROmanian Army in retreat,to obstacle it to send aids towards South,towards the II-nd Army,engaged in heavy fight at Brasov.At the Romanian left wing ,the 2nd Cavalry Division retreats in direction Oituz valley.The enemy thinks he has discovered here the weak part of the Romanian dispozitive .He forms,thus,a strong group of an infantry division and two cavalry ones,which then throws onto the tracks of Romanian cavalry,to seize the pass.An important strategig goal is given to this army.But the thing will not go easy here ,either.The guarding of Oituz Pass has been given to a brave troop.You shall not pass.


Causes of Ardeal defeat

The Romanian campaign in Ardeal was over;it went on ,for 40 days.It has started in the last days of August,with the crossing of Carpathian Mountains ,in the delirant enthusiasm of the nation and ended in the first week of October,with the painful march of retreat of the Romanian troops over the same ridges of Carpathians,which become now,the barrier that had to defend the Kingdom from the enemy conquest.

The Romanian Offensive in Ardeal,the most important part of the war plan ,has been paralized from the beginning by the counterstrike received on the Southern Front.The defending of Dobrogea and the trial of Flaminda ,have summoned there,not only the general reserves ,but even units of first line,indispensable for the offensive in Ardeal.Weakened ,this army had to slow her pace,to diminish her action,to advance-as Ludendorff says-with steps of snail.So ,before touching the line of Mures River,first objective of our offensive,the enemy has gathered the available forces ,organized an offensive army and started the strikes.The Battle of Sibiu has been the first,and has been decissive.The initiative has passed into the hand of the enemy,in Ardeal as in Dobrogea.The retaking of the offensive in Ardeal has been decided when the situation was already compromised.It could not overcome the throwing of the Romanian armies,back,towards the mountains.

A moment of recollection is imposed ,thus,to resume and realize the circumstances which caused this crisis.

Our defeat in Ardeal is explicable by a complex of circumstances of psichologicaly and military order.Our Commandment,not used with the hardships of the war on two fronts,with a strong and experienced enemy,has been faced with,from the first moments,an extraordinary test.The first defeats in Southern Dobrogea,brought unrest in the spirits.The unexpected blows received at Turtucaia,Bazargic and in Southern Dobrogea,has affected taking countermeasures ,to barrier the menace from this part.The strong forces send to Dobrogea and at the Danube River has reestablished here the equilibrium between the two adversary armies.The front has been fixed and it has started to be counted on some sort of numerical superiority,which permitted to us,even to take up the offensive,South.

But the preocupation for the Southern Front,made our Commanders to deviate,slowly, from the initial plan of campaign.Seven divisions have been taken from the operation army in Ardeal,from the reserve of this one and from the general reserve,to be transported in Dobrogea and at Danube,with the intention of an offensive.Soon,though,after this under the pressure of the events from Ardeal,six of these division have been again retaken from the Southern Front and send to the Northern Front.With this face,these divisions have been missing in Ardeal in decissive moments,when Falkenhayn was giving here the big strikes .It is obvious,that the oscillations produced in the actions of our armies proove to some extent , indecissiveness and lack of cold blood.However painful were the blows received on the Southern Front ,it must have not been lost of sight ,the fact that this one was only a Secondary Front.On this premises has been made our campaign plan,in the first place.The strenghtening of the Southern Front had to have a purely defensive role.The principal action had to be continued ,further in Ardeal and,for realising the strategical objective pursued here-occupying the line Mures RIver and turning the Austro-Hungarian positions of the Northern Carpathians.-nothing had to be taken from the indispensable forces for this action.Not taking into account this fact,the Romanian armies from Ardeal have been weakened and their offensive power considerably diminished,just when the enemy prepeared its strikes.Even the moral courage of these troops was diminishing ,as the thin line of the fighting front,lacking depth,was going away from the operational base.From here,the hesitation,slowlyness,paralising of our movements,which let the enemy,slowly to go ahead us.

Not only that,but between the Romanian groups which operated in Ardeal,did not exist that unity of Command,that cohesion which makes the power of an army.This permitted to the German Commandment to attack,one by one ,our armies and beat them,without its neighbour amies to intervene.The II-nd Army did not intervene in time to help the Olt Corps ,in peril,and the Northen Army could not jump in the aid of the II-nd Army.At the enemy,this cohesion was perfectly ensured.The German units and the Austro-Hungarian ones,from Orsova to Dorna,were tightly grasped in the hand of the supreme commander,which dislocated them or regrouped them,function of the target he was after .So ,in this way the enemy,inferior numericaly to us,managed to have in the point where he was striking,superior forces,detaining our other forces by small secondary actions.The failures suffered by the enemy in such actions ,like the one at Porumbacu,at Barcut and on the whole front of the Northern Army didn't impress the seel nerves of the German Commandment,did not make him away not for one moment from the established plan,and to spread its forces.The history of the Great War show us episodes in which an abil and dearin Commander,knows how to exploit the lack of cohesion of the adverse armies.In the autumn of 1914 Hindenburg attacks and defeats ,one after the other the two Russian armies ,which have invaded Oriental Prusia .At tannenberg,the Army of Narewu,Commanded by Samsonov,it is the first one to be attacked ,surrounded and destroyed,without Nimen Army commanded by Rennenkampf,which was at 38 Miles distance,to intervene.One week later ,Rennenkampf is attacked and defeated ,in its turn.

Our young army was starting to learn the school of war ,in fight, with the most clever and experimented masters.In this way,the oscillation of thoughts and impressionability of the Romanian Commanders was showing the effects.As the Romanian divisions were in the train,transported from North ,South and then,South,North the strikes were flowing over our weakened army from Ardeal.Sibiu,Sinca,Brasov are the three stages of our defeat.the evacuation of Ardeal follow fataly. And the dream of liberating Ardeal, seesawed by secular longings,made for a brief moment,has suddenly broken .The awakening had been painful.Drifted from the holly land,were we have entered as liberators,we were pursued by a furious enemy,which was growing its powers.The storm came now threatening to the gates of our house.


Strange Russian conceptions.

The advices of General Alekseev

In the wake of evacuation of Ardeal,we were pushed on to the frontier line.It was not about liberating now the enslaved provinces ;it was about defending with the last of energies ,the Carpathians barrier,to escape the rest of the territory by enemy invasion,by war horrors,plunders ,violence and humiliation.Tragic turning of things!

Energic and fast measures were thus imposed.The first thought was to the allies help.In our imediate vecinity was the powerful Russian ally,with his neverending resources of men and material.The inaction of the Russians was not to be understood,in the first epoch of the war,when suspicion did not started to grow in our souls,yet.It could not be comprehended the slowlyness with which the Russians were working for a cause which identified with theirs.As in Dobrogea and at the Danube River,the involvement of the Russian Army was so weak,as we were forced to send there one third of our army,imobilising her on a secondary front,as importance,on the Norther Front ,the Russian army did not haste at all to profit by the crated situation of our entering in the war.Instead of sending important forces through the Moldavian Northern Passes ,opened up by Romanians,to turn the right Austrian flank,the Russian stubborned to give to this army frontal attacks ,moistured and sterile.From this cause,the right of the Romanian Army of North,was as even obstacled in her advance ,and forced to hang on to the left flank of the Russian Army,in Calimani Mountains.

The Government and the Romanian Commandment have addressed then,to the Big Russian Headquarter,asking for a more vigorous participation of the Russian Army at the action on our fronts.It would have wheeled a concentration of the Romanian Army with the aim,firstly ,of a better defence and then of an offensive.General Alekseev,the Chief of the Great Russian Staff ,answers by a long telegram which brings to the light, over the sentiments and intentions of the Russians politicians and military chiefs,towards us.


In his telegram,4th of October,General Alekseev propose the abandoning of Oltenia and Western Muntenia and retreat on a defensive line, which would go from Dorna through Miercurea Ciuc and Brasov towards Bucuresti and so forth,along Danube River towards Constanta.This sacrifice of territory of the Kingdom,with the voluntary abandoning of the two objectives purued by the enemy-the Wheat Area(also known as the Wheat of Europe) of Muntenia(Wallachia) and Danube River Harbours-when the battles of Sinca and Brasov ,have not yet taken place,when the situation did not appear so grave,as to straighting up of the situation to not be bossible in other way,must have been acompanied by the necessary destroys.Alekseev consiliates strongly as to how the grouping of the Romanian Army to be made,for defending of this line :the strongest mass(200 battalions) must be concentrated in the region between Miercura Ciuc and Brasov,to obstacle the runthrough of the enemy at Ghimes-Oituz in the Kingdom and turning of the left Russian flank;a second mass,concentrated in Northern Dobrogea,would have to obstacle the runthrough(entering) of the enemy on direction Galati-Reni.About this grouping,Alekseev takes upon himself the task of strenghtening the left wing of the Russian Army in region Toplita-Praid,with two army corpses,to give strikes to the enemy towards Bistrita and Sasi Reghin(Reghinu Sasesc) and to tempt there ,its forces.

These Russian troops would replace the Northern Romanian Army,which could withdraw to occupy positions to the South.

Alekseev telegram is revealing:it makes the test of the strange conception the Russians were making about the colaboration of the two armies.Romania and the Romanian Army did not exist and it does not add to the count,only when they were necessary for the protection of the Russian Army.If this goal,when it was the single preocupation of the Russian Commander,was obtained easily with the sacrificeing and ruin of Romania,this didi not emotion at all the Russian Government and Commandment.Maybe ,on the contrary,as the ulterior unfolding of the events will show.The retreating line proposed by Alekseev represented,still,a concesion made by the Russian Commandment to the puplic Romanian feelings,which could not bear to be proposed to abandon the capital of Romania(Bucharest or Bucuresti),because the ideal Russian defence line was Moldavian Carpathians line,in elongation with valleys of Trotus River,Siret River and Danube River,to the Black Sea.This has been the fixed ideea which obsessed the Russians during the whole 1916* campaign;any patch of territory beyond this line ,which alone answered the needs of defence of the Russian Front,was an occasion of entanglement ,of weakness and wasting of their forces.Not even the promissed aid in the region of Suceava Mountains and of Neamt was not given,although it served the strategical situation of the Russians,as much as,as little,the Romanian one.That is why,few days later,General Prezan,unsustained by Russians,has to retreat on the line of frontier,leaving without fight the whole conquered territory at the left Russian wing.

The Romanian Commandment thought that it could follow the advices well intended of the Russian General.The Kingdom terrain could not be considered as manoeuvre terrain and left as prey to the destroing plough of the enemy armies and its ally.All that have become available ,in the wake of giving up the offensive in the South,have been send to the perilled points of the Carpathians barrier at Bran,at Predeal and at Oituz,to strenghten or replace the weakened divisions,by weeks of hevy fightsA Romanian comunique released at1/14 October,showed the final calculus of the operatons at the end of the Ardeal Campaign.The total of taken prisoners,by the Romanian troops on all fronts,and interned in the camps in the Kingdom,was of 103 officers and almost 15 000 men of troops[24].


[1]Landstrum-militia,reserve of territorial army

[2]Battle on the Oriental Theatre of the Great War,in Oriental Prusia,at which Germa troops took part and Russians(26th-30th of August 1914).The Zar's Army suffered a great defeat.It is the first big victory of the War obtained by by Feldmarshal Paul von Hindemburg

[3]On France War Theatre.Mountaineous region in Eastern France,at the frontier with Germany,where on the course of the Great War have been given heavy battles.

[4]Kossuth Lajos(1802-1894),Maghiar(Hungarian) politician,the leader of the 1848 Maghiar Revolution.

[5]Stefan The Saint,King of Hungary(997-1083), Arpadian Dinasty.

[6]On Isonzo,on the Italian Theater of Operations,where between Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies ,have been give a long stream of battles,in 1915-1918.At 13th of March 1916 it started the fifth Battle of Isonzo,as a result of general offensive of the Italian troops.

[7]Battle of Selimbar,18/28 October 1599

[8]On the Oriental Theatre of War,on the Russian-Austro-Hungarian Front.Referring to the Austro-Hungarian desaster provoked by Brusilov Offensive.

[9]Lecitzky-talentated General from Zar's Army,which acted on the South-West Russian Front.

[10]Helmuth von Moltke(1848-1916) the nephew of the brilliant Prusian General Helmuth von Moltke from the epoch of wars for uniting of Germania,German General,Chief of the Great Staff,General of Wilhelmian Reich(1906-1914)

[11]About replacing of E. von Falkenhayn with P.von Hindemburg-seconded by Ludendorff

[12]Battle of Canae between Romans and Cartaginers(216B.C.),model of military art which aims and realizes the surrounding and crushing of the adversary

[13] Sedan Battle(1-2 September 1870) between French and Prusian -German armies;French Army lead by King Napoleon the IIIrd has been forced to capitulate.The Prusian-German Army was Commanded by Prusian General Helmuth von Moltke

[14]Helmut von Moltke(1800-1891),Feldmarshal,briliant Prusian Strategist

[15]Alfred von Schlieffen(1833-1914) German Feldmarshal,the author of German stretegic plan,applyed in 1914

[16]Fort Souville constituted a base element of the French system of fortifications at Verdun.At 11th of July 1916 took place the last German action at Verdun ,especially in Souville sector ,ended in a bloody failure.

[17]At 24th of October,the Italian Front has been broken at Caporetto by Austro-Germans.The attack spear was the Bavarian Alpine Corps,which had a brilliant success.The Italian Army had known a desaster of big proportions,beeing forced to retreat in disband.Still,although Italy was wagged,almost to collapse,she has found the resources to come back,block the Austro-Hungarian Offensive on Piave and continued the war.

[18]On the Italian Front;in May 1917 in this sector as in Gorizia,have been heavy fights(at some of the operations there were also French troops,taking part)

[19]Light Cavalry,in French Language

[20]At 19th of August/1st of September had taken place Turtucaia Battle-South of Danube River-which the Romanians have lost in front of the Bulgaro-Germans armies

[21]On French War Theatre.At 3rd of September 1916 have taken place a general attack of the French-British allies on the Somme Front,from Ancre to Chilly

[22]On the Russian-Austro-German Front.

[23]Andrei the II-nd of Hungary of Arpadian Dinasty

[24]Pretaining to the Romanian Army campaign in Transilvania etc.

Also,

[151]C.M.Karoly(1875-1955),Hungarian politician

[152] Hindenburg und Beckendorff,Paul von-(1847-1934),German feldmarshal(1914) Chief of the High Commandment of the army starting in August 1916,President of the Republic between wars.At the beginning of the War he Commanded German armies on Oriental Front,against Russia,obtaining tactical resounding victories."The Brain" ,strategical and tactical of the German Army of East,and from 1916,on whole fronts was ,though,Erich Ludendorff.In the high political circles and military ones of Germany,the old Feldmarshal Hindenburg was ,most of the times,considered "a respected zero"

[153]Erich Ludendorff(1865-1937),German General and politician,author of works-including memoirs-pertaining WW1,in which he played a proeminent role...etc

[154]Charles M. Mangin(1866-1925),French General,the initiator of military reforms in France antebelic

[155]Douaumont-Fort of the system of fortifications at Verdun.It has been reconquered by the French at 24th of October 1916 razu

Posted 4 April , 2009 .... from Constantin Kiritescu ,1921, translated by Andrei- Radu Georgescu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:3C04:DF70:B449:1767 (talk) 22:13, 15 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:3C04:DF70:B449:1767 (talk) 22:32, 15 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:399E:3876:89E:5809 (talk) 08:01, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

Categories: B-Class Romania articles2003:CF:BF29:86E1:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 20:07, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 20:43, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 20:38, 17 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians
Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians

Chapter III

1.The Germans Prepare the Invasion of Romania

Northern front crisis

The Romanian offensive over Carpathian Mountains has been the prologue of the War .The enemy has answered with the maneuver in Dobrogea .Its success had as effect the weakening of the Romanian action in Transilvania .Taking advantage of the new situation created ,the enemy has taken a powerful counteroffensive on the Northern Front, rejected the Romanian Army which invaded Transilvania and threw it into the Carpathian Mountains .It was obvious that this was only a first stage of the German campaign plan ,after which it had to follow the second one: the trial of the enemy to breakthrough the Carpathians barrier and occupy Romania.

The experience of the war until now ,has proven to the Great Romanian Commandment ,the misfortunes of our Army and showed the path to follow. The great peril was in the Carpathian Mountains .In Dobrogea ,the front has been somewhat stabilized; although the Romanian counteroffensive failed ,it did not seem probable a great threat from this part. What had to be conjured with any price was the eminent attack from the direction of the mountains. All the efforts of the Romanian Commandment will tend to ,strengthening of the resistance until the arriving of the winter .The big snows ,which will fall on the mountains ,will stop the operations .The interruption caused by the winter will give us the needed time for tending to our wounds and learn the war. It will be possible to select commandments ,there will be brought cannons ,machineguns ,airplanes ,the whole equipment which was missing and set us to inferiority ,there will be prepared men from deposits ,preparing a new army ,with another spirit and another value.

The difficult times , which we were living ,were tormenting the spirits. There were systems accused ,persons were found guilty, solutions were being proposed. Out of the initiative of the King, it has been held at the Royal Palace, at 10th of October ,a Council of ministers at which participated also the chiefs of the opposing parties ,with the purpose of a national government. The trial did not reach any result ,because some of the ones consulted have declared that they cannot assume the responsibility of a situation which they did not created. The chiefs of the parties in opposition have, however, asked for the replacement of General Iliescu from the real Command of the Army, by General Averescu, maybe even General Culcer. The idea was sided such that ,not to be going on the road of political Generals.

The attention focused over the organization of the defense of the Mountainous Frontier. There were 500 Miles to be defended ,with a heavy trialed army. The I-st Army was greatly exhausted in the wake of the fights at Jiu and of the defeat at Sibiu; the II-nd Army almost completely disorganized; the IV-th Army was the best kept ,as physical and moral strenght ,but has remained isolated.The Sector Oituz-Buzau, held between the armies II-nd and Northern, was empty, unoccupied by any troops ;it has thus become the most vulnerable point from the whole dispositive of the frontier defence, uncovering thus the internal wings of the two armies. The situation was more grave ,as wee did not had strategical reserves .Broken in one point of the front ,wee did not had with what to fill this empty space These two questions primed in front of all the others: filling the empty space in region Oituz-Buzau and forming up a Strategical Reserve .And for finding the necessary forces ,the question of the Russian aid imposed as a necessity without question. General Alekseev communicated at 11th of October to the Great Romanian Headquarter that, after his informations, the Germans are planning a run-through action in Galati direction. Considering the Oriental Front as unique ,he decided to sent significant aids to the North of Moldavia ,to conjure the danger of turning of the right flank ,Russian.At 17th of October ,the Russian Generalisim returns ,saying that he decided the sending of Four Army Corps in region Falticeni-Piatra-Roman, for to enterprise a Russian offensive towards Bistrita, conform with the military convention with Romania at our entering in the War. Late decission ,which the events happened till now made it almost inutile! Because will now be able the Romanian troops ,exhausted already, demoralized ,to make the huge forcing of crossing again the Carpathians ?In any case the arriving of the Russian aids will have the effect of permitting us to take out from the Carpathian Front of the two Divisions of Northern Moldavia ,the 14th and 8th ,to form up the Strategic Reserve ,so much indispensable. Until the arriving of the Russian aid, which will not happen before 15-20 days , Alekseev asks to the Romanian Commandment to hold well the Front. The hope of this resistance is based on to the Northern Army, the one scratched the least ,and with the most rose up moral ,of them all, Romanian armies .

For filling the gap between Oituz and Buzau, it is lifted from Dobrogea the 15th Division ,it is send the 7th Mixt Brigade ,Colonel Sturza and is constituted ,behind the Northern Army, in the region Bacau-Ti argu Ocna ,a mobile reseve, made out of the 8th Division, which is taken out of the Front.The II-nd Army will alaso be consolidated by the 12th Division from Dobrogea and the 16th Division at the Danube River.

In foreseeing of any eventualities ,the Great Headquarter disposed the evacuation of the sedentary parts of Oltenia and Muntenia toward Moldavia,as well as beginning the military evacuation of Bucharests.


General Berthelot and the creation of strategic reserves

General Berthelot, the Chief of the French Mission, has arrived at 16th of October .In the atmosphere of moral depression, provoked by the defeats of the Army and of the dark perspectives of the future ,the arriving of the eminent soldier of France was bringing a reinvigorating ray of sun. Receiving him in Peris Train Station ,Bratianu(Romanian Prime minister) saluted him with these words:"Welcome Sir General. I salute in your eminence the Chief of Staff of Romanian Army,if you accept it".

Out of delicacy, Berthelot has declined this offer, keeping the role of military adviser ,which has been given to him from the beginning.

Being acquainted with the situation of the Fronts, the Chief of the French Mission has presented to King Ferdinand ,after few days ,a plan of action ,in which it was foreseen ,firstly throwing out of the enemy from the Kingdom and and secondly ,to ensure the mastering of the Carpathian Mountain Passes .After this it will follow ,the passing to offensive ,with the concur of the Russians ,to push the II-nd Romanian Army and Northern Romanian Army on the line Olt-Homorod-Superior Mures ,and form up ,then, strong reserves in Barsei Country. Bertherlot thinks also necessary to be started a great offensive against Bulgarians ,with the help of a powerful mass of Russian troops ,which will become available by the arriving of winter and interruption of operations on the Russian Front. In any case, the Fernch General insists that the chief of preoccupations of the Romanian Commandment may not be other than forming up a strong Strategic Reserve ,by taking out from the fronts of several divisions .All the plans which are elaborated are function of our resistance ,until the arriving of long expected Russian reinforcements. But this Russian aid was problematic .General Berhelot ,passing towards Romania on his way ,had a meeting with Russian Primeminister Sturmer and with General Alekseev. Both saw with bad eyes the French Mission and her role in Romania. Alekseev did not want to know anything about an offensive in Bulgaria; his all preoccupation was to obtain war material from the Allies. As about Romania, Alekseev,in a very bad disposition, answered to General Berthelot :"As Romania keeps on having you, to bee in good luck; But make Romanians understand that Romania is not defended in Carpathians ,but on Siret River!"In other words ,in the time when Romanians were defending with vigor in Carpathian Mountains passes ,the Russian Generalisim advice the retreat and abandoning of the greatest and richest parts of the Kingdom, together with its capital city(Bucharest).

General Berthelot has seen things just .The organizing of resistance to defend the passes was made heavily by the fact that the entire Romanian military Commandments have engaged on to the fighting fronts the totality of the Romanian Army.The urgent necessity was forming up of reserves behind the front ,by taking units from the armies on the Front.But taking out troops in the middle of the fights ,and from units already weakened ,was a very delicate operation. Still,it was very necessary and reclaimed time, forcing and the good heart of the Russians.

Will we be able to maintain this resistance? This was the unrestingly question, which tormented the souls of the Commanders and Chiefs of the Kingdom. Because in this time ,the enemy was in full offensive ;he was attacking on the whole line of the Front ,with strength ,not giving the slightest moment to breath ,and this was the proof of his decisiveness to exploit the tactical advantages ,given by until now victories ,to destroy us and end as soon a possible the campaign ,with a resounding success.


The Romanian front becomes the principal front of the European War

Romanians had all the rights to be concerned by the turning that the War has taken.The Big German Hedquarter decided an offensive in great style against Romania.Germania had absolute need of the Romanian wheat and petrol,to be able to go on living and to continue the War.The enemy felt here easy prey and rich and was focusing in this part all its attention and efforts.The Campaign against Romania was looked now as rentable enterprise ;the expedition of punishment (Straffexpedition) was becoming a campaign of prey(Beutefeldzung).There was also for the Germans the need to shorten their fighting front ,which Romanians felt ,as well.The defense of the Line of Carpathians and of the Danube River ,making a Front which strapped Romania on a length of 750 Miles was a strategic impossibility .It mobilized numerous troops ,which were reclaimed by the decisive fights on the other fronts. It was thus indispensable to to replace the long and sinuous Line of the Political Frontiers of Romania, by a short natural Line.T his could have been ,for the time being, the Line of Siret River or of Prut River. The Mountain Passes has ,thus to be forced and Romania occupied before the winter -which was closing in-to make difficult and obstacle the operations.

The relative calm which dominated the whole European Fronts gave the Germans the possibility to focus over Romania.

On the Western Front ,the big actions ceased; there were only small offensives with limited objective ,without veleities of breaking of fronts. The Italians have obtained the victory of Gorizia[1],after which, then,the fights entered a period of stagnation .The same was on the Russian Front ,after the last bloody convulsion ,which ended with the failure from Kovel[2].Operations in Macedonia had a local character ,at the left wing, around Monastirului ;the Army of General Sarrail was not capable of an offensive in great style to threaten the enemy front ,so that it wouldn't incommode with this face the Romanian one .Not being seriously threatened nowhere, the enemy was in the situation to be able to draw considerable forces from all fronts ,to send them against Romania. The Romanian Front was becoming ,at this epoch, the principal front of the Great European War.

...........


The German operation plan

The strategic plan conceived by the German Staff,resulted from the geographical configuration of our Kingdom:the first glance over the map ,imposed it .Muntenia was making a big prominence towards West, giving an unfolding of frontier of almost 500 Miles.It was strangled between Carpathians and Danube ,like a stretch of land of 219 Miles in length and 63 Miles wide. The operation necessary to obtain the shortening of the Front ,was by cutting of this proeminence .An action started by Falkenhayn at North and by Mackensen at South ,was imposed as the most elementary strategic operation.

Choosing the region were it had to be operated the cutting of Muntenia ,have given the occasion of discussions in the Big German Headquarter.It was obvious that, as much as it would have been done towards East, the cutting, the more advantageous it would have been ,because it would have isolated a bigger surface of land in West ,separating in this way the Romanians by the Russians and making prisoner the Romanian Army, cut in this way by the supporting base. hat is why, the first plan conceived by the Big German Headquarter ,was the most daring one.The Group of Armies in Transilvania had to enter by Southern Carpathians of Moldavia on the line of Siret River ,to shake hand with Mackensen which,on his part ,had to cross the Danube River in Dobrogea at Galati.The final result of this daring operation would have been the destroying of the principal part of the Romanian Army from Muntenia and taking in mastering ,at once,of all its rich territory .This plan"so beautiful" as Ludendorff names it, seemed to the Big Hedquarter , too risky;it was even inexecutable at that epoch ,because the Romanian -Russian Front from Dobrogea was maintaining intact on the line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla.That is why,it has been abandoned" with regret" .It has been agreed over another plan ,of which disposition were communicated by Hindemburg to General Falkenhayn ,even in the day of 8th of October ,in the decisive day of the Battle of Brasov. This strategic plan was made out of three opeations: the first operation was exploiting as fast as possible the success in Transilvania ,to obstacle the arriving of the Russian reinforcements .A strong troop had to occupy the Passes in Southern Moldavia.This troop ,made out of Infantry and Cavalry ,belonging to the IX-th German Army ,was to touch in the shortest time possible Tirgu-Ocna ,then to advance in Moldavia with direction South-East ,along Valleys of Trotus River and Siret River ,destroying the communication lines and the telegraph. The second operation was to be executed in the same time .Under the protection of the fallanguard in Trotus River Valley,the mass of the IX-th Army was to open up the road over the mountains ,towards Bucharest ,on the shortest way, such "that the whole Western territory of Muntenia to be cut as by a knife."

If this operation succeeded ,was to begin the third stage .Mackensen was supposed to cross the Danube River in a point which had to be determined by circumstances ,to shake hand with Falkenhayn,and complete the Romanian desastre.

A new separation of the enemy troops begins.The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army was taken from under the orders of Falkenhayn, which remained only Commander of the IX-th German Army.The two armies ,together with the VII-th Army (von Koevess), in Bucovina Carpathian Mountains ,and with the III-rd Army(von Bonthrrer) from Southern Galitia,have been united in a Group of Armies under the Command of Archduke inheritor of Austria ,Carol of Habsburg. For the purpose of the offensive ,which had to begin ,the Big German Headquarter has set to Falkenhayn disposition new units and namely: four Bavarian Divisions ,two Alpine Brigades Austro-Hungarian and two Cavalry Divisions. Of the four Bavarian Division ,two hasve been assigned under Command of von Arz Army,remaining the other two ,to the IX-th German Army. These measures have scored a mark ,on the surface of the ego of the German Generalisim(Falkenhayn) and determined a state of permanent tension between him and the Commander of the Group,to which he was subordinated.


The attack of the Mountain Passes will be given by surprise

In the evening of 9th of October Falkenhayn gave the order for attacking the mountain passes .The operation has to be executed by surprise. Without giving a minute rest to Romanian troops which were retreating ,the enemy wanted to stalk them ,and taking advantage of the desorganization in which he thought they find themselves,-like any army in retreat-to attack them,to obstacle them of establishing on positions on the mountainous ridges ,and to cross the frontier in the same time with them Consecvent to the dispositions of the Big German Headquarter ,and to his own thoughts the principal attack will be given in the direction of the Mountain Passes which open the shortest way towards Bucharest:Bran ,Predeal,Bratocea,Buzau.In the same time there were also attacked all the other mountain passes .Falkenhayn was expecting important results especially from the operations in Olt Valley.

The German General looks to ,as a mistake ,the ordered action against Oituz.It takes forces from him ,which would have been more utile in the decisive attack ,and cannot see the use of an attack in a excentric direction ,which separates him by a mountaineous region of over 63 Miles wide.But an order is order it has to be executed .Especially that the Austrian Commandment of the Group of Armies of Archduke Carol had his visions ,entirely different of those of Falkenhayn, pretaining the importance of the Moldavian Front.So as Falkenhayn was making preparations for forcing the Passes of Muntenia(the mountain passes),von Arz was making ,on his part, preparations for forcing of the Moldavian Mountains .At 12th of October ,the offensive for crossing the mountains by surprise was unleashed along the entire frontier. The Great Battle of the Passes has begun.


Posted 11 May , 2009 A little military geography

Defending the Carpathians was made in conditions of great strategic inferiority,for us.All the advantages drew from the geographical form of the Romanian frontier ,have passed on the enemy side;all the disadvantages were now on the Romanian side.The enemy was finding himself now inside the Carpathians Arch,enjoying the advantage of manoeuvre on interior lines.Three railways ,streching like cords of the arch ,one along the Olt Valley, another one along in Tarnavei Valley and the third one in Mures Valley,were making direct lines of communication ,which permitted quick movement of troops from one point to the other of the Carpathian Front.Another line was going parallel with the Mountains of Moldavia ,at 19-25 Miles distance from the frontier.

The Romanians were on the exterior line of the Carpathians Arch,having at disposition only one railway ,with a trajectory made out of zigzags ,which was increasing the distance between the points of the frontier ,at fantastic figures .In this way, for example ,the distance between points Turnu Rosu and Predeal was, through Ardeal, of a length of 88 Miles on the direct line of Fagaras (Fagaras Mountain Massif).The same journey ,made by Romanian train ,had to pass through Piatra Olt ,Pitesti,Chitila, Ploiest on a distance of over 250 Miles.The same thing for all the other points.

In a war of movement ,like this one ,when the line of border could not be occupied on the whole stretch by an uninterrupted cordon of troops ,was obvious ,a great advantage to be able to move the troops with greater haste than the adversary, either for defence,or ,especially,to give surprise attacks.

The lack of preparation of Romania for the eventuality of a war against Austro-Hungary was manifested again by an enormous strategical inferiority .It will prove fatal in the unfolding of defending the Carpathians.

......


In the eve of tragic moments

The curtain has not fallen at the end of the Dobrogean act of Romanian tragedy .A new tragic spectacle begins now on an other stage .Along the Carpathian Mountains ,a giant was leaping over the midget which jumped into the fight ,only with the power given by the conscience of the justice of the cause and the trust in the Ally.The drama has been played one year before on the Serbian Theatre of War, with tragic ending.

The fate and honesty of the Kingdom are put into the hands of the Romanian soldier .To him addresses the King of the country in a moving appeal:

"Soldiers.

After seven weeks of War ,as long as you held your chest against the enemy with manhood ,today begins the tough fight at the border of the Kingdom against the enemy armies ,which seek to invade us In these moments ,I feel as a duty to remind you that the holly land of our country has been always defended with honesty and bravery under our Great Voievozi -medieval kings,and watered with the blood of our ancestors ,which have beaten the invaders.

I expect from all ranks ,to make their duty now again with holiness ,defending with any price ,until the last breath ,the threatened Kingdom. No unit to held back, but to keep with any means the fighting positions ;wherever the enemy is weak ,to be attacked and repulsed. A lost position ,to be immediately attacked and reconquered.

Our mountains ,which thousands of years have been the cradle and guard of our kind ,to be the un -seizable wall where the steel waves of the enemy to crush before the bravery of the defenders. The virtue of the army and saving the Kingdom ask for it.

Ahead ,thus , with God and the victory will be yours.".

To the Allies , King Ferdinand explains ,by an interview published in a big English newspaper ,the circumstances which made Romania enter the War, the sacrifices made by her ,the endured sufferings ,and ends asking for their help by words inspired by the most noble sentiments: "Romanians will remain tide by the Allies cause. The enemy will not be able to kidnap their faith in just Anglia ,in France ,the Latine fate and in Russia, their close neighbour. But the Romanians ask the Skies that ,with all their actual preoccupations and problems they have to solve, the Allies to not let to pass, even the slightest ,in second row in their minds the matters of Romania".

Unfortunately the circumstances wanted otherwise. They have imposed to the Ally powers the role of helpless spectator .No one has turmoiled the tragic spectacle which was unfolding before the compassionate eyes of the public which filled the stairs of the European amphitheater.


2.First Battle of the Passes

a)Attacking the Moldavian Gates

I-st Austro-Hungarian Army against Northern Romanian Army

The Austro-Hungarian Commandment did not want to content with the role of Second of Falkenhayn. The War against Romania was first of all Austro-Hungarian's. Her fate played now ,as well, when it seemed that the difficult times have passed and success begins to show face, the Austro-Hungarians wanted their share at the victorious revanche .That is why, Archduke Carol ,the Commander of the Group of Armies to which it belonged the Army of Falkenhayn ,decided that the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army -under Command of von Arz -to participate at the offensive against the Mountain Passes. The goal of the Austro-Hungarian offensive will not be only to occupy the mountain passes of Moldavia ,to receive an eventual advance of the Romanians ,which would have threatened Falkenhayn back.The ambition of the august son went far:the Austro-Hungarian Army was supposed to push the whole front of the I-st Romanian Army and go in depth in Moldavia Country.The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army was made now of three corps of army ,of two divisions each.The mission given to this Army was ;occupying the passes and advancing on the Moldavian territory with the left ,until Bistrita ,and with the center until Bacau.At the right wing ,Southern ,of the Army of Arz ,in the region of Oituz ,was formed a group of troops constituted essentially by the 71-st Austro-Hungarian Division ,which although it belonged to the IX-th German Army of Falkenhayn ,still his operations would have to unfold in tight connection and and with the same direction with the Ist Austro-Hungarian Army.The role of this Group ,to which it had been attached also the two Divisions of Cavalry of Schmettow, and as reserve, the 8th Bavarian Division ,was to occupy Targu -Ocna in Trotus Valley ,making thus easier for the VI-th Corps to occupy Bacau ,then to advance along Siret River ,to separate the Romanian Army from Muntenia(central-Southern part of Romania) ,by the Russian Army ,which was gathering in Moldavia(Eastern part of Romania).A new Bavarian Division-the 10th -was expected to increase the size of the general reserve of the Army.


.........

The plan of the simultaneous double offensive ,of the IX-th German Army towards Bucharest and of theI-st Austro-Hungarian Army in Moldavia ,unhappiest deeply Falkenhayn.The German General considers "unfortunate" the idea of this attack given in two divergent directions ,one towards South and the other towards East ;it will bring a scattering of the forces and compromise the success.* To the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army ,of a strength of nine Divisions of Infantry and two of Cavalry ,would have to held chest the Northern Romanian Army, Commanded by General Prezan, defending thus the Gates of Moldavia against the invasion.

The Northern Army ,Romanian was finishing her retreat in complete order and was occupying the ridges of the Moldavian Mountains and its passes.

Of the units constituting this Army ,the one further to the North was the 14th Division, General Vasilescu Paraschiv. This Division was occupying the region of Bicaz and of Bistricioara ,making the connection with the left wing Russian;she has remained beyond the line of the frontier in Ardeal territory with the center at Tulghes.

At South ,the 7th Division ,General Istrat ,was occupying the positions which dominate the Trotus River Valley, neighbour with Gimes-Palanca Pass ,until Uzului Valley,including.

A little to the South,the important Valley of Oituz had to be occupied by the 2nd Romanian Division of Cavalry, in retreat from Transilvania and by the 15th Division which was arriving from the Dobrogea Front.At the Southern extremity of the Moldavian Front ,was constituting a new unit ,the 7th Mixt Brigade,Romanian ,Colonel Sturdza, made out of three Regiments of Infantry-(Horea ,Closca and Crisan-the ex-fortress troops , and the remains of the 2nd Graniceri Regiment, destroyed at Turtucaia),six artillery batteries and a Company of Cyclists ,which would have to defend the Vrancea Region,with the center at Soveja.

The 8th Romanian Division,General Patrascu ,has been retreated from Bistricioara and taken at Piatra-Neamt;it constituted the Reserve of the Northern Army.In total,thus ,the Northern Army had to defend the passes of Moldavia with four Infantry Divisions , a Mixt Brigade and a Cavalry Division.At 14th of October ,almost all units of the Northern Army were on their position, on the frontier; the enemy ,kept to respect by strong arierguards ,most of the times counterattacked ,was left behind. The contact have been broken and the troops of von Arz were climbing with difficulty the roads by the mountains ,with the bridges destroyed by Romanians. Only at the Southern extremity ,the 2nd Cavalry Romanian Division ,covering he retreat of the thick of the 7th Romanian Division ,was keeping tight contact with the enemy Cavalry ,as well as with the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division. That is why the Battle for the Moldavian mountain Passes will begin at this wing in the day of 12th of October ,and then it will propagate on the whole stretch of the mountainous frontier ,to Dorna.


........

The offensive operations would have to follow with the next face :at the Northern Extremity ,in Dorna Region ,the XI-th Austro Hungarian Corps ,which has been part until then from the VII-th Army ,neighbor, -Commander Feldmarshal von Habermann-was supposed to attack in the mountaineous region Saru Dornei-Brosteni,having to fight with the Russian troops from the left flank of Lecitki Army and with the troops of Bistrita Group-Colonel Colori-of the 14th Division .The XVI-th Corps ,Austrian made out of Divisions 74th and 72nd -Commander Feldmarshal Fabini -made out of Divisions 61st and 39th -was supposed to attack passes Ghimes and Uz, defended by the 7th Romanian Division. Finally ,Oituz Group, ommanded by German General Schmettow having also the 71st Division, Austro-Hungarian and the 1st Austro-Hungarian Division and the 3d of Cavalry, German,had to force Oituz Pass ,defended by the 2nd Cavalry Division, supported on the left side by the 7th Mixt Brigade ,which was forming up ,and behind of the 15th Division,which was arriving from Dobrogea .The reserve of Arz Army was made of Divisions 8th and 10th Bavarian, kept at Targu Secuiesc and at Miercurea -Ciuc ,to be introduced in the point where the breaking will occur.

The Germans explain the intention of Archduke Carol to attack in Moldavian Mountains ,by the care of the inheriter of the Austro-Hungarian Throne to put to safe shelter Transilvania against a Romanian-Russian occupation. That is why the preoccupation of this one was more for the defensive towards East ,than for the offensive towards South.

In Suceava Mountains

At the Northern extremity of the Romanian Front ,the Austrian offensive has not given any result whatsoever ,that is why the XI-th Austro-Hungarian Corps has been passed again to the neighbor army ,the VII-th ,from which it has been taken in the first place The Romanian Group of Bistrita,which was occupying Paltinis Sector -Piscu Stejaru(Oak Peak) was also passed under direct orders of the IX-th Russian Army-General Lecitki -for a better coordination of operations .Besides,at 18th of October ,the whole 14th Romanian Division which front was stretching towards South till superior Valley of Tarcaului ,has been attached operatively to the IX-th Russian Army .On the stretch of this front ,the Carpathian Mountains are rove through in two points by the lateral valleys dug by the affluent of Bistrita River ,making thus ,two passes ,the points for entering in the Kingdom.The northern one is Bistricioara Valley ,which enters the Kingdom at point Prisacani;on the Ardeal side of the frontier is Tulghes Village. The Southern one is Bicaz Valley ,which passes in Ardeal through the big Romanian Village of Bicaz and enters the Kingdom through the steep canion/defile of Bicaz.Tall mountains surround the two passes.This side of the old frontier ,the two valleys surround ,one by North the other by South ,the majestic Massif of Ceahlau .The positions are of a charming beauty.But in the romantic valleys ,made like on purpose to be able to hear only the sound of the waters and the whistle of shepherds ,will thunder now cannons ,and the crystalline waters will be dirty with blood.

All the attempts made by the Austro-Hungarian troops to close in to our positions have been either stopped at distance by the precise firing range of the artillery ,or repulsed with heavy casualties by the infantry fires.At 17th of October ,an Austro-Hungarian detachment has been surprised at Bolovanis Picket and entirely destroyed, taking off also 2 officers and 65 soldiers prisoners .The Commander of the 74th Brigade of Hanovezi was glad that he is able to keep the positions at Bilbor and Corbu,on the Ardeal side of Bistricioara Valley,evacuated by Romanians during the retreat. To participate ,however, at the general offensive ,Feldmarshal Bandini ,the Commander of the 72nd Division,has received the order to force Bicaz Pass.


.........Battle at the Moldavian Gates, Sectors of Trotus River and Oituz


The attack of Tipches Mountain

In the right side of Bicaz Pass ,and towards East of the Ardeal ,Village of Damuc,Mount Tipches rises his snowed peak at 1359 meters ,dominating the entire Bicaz Valley. In the day of 19th of October an enemy column ,made out of three battalions of infantry with machineguns and with a battery of cannons ,under the Command of Colonel Sander ,attacks by surprise the Mountain -occupied only by a Company of the 54th Infantry Regiment-and rejects the Romanians .From here, the enemy descends towards Croiesti ,trying to turn the Romanian position, and to enter in Bicaz Valley ,on the communication line and of retreat of Romanian Bicaz Group. Tarcau Valley is also threatened to be occupied by the enemy .Faced with this danger ,the Commander of the 14th Romanian Division constitutes the Detachment Colonel Gherascu,of three battalions which, united with the two Companies of the Sector and supported by a Section of cannons of 87 mm of the 24th Rimanian Artillery Regiment,to counterattack and reconquer the Mountain .Even in the evening of the day, the enemy ,lighting the field of battle with projectors and with flares ,restarted a violent fire ,over the position of Croiesti and attacks it with a battalion ,three times consecutively.But the two companies of 1877 Commanded by the old Major Rogobete ,were on watch; they have received with fires the attacks and repulsed them vigorously .In the same time ,the enemy was organizing the position ,strengthening it with entrenches.

At once, after midnight, late,sounds behind the position, from Ata Picket ,trumpets and shouts of Urra!Left at 12 o clock from their positions ,the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the 86th Romanian Regiment have climbed hard the steep ribs and forested of Tipches at 4 in the morning, flamed by the words said by Chiefs and trumpets, which were sounding the attack, ave fall over the enemy position.Overwhelmed by panic ,after a short resistance ,the Austrians start to run away, leaving two mountain cannons and three machineguns .The elan of the soldiers is so big ,that even those who had assignements ,outside the battle ,are dragged into the fight .Platooneer Balmischi Petru ,which was leading the food convoy of the Battalion ,has left his big pots and pans and the wagons with meals and haste in the spin of the skirmish ,capturing the enemy cannons .Attracted by the noise of Urra! and of shots ,Rogobete starts in his turn on to the slopes of the Mountain ,taking a multitude of prisoners.

Waking up from the panic which overwhelmed him ,the enemy recollects ,gathers his ranks and start a counterattack against the adversary ,much inferior ,in front of him. Efstaide Battalion resists for two hours of heavy fight then, arround 8 in the morning ,begins to hit in retreat ,taking with him the prisoners ,throwing into the abyss(ravine) the canons and machineguns captured .But the principal column of the Romanian Detachment ,made out of two battalions of Regiments 27th and 54th,coming from the East ,from Tarcau,on the path Fundului-Smida Floare-Tipches Hill ,have started the bombardment of the enemy poition. Almost the whole mountain has been reconquered by the enemy. In savage shouts and sounds of trumpet mas the enemy is surprised, dizzied and terrified. The cannons have to stop their fire ,the rifles shoot no more,because no one has time to reload and aim.It is only a total stir, a savage body fight .The enemy soldiers lose ground ,are taken out of the entrenches and throwed beyond the ridge .The whole terrain is covered with dead bodies ,between them the Commander of the Detachment ,Colonel Sanders ,heavily wounded.T he long column of the prisoners is brought to the Romanian lines ;the Austrian soldiers are very joyful that they escaped the War and haste with greed to the bread offered by Romanians.

Two days before,the position on which Sanders Column retreated ,is also taken with assault by Romanians.

The disastrous defeat at Tipches had a depressing influence over the Commandment of XXI-st Austro-Hungarian Corps. The action ,offensive ,which he has planned ends here.No other important attack took place aganst the Front of the 14th Romanian Division ,but only bombardments of artillery and patrol actions .After a month the 14th Division is withdrew in reserve and then moved on Olt Front ,and her place was taken by the Russians.


The attack of Trotus Valley

Trotus Valley is one of the most important lines of communication and strategic of the Kingdom. She is the gate most circulated for crossing from Ardeal Country in to Moldavia Country.It is well populated with villages wich chain themselves ,one after the other.It is rich ,with numerous industrial exploitations ,mining, forests ,mineral waters. It is roved through on the whole lenght by a driveway and a railway which, at Ghimes Pass ,connect with the railways of Transilvania Country .She also has a very interesting particularity from the strategical point of view .On a stretch of almost 32 Miles ,she goes almost parallel with the frontier ,from which it distance away only slowly ;in general this distance maintains between 4-10 Miles.Numerous lateraly valleys cross the mountains and give access in Trotus Valley.In this way,enumerates at South of Ghimes Pass:Sulta Valley,Ciobanus Valley,Uz Valley,Dofteana Valley,Slanic Valley,Oituz Valley and Casin Valley.Some of them are foreseen with good driveways or more mediocre roads ,others have even particular railways ,for forest exploitation.

Von Arz handed to VI-th Corps Austro-Hungarian ,the mission of attacking Trotus Valley by the superior valleys ;through the inferior valleys will attack Schmettow .

Feldmarshal Fabini gives up to the direct entering through Gimes pass ,which seemd too well defended and which extended to much the line of entering.That is why ,he has given the attack through the lateral valleys.In the day of 16th of October ,Fabini took the offensive with both Divisins of VI-th Corps .At the left ,the 61st Division -Commander Genreal Gallert -separated in to two columns ,have gone with one column the short road on Sultei Valley and descended in Trotus Valley,where he occpied Agas Village, station of railways. The other column has followed Ciobanasului Valley and close in to Goioasa,in Trotus Valley.In the same time at the right side and at the South ,the 39th Division-Commander General Molnar-has begun the advance through Uzului Valley.

The Commander of the 7th Romanian Division,General Istrati ,decided ,in his turn,to defend himself counterattacking.He took advantage by the lack of connection of the enemy columns ,which followed separated valleys ,by rows of mountains ,to attack and beat everyone, in part.With this goal,Uz Group have received the order as ,for the time being,to resist with strength on positions ,not giving up the terrain but ,only step by step.The first offensive will be taken by Trotus Group,against the enemy which have already entered at Agas and Goioasa .Against this group,the Romanian Commander organized two detachments: Detachment Lieut-Colonel Ioan will attack the enemy by the front towards Goioasa ,and Detachment Colonel Boian will attack him behind,at Agas.


Boian Detachment,made out of three battalions of Regiments 14th and 16th Infantry,leave at evening of 16th of October on Asau Valley and walks the whole night ,passing in Agastinului Vallei,then in Agasului Valley until the confluence of this one with Trotus River.Here he stumble,in the morning of 17th of October ,over the regimentary trains of the enemy column.The Romanians attack violently with bayonet ;the enemy troop is scattered and all the war material is captured.The Romanian Detachment continues the advance along Trotus Valley ,towards Agas ,captures six howitzers of 150 mm,attacks and spreads out three escadrons of Cavalry of the enemy.Drunk with success,Colonel Boian advances imprudent,without taking precautionary measures ;the Detachment reaches Agas Village ,where it is received with machinegun fires and of cannon.The enemy,which was advancing towards Goioasa ,finding out about the danger threatening from behind ,has returned and occupied our own trenches around Agasului,in this region.Boian Detachment is now in a very difficult position,being attacked from all parts :by infantry with machineguns from Beleghetului Hill,at North;by the Austro-Hungarian artillery from Cotumbelor Hill,at South;by another column coming from Palanca ,from West .The Romanians begin a desastreous retreat towards Asau Valley.Beaten by the artillery of the enemy,surrounded,they suffer heavy casualties.The Commander of the Detachment ,Colonel Boian,falls himself prisoner together with some hundreds men.The rest of the Detachment have brought back 320 prisoners.

In the same time ,the Detachment Lieut-Colonel Ioan attacks the enemy by the front ,with the rest of Regiments 14th and 16th ,starting from Asau towards West.At Poiana Edera(Edera Clearing),the enemy is violently attacked at bayonet and,although was superior in number,is repulsed towards Goioasa with heavy losses.Romanians capture 200 prisoners ,machineguns ,horses and pursuing the enemy which was retreating ,they occupy Goioasa ,advancing towards West.Piles of dead bodies of the enemy showed the size of the defeat.Unfortunately,the disaster of Boian Detachment has changed the situation.The enemy reconstitutes himself, gathers great strengths and comes again to attack. Ioan Detachment,in inferiority, has to retreat at at Asau.

The result of the fights at Agas-Goioasa is,with all the failure of Boian Detachment,that we have made prisoners three officers ,two cadets and 680 soldiers, but especially that the 60th Division Austro-Hungarian, made out of 16 battalions ,has been disorganized because of the big losses and was ,thus, forced to retreat on its positions.


The fight in Uzului Valley

In Uzului(or Uz) Valley ,General Molnar has attacked with the entire 39th Austro-Hungarian Division .The Romanians had in this region the 27th Regiment of Infantry with a battery of the 8th Artillery Regiment.At 14th and 15th of October ,the enemy cannot make big progresses;he is repulsed from the frontier by artillery firing shots .An entire battalion of infantry ,Hungarian,massed in a ravine and prepared for attack ,has been destroyed by our fire ;between the dead was also the Commanding Major of the Battalion.But the enemy puts in the line the entire forces of the Division and gives violent attacks ;he succeeds and occupies at 20th of October Poiana Uzului(Uzului Clearing),from where Romanian troops retreat towards Salatruc.

With the arrived aids ,the Romanians begin the counteroffensive ,attacking by the front ,along the Valley ,and also by the flanks ,on the elevations. The enemy resists with determination;the center of his resistance is a strong redoubt ,build before by Romanians ,perpendicular on Uzului Valley,West of the Village Poiana Uzului. By strong assaults ,the village is reconquered by the Romanian central group;the lateral columns cannot however advance.Encouraged by this beginning of success ,Fabini sends again the 61st Division to attack ,towards Gimes ,as the enemy artillery was attacking Goioasa .The attacks are ,though ,stopped by the Romanians and are not able to evolve.Grallert waits that the success on Uzului valley to open up the road.

In this time however,Istrati has build at Comanesti a detachment of three battalions ,Lieut-Colonel Catanescu,which starts in march towards Poiana Lapos,to fall behind the enemy position of Poiana Uzului;the action will unfold in the same time with a frontal attack.As the Detachment advances with difficulty, with numerous resistances the frontal attack advances more to the left ,where it occupies Nemira Mountain.

At 27th of October,the 4th Hunters Regiment under the Command of his worthy Chief -Colonel Gherculescu-attacks frontal the strong position of the enemy. Companies 1 and 2 advance singing "To arms!".In repeated assaults ,the brave hunters succeed by evening to take out the enemy from the advanced positions. During the night they accomplish the victory ,Companies 3rd and 4th occupy all the works at Poiana Uzului,conquer the formidable redoubt and captures the entire garrison.T he enemy,beaten, retreats in disorder on the whole front ;he leaves on the terrain a great number of dead ,numerous prisoners and big quantities of war material.Only in this day have been captured 4 officers and 650 soldiers prisoners.The Hunters push the beaten enemy until Poiana Lapos.The 39th Austro-Hungarian Division has suffered a felt defeat.Although Catanescu Detachment ,mobilized by the resistance of the enemy,could not enter in Uzului Valley,the enemy has to retreat on the frontier line.

The entire 39th Division seals the definitive defeat of the VI-th Corps.The plan of Forcing Trotus Valley through the lateral passes had fell,thanks to the troops of the 7th Romanian Division,she has payed the victory with four officers and 1463 soldiers missing.The enemy ,exhausted by the losses suffered and with both Divisions disorganized remains quiet on Trotus River Front and gives only small local attacks ,which are easy to be rejected by our artillery.

All hopes of Arz remain hanged by Oituz Pass,were it unfolds a life and death fight.


b)the Battle at Oituz

Oituz Valley

Of all the lateral valleys ,which open up Trotus River Valley,the most wide and accessible is Oituz Valley.A good driveway roves it in lenght ,uniting Targu Secuiesc with Onesti,on Trotus River,6.25 Miles towards East from Tirgu Ocna ;the driveway crosses the frontier at Poiana Sarata(Salt Clearing) and passes through Villages Hirja,Fierastrau,Grozesti and Bogdanesti.This Valley has been chosen as ax of advance by Schmettow Group.It has been set a great importance on the action of this Group .And by all means.Because occupying of Onest Village would have turned the entire Romanian Line of Trotus River ,cutting it from her base and opened to the enemy the access immediate in Siret River Valley.It was the principal ideea of plan of the Group of Armies of Archduke Carol.Schmettow Group was constituted bythe 71st Division,Austro-hungarian-General Goldbach-,at the left the 1st Division of Cavalry Austro-Hungarian ,general von Ruiz,was making the connection with the Group of Buzau Pass.Behind the Group,has been brought as reserve the 8th Bavarian Division at Tirgu Secuiesc and was directed towards there also the 6th Cavalry Division German.This massing of forces ,especcialy of Cavalry,corresponded to the important strategic goal of the blow which was planned at Oituz.The operations of Schmettow Group for conquering of Oituz Pass ,carries the name the Battle from Oituz,a glorious page in the history of our War.


The fight at Magherus

The 2nd Romanian Cavalry Division ,Commanded firstly by General Basarabescu,then by General Sinescu making the Flank Guard of South of the Northern Romanian Army,was retreating on Oituz Valley.She has avacuated Tirgu Secuiesc at 9th of October and was finding at 10th of October occupying the position at Magherus Mountain,between Villages Bretcu and Oituz,making resistance to the enemy ,which was stalking her close by.In the same day were beginning to disembark at Onesti ,the first elemnts of the 15th Romanian Division,which was supposed to form up with the 2nd Romanian Division of Cavalry ,the defense Army at Oituz.The mission of the Cavalry Division was to keep on hold the advance of the enemy,until the troops of the 15th Division would occupy the positions from Oituz Pass.The Command of the Army of Oituz was handed to the Commander of the 15th Division ,General Eremia Grigorescu[3];he wiil become one of the glorious names of our War.The 15th Division has been,at the beginning of the War sacrificed whiteout any calculus ,at Turtucaia.After the desaster ,has been partially remade; it was in truth a Brigade ,the 30th -made out of Regiments 53rd and 65th-strenghtened with a Battalion of the 80th Regiment and with the 25th Artillery Regiment .After this remaking it was send to Dobrogea ,where it fought with success at Arabagi.From full fight ,she has been taken from the Dobrogea Front and send to stop the enemy advance at Oituz. Commander and troop will prove at the height of the hard situation .The first detachments arrived at Onesti are send not only in Oituz Valley but also in the two lateral valleys with this one;Casin Valley at the left and Slanic Valey at the right side,to support the Cavalry Division ,strongholded-dug in on the positions of Magherus .

.....


In the evening of 11th of October ,the two adversaries made fighting contact .A Group of Cavalry with mounted artillery -Colonel Rusescu-occupies the advanced position on the elevation on which is the monument build by Hungarians to the former Empress Elisabeta[4],North-East of Bretcu.The rest of the troops of the Division -under the Command of General Greceanu -is on a line a little behind and occupies the heights from North and from South of driveway Oituz.The unmounted troops are installed in the entrenches .The two artilleries bombard eachother with ferocity till evening falls,when the enemy artillery ,forced to cease the fire ,our cavalry men get out from the trenches and haste over the enemy in counterattack ,charging violently ,with the lance at the waste .The sight is of a pitoresque archaism :it is the fight of the old Romans Legionaries .The enemy is repulsed and throwed to Bretcu.At 8,30 in the evening,the enemy strenghtened with new forces ,comes again to attack and forces Rusescu Group to retreat from the monument on Magherus,passing in the reserve of Greceanu Group.All night of 11th -12th of October ,the enemy gave numerous attacks in both sectors ,to North ,as well as South of the driveway ,without any success whatsoever.With the arriving of dawns of the day,the attacks intensify,sustained by a strong artillery and numerous machineguns.The batteries of mounted artillery of the Division of Cavalry fire splendid;they surprise the 3rd enemy Cavalry Division,which was forming up for attack and scatters it away in disorder on to the field between Bretcu and Lemina.In their trenches the cavalry men ,with all the unusuality of fighting pedestrian,sustain the enemy attacks and,lacking the rifles with bayonet ,they counterattack with lance.Troops of Regiments 65th and 53rd begin to arrive on position.General Grigorescu leads personally the fight .The Commander of the Northern Army ,General Prezan has arrived himself on to the Front too.

In the afternoon ,the entire enemy heavy artillery has been installed on position and its fire ,unobstacled by our cannons of 75mm,with shorter firing range ,beat violently from front and flanks the Romanian positions.The Cavalry troops,tired by the heavy marchings executed for a week now and by the fight,new to her,resist with great difficulty.Besides,she acomplishes her mission .General Prezan gave the order as the Cavalry Division to be retreated at Hirja,from where then has been send towards the left wing ,to establish the connection with the detachments on Casin Valley.The infantry of the 15th Division occupies the Front at Poiana Sarata ,on the frontier.The mounted artillery of the 2nd cavalry Division ,which roused to the occasion ,is kept on the fighting front ;she will sustain the infantry at preserving the Passes.

In the Fight at Magherus has fallen Captain Petre Carp,the son of the old politician bearing the same name ,which was bringing in this way the blood sacrifice in the War which he did not wanted and to the accomplishment of the ideal in which he did not believe.

The next day ,13th of October ,the enemy continues the advance and occupies Poiana Sarata.An impetuous counterattack of our troops reject him ,after a bloody fight on to the streets of the village .By evening fall ,the troops of the 65th Regiment reoccupy the village.


The fight at Harja

The attack in the day of 13th of October has been only the prelude of a violent offensive ,which has unleashed in the following days with strong forces .From the Romanian part it is send in the aid of the 15th Division ,too weak ,faced with the power of the enemy ,the 15th Brigade of the 8th Division (Regiments 13th ,25th Infantry and 8th Hunters) which was held at Piatra -Neamt ,as reserve of the Army.The enemy has attacked in the beginning only in the center rof the sector .Seven enemy battalions ,sustained by a numerous artillery in which,ech day ,could be determined bigger calibers ,have hasten against the Romanian positions, defended by three battalions sustained by a divizion of artillery ,mounted .Harja Village burst into flames and burned entirely under the fire of the enemy artillery. A surrounding movement on both flanks of our position at Hirja ,has been discovered in time ;the enemy flanks have been attacked by our lateral detachments in Slanicului Valley and Casinului Valley.After a ferocious fight ,which went on the afternoon of the 15th of October till late in the night ,the enemy has been throwed back and pursued with bayonet till Poiana Sarata.

However, over the night and in the morning of the next day ,strengthened with fresh reinforcements the enemy attacks furiously five times our battalions ,exhausted by powers and reduced at some 200-300 men. The fight becomes almost general ,by advancing into the fire of all available forces .The enemy ,attacking on three columns ,without suspending the attacks during the night ,manages to take out of position our wekened troops and pushes them on a line back. Fortunately ,the reserves of Division ,arrived in running from Grozesti ,arrive in time,reject the attack columns ;the enemy maintains only on a height North of Hirja, Staneica Mane ,on which he manages to fix himself.It is noticed that the enemy is foreseen with a wealthy mountain artillery and that he has set in position four howitzers of 150 mm and two of 210 mm.

The fights continued with the same stubbornness in the day of 17th of October. The Commander of the enemy wanted by any means to make the breach.The enemy succeeds one moment to reoccupy Hirja and sends a detachment between valleys Slanic and Oituz,to go around the Romanian position,falling behind it.The things go exactly upside down.The Romanian Commander reaches the news and sends ,in his turn,1st Battalion of the 13th Regiment wich falls ,itself,behind and in the flank of the enemy detachment which he destroys;what has escaped alive,three officers and 100 men,has been taken prisoners.

With all the ferocious rain of shells and grenades ,the Romanian soldiers ,spirited by the personal example of the energic Commander ,General Grigorescu,which all the time conducts the fight from the midst of the troops ,maintain their position and succeed in reocupying Hirja.Together with the Commander of the Group ,Colonel Rujinschi the Commander of the 38th Brigade ,distinguish himself by the fermity and cold blood he knows to spirit the troop with.The report of a Commander of Company from Regiment 65th ,send to the Commander of the Division,in the midst of fight ,it is a document of the circumstances in which the fight was given :"It is impossible to sit on one place. The cannons beat us even in the valley in which we are .We are left with 20 men,t he rest dead or wounded .The Forest went on fire in two parts .The smoke chokes us .It is inferno .We do not have the strength to carry on. Please ,order the retreat". The Commander did not order retreat ,the troop stayed on position ,fought and conquered.

The great attack of 18th of October

The intentions of the enemy were now very clear for the Romanian Commandment ;it was not about local skirmishes ,but about a big battle ,given for an important strategic goal. The gathering of the Bavarian Division at Tirgu Secuiesc -known by Romanians from the prisoners depositions -and the transport of troops of aid with trucks from reserve on to the front ,whenever it was needed ,setting into position of numerous cannons of great caliber ,were indices that did not let a shadow of a doubt over the intentions of the enemy.

The horrifying fight had lessen and weaken the strengths of the Romanian troops ;the companies have been reduced at 40-80 men.That is why the Commander of the Army has send in the aid of the heroic 15th Romanian Division another Brigade from the 8th Romanian Division;the 37th (Regiments 69th and 77th),together with a divizion of howitzers and one of field.This Brigade has especially the mission to prepare a resistance line between Onesti and Targu Ocna on which,eventually,to be made the retreat.

The day of 18th of October was one of the hardest for the defenders of Oituz .The dicissive assault for conquering Oituz was given in this day in the presence of Archduke inheriter Carol and of the Hungarian Primminister Tisza.The enemy artillery have executed all night and all day a bombardment of an intensity not known till then.All kinds of projectiles ;shells of all calibers ,shrapnel ,grenades ,maginegunnings were coming over th Romanian positions.The bombardment was interrupted only so they could give assaults at which the Hungarian troops ,drunk and fantezist, were throwing ahead in the sound of the musics, shouting patriotic songs.The troops of four enemy regiments have started in waves to assault ,starting with 8 in the morning until midday and restarting at 1,30 ,to repeat the attacks ,with a unsurmonted fury ,till 10 in the night.But the heroic Romanian Group has formed a rock ,by which the attacks collapsed, crushing.Exterminaded almost, by the fires of the enemy artillery and overwhelmed by the number of the attackers ,the rests of the troops had to leave one ridge for to occupy another further back,invigorated ,they hastened at attack with bayonet, and regained the position back.And this game of death repeated itself till late in the evening on the Manes of Manoila and Staneica ,on Peaks Sarosa and Bolovan ,on Ridges Feschii ,Lusentului and Vrinceanului .Especially on the Hill and Forest Vranceanu,defended by two Battalions of the 13th Stefan cel Mare Regiment ,are the theatre of a furious fights.The forest is a graveyard .The tree tore and thrown to the ground ,or ripped all together from their roots .On the ground only holes ,in which are dead bodies horrible mutiladed .The bullets of machineguns have tore the young branches of the trees ,which fell,covering the bodies with a blanket of old leaves.The Romanian soldiers have counterattacked at bayonet ;the Forest Vrinceanu has remained in their hands .The savage offensive of the enemy has been rejected on the entire line.By evening,only some edges of hills have been abandoned by Romanians ,to occupy others ,immediate ,behind the first ones.A night attack ,made by Romanian troops with success,has fixed up the Front again on the line elevation 1120 meters -Feschii Peak,Lesuntului Peak-towards Staneica Mane.

. Posted 15 May , 2009 The Romanian counteroffensive

During this time the Romanian Aid Brigade ,37th has arrived at Onesti and is set in reserve.General Grigorescu dispose now of aproximately 20 battalions with the divizionar artillery strengthened with four sections of howitzers of 103 mm and a battery of mountain of 63 mm.The Romanian forces are separated between two sectors ,parted by Oituz Valley and of Slanic ;the one in the left ,between Oituz Valley and Casin Valley.The terrain is very bad and forested ,proper for surprise movements.

The Romanian Commander ,which has resisted splendid in defence ,thinks he can pass now to offensive .This will start at 19th of October and it will unfold for four days under the eyes of Prince Carol,the inheritor of Romanian throne .For four days General Grigorescu manoeuvres in the mixed up terrain with wit ,using one by one the troops at his dispozition ,giving them by rotation ,the necessary rest.In general,12 battalions were on the attack line ,and eight were held in reserve. The principal Fighting Detachments have been Commanded by Colonel Rujinschi,Colonel Piperescu and Colonel Gorski.

On their part,the Austro-Hungarians do not want to let from hand the initiative of the fight .Their numeric superiority is incomtestable.Thirty battalions take part into the fight and the refreshing of the troops is much more active than at Romanians. At 20th of October ,in the middle of the fight ,the enemy brings with automobiles two Battalions of Bavarians of the 8th Division from Bretcu.In the numerous fights in the days of 19th-22nd of October,the Austro-Hungarians manage to obtain at night advantages of terrain ,thanks to the strong bombardmnt of their strong artillery and of throwing into the fight of fresh forces ;during the day ,however ,the Romanians attack at bayonet and,repulse the invasioneers ,reconquering the positions.

In the day of 22nd of October th Romanian offensive ceases ,because of the extreme exhaust of the troops .The enemy ,gives some more attacks in the right sector -Slanic Valley;they are rejected on the whole line .In the evening of the day,the enemy finds himself on the frontier line close to the same positions were he was at 13th of October.The hills and valleis are filled with the dead bodies of his soldiers.Discouraged and weak,he ceases the attacks as well.

In the eve,in the evening of 21st of October Falkenhayn ,who was the Commander of Oituz Group,reports to the Big German Headquarter ,at Pless"The power of attack of the 71st Division ,after 14 days of unstopped fights ,it is so weak ,that a short break is absolutely necessary, and only if it would be strengthened with new forces ,would be capable to obtain decissive successes".In his memoirs Falkenhayn ,somewhat satisfied by the failure of the plan of the Big German Headquarter and of the Austrian camarads ,which he has foresaw,adds the comentary:"The gentlemen of Pless must be warned that the hope of opening up the road through Oituz Pass ,or by the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army is completely unfounded".


(Ambulance section on Oituz Front)

Retaking the fight .The enemy is throwed over the border.

Suspending the Battle at Oituz ,in the day of 22nd of October ,was very short as duration .In truth ,the fights did not stop completely.The Romanian Commander has stopped any offensive action because of the great tiredness of the troops ,in the morning of the day.But the enemy ,attacking all through the day ,the Romanian troops have stayed in defence. Only in the evening ,the enemy troops ,tired ,have interrupted the action ,such that in the evening of 22nd -23rd of October has been the first quiet night after 12 days of continuous fights.

Short rest,forecasting of new storms .In the day of 23rd of October unleashes again the Romanian offensive .Its aim is throwing definitively over the border of the enemy ,which has succeeded to infiltrate with small detachments and to fix through the twists of the terrain of this accident-ed region(bad terrain).With the reinforcements received from the 8th Division ,General Grigorescu has now some 26 Battalions of Infantry ,sustained by eight field batteries ,four batteries of howitzers and a battery of mountain cannons.The 2nd Cavalry Division with her Divizion of Mounted Artillery ,continues to be part of this Group .The sector occupied by General Grigorescu stretches in Slanic Valley ,at North,where it connects with the troops of the 7th Division ,which occupies from Dofteana Valley ,until Casin Valley ,including,at South,where it connects with 7th Mixt Brigade .

The offensive of General Grigorescu is given with willingness in the days of 23rd-27th of October.The enemy is taken out everywhere from its strongholded positions and rejected far.The central detachment reoccupies ,in the day of 24th of October ,Hirja Village and the greatly disputet Staneica Mane,pursuing the enemy till Poiana Sarata.At the right wing Cernica Peak,the key of Oituz ,is occupied by an assault ,impetuous .It is also occupied the Dobului and Paltinis Ribs in the region of Slanic,Lesuntului Valley and Fata Moarta in Casin sector.The enemy is throwed all together over the border ,in his old positions from the North and South of Poiana Sarata .Romanians have taken 11 officers and 600 soldiers prisoners ,as well as a great number of machineguns .

At 27th of October the action stops and quiet reestablishes at Oituz.The victory of the Romanian troops is here complete .Not only the enemy could not acomplish his important strategic goal ,for which he did bleed for more than two weeks ,but he has been throwed back behind over the frontier .The defeat at Oituz is sincerely confessed by the enemy in his official publications*.

We have payed dearly the victory.The soldiers of the Moldavian Regiments ,which have defended Oituz ,have spilled streams of blood.Especially the Ieseni(men from Iasi) of Regiments 13th and 53rd and Vaslueni (men from Vaslui) of Regiments 25th and 65th.The tradition of Penes Curcanu** had to be honored .By the ambulance of the Division ,installed at Onesti ,have passed over in these frightening days ,only from the regiments of Vaslui 729 wounded .Some other hundreds have remained to stiffen forever the Gates of Moldavia so dear to them,in the face of invasioneers ,together with their brothers from Counties Iasi,Botosani and Dorohoi.

The Battle at Oituz was over .The enemy has suffered a painful and bloody defeat .The invasion plan through the Pass of Oituz has collapsed.The 15th Romanian Division -strengthened with aid brigades of the 8th Romanian Division -have won the glorious name of "The Iron Division" and have written ,with letters of fire and blood ,on the heights which dominates the Gate of Oituz,the proud inscription:"Thou shall not pass through here!"


"At the extreme left wing of the IX-th German Army ,the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division pursues without rest the adversary which is retreating on Oituz driveway and forces the pass over the frontier .At 20th of October it has reached 8 Miles to Tirgu Ocna .In the wake of the forcings and of the fiercely fights ,the heavy trialed troops needed urgent few days rest. The perspective that the Division to occupy alone Tirgu Ocna ,for then to,the two Divisions of Cavalry of General Count Schmettow ,which were waiting stretched in the Eastern edge of Tirgu Secuiesc Pool,to be throwed as to flow in to the flats of Moldavia ,has dissappeared.That is why ,General Falkenhayn withdrew the 8th Cavalry Division ,as a reserve army in the region of Brasov, because he hopes to be able to open more surely the mountain Passes in another place.At 23rd of October ,a Romanian attack ,brilliantly prepared and executed on a large front ,has hit the troops of 71st Division.Again have the troops of General Goldbach did their entire duty;the superior attacker has to bleed tragicly.However ,the Division has been retreated during the night on the elevations from the frontier ,because the adversary has managed to breakthrough at South of Oituz Valley ,and from here he threatened to advance behind the defender".
Penes Curcanu(Feather the Turkey,as curcan=the turkey bird;no connection with Turkey the Country),on his real name Constantin Turcanu from Vaslui is the name off a hero of the Independence War of 1877,former Seargent in 13th Dorobanti Regiment.Also he volunteered in Second Balkan War and WW1 at 62 of age,to inspire the troops of Vaslui County.This Dorobanti Regiment had a lot of turkey feathers at the hat;hence feather the turkey


The end of the Battle for Moldavian Passes

At 27th of October von Arz ended the battle in the Moldavian Mountains with a decisive and complete defeat. General Prezan and the brave Northern Romanian Army showed themselves very hard working ,as well in the defensive, as they did in offensive. The gates of Moldavia were well guarded .Falkenhayn used this failure of the Battle at Oituz ,to liquidate this enterprise, for which he manifested from the beginning aversion. The 3rd German Cavalry Division has been retreated at Brasov as Reserve of the IX-th Army. The 6th German Cavalry Division ,newly arrived at Targu Secuiesc ,has been turned back from its way and send towards Petrosani ,where the German Generalisim was planning a decisive hit.Also there has been send General Schmettow ,the defeated of Oituz ,and General Kuhne with the Staff of LIV-th Corps ,which has been brought here with the purpose of a retaking of the offensive. The 71st Division has been passed to the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army.And for a while, along the mountainous frontier of Moldavia ,established relative silence ,interrupted only by the rare beat of the cannons and by the hiss of the wind ,which was setting piles of snow over the graves of the warriors.


c)The Battle For"The Shortest Road " Towards Bucharest

The six passes

If the attacking of the Passes of Moldavia -the conception of the Austro-Hungarian Commandments -was for Falkenhayn a"missfortuned ideea",in exchange ,the attacking of the Passes which constitute the shortest way to Bucharest ,was the favorite idea of the German Commander. It has made roots in the same time in the minds of Commanders of the Big German Headquarter and in to that of the Commander of the IX-th German Army. This conception has to be realized by a daring operation .Following the Romanians which were retreating after the defeat at Brasov ,the Armies of the enemy had to keep close contact with them and cross the mountains in the same time ,with them. The Mountain Passes will be ,in this way,forced by surprise .The battle will be given for conquering of the Passes at South ,like a handful of sun rays,six roads which cross over the impozant mountain massif towards Romania; they are the most direct roads towards Bucharest ,being disposed in to three groups :towards South-West it is the Road of Bran(Pass),which leads to Campulung;towards South is Predeal Mountain Pass ,which goes to Ploiesti,having close by the passes less important of Predelusului and Bratocei;towards South-East is Buzau Mountain Pass,which goes to Buzau,having near the pass of Tabla Butii.

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Falkenhayn made a new regrouping of the troops which fought at Brasov,and even in the second day after winning the battle ,at 9th of October,threw them in the pursuit of Romanians,on all directions. IN this way to the three groups of mountain passes corresponded three groups of armies , each: towards South-West ,at Bran Pass ,has been send Morgen Corps ,made out of the 76th German Division and by the 8th Brigade of Austro-Hungarian Alpiners ,brought from the Front of Isonzo.Towards South ,against Passes Predeal ,Predelus and Bratocea ,has been send the bulk of the XXIX-th Corps-General von Staabs-made out of Divisions 51st Austro-Hungarian and 187th German.Towards South-East ,against Passes Buzau and Tabla Butii,has been directed the 89th Prusian Division-von Luttwitz .A new Division ,freshly arrived ,the 12th Bavarian ,was retained at Brasov,to be directed in the direction in which operations will announce more favorable ,to haste there and widen the breach.

The Romanian Commander was conscious of the gravity of the situation .The region attacked by the Germans was the most vulnerable ,because of the immediate vicinity with the capital city of the Kingdom, Bucharest,and of the numerous roads roving it. She had to be held with any price. Fortunately,abandoning the plan of the hit at Flamanda set to the disposition of the Great Romanian Headquarter some divisions and a capable Commander. Troop and Commander has been send in the greatest haste to the endangered point, to ease the Kingdom of being invaded at one month and a half after our entering in the War. Of the former troops of the II-nd Army ,in retreat from Brasov ,the 4th Division was not capable to fight ;her remains ,which were retreating ,one part through Predeal and another through Bran, have been brought to Baicoi,for rest.The troops of the 6th Division ,always harassed by the enemy ,have occupied the mountainous positions of Buzau Pass and Tabla Butii Pass;the 3rd Division the ones at Bratocea Pass and Predelus Pass.The 21st Division has occupied Predeal Pass;for strengthening of this important point has been send also the 10th Division. In Bran Pass was also send the 22nd Division; the 12th Division ,taken out from the Front of Dobrogea will soon follow.In this way,four of the Divisions which were supposed to defend the Kingdom on the Southern Front ,at the Danube and in Dobrogea ,were now send to defend the Kingdom and the Capital ,against the invasion which was threatening from the North .The Command of the II-nd Army ,reconstituted with this face,with five divisions ,was given again to General Averescu.The Country could wait with trust the unleashing of the storm:the guard of "the shortest way" towards Capital City was in safe hands ,just as it was the one at Moldavia Gates.

General Averescu ,arrived in the evening of 8th-9th of October at Busteni,to take the Command of the II-nd Army ,has found a very difficult situation ,consequence of disorganizing of the desaster produced at Brasov defeat and the retreat in to the mountains.His energy managed to put order in the units. To realize a coordination in the action ,it is handed to General Averescu the mission to ensure the collaboration of the II-nd Army, Romanian,with the Northern Army, Romanian ,making together a Group of Armies. The plan of operations of General Averescu is made out from a first phase ,defensive ,in which time the troops to be able to position in depth,such that they could constitute a reserve of six Divisions;the General also hopes to be able to count on the aid of four Russian Divisions .With these forces ,he thinks of retaking the offensive in direction Targu Secuiesc .But until then the things are pressuring in Bran Sector ,where there are signs that the enemy has taken the initiative of attack.


First Battle of Campulung

Bran Mountain Pass

The driveway of Bran was one of the oldest roads which linked Romanian Country(Valahia and Moldavia) with Ardeal. It is the way of legendary unmounting of Basarabs .Through here have passed in the 13th century the Teutons Chevaliers with the thought of establishing a durable Germanic mastering .Also,through here ,further back, two times ,the proud armies of the Hungarians lead by the ambitious King Carol Robert [5],or by the strong Sigismund [6],the German Emperor ,have been attacked ,beaten and helped to find their country quicker ,by the simple soldiers of Basarabs ,which were defending their "land ,needs and people" .Through here, especially ,for centuries ,guests more peaceful ,the traders Sasi ,then brothers of ours ,handicraftsmen or simple shepherds ,have climbed and descended ,on horse back ,in wagons ,or behind the sheep herds ,making tight connections ,which only the times and roads ,new,have directed them in the wrong way,on the road of Predeal.

The Road of Bran is today a well build driveway ,masterpiece of engineering ,which roves through a land of complete pitoresque.Leaving Birsei Field and the Fortress of Bran with its old memories ,placed on an elevation from where it dominates the whole field ,the driveway climbs in large serpentines between rocks ,by valleys with ravines ,until it arrives on to the ridge of the mountains ,on the line of old frontier ,at Giuvala Frontier point .All the time the rows of Piatra Craiului Mountain Massif accompanies us on the right hand side ,with a rocky wall ,vertical ,steep, and baldish. From Giuvala the driveway begins to descend near dizzying steeps .On the left side Posada pot ,reminds of the far away day [7] ,lost in the dawns of our national history ,a "day of shining shepherds victory over the Great boiards -aristocracy,of the conquering foreigners"*.Large valleys begin to show here and there ,in which are placed big and beautiful villages :Dimbovitei Bridge ,Rucar and Dragoslave .On the right side ,the Canion of Dambovicioarei opens like a dark breech between the vertical walls and leads to the celebre cave .At Rucar ,the driveway meets Dimbovitei Valley ,which will follow from now on .At Dragoslave ,the driveway separates in two .On the left, she follows Dambovitei Valley and straigthens up through Stoenesti towards Targoviste and Bucuresti .On the right ,she passes forward,climbs into tight serpentines Mateias Hill-from where appear like in a feeric panorama Dimbovitei Valley and Campulung with its numerous churches-,then descends ,passing by Village and Monastery Namaesti ,to enter in Targului River Valley and with it,in,Cimpulung.


The attacking and conquering of Bran Pass offered to the German Commander two perspectives :after the first one, it could open up the road through Dragoslavele-Stoenesti towards Targoviste ;in this case ,were turned the positions of Romanians from Predeal and then ,in collaboration with Staabs ,it would force the shortest way towards Bucharest, conform with the order of operations of the Big German Hedquarter.The second perspective was to occupy Campulung and opening up the road towards Pitesti ;in this latter case ,the action of Morgen Group went hand in hand with that of Krafft Group, which operated on Olt Valley, holding Pitesti ,through Curtea de Arges .The course of the events would decide which of the two directions would be followed.In anay case ,the mission given to Morgen Group was of an overwhelming importance for the operations of the enemy. So ,the task of the Romanian Army for defending would be made, such, more difficult and full of responsibilities.

The surprise at Rucar
At 10th of October ,Morgen begins the advance with the 76th Division ,to force the Bran Mountain Pass.The German Commander thinks he has in front of him only the remains of the defeated Division. But ,already ,for three days now ,the troops of the 22nd Romanian Division -Commander General Aristide Razu-disembarked at Campulung and were replacing at Giuvala the troops of the 4th Romanian Division; at 10th of October ,the advanced elements of the 22nd Division collide with the enemy at Moieciu ,small locality of Bran,between Giuvala and Bran,on Ardelenesc territory. The enemy is repulsed; its advanced is thus delayed and the thick of the Romanian troops use this time ,to unfold on to the mountainous ridge of the frontier, occupying the stronghold positions ,during the time of neutrality. In the next days ,the troops of the 76th German Division were able to occupy all localities on the Transilvanian versant of the mountains around Bran Pass and to set in position a strong artillery Behind the Division ,at Zarnesti ,the 8th Alpine Austro-Hungaria Brigade ends its preparative to execute a surprise hit in to the flank and back of our Army.

Against the Romanian positions on the elevations at Giuval ,the German attacks prove very soon ,hopless.At West of the Pass ,on the heights of Sirnea ,as well as to the East ,the bad terrain between frontier and Dimbovitei Bridge -Posada-were fortified with wit. The strongholds did not correspond ,certainly ,to the necessities created by the Great War;amongst others ,the lack of materials made that the barbed wire fence to be replaced by thin wood fences and weeds. The small domes of 53 mm taken out of the fortified positions of Bucharests and Siret,could not resist to the German mortiers .Still,the reports of German aviators brought to thinking the German Commander ;he has reached the conclussion that the Romanian position cannot be attacked frontal.The Germans appealed again to the classic maneuver of veiling ;the operation at Sibiu repeats itself. The 8th Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade ,brought from Isonzo Front ,was a suitable unit for this purpose.It was made out of Stiriens and Bosniacs ,mountain populations ,equiped and trained for mountain warfare .The brigade had also a numerous special material-mountain cannons -mounted on over 3000 donkeys. At 8th of October the Brigade was at Zarnesti.From here it was send to surround West the Chain of Mountains Piatra Craiului,at 10 miles in the flank of the Romanian positions for to fall in their back. The march of the Brigade is executed through the superior valley of Barsei,then crossed the ridge of Tamasel Mountains and descended in to Dimbovitei Valley.Through very steep valleys ,through secular woods ,paths and tracks known only by the locals ,the enemy,lead by German spyes ,which during peace times have lived in Rucar ,unobserved -and under the pretext of hunting they rove through the mountains and valleys -managed to sneak behind the Romanian positions .In the day of 13th of October ,the enemy appeared on the line Rucar-Podu Dimbovitei(Dimbovitei Bridge).The surprise was complete. Attacked with strength in front by the troops of the 76th German Division ,which were supported by a strong artillery, attacked by surprise-in the back and in flank by the Alpine Brigade ,which had numerous mountain batteries ,General Razu saw himself forced to order general retreat ,with the leaving of the positions at Sirnea and Posada. This has been executed quick ,without any loss of prisoners or of war material. Even the small canons ,mounted in the fortifications of Posada ,have been taken out of the strongholds and took by the Romanian troops in retreat. At 14th of October ,Rucar has been occupied by the enemy after a violent fight .Bran Pass was forced!


Posted 18 May , 2009 The Front at Dragoslave-Mateias

The unexpected,quick success ,of the hit at Rucar ,filled with hopes the German Commander. Falkenhayn thought that he is on the brink of making the breakthrough and decided to apply the blows with maximum of strength in the weak uncovered spot.It was time and occasion to use the 12th Bavarian Division ,kept in reserve at Brasov. The division has been set to the disposition of Morgen and received the order that,by forced marchings ,to enter the fighting front .In truth ,at 16th of October ,she was already at Podu Dimbovtei.

Without losing time the enemy ,taking advantage by the confusion in which the surprise at Rucar and the precipitated retreat ,have thrown the Romanian troops ,intensified the blows. At 15th and 16th of October ,violent fights take place at Dragoslave ;the position is lost by Romanians .At 16th of October ,the Germans attack Capitanu Mountain ,defended by 50th Putna Regiment .Their strong artillery bombards from Dragoslave the Romanian positions ,smashing the trenches and mutilating the troops of the defenders. By evening ,the defence cedes ;the Romanian troops retreat in Arges Valley .In the same day ,the Germans attack with power at Mateiasi and succeed to master the slopes from the North of the Hill. hey are 5 Miles from Campulung .A beginning of panic produces through the Romanian troops. A break is made in the front ;the 50th Romanian Regiment leaves the position and retreats in disorder at Campulung ,where they give to unorders .But the Romanian Commander did not lose his head; in this difficult moments he rose up to the situation. The breech is filled up with troops of reserve .The soldiers recollect, the defense is organized. Romanians attack with the fury of desperation .At 17 th ,18th and 19th of October ,the enemy is repulsed with great losses from Mateias ;Mateias Peak (elevation 1242 meters) remains solid in the hands of Romanians .The entrench is dug on to the slopes of the hill transforming it in to a strong position ,by which the attacker will crush helplessly. IN his turn ,the enemy organizes his positions, this side of Dragoslave ,which are in his hands. The Front Dragoslave -Mateiasi,goes -from West to East -from Arges Valley-at North of Namaesti-in Pravatului Valley ,then bends towards South over the Magura Peak and on the slopes of Mateiasi, descends in the valley ,crossing Dimbovita Valley and the national driveway ,then climbs again on Mountain Prisaca .The pressure of the enemy is big, especially at the two flanks ;Prisaca Mountain is conquered by the enemy and reconquered by Romanians.In the critical time ,of the retreat from Rucar,and of the fights at Dragoslave and Mateiasi,the local population has brought great services to the troops.Especially the women ,the proud Muscel-ence ,have ensured the provisioning of the troops ,leading entire convoys ,many times until under the fire of the enemy.


General Averescu intends to take the counteroffensive with the aid of a Russian Division-the 3rd of Tiraliori Siberian,which has been retreated from Dobrogea ,were it had just arrived -to form the general reserve .A Brigade of the Division is directed to Pietrosita ,the other one at Busteni.But only as they disembarked ,the Great Russian Headquarter telegraphs that they did not approve this use of the Division and orders resending it back to Dobrogea.Averescu executes the order pretaining the Brigade at Busteni ;the one at Pietrosita is in course of executing of the disposition for the offensive at Namaesti and cannot be withdrew.Still,the telephon orders are pressuring and the Brigade has to be taken out of the Front and expediated. Besides,the Brigade found out of these orders and was already in Pietrosita Train Station,ready for embarking ,putting on the retreat a haste so great as the slowliness with which it arrived.The recalling of the Russian Division makes no use in Dobrogea either ;she does not arrive there in time to take part in to the Great Battle ,which had as result the breaking of the Romanian-Russian Front .As in other circumstances ,in the most dangerous moments ,the necessary troops for obtaining a result were in terrain. The help could only come within ourselves.At 18th of October disembark in Campulung Train Station also the first units of the 12th Romanian Division,which was supposed to take part next to the 22nd Romanian Division ,at the defense of Cimpulung. She was coming from Dobrogea ,where ,she took part in the Fight at Cocargea.The Division took position on a line which stretched towards East the front of the 22nd Division ;she had in the first line the 70th Regiment ,made out of men from Muscel,which were enetering the fight even in the day of arrival ,to defend their villages ,mountains and valleys. The arriving of the Division was made in time:in the same time the fight begun ,on the part of the enemy, also the 12th Bavarian Division. The Commander of the Division ,12th Romanian was General Gaiseanu,to which it was handed the Command of the Group of the two Divisions from Campulung;they will held chest at two Divisions and one Brigade of the enemy.

During the night of 18th of October the snow fell in abundance on to the mountains .The War will go on now in a fairy landscape of winter ,but on snow storms and freezing.

The second battle of Campulung

The fights in Campulung region have taken the aspect of war of position ,which exhaust the forces ,tired and enervates them. The Germans have brought a very powerful artillery ;have climbed with ropes cannons with long gun on to the dominant heights ,have installed in Dragoslave Valley two batteries of 210 mm ,have seeded the trenches in the entire length with trench mortiers and projectors .The Rumanian positions are subjected the whole day to a continuous and violent bombardment .But this does not advance the Germans one step, and their mission is not a defensive one ,but offensive. And because the frontal attack has not given any result, he combines it this time with an offensive turn. The successes at Sibiu and Rucar were surrounding.

mortier-shell artillery

For executing the new offensive ,while the 12th Bavarian Division and the 76th German were harassing by the front the position at Mateias by continuous attacks ,the Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade has been send to go around the left wing Romanian through Raului-Tirgului Valley.At 20th of October ,the enemy appeared at Leresti ,in the flank of Romanian position ;two days later ,he attacks with more powerful forces a little to the West,at Albesti ;Magura Hill,between these two villages ,has been occupied by Bavarians. The trial did not catch ;the alpiners have been throwed back with heavy casualties. Enervated by the resistance encountered, the enemy troops stretch further the front towards West; in the day of 23rd of October they attack Candesti Village ,also without success. Heavy fights are given for mastering of Hills Bughei and Gresiei. The panic caught some units of Regiments 10th and 50th;it propagates to some of the Commandments ,at civilian authorities and population. Fortunately,General Averescu arrives at the scene ,stimulates the Commanders of Divisions ;the counterattacks made ,close the breech and sides completely the danger ,repulsing the enemy of threatened Campulung.


The Romanian troops have remade their moral and better their positions. When,at the center, the enemy retakes the attack and gives,in the day of 26th of October ,an extraordinary violent attack against the Romanian position on Mateias ,prepared by a long and strong artillery bombardment ,and the infantry columns of the 12th Bavarian Division have started through the valleys of Clabucet,Arges and Pravatului;they have been received in the fires of our artillery and then attacked at bayonet. The enemy has enormous casualties .All the attack columns must retreat in the starting points. Pravatului Valley is scattered with the enemy's dead bodies.

But the Romanian troops do not content with this victorious defensive ;they prepare for offensive. At 27th of October the right wing of the enemy is attacked in force at Leresti. The enemy is throwed beyond the Northern edge of the Village;he has to leave the entire line which he conquered and to leave in the hands of Romanians 300 prisoners ,two trench mortiers and five machineguns. The defeat of the Germans is now complete .Amongst many felt losses ,they have to mourn the death of General Pecht ,the Commander of one of the Brigades of the 12th Bavarian Division, killed by the explosion of a Romanian grenade ,during a reconnaissance ;the General has been buried temporarily at Dragoslave.

The trial of breakthrough at Campulung ,started in such a lucky way, has failed completely; the enemy himself is forced to admit the bravery with which the Romanian fight: "They defend without hope ;for each squared meter of their precious fields ,fight with a surprising stubborness. Since they have been pushed back from Bran Pass by a brilliant surrounding move, they protect very well their flanks. They are clever men and compensate they insufficient military education by fast intellectual and a faculty of adapting miraculous ".

Falkenhayn records the defeat of Morgen, noticing that his army is not able to take the position of Mateias he declares himself content ,that at least he was able to hold on the principal position occupied. The enemy has learned -at the school of defeat-to be modest .One moment ,Falkenhayn thinks to cease the offensive in Campulung direction and to use a part of the troops from here ,to attack the back of the Romanian troops in Prahovei Valley, croosing over Leaota Massif. Not trustfully in the success of this ideea ,he leaves it; he will wait the victory from somewhere else.



Posted 19 May , 2009 Predeal Battle

Predeal mountain pass

As the German troops of General Morgen were trying hard to open up at Campulung the road towards Pitesti and towards Tirgoviste,the bulk of the XXXIX -th Corps ,of General Staabs,was attacking Predeal Pass and the neighbor roads with it. The communication line ,direct of Brasov with Bucharest ,goes through Predeal Pass, the most comode and frequented of the five passes. A beautiful railway and a driveway climbs in tight serpentines towards Predeal Pass ,along Timis Valley through a splendide fir tree forest.The region of a beauty without pair ,is well known. There is no one from Bucharest to not have made at least a trip with the "pleasure train" on Prahovei Valley and to have not admired ,from the heights of Predeal the fairy panorama of Timis Valley ,with the serpentine line of the driveway and of the railways, going around the rocky walls losing in the depth of the fir forests. Towards East of Predeal road ,at the exit of Satu Lung of Sacele, another driveway goes South ,along the Valley of Talungu.At Santu Vechi,she separates into two branches :one enters the country through Predelus Pass in Dofteana Valley,and the furthest one towards East,goes through Bratocea Pass in Teleajen Valley .There are two roads of secondary importance ,with primitive driveways and without railway.

The German Generalisim set to General Staabs disposition the 51st Division Austro-Hungarian, together with parts of 187th German Division ,with the mission to attack and conquer Predeal Pass ;the rest of the 187th Division will give attacks for fixation ,in regions Predelus and Bratocea, such that it would not permit to the troops of the 3rd Division to intervene in the principal attacked sector .What made more the real power of the Army of Staabs was an enormous mass of artillery, which comprised of a great number of cannons and mortiers-howitzers of big calibers.

The defense of Predeal was given to Predeal Group of the II-nd Romanian Army. On the ridges of Predeal was the 21st Division ,and in the left ,of Rasnoavei Valley until Piatra Arsa(Burned Rock),above Sinaia ,with the face towards West ,was the 10th Division .Both divisions have been in the Army of Flamanda .The 21st Division was a new unit ,constituted in the greatest part of Bucharest reservists, from Ilfov County and Dambovita County. It was Commanded by General Lambru ,pensioner soldier which, at the outbreak of the War ,re-entered in the ranks with the joy and energy of a young. he Division has been transported from Flamanda to Brasov and suffered felt casualties at the defense of Stejeris Hill. The 10th Division ,Commanded by General Arthur Vaitoianu made out in the greatest part of men from Dobrogea County and Vlasca County. The rests of the 4th Division heavily trialed, have been retreated to Baicoi, for remaking.


The attack of Predeal

In the days of 9th-11th of October, the arierguards of the 21st Division have sustained continuous fights with the enemy; at 12th of October ,the Romanians were solid established on the line of the old frontier .The enemy climbs in pursuit Timis Valley ,sheltering his formidable artillery in lateral valleys ;he had the unpleasantness to notice that the road is closed and that he has to begin a difficult fight ,to be able to force the passing through. The surprise planned by Falkenhayn did not work here either.I n the day of 12th of October started the attack of the first line of strongholds, which stretched along the frontier. Having the impression that is difficult to attack Predeal frontal,the enemy concentrated its fires over one of the lateral sectors, and namely over Susai Mountain (height 1483 meters),at East of Predeal on the frontier line.Once this position taken ,the Romanian line of strongholds, West of Predeal, could be attacked by flank. In the days of 12-13th of October an infernal bombardment with cannons of all calibers came over the ridges, deforested of Susai.The Romanian fortifications have been dug out ;our weak artillery did not help the defenders .In the afternoon of 13th of October ,the enemy gave a general attack and managed to occupy Peak Pristocolului(height 1159 meters),of Susai Massif ,in front of the train station .The next day, however,troops of the 21st Romanian Division have attacked the enemy from Polistoaca Valley and Limbaselului valley and have reconquered the lost position. But at 17th of October the enemy opened again formidably from heavy artillery ,which destroys all the improvized works ,by the defenders. The two Companies of the 5th Vlasca Regiment ,defending the position on Susai ,have been decimated and crazed. When the attack of the enemy infantry produces ,the remains of the two Companies have been scattered through the woods, art of them captured.


Susai is in the hands of the enemy; he wants to advance for to turn the defence of Azuga.He is ,though,stopped by 10th Hunters Regiment ,which barriers the road, taking position on Limbaselului Valley and throws him back .The Romanian troops maintain on the belly of Susai Mountain ,towards South and West,covering the rail ways and Predeal Train Station.Against the train station and Village of Predeal ,especially against the neighborhood of villas from the North side of the village the enemy enterprise a bombardment of an extraordinary violence. Ten days in a row have blasted fire and metal over poor Predeal. It was the fury of destruction in the most barbarian primitivity. The heroes of Louvain and Ypres ,from Reims and Arras [8] were again at work. The were spirited by an immense thirst of vengeance over the beautiful group of villas: "the sumptuous summer residences of the Patrician Bucharest-ers ,which wanted and fired the War".Up the top,exactly on the frontier line , a small villa ,hanged on a peak of a mountain and almost hidden between fir trees ,excited mostly the fury of the enemy.It was the villa of Primeminister Bratianu,"The principal culprit" for the entering of Romania in the War. Bursts of shells have transformed the villa in to a pile of rubble and briks ,for the great satisfaction of the enemy. Two years later, the man of state could say: "I had a house ,and next to it a frontier. The house went down ,but the frontier went too !".Nothing justified the ferocity against Predeal :the fortification line was beyond the village, on the frontier ;the Village itself was not fortified .It was needed though that the thirst of destruction of the enemy -German virtue eminamente-to be completely satisfied,at the first step on Romanian soil .A German correspondent visiting later Predeal writes: "During the War ,I have seen in Galitia and Poland many cities which have suffered enormously in the wake of the War, but those have only suffered as Predeal has been smashed"*.

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Theatre of Fights from Predeal ,Clabucet and Bucegi

dotted line=successive lines of the Romanian Front

arrows =principal directions of the enemy attack


(improvised shelter for Telephone Post)


(Predeal Train Station after the battle)

....

Time of ten days ,from 13th to 23rd of October ,with all the destroying flood ,of heavy artillery, thrown from the mouths of the monstrous mortiers, Predeal could not have been seize.In the day of 23rd of October it is given a great attack with big forces ,after a powerful prepare of artillery .The trenches on the hills covered with orchards of Pristocolului, the last height of Susai in front of the train station ,are crushed by shells ;they are abandoned only after any resistance has become impossible and after the positions have been surrounded and attacked in flanks and behind T he bayonet and hand grenades of Romanians cut down the enemy which ,hoever, makes the decisive with the artillery and great number of troops. Columns of Hungarians ,in the North part and Germans towards South ,attack Predeal from East ,going for the train station and the railways .A Hungarian column, coming from the North, breaks the front between Reegiments 45th and 46th ;another column of Germans descends from the East ,breaks it in the place occupied by a Battalion of 5th Vlasca Regiment .Through the breeches made the crowd storms inside ,turning the uncovered flanks .A handful of men with a machinegun ,defend Predeal Train Station till the last bullet and life .A German correspondent witness of the fight describes the adventures of this heroic episode :"In the afternoon at 3 ,the railway has been touched .The building of the train station was occupied with machineguns .From the window of the restaurant of the station a machinegun was firing ,such that closing in on to the wide of the platform was impossible .Again the artillery has to be brought in .Guided by observers ,hidden at a distance of 200 meters of the said building ,our cannons ,placed far down in the valley ,were firing over the train station and over anything that moved in its surroundings. This fire ,well directed, killed many Romanians ;the rest have been bewildered .By evening ,our line advanced ,and took the station with assault.The servants of the machineguns are defending it until the last momen t".The history could not record for the posterity the names of the unknown heroes which gave their life at the windows of the train station Predeal, once the machineguns bullets were finished.

.....


Another German correspondent visits the next day Predeal train Station and stories his impression:".....I don't really think to be someone left of those who have fought on the East side of Predeal, as brave soldiers, till the dreadful end ,to be able to tell about this last part of the fight .And bravely hve behaved Romanians on Mountain Pristocol and in Predeal Train Station. I have visited firstly the Station. As point of departure of the Romanian railways ,had an imposing and spacious building .A long row of buildings ,one near the other ,in which were the Chief 's bureau ,with the staff ,the Customs, the waiting rooms and the restaurants .The blows of our cannons ,in full ,have produced terrible ravages in this row of buildings .The entire content of the different rooms is in disorder and destroyed by the earthquake produced by the projectiles explosions. The Romanian soldiers have installed themselves in here seeking of shelter ;when we aimed our fires over the Train Station they have left it, going back in the chaos of rubbles and ruins ,when the whole Predeal was only a hell, in which everywhere exploded shells. In the old restaurant ,in which the vilige atourists of other times were gathering during the evening to small celebrations ,they lay now between ruins and between glass ;in the room with Offices of the clerks ,their rigid bodies and cold stay clenched. The hand gredaes and riffle beds have said here the last word. A pile of train tickets multicolored finds here in this chaos indescriptible :Predeal-Brasov(written on the tickets);red blood have been spilled over this small green tickets and two cold and ash like hands are thrust in them. On the other side ,another dead body in the middle of the suitcases of the travelers .Death have put them down ,laying them in unnumbered tableaus of a terrifying grotesque. It seems, in the face of this might,that nothing is real and that I only see horrible wax figures of a panorama of a Sunday feast. ".

Traveler ,who from the windows of the carriage look the new walls of Predeal Train Station and enjoy that you got rid of the bore from other times ,of passport visa and luggage ,think about that for buying this cheap pleasure ,lives of young men have finished in torments between these walls ,that blood have smeared the walls and flowed streams on the stones of the platform where people walk now in a hurry , carelessly. Recollect yourself and raise a prayer in penitent Predeal Train Station is not a border anymore ;it is for Romanians a temple of the most clean martyrs**.

Dr.Bassel,in "Neue Freie Presse" from 20th December 1916.

Romanian Cavalry-1905-3rd Rosiori Regiment,took part in the Independence War against Otoman Empire 1877


Not a monument, not a commemorative plaque ,not even a simple inscription on the walls of Predeal Train Station ,dose not call today the memory of the traveler ,indifferent over the holiness of this temple.
Those who have defended Predeal

After occupying the train station ,all evening till late in through the night have continued the fights ,the most ferocious ,for to occupy the Village of Predeal .Under the Command of the unfearful and full of heart Colonel Stefanescu Stefan, the soldiers of the 61st Regiment ,formed of rezervists from Ilfov County and Dimbovita County ,have worked under the formidable fire of the enemy ,building trenches between houses and through the empty spaces in the city. The enemy ,stopped in front of the train station ,restarted the bombardament. House by house had to be assaulted .The ruins of the villas destroyed in the bombardment of the Northern Neighborhood of Predeal ,firstly ,and the peasant houses from Southern Predeal ,latter ,have been defended with a stubbornness which made the enemy to pay very dearly each step he made on Romanian soil. The Romanian positions in the North-West edge of Predeal have been searched by the terrible fire of heavy shells .The dug out terrain ,filled with deep holes ,reminds of the terrifying battle fields in the West .The soldiers of the 61st Regiment did their duty with an incomparable heroism. And the confessions do not miss.Foreign war correspondents which accompanied the enemy armies with the sense of hate and despise ,cannot stop themselves of giving to the Romanian bravery the certify ,most precious and sincere ,because it is of the enemy. "Romanians make a duty to use for defense all the advantages of the mountainous region ,gather all their bravery, all the stubbornness and despise for death ,to keep the gates of their houses".

"The Romanian positions of Predeal shows how the soldier can fight brave even for a politics which is stupid and murderous (in German opinion)...From the trenches ,leveled by bombardment ,from within the ruins ,appear the dead bodies of the defenders ,smashed between Earth and the wooden roof .They have fought like braves days after days, with the face turned towards Ardeal".


Ardeal-or Transilvania trences-dug in positions


"In the Western part is the great ground stronghold ,which could be considered as the most powerful fortification of there enemy, like a key of Predeal. It has been completely crushed by heavy sheels.T he result of the precision firing range at which we assisted for days now,up on the elevation of the artillery observer ,is now in front of me. I go through this maze of entrences and -shelter-trenches ,destroyed. This terrain filled with misfortune ,is preserved by dead men ,which only with their man powers ,have fought against storms of fire and which had to die in this hell.. I see one with his chest torn ,and with the stretched hand holding a ticket ,in such a way that it seems as his last wish ,to be acknowledged the words written on it .I lean down and read it :the dead was named Iancu Ion and was from the 61st Regiment .A name of a woman ,hard to read, is written on the edge of it: Niculina...Another one seats laying down with the rigid look towards that world of the mountains .He is pale ,although no wound can be seen .He has his temples sullen, like he is thinking trying to grasp with his mind of peasant ,in the last moments ,the immensity of madness which has taken over the World .Another one is lying a little further .He has tried to tend to his wound. He had looked for the small package with the dressing in his pack ,of which content together with the dressing has went in to the mud, but he did not had the power to reach with his hand to take it ,and died with his eyes fixed at these objects without value .I want to pas forward when I see something shining ,through these objects, something strange :a toy ...a pair of white long socks ,with the colors of the national flag of Romania ,each with half a dozen of small bells of the size of a nut ..."


The correspondent does not tell us if near ,in the pile of dead bodies ,the stiff fist of Iancu Ion did not clenched stronger the note written to his Niculina. It is sure that the peasant with sullen temples and the calusar(Calusari - a Romanian folk dancer troop),which will not sing his bells and all the unknowns ,dead facing Ardeal ,were judging with their simple peasant mind differently than Mr.Segal .But the clenched mouths cannot shout their protests and the stiff arms cannot make the gesture of tragedy anymore. But their glass-like eyes are looking ,without understanding ,why passes joyfully the Romanian convoy" which speaks in German", happy that even for them, the War was over now.

The rest of the 61st Regiment have retreated on positions on the ribs of the valleys Joita and Polistoaca ,which flows into Prahovei Valley ,in the interior of the village .Late in the night ,after the fight ends ,from the order of the II-nd Army Commander ,the regiment has been withdrew from positions and directed towards Sinaia.

After Predeal battle

The Battle of Predeal has exhausted the strengths of the 21st Romanian Division;the Division has remained bearly with 3000 warriors .The total of troops defending Prahova Valley ,after Predeal Battle did not exceed 7000 bayonets.Under the protection of few detachments of the 4th Division the decimated and tired troops of the 21st Division are withdrew towards , for remaking , Baicoi.They are replaced by the 4th Romanian Division ,which was better now and has reconstituted in part the units.Divisions 4th and 10th to which it has been handed the defense of Prahovei Valley are united in a Group under the Command of General Vaitoianu.

The Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army ,intends the retreating of the Predeal Group on the line Busteni -Zamora,the only one which seems to him good for an effective defence.The intervention of the Supreme Commander(King) changes the plan;the resistance line will be much higher ,on the elevations North of Azuga ,between this locality and Predeal.It is the line of Clabucet ,which streches transversal , perpendicular on the Valley of Prahovei,maintaining in the middle of around 1500 meters high;three peaks ,higher, rose from Clabucet Massif :at West of Prahovey Valley is Clabucetul Baiului ;at East is Taurului Clabucet and of Azuga,placed in the middle of a square -like ,formed up by the straight angle described by Azuga Stream with Prahova River ,acompanied by the national driveway and the railway.

So, the result of the battle at Prdeal has been that the enemy, putting into the game big forces and an artillery formidable , has managed to push the defense line by ,after 12 days of fights with felt casualties,2.5 Miles to the South, on to a new position ,very strong ,by itsself and also of the elevation by which it was flanked .The breakthrough did not succeed. Against the new positions, the German Army will have to begin the work of Sisif.


(Romanian soldiers -Oituz Front,1917)

The fights in Passes ,Bratocea and Buzau

The efforts of Staabs Group were applied at East of Predeal,over the Passes of Bratocea and Buzau.Towards East of road of Predeal ,at the exit of Satu Lung and of Sacelelor,a driveway goes towards South ,along Tarlungului Valley.At Santu Vechi ,she separates in two branches :one goes in the Kingdom through small Pass Predelus in Dofteana Valley ,and the furtest one ,towards East ,goes through Bratocea Pass in Teleajenului Valley.Further to the East still,Buzau Valley opens a large and important road for the entering in to the Kingdom;between it and Bratocea ,a less important pass ,Tatarului Pass,goes over Tabla Butii Plateau and takes in the superior valley of a mountain stream :Bisca Chiojdului.The strategic importance of Passes Predelus ,Bratocea and Tabla Butii is inferior to the one of Predeal .The roads leading towards them are made with big surroundings ,through uninhabited regions ;they lack railways ,and the roads are not so good or even very primitive .Falkenhayn decided to give through here only secondary hits,to ease the principal action from Predeal,putting mastering over the Passes.A more important action will be the one for conquering of Buzau Valley:it can open beautiful perspectives.The offensive against the four Passes will be given with the 89th Division ,German, strengthened with parts of the 187th Division.To the German troops were opposed from our side ,at Predelus and Bratocea ,the 3rd Romanian Division, and at Tabla Butii and in Buzaului Pass ,the 6th Romanian Division.Both divisions were greatly weakened in the wake of the losses suffered at Brasov .The 6th Division was reduced only at the 12th Brigade ,strengthened with the 3rd Hunters Regiment;the effectives were greatly reduced :the 11th Siret Regiment numbered bearly 400 men.The artillery had lost more than a half of the mouths of fire .At the right side ,the 6th Division was connected by rare and weak posts ,by the 7th Mixt Brigade ,in the region of Vrancea .The 3rd Division has executed the retreat in good conditions ,not bothered by the pursuit of the enemy and ,at 12th of October,could establish solid on the heights of Bratocea ,with a lateral Detachment at Predelus ,occupying the elevation between the two Dofteanas.The 12th Brigade of the 6th Division, followed close by the 89th German Division ,had to give a lively fight at Teliu,at the passing from Tarlungului Defile in Buzau Defile.Stopped on Seciului Hill ,the Brigade is on the point of being cought from behind and captured by the 89th German Division;the 3rd Hunters Regiment takes position at Sita Buzaului ,sustains with bravery the German attack and covers the retreat of the bulk of the Brigade ,which arrives at the middle of the night at Crasna.The retreat has continued in close contact with the pursuer ,such that at 12th of October the 6th Division was occupying positions this side of the frontier ,with a lateral Detachment at Tabla Butii,and with the Bulk ,between Cheia and Gura Siriului.

At 15th of October ,the 89th German Division -Commanded now by General von Below ,which has replaced von Luttwitz ,recalled in the fatherland -begins the attack against the Romanian positions,to force the entering in Buzau Valley.At the Eastern wing ,enemy fractions have repulsed the rare line of the Romanian posts and entered Biscei Valley .The 7th Mixt Brigade ,from the neighbour region ,being only in the making ,could not intervene .At the center the position , our position at Gura Siriului is attacked in front ,after a strong bombardment of artilley ,as well as from flank trying a go around by Piciooru Monteorului.The conterattacks of the Romanian troops ruin the trials of the enemy ,which is rejected back in his positions and it is captured ,at 15th and 16th of October ,218 prisoners.


For paralyzing the attacks of the enemy ,a Detachment of the 28th Infantry Regiment leaves from Tabla Butii ,adavancing towards Buzau Customs ,in the rib of the enemy. But two Battalions of enemy troops cut the retreat of the Romanian Detachment which,in the night of 15th -16th of October ,remains isolated;the enemy posts enter the national territory and spread panic in Slon Village.The next day in the morning ,the Romanian Detachment attacks from from North the enemy , closing the way, rejects him, smash the barrier and reoccupies the old positions.

Face with the important action offensive enterprised by the enemy and of the weakening of the troops of the 6th Romanian Division,the Commander of the II-nd Army decides to send reinforcements.At Tabla Butii are send two Battalions with a battery from the Division ,the 4th Romanian ,held for remaking at Baicoi,and in Biscei Valley it is send the 12th Brigade of the 16th Division ,with a divizion of artillery.

Violent fights are given at the both wings of the Romanian Front.The Germans want to turn the position on Buzau Valley .The height Golul Teheraelor, from Biscei Valley ,is conquered by the Germans ,then reconquered by Romanians.At 20th of October ,occupies it again ,forcing the Romanians to retreat on Bortei Peak.The counterattacks given in the following days ,have not given any result ;the Germans had strengthened solid the position and the weather was very bad. Both sides have given up to the advance and,at 28th of October ,the enemy consolidated on GoluTeheraelor.Romanians on Bortei Peak.At the left wing unfolds at 20th of October violent fights .The fire of artillery and machineguns of the enemy stop the advance of Romanians.Casualties are big both sides .Towards evening Romanians have retreated towards right side of Sirioului Mare and the Germans have seized Siriu Mountain.the Romanian Front strengthened with the reinforcements which begin to arrive ,is now copletely consolidated and the enemy has to give up to a new attempt.The breakthrough did not succeed on valley Buzaului.The failure for opening the shortest way to Capital ,Bucharest, was obvious.The offensive of Falkenhayn ,after small beginnings of success ,has been paralised.Morgen was stiff in front of Mateias ,Staabs has taken Predeal after 12 days of efforts and was finding now in front of the strong line of Clabucet ,and Below could not move beyond Gura Siriului.the barrier of stone and metal ,which the Romanians opposed in their mountains ,was intact .Falkenhayn turned the eyes more to the right.Violent fights were going on also on Olt Valley .Maybe in this direction the German General could sight the glimpse of the invigorating ray of the awaited success.


(Romanian military planes)


d)The Battle on Olt Valley

Death of General Praporgescu

After Sibiu Battle ,the Romanian Corps at Olt ,defeated and wakened ,but not destroyed ,managed to occupy positions one side and the other of Olt Valley,on this side of the frontier line.At West the Romanian troops were occupying in Caineni region ,a line with oblique direction ,from South-West to North-East ;they connected at West with the troops of Jiu Group at Turcinu Mountain. At the Eastern of the valley ,our troops were just on the frontier occupying and supervising the elevations until Arges Valley.They were elements of Divisions 23rd and 13th ,which has been disorganized because of the great losses suffered in Battle of Sibiu and in the desastrous retreat through Olt Defile and over the mountains ,strengthened with few Battalions of the 20th Division;this one ,a new formation ,formed up after the war declaration , with reduced effectives and mediocre weaponry. At 10th of October ,the 20th Division has been unestablished ,her units being assigned to the other two Divisions. The Commander of the Group was General Praporgescu ,an elite soldier, with beautiful spiritual and professional character The General has inherited from his predecessor a difficult situation ,almost desperate ;he has made great efforts to organize the defensive positions of his Army ,to set order in the units of the Romanian Corps ,which were very mixed up ,to prepare the troops again for fight and rise her moral.

In front of the Olt Group ,Falkenhayn has left only the Alpine Corps ,strengthened with two more Regiments of the Divisions 76th and 187th,which he counted for the time being ,enough to hares our troops in this region ,while he was preparing and executing the great hit against the II-nd Romanian Army .The mission of the Alpine Corps was ,only the preservation of the won front line .By the result of the offensive against Brasov hanged the further decisions .Till then, Falkenhayn wanted only not to be disturbed in this region.

For almost two weeks, from 30th of September to 14th of October ,the Romanian troops ,badly equipped and armed, because of the great losses of material suffered in SIbiu Battle ,has been continuously harassed by the enemy which, although inferior in number ,had the superiority of the moral and artillery. Attacks and counterattacks have fixed the positions of the enemy and those of Romanians on Pietrosu ,Veverita ,Riglou, Gorganu and Chitianetu Mountains.

A grave misfortune takes place in the day of 13th of October .General Praporgescu [9] has inspected the position on Coti elevation,on the frontier,and was heading now towards elevation Plesu. Although the General and his acompanies walked through the bottom of the valley of Ciineni Stream ,on a hidden path ,a shell came down by coincidence near the group of the officers and hit deadly the General. The fatality wanted in this point ,which could not have been seen from anywhere ,to fall this isolated hit ,of course aimed to nowhere and deviated fronm its destination.The death of the brave warrior ,from which was expected so much, produced a sadness without borders in the ranks of the soldiers ,and of the nation*.It was coming in sad circumstances ,when the failure of the trial at Flaminda and the rejection of our armies on to the mountainous line ,brought a general depression in the spirits.The Command of the Olt Group has been handed to General Petala, which has Commanded the 9th Romanian Division in Dobrogea.A hard task and a great responsibility awaited the new Commander ;the Germans were on the point of beginning at Olt an offensive of the most violent.

Taking the last good bye from the officers surrounding his dying bed ,Praporgescu addressed the words:"Don't weak the faith ,the victory is ours".Few days before he has written to his wife the simple words:"I am healthy and good where I am. Concern not to me, but to our entire Army ,for which victory pray to Good God".
Constituting of Krafft Group.

Its mission

General Falkenhayn ,victorious at Brasov,has given at 9th of October the order for the offensive which had to force the advance in Romania by surprise and on the shortest way. he success of the blow at Rucar has given him the confidence in victory. The success of Morgen Group ,had to be exploited .The Romanian forces in the neighbor regions had to be fixed by strong threatening ,to not be send in the aid of the Romanian Army of Campulung .This action of aid of morgen will accomplish in Olt Valley. A strong group will form up ,there ,with the mission to put mastering on the important road of Olt Valley and breakthrough the Romanian defense ,opening thus the road towards Curtea de Arges and Pitesti. This action had to evolve ,also from the strategical point of view in connection with Morgen's action against Cimpulung. Pitesti was threatened by the convergent action of the two armies ,one through Campulung and the other one through Curtea de Arges .The success of this blow ,on either of the two ways ,produced ,it would have been decisive for the success of the principal action, hich was given on the shortest line. In any case ,it retained important forces and, even in the case of failure ,it eased felt, the action of the other groups ,especially of the neighbor Group,f rom Campulung.For the German Commander it was obvious that Pitesti ,by the geographical position ,close by Bucharest, could be well defended .The Group which will operate on Olt Valley ,had to be ,as such, strong.The Bavarian Alpine Corps ,which was already on position ,elit unit ,formed a solid seed for the new arrangement ,and its Commander ,,General Kraftt von Delmensiengen ,was one of the most appreciated chiefs of the German Army. To him was given the Command of the new Group. The Alpine Corps gave back to the Divisions 76th and 187th the Regiments belonging to these ones. In exchange, it was attached to it ;the 10th Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian, disembarked at 9th of October at Sibiu ,the 2nd Alpine Brigade Austro-Hungarian ,withdraw from Petrosani Front, where the German Commander was intending to give a hit no more, the point being considered as to far away: the 36th Regiment of Infantry ,Prusian, taken by the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army, two Regiments taken from from Divisions 11th and 8th Bavarian ,which were beginning to arrive on Transilvania Front ,as well as a Section of two armored automobiles .Two Staffs of two Divisions have been attached to the Group; during the fights ,Krafft wil also receive the 216th Prussian Division. The artillery has ben increased considerable ,especially with big caliber pieces ;amongst others have been send batteries of 210 mm and 305 mm.With this the superiority of Krafft Group was a sure thing for the importance of the given mission.


Olt Valley

Olt Valley ,normally ,is difficult to be attacked .From the Red Tower to Calimanesti the valley is very narrow ;a closed defile by both sides ,by roky walls ,here and there very steep .Olt River occupies it from shore to shore ,turning its waves like a savage water torrent.It is barely room ,near it ,for the driveway and railway which in some points have to enter through tunnels .From distance to distance opens up in Olt Valley ,lateral valleys leaving, at confluence ,more opened places ;there have established the villages .On the Eastern shore ,the most important are: Ciineni de Arges and Greblesti, from where it starts a driveway through Boisoara,Titesti and Perisani,to arrive at Salatruc,in Topolog Valley ,and from here ,through Suici goes in Arges Valley ,at Curtea de Arges.The three valleys ,of Olt ,Topologului and Argesului, they go parallel ,with direction North-South ,at 6-13 Miles one from the other .On the right shore ,Western,of Olt River, the transversal Valley of Lotru River,opens up in Olt ,after it has passed at Brezoi .It is ,with the driveway which accompanies it ,a wonderful way of entering in the mountains of the region .More to the South, after exiting Coziei Defile ,near the celebre Monastery of Mircea cel Mare(Mircea the Great,Wallachian Voievod),we have Calimanestii on the right side and Jiblea on the left .A driveway begins here going towards East ,to open at Suici ,in the driveway on Topolog Valley ,described above.The whole region at East of Olt ,in Arges County ,is mountainous ,rove through by the rows which descend from Fagaras Mountains ;they have peaks which keep around heights of 1500 meters (Cozia,Miglele,Sule,Mormintu,Frunti).Near the frontier and on its line ,the ridge of Fagaras Mountains has brave peaks with 2000-2500 meters high:Suru,Negoiu a.s.o. The same thing on the right shore of Olt, where the heights do not drops under 1500 meters.

Taking the consequences indicated by the configuration of the terrain ,the German Commander decided that the offensive to not take place on the driveway of Olt Valley, easy to defend ,but straight ,over the mountains and valleys on the right side and especially in its left .For this kind of difficult operations ,which must be executed in very accident ed(rough) terrain ,the enemy had special alpine troops ,and the terrain was just suited for surrounding(going around) moves ,of flanks ,so familiar to the German tactic.

The plan of the double going around

At 15th of October ,Morgen Group have obtained the unexpected success from Rucar .The order for beginning of the offensive in Olt region has been given for the morning of 16th of October. The first target was occupying of the driveway Ciineni-Titesti-Salatruc,to open the way towards Curtea de Arges ,and in the same time ,to provoke also the evacuation of the driveway on Olt Valley,on the the portion Ciineni-Lotru.The action will consist of a double move of going around the Romanian flanks ;it reproduces the offensive move at Sibiu.The dispozitive of the enemy forces was fixed in this way:at the left wing (East of Olt) the 2nd Alpine Brigade had to execute a march of going around in the right flank of Romanian positions, through Valleys Topologu and Arges ,and to advance direct to Curtea de Arges.At the right side (West) of Olt River,an analogue movement will be executed by the 10th Alpine Brigade ,with the direction on Lotru Valley.At the center between the two valleys ,the Alpine Corps will take advantage by the effects of the veiling of the two flanks of the Romanian Army,advancing as the Romanian Front ,threatened ,will retreat ,abandoning Olt Valley with her roads so indispensable for convoys transport .

The fight at Pietrosu and Veverita

The troops of the 13th Romanian Division -Commander General Sanatescu-have occupied ,at West of olt Valley ,an oblique line ,perpendicular to the mountain massif between the frontier ,Olt and Lotru.At the right side ,the Front was crossing Olt River,the driveway and railway ,lower than Lunci Cantoon,covering Ciinenii;then it went towards South-East on the slopes of the heights Vladului,Uria and Robu,of which peaks were mastered by the enemy. The heights Chitianetu ,Gorganu ,Veverita and Pietrosu were in Romanian hands.During the fights given, all the time, for almost two weeks ,the Romanian troops with all the exhaust suffered and their sufferings ,could strengthen the positions on the mountains ,forming a defensive system and to establish lateral communication links ,towards Robesti and Saracinesti,with Olt Valley,as well on South direction towards Lotru Valley.

The 10th Alpine Brigade -Commander General Tinczos -have started at 16th of October the offensive against the Romanian Front ,to push it and open up the road in Lotru V alley.The attack of the enemy is given against our left wing .On Pietrosu Mountain was only one Battalion of the 57th Regiment ;this one cannot resist and retreats through Vasilatului Valley,some 3-4 Miles until Larga .The Detachment on Veverita resist bravely; the enemy occupies only Stina Gligomanului and the line of the avanpost.Veverita Peak remains in the hands of Romanians .the Romanian Commander answers the next day, counterattacking at both wings. The counterattack at the right wing is given in the region of Vadu Mountain.Badly sustained by a very weak artillery and with low ammunition ,taken in the rib by the enemy fire from Lunci and by an armoured car from Ciineni driveway ,the Romanian troops gain a little terrain and have to stop on the occupied line .On the contrary ,the attack directed to the left wing ,in the day of 18th ,has full success. IN front of Veveritei ,the enemy has occupied Sasa Mountain .After bombarding with artillery ,troops from 5th Hunters Regiment have succeeded to go around the enemy right ,and hasting to attack with bayonet ,have occupied the trenches of the conquerer ,running this one a great distance during the night For reoccupying Pietrosu ,Colonel Mosoiu has made a veiling attack .With the help of the railways ,funicular(suspended carriages) in Valleys Vasilatului and Pascoaei,which edge at West and East Pietrosu Mountain ,have been climbed on each side two howitzers ,installed on carriages platform. Firing in a curved line ,over the edges ,the four howitzers have bombarded the positions, which the enemy has organized on Pietrosu Peak,working intense all night. The infantry attack has been given by the front with three Companies of the 5th Hunters Regiment and 40th Infantry Regiment,as a fourth company sneaked through the ravine and appeared in the back of the enemy position. At four in the afternoon ,the enemy,taken by panic ,has left the position ,end run away in disband towards North. Romanians have captured two cannons abandoned on position, ten machineguns and an enormous quantity of munition ;other two cannons have been thrown by the enemy in a ravine ,during his retreat .Almost 300 prisoners Austro-Hungarians have been taken in the fights on Veverita and Pietrosu.

The enemy has tried at 19-20th of October to regain by counterattacks the lost terrain, but have been definitely rejected back with heavy casualties ,on Mountains Robu and Murgasu, from where it has left in the first place; the field of battle is scattered with the deeds of the enemy.

The 10th Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian has suffered a felt defeat. Threatened in its own position ,there are send reinforcements from the neighbor Alpine Corps and from other units and is put under the Command of Feldmarshal Goiginger ,Commander of the Staff of the 73rd Division of Infantry ,a reputed specialist in mountain warfare .A Battalion from the Bavarian Guard Regiment ,sustained by the heavy bombardment of the heavy German artillery from Lunci ,which provokes panic through Romanian troops by the big shells they are firing ,sneaks through Robestilor Valley,on Gorganu .At 20th of October ,our troops from the right wing attack the enemy ;there are very bloody fights given in which Romanians have big casualties. The enemy cannot be budged and the right Romanian wing has to evacuate the slopes of South of Vladului and Uriei ,as well as Chitianetu. The defeat at Vladului Hill does not allow to the 13th Division to exploit the success from the left wing ,but the enemy is fixed on the terrain and happy he escaped only with that.

The fight in Topologului Valley

The principal action of Krafft 's offensive will unleash in the left side of Olt River,in the sector of the 23rd Romanian Division.the 2nd Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade will execute its large going around move in the right flank of the Romanian position ,to open up the road for the Bavarian Alpine Corps .Daring enterprise ,not only from the military p.o.v.,but also by the great physical effort asked from the men.It has to be escaladed in force the row of Mountains of Fagaras,the strongest Massif of the Muntenia (Valahia) Mountains ,which rise up to 2000-2500 meters high. The excellent alpine troops ,German and Austro-Hungar ,with man trained for mountain and with special equipment ,were a guarantee of the success of the enterprise.At 17th of October ,the enemy started a violent bombardment with artillery of all calibers ,of the mountaineous ridge from Olt until Arges.He managed to install also batteries of mortieres-howitzers of 210 mm ,of which mine shells produced destroys and panic in the Romanian ranks ,forcing them to leave the position of the line and retreat furter back.The strong infantry attacks ,given by the Bavarian Hunters over the elevations at Coti and Plesu,have been repulsed .Further to the East,however,the Alpiners managed to occupy Budislavu and Suru Mountains. In the same time ,the troops of the 2nd Alpine Brigade ,starting from Avrig ,have climbed the mountains and crossed the frontier at point Izvoru Scarii,between Suru and Negoiu,at over 2000 meters high, separating then in to two columns .A lateral column attacked Mizgavu Mountain(2143 meters) ,occupied by a weak Romanian Detachment ,which they reject,forcing it to retreat on Mountain Fata ST.Ilie ,to the South. The thick of the column adavanced through Comarnic,following the row of elevations between Valleys Topologului and Argesului. The provisioning of the column is made by taking the Romanian population in Fagaras Land ,transformed under the bayonet of the conquerer in heavy working horse.The mountainous region, raw,uninhabited by no one ,was occupied by rare troops ,in small and isolated detachments ,with weak connections between them. Even the provisioning and relievings-reinforcments bringing, were made very hard, through this bad terrain ,made by mountains with deep ravines ,covered with secular woods ,lacking practicable roads. In some principal points ,were detachments ,in the power of mostly one Battalion ;the large empty spaces ,were rove through only by patrols .The lack of communication made ,on the other hand ,news to arrive late at the Commandment. Still,the advancement of the Alpiners column along Topologului was signaled to the Commander of Olt Corps and followed step by step. The defense measures are taken in great haste. Until being able to gather the necessary troops ,the column continued its advance toward South.In two days it had travelled almost 20 Miles.in the evening of 18th of October ,its avanguards entered in Salatruc ,on Topolog Valley, at the junction with Ciineni driveway-Curtea de Arges ,rejecting a Pioneer Company which were making works North of the village .A lateral Detachment occupies Arefu,on Arges Valley .On the right side, another Detachment goes around by West ,drawing a movement in the back of our front ;the Alpiner occupy Sule Mountain ,in front of Poiena Spinului.

The move of the enemy, very daring one ,even adventurous ,was as much as dangerous for us ,as it was risky for himself .He presented uncovered flanks which could be attacked and runthrough. The Commander of the I-st Army Corps ,constituted in the first place ,a small Detachment in the power of 2- 3 Battalions ,with a battery of cannons of 53rd mm and few escadrons of Calarasi, unmounted,with very reduced effectives ,under the Command of Colonel M.Olteanu.The Detachment attacks at 19th of October the enemy which was on Mizgavu Mountain reconquers it ,rejecting the troop occupying it ,and Graniceri reoccupy Budislavu and Suru ,taking also prisoners. n this time ,the preparation for the principal column of attack -of which bulk was North of Saratuc-are finished.With the reserve of the 23rd Division ,strengthened with aids brought from Cerna and Campulung ,the Romanian Commander has made two Detachments:Cihoski Detachment, which was supposed to have eight Battalions with three batteries and to attack from South ,from Suici direction ;Mosoiu Detachment ,Mosoiu Detachment ,which has also the Command of the Group,had to have seven Battalions with two batteries and to attack from flank ,from Titesti.The veiling offensive of Group Mosoiu-Cihoski had to begin at 20th of October;the units making the two Detachments could not be gathered in time, such that the action was given with much less troops .At South ,Cihoski could not gather at 20th of October but only some small units ,with an effective of 1200 infantry -men and three cannons ;with this handful of men he attacks at 20th of October the enemy avanguards, placed in positions at South of the village ,takes 200 prisoners ,with 4 officers and repulse them in Northern Salatruc.

Mosoiu Detachment ,made out of five battalions with five batteres ,coming on Titesti-Salatruc driveway ,attacked by the flank the position ,which the enemy organized on the ridge of the mountain Clocoticiu, West of Salatruc.In the same time ,Cihoski continued from South the attack, and another detachment have attacked from the East ,from Oesti and Barasti.The artillery of Mosoiu Group have bombarded for two hours the lines from Clocoticiu,where the enemy had only mountain cannons ,then around nine in the morning ,a veiling attack over the position has been surrounded by success.The enemy ,repulsed with heavy casualties had to evacuate Salatruc ,where the Romanians entered at 11 in the morning.

In the pursuit of the Alpiners ,starts now Mosoiu Detachment as well as Cihosky Detachment.T he enemy retreats 4-5 Miles until Frunti Mountain ,where concentrates the entire Alpine Brigade and tries to reinforce.Mosoiu Detachment has to interrupt the pursuit ,being send to Stina Zanoaga in the aid of Olteanu Detachment, which has been attacked by superior Bavarian forces .At 23rd ,Cihosky attacks the position on Frunti Mountain .Without mountain artillery ,and the field one not being able to escalade the steep ravines ribs,the Romanians are in inferiority next to the enemy; the eight cannons of this one produce big casualties in Romanian ranks.At 24-25th of October ,Romanians attack again.The frontal attack is sustained ,with artillery ,by only one field cannon-which has been climbed with great difficulty and pulled with the ropes over abyssal ravines -and by four small cannons of 53 mm. Another lateral attack is given on Arges Valley ,towards Cumpana train Station.A Detachment executes a turning in the left flank of the enemy, falls on to its communication line and captures a provisioning column with 36 horses with samars-horsebags filled with ammunition and food and with 50 guides. The enemy is taken by panic ;he begins a disorderly retreat towards North ,followed by Romanians, losing 300 prisoners ,three smashed cannons ,munition, quipment.The dark, the snow and the wind blowing the snow, make the pursuers to lose contact with the enemy, beaten; this one may stop on Poiana Lunga ,and gather the scattered troops and to try reorganizing of a new defensive position.


During this time, the situation of the enemy column becomes critical. She was stretched on a very long distance ,having behind a hard communication line and for provissionings, crossing over ridges of high mountains with over 2000 meters (6000 feet?),and in front and in flank tight up by the Romanian troops of pursuing. IN the night of 19-20th of October ,the weather went bad .On high mountains was falling an abundant snow, with tremendous blizzard; through the valleys ,cold rain and rain with snow. The vertigos of snow were blinding the eye ,covering the paths ,mixing up the roads. The thermometer went below

-10 Celsius. The Brigade had no more replenishments and munitions ,and from behind ,through deep snow paths and the slopes transformed in ice covered roads ,could not come reinforcements but only with great difficulties .A catastrophe of the Brigade seemed now eminent.But the pursuers could not continue the effort till the end. The Alpiners were fighting in superior conditions to the Romanians.They had special equipment for mountain, as the Romanian reservists and militia ,most of them from field counties ,were coming to the mountain for the first time.

In the face of danger ,the enemy Commander made a diversion. The Bavarian Alpine Corps ,which were waiting to make use of the success of the Austrian Alpiners ,to advance on the way opened up by them ,has been send to intervene to save their mates and prevent the catastrophe. At 20th of October ,through fog and terrific blizzard ,two Battalions of the Bavarian Guard Regiment attacks from the North Mizgavu, which has been reconquered by Olteanu Group,as an Austrian Battalion attacks it by East .The Romanian soldiers of Olteanu Group,stiff with cold and unrest, cannot resist and retreat on Fata Sf. Ilie .Attacked again ,they fight till late in the evening .With all the considerable losses ,the soldiers of 1st Calarasi Regiment fight with heroism ;they counterattack many times and obstacle the enemy to break the front .The enemy attacks again during the night ;in the morning of the next day, the Romanian Detachment leaves the position losing also two cannons of 53mm,and retreats on the elevation behind :Calugaru Mountain.


At 22nd ,the enemy, supported by a strong artillery ,installed on Fata Sf.Ilie(Face of Saint Ilie),attacks again Calugaru ,by the front,as well by a surrounding move through Boei Valley.The reserve of the Romanian Detachment does not make its duty ,but shelters in the wood on Topolnicelului Valley;here ,it is surrounded by the enemy and made prisoner. The Alpiners seize Calugaru(the Monk) and the Romanians retreat on Stina Zanoaga.The intervention of the Alpine Corps made its effect.The back and right flank of the bulk of the Austro-Hungarian Column in Topolog Valley is covered, and the line of the Romanian Front is threatened to be breakthrough at Stina Zanoagei(Zanoaga Sheep Stable).Mosoiu Detachment is recalled from Frunti, occupies strong Stina Zanoagei and attacks ,from the South and by flank Calugaru,which retakes ,after violent fight ,in which is destroyed the 4th Battalion of the 18th Gorj Regiment and fell Captain Bradiceanu from the 5th Hunters Regiment.The conquering of Calugaru ensures the principal position on Zanoaga ,strengthening with this face the right Romanian flank. But the Austro-Hungarian Brigade has been saved ;after a shameful retreat of 13 Miles ,which could have become catastrophe ,she could breath momentarily on Poiana Lunga(Long Clearing).

To the great surprise of the enemy*,the Romanians cease the pursuit. Krafft takes advantage of this unexpected bargain to set order in the units of the Brigade and, at 24th ,a retreat on to

Clabucet(Lather).The fatality ,which followed the Romanians from the beginning of the campaign, repeats here again. As at Porumbacu(Pigeon-er),or Barcut(Boat-er),they had to suspend the operations in full victorious unfolding ,on their part.

In a surprising manner, they(Romanians) begin to give up. If this is because of the pressure of the Austrian Alpine Brigade ,or the fact that at 20th of October the 1st Battalion of the Bavarian Guard entered the position on Vladu Hill,remains to be established at a latter date".
The retreat of the Romanian Olt Front

The trial of Krafft Group to force the Pass of Olt has ended with a failure .The Front has not been breeched in any place,and the two columns of Austro Hungarian Alpiners ,which were supposed to open up the road for the Bavarian Alpiners ,has been forced to retreat -under the protection of this one ,on the same road they have come.The High German Commandment records with sincerity this failure.Ludendorff writes :"A trial of crossing by the IX-th Army ,through the highest Defile and most wide from the whole mountain rows ,having in front ,an enemy like this one ,strong, which could not be surprised ,had to fail ,as it has failed in October the analogue attack South of Brasov.So,although it did not convey with us,we had to move the invasion point more to the West..."

With all the victory, of the Romanian troops ,however ,the Commander of the Ist Army appreciated that the Front line,with all the sinuosities provoked by the advance of the enemy in some of the points ,it dose not present the necessary strength anymore; specially the center ,in Ciineni(Dog) region -Coti(Elbows)-Plesu ,has remained too advanced next to the two wings. That is why ,even in the night of 21st of October ,has been given the order of retreat of the Front on to a line parallel with the mountainous ridge of the frontier and distanced by it with apro. 6 Miles. At West of Olt was covered by the heights Veverita(Squirrel) and Riglou ,with the Front to the North of Robestilor Valley .She crossed Olt River at South of Caineni and continued at the left of Olt River on the elevations Carbunaru(Coal-er)-Mormintu(the Grave)-Omu de Piatra(Stone Man)-Stina Zanoaga,having Calugaru Mountain as advanced post .The retreat has been made in quiet on the front of the 13th Romanian Division,after blowing up the metal bridge at Caineni and the driveway has been destroyed. The most regretfull consequence of the retreat was ,though, giving up at the pursuit and exploiting of the victory in Topologului Valley.


On the longest way

The Battle for Carpathian Mountains Passes was going on for ten days ,already ,without the Germans to put a hold on one of them.In Trotus and Oituz Valleys ,in Buzau Valley ,in Predeal Pass ,on Bran Road ,one side and the other of Caineni Pass,everywhere the enemy troops were making great efforts to conquer at least one of the gates for entering in Valahia(Wallachia or the Romanian Country).In some of the points,the enemy managed to obtain a small initial success ;the head of the column for advance was quickly stopped and the invasion dammed.In most of the parts ,the enemy struggled still in front of the ridge from the frontier or disputed it with the defenders. The shortest way to Bucharest could not have been forced ,and there was no big hope for it ,too.

In the evening of 21st of October ,Falkenhayn has to notice ,in his report addressed to the Big German Headquarter ,that the Austro-Hungarian offensive evolves unfavorable and the matter has to be well thought ,if against the strong resistance opposed by the adversary and faced with the winter's difficulties ,which started to show in the mountains ,the continuation of the operation is still recommended. He admits that in the last days were made very slow progresses ;still the tactical situation he does not sees as unfavorable. The German Commander does not lose hope that ,before the hard winter comes in, to obstacle the operations ,to succeed and put his hand ,by surprise ,at least on one of the mountain passes. The time was getting short now,the winter was knocking at the door If the bad weather, the snow, dvance until the spring .And in this interval ,the Romanians will recollect themselves ,organize and regroup forces ,to barricade solid the passes of the mountains such that ,at the retaking of fights in the spring ,the situation to be entirely other than now. With any price ,so,it must have been forced the entering through somewhere ,as long as there was time left. And because the trials ,which were in course from Oituz to Olt ,seemed to fail,the German Commander had to throw his eyes even further. The Jiu Pass ,remained till now, outside the plan of the German Commander ,because it seemed too far away from the principal fighting zone .Forced by the circumstances Falkenhayn hangs by this only hope left to him .Breakthrough on the "shortest way" did not succeed; he will try now on the "longest way"*.


Hindenburg writes:"We have established that the tactical successes obtained until now ,will be used from strategical point of view ,such that,from Brasov to be able to go directly to Bucharest. Even if the savage mountainous region and the enemy superiority will impose a difficult task to the few and weak divisions of ours, still,the advantages of this operation , direct ,were to big ,to be permitted to us to side them .We did not manage to force the rocky block ,no matter how heroic our troops have fought for every peak and every ridge .Our movements have stopped completely ,when at 18th of October,a harsh winter covered with snow the mountains and transformed the roads into ice .Under tormenting sufferings and misgivings, ,our troops contented to keep prepared the conquered mountain parts ,to begin the fight when the weather and occasion will permit it again.
The experiences until now show that other roads must be found ,than the ones which go from Brasov over the wide part of the Mountains of Transilvania. General Falkenhayn proposed the breakthrough at Jiu Pass".

More detailed the official publication of the German General Staff explains .It notices as well that: The intention of the supreme Commander and of the Groups Commanders ,to occupy the mountain passes by a quick action did not succeed"; then continues "After it has been established that truly the Romanian Supreme Commander have thrown in time enough reinforcements on the heights at the frontier ,South of Turnu Rosu (Red Tower) Pass ,as well as Bran Pass, Predeal Pass, and Bratocea Pass and in this way closed the shortest ways to Bucharest ,it must be tried to go around the enemy, breakthrough the Front in another place".


Jiu Sector

Jiu Sector has been one of the most agitated during our War, although its eccentric position seemed to give it a more modest role. The closing in of the railway from Mures Valley and the mining pool from Petrosani had made out of this region the theatre of almost continuous fights .The Romanian armies and enemy ones have taken one by one offensives and counteroffensives ,have advanced and have been repulsed alternatively .The first Romanian offensive has lead the Romanian troops ,of the Covering Jiu Group ,until beyond Merisor Defile .The offensive of General Sunkel ,from 14-23rd of September ,have rejected the Romanians up until the ridges of the old frontier. Then,it has followed the counteroffensive of General Culcer ,which has put us, again ,at 25th of September ,in the possession of Petrosani Pool(coal mines pool),for that,in the end ,the enemy action ,enterprise under the leadership of General von Busse, at 1st of October ,to retake us back on the frontier line.In the wake of this operation ,the action was brought to a stand still in Jiu Sector ,on the whole line of mountains ridges ,from Oslea to Paring. The Romanians ,as well as the Germans have taken from here important forces ,which they have send in the neighbor sector ,of Olt Valley, to take part in the decisive action unfolding there. In this way,on the part of the enemy ,has been send there the 2nd Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade ,which has executed the move of going around on Topologulu Valley. In Jiu Sector have been given only local fights for the possession of this or that mountain, which was going from one hand to the other ,without modifying essentially the positions of the two adversaries.Jiu Sector ,seemed entirely neglected ,because of his lateral situation ,as violent fights were given for forcing the passes going on shorter ways towards the heart of the country. Then,at once ,in the second half of October ,the cannon started to thunder with fury in Jiu Valley. The decision of Falkenhayn has brought Jiu Sector on the first plane of our War.


Organizing the German offensive at Jiu

The decision to try the breakthrough ,also at Jiu ,was supported by several considerations .Firstly ,it was the able of surprise. Romanians,completely absorbed by the defense of the principal mountain passes ,could not imagine that the enemy will try to hit ,again, also in such a far region .At the cover of this surprise ,the enemy could concentrate unobserved ,strong forces.Secondly,the chain of Carpathian Mountains ,has in this region ,the smallest elevation. A single row of principal heights stake the frontier ;if these ones are crossed ,the breakthrough is done. The passing is enabled also by numerous transversal paths ,which the troops could use. Finally,the flanks are ensured; the neighbor groups are at big distances and separated by strong massifs of mountains ,and in the interior of the country ,the communication lines ,very few ,in this region, o not permit a rapid transport of reinforcements.

It is true that there is also a disadvantage: distance.Once the breakthrough succeeded must ,that the invasion army to take the road on the long way towards the capital city.The disadvantage had ,in its turn,an advantage :by this enter there were turned all the Romanian position from the passes which, threatened by the advance of the enemy in their back, had to be evacuated one by one. The breakthrough of Carpathians had to determine then,the place and the epoch of the passing of the Danube by the Army of Mackensen.For the important operation of breaking the Romanian Front at Jiu,the German Commander organized a special army of fresh troops ,arrived from the reserves of the armies of the Central Powers.It was constituted by 2nd Bavarian Division,General Kneussl, brought from Volinia,and the newly formed Division,301st,General von Busse,in which making were the troops of the 144th Brigade Austro-Hungarian and some elements of strengthening ;then two Battalions of Cyclists ,a Battalion of Alpiners Wurtenbergers ,heavy artillery and mountain one.


A strong mass of Cavalry was attached to the two Divisions of Infantry.She has to pour over the Romanian field ,like a water which has broken the dams ,as soon as the infantry would have broke the the resistance of the Romanian Front. There were two Divisions of Cavalry :the 6th Konigin Marie Luise,General Saenger ,and the 7th Division ,General Mutius ,each one of them made out of three Brigades .The Command of the Cavalry was of General count von Schmettow,one of the most representatives figures of the German Army ,the descendant of an old noble family ,in which the military tradition is inherited from father to son .The General has been Second of the famous Marshal Schlieffen,the successor of Moltke and the creator of the actual German military doctrine .He has taken part in the Battle of Sibiu and has suffered a decisive defeat at Oituz.The Command of the Group was handed to Bavarian General von Kneussl ,the Commander of the 2nd Division.

The beginning of the offensive has been fixed for the day of 23rd of October .It will be made,for the time being,with the troops of Divisions 2nd and 301st Infantry and 6th Cavalry; the rest ,the 7th Division of Cavalry and the Alpine Battalion Wurtemberger ,disembarked at Pui and were in marching towards Petrosani. They will intervene to widen the awaited success.


Regrouping of the forces of the I-st Romanian Army

The German attack at Jiu has coincided ,on the Romanian part, with the operation of regrouping of the forces of the I-st Army ,as the decission taken by the Great Romanian Headquarter to form reserves behind the fighting army, on the actual front.Of all the armies,the I-st Army had the most unfavorable and dangerous disposition of troops. The troops were stretched in a cordon along the frontier. The line to be defended ,being very long ,and the troops of this army not enough for such an unfolding ,the cordon was very thin and easy to runthrough in the course of an attack ,given by the enemy with forces concentrated in a point chosen by him. The reinforcements could not be send ,but only by taking them from a point of the front -more quiet-to be send in another ,more threatened; given the configuration of the terrain ,with ridges and elevations perpendicular on to the front line and with very few lateral ways of communication ,these aids could have only arrive too late.That is why, the Great Romanian Headquarter ,decided to make a new grouping ,which will ensure a greater mobility of the troops of the army.In the three principal Sectors of the army: Cerna ,Jiu,Olt, there will be only indispensable troops to occupy positions and held the enemy on stop,at the firsts attacks. The rest of the troops will be grouped in reserve placed at roads junction or railways ;from there they would be easily dashed to the threatened points ,being thus able to help with success on two ore moere fronts.The regrouping,ordered by the Great Headquarter,had to be made with the next face:at Cerna and Jiu will remain only a Brigade(2 brigades),each, of six Battalions of the 1st Romanian Division,having the same reserve of four Battalions-for both sectors-at Filiasi.At Olt will remain a Brigade(2 brigades) for each side of Olt River,having a third Brigade as reserve of Olt Corps ,at Jiblea.A reserve of the I-st Army ,of a power of four battalions will gather at Piatra Olt,to be send,after the need,in any of the three directions ,threatened.Finally,all the units remained available ,after this regrouping ,will be taken out of the fighting fronts and brought to Pitesti ,where thy will reconstitute the 2nd Division,made out of nine Battalions .It will be the General Reserve,to the disposition of the Great Romanian Headquarter.

The new grouping was very judicious .It acomplished the principle of forces -economy and permitted the maneuver on interior lines. It had ,however ,the disadvantage that it kept reserves too far from the threatened points, which could bring fatal delays, and ungarnishes the defense positions ,leaving them occupied by not enough forces. It also coincided, unfortunately,with the moment when the enemy prepared to give a capital blow. When Falkenhayn was starting the attack of Jiu Sector with two Divisions, the Romanians were on the point of letting the guard of that Sector on the hands of six Battalions!

. The German offensive

The German offensive would have to follow not Jiu Defile which ,narrow like a corridor,did not permit unfolding of troops ,but the numerous lateral roads and paths which, from Romanian Jiu Valley ,cross over the heights from t he frontier of Vilcan Mountains,a t West of Jiu Valley and parallel with her,going towards South.From these roads,the most important is Buliga driveway,said also Drumu Neamtului, the old road of passing from Ardeal into Valahia;she goes through the pass also known as Vilcan Pass and descends through Schela and Valari in Tirgu Jiu Pool;this road this road is today in decay,as the new driveway in Jiu Valley was opened through Surduc Pass,Paius Pass and Lainici Pass.More to the West of Buliga ,another road goes near Virfu Negru(Black Peak) and descends at Dobrita; still more to the West ,a road passes over Rostovanu,Arcanului Hill towards Bilta and ,finally,the most Western one, follows Bistritei Valley,t hrough Brosteni.Together with the roads at Eatst of Jiu ,are all toghether seven roads ,between Rostovanu and Paring ;they follow the ridges of heights which lean to the South from the peaks of the frontier and are separated by very deep valleys ,which obstacles the lateral communication between roads .All the roads open in the transversal driveway ,which comes from Baia de Arama and follows direction West -East ,passing by Tismana to go at Tirgu Jiu and from here further ,towards East.

The plan of the German offensive was this ;a frontal attack made with infantry troops in Passes Jiului and Buliga,to fix there the Romanians and,in the same time ,a maneuver of going around of the wings .The 6th Cavalry Division will advance by Rostovanu ,Piva and Arcanu, in the flank of the Romanian Front ,without taking into account the fights given in the mountains ,will arrive at Cimpia Tirgu Jiu, behind the Romanians ,forcing them to retreat from the mountain passes and to leave these open .For the Romanians to not be able to bring troops from Cerna ,Szivo was invited to start ,himself as well ,an attack over Orsova.

In the morning of 2rnd of October ,the enemy begun the attack on the whole line .The snow fell over the night and a thick fogg went over the heights. Because of this and for to increase the surprise ,he renounced in some of the points at the artillery preparing. The German infantery men were dressed in white long coats ,to be better hide from the sight ,had mountain sticks(piolets?) and metal teeth at the boots. Our observation posts on the frontier were very weak .A Romanian Company was attacked by two or three enemy Battalions ,with numerous machineguns .At points Rostovanu ,Varfu Negru,Muncelu, Arcanu Hill, the soldiers of 18th Gorj Regiment have fought fiercely ,defending till evening the plateaus of their county .All through the night the fight followed furiously.


The next day in the morning ,all the peaks from the ridge of the frontier were in the hands of the enemy ,together with Vilcan Pass .Muncel Mountain has been taken by the enemy at 24th.Our few troops were retreating from height to height ,resisting with stubborness to the assaults which were given uninterrupted by the enemy,drunk with success and sure by his immense superiority

An unfortunate episode happens in the morning of 24th of October.At Vama Veche(Old Border),on Buliga driveway ,at North of Schela ,Homoriceanu Detachment ,made out of two Battalions of Infantry ,a Cyclists Company and an Escadron of Calarasi(Cavalry),is surprised by the enemy ,on a thick fog and a dense rain ,and it is captured entirely ,without firing a shot.By the empty space produced ,teh Bavarians advance and pour over the Romanian batteries of artillery from the left wing of the position.Romanians fight with despair ;the servants fire the cannons from the mouth of the guns ,as the Commander of a battery gathers the soldiers in retreat and throws them into the fight with bayonets.The two adversaries bring in great haste all the reserves of the sector.A big and very bloody fight coocks up on Poiana lui Mihai Viteazu(The Clearing of Michael the Brave).The Romanians have here only the 41st Infantry Regiment ,and the Germans have eight Battalions with a superior artillery .The Romanian Regiment ,attacks by the front and by the flank ,overwhelmed by greatly superior forces ,suffers very grave casualties and is forced to retreat towards Schela ,saving ,however,the whole artillery without the two batteries invaded by the enemy.


(The box in which was preserved the head of Prince Michael the Brave,1558-1601, of Wallachia,at Dealu Monastery,Dimbovita County)


The Romanian Commander is making great efforts to dam the pouring of the invasioneers and to organize the retreat.At Horezu,is improvised a defense of gendarmes and peasants ,with a few mountain cannons ;it keeps the enemy to a stand still making possible to evacuate the services and the entire aparatus of the Commandment of Jiu Group which otherwise would have fell in the hands of the enemy .The advance of this one was now favorized by the terrain ,which was descending in floors from the mountain to the field.The Romanians were continuously dominated by the enemy ;their moves were seen by this one. The howitzers and field cannons of him were pouring ceacessly rain of fire over our groups .At 25th of October ,at the Western wing ,the Austrian vanguards were occupying Brostenilor Peak ,from which the sight in the Romanian field stretched unobstacled by nothing .On the road which takes along Bistrita Valley ,the first columns of the 6th German Cavalry Division started ,at 26th,the marching to the fields.

At the Eastern wing ,in Surduc Pass (Jiu Valley) and at East of her,the advance was slower.The enemy held only the Western shore of Jiu River and some few positions on the Eastern one;the driveway was clear.On the right side ,though ,have considerable advanced ;the heads of his columns descended the last of the heights fron North-West of Targu Jiu and,in the evening of 26th of October, they were at Vadeni,few Miles from Tirgu Jiu!


Difficult days

The situation looked extremely critical.It was now evident that the enemy is searching ,by a strong blow,to break our front in this region and that he is on the brink to succeed .Alarmed by the telegrams which he was receiving from the Commander of the 2nd Romanian Division -General Cocorascu-knowing that the weak forces at his disposal are powerless to stop the waves of the invasioneers ,General Culcer,Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army ,proposed to the High Commandment a radical measure:the retreat of Jiu Group from Jiu and Cerna behind the line of Olt River,and evacuating Oltenia(region).The ideea of abandoning Oltenia has entered a couple of times in the calculus of the Great Romanian Headquarter ,in moments of crisis of the unfolding of the War.General Culcer has studied and prepared this plan ,being convinced that,by organizing a strong defence line on the Eastern shore of Olt River ,our resistance ,being thus made on a shorter line and well strengthened will be more effective.Our Supreme Commandment did not admit the way of seeing things of General Culcer considering that ,in the actual circumstances ,abandoning Oltenia would have been a too painful sacrifice and which was not indispensable.In consecuence,it has been taken from General Culcer the Command of the II-nd Army ,which have been given to General Dragalina,the Commander of the Division at Cerna.

.

The new Commander of the Ist Romanian Army was one of the most valuable officers of Romanian Army.He was from Banat(region),and has served at the beginning of his career in Austro-Hungarian Army.Thrust in the highest grade of the sense of duty,he knew to make himself respected ,by a conduct full of kindness and friendship.The Officers adore him:"Father Dragalina " has been Commander of military school of most of the young generation.The soldier did not had in him a Chief but a kind parent .The Division at Cerna,which he Commanded to this moment,had become an elite corps by the trust the Commander knew to inspire to the soldiers .He was the man indicated to face danger.And he has made it with the price of his life.Unfortunately,Dragalina did not had the chance to demonstrate his beautiful qualities in this difficult moment.Taking the Commandment of the I-st Army ,he barely had time to have an exchange of opinions with his predecessor ,relativ, about the ripost which had to be given to the adversary.The fundamental ideea of this plan was:a vigorous counteroffensive with the available troops of the 2nd Romanian Division,which to hit by the front the enemy,and in the same time ,an attack in the right flank ,uncovered ,of the enemy,with the aid of a Mixt Detachment ,which had to arrive from Cerna through Baia de Arama.After expediting the necessary orders ,General Dragalina left for Horezu,where he has gave the Command of the troops of Jiu Group to Colonel Anastasiu,because General Cocorascu ,the Commander of the 2nd Division ,has left in the same day to Pitesti,where it was organised the 2nd Division as General Strategic Reserve.

Although tired ,after a night of work ,in the morning of 25th of October General Dragalina leaves in Jiu Defile ,to fully realize the situation ,and to manhood the demoralized fighters .Arrived in to the heart of the Defile ,at Lainici,he is newsed that enemy patrools have appeared in his wake into the Defile,between Bumbesti and Lainici and have opened fire over the groups of men and wagoons in retreat.Going back on the driveway in the narrow Defile ,the General automobile have started with maximum of speed to rove quick the dangerous place.The enemy patrols ,firing over the automobile ,the General is hit at the right arm.Evacuated ,and operated too late ,he dies in the Hospital of the Royal Pallace in Bucharest,in the day of 9th of November.He was ,after General Praporgescu,the second General fallen on the honour field.Death was kidnapping the most capable sons of the Kingdom,when they were most needed.

The Defence Army at Jiu received a painful blow,which was shaking more the moral.The situation was very serious and threatening.In the afternoon of 12th of October ,the roads taking from North towards Tirgu Jiu ,as the city itself ,were filled with the crowds of convoys in retreat.The civil population,soldiers and even officers did not see other solution but the retreat.The death of General Ion Dragalina heve left the I-st Army ,and the Division at Cerna without a Chief.The Group of Jiu has changed the chief even in the same day and a great move of troops had to begin for regrouping imposed by the Supreme Commandment.The 1st Division,incorporates in her battle order the Jiu Group as well.Between the Commander of the 1st Division and that of Jiu Group cannot be established a unity of seeing things ;the dispozitions taken,independent one of the other ,are not concordant.Susceptibilities and frictions obstacle and threaten the success of the action.Still,the grouping of the Romanian troops for counteroffensive is operated.And as the groups assume the positions decided for fight,the trust comes back and the stubborness and determination increases in the souls of Romanians.


The enemy continues its advance .In the evening of 26th the bulk of his infantry was exiting the mountain paths ;the heads of the columns were getting close to Tirgu Jiu.Kneussl reports to Falkenhayn that"the situation is extremely favorable ".The orders of operations for the day of 27th foresee ,amongst others,ocuupying of Tirgu Jiu City by a Battalion of the 12th Hunters Regiment and advancing of the 6th Cavalry Division on the roads of West of driveway Buliga ,with direction Filiasi-Strehaia.The reserves of Kneussl Group had,in their turn ,to enter in action:the 7th Cavalry Division had to begin the advance from Petrosani on the driveway of Jiu Defile ,opened by the movement of going around executed by Germans towards West ,and the Battalion of Alpiners Wurtemberger puts in to marching from Pui towards Petrosani.

But around the enemy,which believed in the superiority of his forces and Command,the Romanian troops have gathered ,making a semy -circle ,in which concavity was finding now the enemy.In the center of Romanian dispozitive ,in Turcinesti region,one side and the other of Jiu River,is the 22nd Mixt Brigade -Colonel Obogeanu-of which mission is to attack the enemy front in direction Tetila-Simbotin-Schela.At the right wing ,on the Eastern shore of Jiu,untill Bumbesti,are the troops of 21st Mixt Brigade ,Colonel Jipa,of which mission is to attack the left flank of the enemy,fighting facing West.At the left wing ,a Battalion ,Major Trusculescu ,had to cover the city Tirgu Jiu and to make the connection with Dejoianu Detachment -four Battalions ,an Escadron and two batteries -which were arriving in forced marchings from Cerna through Baia de Arama(Copper Bath),with the mission of falling in the right flank and back of the enemy.

The composition of the Romanian Group at Jiu was very mixed.It has been suspended the move of regrouping of the 2nd Romanian Division and it has been brought all it could be gathered from the neighbor groups ;mostly troops of second hand ,Battalions and Companies of Militia and from the sedentary parts.Some companies arrived without weapons, centurions and cartridges .The total of troops of Jiu Group rose up to aproximatelly 14th Battalions ;it was also forming up a general reserve of about three Battalions ,which have arrived in the night of 26-27th and during the day of 27th,in Capacioasa Train Station.As artillery ,Jiu Group had eight batteries ,of which most of them were old cannons of 87 mm -with smoke powder -and small cannons of 53 mm.The Command of Jiu Group was in the hands of Colonel Anastasiu ,installed at Copacioasa ,and the operations directives of Dejoianu Detachment were given by the interimary Commander of the 1st Romanian Division,General Christu,installed at Bradiceni.


The victory at Jiu

The day of 27th of October has to decide not only the fate of a battle and of a city ,but the fate of the War and Kingdom.The two adversaries are face to face,redy to fight.The German is sure of victory .For four days now ,ever since he wiped out the wick defense line on the mountains ridges ,he went from one success to another.He only met Detachments which could not resist,he has taken prisoners ,captured cannons .Has made 19 Miles into the Kingdom of the adversary,across the mountains,climbing hills and descending valleys ,through cold ,wind and fog.Now he is at the edge of the field .Wide roads opens up in front of him and enticing villages for shelter.It has ended with the War over ridges and through sockets of mountains. How could the Romanian resist in open field ,when he was unable to do it in mountains?Souled by success and confident in definitive victory ,full of despice for the enemy which they learned to overlook,the Germans advance now in groups ,without tight connections between them. The artillery climbs hard the quick slopes ,descends slow the dangerous inclines and has been left behind. The soldiers of the patrols enter through the wine-yards and through the mansions of the lands and start to plunder and drink.

In this time,Romanians have occupied their fighting positions .They are from Gorj County filled with grief at the sight of their fields and homes plundered,they are from Olt County which put their chests as barrier against the invasion which threatens their villages and lands.They are few and the enemy is numerous; they are badly equiped ,armed and the enemy has numerous machineguns and strong cannons ;their Commanders are young and unexperimented ,and of the enemies are old and trialed maisters of war.But the love of the peasant-soldier for the land of his Kingdom ,the impetuosity of the Chiefs and the blind arrogance of the enemy will unite their effects ,such that ,together ,to place the day of 27th of October amongst the great days of our history.


Early in the morning ,the enemy begins the advance .On the right shore of Jiu ,where he has entered more deeply into the Romanian positions ,the advance is made on to a larger front.On the left side of Jiu ,he has occupied few points of crossing over Tetila,Ciineni and Vladeni and turned,forming up bridge heads.The Romanian troops retreat a little more ,to Vladeni and towards Birsesti.The morning fog disipates and,at 10 in the morning ,begins at once ,the counterattack by the front and by the flanks ,as well.The Romanian artillery installed on the hills East of jiu ,opens over the enemy flank at Vladeni and Turcinesti.The precission of the Romanian cannon provokes the congratulations of French Colonel Fain ,which finds himself at the Commander Headquarter.From Preajba Hill,the infantry dashes into an impetuous attack.Surprised,the enemy is looking to resist. he assault of Oltean-ers is ,though ,so fiercely ,as the Bavarians have to back off.From the East ,over Jiu and from South, along the rive ,the Romanian soldiers attack with rage.At 4 in the afternoon ,the mansion and the mill of Turcimnesti are occupied by Romanians .By evening ,the village itself is conquered The Bavarians are running away towards Simbotin and Schela, abandoning in the hands of Romanians numerous prisoners and machineguns.

The same way ,things happen a little to the North.The artillery of Jiu Group has bombarded the driveway on Jiu Valley ,and the infantry has attacked and repulsed over the river the enemy Detachments .Following tight, the Romanian soldiers have occupied on the right shore Simbotinul and Porcenii,driving away the enemy towards the mountains.


At his right wing ,the enemy has received another decisive blow .Dejoianu has arrived in the eve at Pestisani,after a marching of 63 Miles ,made in two nights and a day ,unfolded in fighting formation between Pestisani and Bradiceni.The next day in the morning ,he begins the advance in direction Arcani-Dobrita ,attacking the troops of the 301st Austro-Hungarian Division ,which formed the right wing of the Invasion Army,opening up the road to the Cavalry.Under the violence of this unexpected blow ,the enemy begins the retreat.The Detachments ,which have occupied the villages ,are one by one attacked ,repulsed,captured.A Romanian Battalion attacks Dobrita ,throwing the enemy in the mountains ,in Muncelului direction.Another one ,occupies at South-East Stroiestii,pursuing the enemy which has entered the village.Valari Village is attacked and occupied by a Company of Romanians.A Battalion attacks the position at Rasovita-Ursatei,which is attacked from the South by Trusculescu Detachment ,of Jiu Group.The position is defended by strong Bavarian forces ;an enemy column manages to sneak through the empty space between the two Detachments ,Romanian, and advances towards Targu Jiu.The enemy position is seized in heavy fight by Romanians ,which also take couple of hundreds of prisoners and capture machinguns. Ahead of one of the Companies of attack has fallen Captain Lepri ,which was leading his soldier in to the spin of death rested, with the cigaret in his mouth.

The enemy has been defeated on the whole line of the Front .His columns have lost contact one with the other ,and the isolated detachments have lost the connection with the bulk and with the Commandment .By evening has started thick and cold rain. The roads transforms in mudbanks tracks. Through the rain which wipes the chicks and through the darkness which begins to fall ,the enemy detachments retreat on the whole line ,back, towards the mountains, abandoning the material of War, which makes heavy his retreat .Here and there ,small groups have lost the way and try to resist with despair ,fighting all night ,retrenched through a village or over an elevation.


The Batteries at Arsuri

In other parts the pursuit is made without rest. A reservist Sub-Lieutenant of 18th Gorj Regiment ,Patrascoiu V.Nicolae,asked permission from the Commander to try to capture the enemy artillery ,which was bombarding the Romanian troops from direction of Arsuri(Burns) Village,just the birth place of the young Ofiicer .He constitutes a small troop by a handful of men,courageous and decided as himself and starts ,through darkness and rain ,sneaking by the waterside of Jiu. Through Simbotin Village ,still filled with Bavarians in retreat ,on the paths so well known to him. Small groups of enemies met in the way ,are terrified by the shouts and attacked with fires.The Bavarians,demoralized by the defeat, not being able to realize the force of the attacker ,run in all parts .In Arsuri, oor hamlet, with houses scattered on marshes ,the daring Romanians discover a battery of howitzers of 105 ,placed in firing position in the middle of the village ,and a second battery is formed up on the lane .An enemy Officer is downed just in front of the parents house gate of Patrascoiu; the other officers and soldiers storm in to the houses and barns where they sheltered their horses and run in grate haste.

The capture of the two batteries ,all with their ammunition wagons, was of a great importance ;the cannons had though to be put in safety.Patrascoiu had around him only a few soldiers ;the rest of them have been left as guards and alarms in different point of the walked road.One of the cannons have been just turned towards the enemy and few shots fired in the dark of the night, newesed the deed of Romanians.The cannons are left in the guard of few men ,and Patrascoiu turns back to the Commandment of the Battalion .Roving again through enemy lines through riversides through the place of the river ,in darkness ,wind and rain. After twelve hours of marching and adventures ,Patrascoiu comes back the next day in the morning in Arsuri with artillerists and horses ,with which he transports the eight howitzers captured and surrenders them, with receipt ,to the Artillery Commander of Jiu Group.


The fight at Jiului bridge

A Bavarian column of a power of about a Company and a half ,has sneaked between the Romanian troops along the driveway Rasovita-Tirgu Jiu and appeared at once ,in the morning of 27th of October ,before the metal bridge over Jiu River,in the Western edge of the city.The Germans were after the accomplishing of the plan made in the eve :without considering the slowness of the fight ,by a daring blow,they had to size the city ,behind the Romanian Front The city is almost deserted ;the greatest part of the inhabitants have run away before the danger ,and all that was troop capable of fight ,is on the Front. There was only a handful of old Militia ,scattered through the city to make guard at authorities and hospitals ;they run in the edge of the city and assume position on the bank on the shore of the river ,near the Public Garden ,in the right side of the bridge. But the news made quick the surrounding of the "village".The few inhabitants ,which have remained behind ,in the city, gather quickly and discuss feverishly the threatening event .Indignation and revolt increases more and more .A single thought and a single shout masters everyone :"To the bridge, to the bridge,to not let the enemy in!" .A Subcomisar of Police gathers some ten gurdyists ,puts himself ahead of them and starts for the bridge The students scouts of the highschool ,which made the service of messengers for the authorities ,take the guns of the wounded in hospitals and run ,they too,at the perilled place.Traders women,children ,abandon the cohorts ,or leave the churches in which was officiated the service of ST.Paraschiva and,in an elan of enthusiasm ,start for the bridge. Everybody which remained still in the town is now at the bridge ;on the empty streets are only the dogs shouting of death...From far away ,from Turcinesti and from Preajba ,the wind blows the echoes of the cannons ,announcing the fight of armies.And at Jiu bridge cooks another fight :the fight of the citizens defending their homes and pride of their town. The defenders,s tretched along the river bank like in trenches, fire with misfortune but without any rule towards the shore over the water ,where have appeared the enemy soldiers.The weapons ,old model s,of the militia rattle without the slightest of rest and their noise ,repeated by the echo ,fills the valley and the river bed.The scouts,climbed into the trees ,stake out and signal the moves of the enemy .Hearted women carry munitions to the shooters ,which make great waste of bullets.Their shouts(of the women) boil up the shooters and increase the noise of the fight: "Don't give up you Gheorghita!fire good you Mielule!hang tight children!".


(Heavy field cannon, system Skoda,105 mm,quick firing,model 1914,equipping the German Army during the Great War,captured by Romanian Army in 1916)


The Bavarians are surprised by these unexpected resistance ,dizzied by the rattles of the shootings ,which gave the impression of a serious defense .Pinned dow n,they have to wiat the reinforcements which are late .For a few hours the fight had slowed ,the two adversaries shooting at echother ,across the river trial of the Germans to cross the river a little downstream ,towards Balanescu Mill ,at the cover of riversides have been received with fires by the men who stood hidden through the bushes on the other shore. Enervated ,the enemy soldiers try to storm the bridge ,with a machinegun .But Romanians are on watch.In the moment when the Bavarians appear in the opposite head of the bridge ,the Romanians start a defening rattle of rifles ,mixed up with the shouts of the defenders ,with the scrams of the women and of the children A group of militia ,scouts and gurdyists ,ahead with police Sub-Commissary Popilian ,dash on to the bridge in front of the enemy ,in shouts of urra! and repulse this one ,back .The wounded are carried on bran cards by the brave women ,which come into the fighting line ,to lift them up;one of the women is badly wounded by a bullet ,which smashes her shoulder .A Captain ,wounded to the leg ,gets out of the hospital and takes the Command of the "defense troop" .He organizes with a group of 20-30 militia men a turn of the enemy position ,crossing Jiu water at Balanescu Mill.But around four in the afternoon ,the reinforcements send by the Commander of Jiu Group have arrived .A company of the 59th Regiment runs to the bridge ,attacks the enemy ,rejects him and chase him towards East.In retreat ,the Bavarians are received by a small group of Cavalry of Dejoianu Detachment ,which was arriving from Birsesti. The German column is scattered ;most of them are made prisoners .An important number of Bavarian soldiers ,from the troop awaited as reinforcement ,have been found and captured in the cellars of the wine yards from the vecinity. So ,in this way ,as the army, fighting on the field of battle after the rules of war ,was winning the victory at Jiu ,in the same time the inhabitants of Targu Jiu ,peaceful citizens and old militia men ,women and children ,were winning a victory just as shining. Because ,if the fight at Jiu Bridge will not be recorded in the books of military art ,as an example of high strategic conception or of clever tactical execution ,it will remain in the souls of Romanians ,as a confession of the power which could be given by the love for the ancestral home and Oltenian pride.

. The second day and the third day of the battle. Accomplishing the victory

The Romanian troops have continued with vigor the offensive in the following days. The enemy have stopped in his retreat on to the line Valari-Rugi-Simbotin,on which he made powerful efforts to resist. It was though ,impossible .The combined action of the three Romanians Groups ,well supported by artillery ,have taken him out of this line and threw him back .At the right side ,the Romanians occupy Sambotin ,Porceni si Arsuri .The most violent fights have been sustained by the Central Group on the elevation South of Horezu. The Bavarian Regiment ,installed on this position, has suffered very heavy casualties ;he has been chased away by evening ,being forced to abandon his entire artillery ,which he has installed here.Eight cannons together with the nine Romanian cannons captured at 24th of Octobe r,on Poiana Mihai Viteazu(Mihai the Brave Clearing),have remained in Romanian hands.

The enemy then, hangs himself with desperation by a second line ,which corresponded with the Southern edge of the last forested elevations of Carpathians ;he is looking to maintain with any price in the day of 29th of October on to this line. During this time, however,at the left wing was taking place one of the most important episodes of the battle.In the day of 28th of October had to take place the attack of the German Cavalry.The three Brigades of the 6th German Cacalry Division ,acompanied by two mounted artillery batteries ,forming up a lateral column ,at the right side of the German dispositive ,have descended Bistrita Valley and were ready to enter the fight ,going around towards South -East to fall in the flank of Romanian lines .But the defeat in the eve and the retreat of the German center has changed the situation of the Detachments ,which did not correspond anymore to the initial plan,German.The Corps of the Cavalry Column ,advancing from Brosteni towards Frincesti ,found the locality occupied by Romanians.The troops of Dejoianu Detachment interrupted any connection between the Lateral Column of Cavalry and the thick of the Germans .Before the Germans could realize the situation a Romanian Detachment, made out of and Infantry Battalion and an artillery battery ,advanced towards Bilta and hit ,above Frincestilor ,the flank and back of the Enemy Column.The resistance of the enemy was short; he is beaten and throwed back .Romanians pursue with vigor the German Cavalry ,which is forced to retreat back in to the mountains ,with great casualties.

At the center ,the German could not maintain not even the second line ,in the day of 29th of October ,at 2 pm,the restless Romanian troops have taken with assault in an irresistible élan all the enemy's positions on the elevations :Lesului Hill-height 1191 meters -Piva Hill ,Grindului Peak ,chasing him away towards Drumu Neamtului(Neamt Road).

The Battle was definitively lost by the Germans.The enemy have started a precipitated retreat through bad terrain places with very steep ravines ,on muds ,wiped by a cold rain and chased away from behind by victorious Romanian. The retreat transforms in a general confusion.The clavierists shoot their horses to be able to better sneak through the narrow paths. Cannons and automobiles roll over in to the abyssal ravines .Carriages with munition ,food deposits ,sanitary coaches ,intact automobiles or burned, kitchens, tents ,weapons ,stake the road of retreat and fall prey to the victorious .A whole week ,until 4th of November ,have continued the pursuit of the beaten enemy, gathering prisoners and war material. The tableau of the prey is an imposing one:1600 prisoners ,25 cannons ,together with the 17 cannons the enemy has taken in the first part of the battle and which have been taken back ,55 machineguns .The number of dead of the enemy buried by Romanians soldiers, goes over over 1500.


The Romanian Victory described by the enemy

The Romanian victory is complete .The enemy tries to diminish it in his official communicates: "At South-West of Surduc Pass ,the enemy has pushed back with a few Miles one of our fighting Groups".Nothing more.The General is serious in his words when is forced to confess a defeat.It is true that the German pride has been hit hard.The goal aimed by the Battle of Jiu was of the most important and the troops, which have been beaten ,belonged to the elite of the German Army.It was the famous 2nd Bavarian Division*,which has given the assault at Przemysl,which advanced, ahead of phallanx of Mackensen on the Russian Front,until the ponds of Pripetului[10] and which has been ,next to the Alpine Corps ,the seed of the German Army in the Campaign against the Serbs. From here ,the envy which sweats in the reports of their istoriographs .One of them writes: "Romanians congratulate themselves with the success in Jiu Valley over the Bavarian troops and trumpet this success in the whole World .The reality probes only that the Bavarian troops have advanced without prudence and with fury ,careless about the enemy counteroffensive .In such enterprises it happens very easy ,in mountainous regions ,that the heads of the invasion columns to collide by an enemy greatly superior and-and if this one realizes the situation and attacks -naturally (!) suffers a momentarily failure .The official publicity of the German General Staff is more sincere in exposing the battle and of the result. It entangles ,however in long explanations and twisted over the bad weather and of the pretended numerical superiority of Romanians .The description of the German retreat is picturesque and interesting one:"Under unusual great difficulties made the German troops the retreat on torential rain.Horses ,cannons and vehicles sliped and fel lin to the ravines.Torents of rain changed the snow cover on the mountains and valleys in mud .The horses,exhausted ,could not go on ,nor to move the cannons.They have been destroyed.At 30th of October in the evening ,the troops of Kneusll Group could finally maintain on the last line of retreat ,but how difficult!Fron 23rd of October it has rained and snowed continuously ,during the day.At night the temperature went below freezing.On the heights, a cold wind like ice was blowing strong;nor a bungalow to shelter the troops ,neither a fire to heat up them and dry .We also have to remind that the troops were broken by exhaust ,because of the efforts, over the human endurance made in marchings and fights between these difficult regions of mountains ,that they had to give numerous safety posts and because of the cold they could not even sleep .So,we can explain how they could be defeated by the strong superiority of Romanians ,which were helped also by a thick fog ,and had guides ,which knew well the roads. The justifications of the enemy could be taken into account ,with the rectification that ,the bad weather ,was the same for Germans as for Romanians ,which fought together on the same Earth and under the same Sky.The only difference was that the Germans were equipped for mountain warfare ,as the Romanian troops have been gathered from the mountains but also from the valley and equipped however they could. The affirmation that the Romanians were superior in number ,it is an untruth .In fact,R omanians have started the fight with nine Battalions and,o nly at 28th of October ,they could summon 20 Battalions ,the effective of almost a Division and a half-of which a good part troops were of gathering-the Germans had two Infantry Divisions -most of them carefully chosen troops -and two Cavalry Divisions ,having also a superior artillery.

By a curious coincidence ,Jiu Battle has been given between 11th Bavarian Division and 11th Romanian Division ;at the enemy 21st Artillery Regiment ,and at us the heroic Artillery Regiment with the same number.


The causes and follow-up of the German defeat

The causes of the Romanian victory at Jiu are other than the ones showed by the Germans.F irstly,to much confidence of the Germans, in their superiority and the depreciation of the fighting strength of Romanians.This mistake of appreciation made them to execute an offensive with a misjudged daring -in columns lacking connection between them -and commit many imprudence ,counting on the intimidation of Romanians.

On the part of these ones ,the plan of the counteroffensive well thought and energically executed ,knew to take advantage of the adventurous situation of the German columns and to attack them in the most weak points.The proverbial resistance of the Romanian soldier at tiering marchings and misgivings of all kinds ,as well as the elan with which they fought ,defending-most of them-their lands ,hills and villages ,have ensured the victory.

The Battle of Jiu is after the one at Oituz ,the second big victory of Romanians against the mighty adversary ,from the start of the offensive of Falkenhayn .It forms a title of legitim pride :for the heroic troops ,but also for the young Commanders which lead them.

With all the beauty of success,the victory at Jiu could not be exploited for strategic goals .The physical tiredness of the troops ,obstacle them to continue the pursuit of the adversary. Alarmed by the result of the fight ,this one made use of quick and strong reinforcements.Even at 29th of October ,as the 6th Cavalry Division, German,begun the desastruous retreat ,has been brought in great haste the Alpine Battalion Wurtemberger and the 7th Cavalry Division ,German,to fill the empty space formed up by the breaking of the German Front at South of Virfu Negru(Black Peak).Two new Divisions disembarked behind the front they could not be put in to the fight because ,with all the efforts made,the German Front could not maintain until their entering into the line. So,the fight ceased without the enemy to be chased beyond the frontier; especially Jiu Defile remained, in the greatest part,in his mastering .He installed here a battery of heavy howitzers ,with which started to bombard the Romanian positions ,pushing even his own line towards South ,in Surduc Pass ,until close to Bumbesti and on to the elevations East of the pass.

On the Romanian part ,the increasing pressure of the enemy attacks in the other sectors necessitated the sending of reinforcements in thoughtless directions The Jiu Group disorganized itself in this way ,and the unit incorporated in it have been send back to the groups they belonged ,in the first place.


f)The End Of The First Battle Of the Passes.

The effects of the battle

The defeat at Jiu ends the row of the firs efforts made by the enemy to put his hands on the passes.The offensive started by Falkenhayn and by Arz at 11th of October ,ends at 28th of October with a total fiasco.The German Generalisim ,is forced to admit it without any doubt :"So the trial to cross over the mountains in the same time with the enemy ,did not succeed" .The causes of this insuccess ,after the German Generalisim opinion, was:the bad weather which came in to the mountains at 18th of October ,the insufficient equipment of the troops for mountain warfare ,the impossibility of the Hungarian railways to ensure a quick service of transports and especially "the damn" ideea ideea of the Commandment of the Group of Armies of Archduke Carol to enterprize in the same time an offensive in an excentric direction ,at Oituz,which has smashed the forces and wakened the ones with which it was supposed to give the principal blow. Falkenhayn revenges. afirming in bad temper ,but also with probable rightness ,that" anyone who knows the Is tAustro-Hungarian Army, must say to himself that no decisive success can be expected from this Army".

A closer examination of the situation has to show ,though that, if the enemy did not succeed to break the Romanian Front or to master one of the passes ,still,it have obtained important advantages .On the whole stretch of Carpathian Mountains of Muntenia ,from Jiu Valley to Buzau Valley ,the Romanian Front has been pushed on a depth which reached here and there 6 Miles away from the mountain ridges on the frontier .In the vecinity of the most important passes ,the peaks edging the entrances in these passes were in the enemy hands The defence of Carpathians had to be made now on to a second line of elevations .All over ,the enemy held the Northern entrances of the Defiles ;the Romanians mastered only the Southern ones.

Another effect of the bloody battle given for 17 days was that the Romanian troops ,fighting hard ,with the enemy better equiped than them,and with the weather more and more deteriorating, were shortened as effectives ,tired,demoralized.Their power of resistance was weaker and weaker. No powere of refreshing the troops could not be seen from nowhere. Almost the totality of the Army has been engaged from the beginning on the whole fronts and the soldiers have been,for two months now,in continuous fights with the enemy, without that in this whole time to be exchanged, for rest The perspective of the future fights with an enemy which ,from his part,was strengthening all the time with new troops ,send from other fighting fronts ,concerned more and more the High Romanian Commandment. How long will it last this weakened and harrased soldier?

Regroupings of Romanian-Russian troops

Worn out ,and need of rest of ,the Romanian troops ,have become the most urgent matters. The plan of General Berthelot to take out from the Front the most tired Divisions and bring them in the interior to rest them and ,in the same time ,to form up from them Strategical Reserves ,has been adopted by the Great Headquarter and put in to practice after long and tiring discussions with the allies ,especially with the Russians .These onse, consented to be concentrated in to Dobrogea ,three Corps of Army and to be brought to Moldavia . four Army Corps ,under the Command of General Lecitki ,with the intention to enterprise an offensive in Moldavian Carpathian Mountains towards Transilvania ,to push the Fighting Front on to the line of the Mountains of Harghita and Baraoltului. This action ease in the same time ,the Romanian Front and permittet taking out of few Divisions from the first line.The Sector which will be occupied by the Russians will stretch from Calimani until Trotus River region.The replacement movement will begin in the last days of October;it will be made with much activity at the Armies in Moldavia and Dobrogea.The 14th Romanian Division ,goes out the Front ,to constitute in general reserve in region Bucharest-Ciulnita;a Brigade of the 2nd Cavalry Division is brought at South of Bucharest in Budesti-Curcani region;the 8th Romanian Division gathers at Adjud ,from where it would have to be transported towards Ploiesti.Divisions 2/5 and 9/19 ,very tired, retreated from Dobrogea wil rest in Buzau-Braila region taking in to their composition the sedentary parts of of the V-th Braila Corps.It is also reconstituted the 18th Romanian Division the one destroyed at Turtucaia,from the 4th Mixt Brigade of the 14th Romanian Division ,completed with other units, especially of taking the 4th battalion from different regiments.With all these troops retreated from Moldavia and Dobrogea ,it will be constituted at East of Bucharest also a strong Strategic Reserve at the dispozition of the Great Headquarter ,to be used as maneuver mass in defense or offense ,where it will be needed.

On a reduced scale ,it is started the making of strategical reserves in the other two armies. The II-nd Romanian Army will have to take out from Front two Divisions: the 16th Romanian and 10th Romanian ,the last one having the need to be completed ,the I-st Romanian Army was constituting at Pitesti the 11th Romanian Division, this one also very tired, as a reserve unit.

At 5th of November ,the Great Headquarter will succeed to gather around Bucharest a Strategic Reserve ,at its dispozition ,made out of seven Divisions ,of which only one good Division,the 14th Romanian ;the others very tired and weakened because of the continuous fights they conducted(Divisions :2nd/5th,9th/19th,11th,21st,7th) needed rest and remaking.

An offensive of General Sarrail towards Monastir has to contribute at taking the burden of Romanian Front over which was visible now that the enemy centers all his interest and all strengths which he can make available from all European Fronts.

The operations of constituting of the reserves go hard because of the slow with which the Russians were arriving .Alekseev changes terms after terms ,postponing all the time the beginning of the offensive and asking to Romanian Commandment to hold the Front until the calculated dates ,considered safe for the advancing of the Russians on to the fighting line .But the Russians move hard, and the capacity of transport of the railways in Basarabia and Moldavia is weak .Frictions are produced ,upsets and incriminations by both sides. And during this tme, the enemy dose not give us a break, not one moment .He has brought new and important forces ,with which he begins a new offensive.


3.The Second Battle Of The Passes

a)Preparing Of The New Offensive

The first battle for conquering of the defiles has brought to the German Commander a defeat on the whole line of the fighting front ,but also the gain of a stretch of land along this front.It has brought though a more important gain:a useful experience.Falkenhayn has given blows of drill in all the points of passing ;if the drill did not break through in either place,it showed very clearly where is the weak spot of resistance and the greatest chance of victory.Although at Jiu has been the greatest failure ,still there was the biggest oportunity to succeed. There the mountain was most narrow than anywhere else;there ,were most of the lateral roads and paths,parallel with the principal driveway in the defile(Jiu Defile) ,and this was now, almost entirely in the hands of the enemy.The new trial has to be made in the same place,trying to avoid the mistakes at the first one.F irstly,the Command will be more circumspect .the German Commander started to admit that the opinions he has made over the rapport of forces between the ally armies and their adversaries ,were too optimist .Impressed by the speed with which they took out the Romanians from Ardeal,they underapreciated the value of the Romanian troops. From here,t he confidence that the passes could be forced only in a few days and that the barrier of the mountains will be crossed by surprise in the same time with the Romanians.In reality,there has been surprise,but for the German Commandment.The heroism of the Romanian soldier was so great ,his love for his Kingdoom has multiplied his forces so much ,that with all the technical superiority of the enemy ,he(the enemy) has been throw back almost enywhere.The German official communique has to notice* that"the Romanian troops defend with dtermination the enterances of their Kingdom".

The new offensive will be prepared and executed with the most of care.The German give up to surprise.Secondly there will be used superior forces.What could not have been obtained by surprise ,must be looked to be obtained by"making use of forces ,regardless of any economy".writes Falkenhayn.the Big German Headquarter newsed the Commander of the IX-th Army that there will be send three German Divisions ;he will use them all at Jiu .The new attack will be given,thus,in the same place,but with seven Divisions.It must,by any price,to be forced the entering in the Field from the Mountain,before the winter to force the enemy to cease operations.

When the preparatives of the new offensive to be over,Falkenhayn gave the order that the fights to follow their course in Valleys of Olt River and Prahova.In these two sectors was not about a breakthrough anymore ,much less of a surprise action,but a slow action and continuous which,supported by the big masses of artillery which the enemy had in these sectors ,to harass the Romanians ,weaken their forces and conquer the terrain step by step.When the preparations of Jiu will be over ,the offensive will be retaken at all the passes(or mountain passes),to mask the principal strike.The masses of men and cannons ,as the method,will have to bring the victory,which could not be brought by surprise and presumption.

Communicate from 22nd of October.

The Russians take over a part of the Carpathian Moldavian front

The repeated interventions of the allies in the West over the Russians have become more and more pressing ,up to the point when these ones ,with all the repulssion they manifested for such an operation ,decided ,finally ,to take over a part of the fighting sector which comprised the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains.Decissive, was not the wish to come in the aid of Romanians ,but their own safety in the left flank of the Russian Front of Bucovina.So,Russian units will replace in this region the Romanian ones ,exhausted in a fight without break ,which laste for a few months already ,against an enemy refreshing his forces all the time .That is why,during November ,the Russian Front in Bucovina Mountains started a slip movement to the South ;the Army of General Lecitki stretched the left wing in to the Mountains of Neamt and of Bacau,until Ghimes Pass ,replacing the Romanian troops taken out from the fighting line ,to constitute reserves .In the same time ,the Russians have send to Dobrogea important forces-almost four Corps of Army -under the Command of General Zaharov ,to reject the enemy and free Dobrogea .At least this was the goal announced by the High Russian Commandment .How the Russians aquited by this mission and what was the real action ,of this important force ,will remain to be seen latter.

Tightening the colaboration on to the fighting field necessitated realities more tight of Commandment.General Beleaev-latter War Minister of Russia-has been named representative of the high Commandment of the Russian Army attached to the Romanian Commandment.A mission of superior officers ,artillery technicians ,lead by General Vinogradski arrived in Romania at 3rd of November ,as a technical advisers to help the Romanians, with their experience earned during two years of War;the mission has been separated in to three groups ,attached to the three armies of operations .These measure had the defect that they came too late ,to straighten a situation which started to slide on to a dangerous slope ,and the participation of the Russian Armies to the operations has not been,in any way,up to the expectations of the mission they headlined when they have been send ,in the first place.

The second battle at Oituz

The defeat suffered by Austro-Hungarians in the Battle for the Passes of Moldavia put a stop for a while to the warior veleities of Archduke Carol .The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army had given up at any new trial.The cold rains transformed in to snow and blizzards.That is why,for 14 days ,it has been on the Moldavian Front a kind of silent truce ,interrupted only by small local attacks for occupying of some more proeminent elevation ,which the next day was counterattacked and retaken by the adversary which had lost it.

An important change took place at the right wing of the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army.The 71st Division ,together with the 1st Cavalry Division Austro-Hungarian and with the 8th Bavarian Division ,formed up in the region of Oituz a new Group,of which Commnd had been given to German General von Gerock,the former defender of Kovelului[11],brought from the Front of Podolia Galitian.In the Reserve of the group,gathers a new Austro-Hungarian Division ,the 24th ,at Tirgu Secuiesc,and the 3d Division of Cavalry ,German is at Brasov.The group had received the order to maintain ready for a new offensive ,which had to unleash together with the great blow planned at Jiu.In waiting of this offensive ,the Northern wing of rhe Army of von Arz had to defend itself against the attacks of the Russian troops ,which have replaced the Romanians in Sector of Bistricioarei and of Bicaz .The fights had not given any important result ;they went around some few elevations.

At 10th of November ,in the eve of the new attack of Jiu,has started the offensive of Gerock in Oituz Pass.The fight is given on both sides of the Pass by troops of the 8th Bavarian Division (Regiment 225th Infantry and 10th Hunter)and of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division.In the first day the bombardment of the strong enemy artillery has been of an unsaid violence;its infantry attacks went on till 1 in the night and had been all repulsed with great casualties on both sides.The second and the third day ,the attacks continued without losing nothing of their energy ;only in the Sector between Slanic and Oituz ,the enemy has made in the day of 12th of November eight attacks in direction Cernica Peak;all bloody repulsed*.

But the simple defensive it is not in the character of the brave General Eremia Grigorescu and of the heroic 15th Romanian Division,which he Commands .Romanians pass to counteroffensive .Fierce fights have took place especially on heights Cernica and Fata Moarta(Dead Girl),in which Regiments 8th Romanian Hunters and 13th Stefan cel Mare ,had considerable losses .Cernica Peak had went from one hand to another in the days of 13th,14th,15th of November.Protected by a very effective artillery firing range,the Romanians have attacked and seized Bradului(Fir Tree) Peak,Piatra Runcului(Runcu Stone) and elevation 1175 meters on Plaiu Fata Moarta ,on which they strongholded.The most fierce conterattacks were made by the enemy in the night 13-14th of November ,for reconquering of the lost positions.On Plaiu Fata Moarta(Dead Girl Field),Bavarian and Hungarian troops attacked with frenzy ,arriving at savage body fights.The 8th Romanian Hunters regiment hd lost four Commanders and 400 men and had to retreat a little.But in the evening of 14th ,the Rmanians attacked again in Oituz valley and succeeded in throwing back the enemy deffinitive over the border.250 prisoners and 12 machineguns were the trophies of the new victory at Oituz.The bad weather ,which set in at 18th of November ,the snow ,blizzard have put an end to operations.Besides ,the full attention of the enemy was now at Jiu,where it was given the decissive blow with the help of an imposant unfolding of troops .The second trial of the enemy at Oituz had collapsed just like the first one .It had no other result,but to devote the glory of Oituz and to ad new flowers in the crown of the 13th Stefan cel Mare** Regiment,which showed himself worthy of the great inherritance left by his ancestors,the turkeys(bird) of Plevna.(the soldiers had turkey feathers at uniforms and hat,Penes Curcanu=Feather the Turkey)

Of the notes of a German medic officer of the 8th Bavarian Division ,over the fight of 11th of November on Lespezi Hill,near Cernica:"Ours talk with admiration about the despice for death with which Romanians fight ;they lack ,though ,circumspection and experience.Whenever they prepare an attack ,you can hear the voice of a Commander which keeps a speech ,then unleashes a savage march ,in the sounds of which the soldiers dash like crazy"
Stefan cel Mare (Prince Stephen III of Moldavia,1432-1504)

(Battles of Stefan cel Mare /Prince Stephen the III-rd of Moldavia;left-Battle of Baia 1467;middleBattle of Vaslui 1475;right -Battle of Cosmin Forest 1497)


Sector Bratocea-Buzau

At 28th of October ceased the fights in the region of Buzau Pass;the enemy ,dissatisfied by insuccess,gave up to the offensive .No warior veleity spirited anymore the troops of the Divisions 89th and 187th,Germans.The sector will be quiet in awaiting of the important events from wherever.

The initiative of the attacks crossed on the part of Romanians .At 30th of October a Detachment of the 22nd Regiment ,made out of Battalion with four machineguns and two small cannons of 53 mm ,attack Rosca Mountain ,which rise up its ridge to 1425 meters high,above the streams of Tarlungului,and to the West of Bratocei Pass .The attack,made by surprise in the morning ,on fog ,was a complete success.The enemy Company occupying the position has been destroied;in only one trench has been found the dead bodies of two officers and 70 soldiers.The reserve Company could not get out of their shelters in time ,to come in the aid and has been scattered.The mountain has been lost the next day ,by a veiling move ,executed by the enemy on both flanks ,supported also by a strong bombardment of artillery.

At 31st of October ,the enemy has attacked on Prahovei Valley,the position on Clabucet.During the fights it has been noticed that have participated also troops brought from the 187th Division from Bratocea,weakening this front.That is why,the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army decided to use this moment ,and to attack the enemy on the whole Front of Bratocea-buzau.

At 2nd of November ,the offensive action ,started by Romanians ,along three passes and on to the mountains in their vecinity .At the left wing ,in Bratocea Sector ,the troops of the 3rd Romanian Division attack Rosca Mountain ,from South-Est.The fights continue with violence also in the next day ,when the 22nd Regiment conquers Rosca Mountain ,taking 114 prisoners ,after which,sets foot also on Beldiei Mountain.At the center and in Tabla Butii Sector ,the attack of the Romanians is given in direction Tataru Mare which is conquered in the day of 4th of November .At the right side ,the troops of the 6th Division attack Siriu Massif ;but the soldiers of a Battalion of the 34th Regiment ,made out of Turks and Bulgarians from Dobrogea ,surrender without fight ,and the action does not succeed.

Alarmed by this offensive,the enemy brings reinforcements and counterattcks on the whole front.After a violent bombardment ,he reoccupies at 4 Rosca Mountain.Because of the lack of connections between the different Detachments ,scattered through this mountaineous region ,the reserves intervene too late ;Beldiei Mountain is also abandoned.Violent fights are given in the following days .The 6th Romanian Division attacks on the whole front,rips from the enemy several elevations ,but cannot conquer Soimului Hill(Hawk Hill),which is formidable fortified .At 9th of November,the Romanian battalion occupying Tataru Mare is counterattacked and leaves the elevation.With these,the whole gain of the offensive of 2-4th of November is lost ,again,but also the Germans are exhausted .Both sides are happy to give up a fight which cannot bring any advantage to either one of them,to worth the losses.Falkenhayn begins to be convinced that his troops on this front may not make any deed so that is why he recommends "to suspend any attack and to cross to defensive ".He is afraid that these troops "might epuisate in a grave mode ,without having any perspective to gain ,by this,any success".The 187th Division ,is weak and lost any strngth whatsoever for fight;she is taken out of the front and brought in reserve at Brasov,to rest and remake ,being replaced with a new unit ,the 2nd Austro-Hungarian Division.


Posted 31 May , 2009 The fights in Prahova Valley.

The attack of Clabucets line

After evacuating Predeal,the troops of Predeal Group,made out of Divisions 4th Romanian and 10th Romanian,under the Command of General Vaitoianu ,have occupied the line of heights Clabucetelor,which dominate from one side and the other Prahova Valley.the enemy have given up to the ideea of of a breakthrough ,through Prahova Valley ;the offensive action in this region tended to conquer in a methodical way, mountain by mountain ,position by position ,to prepare the exit from the Defile ,when the breakthrough will succeed, in whichever place possible.The position of Clabucets was the first obstacle ,which had to be sided ,to open up the road through Prahova Valley.It was not an easy thing though .Defended in flanks by big elevations -at West Bucegi Mountains,at East Paltinu ,Rusu(the Russian), Unghia Mare(the Big Claw)-strengthened by works of all kinds ,the position could not be attacked ,but only frontal.The hope of the enemy could be only in the crushing superiority of his artillery ,in front of which our primitive works of defence collapsed like toys.

At 26th of October ,has been occupied the peak in the middle of the massif:Clabucetul Taurului,by a triple attack ,frontal and on to the flanks ,through the valleys of the funicular(suspended transport)which goes towards Retivoiu.From this peak is aimed the next day ,a strong bombardment towards the neighbour peak,Clabucetul Azugai,which has been occupied as well.With this face,the superior valley of Azuga Stream was in the hand of the enemy.Azuga Village itself,dominated by elevations,could not be held by Romanians anymore.It has been evacuated ,without being occupied by the enemy.Emptied and desserted ,remained the fluorishing industrial center between the two adverse fronts,receiving blows from friends and foes.The buildings and instalations of the factories collapsed .The beautiful stone Church ,build by King Carol the I-st,took the looks of the glorious ruins of the French cathedrals of North-East.The school nearby the church,new ,as well "the effects of the cultural propaganda of the great German people".The houses collapsed one by one .Azuga was in ruins.

Towards West of Clabucetul Taurului the enemy managed ,with hard work,to occupy the entire Predeal Village ,assaulting house by house ,and to master the driveway until North of Azuga.Beyond the valley though,towards West,Clabucetul Baiului (height 1441 meters) was allways in the hands of our troops ,which defended it with stubborness.Few attacks have been bloody repulsed.The enemy decided to attack it methodically,from North-East,along a valley which opens up in front of Predeal Monastery ,with increased forces ,brought from 187th German Division from Predelus and Bratocea .Clabucetul Baiului has been attacked in the day of 31st of October by a fierce bombardment of the heavy Austro-German artillery ,which have turned upside down and pulverized all the works of defence and buried under rubble the cannons of the two poor batteries of light howitzers ,which Romanians had on Clabucet.Waves of axfixiant and tear gas have covered then with the thick myst the Romanian positions ravaged,preceeding the attack given by the soldiers of 188th German Regiment from Thuringia ,at the left side and the Hanovezi of the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division at the right side .The defence was made in a heroic manner by the soldiers of the 5th Vlasca Regiment and 33rd Tulcea regiment .Overwhelmed by the superiority of the means of attack of the enemy ,the defenders remained alive had ,after bloody fights,to back off ,leaving numerous dead bodies buried under the searched Earth ,through the pits dug by the shells.


Amongst the acts of heroism done in the course of this fight ,worth to not be forgotten the conduct of major Munteanu Ion of 18th Howitzers Regiment .In the midst of the fight spin ,as one of the batteries of his divizion has been framed and buried under the rubble ,the infantry has been taken by panic and threatened with surrounding.To give time to the soldier to retreat in order,Major Munteanu pushes the other battery on the uncovered ridge and starts to shoot at the enemy ,which he brings to a stand still.The battery concentrates over itself,the fires of the enemy ,is framed and an enemy projectile tear both legs of the Major .Still ,he refuses to let to be evacuated and stays on spot to supervise personally ,the taking off the extenders from the cannons ,which buried ,could not be saved anymore,as well as the retreat of their personel.The last one ,remained in the battery,the Major ,remains there for eternity ,because a second shell smashes his head.

The next day,the Commander of Predeal Group enterprized a counteroffensive on the whole front.At the right wing ,troops of the 4th Division ,reject the enemy beyond Azuga Valley.At the left ,troops of the 10th Division reconquer Clabucetul Baiului ,together with all the heights above Azuga;the Romanians manage to ungrave one of the batteries, and save ,lost in yesterday battle.But the superiority of the enemy maintains;he rebrings new forces and uses a superior artillery.the Romanians are able to maintain on the position till 10 in the evening ,when they have to leave it again.

The attacks of the enemy stretches towards South-East along the frontier .Diham Mountain rises his backs like a saddle ,closing the bottom of Cerbului Valley(Deer Valley);the enemy wants to enter through this valley at Busteni ,to turn by South the entire defence of Prahova Valley.Terrible fights take place on Diham and Capatina Porcului(the Head of the Pig) in the days of 2nd ,3rd and 4th of November ,the heavy enemy artillery ,hidden in Ghimbaselului Valley ,sweeps in vertigos of fire the back uncovered of Diham .The soldiers of Regiments 33rd and 37th are scattered after bloody fights ;of the first regiment have remained eight oficers and 234 men;the second one has been reduced at six officers and 280 men.The Regiments ,originary from Tulcea ,have mixed population:Bulgarians,Germans and Turks are not men to count on ;almost all of them have surrended to the enemy.The Commander of the Brigade ,Colonel Popovat ,an elite Officer ,which is all the time on the line of fire ,with despite for danger ,has been killed by the splinters of a grenade .The 6th Hunters Regiment and Feldioara Regiment ,which intervene in to the fight are one by one decimated by the formidable heavy artillery of the enemy and scattered .Romanians are force to give up to the defence of Diham.With this ,the entire line of the Clabucets is lost.

The Romanian troops occupy the third line of defence in Prahova Valley ,which leans over ,in the left side ,on to the proud Peaks of Bucegi Mountains ,Costila and Caraimanu defending Cerbului Valley,goes over Clabucet Hill,then crosses Prahova Valley between Busteni and Azuga and continues on the elevations East of Prahova Valley.The remains of Popovat Brigade are retreated from fight,bringing reinforcements from the right wing ,and the Commanders of Divisions 4th and 10th are replaced ,for lack of energy in conducting the operations of their units.


On Bucegi Massif and in Cerbului(of the Deer) Valley

The greatest danger for the third Romanian line of defence ,threatened from the transversal Valley of Cerbului,is that the positions could be turned by West.The Valley was exposed to the artillery fires and machineguns of the enemy from Clabucetul Baiului and from Diham ,such that the replenishment services of the Romanian troops were made very hard ,with many risks and many losses in men.The Romanian soldiers had to make their shelters in the steep ribs of Bucegi Massif. Cannons had to be lifted by ropes on Peaks of Costila and Caraiman ,at over 2000 m(60000 feet) high. Ceaseless fights had to be given on excellent blizzards ,in fight with the snow piles covering the trenches ,with the snow storms which threw spins in the eye ,with the savage enemy in front which knock down any careless ,appearing on the ribs of Cerbului Valley.At the center ,along Prahova Valley ,the enemy could not make a step on this side of Azuga ;two long cannons ,mounted on platform carriages dragged by a locomotive ,were sheltered in the railway tunnel at Busteni,from which they went out only to fire very well aimed bursts in the enemy positions,after which they entered again in their excelent shelter ,where they could not be discovered by airplanes. Greatly troubled ,the German artillery fired over Busteni ,of which destroyed entirely the neighbourhood around the paper factory ,of which high chimney they used as reference point.At the right side ,the elevations East of Prahova had been well defended and could not permit to the enemy any move of advance and veiling of the said wing .On the Mountain Unghia Mare(Big Claw) has given the end Colonel Lolescu,the Commander of 10th Hunters Regiment ,Romanian,hit by a bluet in the forehead ,as he was on the look out,as always from the most perilled spot.

The Romanian troops are lessened because of the heavy casualties of the fights ,especially because of the artillery fires ,by the heavy weather ,exhaust and sufferings of all kinds.Units of the 16th Division are brought to the Front ,to replace those of the 10th Division and 4th Division ,which have been destroyed or which cannot fight anymore .The troops of Predeal Group start an offensive in the day of 8th of November in region of Costila Clearing ,Cerbului Valley and Clabucetului,against the enemy which ,by occupying Omu(Men) Mountain ,have increased its circle around the end of Cerbului Valley.


The 10th Romanian Division is strengthened with troops of the 14th Romanian Division ,which are brought from Sinaia,during the night ,by under the ribs of Jepi,by West of Poiana Tapului(Goat Clearing) and Busteni(Logs),avoiding the driveway ,which was perfectly seen and beaten by the enemy artillery from Clabucet(the Lather) .

At 9th and 10th of November are given,day and night ,extremely violent fights .The enemy ,using a crushing superior artillery ,executes exterminating barrages of fire which produce disorder in our batteries occupying the fighting positions ,or are on the way to gather ,and demoralize the infantry soldiers He takes the counteroffensive and manages to reject the infantry troops of the 55th Regiment at our left wing ,and enters in the position of Feldioara Regiment.With great difficulty the reserves run ,cover the breeches and reestablish the situation.It is again noticed that the means of Romanian troops are too weak ,to ensure the success of the frontal action .The 10th Division ,completely tired out of powers,reduced to humiliating effectives ,is retreated as well from the Front ,to remaking ;at the 33rd Regiment ,Commander is a Lieutenant.In the fighting line remain troops of Divisions 4th and 16th.

General Averescu plans to attack the enemy Front by a maneouvre of flank ,from which he hopes to obtain the success which he may not obtain by frontal attacks.The 21st Division ,which has been retreated from fight after Predeal Battle and has been remade at Baicoi ,received the order to set to marching towards Predelus Pass,between Predeal and Bratocea,to fall in to the flank and back of the enemy position in Prahova Valley.The transport of waggons and cannons of the Division on the slopes covered with deep snow piles or ice ,in the mountaineous region,is made very difficult.The operation is though suspended.Faced with the agravation of situation on other fronts ,a great sacrifice is asked to the II-nd Romanian Army:she has to cede to the Great Romanian Headquarter two Divisions .The 21st Division is turn from her way and ,together with the 10th Division ,send to Bucharest,to take part in defending the capital of the Kingdom,Bucuresti(Bucharest),in the battle on Arges.

The whole month of November,the two adversaries have wasted their strengths in attacks and counterattacks ,which coud not bring any important change in the position occupied,by both of them.The enemy remains fixed in the upper part of Cerbului Valley and on to the Southern edge of Azuga Village ,not being able to make any step forward .Exhausted as well,the enemy,by the great losses ,suffered ,convinced by the sterility of his efforts ,has retreated at Brasov the 187th Division and left only the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division ,to harass the Romanians ,keeping them in eternal tension by artillery bombardment.The great decissive offensive ,given by the Germans at 28th of November for forcing the crossing of Carpathian Mountains ,did not had any episode on Prahova Valley,which has been voluntarily evacuated by Romanians ,in the first days of December ,under the pressure of whichever events.


The third battle of Campulung

In the sector of Campulung ,two weeks of relative quiet have past.From the 27th of October ,when Morgen suffered a second defeat ,which closed its way towards Campulung ,the enemy did not attack.He contented with strengthening its positions occupied in the mountains ,protecting especially the wings.

At 10th of November,together with the great attack at Jiu ,Morgen received the order to take a determined offensive ,by which to conquer "finally" the pool of Campulung.The terms of the order betrayed the deception and irritation of the German Generalisim for the defeats suffered just by the Group which at the beginning gave the highest of hopes..Morgen started the great ordered attack ,in the day of 11th of November ,over our left flank from Leresti until Cindesti ;the attack was sustained by a strong heavy artillery and by axfixiant projectiles.The troops of the 22nd Division resisted for five days with energy ;the fights have been very fierce through this region of mountains, hills and valleys,covered with woods;most of the time reaching attacks with bayonet.A column of Bavarians,made out of chosen men,foreseen with the most perfected means ,started from Rucar over Zanoaga on narrow paths ,in night marchings ,to strengthen the Alpine Brigade at the right enemy wing .At 11th of November Reitzenstein Detachment,made out of a Bavarian Battalion and a Bosniac one ,attacks the Romanian Detachment by the flank ,at Cindesti.The Romanians fight with disperation ,but overwhelmed by superior forces ,had to leave Cindesti Hamlet.The next day,the Bavarians and the Austrian Alpiners attack Albestii(the Whites),which they succeed to occupy after a ferocious fight ,which lasted for nine hours.The casualties are big ,on both sides ,especially at the enemy.More to the East,the elevation of Toaca has been attacked by two Battalions of Bavarians and taken after heavy fight, together with the remains of the small Romanian Detachment which defended it ,without ceding not a palm of Earth .At the center ,the enemy has entered in the day of 15th of November in Leresti,in Riul Tirgului Valley ,on a depth of 1500 meters.


With these successes the enemy lost his breath.His victorious advance has ended.It was now the turn of Romanians.With all the suffered losses,the Romanian troops did not content to seat in defence.Namaesti Group ,made out of the 22nd Romanian Infantry Division,General Razu ,strengthened with some elements taken from the neighbor Division -the 12th -and with two Brigades of Calarasi,Cavalry,passed to counteroffensive ,attacking in the day of 17th of November the whole Front of the enemy ,between Argesel and Bratia .The 12th Division supported the action by demonstrative attacks .Full of elan ,with rose up moral because of the pressence on the Front of General Averescu ,the Commander of the II-nd Army ,the Romanian troops attack ,take out all over the enemy out of his positions ,make this one felt casualties ,and repulse him back. The terrain is covered by hundreds of dead bodies .Albestii and Cindesti have been reconquered by the troops of the 22nd Division .400 prisoners ,two officers ,cannons ,machineguns ,have remained in the hands of the victorious trops.The brave troops continued the fight in the following days attacking the enemy on the whole line ;away him successively from the elevations ,by which he serch to hang on ,and conquered his positions ,placed on high peaks .In these new positions ,they have repelled all the trials made by the enemy to reconquer them.

Falkenhayn admits in his memoirs the complete defeat of Morgen 's Corps.The 8th Austro-Hungarian Alpine Brigade ,which was at the extreme right German ,and the 12th Bavarian Division ,which was at the left of the first one ,have been beaten ,lossing whatever power of attack they had and have disorganized the services .General Morgen ,admiting his grave defeat ,asked to his chief in the evening of 4th of November the permission not only to suspend the hostilities and retreat his troops on Bran driveway ,beyond the frontier ,but also expressed his opinion that any try to continue the fight in this sector is in vain and it is better that the troops to be used on other Front.

"Only with great difficulty -writes Falkenhayn-I could convince him that such a measure could have had grave consequences ". The Supreme Commander realizes that as soon as his pressure would cease here ,the Romanians would aim immediately their forces ,become available ,to the neighbor sector ,Olt Sector ,intervening there "with great effectiveness".


(Romanian helmet of the Great War)


(Howitzer of great power,380 mm, System Skoda model 1916,quick firing, weight 81700kg,projectile 740kg,firing distance 9,3 Miles,named Gudrun,belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Army captured by Romanian Army during the Great War; presented in marching with four carriages, pieced in port gun,port afet ,port postament,has also rubber tyres as well for off-track usage)


The retreat from Campulung

The third victory of the Romanian troops from Campulung region coud not had ,though ,repercussions over the general situation.The fate of the War was decided somewhere else.The enemy succeeded to breackthrough with considerable forces the Romanian Front at Jiu ;he has crossed Olt River and the Danube River and followed his marchings towards East ,threatening from back the troops which defended with heroism the strengthenings in the mountains .Faced with this situation,quick decissions and painful were undoubtedly necessary.

At 23rd of November ,the German artillery bombarded Campulung(Longfield) ,adding a new murder to the daily savages commited by the bombs of aeroplanes.It was the sign of impotent malice.

At 28th of November ,the Group at Campulung received the order to retreat .The undefeated Army had been forced to leave the positions and to start the retreat in Targoviste direction.The next day ,29th of November ,the enemy entered ,without fight and without glory in Cimpulung ,evacuated. Campulung was not seized by the enemy .He was abandoned to him because of the events happened on to the other fronts of fight.Time of 45th days a strong enemy ,well armed and with special equipment ,has exhaust himself in sterile efforts ,without succeeding to break the wall of rock opposed by Romanian chests.The troops of the 22nd Romanian and 12th Romanian ,Divisions ,as their dignified and competent Commanders ,General Razu and General Gaiseanu ,have made with honor the duty to the Kingdom.


The second German offensive in Olt Valley

The first offensive of Krafft Group ended with two felt defeats ,on both shores of Olt River ,one on the right shore at Pietrosu -Veverita(Stonemade-Squirrel) ,and another one by left at Topolog.Still,the circumstances asked for Romanians ,although victorious,to retreat on the second line :Riglou-Mormintu(the Grave)-Zanoaga.

In this time,Kraftt Group strengthened considerable by the reinforcements arrived from Division 8th and 11th ,Bavarian,as the Romanian Front of the 23rd Division,Colonel Mosoiu,which has stretched to East until Arges Valley,has greatly thinned.Leaned over this superiority of effectives ,having excelent troops as the Bavarian and Austrian Alpiners ,perfect prepared for mountain warfare ,with a formidable artillery ,receiving also armoured automobiles and two Austrians mortiers of 305 mm ,placed in Olt Valley at Ciineni,Kraftt von Delmensiengen restarted the offensive against the new Romanian line .The principal action is given now on to the left side of olt River ,between Olt River and Arges River,where are concentrated all the newly arrived troops.The fights in this sector are of the most ferocious fights ever to be given on the entire Carpathian Mountains Front.The disproportion between effectives and of the weaponry ,formidable of the adversary and those of Romanians ,the difficulties of the accident-ed terrain ,on which the fights were taking place ,the bad weather -snowing and freezing-were giving to the War her,the aspect of tragedy ,which has not been touched anywhere else on the Carpathians Front.

At 24th of October ,the advanced posts on Calugaru(the Monk) and Carabunaru(the Coal-er) are violently bombarded by the enemy artillery and occupied by the Bavarian Alpiners ,by going around moves.In these two elevations,the enemy has now two points for support ,very solid for attacking of the principal position from Mormintu(the Grave)-Omu de Piatra(Stoneman)-Zanoaga.The heavy German artillery bombbards time of three days ,with the greatest of violence ,the Romanian positions.Numerous assaults are given in the days of 24th-27th of October;they are repulsed with bloody casualties by troops of 44th Arges Regiment,2nd Vilcea Regiment and 1st Graniceri(BorderArmy),-the Combined Brigade-which defended the position.The night ,of 25-26th of October ,when the enemy attacked by the front and also by the flanks ,from Olt and from Arges ,has been the hardest.In the day of 28th an attack of 2nd Vilcea Regiment ,given on a thick fog ,fells in to the concentrated fires of machineguns and grenades of the enemy and is surprised by the counterattack of superior forces.In the center of the fight,Major Ghermanescu is hit in full by an artillery projectile of the enemy,which smash him and throws his body into the valley.The soldiers are perplexed and demoralized by the death of their emminent Chief.It follows a bloody fight on the whole fighting line ,in which Romanians ,before they could regroup their units ,are rejected and forced to leave the position from Mormintu until Zanoaga.The Commander of the Olt Corps gives the order for evacuation of poll Greblesti-Titesti,which was occupied by the enemy;the Romanians have retreated on to a new line ,which is supported in the left on Olt River at Copaceni(Tree..),going to East on Magura elevation.Spinului Hills ,Miglele,Sule,until Topolog ,mounted on to the driveway Titesti -Salatruc.The key of the position is Poiana Spinului Massif(Thorn Clearing Massif) .The Commander of the 23rd Romanian Division,Colonel Mosoiu,is installed at Perisani.


The enemy had made a felt progress;the piece of driveway ,which from Ciineni goes towards South-East through Greblesti-Gaujani-Boisoara-Titesti,together with these localities ,are in his hands(enemy).It will serve him for attacking Petrisani Pool,dominated at East by Miglele si Sule Mountains .The fights have taken a character altogether special.The fighting terrain,very bad ,scattered with elevations in rows with different directions ,crossed by valleys ,covered with woods ,offered advantages for surprise to the enemy,which had a very accentuated superiority pretaining the prepare for this kind of war and of the foreseeing with the needed material.He could send his isolated Detachments ,going around by great distances our ,here and there, groups of defence,to threaten them in the back,as other Detachments attacked them in front .The operations resemble much like the Chess Game ,in which the attack is given when in front,when diagonal ,when behind.The defender,much weaker ,with means of reconnoitering insufficient,with weak artillery ,reduced numericaly,having to fight with the thick fog which was good for surprises ,with the big snow,which was making hard the movements,was thus forced to seek behind other positions for safety ,after fighting hoplessly on to the attacked position.The enemy brings to the bravery of the Romanian troops the well deserved omage.In an official report to the German General Staff he expresses in this way:"Generally,these fights,made in the mountains ,have been extraordinary ferocious.Untill the last moment of the assault,the adversary did not abandon the fight defending his ancestral land.At Perisani had to be slaughtered an entire Company of which escaped only two men.But also ,us, have great martyrs,in such fights made on covered with old woods regions.Many brave Germans ,Austrians and Hungarians sleep the eternal sleep in the beautiful mountains there".

The fight for occupying Perisani Pool was given with unsaid violence.A Brigade of the Alpine Corps ,operating on Topologului Valley ,managed to occupy at 31st of October Miglele Mountain.The Commander of the 1st Romanian Army Corps has tried then ,an action in the left enemy flank ,to turn this flank and force the enemy to retreat in Titesti Pool.Sule Detachment,Romanian,under the Command of Colonel Badescu ,made out of four five Battalions ,in haste organized,with inssuficient ammunition ,had advanced in the day of 1st of November through Topolog Valley ,on a very difficult terrain.Attacked by the enemy from dominant positions,the Detachment has been rejected.

Aggressive fights went on for several days against Sule Mountain,defended by 5th Hunters Regiment,Romanian.From Miglele,the enemy turned with his face towards West,attacking with a Brigade the principal position of Romanians at Spin-Perisani in flank,as another Brigade ,German,helped by a very strong artillery bombardment ,attacks frontal ,along driveway Titesti-Salatruc and through Baiesti.the fight was given in the days 6-8th of November .The monstrous Austrian batteries with engine ,of 305 mm,blasted from Titesti big shells ,which crushed whatever power of resistance in Romanian positions.Time of three days ,the Romanian troops have fought with an heroism and spirit of martyr ,beyond any praise.At Mlaceni,North of Poiana Spanului ,a Company of 18th Gorj Regiment ,from the troops brought from Jiu,held chest to the enemy and sacrificied itself,awaiting for the reinforcements,to the last man.By Mamurile Mountain ,two German Battalions threaten to fall behind Romanians.A Company of the 1st Hunters Regiment ,Commanded by Lieutenant Leonte ,fights the entire night with the enemy,which he repulse;the Commander ,freshly out of the hospital,is again badly wounded.The casualties of the enemy have been also very painful.Two German Commanders of Regiments have found-amongst others-the death in this fight;on Magura fell Major Veith,and on Sule Mountain ,a Royal,Prince Henric of Bavaria ,the Commander of the Bavarian Guard Regiment of the Alpine Corps .This latter loss,have greatly pained the Germans .The Prince was considered as a militar of value and a chevalier spirit ;he would have gave his soul exclaiming:"Noblesse oblige!".

The Romanians have to leave Magura ,the massif between Titestilor Stream and Baestilor Stream and to fortify on line Cozia -Surdoiu-Poiana Spinului,with the right on Sule Mountain.The defence is made harder and harder ;the effectives of the units are weaker and weaker,and the reinforcements brought from the other fronts were soon exterminated.For the defence of the important Cozia Massif ,it could only be send few Companies of 2nd Graniceri Regiment and from the troops brought from Jiu.


Poiana Spinului is attacked at 8th of November and occupied by the Germans .Theh Commander of the Division ,Colonel Mosoiu ,sends from the Command post ,two Companies from Mehedinti,Commanded by Captain Cernaianu and Lieutenant Nadolu,which counterattack the Germans during the night singing"Wake up Romanian".The Germans are repulsed few Miles back.Cernaianu is killed ,and Nadolu gravely wounded At 9th of November ,the center of the Romanian position at Surdoiu is abandoned by the Battalion of Russu V. from 72nd Regiment*.The Romanian defence line is shaken .Cozia falls in the same day ,and after three more dyas of aggressive fights fells also the principal position at Poiana Spinului ,so heroicly defended.The new position of resistance of the 23rd Romanian Division is now on the line Daganesti-Radacinesti-North of Suici-South of Salatruc.In the aid of Olt Group ,decimated by these heavy fights ,has been send the 14th Romanian Division,withdrew from Moldavian Mountains ,where it has been replaced by Russians.The Division has been placed at the right wing of Olt Corps ,between Valleys of Topolog and Arges.It was ,in reality, a Brigade -Colonel Colori-made out of 67th Regiment ,two Battalions of the 54th Regiment and one Battalion from 77th Regiment.The arriving of this aid did not made a change in Romanian favour ofthe ballance of forces ,because ,in the same time ,the enemy,received himself,as well as reinforcement the 216th German Division;in the evening of 10th of November ,she entered in the fight one side and the other of the driveway Titesti-Perisani-Salatruc-Suici.The superiority of the enemy maintained unscratched.


A heroic agony

At 10th of November ,the battle at Olt Valley as increasing in violence.Together with the offensive which Morgen restarted in Cimpulung (Longfield) the fights at Olt have to react over the decissive battle,which started at Jiu.The Fighting Front has streched long ,across the mountains ;at East it leans now over Arges River,at Arefu;at West ,goes beyond Olt River.The fights are given,without the smallest break,grinding day by day the decreasing strengths of Romanian troops.A grave peril pressures from this part the fate of the War.The Great Romanian Hedquarter has asked to Olt Corps to continue the resistance.He plans to bring up here ,troops available from Dobrogea and from Moldavian Mountains ,to gather at Curtea de Arges (Arges Court) and,replacing the tired troops of the Ist Army Corps ,which had to pass in remaking,to attack and turn over the enemy.But the fate wanted otherwise,The enemy,sur e of his crushing superiority attacks with fury ,supported all the time by his formidable artillery ,by his numerous machineguns ,by armoured trains and automobiles.In the snow filling the valleys ,through the frozen wind which whipes the chicks and stiffens the hands ,the Romanian soldiers wage the sacrifice fight ,ceding the terrain step by step ,giving numerous counterattacks and making the adversary to pay dearly each patch of land conquered.Some Battalion of a hundred men has to resist to attacks of Regiments ;some Company of 30-40 men is attacked by Battalions.And there are always the same people ,unchanged for weeks ,but fewer more and more ,which fight without any hope ,torn out of exhaust ,looking like beggars with the snow to their knees.Sometimes,entire groups ,ended with tired and surrounded are made prisoners;other times they give to the adversary painful strokes.A German Company,which descended from Cozia Mountain and occupied Stinisoara Hill,has been surrounded by Graniceri(Border Army) and destroyed till the last man.Falkenhayn writes about these fights:"Our progresses has to be made in very difficult fights .Romanians resist with disperation.Each mountain has to be taken with assault.And if we managed to take pray in men and material,we had,on our part to pay with grave martyrs".

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The Romanian troops are assigned in the following way:at the left wing ,on the Western shore of Olt ,is a remain of the 13th Division ;at the center ,between Olt and Topologului Valley ,are the remains of the 23rd Division ;at the right wing ,between Topolog and Arges ,is the 14th Division.

On the right side of Olt ,the Romanian troops of the 13th Division have enjoyed a relative calm for more than two weeks ,fixed on Riglou-Saracinesti Front.The greatest part of the troops of the Division have been crossed on to the left side of Olt River ,and has been smashed in the fights there.Of the 25th Brigade ,have remained only two Battalions of the 47th Regiment ,with diminished effectives and troops of the 57th Regiment (26th Brigade).The Front has remained much behind of the one on the left shore ,which has been pushed by the enemy until line of Cozia .At 10th of November ,the troops of the 10th Austro-Hungarian Brigade ,strengthened with the 36th de Landstrum Regiment ,German and with a Battalion of the 216th German Division ,under the Command of Feldmarshal Goiginger ,started the attack by a strong bombardment by the front.From the railway of Olt Valley ,an armoured train was firing bursts in to the flank of Romanian position.The Romanian Front,attacked by greatly superior forces ,is broke in the middle.There are no reserves to fill the break,so the next day the enemy enters ,turning the wings.Few Companies of the 47th Regiment are destroyed;the Commander himself is made prisoner.The position is lost.The rests retreat pursued by the enemy,which did not give them the chance to fix themselves solid on to new positions.Time of 12 days,the soldiers of the 13th Division,forming mixed units ,with very small effectives ,resist on to successive positions ,counterattacking all the time ;at 23rd of November they are at Rimnicu Vilcea .

At the right wing ,troops of the 14th Division manage at 10th of November to reoccupy Frunti(Foreheads) Mountain,but because of the lack of support on to the flanks they may not either widen ,nor maintain the success.Morover,because of the dezaster threatening the neighbour Group at Jiu,the Romanian Commander has to take some of the troops away from Olt and send them over the mountains ,towards Tirgu Jiu,to attack the left wing of the enemy ,which was exiting Jiu Defile.The enemy is installed on Poiana Spinului with numerous mortiers of 210 mm with which beats ,especially during the night ,Romanian positions,covering them with a curtain of light of grenades and rockets.The spectacle is impressive.At 17th of November ,troops of the 216 th Division ,brought with trucks automobiles until Salatruc ,give an attack in Topologului Valley ,with several Battalions,disposed in waves.Counterattacked by two Battalions of the 1st and 5th Hunters Regiments ,with a lively fire ,the Germans have retreated in to the woods.The resistance is more and more harder.The troops of the 23rd Division are completely extenuated.With difficulty gathers the soldiers from the scattered units and constitute Companies of 80-100 men which are send to counterattck the lost positions ,under barrages of machineguns and artillery.The line Calimanesti-Scaueni-Suici ,defended with ferocity ,has been abandoned in the hands of the enemy,only at 20th of November ,when the break made in Jiu Front,brought the invasion of Oltenia.Again the official German communicate has to record:"The Romanian have defended with stubbornes the land of his Kingdom on to the driveways going through Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) and Surduc"*.At 20th of November ,the remains ,desorganized and demoralized of the 23rd Division ,which have no combative value whatsoever are withdraw from the fighting line and brought to Pitesti,to rest and remake.They are replaced with troops of the 8th Division ,brought from Moldavia .In fact ,it is only the 37th Brigade -Regiments 66th and 77th-completed with a new Brigade ,made out of Regiments "Closca" and "Crisan"-former fortress troops.


General Berthelot,Counceler of the Great Romanian Headquarter ,which has put great hopes onto preserving and using of this good Division ,as General Reserve,for a great strategic plan ,addmited "with death in his heart" to put her in to the Front,asking ,at least,to be retreated the remains of Divisions 11th and 23rd.

The 8th Division assumed position between Olt and Topolog ,on an oblique Front ,facing North-West ,in region Runcu-Valea Babei(Old Woman Valley),opposing to the advance of enemy towards Tigveni .The troops of the Division,only installed on position,are imediately attacked by the enemy with a formidable unfolding of artillery**.But the soldiers from Oituz have to keep their fame ,which is their title of pride.They have the conscience of the importance of the task given to them,and looking with pitty the remains of forsaken 23rd Division ,which they replaced,they are confident that they will know to save from invasion Country of Muntenia of the brothers,as they saved their Moldavia.

Three days, the fight follows with excellence on both sides.The enemy has noticed that he hasn't have in front of him the demoralized remains ,which had no more power of resistance ,but a fresh troop and brave.But also the Moldavians noticed ,in they turn,that they don't have to deal anymore with the Hungarians from Moldavian Mountains but with an elite troop ,excellent armed,which fights vigorous and methodically.

..........

German communicate of 16th of November.
The attack in direction Babei Valley-Tigveni is made by 122nd Infantry ,supported by the 54th Artillery Regiment of the 21th German Division.

On an edge of a hill ,in the outskirts of Valea Babei Village,under the crushing fire of the enemy ,Colonel Piperescu Nicolae ,the Commander of the 37th Brigade ,falls hit deadly by a bullet in the forehead ,when he was in the first line of shooters .The Colonel finds enaugh strengths to address words of spirit to their terrified soldiers ,then he asks and is brought the flag ,which he kisses with holly ,of the 69th Regiment ,which he drove with honour from Dorohoi to the heart of Ardeal and on the ridges filled with blood of Oituz.After few days ,he gives his soul in Pitesti Hospital ,leaving the memory of a soldier of breed ,harsh and unforgiving at duty ,heroic in the face of death .But the War is decided on other fronts .The invasion spread also from West and from South.It threatened the back of the troops fighting at Olt.The resistance has become now unuseful and also dangerous .Olt Corps had to break the fight and to start the retreat towards Pitesti.

At 25th of November ,Rimnicu Vilcea ,evacuated in the eve by Romanians ,is occupied by the enemy ,and the next day ,Topologul was crossed and the Alpine Corps was making the entrance into Curtea de Arges(Arges Court).


Olt Valley is now ,finally,in the hands of the Germans .There are two months from the day in which Falkenhayn has started the battle of Sibiu ,which was supposed to open immediately Turnu Rosu Pass and the road of Olt.He needed ,however,two months of heavy fights ,for the German Kaiser 's soldiers to be able to pass in a free will on to the old road ,on which many invasion armies have been.And Olt River ,which along the centuries have rejected in his water waves,one by one ,the Roman Aquila, Hungarian tufts ,Turk iatagans(Turkish curved-swords) and mirrors now the hat with spear of the German ,hits stronger than ever the "old wall of Cozia Monastery" and stories to the holly shadow the sad history of the hood which prepares the rising to the Sky by martyr and pain.Curious and characteristic twist of times!After more than five centuries ,were passing in front of the voievod(medieval King) the soldiers of the hood of those who fought as camarads of arms ,together with the Roman soldiers.The Chevaliers of Frederic de Zolern ,dressed in armours and with the cross on the chest ,have come at 1396 in an elan of sacrifices ,to defend the Christianity at Nicopolis(Battle of Nicopolis) ,together with the flower of French Nobility and by the wariors of Mircea cel Batrin(Mircea the Elder),against the Semy-moon which rose up invadatory.Today,their descendands ,smelling the rich prey ,were coming ,greedy ,to strangle the nephews of their former mates of arms,which were defending their Kingdom.Time changes the souls of nations.,as those of individuals.

Entering in the old Capital(Arges Court) of the first Basarabs ,the German Commander ,from the Kaizer order ,puts a crown of flowers on the grave of King Carol of Romania,in Arges Cathedral .This act meant,less an injure brought to the old and wise King ,by the trial of showing that a crowned head could have had other interests and feelings than those of his people ,as it was more a demonstration against the nephew and successor of the King.The Germans could not forgive to King Ferdinand of Romania his Romanian attitude ,worthy of chevaliery traditions of his ilustruous nation.

Three days behind,the avanguards of Kraftt Group enterd Pitesti.The official German communicates pretends that in the fights on Olt Valley ,Kraftt Group has made a total of 14 451 prisoners,of which 101 officers and have taken 14 cannons.

The Romanian Group at Olt has been eaten slowly and slowly and defeated in the inequal fight which he sustained against the formidable adversary ,but his resistance of almost two months remains one of the most evocative evidence of the heroism and martyr of Romanian soldier.


b)The Breakthrough At Jiu

Preparing the great German offensive

The new endeavor made by the German Commandment at Jiu ,was the last card played on the Romanian War Theatre .If it would fail,the winter campaign would have to be considered as ended and the troops put to shelter for winter ,with all the incalculable consequences of such a measure .That is why ,the Big German Headquarter ,made yet another effort and send to Falkenhayn few more Divisions .A new Group has been cretated for the new battle ,decisseve.It was made,firstly,of the two German Division ,the 2nd Bavarian and the 301st ,of the dissolved Group Kneussl ,beaten at 27-30th of October ,at which it has been added two new Divisions of Infantry brought from Riga Front ,where it was now quiet.It was the 41st Division of Infantry Prusian ,one of the best German units ,Commanded by General Schmidt von Knobelsdorff,former Chief of Staff of Kronnprinz ,at Verdun and the 109th Division ,under the Command of General von Oettinger.The Command of the Cavalry Corps ,made out of the two Cavalry Divisions ,6th and 7th ,strengthend with four armoured cars, remained handed to General von Schmettow.The Reseve of the Group was made by a new Division ,the 115th ,General von Kleist and a Brigade of Cyclists.The Command of the entire Group -with a total of over 800 000 men and 30 000 horses -the most imposant force to operate till now on the Carpathians front ,has been handed to General Kuhne ,the Commander of the General Staff without troops of LIV-th Corps,which has been send on Transilvania some time ago,with the intention to take an offensive on Oituz Front ,to wich it gave up,eventually.The day of the attack has been set for 11th of November.


The new offensive has been prepared in great style,with a method and detail characteristic for Germans.Numerous troops of Pioneers and big masses of population raised from the neighbor regions ,have been used at roads mending through the mountains and for the bridges of driveway Jiu.The cover material of the driveway has been strengthened to be able to support heavy cannons ,moved with tractors ,armoured cars and trucks.The deposits of food and ammunitions have been established through the mountains ,through different points of the pass.The troops have been provided with mountain dressings and equipment . Unended files of trains disembarked in train stations troops ,munnition,animals for hard work,provissions and all kind of material of war.The driveway in Jiu Defile which,unfortunately,was in the German's hands until the middle of the distance between Lainici and Bumbesti,has been used for the transport of the heavy artillery and light one and of some part of the troops.The railway Decauville,installed during the neutrality to serve for the transport of grains ,was also of great help to the Germans,as well.

When ,at 10th of November ,the masses of enemy troops have set in move ,the most rigorous measure of police ensured the order of the transports.Each detachment ,each vehicle ,each horse ,had the well established place in the columns of marching,but also for the stationary points.Lights instalations and of signaling ,telephone posts ,officers for special assignements,geandarmery posts.served at maintaining the discipline with a steel energy ,after special regullations.At the slightest of deviation of one's duty ,the punishment followed with severity;when a waggon went out of the marching column ,was mercylessly thrown in to the river.The exempar Germanic order made its effect;in the morning of the fatal day of 11th of November ,all the enemy forces were in attack position ,assigned.The desaster was redy to be unleashed over our heads.


The surprise

During this time ,the Romanian positions were maintained by the troops of the Jiu Group constituted by a single Brigade of the 1st Division;the other Brigade of the Division was at Cerna.The reinforcements received from the neighbour sectors ,during the first Battle of Jiu,have been send back ,at their units.At our Commandment ,by a missjudgement,nobody was expecting for the enemy to repeat the strike in the same place where he has been defeated ,and the concentration of the formidable Army of Kuhne was made so descrete ,such that, ours ,did not notice anything.With cleverness,the German Commander was looking to distract the attention of Romanians over the preparatives made at Jiu.Falkenhayn installed himself ostentatively at Brasov ,were he kept a noisy activity ;he received guests,he organized military parades ,was making frequent visits to Predeal Front,making everything that, all these to get to the ears of our Commanders.Convinced thus ,that on Jiu Front it has been reestablished calm,the attention of the Romanian Commander went again over the other points of the Carpathian Front where the enemy ,looking always to mask his decissive strike prepared at Jiu ,gave violent attacks.Especially towards Arges were fixed our unrested eyes.To dam here the strong pressure of Krafft Group ,our Supreme Commander has taken measures to concentrate at Pitesti the Strategic Reserve,made up of the Divisions withdrew from Dobrogea Front and Moldavia ,and remade with the aid of deposit elements.This manoeuvre mass was supposed to take up the offensive simultaneously with the Russian offensive ,planned for so long, on Moldavian Mountains Front.In the midst of these preparatives ,unexpectedly,the lightninstrike fell at Jiu.


Posted 4 June , 2009 The enemy attacks at 11th of November with four Divisions

As an introduction of the great battle ,even since the day of 10th of November ,Detachments of Kuhne Army attack the elevations in the left side of Jiu Valley.After fierce fights ,they managed to occupy Peaks Muncelu,Molidvisu and Urma Boului(the Trace of the Ox),making on this side ,in this way , a strong phallanx-guard.

In the morning of 11th of November ,a hurricane of fire unleashes from the mouths of over 250 cannons ,of all calibers ,over the Romanian positions .Under their protection ,started the atack of the four Divisions pf Infantry of the enemy.Unlike in the first Battle of Jiu ,the ax of the direction of the attack was not driveway Buliga anymore ,but even Jiu driveway itself.One side and the other of Jiu Valley have been placed the two Divisions ,fresh,of Kuhne Army ,which were supposed to force up the entering.On the West part of Jiu was the 41st Division ;on the Eastern part was the 109th Division.Behind the two Divisions,on Jiu driveway,were formed up for advance Divisions 11th and 301st.the Cavalry Corps was massed at the entering of North of Jiu Defile,waiting for the signall that the road is open,to begin the advance ,for invading the fields.At Petrosani was, in reserve the 115th Division .the attack was given on to a Front of 19 Miles ,from Molidvisului Peak -at East-until West of Buliga driveway.


With all the pressure of this enormous mass ,the advance of the enemy was not so big in the first day.The brave resistance of Romanians brought to a stand still the elan of the enemy.At the right wing of 41st Division ,the Alpine Battalion Wurtemberger ,helped also by other enemy troops,fights all day to occupy Lesului(dead body) Hill ,height 1191 m,defended with bravery by two Companies of Gorj Regiment ,and only by evening they could seize it.The 41st German Division reaches in the evening Schela(scaffolding).From an elevation,North of Bumbesti ,from where he watched personally the fight,Falkenhayn notices that the advance at the wings was only about 1-2 Miles,as in the center the attack was obstacled by our position at Bumbesti and was almost on a full stop.A violent action of artillery had to be enterprized against Bumbestilor.At 11-12th of November ,during the wohole course of the days,the German mortiers throwed their enormous shells over the Romanian position,pulverizing the shelters and smashing the domes of the small 55 mm canons ,taken out from our declassed fortifications ,with which it was garnished the position.Only in the afternoon of 13th Romanians,exhausted and overwhelmed from all parts ,cedes to the enemy the ruins of Bumbesti.

On all roads and paths ,the unfinished columns of enemy descend and attack from all parts our few troops,which resist with superhuman efforts and do not leave the positions but only to occupy others immediate behind ,from where they start heroic counterattacks.The enemy himself confess to the bravery of our troops:"It is no doubt that Romanian Infantry fights bravely ;she shows daring and clever in defending her position in the mountains ,well organized ;ofcourse,she attacks with decisiveness in counteroffensive ;but it prooves very sensible to the artillery fire ,especially faced with the heavy calibers and not used with defence against the surrounding attacks , to which their artillery touching unsure ,cannot ensure in time the defence".

At 13th of November the troops of Jiu Corps have retreated on recollection line Valari-Rugi-Simbotin-barcaciu,mounted on Jiu.The Wutemberger Alpiners fight all day with a Romanian Detachment ,till they can master Valari.The two Romanian Companies ,defending Valari, have counterattacked the Alpiners Battalion Wutemberger three times and set him on the run;at the fourth attack ,the killing fire of the heavy artillery of the enemy forced the brave defenders to leave the position.For conquering Simbotinului,the Germans had to give seven consecutive attacks.

With the evacuation of Bumbesti and lossing line Valari-Simbotin-Barcaciu the principal driveway in the Defile of Jiu is all in to the hands of the enemy;by it, poured without interruption the artilley mass and the Infantry of Divisions 11th and 301st.Schmettow Cavalry begins the march to cross the Defile and enters the field North of Tirgu Jiu.The armoured automobiles ,with machineguns ,were running ,blasting the flanks of the Romanian columns.

Once out of the mountainous region ,not a serious obstacle did not oppose anymore to the advance of the enemy.At 14th of November ,he is detained for a short time on stop,on line Turcinesti-Curtisoara,to cover the concentrations made by Romanians South of Tirgu Jiu.The enemy enters the City of Tirgu Jiu at 15th of November ,without fight ,as the groups at the wings have arrived in to the lateral valleys of Gilortului.


(Aerian photographic camera,made by Romanian Industry 1916-1918;binoculars which belonged to Brigadier General Alexandru Stoenescu ...etc)


(Mortier of great strength used by Austro -Hungarian Army ,for destroying concrete shelters,system Skoda ,model 1916,caliber 210 mm,prejectile 120 kg,range 500 m,quick firing;captured by Romanian Army during the Great War)


(Cannon ,quick firing,System Skoda ,150 mm,model 1915,used by Austro-Hungarian Army, for fire of interdiction at long distance ,firing range 11,4 Miles,weight 11500kg;the piece has been captured by the Romanian Army in 1918)


(German military captured during the fights at Jiu -November 1916)

The breaking of Romanian front

With the formidable mass of four Divisions of Infantry,Falkenhayn broke the Romanian Front line ,in a place where the guard was made by a Brigade !The breakthrough of the Romanian Front was made.The dam,which held for two months the might of the enemy ,broke and over it ,the furious wave went to the valley to drawn our fields.In unterminable columns ,Schmettow 's Cavalry started the march at the right wing of Kuhne's Army.Already ,Falkenhayn thought the game won.He took dispozitions for exploiting the success.The 11th Infantry Division was placed at the left wing of LIV-th Corps ;she will advance South-East ,to open up the road on Olt Valley in direction Dragasani,behind the Romanian Corps fighting at Olt River.The 301st Division will follow this one,as safety eshalon towards left,against some eventual attacks from Olt ,the LIV-th Corps -Divisions 109th and 41st -will continue the advance directly towards South,in Craiova direction.Ahead of them have been send the two Divisions of Cavalry which,in quick marchings ,will precede the marching of the Infantry ,in direction Filiasi-Strehaia.The role of the Cavalry is to cut the connections behind Romanian Cerna Group with the Kingdom and to clean the terrain,making thus easier the operations for the German Infantry.


c)The Battle At Tirgu Jiu ,16-17th of November

The Romanian plan for Tirgu Jiu battle

The Battle of Tirgu Jiu has been concepted by the Romanian Commandment ,after a plan resembling much with the one of the first battle of Jiu.The place chosen for fight was the edge of elevations,which stretch South of Tirgu Jiu ,with general direction West-East,closing from South the bucket -the sub-Carpathians geographical depression -in which is placed the city(Tirgu-Jiu).The position is well chosen ;she follows on the Southern shore -a bit higher-of Armadiei Mici ,the line Capacioasa-Danesti-Cirbesti.At the left ,she leans over Jiu River;at the right ,on Gilort.If ,however,the positions were well chosen,the forces that General Vasilescu Paraschiv ,the Commander of the Ist Romanian Army,had at Jiu ,were not enaugh to dam the enemy wave.In complete ignorance ,about the formidable enemy he had in front,was made the plan for fight.At the center,the troops of Jiu Group will resist to the frontal attacks which the enemy will give against line Capacioasa -Danesti-Cirbesti,stretching towards West ,over Jiu River ,until Soimanesti.In the same time ,at the left wing ,a Mixt Detachment ,coming from Cerna through Baia de Arama (Copper Bath),will fall behind the enemy ,on his communication line .The principal manoeuvre will take place at our right wing ,on Gilortului Valley.A new Division ,the 17th Romanian*,brought from the remaking zone by trian,will advance in the flank and back of the enemy ,in Bumbesti direction ,towards the South mouth of the Defile ;a small Detachment ,coming from East ,from Olt Front,on driveway Babeni-Novaci ,will help the action of the 17th Division ,falling behind the enemy on this side.The plan was very good made and the situation adventurous ,in which the enemy placed himself,was well exploited .The success of the plan would have brought the complete destruction of the surrounding army and with the retreat line in this way cut.Only that,the raport of the forces ,situated face to face ,it was in absolute disadvantage for Romanians.Such a manoeuvre of surrounding on both flanks ,analogue with the one used by Falkenhayn at Sibiu ,asks from Romanians a strength ,at least equal with the one of the adversary,as ,in reality ,we had less than one third of his number:we had two uncomplete Divisions faced with seven enemy Divisions.And on top of this ,we had no luck at all.


The Battle of Tirgu Jiu

Muntele Negru=Black Mountain ;Paring=Paring Mountain Massiff;Pasul Surduc=Surduc Pass;D. Piva=Piva Hill;so Pasul=Pass;;Germani=Germans;Romani=Romanians;Jiu=Jiu River;1606=1606 meters(aprox 4800 feet)

Front German=German Front

arrows=directions of enemy attacks

Tirgu Jiu=Tirgu Jiu Town


The battle cooks up in conditions of great inferiority

The Detachment(Romanian) coming from Cerna was made out of three Battalions of Infantry,with artillery ,put under the Command of Colonel Taut.The Detachment could not reach in time the theatre of foght.He had to turn from his way and fight for its own safety.Such a fate had also the Detachment coming from Olt.This one was even weaker;only a single Battalion with three Escadrons and a Section of Artillery.the Olt Corps,caucht itself,in very heavy fights ,could not send more.The Detachment,strengthened with too fewer troops of the Jiu Corps,was also stopped between Cerna and Aninisu,at West of Novaci by the troops of 301st Division ,which were strengthening the right wing of the enemy.

To the highest lack of luck,one of the train transporting towards Jiu the troops of the 17th Romanian Division ,derailed at Filfani Village ,near Stolnici ,between Pitest and Slatina .It have stopped and delayed the transport of the aid troops,which were so much needed.Because of this ,the troops arrived with great delay on to the fighting front and during the fight .In the morning of 16th arrived five Battalions and a field battery ;till the evening of the day disembarked,in all 6000 men.Because of this ,the Romanian offensive planned for 16th of November ,has been postponed for the next day,after the arriving of the whole Division.The delay was fatal.The enemy,in complete possession of his fighting means,started the offensive towards Carbunesti ,surprizing the troops in course of disembarking ,whithout finishing the concentration.The Romanian troops ,arrived in the second day had to be thrown in to fight package by package ,imediately as they were disembarked in Train Stations Barbatesti and Carbunesti.The rest arrived after the end of the battle ,when it was too late.


The unfolding of the battle

The battle at South of Tirgu Jiu took place in the two days of 16-17th of November.It was a tremendeous snowing with big and dense snowflakes , wich melted as they reached the Earth ,in to a cold ice water.The wind was blowing strong and was throwing vertigos of snow in the eyes of the fighters.Rarely was a battle given in such conditions of unequality between adversary forces ,like the one engaged at South of Tirgu Jiu.

The mass of the three German Division has exited the Defile of Jiu and was at 16th of November on a line West-East ,from Tirgu -Jiu to Gilort;the 301at Division was a little behind ,making the phallanx-guard of Kuhne's Army.The German Cavalry ,ahead of the Infantry ,attacks the positions occupied by the troops of Jiu Group.At our left wing,the 7th Division of Cavalry,German attacks between Tismana and Jiu on the line Somanesti-Cirbesti and is repulsed.At the center ,the 6th German Cavalry attacks the center of Romanian position ,but cannot advance either,as little as possible;the fight unfolds very lively around Danesti Village.At our right wing ,in Carbunesti region ,the 4th Ulans Regiment and parts of the 11th Bavarian Division attacks the troops of Jipa Group ,which are covering the disembarking of the 17th Romanian Division;in violent fight ,the enemy is repelled towards Stefanesti.The enemy Commander realizes the failure of the try made with Cavalry ;it is ,though ,a passing one because the mass of his Infantry ,fighting with the dense snowing and with the water mixed with snow on the roads,has reached by evening the fighting terrain;it will ghange the face of things.Kuhne retreats the 6th Division of Cavalry from the Front ,brings it at Tirgu Jiu and sends it to the Western wing ,in Tismana Valley.There,is concentrated now the whole mass of Cavalry,of which mission is fixed now at executing of a marching around in left Romanian flank.

In the place of Cavalry,takes place the Infantry of the enemy.The blizzard have completely masked the move.It is the only success with which Kuhne can brag for the day of 16th of November.

At the right side ,in Gilort Valley ,the concentration of the 17th Romanian Division may not be made at Albeni anymore ,as planned.The troops have to disembark at Barbatesti and follow the driveway Rogojeni-Boia,climbing towards North.

The day of 17th of November will be decissive in the battle at Tirgu Jiu .All night has snowed.In the morning,the snow of two palms ,covers the hills and valleys.The concentration of the enemy on to the fighting line is today acomplished.The Attack Group is made out of the mass of the three Divisions:Division 41st it is at the right side,mounted on Jiu;the 11th Bavarian Division is at the left side ,on Gilort ;between them at the center is the 109th Division ,with the Wurtemberger Alpiners ,with the 4th Ulans Regiment ,with the Cavalry Detachments of the three Divisions of the Group and with all the artillery ,heavy,of the 109th Division.

In front of the strong enemy left wing ,the 17th Romanian Division begins the offensive move ,along Gilortului with direction Bumbesti ;she has only five Battalions ,of which two of them had barely the time to jump down from the carriages ,to haste in to the fight ;four Battalions gather at Vidin,to form up the Reserve.With all the massing of the enemy forces at this wing,the Romanian attack is progressing.The troops of the 17th Division ,placed on three columns ,fight bravely;at 10 ,the right has reached Licurici ,the center at Carbunesti ,the left has occupied Curmatura Hill.The enemy sends four columns of attack against the Romanians .The fight is outstandingly violent,especially at our right flank ,which the enemy is looking to veil,but in vain.Patrols of Cavalry are signalled on Amaradiei Valley;a Romanian Battalion occupies Rogoci and brings to a stand still the enemy Cavalry.


The enemy unfoldsthe totality of his forces summoned by him,at the Eastern wing and overwhelms with number,artillery power and multitude of machineguns ,the Romanians,which fight hoplessly.

The fourth Battalion of 15th Razboieni Regiment,Romanian,which has occupied Curmatura Hill ,has been attacked by a whole Bavarian Regiment.All day and evening ,till late in through the night ,the soldiers of the Battalion,which have received the order to resist till the last man,have fought with fury ,not giving up a palm of terrain.At 2 in the night ,the Battalion was completely destroyed.Three quarters of it ,remained dead on the terrain and wounded ;the rest,besides some prisoners ,have retreated crossing Gilortul through the frozen water.Towards Boia Stream and Carbunesti ,the 4th Battalion of 27th Bacau Regiment,Romanian,have sustained all day the fighting and has left on the terrain more than a half of his officers and soldiers,as dead and wounded.It was the Battalion which at 20th of October took part at Tipchesului assault ,near Bicaz.At their right side,the 4th Battalion of the 75th Regiment,Romanian,poor militia men and dispensed from Ialomita County ,which have learned to use the trigger and weapon in terrain,from Urziceni to Jiu,have entered directly in to the magineguns fires and have been cut down to the ground.Only by evening,the enemy occupies Boia and Tupsa .He has advanced ,after a day of fights a little.The night finds him 2 Miles South of line Petresti -Carbunesti,across Gilortului,held in harness by the line of the 17th Romanian Division.

Unfortunately,at the Western wing and at the center ,the battle has taken a grave twist for Romanians.The troops of Jiu Group form a defence line very thin,stretched from Somanesti ,over Jiu River,until Copacioasa having in front the masses of Infantry Divisions 41st and 109th Germans,and in the left flank Divisions 6th and 7th of Cavalry,Germans.The masses of enemy Cavalry advance by West of Jiu ,along and across Valleys of Bistricioarei and Tismana,going around or rejecting the weak Romanian Detachments and arrive in Motrului Valley ,at Brosteni and Rosia ,executing thus in the left Romanian flank a large move of going around.The wing of the principal Romanian position ,leaned over by Jiu at Cirbesti ,was completely turned . German Detachments of Cavalry were in the evening of 17th of November at Farcasesti,on the right shore of Jiu River,9 Miles behind Romanian position at Cirbesti.


In the same time ,the troops of the German Divisions 41st and 109th attack by front the Romanian position at Cirbesti -Danesti-Copacioasa.The Romanian troops fight with a heroism which defies any description.The enemy suffers heavy casualties,but strong by its numbers ,advances impetuous over the handful of defenders.The elevations on the Eastern shore of Jiu ,between Cirbesti and Poiana -especially Bran Hill -are the theatre of very bloody fights ,given by both sides with savagery.Villages Danesti and Urechesti ,East of Cirbesti ,are defended without hope by soldiers from Regiments 18th and 58th Gorj,43rd and 59th.Five times are occupied by the Germans and as many times taken back by our undefeated soldiers.What remains in the hands of the enemy ,are broken pieces of units ,decimated ,overwhelmed by the invasioneers which pour in now from all directions.

In the afternoon ,the Romanian Front has been broken in the middle on a large length;the 41st Division advances in direction Vacarea-Pesteana ,the 109th Division on direction Sasa-Bratuia .The remains of the Romanian center retreat through Cioiana Valley ,in direction Rasina -Tunsi.The heads of the enemy columns have occupied on the left shore of Jiu,Pesteana ;they shake hand with the avanguards of Cavalry columns which descend on the right shore of the river.The enemy circle closes thus behind our positions at Cirbesti ,where Colonel Obogeanu,the Commander of the Sector ,wages disperate fight against the attacking columns from the North ,from Draganesti ,from East ,from Urechesti,and from West fro over Jiu River,by an enemy column which descended from Bistritei Valley.With all the dug out road by rains and snows ,the artillery manoeuvres precisely and keeps at respect the attacker.By evening,though,the retreat line is occupied by the enemy ;officers send in reconnoitring are received by enemy with fires .The situation is extremely critical;a catastrophe seems now eminent.


Obogeanu evacuates the back of the hill at Cirbesti and starts the retreat towards South,placing his artillery in the middle ,framed by infantry;some small Detachments are left to retain the enemy ,sacrificing for saving the thick.The column ,advancing towards South ,finds Vladuleni Village ,at the half way of the road between Rovinari and Pesteana ,occupied by enemy forces .A ferocious fight begins at 7 in the evening ,Romanians attacking the enemy with energy of disperation,to make way.But the enemy positions are dominant and strengthened with numerous machinegun nests and strong artillery.From behind ,three armoured automobiles and infantry troops of the enemy pursue and attack the Romanian column ,and from over Jiu ,beggins to receive fires of heavy artillery;at Farcasesti ,in front of Vladulenilor ,have arrived a Brigade of Infantry and one of Cavalry ,Germans.So,surrounded from all parts!Hours of tightness of nerves are passing by.The Romanians do not succeed to force the way over.There is no hope of escape.On the right side of Jiu though,the Germans in safety of victory and of the eminent capture,do not take to much precaution measures.A ruined bridge over Jiu is unoccupied by them.Under the protection of a Battalion ,which makes face to the enemy towards Farcasesti ,Obogeanu saves the entire artillery ,crossing it over the bridge ,as the infantry crosses part on the bridge ,part through fords ,through the freezing water.It is a tremendeous frost ,the night is foggy.The crossing of the river is made in a complete silence ;not even a horse opened his mouth.All through the night the enemy fired and throwed with rockets .The next day,in the morning ,his metal circle tightened around the empty space ;on the theatre of drama was only the Battalion of sacrifice ,left there,gathered around his boxes of cartridges!The thick of the column of Obogeanu ,with intact artillery ,was at 11 miles away South ,on Filiasi road.

The fate of the battle was now decided.With all the heroic defence of the right Romanian wing,the situation was threatened because of the retreat of the left wing on line Pesteana-Rasina-Tunis,from where the enemy threatens to take in flank the positions at South of Petresti-Carbunesti.Overwhelmed by the imense superiority of the enemy ,which was pouring from all parts in unfinished masses ,the Romanians found themselves forced to break the fight also at the right wing and to retreat during the night on to the Eastern shore of Gilortului ,towards South.The fields ,hills and woods covered in snow ,were scattered with dead bodies of the heroic defenders and by the multitude of wounded ,which have been left by the unhuman enemy to die ,after days of torments and carelessness.


The overflowing of the invasioneers

The Battle at Jiu was ended.We have been defeated by the great numerical superiority and technical one of the adversary.Tha last barrier and which we thought we can held at South of Tirgu Jiu ,in our ignorrance of the forces with which presented himself ,this time, the adversary,has been wiped out.Nothing opposed now to the invasion of the Kongdom.

At West of Jiu ,by Motrului Valley and on the neighbouring roads ,the unnumbered masses of German Cavalry and his armoured automobiles were pouring down like an arson over the Romanian villages.Along Jiu Valley ,the remains of Jiu Group ,reduced at 1800 men of infantry ,tired and with lowered moral ,were retreating towards Filiasi ,resisting with artillery on to positions ,successively.Along Armadiei was retreating the 17th Division ,which numbered barely 2000 fighters.

At 18th of November ,the heads of the German columns and the armoured automobiles ,touched the railway Turnu-Severin-Craiova ,at Prunisor and Strehaia.The rail has been damaged in several points .The connection with Turnu Severin and with the Division from Cerna was cut.At 19th of November ,the resistance tried by the Romanian troops at Filiasi with the intention to cover the advancement of the reinforcements which the Great Romanian Headquarter wanted to send in Oltenia ,has been defeated by the overwhelming number of the enemy,which was pursuing close,drunk with the obtained success.

The enemy was descending with the thick of Khune Army -Divisions 41st,109th and 11th -Valleys of Jiu ,Gilortului and Amaradiei;at the Eastern wing ,the 301st Division which during the Jiu Battle remained stuck at Novaci,in front of the Rmanian Detachment send from Olt,was passing now ,as well,the Valley of Oltet and then in Cerna Valley with direction Dragasani.The 115th Division was exiting Jiu Defile and followed ,as reserve of the bulk of the Army.

A last and in vain resistance is tried at the crossing of Amaradiei,of which bridges have been destroyed.The lowered waters of the rivers favorized the advance of the enemy.

At 21st of November in the morning,an Escadron of armoured automobiles ,under the Command of Major Borke ,entered Craiova by West ,as by North were entering the avanguards of the 41st Infantry Division.

The land of Oltenia ,the region of the oldest Romanian-ism ,one of the most clean and proud places of Romanian energies ,was receiving first the insult of the German hoofs.The Romanian catastrophe begun[12].


[1]Ever since the offensive in March,the Italians followed to conquer Grozia,but without success.During the 6th offensive on Isonzo,the Italians cross Isonzo and conquer Gorizia at 8th of August.The Austro-Hungarian Army executes an operation of general retreat on Carso(Kars),at 10th of August 1916.

[2] Brusilov Army has retaken the offensive on the Russian Front of South-West in direction Kovel at 28th of July 1916,continuing the advance towards this center and at South of Nistru till the end of the month,for then his offensive capacity to be epuisated.

[3]Eremia Grigorescu(1864-1919).

[4]Austrian Empress ,assasinated by anarchists in 1898.

[5]Carol Ist Robert,King of Hungary(1308-1342).

[6]Sigismund de Luxemburg,King of Hungary (1387-1437).

[7]Batlle of Posada between the Army of Romanian Country(Wallachia) and the Hungarian one ,took place at 9-12th of November 1330.

[8]Localities of Belgium and France of North-East occupied ,plundered and partially destroyed by German troops during 1914 campaign.

[10]During 1915 campaign ,on Russian German Front.

[11] In July August 1916,on Oriental Front _Russian Front of South-West).

[12] Fr this stage of military operations ,see A" page of our War.The Fight at Jiu 14/27 October ",Atanasiu I,,Bucuresti 1936.

from Constantin Kiritescu translated by Andrei Radu Georgescu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 21:06, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 21:18, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:861D:A183:1C5B:2239:8BDC (talk) 17:20, 19 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86AC:8D64:F47D:A2F9:AA2 (talk) 02:29, 20 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

Romanian campaign -Dobrogea Campaign-1916
Chapter II

Dobrogea Campaign

1.Bulgaria Against Romania

Bulgaria is leaving the old friends

In the wake of the Balkan War and of the Peace of Bucharest,Bulgaria threw herself,entirely, in the arms of Austro-Hungary.She has thus broken the friendship connections with Russia ,to which she was linked bythe most holly duties of gratitude.Plevna,Sipka and San Stefano have been forgoten(Russo-Turkish War, 1877–78).And against Romania,it has been unleashed in the political circles ,intelectual and military of Bulgaria,the most blind hatered.This savage hatered against Romania it was not justified,at all.The action of Romania in 1913 was not either a "treson ",neither a"villainy attack from behind",as the Bulgarians like to call it.Romania had no obligation towards Bulgarians;all the obligations were on their part.Romania did not obstacle Bulgaria to declare and wage war agains Turkey for liberating her conationals;it even followed with simpathy her action and received officialy from her part the most warm thanks"for the brilliand atitude and for the new proves of good and amicable feelings towards Bulgaria"*.

As open ,though,Romania declared that it will keep strict neutrality,as long as it isn't about territorial exchanges,and when the considerable increase of territory of Bulgaria become a sure thing,Romania has asked for legitime compensation,which they owed.At the Bulgarian roundabouts,Romania declared to Bulgaria ,without any hesitation,that she will stand her rights-if needed with the weapon in hand.But Bulgaria did not want to consider the modesty and the bases of Romanian demands.It was asked ,in this way,to a state which,after 35 years of national life,who had the unhoped luck to fulfill almost entirely,ethnic unity,to give up to those that helped it continuously to acomplishe this grandious thing,a thin piece of land from the most not Bulgarian part of their Kingdom.It was needed for all stuborness of men of state of Sofia,their total lack of political sense,all the patologic megalomany of ther King,as well as all the ingratitude,for this modest and rightful pretention to be"refused",and to unleash a national conflict between two states which had same interests.

The foreign policy of Bulgaria was lead by Tzar Ferdinand in the sentiment of hatered and thirst of revenge.The Tzar personallity did not sweet,but on the contrary,hurshed this vengeful atitude by his own resentments.A diplomat and historian makes the Zar this portrait ,very little complimentary:"an enigmatic character to which his power of hypocrisy,his revengefull refinements,his will to mistaken national missfortunes of his people with the particular wounds of his personal ego,had made him to be compared with an Italia tirant from the times of Renaissance,with a contemporary of Borgia lost in XX-th century".

The breakout of the European War ,reflammed in the souls of Bulgarians ,near to the thirst ove revenge for the defeat of 1913,and of the most extravagant hopes.The confessed program of their demands comprised territories which had to be razed from all neighbours:from the Greeks-territories Kavalla,Drama and Seres;from the Turks-Adrianopol to line Enez-Midie;from Romanians-Dobrogea Noua(New Dobroge).The unconfessed ideal by the government,but agitated by Bulgarian propaganda,was going way further:South of Albania to which they can reach Adriatic Sea,Serbia to Morava,to come into contact wit Austro-Hungary,Old Dobrogea(Dobrogea Veche) to the mouths of Danube River to come into contact with the Bulgarian colonialists of Southern Basarabia!


Under the influence of Tzar Ferdinand ,the Bulgarian politics enters openly in spheres of influence of Austro-Hungary,implicit of the Central Powers.From these,Bulgaria hoped to repair"The Unjust of Bucharest" and to acomplish her national ideal.Speculating this hope ,the political chiefs of Austro-Hungary ,and especially Tisza,were making use of Bulgaria to exercise a blackmail agaist Romania.Still,in the first days of the European War,Bulgaria leaves to be understood that it would give her concur.The position of Bulgaria in the middle of Balkans Peninsula,had a great significance for the War in this sector;by this sector could be kept in chess ,Turkey.The Entente precipitated to win Bulgaria with the promise of territories on the expense of its Balkanic neighbours.Giving course to a suggestion of Venizelos,Sazonov thought he could revive the Balkanic Alliance.With this aim,he asked the balkanik neighbours ,of Bulgaria,to make to this ,concesions of territories which they earned by"Peace of Bucharest".These pretentions rose a paynful protest from Serbia,caught in desperate fight against Austro-Hungary,as Venizelos,sensing the double-game of Bulgaria,has pronounced for using "the manner forte".The Russian victory of Lemberg tempered the zel of Sazonov:the Bulgarian concur was not so urgent.On the other hand,the Bulgarian pretentions were so exagerated and unjust,as it would have been utterly impossibele to reach an understanding.The greed of Bulgaria could not stay at side but only with the lack of scrupuls of the Central Powers.

Next to Romania,Bulgaria understood tu use dissimulative behaviour,hypocrisy:even at 4th of August,Radev declares to Bratianu that Bulgaria is faithful to Austria and wishes the friendship of Romania;she will advance in Macedonia but will respect the new frontier with Romania.

.....

Bulgaria treaties

As Bulgaria received to have offers made,by both sides and bargained hard,she closed with Austro-Hungary ,at 6th of September 1914,a secret treaty of"Amicable politics" and of"mutual support".The two contracting states obliged themselves to put into action all military forces against the state which might attack one of the two fellows.This state could only be ,none other than Romania;the aggressive politics of Ballplatz was beginning to realise itself.

The negociations of Bulgaria with the Entente continued,somehow.The obstacle was the Bulgarian pretention to imediately take in possesion Macedonian territories reclamed by Serbia.This ,seemed ,even to the Bulgarofil Sazonov,excessively outrageous:it would have been cruel and unmoral to ask the Serbs ,these faithful and heroic allies ,to agree to an amputation of their territory,even when they were engaged in to decissive fight against the commune enemy.That is why,a second intervention of the Entente made in November 1914,after the entering of the Turks next to the Central Powers,has remained without any result,whatsoever;same with the third intervention in December,as a result of the Austrian offensive in Serbia.Fighting heroic,Serbia managed by herself to defeat the Austrians and to take them out of the country[1];the intervention of Bulgaria was now,not so pressing as to be bought with a price which not even Greece,neither Romania were not willing to pay.Besides,it was not asked anymore to Bulgaria the entering in the War,but a simple good will neutrality.

In January 1915,by the initiative of Sir Grey,the Entente made the fourth trial,made possible by the fact that it was promissed to the Greeks territorial compensations in Asia Minor,as well as the cede of the Island of Ciprus.The French tasked with tratatives in Sofia,Duke Guise,Chief of the Legitimeers in France,cousin of Zar Ferdinand.This one,under different pretextes,would not take any engagement towards Entente;in the same time he was receiving from Berlin a loan of 75 millions of marks.

The Anglo-French Expedition in Dardanelles, and the weakening of military power of Russia ,brought to evidence by Mackensen offensive ,came to change deeply the elements of Balkans problem.They showed that the assistance given by the small Balkanic powers it was not only desired,as until now,but indispensable.Dardanelles not being possible to be forced by sea,it only remained the possibility be turned ,by armed landings(General Sir Ian Hamilton).And here,the concur of Bulgarians was the most pretious.That is why,in the summer months ,under the impulse and direct conduct of Delcasse,it have been retaken new and minutious tratatives with the Bulgarians.The Bulgarians showed,this time,the program of their pretentions:Macedonia,Kavalla,Southern Dobrogea.But the negotiations ,made more heavy by the lack of trust inspired by Bulgarians ,have not reached other result but to indispose the friend countries to which painful sacrifices were imposed for the advantage of a government reckless and unsafe.The Entente addmited in principle the Bulgarian revendications,taking the obligation to ensure the countries asked by these sacrifices,gully compensations .But the Bulgarians hesitated in making formal declarations,entangling in delatory formulaes,asking all kinds of precissions over the stretch of the said territories,the dates of surrendering them,asking for this to anticipate the date of their entering in the War,then they dived in to total silence.The reason was that Zar Ferdinand ,following is double-game,was on the step to cross evident on the side of Austro-Hungary.At the end of August,Austro-Hungarian troops start to mass in Banat,in vecinity of Serbia,as Bulgarian troops were gathering towards the Eastern border of Serbia.


The Duke of Mecklenburg,send by Emperor Wilhelm,arrived at SOfia in an ostentative visit and managed to dismiss the last hesitations of Zar Ferdinand of Bulgaria.At 4th of September 1914,Bulgaria closed an acord with the Central Powers known only by the King and the primeminister.Bulgaria was obliging herself to enter in War against Serbia and against the Entente,in 35 days.By the political conditions of the treaty,it was set the unclothing of Serbia not only of Macedonian territories ,but also by her old territories until Morava,for the profit of Bulgaria,as a price of military colaboration ,of this one.The paragraph 2 of the convention , developed the old understanding pretaining the works against Romania:"In the case in which Romania,during the present conflict,without any provokation from the Bulgarian Government ,would attack Bulgaria,her allies or Turkey,Austro-Hungary will agree to give to Bulgaria the territories ceded to Romania by Bucharest Treaty,as well as rectifying the Bulgaro-Romanian frontier draw by Berlin Treaty".

The representatives of Entente have started to have serious suspicions ,which have confirmed when they saw that,by good understanding,Turkey gave Bulgaria an important stretch of land along the right shore of Maritia together with Karagas,the socket neighbourhood over the river of Adrianopole,necessary to posses the railway which unites Adrianopole with Dedeagaci,It was obvious was payed the price of military colaboration with Turkey and the frontpay of territorial obligations taken by the central Powers.Still,Delcasse have not given up;judging more with logic than with the knowing of the Bulgarian psychology,he kept his firm convincing that Bulgaria will pass to the Entente,of which all intrests connected her.

Although the passing of Bulgaria in the opposite camp,was obvious,Radoslavov continued to lie the representatives of Entente,even after , at 24th September they declared general mobilization of the army.He tried to explain that"the mobilization of the army is nothing else than passing from unarmed neutrality to armed neutrality".Playing the comedy,he protested with tears in his eyes and tremble in his voice of the purity of his intentions,that he has no aggresive veleity against Serbia,whatsoever,that in Sofia are no German officers,that his heart is aking with pain to the thought that his efforts, would be perilled, to keep the brotherly relations with Russia.Faced with this shamelessness,the Entente ministers broke relations with Bulgaria,at 5th of October .In the same day disembarked at Salonic the firsts of the British-French military contingents,with the purpose of bringing different arguments in the controversy of Balkans Peninsula.They came unfortunately too late,not only to intimidate the Bulgarians,but to effectively take part in the fight.

Bulgaria throws away the mask.As Mackensen was forcing the crossing of Danube River,making thus the invasion of Serbia from North to South,Bulgaria attacked this one from behind.The failed tratatives had also a political epilogue :Delcasse,the French Foreign Minister,payed with his portfolio and with his political creer the ilussion in which he has been entangeled.

Cornered from three parts by powerful enemies,Serbia died heroicly.The help of the allies was tardive,and not enaugh.In the Valley of Vardar[3],the plebian hand of the Bulgar rose up,hitting hard the few British and French troops.Ceding in the face of the overwhelming numerical superiority ,the French-British Army of General Sarrail retreated at Salonic,which he transformed in a strong camp,well strenghtened.To the stuborness of Briand,the French Prime Minister,it is owed the maintenance of this seed of army at Salonic;he would play an important role in the unfolding of the events in Balkans.

As about Romania ,the unfavorable situation of the European fighting fronts,have obstacled her to give help to her neighbour.By maintaining neutrality,Romanian did not give to the Central Powers the necessary pretext for the premeditated aggression,as was written in the paragraph 2 of the convention with Bulgaria.


Preparing the Bulgarian attack against Romania

The campaign plan against Romania and the role given to Bulgaria in this aggression has been established in the war council,held at the German Headquarter of Pless,at 29th July 1916.

The fundamental conception of this plan was the following:as on the Carpathians frontier will be made operations with demonstrative character,aimed to delay the advance of the principal Romanian forces which will attack this front,the Bulgarian-German-Turkish,concentrated on the Dobrogean frontier,will have the principal mission.They will attack the strenghtened position on Danube River shore,Turtucaia and Silistra and will advance in Dobrogea to the middle of it,in the most narrowed part ,between Danube River and the Black Sea.After touching this line,the bulk of the forces will be withdraw from Dobrogea and,strengtened with new troops and strong material,will be throwed cross the Danube River,at Sistov,in Bucharest direction.The Austro-Hungarian Generalisim Conrad von Hotzendorf sustains the ideea of an imediate offensive against Bucuresti(Bucharest) as being the safest of means to ligthten the situation in Ardeal.This ideea has not been accepted by the German Commandment,which found it too risky.The Danube could not be crossed ,while the right flank of the Bulgarian Army was threatened by Romanian Troops,and Russians,which were concentrating in Dobrogea.The Bulgarian Commanders were backing up the iddea of offensive in Dobrogea ,which would give them mastering over the territory wanted by them,as an acomplishment of the so called ideal,"PanBulgar".That is why ,at the installation of the Hindenburg duality-Ludendorff ahead of the German Commandment,Mackensen have received the order to attack the Dobrogean forehead(frontier) and,only after he would have consolidated here his positions,to attempt crossing Danube River,at an epoch which would be indicated by the progress of operations on Transilvanian Front.

Pretaining this operation,the fleet of Austrians monitors have descended the Danube River and anchored at Rasciuk,and the park of heavy pontoons of Austro-Hungarian Geniu,destined to throw a bridge over Danube,has been brought in total secrecy and hidden in Belene Channel,at the back of Persina Islet(ostrov).


The operations against General Sarrail(Salonic Army)

A great importance had the unfolding of the operations at South of Danube River,the Salonic Front.General Sarrail Army,symbol of the same cause defended by the allies,because it was made out of French,British under the Command of General Sir Ian Hamilton,Serbs,Russians,Italians[4],had, here, to acomplish not only a military role,but also a political one.Her presence at Salonic played an important role in the decission of Romanian to join the War.The military actions of the Salonic Army had a great signifficance over the unfolding of actions at Danube River.

In the case of a strong Russian-Romanian offensive,started from the Dobrogen frontier towards South,a simultaneously and convergent action of General Sarrail Army,from South towards North,would have brought very important results.Unfortunately,the corps of 200 000 men promised by Sazonov and Alekseev to Nicolae Filipescu,with the occasion of a visit made by this one on the Russian Front in the spring of 1916,has been reduced at less than one quarter.The Protocol signed by Briand and Loyd George[5] at Paris,at 11th of August 1916,by wich it was decided the rising of the effectives of the Russian help in Dobrogea ,from 50 000 ,as was in the military convention,to 200 000,as it has been calculated to be nesessary for a real effect and to help the action of the Salonic Army,has been totaly refused by Alekseev.There was no question ,now,about a decissive action in this part.Neither General Sarrail Army,would have not been capable of an action in great style.She was tasked to enterprize against the Bulgarian Front only demonstrative actions,to fix here as many Bulgarian forces as possible.

In the same time,though,the enemy,well aware by the peril ,menacing him from this part and wanting to have free hands in the action planned against Romania,decided to take offensive against the group of armies of the Entente at Salonic.With this face,the Bulgarians went ahead:General Sarrail has been surprised in the midst of his preparatives ,by the Bulgarian offensive.At 17th of August 1916,the Bulgarians attack West of the left wing of Orient Army,made out of Serbs troops and seize Florina,and the second day ,Banica.At the East wing ,they cross Mesta in Greece and Struma,and seize Drama,Seres and Kavalla.The Greeks,on the territory where the fight was taking place,do not oppose any resistance ,whatsoever[6],they leave their forts in the hands of Bulgarians and let to be disarmed.They are send to Germany,wehere they are interned.The filo-German politics of King Constantin exposed the Greek army to the supreme humilliation ,to be disarmed,without fight,by the enemy defeated three years before;it constituted in the same time ,a grave threat for the back of General Sarrail Army.

At 23rd of August,the front of General Sarrail Army,is bent in the form of an arch of circle;both wings are pushed inside.With difficulty,the front can equilibrated;the resistance is organized;the Bulgarian offensive is stopped.But the result is,that the planned offensive of General Sarril,which supposed to ease the Romanian action,could not take place anymore.On the contrary,the roles are exchanged.The breakout of Romanian War and the beginning of the campaign on the Dobrogean frontier is wellcomed by General Sarrail;he can breath now,and work to consolidate his positions.


Bulgaria declares war to Romania

Even since July 1916,news from diferent streams signalled to the Romanian government that Bulgaria woud have tired by the war which was longer than her expectations and that the belief in the triumph of the Cental Powers begun to shake.In this sense,Radoslavov[7] made to the Romanian Minister at Sofia,Derussi,the direct question if Romanian would eventually want to serve as middle near the Entente for a separate peace,which would give Bulgaria guarantees for the possesion of a part of Macedonia and keep Zar Ferdinand on the throne of Bulgaria.The Romanian Minister send to its government these suggestions,adding that,face with the Bulgarian duplicity and of the overpowerful German influence,it could not put to much trust on these proposals.Besides,the Romanian Minister at Sofia kept the Romanian Government informed by the vengeful dispozition of the conducting spheres of Bulgaria and of the public opinion of Bulgaria towards Romanians,as well as the intensive preparatives made for a war with Romanian.

To produce confussions in the political circles watching his activity,Radoslavov,with a lack of scrupuls ,deconcentrated even for an oriental diplomat,was lying left and right,to mask his real intentions.

In the day before entering of Romania in the War against Austro-Hungary,the Ministers of Entente at Bucharest-Blondel,Barklay and Poklevski-have given to Bratianu(Romanian Prime Minister) a note by which they announce to him that"the president of the Bulgarian council,declaring,in the most official way,to the Minister of His British Majesty at Sofia,that Bulgaria will keep a strict neutrality and will not attack Romania,if this one will participate to an action against Austria,the representatives of the Entente have notified Radloslavov tht they take into account this declaration".In the same time ,he declared to an Hungarian journalist from "Az Est",which interwied him:"Our relations with Romania are more than corect,loyal and of good vecinity:they are safe.No missunderstanding separates us".Two months and a half after this in Sobraniei Bulgarian meeting[8] of 12th of November 1916,the same Radoslavov declared with cinism:"As I was negociating with the Romanian rpresentative and I was sleeping him with my words,i was taking all the dispozitions,and once the moment has come ,I threw myself over aginst Romanians"


In fact,Radoslavov goes through a cisis of undecissiveness and his declarations carry not only the seal of cinism and felony but also the mask of his hesitations which he seeks to present to the allies as a diplomatic stratagem.

In the day of War Declaration made to Austro-Hungary,the Romanian Minister at Sofia,presented the Bulgarian Government a note,by which the Romanian Government assured Bulgaria of no aggressive intention,but stated in the same time ,on a very determinate tone,by the danger it threatened Bulgaria,in the case in which she woud enterprize hostilities against Romania.The eventuality of an understanding with Bulgaria was so problematic,though,as all the measures have already been taken for the forseen breaking:the protection of the Romanians in Bulgaria was given to Spain Minister and the archives of Romanian Legation in Sofia have been burned.

Bulgaria did not imediately mansifested her intentions.As Germany and Turkey have declared War to Romania,even the second day,after our War Declaration towards Austro-Hungary,at Sofia was quiet.This atitude ,not understood ,was unresting the Bulgarian allies.At General German Headquarters and Austro-Hungarians was a clear temperamentation.The German and Austrian press had begun to attack Bulgaria,accusing her of felony.The German Minister at Sofia did not hide his despy,and the German officers and their families begun to pack up,making insults and threats to their suspicious ally.

It was obvious that the Bulgarian Government was going through a serious spiritual crisis and hesitates in taking a decission.The military circles were lokking with unrest to an eventuality of an advance through Dobrogea of Romanians and Rusians-of which force,even the Romanian official communicate ,has fixed it at 200 000 men-and,in the same time that of the Greeks and of the armies of Entente through Macedonia.The ideea of war against Russia,was ,on the other hand,disliked by a great part of the public opinion in Bulgaria.The opposition parties :Ghesovists,Rusofil Democrats,the majority of the Agrarians,were partizans for Separate Peace,with Russia as intermediator.It was ,then,felt within the army a sort of tireness:the Bulgarian peasant cannot be kept to long campaigning,his instinct of landworker calls him back to the field.Even in the most intimate circles of his partizans,Radoslavov was adviced to think to Separate peace.

The death of Radosavov,the ex-Prime-Minister,by the name of which the Bulgarian desaster is connected in the general War,has brought to actuality an old problem,which pretains directly the diplomatic preparations of Bratianu Government(Romanian) about entering in to action of Romania.

It was said after Turtucaia,and it has been cuntinued to be debated,making accusations,that our entering in the War has not been preceeded by the necessary guarantees,to shelter us against an eventual attack from South of Bulgaria as our armies were crossing Carpathian Mountains to acomplishe the national ideal.This was one of the blames which has been exploited for years against Romanian Government which prepared the War.Today the affair does not seem clarified for everybody,within us.The memory of the defeats in the first part of the War,which ended,after all-with the victory of Marasesti,where the Romanian armies were coverd by ancestors glory-with wholing of Great Romania,makes to resist still a legend which must be destroyed.Today generation,especially because it has suffered more,has the right to know,she firstly,the historical truth over the diplomatic preparation of Romania,at wich she contributed with painful sacrifices.But as historical truth can only be reestablished by documents ,we will reproduce in the followings one of those diplomatic documents wich will make disappear even the last shadow of doubt which could have remained in Romanian public opinion over the conditions in which Romania prepared the offensive against Austro-Hungary.


The Government presided by I.C. Bratianu ,stopping at the solution of the offensive in Carpathian Mountains,it was natural to preoccupy firstly by the attitude of Bulgaria ,for the case of our entering in action.It was an elementary duty that the Romanian Army to be sheltered by an eventual attack from South.In this aim,Bratianu Government wanted to have in this context not only the assurances of Bulgaria but in the same time for more security also to have the guarantees of our great allies.

It has been given under the form of a written note ,carrying the signiatures of the Ministers of England,France and Russia at Bucharest.This is the content of this note given to Bratianu Government by the three ally ministers:

"The President of the Bulgarian Council declaring,in the most official way,to the Minister of His British Majesty at Sofia,that Bulgaria will keep strict neutrality and will not attack Romania if this one will take part in an action against Austria,the representatives of Entente have notified to Mr. Radoslavov that they take act of this declaration.

According to the instructions addressed to us by our Governments,we have the honor to bring to your knowledge of your Excelency the declaration of Mr. Radoslavov and the actions of the representatives of the Entente which sets the intentions of Bulgaria and leaves,as such,to the Government of His majesty total freedom of action for to take the necessary decissions to ensure His triumph of national ideal.


S.Poklevski-Koziel

The document is concludent.Romania was assured by this point of view.Bratianu Government,of a prudence and precaution which put to great test the patience of our allies,made,thus,everything in his power to put Romania to the shelter of an eventual surprize attack from Bulgaria part.If,however,Radoslavov Government did not respect its engagements,not the Romanian Government is to be blamed.The death of the Ex-Prime Minister of Bulgaria,have reset the question,giving thus the chance to clarify a page of history.

But the Bulgarian politics was not lead by Zar Ferdinand personally,and this was the tool of the Central Powers.They summon the Bulgarian Prime Minister at his summer residence of Sitniakovo,isolating him for a few days by any contact and refuses to see Malinov which,as a delegat of the opposing parties ,wanted to ask the King for a Crown Council.The turmoil of some political circles did not impress the Bulgarian Zar,which knew well the pshycology of his people.the oppsing parties had no passing at him.The Bulgarian Rusofilism was just a parade;it will completely evaporate in the day of War Declaration.The Bulgarian ,is esentially realistic;the feeling which dominates him is imediate profit,which he sees by participation with the Germans.

The hesitation of the Bulgarian Government had also the effect that,wakening fears on one side and hopes on the other,has begun to provoke offers of overlicitation from the two camps.The Entente left to be understood the posibility of any concessions in the Kavalla affair and Dobrogean frontier;the Central Powers were willing to promise Bulgarians the whole Dobrogea.And in the same time,Mackensen could operate the offensive group of the Bulgarian-German-Turkish Forces at the border of Dobrogea.


At 30th of August the Bulgarian Minister at Bucharest,Radev,asked the Romanian Government for their passports,declaring that Bulgaria accomplices with Germany and breaks relations with Romania.In the same day the Romanian Government had send through telegraph to Romanian Legation at Sofia the news that Bulgaria has broken relations with Romania and the order to ask from the Bulgarian Government the Romanian passports.This messaje,caught by the German air post,in Sofia,has been transmited in great haste to Minister Derussi.The diplomatic relations have been broken,and the Romanian mission has been seized in the building of the Romanian Legation.In the morning of 1st of September,a clerk of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry presented to the Romanian Legation of Sofia and handed to the Romanian Minister the war declaration of Bulgaria.To make use of the point of aggression,by Romania,in the declaration ,it was founded on the alleged arestation of Dr.Radev at Bucharest,on the Romanian attack at Rusciuk over the Austro-Hungarian fllet and to an attempt of Romanians to throw a bridge over Danube River at Kladovo ,in the night of 30th-31st of August!It is known that the war declaration of Germany against France was motived by some inexistent attacks of aeroplanes over the city of Nurenberg.Bulgarians was good pupil of Germany.

In the same day,the war leaflet,filled with hatred at the address of Romania,announced the Bulgarians that"the hour of revenge has come",and the Bulgarian press saluted with ferocious joy the beginning of the national War against the hereditary enemy.This were the Bulgarian people ![9]Before the war declaration to be handed to Romanian Minister,Bulgarian detachments crossed ,even during the night,on to Romanian soil,slaughtering the frontier posts.In this way,Romania was founding herself in war on two fronts and with four states:Germania,Austro-Hungaria,Bulgaria and Turkey.She only had at her side the doubtful Russian help.


The III-rd Bulgarian Army

The third Bulgarian Army-Commandant General Tosev-was at 1st of October 1915 in fighting position along the line Rusciuk-Varna,in waiting facing Romania and in defensive from Russia-on the Black Sea Front.In this time by almost a year the Bulgarian troops had build fortification works and completed their armament.Especially , that the Commandment wanted to prepare the "moral" of the troops,bringing to paroxism the hatred of Bulgarian soldier against Romania,"the creditar enemy","the stealer of Bulgarian territory".

At the entering of Romania in the War,the III-rd Bulgarian Army,was made out of two complete Divisions-1st Sofia and 4th Preslav-of three brigades each,one brigade of the VI-th Division Vidin,one cavalry division,a mixt detachment German-Bulgarian and the garrisons of the fortified points Rusciuk and Varna,these last thre of the force of a strenghtened brigade.In total 62 battalions of infantry,55 artillery batteries ,23 escadrons of cavalry,three battalions of geniu and one battalion of mines thrower.Two Turkish divisions were marching from Adrianopol towards the fighting front.besides the III-rd Army,which had the principal role of carrying the operations on Southern Dobrogea Front,was finding towards West of Rusciuk a division of Bulgarian militia(police)-the 12th Division-german troops undivisioned of Regiments 21st,115th,45th of infantry,6 ulani and few batteries German and Austrian.Over these troops of which mission was for the time being the guarding of the shore of Danube,has taken the Command,starting with 3rd of September,German General Kosch,of which Headquarter was at Plevna.

The III-rd Bulgarian Army was very well armed ,equiped with all modern equipment of a modern army and with a rich munition provission.A good part of the war material has been carried along Danube River in barges from Germany and Austria.If the number of Germans in this army was reduced,as fighting troops,in exchange their help was very important as officers and specialists troops:heavy artillery,aerostation,aviation,automobiles cuirast etc.What was making the most the power of this army and rising its moral was the German Commandment and especially the supreme chief.At 28th of August,the Supreme Command of the Bulgarian-German troops of North-West Bulgaria,has been handed to Marshal Mackensen.The Marshal was one of the glories of German Army.Commander of an Army Corps at Tannenberg,then Commander of an Army ay Lodz[10],he had linked his name especially by the famous breaking of Russian Front at Dunajec and Gorlice,in May 1915 and by the strangling of Serbia,in the autumn of the same year.he was the man of dearing initiatives,of brutal strikes ,of battles given without any spearing of human lives.Giving the Command of the operational army to a man like this showed the importance which Germans gave to the Action of Dobrogean Frontier.

.....


The III-rd Romanian Army and the Russian Aid Corps

From the Romanian part,Danube River and the Dobroge Frontier were defended by III-rd Romanian Army,Commanded by General M.Aslan.Along the Danube River ,from the mouth of Olt River until Oltenita,were spread troops of infantry and cavalry,with purpose of observation and of defence;they were Divisions 16th and 18th of Romanian Infantry,weak formations,made by regiments of gathering;together with 1st Cavalry Division,the effectives of the III-rd Army was rising,on Danube, to 50 000 men.At West of Olt River was the 20th Romanian Division which belonged to General Culcer Army. The principal forces of the III-rd Army were placed along Dobrogean frontier:at Turtucaia was the 17th Romanian Division,at Silistra the 9th Romanian Division and Bazargic the 19th Romanian Division,in total 72 000 men.

The Russian Corps was made out of two divisions of infantry with weak effectives and one of cavalry:28 nattalions,12 batteries of field,two heavy batteries,24 cavalry escadrons and two mounted batteries(cavalry)-in total less than 42 000 men.The military value of the Russian Corps follows clearly by even the comments and apreciations of its Commanders.Asking to be assigned one of his Generals to his Command post of the new corps,General Brusilov choose General Zaioncikovsky.Brusilov confesses that,unfortunately,Alekseev did not give sufficient importance to the troops in Dobrogea ,where there must have been send not two weak divisions,but first hand army.That is why,General Zaioncikovski refuzes totaly the given task,asking to be given at least four good divisions."I understand-explains him-your efforts to not send any troop to Romania,but with this kind of army,we risk giving the Bulgarians cheep satisfaction by defeating the Russian Army".Zaioncikovski left and went to the General Headquarter at Moghilev to sustain verbaly his demand,but here Aleckseev rejects his resignation with the affirmation that"He will not encounter in Dobrogea any serious ressiatance".Upset,Zaioncicovski telegraphed the Zar,qualifying the army given to him as "some bones throwed to Romania to tempt her to enter the War",ending by:"Let there be put a cross over these bones and clean them out from the Russian Army".This was the help send by Russia to its allies

About the personality of General Zaioncikovski,General Averescu describes him as a man of clear mind with field experience,but with an extreme suscebility,which made the colaboration with him difficult.The ulterior unfolding of the operations in Dobrogea showed was not at all up to the situation given to him.

The Russian have crossed into Dobrogea -the cavalry at Isaccea and the infantry through Cernavoda-and they were advancing hard towards Cobadin,South of Medgidia.For the wheeling of the operations,the 19th Romanian Division at Bazargic has been set under the Command of the Russian General,constituting together with the Russian units the Eastern Corps.Divisions 9th and 17th,Romanians ,having to defend the bridgeheads at Silistra and Turtucaia,remained under the direct Command of General Aslan,the Commander of the III-rd Army.The total of forces Romanian-Russian from Dobrogea was:83 battalions of infantry,40 mobile batteries and 34 cavalry escadrons.Comparing the Romanian -Russian forces with the enemy ones ,at Southern Dobrogea frontier,it is noticed that the Russians and Romanians had superiority in infantry,but in exchange,Bulgarians had a crushing superiority of artillery and specialities.The great Bulgarian superiority was especially of strategy;Bulgarians could have in hand in one day marching any of the points of the concentration zone,ready to fight.The Romanians were spread in isolated groups ,and the Russians were just arriving;distances of 37- 100 Miles were between the Romanian groups and the Russian ones.

The Romanian battle plan flowed from this situation of inferiority.The operations of the III-rd Army will go through two phases :defensive in the beginning and offensive at the end.In the first phase the groups from the Northern shore of Danube wil have the mission to obstacle the trials of the enemy to cross the river ,and the troops on the right shore will resist to enemy attacks ,to cover in this way the disembarking ,the advance and concentration of the Russian troops in the region South of Cernavoda-Megidia-Constanta.in the second phase,offensive one,which was supposed to start towards the 10th day from general mobilization of the army,the allied Romanian-Russian troops would have to start an offensive action to destroy the enemy forces from Eastern Bulgaria and to occupy line Rusciuk-Sumla-Varna,to give,by the succes of this operation ,the freedom of movement to the Romanian troops which will operate in Transilvania.A very important mission,linked by a great responsibility,was handed to the General Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army:defending the frontier South of Dobrogea against a stronger army and commanded by one of the famous generals of the time.The safety and the honor of the Kingdom were engaged here.


Attacking the Austro-Hungarian fleet at Rusciuk

In the evening of 27th of August,half an hour after handing the war declaration of Romania towards Austro-Hungaria,three torpedo boats of the Romanian Military Navy(Marina Militara Romana) have attacked the Austro-Hungarian fleet anchored at Rusciuk,made out of 5 monitors and 4 sppedboats.Because of the primitive material of the attacker and of the inexperience of the commanders ,the attack was not a complete success.The torpedoes were launched from to great distance;only one hit a barge with munitions of the enemy fleet.The barge blew up with a formidable explosion.The Austrian officers ,which at the moment of the attack were at a party on the admiral ship-"Bodrog" monitor-retaking the command of the ships have managed to sink one of the Romanian boats.The Austro-Hungarian fleet closed in to the Romanian shore ,with the ships,and bombarded the buildings ,deposits and reservoirs of Ramadan Harbour(Ramadan Port) and Giurgiu Harbour;then they went up the Danube and hide behind Persina Islet.There she stood hidden for the rest of the campaign,knowing only to attack our harbours on Danube River,to which they made big destroys by bombardments.


Mackensen attacks

At 28th of August ,surprised by the war declaration of Romania towards Austro-Hungary,Falkenhayn can only give to Mackensen the vague order of operations:"Urgent attack,as soon as possible .Direction and objective remain to the apreciations of Feldmarshal".It was the song of the swan for the great Generalisim which,the next day,will fall in disgration.the new Commandment Hindenburg-Ludendorff are fixing more precise the mission of the army groups of Mackensen,Forcing the crossing of Danube River is postponed,for later.For the time being the Marshal will defend the line of Danube and seek,"by entering in Dobrogea ,to atract the enemy forces towards himself and defeat them,to ease the ghatering of forces in Transilvania,until the second half of September".

The strategic advantage was on the side of the enemy.His army was concentrated at the frontier,ready to action towards the set goals.The Russian-Romanian Army,on the contrary was spread all over and only on the way of concentrating(of the troops).Mackensen will profit by this adavantage.The III-rd Bulgarian Army is separated into two groups:an Eastern Group in Varna region-Bazargic,with the mission for defence,for now,and a Western Group with the offensive mission;between them,the connection will be made by cavalry.With the Western Group Mackensen has started imediately the offensive,giving an attack with superiority of forces and violence,a bit forced,over Turtucaia,the most extreme point of the Dobrogean frontier.With any price,it was needed for the Romanian troops to be defeated and obstacled to concentrate,before the arriving of the Russian reinforcements.

The sights of Romanians, looking with aprehension and heart towards Transilvania,have to turn at once ,with unrest,towards South.In the tragedy of our War,the curtain has went up here,over one of the most bloody and painful acts.


2.Turtucaia

A tough lesson

Page of pain and shame,sad will echo forever in the ears of every Romanian,its title,written with letters of blood in the history of our people!It is linked with the first big defeat of our holly War.Desastrous defeat,humiliating...[11].She fell like a lightning in the first days of the War over the dizzied heads ,by the enthusiasm of crossing the Carpathian Mountains,boiled up by the firsts easy victories.She bleed our hearts,but opened our eyes and made us to be able to read deep in the woonds of all kinds,of our lives.How many shortcomings were surfacing now!Lack of foresight,negligence,superficiality,ease,lack of strenght of character....It seems that all the defects of our people have been concentrated in one point and moment,to prepare a catastrophe to serve us even from the beginning as severe warning.

Turtucaia was a tough lesson for us.The lesson must be read carefully on all faces and udrstood entirely.It would not be of any use hiding the truth,or consolation,partly true,that the defeat was caused to the weak ressistance opposed by a new troop,unused with war,which is all of a sudden faced with an experimented enemy,which made war for few years,now.We cannot misslead the strangers with judgement-crackers and it would be of no use.As about ourselves ,in vain would had been the martyr of our national pride and of so many Romanian lives at Turtucaia,if we would not even had the manhood to look in the face the cruel truth,In sincere and brave confess,without any meant attenuation ,of the mistakes we made,we will find the strength to aside them in the future and make a healthier life.


What was Turtucaia?

In organizing the defence on our territory,Turtucaia was a head of bridge,or a bridgehead ,meaning a fortification established ahead of a passing point,for to defend it against enemy attacks.

In fact there was no bridge over the Danube River at Turtucaia and there was no necessity of its existence,for acomplishing the defensive role atributed to the fortress.It is true that,after the primitive conception of the Romanian Headquarter,it must have,imediately after the war declaration, been throwed a bridge of boats over Danube,to link Turtucaia by Oltenita.This bridge,together with the fortress which would serve to,it was thus called to play an important role in an eventual offensive action against Bulgaria,Turtucaia being by its advanced position ,a nail hammered into the heart of Bulgarian territory.But,our war plan,adopted in the eve of entering in action,foresee,for the time being,offensive to the North and defensive to the South,it was renaunced at building the bridge at Turtucaia.It was transported to Isaccea,to serve to the crossing of the Russian cavalry division,from Basarabia to Dobrogea.Besides,building a bridge at Turtucaia would have been risky.It would have constituted a fix target for the artillery ,planes and the mines of the enemy and would ,thus have been destroyed,as were been destroyed the depozits and reservoirs of Oltenita.It would have also made difficult the manoeuvre of or vessels on the Danube RIver.The role of bridgehead Turtucaia was clear:not having to defend a road of crossing over the danube,inexistent,it had to defend the road of communication towards Silistra and together with this one coveredthe concentration of the Russian Army behind.Moreover,the colaboration of the two fortresses was imposed with inexorable necessity.

Turtucaia was ,thus,in a dangerous situation.Isolated in a corner of Romanian territory,with a wide river behind,without safe communications with the other shore,she had to guard to keep a permanent connection with neighbour Fortress Silistra,to opose resistance as long a spossible ,to give time, to the Romanian-Russian concentration troops, of movement ,from behind to end,and when the resistance would not be possible anymore ,the garrison to retreat to Silistra.That is how the instructions of the Staff foreseen,for the eventuality "when the resistance on the last fortified line could not be kept in any way".The most dangerous threat was the isolation of Turtucaia,by cutting communications with Silistra and so the surrounding of the fortress.Would the Romanian Commanders have the intuition of this peril and the inspiration fast of the countermeasures to be taken?Unfortunately,the prompt understanding of the situation escaped to the wit of these Commanders.It doesen't escaped to the enemy Commander however,which was one of the most reputed Generals of the Great War.Mackensen discovered first the weak spot,of which the isolation of Turtucaia was forming in the line of Romanian defence and saw cleaarly the gain which he coud drag.He decided to apply here the strike fast and violent*.


Posted 14 April , 2009

The plan of attacking Turtucaia would have been elaborated ,after a version given by General Tosev with this face:Marshal Makensen,badly informed over the value of the works of fortification and of the garrisons of Turtucaia and Silistra,which he evaluated much weaker than in reality,disposed the simultaneous attack of the two fortresses,first by the 4th Preslav Division,and the second one by the 1st Sofia Division.Tosev,more exactly,informed by Bulgarian spies ,who were swarming on Romanian territory and even within the Romanaian Army and,so making his apreciations more conform with the reality,even with some exagerations,proposed to attakc first Turtucaia with great forces ,to be able to seize it by a powerful strike,before the eventuality of arriving of Russian reinforcements;Silistra had to be masked by a brigade of Sofia Division and attacked the following.Makensen would have ralied to Tosev proposal which,ofcourse,as it was exposed by the Bulgarian General,was conform with the military principles and justified by the circumstances.
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Organizing of the Turtucaia bridgehead

The bridgehead Turtucaia was organized with the next face:arround the city on a circumference of 5 Miles,having the Danube River as diameter,was a principal line of defence ,in a length of 19 Miles ,made out by a succession of 15 "resistance centrals" ,separated between them with 0.5-1 Mile ,or even more;the centrals were numbered from West to East.

One central had the form of a redoubt,closed to the neck,in which were concentrated "means of defence of infantry".They were not build in permanent fortification-meaning with brick lay or concrete ,and without visible reliefs but,conform with the knowledge of modern war,by passager works , with deep trenches and with shelters for reserves ,armoured with metal beams or wooden ones.In front of the and on the flanks ,the central had barb wire nets on a few meters wide,abatize,woolf holes etc.,and they were masked with leaves and ground.At about 50-100 meters behind the centrals was a "recollecting line ",made out of entrenches for shooters ;the role of this line was that the troop,rejected from the line of centrals ,to summon there,to reorganize and oppose,thus, resistance until the arriving of reinforcements(reserve troops).In the gaps ,too big ,between some of the centrals ,were build ulterior some anexes(other smaller centrals) named "subcentrals",having ahead of them entrenches for shooters.Also,it has been added in the Western part-considered the most periled-on the dominant heights of plateau Satu Vechi-Siahlar,some uvrages which formed an outing in the form of an angle ,before the line of centrals.

As weaponry,the line of centrals was foreseen with machineguns-French type-and with small cannons taken out from the old fortifications of Bucharest(Bucuresti).There were 41 turrets of 53 mm,some in transportable domes,some on small frames ,built within the country,and 14 of 37 mm,in transportable domes .These small cannons ,with a very short firing range (2000-2500 meters) could not take part in the fight against the enemy artillery,they served only for covering fire of the infantry,and defending the intervals between the centrals.The line of the centrals was,in this way,a "fighting position for infantry",because the artillery defence,the fixed batteries and semi -mobile ones ,were at the back of the centrals line.Normaly,the line of the centrals was also named the "principal line of resistance",or the II-nd line of "defence".The name of "first line of resistance" was reserved for the advanced works,with stretched to the frontier piquets(posts).This so called first line of defencu,or the advanced line, was made in its turn,by three series of works:the line of the small posts ,the line of big guards and the line of equiped avanposts,here and there,with ground works and sheltering entrenches.The troops inhabiting them-platoons and companies -had only observation roles and reconnoitre ones;in case of attack by superior forces ,they would have to retreat ,gradualy on a series of "points of stop",organized beforehand,to force the enemy to stop unfold and uncover his forces and intentions.Like these points of stop were considered especially the points in which big guards were installed:villages Mese-Mahle,Denizler,Vischioi,Sarighiol;reserves of avanposts were in Dajdir,Antimova etc.Inside the fortified belt was ,another circular line of defence,at 1,5 Mile from the city;it was called "the III-rd line of defence" ,or "the II-nd line of resistance".This line was much weaker,made out of simple entrenches for shooterswithout shelters and without communication trenches ;it was left in ruin so im many places the trenches were destroyed.

The space between the principal of the centrals and the III-rd line was covered in the center portion and the West ,by a forest.The big corn fields were stretching outside the defence lines and inside them,obstacing the firings and favorising surprisings.


The "artillery",which was supposed to defend the bridge head of Turtucaia,was not enaugh,as number and did not correspond to the actual means and progresses technical of battle.It was very mixed up:Turtucaia was some sort of artillery museum in which were represented all kinds of firing mouths(cannons) from the Kingdom.Different from this fact,the war has cought the Fortress in course of organization,with works unfinished,with uncompleted replenishments.The bridgehead Turtucaia had,at the beginnings of fights ,the following number of firing mouths(cannons):28 fix firing mouths(24 heavy and 4 light);59 semimobiles-harnassed with oxes-(31 heavy and 28 light);23 mobiles-harnassed with horses-(15 heavy and 8 light).In total-70 firing mouths heavy and 40 light=110.From this total must be subtracted 17 firing mouths which,not being installed or not having munitions,could not function,remaining thus 93 mouths of fire which could be used.At this must also be added the 55 small cannons of 37 mm and 53 mm,in turrets,or mounted on afets,seated -as we know-on to the line of the centrals.The weakness of the defence of artillery was coming mostly from the small numbers of cannons with fast shooting-only 40 of the total number-and by the spreading of the of the firing mouths on a defence line of 19 Miles.These circumstances made impossible the barrier firing ranges ,the storms of artilley fire,indispensable for stopping the attack columns in the distance and forbid their advance.At this it will also add -as we will see-the bad menteinance of this artillery.

The distribution of the artillery of the bridgehead was the following :as fixed cannons the most serious were four Krupp cannons,disembarked from the armoured Ship ,Cruiser "Elisabeta",and placed on concrete platforms ,on the hill West of Turtucaia.They had a firing range of 6.25 Miles and semi-fast firing;their ammunition was 150 fires for each cannon-has been wasted in the first two days of fights,so in the dicissive days of the battle they could only burst rare shots.There were then 24 cannons said"for siege",of 105 mm,taken from Bucharest Fortress,installed in batteries of ground;these cannons were considered as "semi-mobile" artillery,being able to be moved by oxes and bivoli(another kind of oxes) harnesses,with Turkish and Bulgarian locals.In fact they could not be moved,off their place.There were another 8 cannons of 87 mm and 8 of 85 mm,from the cannons of our field artillery-use to be,old cannons with slow firing and short range.Also as cannons of position were also used 12 cannons of 75 mm,the ones taken from Bulgarians in 1913,at Ferdinandovo.


In the spring of 1916 it was send to Turtucaia six cannons of 120 mm and six mortiers of 120 mm,pieced together on domes,which belonged to the strongholded region Focsani.The instalation of the platforms and of the domes was not yet finished at the declaration of war-only the diggings were made-;because of this ,from this series only one cannon fired.It was also been brought an howitzer of 210 mm from Bucharest Fortress and six howitzers of 120 mm from Focsani,seated on afet(frames);not these last ones could fire because of a confusion of expediting ,they did not had the proper ammunition.As mobile artillery it was a divizion of howitzers,eight pieces of 120 mm,with slow firing,a divizion of light howitzers of 105 mm and one of cannons of 75mm;these last 16 mouths of fire were the only mobile cannons with fast firing.

The course of the Danube River was defended by barriers of mines and chains of wire,stretched to a few Miles up from Turtucaia,between Cirniciu Islet and Romanian shore.One side and the other of the Danube,in front of Calimoc Islet,has been installed four obusiers(howitzer) of 120 mm Skoda,taken from river monitors,four cannons St.Chamond of 120 mm and four of 75mm St.Chamond,all good pieces , with fast firing,ensuring an effective defence against an attack which would have come from up the Danube River,as weel as from the West sector of Turtucaia.

On the Danube,Turtucaia was also defended by the Danube Division of the Fleet,made out of four monitors cruisers and eight vedette boats under the Command of Rear-Admiral Negrescu. With this double defence ,the circulation of enemy boats on Danube River and their intervention at Turtucaia was completely imped,and the communication between the two shores ensured(as Turtucaia which today is Turtakan ,and Oltenita are one side and the other on Danube River).

The garrison of Turtucaia Fortress was made out of the troops of the 17th Division,new division,organized just few months before the beginning of the War.In her constitution it was only one active regiment,36th Vasile-Lupu Regiment.There were then two regiments of reservists;76th Regiment,with men recruited in South of Ilfov County,from around Oltenita;79th Regiment with men from Ialomita County(recruiting center of Slobozia);three battalions of new formation-4th Battalion-taken from Regiments 40th,75th,and 80th.In total 15 battalions.At the request of the Commander to have troops send to him,to form a mobile reserve,there were send in the eve of the fights four battalions of police-men with the effective of 600-800 men,not assigned;these were not fighters but men for guard and work.With this face,Turtucaia was defended by an army of 20 000 men,from which some 15 000 infantry making thus,for a front unfolding of over 19 Miles ,a very thin defence line.


The troops were separated in three Sectors:I-st Sector,Old Village,at West,comprising Centrals 1-5 and the outing of Siahlar,was defended by 36th Regiment and 4th Battalion of the 40th Regiment;II-nd Sector Daidir,at South,comprising Centrals 6-9,was defended by 79th Regiment ;III-rd Sector Antimova,at East,comprising Centrals 10-15,was defended by 76th Regiment.The General Reserve was made of 4 battalions of Regiments 75th and 80th ,and from the battalions of policemen,two were on the left shore of Danube River ,at Oltenita.

The great importance atributed to sector Satu Vechi,where it was supposed that the principal attack will produce , yielding especially by the artillery distribution.The most numerous and the best mouths of fire,51 in number ,were distributed to I-st Sector;19 to II-nd Sector 24 and to the III-rd Sector ;16 mouths of fire were atributed especially to the defence of Danube River.Also,the great majority of the turrets of 53 mm were massed also in I-st Sector;the 37 in the sector defending Danube River.

Besides,with all the downs and missings of its organization,the Bridgehead from Turtucaia was pretty strong and capable to oppose resistance for some duration,but under the condition to be well defended.The Commander of the Bridghead Turtucaia was General C.Teodorescu.He was under direct orders of General M.Aslan,the Commander of the III-rd Army of which Headquarter was in Bucharest.

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The attacking army

The enemy army which attacked Turtucaia was the left wing of the III-rd Bulgarian Army,Commanded by General Tosev.It was under the direct Command of General Kisselov and was made out of :4th Division of Preslav-17 battalions ,-I-st Brigade of 1st Division of Sofia-8 battalions -and the mixt detachment of Major Von Hammerstein,of the power of one brigade -three Bulgarian battalions and one German,in total 28th battalions .The artillery which this army had ,was a very powerful one:there were in total 128 mouths of fire of which 7 cannons of 75 mm,with fast firing and 56 pieces of heavy artillery,all mobile ;of these there were 8 long cannons of 150 mm,24 long cannons of 120 mm and 24 howitzers of 120 mm.It also adds 5 cavalry escadrons,three companies of machineguns and five companies of geniu.The comparison between the Romanian forces and the Enemy ones is entirely in the favor of the last one.In quantity as in quality,the attacker was superior to the attacked one;28 battalions against 19 Romanian battalios.Then Bulgarian troops belonged to the best active divisions,as the Romanian troops ,belonging to a division newly formed,was made up from rezervists and even policemen,with weak training,few officers,a big proportion of reserve.The enemy artillery,numerous than the Romanian one ,especially in modern cannons ,af big caliber,with fast firing and long range,was rich provisioned.The enemy also had a captiv baloon and numerous airplanes,which made possible the reconnoitring and served to the adjustments of the artillery firing range,as the Bridgehead was completely poor of these indispensable auxiliaries of modern war.There were no reconnoitring cavalry troops to the defender,as the offender had five escadrons.It also has to be considered the superiority which the attacker has.He chooses the attack point and concentrates there the mass of its forces ,as the attacked ,not knowing the attack place choosen by the enemy,has to keep,as precaution,all its forces spread on the whole defence front.The Battle of Turtucaia presents itself thus,under not much favorable circumstances,for the Romanians.What makes,though,the strenght of the fortresses is not only the material strenght,under less favorable circumstances,of the strenghtenings and of the cannons ,but especially the moral force of the defenders.It is needed ,in this way,a forcing of the Commanders,to be able to inspire the troops that heroic elan,which multiplies ten times the forces and makes of weak troops ,uncroossable barriers.

Unfortunately,with few exceptions,the Commanders of different steps from Turtucaia did not correspond to their difficult mission.The Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army could exclaim in Bucharest ,speaking about Turtucaia:"It is our Verdun[12]".But the moral force of the Commanders from Vaux and Thionville[13] missed the Romanian Commanders of Turtucaia.

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the map;Battle of Turtucaia

Linii intarite romane=Strenghtened Romanian lines;Directii de atac dusmane=Enemy attack direcions;DUNAREA=Danube River;Oltenita=Oltenita,city and Fortress;Turtucaia=Turtucaia City and Fortress;Baterii=batteries;Ostrovu Cirneci=Cirneci Islet;Ostrovu Cusui=Cusui Islet;Reduta=redoubt;Atacul Det. Hammerstein=the attack of Hammerstein detachment;Soseaua spre Silistra=driveway to Silistra;Linia III-a=the III-rd line ;Padurea Daidir-turtucaia=Daidir-turtucaia forest;Atacul D.4Preslav=the attack of the 4th Preslav Bulgarian Division;1to 15=the Centrals;Balta Satu Vechi=Small lake/Pond Satu Vechi

p First operations

At 31st of August,during the night,in darkness,without War Declaration,the Bulgarians have attacked the Romanian frontier posts,between Razgard driveway and Danube River.The guarding troops,Granicerii(frontier army) and policemen,have given the alarm and then retreated on the line of smaller posts,on the Eastern edge of villages Turcsmil and Senova.The War Declaration was to be handed only the next day,Friday 1st of September ,at 10 in the morning.In this day ,the Bulgarians have not given attacks,they just closed in, their attack columns and have installed the artillery in positions.The Romanian trops in the Western secor have reocupyed the posts of frontier ,attacking and drifting the Bulgarians reoccupying them ;by evening the Romanian troops have again been retreated on the position of Siahlar,leving only one platoon for each post.in the evening of the day,the preparatives of the enemy were ended and the attack plan definitley established.

The enemy will give against Turtucaia a forced attack.The attack troops will advance in concentric mode .From the West,from Rusciuck direction,will advance the mixt column Hammerstein(constituted in the biginning by a German battalion,theree Bulgarian battalions ,seven platoons of machineguns ,three escadrons and two artillery batteries)against sector Satu Vechi(Old Village),especially against the Central 3 .From South,from direction Balbunar -belica will advance the 4th Preslav Division,attacking Daidir ,especially the line of forts 6-8.From South-East,from Kemanlar,will advance the Ist Brigade of the 1st Sofia Division,attacking Central 2 in direction Antimova*.

The enemy has started the operations,effectively in the night of Friday 1st-Saturday 2nd of September,attacking on the whole line of the frontier and on the whole fighting front of the bridgehead Turtucaia.The attack was produced in the darkness ,by surprise.Not knowing the value of the attacking forces ,the Romanian frontier posts have retreated ,after a short encounter,on the line of big guards,at 1-2 Miles ahead the line of Centrals ,as instructed.In the dawns of the day,the Bulgaran colunns have begun the advance ,sustained by the strong fire of their artillery.Soon it is noticed the superiority of the enemy artillery,especially of the batteries of heavy artillery,brought with tractors ,which beat with eficacity the Romanian batteries,finding themselves outside the firing range of the latter ones.A Romanian battery of 105 mm ,installed North-West from Satu Vechi,is framed by heavy artillery of the enemy and receives shots which take her out of service;in the following night it is withdraw with oxes and moved on another position ,less advanced.In sector Satu Vechi the Romanian trops have resisted on the line of big guards ,helped also by the artillery on the left shore of Danube and river monitors,which produced felt casualties to the enemy.In the afternoon the troops have retreated in the principal fighting position-the second line.

.. In Daidir sector the artillery fight is very violent ,both sides.Villages Denizler and Mese-Mahle are in flames.The enemy columns were advancing hiding through the terrain crests.The Romanian troops -one battalion from Regiment 79th-,attacked by much superior forces ,have retreated in Daidir Village,from where they tried an unsuccesful attack over Denizler Village;then they retreated on the second line.Same happened in Antimova sector where the resistance was ,though weaker and the advanced lines have been left,almost without fight.In the evening all Romanian troops were on the principal line of resistance-the line of the Centrals ,said also "the second line";the link with Silistra has been cut;the fortress has been invested.

In the evening of Saturday towards Sunday,2-3 September passed without attacks from the enemy.The men,who were receiving for the first time the baptize of fire,were nervous and tired.Because of the false alarms were fired in to the wind ,shots of rifle,machinegun and from the turrets,wasting an enormous quantity of ammunition.

Against the Western Front of Sector Satu Vechi have unleashed in the day of 3rd of September the attacks of the enemy.By its form of out angle,the position formed thus a dangerous obstacle for the columns arriving from the West and South;the strenghtenings here could take into flank the attacks aimed for the neighbour sector Daidir.It was the first obstacle which had to be overcome.The Heavy batteries and of field of the enemy,installed West of Turcsmil and over the hills at Senova-Siahlar,were bombarding with unsaid violence,but with weak effect.The Romanian artillery,especially coast batteries ,on the shore of Danube and from the river monitors,were answering with equal strenght.Starting with 10,30,the enemy infantry gives violent attacks from Turcsmil and from Senova,until late in the evening.All attacks are stoped at the nets of barb wire fence,and rejected with heavy losses.In the evening,Romanians were masters on the position;the losses of the troops which fought here ,of Regiments 36th,40th and 75th were not important.Unfortunately,though,a panic within the Commandment had produce,with grave consequences.the Commander of the sector,Colonel Nicolescu,thinking he is attacked and with the entire line turned by the enemy by North,orders evacuation of the whole position-the out angle of the Village Vechi-Siahlar-and the retreat of the defenders on the line of the old centrals.The Commander of the fortress aproves the move and does not order re-occuption of them.The evacuation,unjustified,is executed during the night,in disorder and demoralizes the enervated troops.

On the front of the other two sectors the day went without too imortant events.the enemy searched to stronghold on the ridges in the face of Roanian positions,at 1500-2000 meters in fron of our barb wire nets.The artillery of the bridge head ,tried to spread ,with its fires ,the concentrations of the colums,which were made in its ray and to stop the installation of enemy batteries.

All night and the next day,Monday 4th of September ,the enemy has not tried any attack.the troops of the 2nd Battalion of the 36th Regiment ,by initiative of the Commanders of companies ,have reoccupied Siahlar sector,wich the enemy,not knowing what is going on on our part,did not occupy.By evening the Commander repeats the precise order as the sector to be evacuated again,which is executed in disorder ,leaving behind the machineguns and munitions.The Bulgarians did not occupy it till the next day at 12 o'clock.It was ,nevertheless,obvious that preparation for a big action are made.A captive baloon rose to the South ,numerous reconnoitre aeroplanes flew above the Romanian positions ,infantry columns were moving in different directions ,artillery was taking positions for firing.The defence ,kept in a continuous passivity.Without one weak beginning of attack,made in the II-rd Sector Antimova,over the villages Sarighiol and Antimova,by the initiative of companies Commanders ,but which was quickly given up by the order of Sector Commander,not even a serious attempt was made by the Commander to obstacle or delay the complete investment of the fortress.Morover,the Commander of the bridgehead has retreated the troops of the advanced lines from within all sectors on the principal line of resistance,the line of Centrals.


Reinforcements send to Turtucaia

The initial fights,given bu Bulgarians in the days of 2nd and 3rd of September against the advanced lines from Turtucaia had not a grave character.The losses of the garrison were :200 dead and wounded.And the war material was intact.They ,however have influenced the nerves of the Commanders and of the men,unused with fight,such that,if the material losses were without importance, the moral was shaken.The tiresome and enervating of the troops,the lack of cold blood of the Commaners ,were giving the situation an alarmant character ,absolutely unsiuted with the real situation ,which were manifested in the pessimist raports which the Commander of the fortress was making to its superior,the Commander of the III-rd Army.In the day of 4th of September ,in the afternoon General Teodorescu asks for imediate reinforcements "otherwise he cannot take any responsibility,the troops being extenuated by the fights ".To the Chief of Staff of the III-rd Romanian Army,arrived at Turtucaia,Teodorescu explains the "gravity of the situation by the extenuation of the troops and total lack of reserves" which had all benn used in Satu Vechi.

Some unrest starts to be manifested also at the Hedquarter of the III-rd Army.Still the situation is seen,in general , with optimism.General Aslan assures everybody that it is no peril:"Turtucaia is our Verdun.Those who provoke,those who attack(themselves).For the strenghtening of the resistance it was ordered to the troops of the Strategic General Reserve,cantooned around Bucharest,to move towards South.The 10th Romanian Division was send to Giurgiu,for guarding Danube,and the 15th Romanian Division was send to Oltenita to cross the Danube to Turtucaia.It was an imposant force of 16 battalions of infantry,to which it was also added two batteries of howitzers of 105mm,12 canons ,small of 53mm,on afets(frames)and two batteries ,old,of field ,75 mm.

To quicken up the arriving of the troops ,the 80th Regiment has been transported to Oltenita ,with trucks ,automobiles,with sanitary automobiles,individuals automobiles,taxies,taken by police from the streets of Bucharest.All the troops have crossed from one shore to the other with the help of ferries and rafts,dragged by motor boats.Tehir arriving has been received by Turtucaia Garrison with explosions of joy.The moral was very high.On the bridge of the ferries ,poet Goga talked to the soldiers ,showing them by vibrant words what this War means today and how pricless has to be the martyr of all.Unfortunately this important help which comprised also elit units ,as Granicerii,could not be used as a complete formation,with its own Commander.The troops have arrived to late and at intervals.Only five battalions and the howitzer divizion has arrived during the night to Tuesday morning ,so they could be used Tuesdey ,5th of September.Seven battalions have arrived during Tuesday,and four have arrived in the evening and during the night of Tuesdey to Wednesday.

The forces raport,between the two adversaries ,till now unfavorable to Romanians,had to change now.Until now they could not oppose to the 28 battalions Bulgaro-German,with 128 cannons ,but only the 15 battalions ,Romanians of the 17th Division;with the received helps ,their number will increase to 31,without counting the four battalions of policemen,which had no combative value.The number of cannons ,together with the ones arrived ,rose up to 176,of which 67 were the small cannons of 37 mm and 53 mm.It also must be added the cannons of the Danube Escadron,which contributed to the defence of the fortress ,32 mouths of fire ,heavy and light ,although these cannons ,as the ones on the left shore of Danube and from the islets ,had a limited zone of action.The numerical superiority of the troops of infantry,Romanians was only at the surface.Because the arriving in turns ,of these troops and,as a result,the unpossibility to use them in simultaneous attcks and at the rightful moment,has diminished much the value of the received help.And still,...an energic Commander,with cold blood ,as military skill and strong will,would heve known to make more use ,of the fresh troops at his disposal and to acomplish the mission ,thus given to him.This mission was the same:strnghtening the resistance and keeping on hold of the enemy,untill the Russians could concentrate,as to,together with the Romanian troops from Silistra and Bazargic, start the offensive march towards West.In this moment,the un-surrounding of Turtucaia would have been produced directly.


The bloody day of 5th of September

The quiet day of Monday,4th of September,was used by Bulgarians to occupy the attack positions and set the heavy artillery in the best firing position.The concentration of the enemy around the bridgehead Turtucaia was now fulfiled:Hammerstein Detachment at the left,the 4th Preslav Division at the center and the 1st Brigade Sofia at the right side.The other two brigades of Sofia Division,together with one cavalry brigade ,were placed towards South-East,as observation posts facing Silistra.They had to obstacle,either the flow of the Romanian troops from Turtucaia towards Silistra,or ,especially,an eventual trial of the Romanian garrison in Silistra to come in the aid of Turtucaia.Very judicious measures ,as it has been proven later.

The day of Tuesday,5th of September,had to be the day of the great attack for forcing the principal line of defense of the bridgehead ;the fortified belt.It has been a tremendously bloody day.

At 6,30 in the morning ,the enemy artillery started the bombarding of the Romanian positions.At 7 all Bulgarian batteires were in action.The intention of the enemy was evident,for an atent observer.The mass of the Bulgarian artilley was concentrated against the middle sector ,Daidir.Centrals 6-9 were being bombed by 21 batteries with 84 mouths of fire,from which 40 cannons and heavy howitzers.A captive baloon ,dragged by an automobile ,floated over Covangilar Village,South of Daidir,conducting the firing range.The Central number 8 is,especially tremendously bombarded,as the anexe in its right side,between Centrals 7 and 8.The response of the Romanian cannons ,within the attacked sector was greatly inferior.It was an enormous artillery disproportion .The attacked sector -the weakest of the three Sectors,-had only three cannons of 105 mm and seven howitzers of 120 mm;there were four turrets of 53 mm.The bombardment of the enemy artillery,concentrated over this small space ,is frightening.The air vibrates under the effect of the powerful explosions.From the fortified line ,from the center and the trenches ,are rising spins of ground and thick clouds of smoke.The Centrals on the line of Satu Vechi,are perfectly visible by the enemy and they can be striked in full.


At 8,10.the Bulgarian Commandment considers the artillery prepare as sufficient.The heavy artillery elongated its firing range ,striking the back line of the Romanian Centrals ,and the enemy infantry begin to attack .In reality,the action of the Bulgarian artillery,with all its violence ,has not been destroing alltogether.It has been to short as duration ;the diggings made by it ,in the fortified line ,were not big;the Centrals had not suffered so much.The defence against the enemy infantry attack could have been made with eficacity;it reclamed,firstly,the strenghtening of the fighting line of the attacked sector.The Romanian Commander had not ,though,realised the situation.Although the enemy had unmask its intentions ,the Romanian Commander sends the arrived reinforcements also in the I-st Sector.The attacked sector has been left to its own strenghts.And they were infime next to the overwhwlming power of the attack.

The Bulgarians give a principal attack with four regiments-16 battalions -of the Preslav Division,against Centrals 6,7 ,8 which are occupied by troops of the 78th Slobozia Regiment,and a secondary attack with two regiments-eight battalions-of the 1st Sofia Brigade,against Central 11,defended by two companies of the 76th Romanian Regiment .Wave after wave ,throws the Bulgarian infantry over to the Romanian lines ;the field cannons follow the waves in their advance.The imense corn fields ,uncut in the face of Romanian lines,favour the advance of Bulgarians.

The Bulgarian bombardment has taken out of the fight some of the cannons of the Romanian batteries of the sector;the other have harnassed and retreated.A Romanian divizion of howitzers of 105 mm,arrived in the eve ,is send by the commander in Daidir sector.Arrived in the midst of the fight ,he has started imediately a thundering bombardment over the waves of Bulgarians attackers.They are the only Romanian cannons firing in the attacked sector,but their precise and quick firing range makes ravages in the rows of the enemy.The Bulgarian Supreme Commander describes the fight in this way:"The Romanian heavy field artillery throws hurricanes of fires,as our batteries cover the space with a stonerain of shrapnels.Our men fall by the dozens.The field is full of dead bodies.The wounded fell without a moan,pursuing the enemy with threats.The officers dissapear one after the other,dead or wounded;sub-officers the same".But the disproportion of forces is crushing.The Central No.8 and its anexes from the right and left,to the 9th Central,are attacked by Bulgarian Regiments 7th Preslav and 31st Varna.The Central 7 is attacked by 19th Sumla Regiment;the 6th Central is attacked by 48th Regiment(Bulgarian) Infantry.In thhe General Rezerve at Denizler is kept Regiment 47th(Bulgarian).


The Romanian Centrals are defended by a single company,each,and the intermediary spaces ,between centrals also by one company.

The fight is furious in front of 8th Central,where the Bulgarians give the principal attack.The fires of infantry and machineguns of the defenders in the center and of the howitzers in the back,keep to respect the attackers.Wave after wave falls into the field of woolf-holes in the ground ,in front of the barb wire nets;other waves follow after the destroyed ones .But the Romanian Howitzers Divizion,which sustains the fight,has finished the munition provissions.The service of replenishment has not been organized;the cannon servants have to harness the horses and retreat from the battle.The Central remains to resist without support of artillery against the troops of two entire regiments ,which attack with fury,without carring about losses.The 6th Company of the 79th Regiment,which defends the Central,decimated by bombardment have remained with only one officer,reservist,the teacher Lixeanu Nedelcu*.Completely isolated by the fire barrier of the enemy,without any communication with the neighbouring centrals or with the back,overwhelmed by the crushing superiority of the enemy,Lixeanu conducts heroicaly the fight,manhoods the troops and dies,hit by a bullet,on the Central's edge-wall.Only now ,going over his body the enemy mass enters inside the Central,between the ruins were there were left only 25 fighters ,alive.The anexes in the right and left ,as Centrals 7 and 6 attacked in front and menaced from flank ,had to be evacuated and the defenders retreated towards the recolecting lines,behind.An attempt of counterattack,starting from the recollection lines towards Central 8th ,with the reserves of 79th Regiment ,does not succeeds.Lieut-Colonel Popescu,which conducts the counterattack ,falls dead,hit by a bullet,and the Romanian troops retreat through the woods.

At 12,the line of the Centrals ,has been broken in its middle .The enemy payed dearly the victory:in front of 8th Central ,dead and wounded were laying dozens.Between them was the Commander of Varna Regiment and all his Commanders of Battalions.The Command of the Bulgarian Regiment is taken by a captain.

The secondary attack is given by Bulgarians with the whole Brigade of Sofia-eight battalions-against Central 11 in front of Antimova Village.The masses of Bulgarian infantry sustained by the artillery which followed them,sneak by right and left of the Central 11 .The 11th central resist heroic for five hours ,the soul of the resistance is the Commander of the Central ,the reservist Lieutenant Titus Axente.At 1,30 in the afternoon ,hit deadly,Axente falls.the enemy invades the central and falls in the fires of the 80th Romanian Battalion,which was coming from behind in aid.

The intermediary Centrals 9th and 10th ,threatened in flank and by the back by enemy columns ,which eneterd through the seized Centrals ,are evacuated by defenders.In the anexes in the left of the 9th central ,Sub-Lieutenants Rotaru Ion and Vasilescu Cristodor,although surrounded ,continue to fight until the powerful enemy gets into the trenches and kills them with bayonet.

At 2,30 in the afternoon ,an enormous breach has been made in the fortified belt of Turtucaia.The whole central part of the fortified position ,from centrals 5-11 ,is in the hand of the enemy.The remains of the defending troops were retreating disorganized ,through the forest in the back;the entire fix and semimobile artillery went in to the hand of the enemy.This one,exhausted, by the losses suffered,with disorganized units,could not advance further;the units of 4th Preslav Division had to stop in the South edge of the forest where they remained all day.

At this hour ,the tactical situation of the bridgehead was,without a doubt,grave,not disperate,though.The enemy was itself in a very risky situation.between the right wing of the Division of Preslav(Centrals 8-9) and the left wing of the Sofia Brigade(Central 11) was a big gap,where there were no Bulgarian troops.The enemy Commander had no reserves with which to fill the gap,and the troops of Preslav Division ,diorganized ,were imobilized at the forest edge.The Romanian Commander has,on the contrary, five battalions ,freshly arrived from over the Danube River ,unengaged in the fight.A powerful counterattack ,made with big force in the right wing of Preslav Division,coud have radicaly changed the situation,and the Commanders of sectors ,by the inertia or their bad moves ,have contributed more to the agravation of the situation.

In this way ,Leut-Colonel Marinescu Al.,the Commander of the East sector Antimova,impressed by the fall of Central 11,apreciates that "the situation is lost" and gives the order to the troops to occupy the rest of the line of Centrals 12-15,until the Danube River and which have not at all been engaged into the fight,to leave the position and to retreat on III-rd line of defence.The retreat is made in disorder and degenerates into panic.Men throw their weapons .The crowd of runaways changes direction of retreat and goes to Cuzgunlac Valley towards the Danube,towards the embarking pontoons.Some cross the river on the other shore ;others are brought with difficulty into the fighting zone,or gather on the plateau of barracks of Turtucaia.Antimova sector of the fortified belt has remained without any defence ,whatsoever;the enemy-the troops of Sofia Brigade -advance here,not stopped by anybody. and close in to the III-rd line ,the only barrier wich separates the enemy by Turtucaia.A battalion of 84th Romanian Regiment runs to reconstitue the line of the front .


While the Southern sector ,Daidir-defended by 79th Regiment-sucombs under the principal effort of the enemy,executed by the entire Division of Preslav,while the Eastern sector,Antimova,runthrough at Central 11 under the central attack of the Sofia Brigade ,was then left by the disbanded troops of the 76th Regiment,The Western sector,Satu Vechi,where the Commander of the bridge head massed the most important forces of infantry and artillery,has not been attacked.The strong firing range of artillery kept to respect ,at distance the Hammerstein column,destined by the enmy Commander to attack this sector;the Romanian cannons have even contributed,by their oblique firing,to make big losses to the enemy ,which has attacked the neighbour sector.For ease the situation of Daidir sector, the troops of sector Satu Vechi have started a counterattack between Centrals 4 and 6,with South direction,to hit in flank the enemy columns which were going from Siahlar towards Daidir,going through the front of Centrals 5,6,7.The operation was very badly conducted.the attack troops -two battalions and two companies of machineguns of Regiments 36th and 75th -have started in disband ,in groups without connection,without having the precise knowledge of the goal of the action and of their objectives and some,without having ahead of them,their Commanders.the trial had no result and was rejected.

The troops of the Germano-Bulgarian column Hammerstein have started in the afternoon the attack of Central 3,prepared with heavy artillery and of field,from direction Satu Vechi.the attack is weak,counterstriked with efficacity by Romanian artillery and repulsed.But the troops which defend I-st sector are threatened from left ,by where the enemy had broken the fortified belt.By the order of the Romanian Commander,they evacuate line of Centrals 4,3 and 2 and retreat towards the III-rd line.Has remained occupid only Central 1,to which the artillery on the shores of Danube ,islets and fleet,ensured an effective defence.The Centrals have been occupied much later by the enemy;a Romanian Company has reoccupied by evening Central 2;two platoons have remained over the night inside of it,even.

Encouraged by the easy success obtained in the attack against Antimova sector ,the enemy troops of the Sofia Brigade have started the advance against the III-rd Romanian line.The advance is made possible,more ,by the imense corn fields from the South-East part of Turtucaia.With what could be gathered from the Romanian troops retreated on from the front of the sector and with the fresh ones,arrived in the morning of the day,the Romanian Commander organizes the defence of the III-rd line and in the afternoon of the day,he prepares to give counterstrikes in the periled directions ,to dam the advance of the enemyand try the reconquer of the Centrals.the Romanian counterattack was made in two directions .One with South direction ,along driveway Turtucaia-Daidir ,with the troops of 74th Regiment and with 75th Regiment;the second one towards South -East ,along driveway Turtucaia-Silistra ,with troops of Regiments 34th,80th and 84th.The counterattacks have been given weak.the detachments,without an unitary Command ,had rared and lost contact.Send into the fire,imediately as they arrived on the disembarking dock,sometimes without Commanders,without precise indication of the line they had to occupy,neither the objective they had to attack ,without the knowledge of the terrain ,without support connections ,the troops advanced in blind ,falling in the midst of grenades storms and of shrapnels ,received from the front or from flank ,mixing with other troops demoralised and taken by panic.In vain were the heroism acts of some officers which,with cold blood and rest,advanced on horses in front of the troops or standingin the line of shooters,to rise the moral of the fighters;in vain was the action of some detachments ,isolated,which advanced in regulated formation ,under the fires of enemy artillery.The heroism of some ,the elan of others had only as result multiplying the martyr,unuseful of these such badly lead fights.*


....

At the extreme right wing the Commander of the Village Satu Vechi,gives a counterattack with trops from the Central 1 towards the abandoned positions from Satu Vechi pond;the offensive ,unprepared ,crazy,it is received in a lively fire of machineguns and rejected with big losses.At the extreme left wing,North of Silistra Driveway,enemy troops of the 9th Regiment Tirnovo,advancing fast over Cuzngunlac valley,close in to the III-rd line.A battalion of Graniceri ,freshly arrived from over the Danube ,is send in haste there.With an extraordinary elan,in running pace,superb,agitating the rifle in one hand and the hat(capela) in the other,have jumped like a storm the Granicerii(frontier troops) against the line of Bulgarian shooters ,which were advancing through the cornfield.Bundels of bullets of rifle and machinegun receive them and cut them ,but Granicerii attack with bayonet and with the rifle bed.The enemy lines are broken and pushed back .The Bulgarians have big losses especially in officers;terrified by this frightening attack ,they run and hide in Cuzgunlac Forest.Aids from the neighbour Sofia Regiment arrive in running;a divizion of artillery takes position and opens a violent fire .Unsupported by nobody,remained isolated in the fight with the superior enemy,exposed to the concentric fire,the heroic Graniceri are forced to retreat towards the entrenches of the III-rd line,seeding the ground with numerous dead and wounded their triumphal way.The Romanian counterattack had given no result.But also the situation of the enemy,which has suffered enormous losses and disorganized with the units ,alltogether,it is a very dangerous one.A great forcing may change the face of things now.But who is to take the initiative,organize it and lead it?The Romanian Commander is dishoriented and depressed.the Commander thinks to give a new counterattack by evening,sending into the fire also the new units arrived into the afternoon of the day.It is reported to him that it would be hard to gather the men,spread through cornfields and forest,and the Commanders of the troops are not to be found.The attack is postponed for the next day.

The army of Turtucaia has been gravely touched in her moral.The Commander has lost faith in itself and in the troop,and the troop has lost the faith in victory and her Gommander.All the orders,preparations and moves are made without tidiness,precipitated,under the impression of the moment.Lack of tidiness brings bewilderment and crowding.By nothing ,panic births and panic is the presign of defeat.Without visible motives,smaller or larger units leave the positions ,hide or run away,dragging in their spin other officers or troops in their way.The untidiness and panic are alimented and propagated by numerous Bulgarian locals,or soldiers in some fighting regiments,recruited in Dobrogea.At the attacks given by their units,the Bulgarian trumpeteers sound the retreat, in the moment of collision with the enemy.Liaison agents,real or improvised ,from the same hood,communicated the orders upsidedown and all,as they saw Bulgarian heads ,twrow the weapons and run to surrender,cursing us.At the attack of 74th Regiment,on Daidir driveway,liaison of this kind has asked in big mouth,that the artillery to elongate its range,when on the contrary,it has to be shortened;such that the Romanian projectiles fall behind the Bulgarian lines ,without obstacling their advance.An officer,who was Commanding a platoon of Bulgarians from Dobrogea,has been left by his soldiers and,wanting to bring them to listen,firing with the revolver,has been shot by his own men,wounded and made prisoner.The semimobile artillery could not be saved,after leaving the Centrals,because the local Bulgarians and Turks have dissappeared with the oxes harnesses ,alltogether,which they were driving.The wagoons with munition and provisions,drove by Bulgarians from Dobrogea,have been turned upside down into the road and abandoned.Groups of soldier were taking run into the city,lamentating in big mouth and demoralizing the new troops ,arriving,by their exagerated stories.A very well organized espionaje ,was reeling the Bulgarians about the movement of the Romanain troops.

The evening came to stop the fight ;both adversaries ,exhausted by fights,needed rest and time to tidy up their troops.the tomorrow had to bring the decissive fight.

......

At counterattack was also send one of the three battalions of Militieni(Policemen) of the bridgehead.The soldierly value of these troops -old men ,badly equiped ,armed with old weapons and weak assigned -was absolut zero.There are storied many pathetic episodes of the fights in which they took part these miserables.In this way,in the face of the advancing enemy,they were crossing themselves(making the sign of the cross) through shelters,praying to God with the words:"Stop them God!".In one place they have been foun out by Captain D. of 74th Regiment in a entrenche,hidden at the bottom of the ditch and firing from time to time in the air;being asked what are they doing there ,they answere:"Heh ,we fire to scare them ,God blast 'em!"
Trials of aid from outside

In the general Headquarter of the III-rd Romanian Army,the Commander receives in the course of the day alarming reports.At 11,30,Teodorescu reports that the situation is very critical,centrals 7,8,9 lost;part of the troops fight badly.At 12,50 he comes back,communicating that the "situation is disperate".The Commander of the Army communicates this situation to the Great Headqarter.Because the arriving of help was in course,at Turtucaia ,where five battalions had arrived and by evening it was supposed to arrive the rest of 11,the Great Headquarter communicates to the Commander of the bridgehead:"Turtucaia must not fall:the garrison has to resist until the last man.Fresh reinforcements will come in aid".In the same time ,the Commander of the III-rd Army wants to intervene in other way,too.Until now,General Aslan,Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army,has done nothing else but to throw battalions ,inside the invested(conquered) fortress, of the 15th Division.It seems now that the General realizes that an invested fortress cannot be saved but only by an exterior manoeuvre.Only in the day of 5th of September ,when the situation is compromised and the possibilities of success greatly diminished,he thinks to execute a great offensive to unblock Turtucaia,with all the Romanian and Russian forces of the III-rd Army,which were in the South of Dobrogea.Especially at Silistra ,at a distance of only 38 Miles ,was the 9th Romanian Division,a good division,made out of active troops ,which was staying in an inexplicable unactivity,by the strategical insuficiency of the Commander of the III-rd Army,but also by the lack of initiative of Commander of Division,General Basarabescu.the Division ,had only edged herself, to retreat its forces in the inside of the fortress,letting to be invested.the orders of the great offensive move have been transmitted to the troops of the III-rd Army,Tuesday ,at 12.General Basarabescu had to execute imediately ,whith the Division,a vigorous offensive ,advancing in forced marching towards Turtucaia.In the same time,general Zaioncikovski,which Commanded the East group,had to support with the Russian Corps ,the action of General Basarabescu,sending the Russian Cvalry Division to cover the left flank of the 9th Romanian Division,in her move towards Turtucaia,and with the other two divisions of infantry to pronounce an offensive move in direction Cartbunar Acadinlar.The Commander of the III-rd Army hoped that this attack of flank will influence the operations at Turtucaia,forcing the threatened enemy to unlock the fortress.It seemed though as a fatality planed over our armies at Danube River.

Either by bad will,or by tecnical impossibilities to execute the order,by neglecting the factors "time " and "space" or from other reasons ,the intervention did not succeed.general Zaioncikovski did not attack in the direction prescribed,but has started in opposite direction,towards Bazargic.And general basarabescu has executed the prescribed move with delay and lack of energy.his intervention takes place only the next day,Wednesday 6th; it is obstacled by Bulgarian resistance at Sarsinlar ,at 9 Miles East of Turtucaia.After a short fight ,badly engaged,General Basarabescu returns to Silistra as he left.His action not only was of no help for Turtucaia,but has brought a new shame ,unexcuseable by anything,for our army.


The day of 6th of September.

Turtucaia fall

The night has been used by Romanians to reconstitute their disorganized troops .The operation was difficult,and it succeeded not entirely.The men were spread through the forest and through cornfields,the units were very mixed up,many officers were missing ,lost from the troop,or left over the Danube.With the rests ,that could be gathered and group into units,together with the all the battalions arrived in the evening and of night-some without their Commanders-it was occupied and put in a state of defence the third line around Turtucaia.It was as we know ,a weak line ,made by elements of trenches,forseen only in some of the sectors with barbed wire fence,without any cannon on position.All the position artillery has been lost ,as the principal line of resistance was lost;it has been saved only a baterry of 150 mm and one of 105 mm.Further,only mobile artillery.Some of the cannons did not have ammunition.

The Bulgarians occupy the entire fortified belt,without Central 1 which ,under the protection of batteries of coast and of the fleet,is kept still by Romanians.They have regrouped their units for attacking the III-rd line and they have closed in the artillery towards South and West.The troops of the 4th Division Preslav and of Detachment Hammerstein are finding on the Southern edge of the forest Turtucaia.Towards South-East the troops of Sofia Brigade are more advanced;they are in front of the III-rd Romanian line.

The Romanian Commander of the bridgehead sees the situation with optimism.He has now numerical superiority in infantry.Considers the Bulgarians repulsed ,in the wake of the vigorous counterattacks from the eve,and on the other hand ,he waits,from one moment to another,the apparition on the fighting theatre of the troops of 9th Romanian Division from Silistra,to fall behind the attacker.Based on these illusions,he takes fighting dispozition .The troops occupying the III-rd line ,divided into four sectors ,will push straight forward in the pursiut of the enemy and will reoccupy the line of the centrals.In the same time it will be constituted ,in the Eastern part,a manoeuvre group,made out of mixed troops from Regiments 34th,80th ,84th and Graniceri,which would attack in the direction of driveway Silistra,to shake hands with the aid troops supposed to arrive from Silistra.Unfortunately,not one of the intentions and foresaw things,of the Commander could not be realized.The 9th Division from Silistra did not arrive through were it shold have been;she did not got but,only to Sarsinlar,to far as her effect to be felt in the back of the enemy.The manoeuvre group could not constitute;the elements which shoud made it were untidy and could not be gathered .And the advance of the troops from the III-rd line ,which was supposed to be made in the empty space left by the enemy in retreat,has stumbled on troops full of elan and well organized for attack.

The most violent fights have been in the South,along the Driveway Daidir and at East,along Silistra driveway.Few units of Regiments 34th and 74th gathered by Lieut-Colonel Petrescu,start the advance in the eve of the day,at 4,30 am ,on the left side of Daidir driveway.Hidden in an imense cornfield ,the Bulgarians receive them with salves of fires of rifles or machinegun.the Romanian attack is accelerates.A battalion of Graniceri(frontier troops) enters the fight,as well.Bulgarians are getting backwards and the Romanians follow them through the cornfield ,on a depth of almost 1 Mile.Romanians fall,though,over a strong enemy line,which opens a crushing fire;the Bulgarian artillery enters ,at its turn,into action and its precise firing range makes ravages.The rows of fighters are thinned and spread.Pieces of troops retreat,under a violent barrier fire.A braveman,Lieutenant Popescu Nita,which was finding himself with a company of 80th Regiment at the right,in the neighbour sector,unattacked ,runs from own initiative in the direction from where he sounds the noise of fight and throws himself into the turmoil on the driveway Daidir.The company is spread by the storm of fires ;the Commander gathers her again for the second time against the enemy.This time the company is wipe out,Commander killed ,but her heroic intervention gives chances to the bits and pieces of troops of Graniceri to retreat ,behind the III-rd line.


The same thing happened to the left ,along the driveway Turtucaia-Antimova-Silistra.The troops of Sofia Brigade have started the attack on the whole stretch of front of the two Bulgarian regiments .Around 6,30 the Romanians started the counterattack with the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Graniceri Regiment and with some units of the 34th Regiment.Although,without artillery support,the Romanians attack strong and advance in the rain of bullets which flows from the cornfields.In violent body fights,the right wing of 6th Tirnovo Regiment is turned by the Graniceri and the second company of the regiment is runthrough bayonet together with its Commander.A retreat move is announced on the Bulgarian Front .But the units if Sofia neighbour Regiment run ,the Bulgarian batteries over the hills in the back and machineguns hidden in the cornfields throws fires over the attackers ,which are not sustained by nowhere.Disorganized and dizzied,the Romanian troops have begun a precipitated retreat;some have occupyed the trenches of the III-rd line ,others have continued the retreat..Small groups of fighters,reconstituted by the run aways gathered and brought back to the fight,meet the troops in retreat and form a resistance line behind a small valley which descend the driveway towards pontoon 2.At 9 in the morning ,the Romanian attack given in the sector between the driveways Daidir and Silistra ,was completely repulsed.The fight cease for a moment.Bulgarians,which have suffered heavy losses ,as well,do not pursue with infantry.They only intensify the artillery fire,elongating the firing range with which they follow now the Romanian batteries artillery,forcing them to retreat towards Turtucaia;the enemy bombardment aims ,as well,the works around Turtucaia,the city itself and Danube River.

In the same time ,as in the South East sector are taking place these violent fights ,in the South-West sector and West was relatively calm.The Bulgarian troops of Preslav Division and of Hammerstein Detachment ,entangled at the edge of the forest ,do not dear to advance ,and the order of attack of the Romanian Commander did not reach the Romanian troops of this sector.

The investment of the fortress is complete;the Bulgarians know that about a strong resistance it cannot be the word now.They dispose the troops all around for a methodical progression ,perpendicular to the forest and close in their artillery.

At around hours 9,30,the Romanian Commander receives two good news.Two Romanian airplanes,arrived in the eve of evening and sent to reconnoitre in the surroundings of Turtucaia ,reports that on the South -East driveways can be seen columns of troops marching towards the city.Obssesed by the thought of the aid he waits from Silistra and taking his wishes as reality,the Commander thinks that it cannot be something else but the long awaited 9th Division ,from Silistra,or Russian troops which come to unblock him.Based on this hypothesis ,the Commander builds imediately a new attack plan.He orders a general attack in the Western sector;this attack ,in the intention of the Commander ,was supposed to bring towards West a great part of the enemy troops from between driveways Daidir and Silistra and with this face to open up the the Eastern Front,making possible the junction of defence troops with aid troops coming from Silistra.In the same time ,the monitors on Danube receive the order to cease the fight in that part ,and the troops on the Eastern Front are notified to strenghten their resistance ,because the salvation troops are closing in and will yield in short time.


The Romanian attack ,started in the Western sector from within the III-rd line and from within Central 1,is given without cohezion:the units are lossing touch one with the other and go through the forest in disband ,harrasing with the enemy in local skirmishes.The artillery of the sector sustains with energy the attack; some batteries are discovered by the enemy and bombarded with violence.The attack does not succeed and the Romanian troops have to return into start position ,fewed and disbanded.Gravely go things in the Eastern sector .As the Romanian troops ,wait full of joy the apparition of the liberating brothers in the back of the enemy,they see themselves all of a sudden with Bulgarians going out of the corn and beginning a furious attack.The Commander was wrong ;the troops observed by the aviators were not friendly troops,but ememy's.The desillusion of the defenders ,misslead in their assumptions puts a head to the depressing state of mind,of exhausted and discouraged minds.A crazy panic overwhelms the troops in the trenches .Groups of fighters throw their weapons and munitions and start to run away to the Danube.The panic spreads over the neighbour sector,of South.The front starts to disorganize there as well.The men feeling isolated ,make connections to the right and to the left ,not seeing their leaders anymore,start to descend the valley,crowded,filling the roads and streets of the city,with the only thought to get as fast as possible to the shore of the Danube,to find the saving boat or pntoon,to get them across.In running ,they meet troops which have not enterd the fight,they give to them their fears and disgust for fight and drag them as well in the general turmoil.The panic is ampplified by the aparition of an armoured car of the enemy which,coming from Daidir driveway,roves through the Romanian lines,filthing the troops with their machine guns and disbanding the troops which tried to keep a position and organize resistance.From within the houses of the city ,shots begin to unload in the ,here and there ,groups of runaway soldiers and the tired faces of Bulgarian inhabitants start to grimace in smiles of joy.At around 12 ,the Bulgarians,after they cleaned the forest and the terrain in front of the III-rd line,have begun the attack of the line itself by the Southern sector.The line was hard to defend,because very weak organized,being between cornfields and ,receiving macinegun fires fron front and flanks.The biggest part of defenders have left it before .The rest of the troops,which have remained in place ,have left it ,in their turn,without any resistance ,retreating gradualy towards Turtucaia.the Bulgarians advance with precaution through the cornfield on the track of Romanians Small groups,thin lines of shooters with machineguns,acompany in short advances the firing range of the field artillery,which elongates step by step.No attack in great masses does not produce,anymore;only short collisions of patrols or rare groups.The Bulgarians are aware of the ruining of the Romanian front,they wait to gather the goods,without exposing themselves to great losses.


At noon the Romanian desaster is announced in all its cruel reality.In the Western sector and in some parts of the Southern sector,groups of Romanian soldiers continue the fight with disperation.The Central 1 resists vigorous and the enemy attacks are rejected ,one by one.The cannons of the ships on the Danube are beating the ridges of the hills and the cornfields;they manage to obstacle the positioning of enemy cannons and machineguns ,in the zones within their firing range.Further than that ,there isna't an organized army anymore,lead by the will of a Chief,fighting for a realisable goal.There are-mostly-groups of runaways who have given up any pride,ambition and ideal and which,taken over by the contageousness of dicourage and of fear,they have only the thought of escaping with life.And Chief, the army has no more.The Chief has disappeared from its post.Not taken down by bullet,in the spin of fght,but runthrough fear, of death, and of responsibility of those he had to take to victory,but instead has taken them to defeat and captivity.At twelve a big automobile passes in speed through the rows of runaways,aiming for the shore of Danube.It is the Commander of the Fortress of Turtucaia,General Teodorescu,which is abandoning his Army and Fortress.A Navy Lieutenant embarks him onboard the vedette no 7,"Lt.Calinescu".A roar of curses rises threatening from the flock of runaway soldiers ,crowded onto the shore.A rattle of machinegun responds from the deck of the Vedette.And the boat starts in great speed towards the other shore of Danube.the Commander has saved his body;he can now look from the Romanian shore the tragic ending of the Fortress and Army,abandoned to the will of faith,without leader.


Tragedy

The shore of the Danube(Turtucaia Shore) is filled more and more by the crowds of soldiers which have left their positions and seek here escape.There are scenes of a shearing dramatism.

A sea of heads is stretching on the shore,as far as the eye can see.One thought is souling evryone:run.The other side is the Romanian shore:there is the escape .But the wide river is in between.There is no bridge over the Danube,and the few pontoons or rafts ,which serve for the transport of reserves,have croosed to the other shore,filled with wounded and the firsts who have been on this shore.Dizzied,the men are watching the shine of the water surface,and are fermenting their brains of how to cross on to the other side.Some,more curageously,jump in to the water ,with clothes or without clothes.The flags of Regiments 36th and 74th are saved by two devoted platooneers,in this way.A savage fight is given around the few boats ,many broken or holed,until the boat ,badly patched ,starts heavily,filled with men and water.The Danube shows an unusual panorama ,full of boats of all kinds and of men fighting hard with the waves ,alone or supported by a wood,by a box,or a door.Taken over by the current of the water ,turned over ,hit by the shrapnels which explode over the water ,how many can make it to the saving shore in front!A multitude of barges and pntoons were at this other shore but the lack of dragging boats ,made impossible to use those.The Commander of the III-rd Army have send 16 battalions in the aid of a fortress which situation seemed disperate to him,and dose not think of organizing means of retreat ,in case of failure.The army was in a mouse trap!Still,the navy vessels have done everything they could to escape from death and bring on to the other shore many soldiers ;the fleet has paied a great tribute of blood,loosing many officers and inferior grades.


On the shore,the impossibility of saving,stunned the crowd.A deep derail,hoplessness without boundaries is following after the before surrescitation.A new thought puts master over the souls and the scream of resignation,of cowerdness,was getting out now from everyone's chest."We surrender!","throw your weapons"."we surrender"-can be heared from everywhere.Pieces of white cloth,handkachiefs are agitated everywhere ,over the mass of heads.In awaiting of the conquerer,begins the plunder of the wagoons ,carriages with provissions and munitions.

The Bulgarians and Turks within the city ,begin to descend ,with looks and moves of hyenes,at the unexpected fed in the valley.Fights in small groups continue,especially on the western front ,untill 4,30p.m.At this hour ,the officer corps of the garrison gathered at the military circle ,decided to surrender to the enemy the Fortress and the City.Colonel Marasescu the Commander of this sector which,after the run away of General Teodorescu,has taken the command of theTurtucaia Fortress,executes the sad decission of capitulation.

Enemy patrols are roving now the streets of the city,firing shots or taking down with rifle's beds or bayonets Romanian soldiers and officers on their way.The Bulgarian population accomplices with these soldiers,to give themselves to bestial crimes unshameful plunderings.The Romanian officers and soldiers were mugged to the skin,undressed ,boots taken,machinegunned or killed at the smallest veleity of revolt.Major Dervescu Ioan,Commander of a battalion of the 36th Regiment ,is summoned by a Bulgarian platooneer to give his watch,which Ioan was carrying;the Major refuses,pointing out that on the back of the cap of it has the picture of his children and imediately falls runthrough bayonet,and with his head smashed by a rifle's bed.


The Commander of the 84th Infantry Regiment,Lieut-Colonel Popovici Gheorghe,has gathered and taken under his command a certain number of fighters with which he started towards East,ner the shore of Danube,to force the passing towards Silistra.On horse and with his Regiment's flag unfolded,he has found his death ahead of his soldiers he Commanded.A vedette of the fleet,No.6,"Nicolae Ioan" sneaks through ,near the head of Cusui Islet and opens fire with cannon and machinegun over the enemy's nest of machineguns which, near the shore , was cutting the retreat road.The vedette concentrates over her the enemy fires,both officers and half of the sailors fall,but the enemy is set on the run.Part of the Romanian column flows towards Silistra,and the vedette ,pierced by projectiles,can retreat down stream.

Some artillery officers have refused to surrender their batteries ,and gathered their cannons ,escaped from the occupied positions by the Bulgarians,in the West edge of the city.Here,Colonel Grigorescu Atanasie the Commander of 5th Howitzers Regiment,has organized the last resistance,under the form of a redoubt,supported on the right side by Sermer Barracks,and in the left,by Danube ,facing South and East.Sustained also by some weak units of infantry,especially the remains of 80th Infantry Battalion,the last defenders of Turtucaia have fired until they finished all the munition.Colonel Grigorescu,badly wounded ,has fallen prisoner into the hands of Bulgarians and died in a hospital in Sofia.Captain Feraru,the Commander of a heavy battery,fires the cannons until the emey storms in to the battery,fires then with his revolver, and the last bullet he unloads in his temple,falling dead on one of his cannons.Other Officers,Lieutenants Ioachimescu,Curtovici ,do the same thing.Lieutenant Constantinescu Toma,the son of the General ,with the same name,sustains the defence of Central No.1,with his battery,until,framed and violently bombarded by enemy heavy artillery,which destroyed two of his cannons ,he remained thus ,only with the other two.These ones he escapes from the fire spin,with difficulty and brings them into redoubt(reduit).Helped by a plutoneer and by some soldiers with a machine gun,Constantinescu fires ,untill the Bulgarians close in few meters to the cannons.Summoned to surrender,he refuse,fires from the mouth of his cannon into the enemy stormers and,finally,falls masacred by byonets.


A national catastrophe

The Battle of Turtucaia was over.A real military catastrophe mand the Kingdom bleed,one week after our enter in the War.The fortified city Turtucaia has fallen into the hands of the enemy after five days of fight.480 officers and 28 000 soldiers were made prisoners;100 canons ,62 machineguns and an imense prey,were the trophies of the enemy.From the entire Garrison ,escaped some 2000 men,over the Danube,swimming or on boats and another 3500 in scattered groups,towards Silistra.From the armament ,escaped only the cannons of the batteries in the islets and shores,which have been evacuated by the bravery of their sailor personel.It is true,that also the losses of the enemy were grave.The official figures given by them are :199 officers and 7 773 soldiers,Bulgarian,dead or wounded.The great majority of losses was in Daidir sector.In this way,the losses of the enemy rose up to almost 25% of his effectives.The bloody losses of Romanians have been of 1600 officers and 6000 soldiers,dead or wounded.

Like after all catastrophes,the spirit tries to find the causes which may expalain the producing of the desastre .Professional rivalries or political ones,personal matters come to complicate and make difficult the objective search for the cruel truth.The first cause would have been the primitive conception of closing a numerous troop in an isolated fortress,having behind a wide river which separates it from the base,without even a bridge,or a service of transports ,well organized ,to ensure the retreat.The reality is this one:renauncing,for the time being ,by the operational plan ,at the role of offensive "bridgehead",the role of Turtucaia was nothing other than the one of an advanced position which,supported by Danube,to defend the right flank of Dobrogean frontier and cover the concentration of Romanian-Russian troops on this frontier.From the moment when it has been obvious that the enemy is attacking with superior forces ,which cannot be resisted ,the garrison would had to leave the position and get over the bulk -retreating towards Silistra to make possible this concentration on aline,backwards-and not to remain on place,making thus possible the acomplish of enemy plan,of isolating our forces scattered ,and away them ,one by one.The instructions for defending the bridgehead Turtucaia forseen that ,in the case in which the resistance on a second line cannot be kept longer,under any circumstance ,the troops of the bridghead had "to execute an outing towards East and retreat methodicaly towards the bridgehead Silistra " wher together with the troops of the 9th Division to prolongue the resistance.unfortunately these wise prescriptions have remained dead letter.None of the Commandments of different ierarchies ,which had word to say in the defence of Turtucaia ,did not remind of them and did not put them nto practice.With the hallucination of the romantic formulae of "resistance until the last men",or with the tire of concentration of Romanian-Russian forces ,which had to operate on Dobrogea frontier ,in offensive purpose,at the shelter of just the resistance of Turtucaia ,it has been persisted in defending with stuborness a dangerous position and with no decissive importance ,for the ulterior unfolding of the action .Not even in the last moment,when keeping the fortress was not possible anymore,it has not been taken by anyone the initiative of a retreat towards SIlistra which,realized with decessiveness and big effectives ,it could,thanks to the exhaustion of the enemy,have saved a great deal of men and material.Keeping the contact with Silistra ,by supervising the excelent road of communication which passed under the Danube River shore ,was one of the chieftain duties of the Romanian Commndment.He neglect it entirely.

.....

It was,ofcourse ,a mistake sending up a whole division in the interior of the fortress ,package by package ,in the middle of some demoralised troops ,instead of sending it outside the fortress ,to enterprise ,in colabaration with the division at Silistra ,an action for unblocking , in the rib of the enemy.None of these mistakes canoot,however,justifie the fastness and proportion of the catastrophe.The enemy,itself,shows surprise for such good fortune,on its part and so much weakness on our part.*"With the means of defence he had-writes with cruelty the Bulgarian Commander-even women culd have sustained the attack for some good days"

The principal cause of the catastrophe-the sure cause,which is beyond any discussion -,is the extraordinar weakness,uncomprehensive,of defence.The Commanding Generals throws from one to the other the responsibility of the defeat.What is very clear,is that not the Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army,nor the Commander of Turtucaia Fortress have not been up to the expectations.The first one,dived into a fragile optimism,did not move from Bucharest,as to realise the gravity of the situation,and contempted himself to take measures from distance ,badly conceived or uneffective.The second one,the Commander of the fortress ,prooved himself totaly missed by the indispensable qualities, of a commander in difficult circumstances.Lacking initiative,shy,without the faculty of understanding clearly of the situations and of that of promptidude of resolutions,he did not know how ,even to distribute his troops,which he Commanded directly.From the beginning of the enemy attack,until the last moment,he kept himself in passivity,receiving the blows of the enemy,without to react by energic counteroffensives.Even when he begun to have superior forces ,his offensive initiatives have been weak and tardive.Even to the last moment,he did not understood the dispozitive of the enemy attack and did not know to see and exploit the critical situations ,in which this one has put itself into.The obssesion of the principal attack from West has made him to mass the principal forces of artillery in this sector,attacked only demonstartive ,neglecting the Southern sector and the Sout-West one ,where the decissive attacks were taking place.

"The defence has been entirely unconnected :the connection from high to bottom ,between the Commanders of sectors and the Commander of defence zero;the connection between the sectors Commanders ,which,in the absence of the first one,could have ensured some sort of connection on action,did not exist.The action of the Commander over the action and operations did not manifes at all.Measures of precaution have not been taken and,which makes the tip of it all,when tha fatal end was closing, no measure have been taken to ,either to try an exit towards the Eastern sector of Silistra Fortress,or to regulate the faith of so many thousands of fighters ,which were falling in to the hands of the victorious.The Commander of the defence,leaving the field of battle ,when the battle was not finished ,without at least passing the Command to someoneelse ,have left the defence troops to make it,each on its own,forgetting that duty forced him to take the same faith as the ones he Commanded ,but which,unfortunatelly,and in a big part from his fault,could not lead them to victory.Why ,in that moment,he did not reminded himselfr of the heroic conduct of General Lemanthe defender of Liege Fortress?,or of the Austrian General Kusmanek,the defender of Przemysl Fortress?[15].

At this weakness of Commandment,coresponded as it has been expected ,a weakness of the troops.Turtucaia presented a curious case of collective psychosis.Weakly commanded ,a great part by officers which neither at previous trainings ,nor during the fight ,did not know to have close contact with the troops,to rise the moral and to communicate them an elan by which just themselves were missed ,the units have demoralised from the first collisions.While,in some points of the front ,officers and troop,fighting together ,were making acts of the highest heroism,between others,they gave themselves at acts of cowerdness.There,where the officer was ahead ,or in the middle of the troops,the soldier has fought bravely and died heroicly;there, where the officer had hide from duty,the troops have weak and disband.And ,as the contageousness of weakness is stronger than that of virtue,the demoralisation propagated quickly,paralising the commandment and the troops.the weakness of Commanders of different ierarchies and the one of the troops has brought us to the shame of seeing us,at less than 10 days of our voluntary enter into the War,captured intirely like a flock without defence.

The admirable Romanian soldier which latter gave us the victories of Jiu ,Marasti,Marasesti,the one who stood uninched like a rock under the storm at Cimpulung,at Predeal and Oituz,the one which showed himself great and heroic in the glorious defeats of Sinpetru ,of Topraisar and in the retreat at Cerna deserves ofcourse another faith than the one of being lead to masacre and shame of Turtucaia.The fall of Turtucaia had made an enormous impression ,in material loss,as by its moral effect.It made us of the mock of the enemy and compromised us in front of our friends.For us,it came,in the first days of War,to show us with brutality the numerous missgivings of our military prepare,in its material part and also in the moral part.Unfortunately in history ,mistakes are never overlooked;they revenge considerable.And the shame of Turtucaia not only that slaped us,and bleed or hearts ,but has deeply influenced the ulterior unfolding of the War.It is the initial cause of the desasters and missfortunes that followed .

.

The Austrian Staff Major N.Frantz,liaison officer with General Makckensen Army visiting,from the order of the Great Austrian Headquarter,the fortification works from Turtucaia,one week after her fall,finds that the works are very well conceived and executed and resums:"It is almost unbelievable that this strong position ,defended by two Romanian Divisions (the 15th and 17th of reserve) was badly occupied ;one part of the infantry of the first lines of defence ran away imediately after the biginning of effective firing range;the reserves were too far behind....
From the above description results that if better defended,the bridgehead Turtucaia would have influenced in a decissive manner over the speed of the operations of he III-rd Bulgarian Army and that taking with assault represents a remarkable deed of arms.It permits us,howerver ,to draw a joyful conclusion over the weak resistance of the Romanian Army against the energic attacks sustained sustained by artillery"(Inedite Documents from Kriegsarchiw,Viena)


3.Silistra and Bzargic

Attacking Southern Dobrogea

In the same time with the attack against Turtucaia ,Mackensen throws also the other troops of the III-rd Bulgarian Army over the frontier,in SIlistra direction and of Bazargic.The isolation in which were finding the three cities of Southern Dobrogea has been exploited with success by the abile German strategist.Powerful columns have been send in the intermediary spaces ,to separate the three cities and obstacle the respectives garrisons to aid eachother.The fortresses had to be attacked one by one and taken before the Russian troops ,which arrived with difficulty,to have reached the fighting zone ,to be able to work with the Romanian Army.With this,the road to the heart of Dobrogea opened up in front of the stormers and the line Cernavoda-Constanta,was falling into its hands.The strategical consequences of this blow would have been incalculable ;it was the entire Romanian Front turned and the warrior intervention of Romanians blocked before it could begun.

Executed with speed and vigor,Mackensen plan ,seemed in the beginning to succeed.The success has been edge ,though,only at the first blows .It will,then,need huge forcings and heavy casualties ,as to occuping Dobrogea to become fact.

The first battle dispozitive of the III-rd Bulgarian-German Army was the following:the extreme left of the army ,made out by the 4th Preslav Division with the 1st Sofia Brigade and the mixt Detachment Hammerstein,constituted the attack army against Turtucaia.The "Left" was made out of :3rd Brigade of the 1st Sofia Division,made out of six battalions and three batteries ,having to intercept the communication between Turtucaia and Silistra ;its role was to make impossible a flank attack,which the troops in Silistra would have trialed over the army investing(seizing) Turtucaia.Another brigade (the second of the same division) made out of 8 battalions with 3 batteries ,taken the Silistra direction ,along the driveway Acadinlar-Alfatar.Between the two brigades of infantry it was intercalated a brigade of cavalry,which made them connection and had the mission to supervise Silistra from West.

The "Center" of the III-rd Bulgarian Army was made out of the Cavalry Division Kolev-20 escadrons -strenghtened with artillery,cyclists and numerous companies of machineguns mounted also by foot.The mission of this divission ,to which also has been attached two companies of infantry,was to defend the left flank of Bulgarian Army,which operated on the Front Turtucaia-Silistra and,separating the Romanian forces which occupied these two localities ,from those of Bazargic ,to prepare ,by occupying Curbunarului,operations against Bazargic and Eastern Dobrogea.

The "Right" of the III-rd Army,was made of the so called "mobile reserve" of strenghtened point Varna-of the power of a strenghtened brigade -under the Command of General Kantargiev,military writter with reputation,author of propaganda puplications agains Romania.The mission of this group was defensive -offensive;to oppose to a disembarkation attempt at Varna and,by operation made in Bazargic region ,to obstacle the trials of Romanians and Russians to advance in direction of Balcic and Bazargic.

Behind the Cavalry Division-at Sumla -it was a brigade of the 6th Bulgarian Division de Vidin,as general reserve at the disposition of Feldmarshal Mackensen ,following to move,as needed to be associated either to the center ,or right Bulgarian.The Turk Corps was few days of marching away;its first elements could join the fight in four days.


Bulgarian offensive along Dobrogean frontier

Before even,the Bulgarians have officially declared war to Romania,General Kantarciev has attacked with small detachments the Romanian frontier posts and advanced on Romanian territory,occupying some of the villages.In this way,at 29th of August,Bulgarians have attacked the posts in the vecinity of driveway Balcic-Varna ,occupying Villages Vinatori and Ecrene.At 30th of August ,a company of frontiermen and two companies of Bulgarian cyclists have occupyed the bridge of railway from Novo-Botevo,frontier station on the line Varna-Bazargic,and at 31st ,have stretched the attack along the frontier up until Vladimirovo.The aim of these attacks was that,by surprise,Bulgarians to create a base of operations ,favorable,against Bazargic;the attacks were made possible by the fact that,Romanians in the thought of avoiding premature collisions ,kept the guard posts far from the frontier.

Alarmed by these attacks the civilian authorities of Bazargic have left ,without order the city,throwing panic in to the Romanian population from within,which have run towards Caraomer.The Bulgarians in the city have profited by this panic and devastated the train station and the barracks.The authors of the plunders ,caught in fragrant by the Romanian Army have been trialed on spot and executed.This just punishment have given the Bulgarians motives of complaints and accusations of cruelties at the address of Romanians.The 19th Romanian Division ha reestablished the situation in the city and at the frontier ,and the authorities came back in the city.

At 1st of September ,the day of war declaration by Bulgarians ,it could be found as covering troops in Bazargic sector ,the 19th Romanian Division,having in the city and on the frontier the 17th Brigade -9th Hunters Regiment and 40th Infantry Regiment;the 5th Mixt Brigade was at Ghelengic ,North of Bazargic,and the 6th Mixt Brigade South of Caraomer.The 19th Romanian Division has a pretty much mixed composition;without the 9th Hunters Regimnt and 39th and 40th of Infantry;was constituted by the fourth battalion takenfrom 10 diverse regiments,in total 18 battalions.The artillery of the Division was weak ,six batteries of old cannons of 87mm and only one of 75mm.Commander was General Arghirescu.A brigade -the 5th-of Calarasi(horsemen)made out of seven escadrons ,was attached next to the Division and dislocated on to the frontier.

At Silistra was the 9th Romanian Division-Commander General Basarabescu-made out of five infantry regiments and one of hunters ,grouped in three brigades ,with a total of 16 battalions and 13 batteries.Silistra,being fortified as a "bridgehead",disposed of some fix artillery,made out of three batteries of 105,120 and 150 mm,and of some turrets of 53 mm.The Divisions had four battalions dislocated at Alfatar,Acadinlar ,Beibunar and Curtbunar,covering Silistra from South.


Behind the Romanian line,was very slowly arriving and constituting at Medgidia Russian Corps,under the Command of General Zaioncikovski,formed up by the 61st Russian Division,Serb-Croat Division and the 3rd Cavalry Division.The Russian Corps was far behind the Romanian divisions which,in their turn were,separated between them by distances of 38-57 Miles.So in the day of declaring War ,as the Bulgarians had all their troops in hand ,ready to start to fulfil their precise mission ,Romanian-Russians were separated into three groups,placed at big distances and with isolated detachments ,spread all over the frontier.There was ,also ,no unity in Commandment:the 9th Romanian Division depended directly of the Commandement of the III-rd Romanian Army,which was at Bucharest,and the Russian General worked independently.

At the quick and clever manoeuvre of the enemy Commandment ,the three Commanders Romanian-Russian will respound with slow moves ,lacking by initiative and coordination,which will compromise from the beginning the whole campaign.In the night of 1st-2nd of September,the Bulgarians cross the frontier on the whole line.The 2nd Brigade of Sofia attacked Acadinlar,which was occupied by a Romanian battalion,the Bulgarian Cavalry Division has attacked Curtbunar,occupied as well by a Romanian battalion ,and the troops ov Varna Group have attacked Balagea ,on the driveway Varna-BazargicIn the sector of the 9th Division the Romanian battalions ,attacked at Acadinlar and Curtbunar by forces considerable superior,have left the localities and retreated towards Silistra General Basarabescu has retreated also the other two battalions from Alfatar and Beibunar ,isolated himself by the neighbour sectors and closed himself inside Silistra Fortress,without enterprising any action with the powerful unit at his disposal ,neither to South or South -East where,by occupying Curtbunar by Bulgarians ,he was cut from Bazargic,nor to South -West ,where he has been cut of Turtucaia Fortress.Especially towards the latter one,he was obliged,not only by comrading duties and the understanding of the strategical situation ,but the precise foreseeings of the directives of operations of the III-rd Romanian Army.Only at 5th of September ,in the wake of the order received in the eve ,from the Commandement of the III-rd Army,to enterprise"local actions" at small distances ,to gain the necessary air around the "bridgehead" and open up the driveway Turtucaia -Silistra,General Basarabescu executes and sends two detachments ,of two,three battalions ,with artillery,in two directions.The two detachments threw themselves in sterile fights with weak Bulgarian detachments ,have thus lost pretious time and lost also the contact with the Division.


The troops of Varna Group ,crossing the frontier along driveway Varna Bazargic ,at 2nd of September ,have occupied Balagea .The aim of this action was not the offensive against Bazargic ,but to come in the aid of General Kolev,which was attacking Curtbunar,attracting Romanian forces in this sector.The Commander of the 19th Romanian Division attacks the Bulgarians with troops of 40th Calugareni Regiment and with the 5th Mixt Brigade ,retakes Balagea Village and rejects the Bulgarians towards South in disband.General Kantargiev has to run personally to the scene to stop the disband.The Bulgarian inhabitants of the village have attacked the Romanians with weapons of fire,with axes and forks ,which determined the Romanians at severe repression.An order of the 19th Division retreats again the Romanian line on a stationary position South of Bazargic.For the following day ,3rd of September ,Arghirescu projects an attack over Curtbunar ,which has been occupied by the Bulgarian Cavalry Division.For this operation is destined the 6th Mixt Brigade which,from South of Caraomer ,has been brought at West of Bazargic.In the evening of 2nd of September the Brigade is at Carapelit ,on the road towards Curtbunar.

In the morning of 3rd of September ,the 19th Division has two fights.At West of Bazargic ,the 6th Mixt Brigade starts from Carapelit ,to attack in direction Curtbunar ,and at South of Bazargic ,the 40th Calugareni Regiment attacks the troops of Varna Group,which advance again from Balagea and Opancea.The 5th Mixt Brigade is kept in reserve near Bazargic.The action of the two corps starts to unfold favorable.The 6th Brigade unfolded, mounted on horses on to the driveway Carapelit-Curtbunar.Two battalions advance along the driveway,occupies Villages Conac and Cocimar .The avanguard has reached South of Curtbunar,threatening the back of Bulgarian Cavalry Division .The action at South of Bazargic is also in victorious progress;Bulgarians have been repulsed South of line Opancea-Balagea.

But the Commander of the 19th DIvision is an impressionabil character and inconstant.Although he receives favorable news from South and West ,he is concerned by the isolation he thinks he is in to.The Russian Cavalry Division,which he expected from the North,does not arrive,and from South -East itis sigannaled to him the aparition of columns of 6th Bulgarian Division at Vladimirovo.Afraid of not being surrounded ,Arghirescu is taken by panic and makes ,all of a sudden , the fatal decission :breaking of the two fights ,evacuation of Bazargic,retreat.

At Cocimar,the entire Bulgarian Division of Cavalry,started from Curtbunar,strenghtened with infantry and artillery,engages the fight with the two battalions from the Romanian avanguard which,receiving the order of the Commander of Division,begin to execute the retreat.Bulgarians ,astouned by this unexpected attitude ,think that the retreat of Romanians is the result of panic produced by their attack.The retreat is dezastrous;surrounded by Bulgarians ,one of the two battalions is destroyed;the other one is spread .The lateral battalions execute the retreat in order and reject with bloody losses the Bulgarian cavalry.

In the evening of the day the entire Division is at 13 Miles north of Bazargic .It is the result of inertia ,lack of initiative and understanding between Russian General and General Commander of the 19th Romanian Division.Time of five days ,this one has spread it units and exhausted them by marchings -only the 5th Brigade made 76 Miles in some 55 hours ,in which time has given also the Fight of Cocimar-and attacks,unjustified interrupted ,worning them out ,of material and morally against an inferior enemy.

In not knowing about the voluntary evacuation of Bazargic,Bulgarians start the next day in the morning ,4th of Sptember ,a convergent offensive against the city,with Varna Group from the South,and with the 6th Division from Vladimirovo and with the Cavalry Division from Curtbunar .At 4 p.m. they can "conquer" without fight the city,evacuated in the eve,as small units ,disembarked by boats ,occupy Balcic and Cavarna .The few Romanian clerks ,which did not had the time to retreat with the troops ,have been masacred by the most classic methods .At the post office ,one sentinel,forgotten there without retreat order,has stayed in place ,example of one's duty and died defending with the rifle the post.


Fight of Sarsinlar

Faced with the situation of Turtucaia,which became almost disperate,General Aslan gives order to General Basarabescu,at 5th of September ,12 o'clock,to take the "vigorous offensive" towards Turtucaia ,to unblock the bridgehead.In SIlistra ,had to be left only four battalions ,for the guard of the fortress;the whole rest of the Division had to take part into the offensive action.At the left flank,the Russian Corps had to take part at the offensive with the same direction.

The offensive action executed,from order,by General Basarabescu ,is made with insufficient forces .Out of the 16 battalions of the Division ,the General is leaving only with six.The others are spread :five have formed the Detachments Condeescu and Paulian,five are left in Silistra.Seven batteries of artillery acompany the infantry.Detachments Condeescu and Paulian -too strong for the actions of secondary importance given to them-are missing now from the principal action.The Commander of the Division wants to unite them with the bulk,but cannot find them anymore.Condeescu Detachment has collisioned with a thin curtain of Bulgarian cavalry,panic , and was finding in retreat towards Silistra,even in the evening of 5th of Sptember .Paulian Detachment have occupied Alfatar at 5th;the next day went towards West ,but not finding Condeescu Detachment,has imobilized in the day of 6th of September in front of the same Bulgarian cover.None of these detachment could.thus ,take part into the fight.

The organizing of the aid expedition is Commanded from the beginning to failure,because it is made with ignoring the most elementary rules of campaign service ,of the guard service and reconnoitre in marches.The troops of the expedition are stretching in a column,very long in which,between fighting units ,are intercalated rows of wagoons of ammunition and provisions ,carriages and luggage.Even the archive of the Division ,the treasury and the etuve join the long caravan.Counting ,imprudent,on the presence of the two detachments ,which they thought to be on their left flank,the Commander does note take measures of precaution.That is why,no flanking detachment covers the column from the South ,from where the enemy may yield,from one moment to another.It is lost pretious time ,until the elements of the column are gathered and are also lost few clocks during the night marghing.The next day in the morning,the avanguard-two battalions with two batteries -is attacked between Arabagilar and Sarsinlar ,by the enemy which occupied positions at Sarsinlar ,11 Miles from Turtucaia .It was the 3rd Brigade from the 1st Sofia Division -Colonel Zafirov-strenght of five battalions of infantry with three batteries of artillery.The infantry of the Romanian avanguard starts to attack with elan but,even from the first moment,it is foreseen a complete unconnection between weapons(arms).The Romanian soldiers are hit in the back by their own artillery which have not elongated her firing range.The avanguard is attacked frontal by a Bulgarian regiment,with Sarsinlar direction and forced to retreat in disorder to the bulk of the column ,at avanguard,the three battalions of the bulk find themselves attacked also in the left flank by other Bulgarian troops .Threatened to find herself pushed toward Danube River ,and with the retreat cut,the troops receives the order for general retreat In the beginning the retreat is made in good order,but only as it passes Arabagilar ,and the aparition of some Bulgarian cavalry detachments produces panic in the intermediary columns .The divizion of munitions and the divisionary ambulance starts to run back,producing crowding,deorganize and drag with them troops.The retreat is transformed in disband .The artillery almost has the time to harness and retreat ,loosing some few cannons .One battalion of hunters from the arierguard arrives on the fighting theatre ,unfolds West and South of Arabagilar ,attacks and stops the Bulgarians ,giving in this way time to Romanian units to retreat and aways thus the peril of complete desastre.

In this way it has been lost the fight after a short skirmish.The Commander ,which has given the proove of his complete incapacity to lead a fight ,makes no attempt to stop the shameful disband and/or retaking the fighting.With the conscience of fulfilling one's duty,he starts back towards Silistra.

10 Miles to the West ,Turtucaia Fortress ,was playing the last card .With all the grave situation ,the game could have been easily won by Romanians.In the Eastern sector of the bridgehead ,Nedelkov Brigade was in a very critical situation .Three times,General Draganov ,the Commander of Sofia Division,have received desperate appeals from General Kiselov ,which has Commanded the attack against Turtucaia ,to have send at least one regiment of the Bulgarian troops from Sarsinlar,because Nedelkov was keeping hard against the Romanian counterattack from that part.It is easy to imagine the effect would have had the apparition of the aid troops from Silistra,behind Nedelkov Brigade!But,for this it was needed other men....

Left drifting,to the will of faith,with the last of the glimpse of hope out,Turtucaia was giving her soul.And ,exactly in the hour when General Teodorescu ,the Commander of the Fortress was crossing the Danube on a vedette,leaving his Command Post,the Fortress and the Army,to put his own person in safety-on the driveway Turtucaia -Silistra ,the automobile of General Basarabescu was running with the fastest speed to put to shelter of the forts the Commander of the 9th Division.Behind him,the Army was coming back humiliated and in disorder on the road of defeat.


Battle of Bazargic*

After occupying Bazargic,the Bulgarians have placed themselves into defensive ,deepening the trenches of the old Turkish strongholds ,from the time of the Russian -Turk War 1877-1878,situated on the hills North of the city.For the defence of the city of Kantargiev it has only,for the time,four battalions with three batteries ,but close by,at Carapelit ,it is in reserve the Brigade of the 6th Varna DIvision,and at Curtbunar it is the Cavalry Division.From the South are closing in the Turks.

In the evening of 4th of September ,the Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army,misslead by the wrong informations communicated by the Commander of Turtucaia -"that the situation is getting better"-turns his eyes towards Bazargic and orders to General Zaioncikovski to reoccupy the city.The situation of the Romanain -Russian troops from th Eastern Dobrogea Group was not favorable.The concentration has not been made.The Russian Headquarter was at Medgidia ,Serbs-Croat Division was at Cocargea ,the 61st Russian Division was close to the old frontier .The Russian Cavalry Division was towards Cartbunar ,excentric of Bazargic.The three brigades of the 10th Romanian Division ,retreated at Bazargic were South of Caraomer .No strategical necessity did not reclame the possesion of Bazargic Because ,if in the Romanian plan of operations,Turtucaia and Silistra had to " resist with any price" to cover the Romanian -Russian concentration for the next offensive of Bazargic ,very isolated ,could have been abandoned ,in the case of a strong attack,as it already happened.

Still,in the wake of the received order ,the Russian General decides to take the offensive against Bazargic ,without to wait for the arriving and concentration of his troops.After his own request,General Arghirescu was tasked to execute the operation.He started in march,in the night of 4th-5th of September ,only with the 17th Brigade from the 19th Romanian Division,having the 5th Calarasi Brigade at left ,and on the right side a Regiment of Rissian Lancers .Apreciating the Bulgarian forces ,defending the city,at about two companies ,General Arghirescu was sure he will occupy Bazargic,without fight.The ease and unprecaution of the ally Commandments had this time ,as well,engaged troops in an inutile ,bloody and especially ,badly conducted battle.

The Battle of Bazargic was an event of great historical importance .For the first time ,the Bulgarians were in front of the Russians ,as enemies .Ingratitude it is not a too rare phenomenon in the history of people,but never it has manifested in a uglier way,as at Bazargic.At almost 40 years after Plevna ,where the Russian and Romanian blood had flow in streams for liberating Bulgarians from the Turks slavery ,reappear on the blood arena of history ,the same people.But what astonishing changes of roles !The Bulgarian ,liberated ,seats now at the side of its ex-executioner,the Turk,rising the killing weapon against his yesterday liberator!


Some uncertainty and fear mastered for some time the souls of the Commanders Bulgaro-German,pretaining the attitude the Bulgarian soldiers would have ,when they will find themselves with the rifle in hand in front of their liberators(the russians and romanians);many hopes where building the Russians on this attitude.The probe was made though quickly.The Bulgarian psychology was not well entered.The weapon rose with fury against those which with their own blood unslaved the Bulgar people,and the Bulgarian press has hedlined the gesture with equal savagery:"The Bulgarian has never been more proud than when he saw kneeled in front of him (!?) the orgolios and coward protector of yesterday,the murderer and enemy neighbour ,hereditary.",wrote the nationalist Bulgarian newspaper "Kambana".

After a night march,the 17th Romanian Brigade arrives in the dawns of the day of 5th of September ,in front of Bazargic strongholds.To the surprise of Romanian Commander,Bazargic is not occupied by only two enemy companies ,but by numerous troops ,well retrenched ,which receive the Romanians with lively fire .Romanians start to attack,under the protection of the two batteries acompanying the Brigade.At the Eastern Romanian wing ,the soldiers of 9th Hunters Regiment away the Bulgarians at bayonet and occupy Gelengic Train Station.,as at the center ,a battalion of 40th Regiment ,attacking towards Caralez ,have occupied the first ridge of heights at North of the city.But the resistance of Bulgarians ,covered in the entrenches and well sustained by artillery,is stuborn.The attackers begin to hesitate.

At the right wing ,the Russian Cavalry starts in to an impetous storm at assault against Bulgarians ,hidden in the trenches.The, not well thought , charge is smashed by the fires of the rifles and machimeguns of the enemy.The horses ,scared ,could not be hold by the horsemen.Part of them spread on the field ;few of them together with the Commander of the Regiment ,have jumped ,in their crazy gallop over the Bulgarian entrenches and reached the midst of the Bulgarian batteries ,where they have been made prisoners.

At North of Bazargic ,the fight with Romanians is violent around 10 o 'clock in the morning ;arriving at attacks and counterattacks at bayonet ,the Bulgarians have to put into the fight all their reserves ,even the service soldiers and from intendence as well.For the provissions services ,have been confiscated civilians inhabitants from the city .General Kantargiev,very tightened,asks for reinforcements from the 6th Division,neighbour;it is send a battalion and a battery.

The Commander of the 19th Romanian Division ,General Arghirescu,arriving at around 11 on to the field of battle ,notice that the enemy is much stronger than he had thought;thinking he is not permitted to engage a fight of fond ,has given the order for retreat to the North,until Caraomer.As the bulk of the Brigade begun the retreat ,appears at the West wing the 5th Romanian Mixt Brigade ,of the same Division,which prepares to enter the fight ,to help the mates,but receives as well the order for retreat .A little to the West,the 6th Mixt Brigade ,does the same.With this face,the 19th Division,which would have had a crushing superiority ove rthe enemy,is turned around ,after only one brigade begun the fight and forced to renaunce at a battle,where there was certain victory.At East of Bazargic ,the 9th Hunters Regiment tries a new attack over the city;without support to the right ,where the 40th Romanian Regiment has begun the retreat ,the attack did not succeed,and the hunters have to,at their turn,to fallow the general retreat.Although the retreat has to be made until Caraomer ,still ,by evening,the order has been revoked and the troops brought to a stand still on line Nebi Cuius-Cerchezchioi-Cioban Cuius.The 61st Russian Division has arrived at Musu Bei and general Zaioncikovsky counted that-with this important aid-to retake the offensive.


The day of 5th of September has brought to Romanians ,in this way,in front of Bazargic an unjustified defeat by nothing ,made possible only by the bad conduct of the Commandment.The troops of the 19th Division were demoralized and tired ;they had made marches and countermarches of 25-38 Miles.

As ,in front of Bazargic ,General Arghirescu was giving the inutile fight,so undeserved lost,General Zaioncikovski was receiving the well known telegram from Bucharest(se the preceeding chapter),Turtucaia was attacked by superior forces and in danger.An offensive to take off the burden,started by the III-rd Army ,in this direction was indispensable.The Garrison in Silistra has been ordered to start towards Turtucaia-it was the march which lead to the shame of Sarsinlar.Zaioncikovski received the order to occupy Bazargic with the strictly necessary of forces,and with the rest of the troops of the Eastern Group to go on forced march to Turtucaia.The Cazacs Division had to cover the left flank of Basarabescu's column ,in its way towards Turtucaia.

But Zaioncikovsky sees things diferently.Turtucaia is too far away;an action in that direction he considers inoportune.As Bazargic is close by,and in this direction seems to him that the victory is a sure thing,it will also rise the moral of the 19th Romanian Division,shaken by the adventures happened until now.So for the day of 6th of September the Russian General,which has at his disposal all the troops of the Eastern Group of the III-rd Romanian Army,does not want to carry on with the order of his superior,the Commander of the IIII-rd Romanian Army,and takes dispozitions for operations against Bazargic.One brigade from the 61st Russian Division and one from the Serb-Croat Division,will advance on the right side ,and two brigades from the 19th Romanian DIvision on the left of driveway Caraomer-Bazargic;the rest of the troops are kept as reserve at the disposal of the Russian General,which will personally conduct the fight.

On their part,Bulgarians have strenghtened themselves by the arriving of a regiment and two Bulgarian battalions and of a Turk regiment.In this way ,Kantargiev has at his disposal in this day of 12 battalions and three batteries ,under his direct order,and close by,of another six battalions and four batteries of the 6th Bulgarian Division,at which he can make appeal,in case of need.Again are set troops in march towards South.The two Romanian brigades -the 5th and the 6th Mixt-have to slow their peace to give time to the Russians and to the Serbs ,from the right side,to arrive on the same line.Only about five in the afternoon the Romanians and Russians arrive,tired by marching,in front of the Bulgarians lines and unfold in fighting formation ;at 7 in the evening ,in the sound of trumpets and with the flags unfolded begins the attack.The unwellthought retreat in the eve has given the Bulgarians the Village Gelengic ,for which recuperation ,the Romanian troops had to blead again.Ahead of he IV-th Battalion of the 51st Regiment ,falls killed the Officer of Staff Major Kiriacescu Paul,a treasure of the Officer Corps.With all the strong defence,the Bulgarians are taken out of their strenghtened positions and fom the village and rejected towards Bazargic.Gelengic is for the second time occupied by Romanians.All of a sudden the fatality wich follows the 19th Romanian Division appears again.In full victorious fight the troops receive again the order of retreat !At 4 in the afternoon has fallen Turtucaia and,as a result,the Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army has send to General Zaioncikovski ,by telegraph,the order of braking the fight of Bazargic and retreat,on the strenghtened line South of the railway Medgidia-Constanta.General Zaioncikovski,which untill now has showed himself so rebell to the orders from the III-rd Army,this time,without aknowledging the situation he was in to,with a victorious fight begun which,at least as moral effect ,could have couterbalanced the effect of the fall of Turtucaia,gives imediately to the troops the order to retreat.Astouned ,at first,concerned and then demoralized ,the soldiers begin again the march of retreat,which becomes more and more disorganized.During the night ,the Bulgarians have attacked with the whole 8th Regiment ,Gelengic Village ,in which has remained only a small Romanian detachment and reoccupy it.In fight ,falls killed the Commander of the Bulgarian Regiment ,Colonel Minkov.

.

A new and very important turning of things appears now in the unfolding of events.Deeply impressed by the fall of Turtucaia ,the Big Romanian Hedquarter ,dose not count,however ,the game lost enntirely,at the Southern frontier of Turtucia .With all the loss,of almost two divisions ,the Romanian and Russians have numerical superiority over the enemy.All troops on the right shore of Danube River and namely:four Infantry Divisions (9th and 19th Romanians ,61st Russian and Serb Division) and one and a half Cavalry Division(the 3rd Russian Division and the 5th Calarasi Brigade,Romanian) are constituted in a single corps ,which is taken from under the Command of General Aslanand and set under the Command of General Zaioncikovski,with the mission of"Attaack the enemy as soon as possible towards Turtucaia,covering towards Bazargic by a detachment destined to delay the enemy,if this one would seek to gain terrain towards North".Zaioncikovski countermandates imediately the order of retreat of the troops in front of Bazargic .But his order does not arrive in time to the Commander of the 19th Romanian Division.such that the retreat of the Romanian troops begun at 11 in the evening ,is continued the whole night and the next day in to the morning,when the entire Romanian Division ,tired and completely disorganized ,has reached Caraomer.A military mission send with a special train by the Big Hedquarter at Medgidia ,communicates in the night of 6-7 of October to General Zaioncikovski the dispozitions of the Big Headquarter .She had to notice that ,the situation on the terrain was different than the one supposed at the Big Romanian Headquarter.The Russian Corps was not in a central position between Silistra and Bazargic .Tempted by the perspective of an easy victory he sliped to South -East and was now 11 Miles from Bazargic,very far from Silistra and in fighting contact with the enemy.Following this situation ,it was decided firstly to continue ,with all strenghts of the Eastern Corps ,the fight already begun,to occupy Bazargic and then to turn back with the bulk of these forces towards Silistara-Turtucaia.

So , the day of 7th of September has to bring a victory at Bazargic ,which had to repair the moral effect of Turtucaia .The superiority of the Romanian -Russian effectives over those of the enemy made to be considered victory a certainty.With the foresight of it,General Zaioncikovski gave this single order :"Today being the first day ,since 1877 (Russian-Turk War),when the Russian -Romanian and Serbs troops fight together ,in order to not atribute the victory to only one of them,I have decided to attack with equal forces taken from each"

And,truly,Zaioncikovski sends a Russian Brigade ,to attack at the center ,towards Bazargic ;at the right of her,a Serb Brigade will attack towards Osman-Fachi;at the left ,a Romanian Brigade from 19 th Division has to attack towards Gelengic.With this,the Russian Commander acomplishes the strange conception of the attack with three brigades of the three ally armies ,wich will separate between them in a friendly way the flowers of victory!In reserve ,the Russian Commander has a Russian Brigade and a Serb one.With all the curiosity of the manner of action of General Zaioncikovski,the Russian -Romanian attack has perspecives of success.Because the Bulgarians are completely disoriented and proceed without an unitary plan.General Kantargiev place himself into defenssive ,retreating his troops tired ,by two days of fights, in to the entrenches in front of Bazargic .At his left ,Popov,the Commander of Vidin Brigade ,starts to offensive towards Arabagi.A little to the left ,Kolev ,the Commander of the Cavalry Division from Curtbunar prepares to leave to Beibunar ,in Silistra direction.But things went differently.The fight engages very lively at the West wing of the fighting front.


Bulgarians advance towards North ,thinking they have to face forcess less important,but they collision with the Serb Brigade ,which attacks them with violence.The casualties of Bulgarians are very big.The 36th Kozlodui Regiment losses more than half of its effectives ;the remains retreat few Miles ,behind the line Arabagi-Osman-Fachi.Vraca Regiment has also very grave csualties.At the center ,Kantargiev is in fight with the Russians ;the Russians attacks are not so violent ,though,and the Bulgarian General can send to his comrad on the left aids of infantry and especially of artillery,to dam the advance of Serbs,This especially that at the Eastern wing is quiet;the 19th Romanian Division is at Caraomer,at 19 miles distance ,and the Brigade destined to take part into the action is not acquainted with attributed role,but only in the afternoon of the day!

As the left Bulgarian wing is threatened by a desaster ,it is produced an important event towards West .Announced by this grave situation the Bulgarian Cavalry Division ,which was preparing to leave towards Beibunar ,changes direction ,turns towards East ,and strenghtened with two battalions of infantry and with many machineguns starts in the aid of Vidin Brigade.At 4 in the afternoon ,the Bulgarian cavalry falls in the back of the Serbs,caught in fight with the Bulgarians.The intervention of this mass of cavalry is decissive.The situation of the Serbs is critical.They don't receive aid from nowhere.The Russian Cavalry Division ,which had contact with the Bulgarian cavalry ,could not observe the move of this one and stands on still.The Russian center is too occupied with its own situation ,and the two brigades Ruso-Serb from reserve did not move .Serbs resist with manhood until Zaioncikovski,reminding himself that ,in the eve ,he has received from the Big Romanian Headquarter the order to leave with the army in direction Silistra-Turtucaia,gives the order of breaking of the fight and of general retreat to Caraomer!Bulgarians ,happy that they escaped cheap,dose not pursue.The Battle of Bazargic was now defenitely lost for the allies.Not because they would have been beaten by Bulgarians ,to which they kept permanentlly superiority,but because of the sufficency of Commandemnt .Zaioncikovski did not now to use this superiority and,hesitating from one day to another has tired the Romanian troops in marches and countermarches ,exhausting,he has always presented himself in the face of the enemy with not enaugh forces and have never continued the fight until the decissive,which would have to come undoubtfully.The Battle of Bazargic is a model of indecissiveness,of inconsecvence and incoherence .The Russian -Romanian colaboration has presented from the beginning under less encouraging perspectives.The weakness of the Russian Commander at Bazargic had two results .First,has used important forces which were placed under his Command ,in another direction than the one which was most utile and which was indicated leaving,by this attitude of him,to be acomplished the reparable dezaster of Turtucaia-Silistra.Second,he did not know to obtain moral success even at Bazargic,for which he had in hand all the necessary elements.


A hisoric fortress

The fall of Turtucaia made available enemy troops which had occupied against her.They have been very quickly send to Silistra Fortress.The situation of this fortress has become desperate.

Silistra has been organized as a bridgehead ,as well.Happier than Turtucaia ,she was connected with Calarasi by a bridge of pontoons,throwed over the Danube .The topographical situation of the city ,surrounded by heights ,was more favorable for organizing defence than it was Turtucaia.

Silistra has been,because of the way it was placed ,from very old times ,one of the most famous bastions of defence in the numerous wars which have bleed the ground of Dobrogea.The enemy which was coming from the North crossing over the Balkan Peninsula ,as the enemy coming from the South,advancing on this classic road of invasions ,had to stumble on to the walls of the fortress ,which guarded the enter in to the narrow corridor between Danube River and Black Sea.In "Durostorum" has seated the Roman Emperor Traian the Legion XI-th Claudia ,brought from Superior Germania for the guard of Inferior Moesia,against the babarians incursions from the North .The military center of a flourishing region and fully Romanized.Durstorul resists like a rock in the middle of the barbarian waves ,until the weakening of the Roman power make him to suffer the faith of other fortresses.Goths,Alans,Huns have been its plundering masters .With Justitian[16],passes again under the mastering of the Romans,to be then drowned ,unfelt,in the Slav current .A new conqueror appears;it is the most "cruel and menacing hood" of the Bizantin chronicles:the savage Bulgars(Bulgarians) .They place themselves in Moesia Inferior and thrust in to Dirstaor.Here,their Zar Simeon,seats locked,as other plundering barbarians ,of the same hood with them,Hungurs(Hungarians) send by the Emperor in Bizant,plunder and steal the country.

Twenty years before the Pecenegs,allied with the Romanian inhabitants of Dirstor ,under the leadership of Tatul,siege the city.Dirstor has seen the attack of the Russians of Sveatoslav[17] over the Bulgarians then,the big and celebre siege of the Bizantins ,Commanded personally by Basileu Tzimiskes,which retakes Dirstor from the hands of the Russians.At the year 973,Dirstor has become Bizantin metropola.

But the turmoiled times begin again.Dirstor changed one master after the other ;again Bulgarians ,then Pecenegi,Cumans-the ancestors of today Gagauzs,Romanian-Bulgarian.By XIV-century we find it mastered by Dobrotici[18] then it is part of the crown countries of Mircea cel Mare(Mircea the Old).With Baiazid[19] we arrive at Turkish Silistra.Five centuries the semy-moon will master the Lower Danube River Valley from the height of Turk swords .Silistra is well connected to our history.Wallachians,Moldavians ,Polish,Russians, have found themselves under the walls or inside the walls of the strong fortress,and in the numerous wars Russian-Turk,the siege of Silistra Fortress makes an inevitable episode.There are famous,the Siege of 1828-1829 of General Diebici,super-named "Zabalkanski" and the one of 1854 of Princip Paskevici[20].The Berlin Congress of 1878 made the unjustice of giving us Dobroge without the key of its gate,Silistra.Our armed intervention in 1913 has put us again in the legitime possesion of Silistra,the old Dirstor of Mircea,Dutostorum the base of the Romanian hood,Emperor Traian.

Our great war for wholing the nation has not brought a new flower in the crown of historic celebrity of Silistra.A war council,kept at Silistra in the night of 7th -8th of September ,has thought that,in the wake of the events that took place,the defence of Silistra has become inutile,and dangerous.The resistance against the enemy had to be organized with more chances of breakthrough,to the North,with the aid troops send from the Kingdom.So,Silistra has been evacuated by the authorities and by the Romanian population ,in the day of 8th of September .The bridge over the Danube has been rise the same day and the 9th Romanian Division has been retreated at Cuzgun.After two days the Bulgarian-German entered the abandoned Silistra.



The Pursiut

On the track of Romanian-Russian troops ,Germano-Bulgaro-Turk forces ,master now on all strenghtened positions of New Dobrogea,are concentrating by reestablishing the connection between the groups that fought separately and by shortening of the front between Danube River and Black Sea.In the region of Silistra the front is only of about 63 Miles ,as at Turtucaia it was of over 78 Miles .Mackensen is in a hurry .He realizes that Romanians have noticed their dangerous situation taht,day and night the military trains pass continuously over the big bridge of Cernavoda ,throwing into Dobrogea big masses of troops .Soon they will unite into a strong army.That is why,the German Generalisim wants to go ahead, because profitting by his actual superiority,to crush the enemy army before she can strenghten and enter into the heart of Dobrogea.He has to put his hands on to the vital artery of Dobrogea :the line Cernavoda-Constanta,with the first bridge and the last harbour.(the Cernavoda Bridge and Constanta Harbour)

.....

Cernavoda Bridge over Danube River(before flowing in to the Black Sea) with 6th Romanian Hunters Battalion after Ruso-Turk War(1905)[photos by Al.Antoniu and Lt.Eliad]

4.The Battle on the Old Dobrogea Frontier

The fight in Oltina defile

If Mackensen was in a hurry to give the decissive strike to the adverse armies ,Romanians and Russians on the contrary had all the interest to gain time ,to operate the concentration of the forces retreated from the South and of those brought from the Kingdom,on the principal line of resistance.This had to turn the equilibrium of forces and give the Romanian -Russians the superiority that now the Bulgarians had.The advance of the enemy had ,thus to be delayed.That is why the available forces of the armies in Dobrogea has been brought on to a line which corresponded apoximatively with the old Dibrogean frontier.At the two wings were the Romanians and namely:at the Western wing ,supported by the Danube River ,in the region of Lake Oltina,the troops of the 9th Romanian Division,retreated from Silistra ,were occupying the heights of Caraomar -Parachioi-Dobromir.They were,in this way,barriering the drive way which,coming from Silistra ,rove through a long forested defile ,to aim towards Cusgun and Adamclisi.At the Eastern wing ,the 19th Romanian Division,retreated from Bazargic ,was occupying the strenghtened position of Caraomer.The two divisions have changed their Commanders .The Commander of the 9th Division,General Basarabescu,has been replaced by General N.Petala,and the Commander of the 19th Division ,General Arghirescu has been moved on to the Transilvanian Front;in his stead was now Colonel C.Scarisoreanu.the center was occupied by Russians ;from East to West were:first,the Cavalry Division,then the 61st Russian Division and after her,the Serb Division in contact with 9th Romanian Division.

The Ruso-Romanian Front was bend towards South ,the Russian Division having the most advanced position.The Commander of the entire army in Dobrogea was given to Russian General Zaioncikovski.Two brigades of the 5th Romanian Division ,taken from the Carpathian Front ,disembarked in Dobrogea and were send in forced marchings to strenghten the front line.

The enemy forces ,which fought isolated in Turtucaia and Bazargic,have reconstituted on an unique line ,bulking also the new troops arrived from interior.At the left,Mackensen have constituted with German troops ,newly arrived ,Bode Group,of the strength of a brigade*,which he pushed with power ahead ,along Danube River ,towards Cernavoda.in close contact with him was the 1st Sofia Division,in front of the 9th Romanian Division;at the right of it ,the 4th Preslav Division,which have made a long march and delaying ,was a little behind.Followed then the 6th Vidin Division(a brigade),dobricean Brigade ,entered with the first Turk regiments arrived,finally,the Cavalry Bulgarian Division,which had occupied the right enemy flank ,in front of the 19th Romanian Division.The interval to Black Sea was occupied ,at both adversaries ,only by small detachments.

Bode Brigade was made out of 45th German Regiment of reserve,a battalion of the 25th German Regiment ,an Ulan Regiment ,two heavy batteries and a long range Austrian battery.

The arched dispozitive of the fighting front was very avantageous for the enemy:it caught the adversaries between the two arms of a right angle ,being thus able to attack by the flank at our right wing (Western).Against this wing ,along Danube ,decided Mackensen to apply the principal strike.

Mackensen plan was dearing.He makes the principal attack with German-Bulgar troops over the right Romanian wing ,with the intention to detach her of Danube River ,pushing her towards East ,to throw her behind the Russians and of the left Romanian wing ,detained on to a stand still by the Bulgarian attacks .With this face ,the entire Romanian-Russian army would have been turned and rejected with the back towards the Black Sea ,between the marshes of the sea shore ,cut by the base and condemned to a rapid and complete extermination.But the things did not went according to the wish of the old Marshal.In the day of 13th of September ,on the whole length of the front ,the enemy was stopped in its advance by cannon shots and forced to assume positions at few Miles in front of the Romanian-Russian lines.The principal action unfolded at the Western wing.The German Bode Brigade has attacked with outstanding violence the troops of the 9th Romanian Division.In the long and twisted defile,tightened between Oltina Lake on the left and the forested heights on the right ,between Lipnita and Ghiuvegea ,the Germans have tried during the night, an attack(12th-13th of September),against the Romanian troops ,with Ulans troops ,unmounted ,but have been rejected back,with very heavy losses ;during the fight has fallen a German Prince :Friedrich Wilhelm de Hessa,nephew of sister of Emperor Wilhelm.

The next day,13th of September ,the enemy came back to the attack.This time the fight is given by the troops of the 1st Bulgarian Division and by Bode Brigade ,with infantry, artillery and cavalry.After a ferocious fight ,which lasted until midday,the enemy is rejected with bloody losses.unfortunatelly our Commander do not realise the success and do not seek to exploit it,attacking the beaten enemy.This one remakes himself,receives strong reinforcements ,brings heavy artillery and attacks the whole front of the 9th Division from Caraorman-Ghiuvegea,as well as the right wing of the Serb troops ,which assumed position at the left of the 9th Romanian Division.The enemy bombardment is strong ;it brings panic into the Romanian troops of infantry,unused with the fight and manages to reject them,with all the beautiful defence of the 3rd Artillery Regiment.A brigade of the 5th Romanian Division,arrived just then from the Carpathians Front,being tired,attacks weak and cannot change the situation.This esay success was counted by the enemy as enaugh to evolve the next day 14th of September ,the decissive attack,which supposed to push the Romanian-Russian Army from West towards East ,to throw her into the sea.


The day of 14th of September

The plan of the dicissive battle from this day was made by Mackensen and Tosev as follows:at the two wings ,the enemy units will give against Romanians, veiling attacks ,to fall in to their flanks and back,and in this time the units in the center will atack forward.

At his turn,Zaioncikovski wants to go to offensive.With the 9th Romanian Division ,which yesterday did not fight badly,he wants to keep the enemy at his right .At the left ,to attack with the 19th Romanian Division and with a brigade of the 1st Division ,towards Bazargic.The principal attack he will give with the center -Russian Corps-with the direction towards Danube River .At the Eastern wing ,the Bulgarian Cavalry Division,strenghtened with two infantry battalions ,with seven unmounted escadrons with machineguns and with two companies of cyclists ,advancing from Ciufut Cuius ,has attacked the Romanian positions from the South of Caraomer,occupied by troops from 19th Division.Received with heavy artillery fires,the cavalry detachments,which were advancing in manoeuvre formation are dispersed and they have to search their escape ,hiding in to gulleys.A second attack given by infantry with cavalry ,unmounted ,in the Western sector of the Division has the same faith.Followed by the fires of Romanian artillery the Bulgarian cavalry troops have to retreat;counterattacked by Romanians the infantry troops retreat as well,by evening.The entire Bulgarian right wing is forced to retreat with heavy losses ,at Cernaoc and Rogojina ,more than 7 Miles South of Caraomer.

The principal action was given at the center.A ferocious fight took place betwee Russians and Bulgarians at Aptaat,where a large valley separated the two adversaries .Going ahead of the Bulgarians ,the Russians attack with violence ,sustained on the right side by the Serbs ;they reject the Bulgarian troops of Divisions Sofia and Preslav ,between Dobromir and Aptaat,and separate the two divisions.Pushing with strenght towards Granovo through the breach in the front line,they managed tu turn the internal flanks of the Bulgarian divisions.The Bulgarian Commander has put into the fight all his reserves managing to,with the price of big losses , stop the advance of the Russians and to occupy by evening Apaat.the Russians have retreated at Saragea.To ease the situation of Preslav Division,the troops of the Brigades of Vidin and Dobrici,strenghtened with Turk troops ,disposed at the right of the Bulgarian center ,have received the order to attack strong ahead of them.At Musu Bei,the Rusian Cavalry Division,which has fought unmounted,together with the Romanian troop of the 19th Romanian Division,have resisted with energy to greatly superior forces ,producing heavy losses to the enemy;between the Bulgarian wounded was also the Commander,General Kantargiev.


Against the Vidin Brigade ,has been send the 36th Romanian Brigade ,made out of the 51st Galati Regiment and 52nd Birlad,under the Command of Colonel Georgescu Christodulu.The brigade ,only arrived on the theatre of fight,after three days of marchings ,in which,in the eve has made 34 Miles in a day and a night ,it is engaged in a violent fight on the hills with grape growings near Carali Village.Biladenii(men from Birlad) fight with manhood and succeed in occupying the village ,rejecting the Bulgarians ,but the strong enemy artillery catches Romanian troops ,placed on uncovered hills,in a crushing barrier fire and produces them heavy losses ,destroing all of their machineguns and a part of the cannons.The Romanian counterattacks ,made with energy and heavy losses ,have brought to a stand still the enemy,the whole day.The blood sacrifice of the 36th Romanian Brigade could not be made of use by the Russians at the right ,which did not manage to conquer Aptaat and to develope their initial success.In the wake of the retreat of the Russians ,the brigade had,at her turn ,to start ,with the fall of the evening ,the retreat towards Cobadin.The Bulgarian Brigade of Vidin had two officers and 168 soldiers dead ,5 officers and 368 soldiers wounded*.

At the Western wing ,the veiling attack which had to be executed by Bode Brigade and Sofia Division,has failed.The right wing of Sofia Division,made out of Lovcea Regiment ,has been smashed by the Serbs attack at Dobromir ;with great difficulty ,the Bulgarians could remake the threatening situation.This occurence,though,did not permit to the enemy to trial and advance with the left wing German-Bulgarian.He edged himself only to a bombardment very violent with heavy artillery,directed by aeroplanes ,which throwed panic within the Romanian troops of the 9th Division,as well of those of Regiments 8th and 9th of the 5th Romanian Division,arrived in the eve and placed in the elongation of the left wing of the 9th Romanian Division,on the line Caranlic-Parachioi-Calaici.Because of this disorganizing ,produced by this panic and unsuccessfulness of the attack given by the center, Russian-Serb,the troops of the 9th Division begun the retreat on successive positions through Cuzgun,Cogeacoru towards Adamclisi,mixed with the convoys of refugees of the villages in the South of Dobrogea ,which have left their homes.Troops of the 9th Division have tried to stop and resist on to the forested heights of Cogeacoru.But the heavy enemy artillery has bombarded the forest with violence ,tearing the old trees or ripping them off their roots ,an the Romanian troop,unused wth the fire of fight and unawoken by the panic ,has left the positions here.The retreat has not been obstacled by the enemy.

The following day ,in the morning ,Germano-Bulgarians have been forced to notice that there was nobody in front of them.The Romanian -Russian troops were executing a retreat in good order towards line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla.


A "decissive" victory which is not decissive

Mackensen thought that he has to celebrate.The general Russian-Romanian retreat gave him the impression of a great and decissive victory.The German official comminicate was annauncing:"A decissive victory have crowned the operations lead with ability and energy in Dobrogea.The German troops ,Bulgarian and Turkish are pursuing the Romanian forces and Russian ones,beaten"(16th of September).The whole rigor program of great German victories has been set in to execution:telegram of well done from the Kaizer towards the victorious Marshal and towards the Empress ,guardian of public edifices in Berlin etc.The deception came quickly.There was no victory,especially a decissive one .The flags are descended,and the text of telegrams is not reproduced anymore by any of the war publications.The German public,which was expecting a new "Sedan",to bring an end to the war ,begins to read desillusioned at the official press."When we talk about decissive victory-writes one of the most important German newspaper-we understand a victory which would stop the enemy to follow the operations planned, and which have modified ,in a decissive mode,the situation on some of the war theatres"*.

The German military critic Fr.Endres writes:"(...)The attack intended by Mackensen on the left wing was given,from motives which cannot be yet established,lacking the needed energy,such that the battle,conceived as decissive battle ,has not been a complete decission.The enemy managed to sneak out from extermination and to retreat on general line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla,where he,which was of most importance for his defence,could support his left flank on Black Sea.This position can only be attacked frontal."A lively polemic begun between the German Commanders and Bulgarians ,the first accuzing the last,and the last that they have compromised the success by the delay with which they advanced and attacked ,and the last ones ridiculizing the combative importance of the German detachments ,presented by these ones in an exagerated light.

In fact the battle on Oltina-Caraomer was only an episode ,intermediary in the big duel begun between the two adverse armies.The goal pursued by the Commanders of the Russian-Romanian Army,postponing the big battle which had to be given for the possesion of Southern Dobrogea and of her principal artery of communications ,was acomplished.It will be given in the next few days in the positions and conditions which the Russian -Romanian Commandment will choose as best.

"Kolnische Volkszeitrung",19th of September 1916,qouted in Andre Hallys,L'opinion allemande pedant la guerre("Revue de deux Mondes",1918)

5.First Crisis.Changing the Plan of Operations

Days of emotion and thinking

The missfortunate events which took place in Southern Dobrogea have surprised and emotionated -as it is easy to understand-the leading circles of the army.The first reaction against the threatening situation which drew in this part ,was a considerable moving of troops ,to face the danger.During the first emotion in the wake of Turtucaia desaster ,some believed that the enemy would try a crossing of Danube River and a straight attack over Bucharest.The enemy has bombarded,in truth,the left shore of Danube and especially Oltenita,arsoning the deposits on the shore and the petrol reservoirs.The local population has been taken by panic and started to retreat towards Bucharest,filling the trains ,together with the wounded evacuated from Turtucaia,with the run aways and with those escaped from catastrophe,spreading all kinds of alarming news.

In truth,the temptation was great for the enemy which obtained the victory so easy.Bucharest was at 38 Miles away from the place of desaster ,which swallowed two Romanian divisions.Soon ,though,the leaders of our armies have regained their cold blood,when they could notice that,faced with the forces that the enemy had and of their dispozitive ,a trial like this would have been madness.Still,three Romanian divisions were send South of Bucharest,to be ready for any eventuality.The unfolding of the events shows soon that Mackensen was not the man for risky enterprises ,and mad.He has opposed categorically ,before our entering in the War to the plan of Conrad von Hotzendorf,which forseen the crossing of Danube and of fast attack over Bucharest.The real danger for us was the methodical and energic invasion of Dobrogea and with this,the threat of the entire flank of Romanian dispozitive.

Quick decission has to be made.


The ally help and our help

Faced with the bad turn of the events,it was obvious that the initial campaign plan could not be maintained entirely.Thr repartition of units on sectors had to be modified ,to strenghten the Southern Front ,threatened.At 7th of September ,the Great Romanian Headquarter suspends the offensive action of the three armies which operated on the Transilvanian frontier.General Alekseev was asked by telegrapf to strenghten the Russian troops in Dobrogea with two divisions more.General Joffre was asked to give the go to the beginning of the offensive of General Sarail,conform with the convention.A council of generals is met at the General Headquarter at Peris;took part also two old Generals ,without Commandment,General Iarca and General Crainiceanu.General Averescu opinions to stop the offensive at North and to be grouped a strong army for the offensive in Dobrogea.General Iarca proposes to be retreated two divisions from Oltenia ,to be formed reserves for the troops fighting at North,to be sent in to Dobrogea four divisions ,of those concentrated at South of Bucharest;the principal and urgent thing is that to to obtain in Dobrogea a fast and decissive victory .

The painful sacrifice of reducing the offensive army in Transilvania ,to strenghten the devensive front in Dobrogea ,is fulfiled .South of Bucharest is constituted under a new form ,the III-rd Army of Divisions 16th,18th,12th(taken from the I-st Romanian Army),half of the 10th Division,half of the 15th Division,Bucharest Detachment (Colonel Sturza and Alexandria Detachment.It is taken the Command of General Aslan and it is handed the Command of the III-rd Romanian Army to General Averescu;instead of General Averescu is named at the Command of the II-nd Romanian Army General Crainiceanu.The Command of the Russian-Romanian troops of Dobrogea is handed to General Zaioncikovski;all troops in Dobrogea receive the order to retreat,concentrating on the line Cuzgun-Caraomer which corresponded aproximatively with the old Dobrogean frontier.For strenghtening of the army in Dobrogea ,it is send the 2nd Division from Oltenia and the 5th Division from Brasov.Because Alekseev communicated that he cannot send anything to Dobrogea ,the decissive front being the one in Galitia ,it is decided to be sent to Dobrogea also the 12th Division from South of Bucharest,as well as the 15th Division which,in reality ,was a Brigade.It is renaunced at the ideea of sending the 16th Division and of a Brigade from the 1st Division of Cavalry,because it would have left Bucharest not enaugh defended from the South.The 8th Division which was intended to be brought to Bucharest,was engaged towards Miercurea Ciuc and could not be moved anymore.The transport of the troops in Dobrogea is done in order and fast.The spirits start to calm down.The Great Headquarter decides at 11th of September ,to begin in part,the offensive in Transilvania ,pushing forward the front of the II-nd Army,such that to connect the Olt Group with the Northern Romanian Army on a shorter line.Still,grave preocupation are linked with the Dobrogea matter.The eventuality of losing Dobrogea and the plan of evacuation of Oltenia begin to enter in the calculus of the High Romanian Commandment.Keeping the communication line with Rusia ,by strenghtening of the Northern Army is the principal concern.


In the French Council of Defence of 1th of September ,Mr.Briand reminded that ,by the protocol Briand-Loyd George of 11th of August 1916-which forseen the rising of the Russian aid in Dobrogea from 50 000 to 200 0000 men-,it is the moment to ask Russia for suplementary forces .General Jofrre replied that it seems difficult to ask Russia for this,when France needed troops on the French Front.Besides,the principal objective of the Romanian-Russian forces,consigned in their military convention ,remained Austro-Hungary;it could have not been prepared an offensive against Bulgaria before finishing with Austria.

Few days after this intervines the defeat of Turtucaia.At the telegram of the high Romanian Commandment ,General Joffre respounds at 11th of September .The French Generalisim admits the movement of the center of the action of our War over the Danube and the threat menacing in Dobrogea.First ,he thinks that "it must be strenghtened the troops in Dobrogea to obtain there a incontestable numeric superiority".General Joffre shows also that he has given the order to General Sarrail to take offensive on Macedonian Front ,to fix there Bulgarian forces on Grece territory and announces that will also ask General Alekseev to examine the possibility of sending new troops in Dobrogea.The French Generalisim admits that strenghtening the troops in Dobrogea will have as effect burden of the offensive in Transilvania ,but is of opinion that later ,when the situation would have reestablished in Dobrogea ,the initial plan-offensive in Transilvania-would have to be retaken with all strenght.

Towards General Janin,the military attache near Stavka[21],General Joffre ,exprims with more sincerity his opinion.Without taking into account of the Russian inaction on Moldavian Carpathians Front ,General Joffre thinks that the Romanian manoeuvre against the Austro-Hungarian has fallen because the advance of Romanians was not executed neither in time ,nor with the necessary energy.It has ,then,to be suspended this offensive ,with the solid instalation on most favorable positions of an economically offensive ,to assure the gained territory,and the Romanian forces which become available will have to be transported at the South where,together with the Russians ,to attack the Bulgarians in combination with the Orient Army.Because General Alekseev shows Romania an hostility which he doesen't even try to conceal,General Janin,has to make use of all his ascendent to determine the Russian Generalisim to have a more conciliant attitute towards his ally.To enable the Russians sending the necessary aid in Dobrogea,General Joffre declares through General Janian that he renaunces of the four brigades taht has to be send to France *,asking in exchange that they are send without delay in to Dobrogea.

In the same time ,the British attache ,Mr. Thompson communicates to the Great Romanian Headquarter the views of General Robertson,the Chief of the Great Staff of British Army.The decission on the Oriental Front cannot be obtained neither at Lamberg,nor at Przemysl,but at Budapest.That is why ,Russians have to send big forces into Dobrogea ,which-together with Romanians-beat the Bulgarians ;then to retake vigorous offensive to the North(Transilvania).

The measures of aid ,indicated by the French and by the British,have been realised in a very small measure.The Army of General Sarrail did not have the necessary strenght to enterprise an action in great style.She begun an offensive in an excentric point of the front ,whch have culminated finally with conquering of Monastirului[22]; then it has ceased entirely,without constituting for a moment a serious threat,as to necesitate the retreat of Bulgarian troops from the Dobrogean Front.As about the Russian aid,General Alekseev edged to send a new Division-the 115th Division-which has arrived when the big battle of Dobrogea was near the end.In exchange ,the Zar has telegraphied ,in His turn,to General Joffre,asking him to prescribe to General Sarail a more energic action.All these showed that the only salvation could only come from our own strenghts.

Russia has obliged to send to France 6 brigades of infantry.One of them has already arrived and has been pass to reviste at Mouilly by General Joffre.At 20th of August 1916,at point of embarkation at Marseille,to be send on Salonic Front ,the soldiers of one regiment mutiny and murder their Colonel.

General Averescu's criticism

The unsuccess of the battle on the old Dobrogean frontier brings again unrests.Some Romanian units ,unused with the fire ,have resisted weak and been overwhelmed by panic.

A new War Council is held on 15th of September .Takes part the King,Prime Minister Bratianu and Generals ,Iliescu,Culcer,Averescu and Prezan.General Averescu has sustained the ideas which he has written few days before in a report and a memoir,addressed to the King;they contain a harsh criticism of organizing of the army and of the plan of operations.After Averescu,the plan of operations which foresaw the offensive on two fronts ,is unrealisable and dangerous .It has to be given up to this plan and adopt defensive on one front and offensive on the other.As defensive front is imposing the one at the North,because it has limited vulnerable points ,the nature of the terrain makes possible the resistance with less forces ,defending the terrain step by step,and the adversary dose not dispose ,for the time being,of forces ,his concentration of forces could easily be threatened from flank by the Russian offensive.The offensive has to be taken from South,because on this front the enemy finds himself in strenght and threatening ;the terrain is favorable ,and the Capital of the Kingdoom is very close to the frontier .A victory on this front would have favorable repercussions over the operations enterprised on the allied front of Salonic.

Stretching his criticism over the matters of organization ,Averescu notices that a vigorous action is obstacled by the mixture of the units grouping-almost no division has not maintained the old fromation-of introducing of battalions of gathering-even of police with old weapons-of modifying of the battle order ,such that rare are the units which kept their Commanders that prepared them in the first place and have with the troop soul connections.Because of the strange and unstopped multiplying of the units,the assigning has weakened ,introducing at the bossom of the troop corps ,real elements of weakness.There are very weak units ,with updated weapons,without training ,real elements of panic,The experience of wars shows that the value of a troop is not measured by her strong elements ,but by the weak ones.


Pretaining the startegic conduct,it has been made the error that it has been mixed covering of mobilization with strategic unfolding,pushing the gathering of the troops beyond the border as,already,the covering troops were numerous enaugh.Because of this we have found ourselves with the Army stretched in a continuous cordon ,from Bucovina frontier to the Black sea ,without other disponibilities in depth ,but only the two divisions of "general reserve",the 10th and the 16th,the latter one being a very weak unit.

General Averescu propeses as a solution;a rectifying of the strategical dispozitive of the forces ,keeping on the Carpathians Front of only the strict necessary of troops for defence;to destine all availability into mobile troops to take an offensive in depth against Bulgaria.Apart from this he proposes a series of measures for organization ,especially taking out the formantions of gathering from the operational armies,to be taken into instruction camps,concentration of the units and commandments a.s.o.

General Prezan maintains of,on the contrary, the pursuing with energy of the initial plan,by increasing the forces of the IV-th Army(Northern),to threaten with veiling of the enemy front and oblige him to retreat behind the line of Mures .This solution not only broadened the neutral zone and of the operations and sided the danger of a strangling from Ardeal,on one side and from Dobrogea on the other side,but ensured in Moldavia an utile solid base of operations and a shelter towards Russian Army ,in case of defeat.


Reviewing the operation plan

The admitted solution was an intermediary one.It has been admitted the proposal of General Averescu to try a strong offensive on the Southern Front .To mask this principal operation ,it has been decided to continue also the offensive in Transilvania with our shortened forces.So,offensive on two fronts!The Romanian Army would had to operate on interior lines ,in two divergent directions ,with the forces stretched on an imense front.Daring decission,when in Dobrogea the phallanx of Mackensen was strenghtening more and more by new and strong units ,when in Transilvania heve started to appear the avanguards of German forces which were constituting under the Command of General Falkenhayn ,and our own army was missed of a strong reserve and,so,forced to lend forces from one front to the other ,in case of need.

For the new offensive it has been established a new group,under the name of "the Group of Southern armies".The Command of the group has been given to General Averescu.The group comprised of two formations :the Army from Dobrogea,made out of Romanian and Russian divisions,under the Command of Russian General Zaioncikovski.At the Danube ,South of Bucharest ,the III-rd Army has constituted ,under the direct Command of General Averescu,as a Danube Army,made out of six Romanian divisions ,with the aim of a daring offensive.In the distribution of troops on Dobrogean Front has been taken into calculus of the observations made during the first fights.The Russian troops ,being in continuous fights with the enemy for two years now,were less impressionable under the enemy fire,proceeded more methodically at building strongholds and were giving a better importance to the connections between units of all kinds and commandments,as did the Romanian troops,which were seeing for the first time the fire,and were made ,for a good part ,by elements with a military instruction, very modest.That is why,the Commandment has disposed for,on Dobrogean Front ,the troops to be mixed,intercalating Russian units between the Romanian ones .It will be seen later on, how the result of this measure has been the contrary of the one expected.


6.The Battle On Line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla

16th-21st of September

Concentration on to the fighting line

Mackensen continues with speed the advance towards North,on the tracks of the enemy which he thought defeated decissively.The pursiut has been made in the land of Southern Old Dobrogea.The terrain is of hills and gulleys, towards the ground sandy ,on a fundament of calcareous rocks ,on which the eye losses itself in the distance,without to meet even one tree.From distance to distance a terrain ondulation;a transversal valley,in which dose not flow no water on the surface but can be found at a small depth :there have been established the rare villages.Here and ther a conical ground mound,the old Sciti(Sciti or Sceti-population of Iranian origin established in the Northern Pontic Tundra in century 8th B.C.,according to Herodot) tumuls(graves wihich have a mound of ground over them).In the midst of this desolant plateau ,on the edge of a hill,is the ruin of Adamclisi,rising majestic,afirming the ancient right of the Latin people to the mastering of the land.And a little to the North,Roman Emperor Traian's Wave,the Roman Bank ,by which for centuries the barbarian hoardes have been brought to a stand still,it is a symbol and an encouragement.

The Romanian -Russians troops in retreat ,have been received by the units arrived from over the Danube River, and occupied a line of defence ,prepared beforehand,stretched acroos Dobrogea,perpendicular,from the Danube to the Black Sea.On this line ,General Averescu has decided to receive the battle.The line begins at the shore of Danube ,at Rasova,passes near villages Arabagi,Mulciova,Enigea,Cocargea,Cobadin,Topraisar,Tuzla until it meets the Black Seea .She follows ridges of hills and is made up of several rows of trenches.Some of the points as:Cobadin and Topraisar,are strongly organized ,beeing foreseen with barbed wire nets.From Rosova until Cocargea there are two Romanian Divisions:the 2nd Romanian ,arrived from Oltenia(General Socec),and the 9th Romanian ,retreated from Silistra(General Petala).Behind them disembark Divisions 15th Romanian(General Grigorescu) and 12th Romanian(General Gaiseanu).At Cocargea is the Serb Division;at Cobadin ,the 61st Russian Division.At Topraisar is the 19th Romanian Division(Colonel Scarisoreanu) ,retreated from Bazargic;between this one and the Russians ,the units of the 5th Romanian Division.A division of Russian Cavalry and a Brigade of Romanian Calarasi(horsemen) completes the Romanian-Serbian-Russian Army,which is Commanded by General Zaioncikovski.

Of the Romanian divisions,Divisions ;2nd-made out of nine battalions-5th and 12th are fresh units.The 9th Division has suffered felt losses at Silistra and in her retreat through Lipnita,Parachioi,Cuzgan,Cogeacoru and Adamclisi,in which time she has given continuously bloddy fights.Same as this ,the 19th Romanian Division which,retreating from Bazargic ,it almost did not have one day without fight.Bothe Divisions were tired and with the effectives halfed;their fighting strenght was shaken.The 15th Romanian Division,reconstituted after the Turtucaia desaster,it is in reality a brigade of seven battalions ,without artillery.

The Bulgarians are advancing against the Romanian -Russian line ,having at the left wing,along Danube River,the German Bode Brigade,and at the right wing ,towards the Black Sea,the Cavalry.The thick of the forces occupies the center :from left to right are 1st Sofia Division,4th of Preslav Division and the 6th of Vidin Division and Dobrici Corps ,which contains also the Turkish units arrived till now.The first two are big divsions of 6 regiments each.The forces of the two adversaries equivalizes numerically.The enemy ,however ,is superior in weaponry.Their units have many cannons -especially a lot of heavy artillery-German and Austrian one,as well as unnumbered machineguns.They have armoured cars and a big number of aeroplanes ,which bombards the front and the formations behind them and keep under continuous nerve racking the population of Constanta,Medgidia and Cernavoda,where their attacks ,made daily and without any scrupul,make numrous victims .The enemy has risen moral in the wake of the last victories and is lead by a famous General.But also the Romanians know well ,that by the faith of the battle which begins ,hangs the faith of Dobrogea and of the War.The fight will be given "over life and death".


The Fight at Arabagi

Mackensen aims the principal attack towards the right Romanian wing ,between Rasova and Cobadin,with German and Bulgarian troops .At the extreme right Romanian,the German Brigade Bode attacks strong along the Danube to force the road towards Cernavoda and get his hands on the big bridge,of which elegance can be seen through the fog at 12 Miles distance.Believing in their superiority and thinking the Romanians still dizzied by the defeat in the eve,the Germans are sure that,by a a daring strike ,will get their hands on Cernavoda Bridge.On the line Rasova-Arabagi are ,though,receptioned by the first troops of the 2nd Romanian Division:The 3rd Brigade made out of Regiments 3rd Olt and 19th Romanati.The Romanians attack with strenght ,The Germans are rejected,they have to leave Poluci Village and they barely can retreat their heavy batteries which they drag with themThe left wing of the 1st Bulgarian Division ,threatened with veiling,intervenes in to the fight.In the violent fight which go on till evening ,is wounded deadly Colonel Ilie Antonescu,the Commander of the 4th Romanian Brigade.A panic produces in the Romanian troop,which receive the baptize of fire.Under the lively and precise fire of the enemy,the Romanians retreat;the 14th Artillery Regiment losses few of the cannons .But the regiment intervenes ,sustained by 9th Artillery,covers the retreat,rejects the Bulgarians and reestablishes the front.

The left of the Romanian Brigade did not succeed to link up with the right of 9th Division,in the retreat of Silistra.Through the empty space made ,at Arabagi,the enemy manages to sneak,threatening to breakhrough the Romanian front ,before it could have well strenghtened.The situation becomes critical .An heoic intervention produces,however ,in this moment.The troops of the 15th Divsion enter the fighting line.The 53rd Infantry Regiment ,from Iasi,left at 7am from Cernavoda,arrives after forced marchings ,at 12,30 at Arabagi.The Commanders of companies go in reconnisance but,before they came back,the Regiment has to start to attack.Battalions 2nd and 3rd are in the first line ,and the 1st Battalion in the second.The soldiers start with elan to attack with bayonet ,having in their temple the Commander himself ,Colonel Brosteanu.On the ridges of uncovered hills ,the enemy artillery bombards violently the Romanian troop,which advances with determination;the Commanders of Companies run ,seeking their Companies ,ahed of which they place themselves.The losses are big,the Commander fells wounded,but the troops arrive in to the enemy positions.The first Romanian line is rejected ,but the second line succeeds in occupying the elevation of Arabagi.The situation is reestablished,the 9th Division could fix herself on the elevations of Mulciova, and the 14th Artillery Regiment has regained part of the lost cannons.The Romanian front reestablishes solid at this Western extremity of the defence line.The Romanian Divisions 2nd ,15th and 9th constitute a group under the Command of General Socec.Although the principal action unfolds a little to the East ,still the fight did not burn out here ,either;for three days the Germans and Bulgarians have given numerous attacks in this region of gulleys and hills ,for to make way towards Cernavoda.At Rasova at Balta Baciului,in Cinghinea Forest ,troops of the 2nd Division, especially the heroic 66th Regiment ,and at Arabagi troops of the 15th Division have firmly defended the positions and the enemy did not pass.

A very pretious aid has given ,in these fights,the scuadron of monitors from Danube River .The monitors have bombarded the left flank of the enemy and forced him to withdraw a part of the heavy caliber artillery,which bombred our positions on the front ,to advance defensive batteries on to the shore.Under the strong bombardment of these batteies the squadron on Danube have executet,however,an offensive move behind enemy front,passing in front of Mirleanu Lake ,until close to Oltina.The squadron did not suffer any serious loss,with all the terible bombardment ,which determined Mackensen to destitute the Commanders of the said batteries.


The Fight of Cocargea

The principal action of the enemy was aimed over the sector from Mulciova until Cocargea.Here they have to make the runthrough of the Romanian Front to fall behind the position of Cobadin.

The Bulgarians have placed here ,for the decissive attack ,the best troops they had:Divvisons 1st and 4th and brought a numerous heavy artillery and airplanes.The planned attack for the day of 17th of September have been postponed with one day ,to give time to the heavy artillery ,to assume positions ,such that the battle begun at 18th of September.The Romanian positions were occupied between Mulcova and Cocargea by two Brigades of the 9th Romanian Division withdrew from Silistra;at Cocargea was also the Serb Division.In the morning of 18th Bulgarians have begun a formidable artillery fire .There were concentrated in this sector,apart from the organic artillery of the two Bulgarian divisions -field cannons and howitzers-2nd Regiment and a divizion from 1st Regoment of heavy artillery and three long batteries,German.The answer of the Romanian batteries,inferior in numbers ,calibers and lenght of firing range,was weak and without effectiveness ,against the enemy artillery,which she coud not reach.When,however,towards midday,the enemy infantry started to show in bands ,sneaking through valleys ,hiding behind bushes and terrain crests ,the Romanian cannons started to beat with power and with effect,forcing the enemy groups to scatter and spread and run behind shelters .By evening,the fight lasted without any success ,but with big losses from the part of the attackers .The Bulgarians could not rove through the Valley Diordingi-Orman,in front of the Romanian positions ,where they left only crowds of dead and wounded.The violent attacks ,given with the troops of the 2nd Sofia Brigade and with the left wing of Preslav Division against Cocargea Village ,had a partial success.After ferocious fights and bloddy counterattacks ,the Romanians and Serbs had to withdraw in the positions North of the Village.Thinking they have found here the key of success ,the Bulgarians have attacked the next day,19th of September ,early in the morning with forces of heavy artillery and with the whole infantry of Divisions 1st and 4th,in sector Mulciova-Cocargea.The height Cogeaiuc-147m -was especially the target of the enemy attacks .Numerous aeroplanes and a captive ballon were directing the aim of this formidable artillery.Inferior to the enemy artillery,the Romanian artillery ,installed on the Hills Carasu,Cisme and Pribei,was of a frightening precission faced to the infantry attacks.Overwhwlmed by the killing fire of howitzers and shrapnels ,the waves of enemy attacks which were advancing in the terrain,uncovered ,were cut down,disbanded and mixtured with the Earth.Piles of dead bodies and wounded covered the Valley Diordingi-Orman.

....


In Cocargea sector the Bulgarian troops ,exploiting the succes in the eve ,have given violent attacks towards Spapunar.The Romanian Brigade Frimu of the 9th Division and the Serbs have oposed a fiercely resistance .In the midst of the fight arrive the Romanian reinforcements ,waited with anxiety.There are two Regiments of the 12th Division ,which have disembarked at Cernavoda in the eve by evening and which have marched all through the nigt in a stretched pace.The 68th Gaiesti Regiment ,Commanded by Colonel Meleca ,is enterd the fight at West of Cacearnac,and the 60th Teleorman Regiment -Colonel Stoenescu-at Spapunar.Both regiments attack with furry;overwhelmed by the fires of the enemy the soldier only stop to throw them ahead again.From Cogeaiuc Hill ,the artillery of the 22nd Regiment and especially a battery(four cannons)of howitzers of 150 mm ,commanded by Captain Dragalina ,support the fight of the infantry ,making ravages in the enemy rows.After three very bloody attacks ,the 68th Romanian Regiment has occupied all the hills line Caceamac-Orman,seizing the Bulgarian positions ,and the 60th Regiment has reoccupied Hill Dichilitas and Cocargea Village.The right wing of the Serb Division which,being surprised and caught by the violent fires of the enemy,has started to withdraw ,was received by the of the 12th Romanian Division,sustained and fixed on line Biubiuc-Mazarlic-Bair.the Bulgarian attacks against the height Cogeaiuc have been ,as weel bloody rejected.The 31st Varna Regiment has been almost entirely destroied ,its remains set to run in disband.The Romanian and Serb troops have entered the Bulgarian artillery line and have captured a battey of howitzers and some field cannons.With great difficulty the Bulgarians could regain few of the cannons.

The Bulgarian offensive was broken.The faith of the battle turned entirely .At 12,30 pm the Bulgarian General Draganov reports to the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army that the situation of Sofia Division is desperate....."With great difficulty we maintain the positions ,neither I nor the Commanders of Brigades have no more support;the projectiles have ended ;the position we keep with hte last forcings....".At his turn,General Kiselov ,the Commander of the 4th Preslav Division ,reports at 19 hours,that he is forced to begin retreat,and to the injunctions of his Commander to maintain the position with any price ,he replies:"We will acomplish your order of dying on position,but my duty is to bring to your knowledge that the units are in a crisis and ,2-3 attacks more by enemy part ,an every thing could be lost ...".In truth,this sole Division has lost in this day 46 Officers and 2568 men,dead or wounded as well as 43 cannons taken out of the fight.Only in the front of the Serb Division were collected,amongst other trophees ,more than 5000 rifles.

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Unfortunatelly ,from our part ,the exhaustion of the troops ,the lack of connection between troops of first line and Commandments ,and the undecissiveness of the High Russian Commandment,did not permit to apreciate the importance of the obtaied succes and its expoatation,A part of the troops of the 12th Romania Division were exhausted ;they have been brought in forced marchings and send to the fight directly,so by evening they had to be taken out of the fighting front and brought back for rest.Some units of the 61st Russian Division,from reserve ,heave been brought to the front to replace the Romanians.But to convince the Russians to go on the front line ,it was needed to set the artillery in to position against them.This from the order of Russian General Semanski himself!


Serb Division

In the Fight of Cocargea,near the Romanian troops ,have fought with heroism and have suffered heavy losses the Serb Division.It was a troop of volunteers ,recruited from prisoners of Serb origin and Croat.They fought in the Austr-Hungarian Army but,at the first favorable moment,have left the flag of the opressor to surrender to the Russians;they have embraced with enthusiasm the ideea of forming of a volunteers corps,to fight together with the allies for the cause of liberation of enslaved people ,their own cause .To assigne them,it has been brought Officers from Corfu Island ,were there were in remaking the rests of the Serb Army,saved by the retreating desaster through Albania.The first Serb Division has entered in Romania since the first day of general mobilization.Made up of men who lost almost everything :country,family,home,dominated by a patriotism fanatic which was not equaled, but probably by the hatered against the enemy perfid and savage,they will constitute the elite element of the Russian aid.The Commander of he Division is Colonel Stepan Hagici,to which the French writer Robert de Flers,which accompanies the General Headquarter of the Army in Dobrogea,makes a pitoresque description:"(...) A famous man,with wide shoulders ,with round face and a thick black mustache ,with the air in the same time friendly and terible.He shines of health and courage.He is a fat hero".

In the days of 18th and 19th of September ,the Serb Division has fought with heroism against the fiercely attacks of Bulgarians at Cocargea.The Commander of a Serb Regiment,Colonel Matici,wounded at the hand,continues to Command the troop and dies,receiving a second bullet in the open mouth to shout to his men words of spirit for attack.


The Fight at Cobadin

As the Bulgarian center suffered the defeat at Cocargea,the right wing,made up of the 6th Division of Vidin,the Dobricene troops and the Cavalry Division,were attacking the Russian -Romanian positions from Cobadin, until the Black Sea.The 6th Bulgarian Division had especially to give the big hit;conquering Cobadin.The whole day of 18th of September the Bulgarians have exhausted in sterile forcings against height 137 in front of Cobadin.However,the initial success,reputed in this day at Cocargea ,have given them courage;for the second day,19th of September ,the fight had to be restarted with outstanding vigor,on the whole line until the Black Sea.Cobadin had to be seized regardless of price,by the combined attack of the Divin Division and of the Dobricene troops .These last ones,have been strenghtened with a Turkish Brigade and with German artillery.Defending the central position at Cobadin was handed to the 61st Russian Division;in her right at Caceamac was a Brigade of the 5th Romanian Division;in the left were other Romanian troops of the 5th Division and 19th Division,forming up a group under the Command of General Hartel. The morning of 19th of September had drain down in a reciprocal bombardment of artillery.The Bulgarian attack has produced near midday;12 battalions of the 6th Bulgarian Divison and seven battalions of Debricene troops took part in the attack.At Ceamac,the 8th Buzau Regiment,Romanian, suffers heavy losses ,but rejects the enemy attack.In front of Cobadin,the 35th Vraca Regiment ,Bulgarian,is almost completely distroied and cannot trial a second attack.The 6th Vidin Division begins a precipitated retreat.The column in the left of Dobricene troops ,which had to concur at the attack of Cobadin,had to face up towards North-East at Osmancea to the attack of the Romanian troops of the 19th Division.A little to the East,the Bulgarian Cavalry Division ,which had received the order to execute a wide movement of going around in the left Romanian flank ,at East of Topraisar,have been receptioned by Romanians with cannon fires and rifles ones ,wherever they presentet .Noticing that this flank has stretched until the Sea ,the Bulgarian Cavalry has been forced to take measures for own defence.


Bulgarian retreat

In the evening of 19th of September ,the situation of Bulgarians had become critical.The Bulgarian center:2nd Sofia Brigade ,the 4th Division and th 6th Division Vidin,were decissively beaten,disorganized and incapable not only to fight in attack,but to resist in defence agins an eventual attack.All the enemy troops were now disposed in a cordon and without any reserve behind.Demoralized and scared by the threat of a desaster ,the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army gave the order of breaking of the fighting contact and of general retreat.Even during the night of 19th-20th of September ,the enemy started the retreat towards the strenghtened positions he has prepared at 6-8 Miles behind the fighting front .The retreat of 1st Sofia Division has produced in the midst of a big panic and disband .As a result of the two days of fiercely fights ,it has only remained an imense field of war material ,scattered all over the place.The villages are arsoned by the troops in retreat;toungues of fires and thick columns of smoke are the sign of envy and fury of the defeated one.

The enemy offensive against line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla has ended.Mackensen could write at the passive of his military career the first defeat.And the enmy official communicates of 17th and 18th of September announce the beginning of a new battle on the whole line of the front which,ofcourse,"unfolds in our favour".The German communicate becomes ,all of a sudden modest at 19th of September ,announcing that"are given violent fights with variate result" and that"the enemy opposes the most stubborn of resistance".At 20th of September ,the Germans announce laconically:"In Dobrogea ,the fight has stopped".


The Offensive of the 19th Division at the left wing

In the day of 20th of September ,the Bulgarian troops have occupied ,in their retreat,a line which started from Danube River,at Aliman and passes through Enigea,Chioseler,Carabaca,Merdvelipunar,-height 134-Cearaliuc,on the road Cavaclar-Sofular,Amzacea-Perveli-Black Sea.The right wing ,from the Sea,of the Bulgarian Front ,constituted esentially of cavalry,being weak,has been strenghtened with Turkish troops ,newly arrived ;Regiments 59th and 75th de Nizami[24] from 25th Turk Division have occupied the position between Erebler and Azaplar,to be able to intervine in the case of an attack between Dobricene troops and the Cavalry Division.Her also begun to gather the 15th Turk Division which was put under the Command of Hilmi Pasa,the Commander of the 25th Turk Division.

Under the impressions of the victory reputed at 18th and 19th against the Bulgarian offensive,encouraged by the fact that the 115th Russian Division begins to disembark at Constanta,the Commander of the allied troops in Dobrogea calculated that the moment is favorable to enterprise a counteroffensive .The day of 20th of September has been left for rest.At 21st,the counteroffensive begins at the left wing -of East-by the Romanian troops of the General Hartel Group.The offensive movement was made on three columns .The most Eastern column ,leaving from Musurat,occupies Muratan and establishes on a height South of the village.At the center ,the 17th Brigade,Colonel Stan Poetas leaving from Topraisar ,has defeated the enemy and seized Amzacea village ;wanting to advance more to the South ,it is received by intersected fires of enemy artillery from direction Azaplar and Carachioi.Supported only by a battery with fast firing and one with slow shooting,the brave soldiers of the 9th Hunters Regiment and 40th Infantry Regiment attack the enemy and away it from Carachioi Village towards Mustafaaci.The Romanians advance ,repulsing all the time the troops of infantry and cavalry ,Bulgarian,ansd arrive on the line Mustafaaci-Azaplar.By evening,the Bulgarians try a disperate charge with two escadrons of Cavalry,but Romanians ,which have advanced to much with this column,retreat at Carachioi.The column inthe right side is made up by the troops of the 5th Mixt Brigadet;leaving from Engemahale ,they attack and seize Enghez Buiuc Village.Here,however,the Brigade falls in the middle of a violent concentric artillery fire ,especially of heavy artillery and is attacked by numerous troops of infantry with machineguns ,against which,our cannons with slow firing are of no aid.The troops of the Brigades 5th and 17th remain on the conquered positions ,with all the heavy casualties , and retrench before the nightfall.The troops of the 36th Infantry Brigade of the 5th Romanian Division,which were waiting in defensive ,at the right side of the 19th Romanian Division ,are attacked by the enemy-Dobricene troops and the 74th Turk Regiment -from the direction of Sofular and Enghez.With all the attacks that the enemy is making until midnight ,he cannot make any progress and it is continuously repulsed by artillery fires ,strenghtened with few Russian batteries with fast firing.

The Russians does not take part at this offensive action:the 3rd Russian Cavalry Division,which is at the left side of the Romanians ,as well as the 61st Infantry Division ,which is at the right side of Romanians ;they stay unmoved ,although big movements of Bulgarian troops are made in front of their front ,to concentrate against Romanians.At the invite of General Hartel,General Zaioncikovski replies that it has been decided,in the wake of talks with General Averescu,to not engage any major battle on this front.

With all the beautiful success on on line Enghez-Carachioi-Amzacea,faced with this situation and of the danger of being attacked from behid in the advanced position of Enghez,where the enemy has a considerable superiority,numerical and of artillery,General Hartel suspends the offensive and retreats the right wing in the start position.Amzacea remains ,however in our hand.The line Amzacea-Perveli,conquered at 21st of September ,is strenghtened in the following days ,even under the fires of the enemy.

From its part ,the enemy establishes itself in front of our positions,stretching its front through Preveli until the Black Sea,strenghtening its front line in the whole stretch with deep trenches and with strong obstacles of wire entanglements.

. Comments over the Battle of Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla

The great offensive of Mackensen has finished with a definitive fiasco.The attacker had to crawl back in to the trences,in waiting fore some better days and of greater reinforcements.It is characteristic for the much trumpeted German probity,the total silence with which was now covered this great failure.The official descriptions ,published by the Great German Headquarter ,pretend to ignore entirely the big battle.They talk pure and simple about an inevitable "rithm" of the advance movements ,which the German armies had to present also in Galitia campaign,Polonoa campaign and Serbia campaign,explained by the difficulties of the organization of services behind the front.The German correspondent of "Frankfurter Zeitung",Major Endres ,gives a relation more sincere of the battle:"Mackensen did not weak the pursiut of the enemy.Already ,at 16th of September,lively fights were engaged on the front of the Romanian-Russian positions.The Russians and Romanians managed even ,in the terrain in front of their defence line and namely at South of line Cobadin-Topraisar,to repute tactical successes and,by this,to give the impression ,for few days(!) that the offensive crossed on their side.But already,at 20th of September,our daily communicate could announce that the fights have ceased".

It is of great interest the explanation which Ludendorff gives in his memoirs to the enemy insuccess:"Feldmarshal von Mackensen kept his left wing along the Danube and exercises over this point the greatest of pressures which he could make.The forces of the enemy,which were concentrating on the line Oltina Lake -Caraomer,had to be pushed towards the coast of Black Sea.The German Bode Detachment ,which was at the left wing ,pushed this position by a daring leap and continued its advance,descending along the Danube River.But the Bulgarians had not been ready fast enaugh.They had attacked ,as well,but the enemy could retreat at 15th of September,in order.The III-rd Bulgarian army have missed the ocasion to repute an admirable success.The enemy could establish again in position Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla,fortified before the war.It is renaunced soon (?) at the trials made for taking this position.The offensive force of the Bulgarian-Turk forces ,that were there,were not sufficient for this goal".


With all the clear defeat of the enemy and with the fact that,thanks to the arriving on the terrain of the 115th Russian Division,our superiority over the enemy started to afirm,General Zaioncikovski did not find of use to enterprise the pursiut of the defeated enemy.Either because he thought his troops weakened,by the continuous fight which these ones supported time of three weeks,or because his soul structure did not permit him daring initiatives,or he subjected himself to some misterious suggestions which paralised any energic action on our front ,the Russian Commander of the ally forces in Dobrogea edged himself to notice the defeat of the enemy and to look impassive how ,under his eyes ,this one proceeds at strenghtening of his front and at the methodic prepearing of future actions.

With the Battle of Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla it ends the first phase of the fights in Dobrogea .Started under such tragic conditions,it has been reached an equilibrium of forces and to a stabilization of the front .Mackensen did not succeed -truly-to crown his masterpiece.The Bridge "King Carol the I-st",Constanta Harbour and the line of metal roads which unites them,were in the hands of Romanians and served as base of revitalizing of the forces which kept strong a powerful defence line -the new wave of Roman Emperor Traian-against the barbarian hoardes of invasion.

We have ,however, to confess that the operations in Dobrogea brought to the enemy an important strategical success.He forced us to focus our attention over the Southern Front and to diminish our forces in Transilvania,just when there , prepearing the big offensive of Falkenhayn started.Then,our military force and,together with it also the moral force which results from the self confidence,have received felt blows.We have lost two divisions ,two fortresses have fallen:the enemy reached the heart of Dobrogea .He surrounded the flank of Muntenia(Wallachia),kept on stop numerous forces ,of ours and of our allies ,from a strong position and on a shortened and threatened front,permanently on the important artery of our communications ,connecting us with the Black Sea.

The victory on the line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla was only a happy episode which permitted us to breath for a moment and recollect ourselves.The situation continued to remain unrestful in the heighest degree;it pressed our souls like a bad dream.In the general conscience of the public opinion ,it feelt that had to be ended by a daring strike.The offensive of General Averescu on the Southern front answered to some spiritual needs as much as it corresponded to military necessity.


7.Romanian Counteroffensive on the Southern Front

a)Flaminda Try

General Averescu offensive

At 2nd of October the Romanian official communicate brought a senzational news;"The Romanian troops have crossed the Danube,between Rusciuck and Turtucaia".and,"In Dobrogea we attacked on the whole front...".

An entusiasm without borders overwhwlmed the whole Kingdom.The laconic news was in the mind of every Romanian,the prelude of glorious events ,which had to clean up the shameful spot of Turtucaia and to bring an end to the nightmare in Dobrogea.

The daring offensive was connected to the name of General Averescu,and the General had in front of the army and the public of a very big credit.By the clearness of his solutions ,by his great strenght of work,by the safety and calm which he could maintain in the most critical moments,but especially by the need of the masses to put their trust,in critical times,in a providential character ,General Averescu awoke in the masses of the army,as those of the people,a trust translated by a popularity without equal in the Romanian Army.The public opinion reclamed him from one front to another,where the situation was critical and his presence in front of an army rose the moral of the soldiers and counted as a sure element of success.With all the discretion imposed by the military operations ,in Bucharest was not a secret anymore that at the Danube is prepeared a" hit".The indiscretions of the officers which came with different assignements in Bucharest,the locvacity,especially of the women,which found out from relatives or friends -undoubtfully under the strictest secrecy-the preparations made at the Danube,had as result that in Bucharest the operation at Danube was expected by everybody with cold aprehension,but also wit an explicable unrest.The news about the success of crossing the Danube made to reborn in every heart the hopes ,which the rows of endured dezasters blew them away.The iremediable optimism ,which the dissapointments have atenuated a bit,it reflamed with power and,on the streets of Bucharest,one hour after the reading of the sober communique ,everybody knew that Rusciuk and Turtucaia were in the hands of Romanians,and the Romanian Cavalryis at Razgrad!

The Supreme Romanian Commander,King Ferdinand of Romania,adopting the proposal of General Averescu,put to his disposition,together with the Commandment of the Groups of the Southern Armies ,also the most formidable military force which was given to a General in the Romanian War:17 divisions,of which 10 divisions (six Romanans and four Russian) made up the Dobrogea Army and seven divisions formed up the III-rd Romanian Army of Danube-more than half of the totality of the operations army.The size of this army was in raport with the pursued goal.

General Averescu conceived the plan of this offensive with the next face:with the Debrogea Army to attack the enemy frontal,to throw him to the South.In the same time it will attack him in to the flank and back with the III-rd Army,croosing over the Danube,South of Bucharest,at fFaminda.The complete success of the hit would have had incalculable consequences:the III-rd Rmanian Army falls behind and over the communication lines of the Bulgarian Army in Dobrogea,the entire enemy front in Dobrogea was turned over,Mackensen in deroute.Dobrogea free.Even if it would succeed in part,meaning if it would succeed in creating a bridgehead on the Southern shore of Danube,it was a nail thrust in to the rib and back of the enemy ,which would have obstacled or paralised its actions.

Not everybody trusted General Averescu trust in the planned strike.General Alekseev brought to attention through Colonel Tatarinov,the Russiam military attache ,that the operation seems risky to him.The enemy should be thrown out of Dobrogea by the action of the Russian-Romanian Army in Dobrogea,and if it is talk about crossing the Danube ,it would be preferably to trial by Rahova,in direction Berkovica -Sofia.Averescu replied that"the fights in Dobrogea will have more chances of success ,if the III-rd Army would be able to thrust a nail as weak as it be in to the rib and back of the enemy.As of a passing through Rahova ofcourse that General Alekseev did not consulte well the map".Same reservations were expressed also by the French attache Desprez ,and even Bratianu(prime minister) confessed that "he trembled when he heard the exposition of the plan for an expedition in Bulgaria with two or three divisions".

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Prepearing the counteroffensive

The principal action in this counteroffensive came to the new III-rd Romanian Army,created at the Danube .It was given to General Averescu three new Divisions:the 10th Division,General Vaitoianu,the 21st Division, General Lambru and the 22nd Division,General Aristide Razu.The 10th Division was made out especially of Vlasceni(men from Vlasca) and Dobrogeni(men from Dobrogea);she constituted till here the General Reserve of the Army.Divisions 21st and 22nd were new formations ,organized after the beginning of the War of regiments taken from other divisions.The three Divisions constituted the V-th Army Corps .Next to the V-th Corps the III-rd Romanian Army comprised also the VI-th Corps ,made out of Divisions 16th and 18th ,divisions of second hand ,made out of a small number of battalions ,all formed after the War Declaration,troops tasked with the guard of Danube River,as well as the 1st Cavalry Division -24 escadrons .In total,the III-rd Army had 53 battalions ,24 escadrons ,48 field batteries ,seven heavy batteries and one A.A battery.There were also two Fixed Detachments ,with artillery destined for defending the left shore of Danube.It was also examined the possibility of calling the 23rd Division from Olt Front.

A comission,prezided by General Vaitoianu ,the Commander of the 10th DIvision ,prepared the works necessary for the offensive.In 12 days were build roads for access to the Danube through the field full of water holes, with water, of Flaminda;it was gathered material for the two bridges which had to be thrown over the Danube River ,as well as some 250 boats for troops transport ;it has been taken measures of precaution against an eventual attack of the enemy river monitors,which were hidden in Belene Channel ,South of Persina Islet.These last measures constituted especially of installing of an infantry and artillery post in Cinghinelor Islet,(ostrov=Islet),in front of the exit from Belene Canal ,downstream and of building a dam ,by drowning of barges in Tabanu Canal ,7Miles upstream of Flaminda.There were also set explosives mines ;there were however defectous constructed and their installation made -by premature explosions-grave accidents.Before they become dangerous for the enemy they proove dangerous for those handeling them.

What forces could Bulgarian oppose to these five divisions of infantry and one of cavalry,to defend the back of the front in Dobrogea?The recconnissances made with airplanes in the days of 28th and 29th of September ,noticed that,apart from the small garissons from Rusciuk and Turtucaia there was no other enemy troop on a ray of 19 Miles in depth.The Commander of the III-rd Army thought,as such, that he may count on surprise and on the imense superiority of the Romanian troops,as safe elements of success.A coincident happening made that Bulgarians to have in the region of passing through,a small number of troops ,with which to face the first attack.At 29th of September ,Marshal Mackensen orders the retaking of the enmy offensive in Dobrogea against the line Rasova-Cobadin;to increase the effectives of the attack army,disposed the sending on the front of the seven battalions which constituted the garrison of the strenghtened ponts Turtucaia and Silistra.In their place had to come other troops of militia (police) from Rusciuk and Varna ,and in the place of these,were brought other detachments from Sumla and Burgas.As the Bulgarian troops executed the marchings ,forced by these movements,fell unexpectedlly the bomb of crossing of the III-rd Romanian Army of the Danube.


Crossing the Danube

In the evening of 30th of September ,the marsh of Flaminda was ant-ing with Romanian troops .The moral was one of the highest between officers and soldiers :the victory was sure.The troops of the 10th Division were in the first line ,stretched on Danube shore in fron of Lung Islet and Coreia Islet,ready for embarkation;the 21st Division in the second line ,was coming on the driveway Prundu Belu-Flaminda;in the third line was the 22nd Division at Comana.The VI-th Army Corps was in zone Jarcaleti-Fratesti,and the Cavalry at Prundu Belu.

At 3 in the morning,in the day of 1st of October,200 boats loaded with soldiers from the Infantry Regiments ,5th Vlasca and 20th Teleorman ,detachet from the Romanian shore,at the tail of Lung Islet and slipped in silence through darkness and fog which covered the Danube ,towards the Bulgarian shore.After few minutes,the convoy entered the arm of Big Danube .Ant then the cannons on the Romanian shore begin the bombardment of the shore in front ,and especially Villages Reahovo,Bobovo and Breaslen.Under the protection of this firing range ,the Romanian troops disembark on the Bulgarian shore ,away a weak enemy detachment and occupy Rehovo Village.The convoys of empty boats get back to take some more troops.All through the morning the small boats and portices cut through the shine of the Danube water ,in an unstoppable coming and going;at 11,30 ,all the five Infantry Regiments of the 10th Romanian Division are on Bulgarian shore.At 10 begin to cross on boats also troops of the 21st Romanian Division;by evening croos four battalions of the Regiments 61st and 46thof Infantry with a machinegun company and a battery of small cannons of 53mm.In the same time,as under the protection of the cannon of artillery,infantry troops were crosing the Danube on boats,handy pontooneers and daring sailors begun the stretching of the bridge,which had to connect strong the two shores ,to make possible for the other troops the crossing,of infantry ,cavalry and artillery,convoys of wagoons.The pontoons have been brought from Galati by train and then with wagoons and kept hidden in the wood behind Lung Ostrov(Lung Islet).The operation started at 5 in the morning and,at the beginning all went well,although a little slow,because the dragging motor boats did not have enaugh power.A strong wind started to blow in the afternoon ,making work difficult.By evening the situation begun to get worse.Big waves ,rose by the wind more and more violent,threatened to turn over the boats filled with men and obstacled the works for the bridge.In the same time ,appear the enemy aeroplanes ,throwing bombs over the bridge and over the line filled with men.We did not have aeroplanes to combat them.The aerian defence ,which had to have 14 planes in the morning of 1st of October at Mihai Bravu,could not constitute.Two airplanes "Nieuport" piloted by French aviators have forced landing on the road and broke down;the Russian squadron ,made out of five planes ,arrived only on the 20th of September,and the Romanian plane ,concentrated in the same sense,2 "Nieuport" and 4 "Voisin" could not defende the bridge effectivelly ,being few in number and of older types than the foreign planes.In this way,the foreign airplanes have planed for four hours over the bridge and mursh,making numerous victims and producing panic and the delay of works.With this occasion it has distinguished General Lambru,the Commander of the 21st Division which,taking the Command of the works of the bridge ,after the wounding of the Commander of the pontooneers,have given proves of courage and cold blood,sitting all the time of the bombardment on to the bridge and encouraging ,by his example ,the soldiers.Officer Warodin Dumitru from the Staff of the 21st DIvision has worked all through the night with unfearful energy,helpping himself of the improvised pontooneers ,at the reparation of the damages caused by the storm and by the bombardment*.


With all the hardships ,at 7th in the evening ,after 14th ours of work,the bridge was ready.As if the trials over the day have not been enaugh,over the night ,the gale became stronger ,transforming in to a violent storm,acompanied by torential rain.The waves tore the bridge in two places ,separating it into three blocks.With unsaid difficulty the blocks have been tide up together.Towards the morning ,the waves gave to the bridge very strong lateral oscillations ,the rain wich fell into curtains made the bridge slipery,putting in danger the crossing of the horses and carriages.Around 4 in the morning the waves ripped off the anchor of a portice and ,taken over by the current of the river it smashed the bridge into the Bulgarian shore,breaking it again. The new reparation,necessitated by this accident ,was executed till 6 in the morning when it begun to crossing the infantry troops of the 21st Division,the artillery of the 10th Division and the cannons of all the regiments of the two Divisions.Great difficulties were met also at the establishing of the "dead head"-the beam of shore, on Bulgarian shore-because the waves were eating the ground thrown and the terassament has to be supported at all times as the bridge lasted.

Anyway , the operation succeeded.In the morning of the 2nd of October ,two Romanian Divisions were on the Bulgarian shore.

At the Headquarter of the Army of Mackensen ,the surprise had been complete.The Germano-Bulgarian Commander was emotioned.The friendly press was jubilee.The daring strike seemed to change all of a sudden the faith of our War on the Southern Front,so cruel until then.

.

"I have build the bridge at Flaminda(18/19 November 1916),all the pontooneers officers being dead,helping myself with reservists ,Lipoveni(men from Lipova) ,pontoneers of Regiments 33th ,and 73th reserve Tulcea ,and dragging boats "Catina " and "Rindunica".
I have worke time of 2 days and 3 nights under bombardment of 8 German enemy aeroplanes and of the Austrian monitors, which closed in ,to a Mile of the bridge,masking themselves behind an islet in the middle of Danube covered witha marsh and thick vegetation and being continuously blasted by the shrapnels which broke at about 80-100 meters above the bridge and pontoons,which killed the pontooneers ,but gravely ,they made heavier the pontoons whch threatened to take water ,sink and together with them the bridge.

(I have ordered special teams under command ,which with all the fiercely enemy attacks,which intensified all the time with the aim of defeating our tenacity and determination and produce disband and panic,they went on shore and brought branches from which we made caps and covered the holes of the pontoons).

The danger increased any minute and threatened to become catastrophe,touching the final goal of the enemy,meaning breaking the bridge(eventually blowing it up )and the try of the pontooneers,by the mines launched by the enemy monitors on the stream of the water and by the wodden-vessels filled with gunpowder ,which the same monitors were launching in the midddle of the river,where the Danube had the greatest torrent.

The 75 mm field artillery bombarded hitting in full the monitors ,but these ones being protected by cuirasses ,the bombing had no effect whatsoever.In exchange,the enemy avition killed over 200 officers and 1000 men and set panic into the troops of the bridge head(troops already on the other shore).

Everywhere you could only hear the curses and blastings of the mutilated soldiers ,against the ones who send them to war with empty hands,to be able to steal and get rich.

All these happened during a storm which made the bridge to move 50-100 m laterally and 6-10 meters in elevation..Eye witnesses:Generals Lambru Dumitru,Stefanescu Amza,Berlescu,Stefanescu Stefan,Lt Colonel Vasilescu Stefan from Intendence,witnesses:Rasuceanu and Berlescu.

Also ,myself,I have turned around the Brigades of General Petala which had advanced towards Turtucaia and arrived 40 Km from the Bulgarian territory and the 10th Division of General Vaitoianu which had already been crossed over in boats as troops of "bridge head" and occupied the region Rahova,Babovo,Malo-Vranovo,Breslen-Tetevo.Eye witnesses:Generals Petala,Vaitoianu,former prime minister,Amza Stefanescu,Argeseanu and Colonel Marcu Ulpin.

With this occasion ,myself had also two wounded horses with me,for which I have been covered by the Great Staff with two horses,no extra charge ,from the horse deposit of Muftiu.

To myself is owed that the panic has been stopped between the pontooneers and the troops were able the next day at 5 to croos the bridge.The 1st Art.Brigade of Colonel Peteus Petre ,which has objected in the beginning to General Lambru,the Commander of the Division,that he does not assume responsibility to engage the cannons of the brigade, on a bridge made by a cavalry officer unspecialised(in bridges).

Asked by general Lambru,as to what opinion do I have about the solidity of the bridge ,I replied:"If something goes wrong ,tie me up on the tree and shoot me".

The troops and the artillery have crossed forward and backward without anything bad to happen.

I took part and lead the troops to Hohenward-Brasov,Manenhof and Klein-Predeal,although i was officer of Staff,were on horse back and with the revolver in hand I turned in the head of Runners-Escadron of the 21st Division Inf.,pushing with lances from behind ,the troops of the 4th Division ,which overwhelmed by panic started to retreat in disband.

It has been resisted in the mountains some 40 days more after this turn of pozition.

I have Commanded Reconnoitring Escadron in region Stilpu-Epuresti(1000 Germans killed)and I have contributed in effective mode at the first retreat and at the second retreat of the 21st Division on Arges River,and olso at the offensive turn at 18th-19th of November in region Gageni,balaria,Stilpu-Epuresti,Ghimpati,letca Veche,Camineasca.Finally I was the last element of arierguard of the 21st Division Inf.which covered the general retreat of the Army.

We were the last escadron of the Army which after receiving German parlamentaries at the Bragadiru Bridge,I have retreated through the middle of Bucharest,which prepeared to receive the victorious armies of Mackensen,passing over the bridge in front of Church Domnita Balasa on Bratianu Boulevard,on Calea Grivitei and B-dul Basarab,were we had a collision with the patrols of German Ulans ,which entering through Prahova Valley were coming from Chitila.Reaching Tunari,the head of the column of 21st Inf. Division ,which was made out of artillery has been attacked by other patrols of Ulans and,myself,with the escadron galloped to the head,we attacked and made them prisoners.

All I have enumerated here are small episodes from the War.

Dr.Colonel

Warodin G.Dimitrie

Brevetted Officer of the Staff

and Commander of Runners Escadron of the 21st Division

Romania

II-nd Army Corps

21-st Division

............................

Captain Warodin Dobre

This captain appeared to me during the night when I was busy with stretching of the bridge over the Danube,on a torential rain and in a critically moment when a portice from up river ,of which anchors have been ripped off by the storm,hit the bridge displacing another portice(boat) exactlly in the moment when I had finished .The sailors and pontooneers have dissappeared because of the toughness wind .I was just about to turn them back and restart the operation when Captain Warodin appears offering me his help and asking me to tell him what to do.I have satissfied his wish and made him of use.I was astouned...I have never seen a man more energic and devoted ;he worked hard and at 6 in the morning I manged to cross the trops .It is curious how this man with so much military temperament ,had no Command in the Regiment;at the bridge ,he was as a liaison officer of the Cavalry Division.

I have asked him from the Great Headquarter and I have obtained him at the Division as informer officer ,where,defying dangers and the intensity of perils he aquited himself with the conscience of patriot by the hardest tasks.

He is succeeded a the Superios School of War.

Please ,I ask that he is given the Romanian Star , Officers Stage.

Commander of the 21st Division

General (ss) Lambru


The Fights of the right shore.

Setting the foot on Bulgarian shore,the Romanian troops were full of elan,thirsty to revenge the humiliations and cruelties endured from Bulgarians.The advance was made on two directions:towards South in direction Mah-Kaia and Sarnubekioi and towards East,in direction Breaslen-Turcsmil.A third detachment has occupied solid Reahovo,the central point of disembarking ,strenghtening it such that a bridgehead could be organized.Although ,to some extent,obstacled by the lack of artillery-which could not yet have crossed the Danube-,the Romanian troops occupy the Bulgarian villages one after the other ,running through bayonet the weak troops ,as well as the armed polulation of the villages ,which was looking to delay the advance.

Surprised by the unexpected wave,just as the offensive in Dobrogea was unleashed as well,the Germano-Bulgarian Commander is looking to gather everything in his reach ,to dam the advance of the enemy.It was a small thing.The battalions -seven-which started from Turtucaia and Silistra towards the Dobrogean Front,are stopped turned around to make stand from the East.The mobile reserve of the bridgehead Rusciuk and the marching battalions and milita(police),which were heading to Turtucaia,had to attack from West.The first esalon of the 217th German Division,which was gathering into the fighting zone,was embarked in trucks and automobiles and send to Turtucaia,as well as a German escadron and many heavy field batteries ,German,Austrian and Bulgarian.

In the evening of 1st of October ,all the set objectives by the Romanian troops have been met;the enemy was retreating South,making a thin line before our troops.The next day,the action has been restarted and with all strong fire of enemy artillery ,the troops of the 10th Division occupy towards South Kasikler(Slivopol),Mak-Kaia and Sarnubekioi,as the the troops of the 21st Division occupy towards East Babovo,Gulema-Varnovo,Breaslen.At 9,30 produces an event which changes the face of things.Two Austrian vessels have appeared at the Western corner of Lung Ostrov(Lung Islet) and opened over the bridge.Another two ships ,stopped a little up the river,near Tabanu ,opened over the Romanian troops which were engaged on the right shore of Danube in fight with Bulgarians ,as well as over the reserves which were waiting on to the left shore the moment of embarkation.

What happened?The torential rain which fell in the afternoon of 1st of October and all through the night ,has risen the waters of Danube River.Taking advantage by the rising of the level of Danube ,a group of two monitors and two vedette of the Austrian fleet could get out of Persina Channel and,crossing over the obstacles seeded in front of them,have appeared in the close by of the passing point(the bridge).

.....


The darkness, the storm and the rain have obstacled the army posts on the shore to see and signall the coming out of the fleet .Monitors "Bodrog" and "Koros" could not however force the dam of Tabanu and settled to bombard the shores ,the bridge being outside the fleet cannons firing range.At 3 in the afternoon the two monitors ,gravely avariated by the precise fire of Romanian artillery had to retreat and with great difficulty ,have re enterd by evening of 3rd of October in Persina Channel.The two small vedettes could sneak between the dam and the shore ,because of the rising of waters and appeared at Lung Islet and fired on to the bridge , but without touching it.Organizing the defence against the monitors was hard to acomplish.The torential rain and the quick rising of the water level of Danube has transformed the whole marsh of Flaminda in to an imense pond.It could be used for circulation only the driveway.The cannons ,especially the heavy ones coud not be inched anymore to be brought into the new positions ,up the river,from where to keep in respect the enemy monitors.Conscious by the gravity of this turn of things,the Romanian Commander calculated that the continuation of the operations it is impossible and that the new situation imposes the modification of it.At 11 a.m. General Averescu gives the order to suspend whatever moves on to the left shore ,and went to Peris to confere with the Great Headquarter.The offensive at Flaminda had lived.

.....

The retreat

The decision of the Great Romanian Headquarter was that,faced with the threat of destroing of the bridge by the Austro-Hungarian fleet and by the momentan impossibility to away it,to be suspended for the time the crossing of the troops ,to retreat the infantry and a part of the artillery on to the left shore and to keep on the Bulgarian shore only the bridgehead Reahovo-Babovo,which to be stronglly strenghtened ,to serve as a supporting point until the bettering of he weather and away-ing the Austrian fleet will permit the restart of the whole operation.The troops of the 10th Division ,which were the most advanced ,have received late in the night, the retreat order;they broke contact with the enemy and begun the marching towards the Danube River.The next day,at 3rd of October ,in the morning,the enemy have continued the trials of destroing the bridge.The Austro-Hungarian fleet has launched on the river a big barge filled with dynamite .The bardeg,floating along the Bulgarian shore ,has been taken under our artillery fire from the left shore,hit in full and sunk by explosion.Instead of the two damaged monitors ,appeared another two monitors ,which gave the fight with the Romanian batteries and troops ,unable to reach the bridge.From the right shore,though,the enemy released in to the water current mines ,pontoons ,bardges,etc of which some had hit the bridge damaging it,stopping thus the crossing of the troops.As the Romanian Commander was trying to repair the bridge and was asking to bring the Romanian fleet of monitors from Hirsova,arrived a new order from the Great Romanian Headquarter,which forsee the stopping of the offensive ,retreating of the troops and rising up of the bridge.It was the wake of an examination of the general situaion on the both fighting fronts(Carpathians and Dobrogean).The unfolding of our War has entered into an accute crisis.It was the 3rd of October.In Transilvania the enemy counteroffensive begun to become desperate.We had lost the Fight at Sibiu and we were finding in retreat towards Brasov.The Romanian troops in Ardeal,weakened by taking some of the Divisions from there,to strenghten the Dobrogean Front,were opposing not enaugh resistance against to the strong enemy .A new defeat ,and the enemy would find clear path through the Carpathian Mountains Passes.The Great Headquarter found that it is prudent to strenghten the positionsin Carpathian Mountains with new troops.Because we had no available reserves ,it has been taken the grave decission to stop the offensive at Flaminda ,and to make use of the troops destined to this operation to face the threat to the North.The penible and tearing decission ,but dictated by elementary prudence .The future will show soon how based was this decission.Ten days latter,Divisions 10th and 21st were those who stopped the enemy at Predeal,and the 22nd Division stopped him at Bran.They were the Divisions from Flaminda !Instedad of offensive at the Danube ,the troops of the III-rd Army had to wage defensive fight into the mountains ,to defend the Kingdom from invasion and rid of the shame of a quick and too easy ocupation.

The leaving of the Bulgarian territory has been made in the days of 4th and 5th of october .There were retreated all the men and almost all the wounded,part of them over the bridge ,part in the boats ;the small matrial which could not be withdrew has been destroied by the artillery fire from the left shore.During the night of 4th-5th Octber,the bridge has been taken down and retreated .During this time,our troops had not suffered almost anything from the enemy part which,having too weak forces ,was happy to obsreve us from distance ,attacking only the arierguards which remained on the Southern shore ,to protect the embarkation ant crossing of the last of the troops.The afirmation from the enemy communicates ,that the failure of our action at Flaminda it is owed to"the Germano-Bulgar forces" which,coming from Rusciuk and Turtucaia ,would have "given a veiling attack" against Romanian troops ,rejecting them in to the river,it is pure fantasy.It is invented from the need to disimulate the emotion through which the enemy went .


The disproportion between te weak militia(police) troops which the Bulgarians could oppose faced with the 6 Divisions of the Romanian operations Army,was crushing ,to be afirmed seriously such a thing.Also ,very curious is the afirmation of Ludendorff which did not understand the aim of this crossing"which could not change the situation neither at the Danube ,nor in Transilvania".There are also Germans which realized that the enterprise was nor "desperate ",neither "foolish" and which especially have the will to say it.Major Enders confesses that "the technical part of the operation was solved by Romanians in brilliantly way".and an anonimous historiograph of the Danube Army writes :"Romanians have tried during the campaign in Dobrogea to cross the Danube .The date of the crossing was judiciously recocnized;the crossing point well choosen .It has been a well thought enterprize for which they used powerful means and plenty of tecnical ones."In the face of these afirmations made by the enemy of good faith,based on the observations made personally,at the site ,the pretention of Hindemburg in his memoirs,that at the hearing of the news about crossing of the Romanian troops at Reahovo,he 'd have given the order"Arrest those troops!" appears like a fanfaronade or as a joke of doubtful taste .It remainds the joke of same quality of the German Kaizer which,soon after the breaking of the European War ,announced that he will send the Geandarmery from Berlin to "arrest the ninuscle British Army".Tosev ,the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army ,tasks himself to answer to these questions ,confessing sincerely the peril of the situation created to the enemy:"If the Romanians would have managed to widen the bridge head and cross some more units over to the other side of the Danube,then wee all would have found in a difficult situation,even Ludendorff himself".

Stopping of the operation at Flaminda it is ,such,the result of our own free will and it is the effect of the critical situation on the Transilvanian Front.The missgivings of preparation noticed have caused only making difficult the operations and,what is to be cried about,numerous victims.Such was the lack of organising of an aerian defence and,especially,the insuficiency of defence against the enemy monitors.Few days before,at 8th of October ,the Austro-Hungarian escadre ,together with troops of disembarkation,have attacked the Romanian bridge from Cinghinelor Islet,installed there to observe and close the way of the enemy fleet .The small garisson ,forgotten there ,without connections and aids,has been masacred after a heroic resistance ,in which a young navy officer ,Sublieutenant Izvoranu,died like a hero,after he fought like a brave.The survivors -two officers and 150 soldiers -have been made prisoners ,together with 6 cannons .It was the sad epilogue of the Battle of Flaminda.


b)Amzacea Battle

Romanian-Russian preparations

The offensive action of the Russian-Romanian Army in Dobrogea ,which was supposed to begin and evolve simultaneously and convergent with the one at Flaminda ,has been conceived in this way:at the right flank (Western) of the Army,the Romanian Group-General Radian-made out of 115th Russian Division ,strenghtened with heavy artillery,will maintain with determination their positions at Cernavoda-Sofular,South of Cobadin ,making only demonstrations with artillery and infantry patrols ,to fix the enemy and not let him send reinforcements in the attacked sectors.

At the center ,Simanski Russian Group-made out esentially by the 61st Russian Division -will attack the enemy and occupy the heights in region Casici-Enghez.The principal strike will be given by the left wing ,Eastern-Romanian Group General Hartel,made out from Divisions 5th and 19th Romanians in the region Amzacea -Topraisar.At the extreme left wing ,a Russian Cavalry Regiment had to supervise region Tuzla ,on the shore of the Black Sea;the rest of the Cavalry Russian-Romanian was concentrated in region Osmancea -Ebichioi,at the disposition of the Commander ,to begin the marching towards South through sector Sofular -Amzacea ,in case of breaking of the enemy front.The Russian force on the Sea had to keep under her cannons region Perveli-Mangalia .In reserve were kept the 9th Romanian Division,General Petala at Ivrinez -pestera ,behind the Demonstrative Group,and the Serb Division,at Biulbiu Mic ,behind the Attack Group.

In the conception of General Averescu ,the enemy front must be broken in the Eastern Sector ,towards the Sea and the enemy army repulsed towards West ,towards the Danube ,on the direction of advance of the III-rd Romanian Army which,after the succeeding of passing at Flaminda was supposed to fall behind the enemy army.The superiority of the Romanian-Russian forces of Dobrogea was ensured:124 battalions (80 Romanians and 44 Russians ,next to 73 enemy battalions -in reality there were 79-,89 artillery batteries against 62 enemy ,31 Escadrons of Cavalry next to 29 enemy.One of the principal conditions of success was fulfilled .The effect of the strike at Flaminda ,given behind the enemy,it will shake his moral and the tactical dispozitive ,influencing decissively the faith of the Battle.


Enemy preparations

In the same time the enmy was taking dispositions ,as well, foreseeing an offensive ,which had to be decissive for operations in Dobrogea.It has arrived the Marching Brigade from Varna and the 15th German Division.Between Mackensen and Tosev restarts the dicsussion over the oportunity and direction of the attack,the first one asking the imediate beginning of the offensive with the direction towards Topraisar,the second one asking to be waited for the arrival of the 217th German Division,and the attack to be made in the center of the Romanian-Russian dispozitive,at Cobadin.The divergence has been sided by the intervention of the Bulgarian Inheriter Princip Boris,deciding thus that until the arrival of the 217th Division,the army in Dobrogea to be strenghtened with garrisons from Turtucaia Fortress ,Silistra Fortress and Varna,in which stead will be brought troops of militia from Rusciuk,Sumla and Varna.It is known that this movement of troops ,have given the chance to Bulgarians to have in hand few troops which to oppose to Romanians ,which had croosed the Danube at Flaminda.With the 79 battalions ,62 batteries and 29 escadrons ,the Bulgarian-Germano-Turk Army was inferior numericaly to its adversary.The superiority,however ,was in heavy artillery,which had also a great number of German and Austrien heavy batteries and of heavy cannons captured at Turtucaia and transported on the Dobrogean Fighting Front.With this face ,the Romanian-Russian offensive has hit an enemy which was himself prepeared to take the initiative of an offensive movement.


The Fight at Preveli

At 1st of October ,the Romanian-Russian offensive unleashed from the South of Cobadin until the Black Sea.After an artillery bombardment of a few hours,to which the enemy respounded with equal strenght ,the troops set to move.Advancing in uncovered terrain ,under the crisscrossed fires of the enemy ,Romanians and Russians have had great losses,paying dearly each palm of terrain they conquered.

The biggest advance was made at our left wing from the Sea direction.Advancing from towards Musurat ,troops of the 5th Division have attacked villages Muratanu Mare and Muratanu Mic,which they seized one after the other as weel as the heights of point 74,rejecting the troops of Bulgarian cavalry,unmounted ,which were occupying them.The Romanian line advances under the formidable enemy bombardment and arrives on the Northern edge of Perveli Village ,strongly strenghtened with several rows of barbed wire fences,intact;the positions was prolonging to the west on to Caraluc Hill(elev 90).The left wing of the Division of Cavalry ,Bulgarian,is retreating in disband;to face the danger,the Bulgarian Commander sends 1st cavalry Regiment to charge.In two lines,with two escadrons on to each line,followed at distance by reseves ,are throwing to charge the Bulgarian Cavalrists ,with galloping horses ,in savage shouts,against Romanians.But the Galati and Birlad soldiers,o the 37th Brigade were not a defeated and demoralised troop,to be set to panic by the storming of the Cvalry,but a troop full of elan of success.The Romanian shooters place themselves on to the ground,letting to pass between them the Bulgarian Cavalrists,which then they attack from back,as from front and flanks receives them another stormrain of bullets.The Bulgarian Charge is crushed;horses and soldiers ,dead ,cover the battle field;the rests of the regiment run in diorder towards West*.With the reinforcements of infantry ,Bulgarian and Turkish,received towards evening ,the Bulgarian Commander tried a night attack,but the enemy units prefered to ramble at night through the fields and turn back in the morning in their positions.

The attack of the 17th Poetas Brigade and of the 61st Russian Division have gained terrain in front of the Turk positions of the 25th Turk Division and of the Mixt Bulgarian Division,but they have been obstacled by the numerous troops brought by Bulgarians in the aid of the Turks an especially to the precise firing range of the long German batteries and of Austrian howitzers.The Russians have occupied with the 61st Division Sofular Village with the ridge of heights from North of Enghez,The heavy artillery fire of the 61st Rusian Division ,aimed over Amzacea Village ,have made possible for Poetas Brigade the advance close to the village.

The Bulgarian resistance strenghtened more in the day of 2nd of October ;all reserve units have received during the two days ,as well as other units tken from the demonstrativ sector of Wes,have been send to strenghten the Turk Corps,and the Cavalry Division.The unsuccessfulness of the Russian attack of Hartel Gorup,and the stopping of operations at Flaminda have obstacled the evolution of th initial succes of yesterday.The Romanians have been brought to a stand still in fron of the strongholds at Preveli and Amzacea.

Crossing the Danube at Flaminda have emotioned the Germano-Bulgarian Commandment.Mackensen have given the order to cease the planed offensive ,of strenghtening of the resistance and supervising role,and called at Bazargic the Commanders ,to discuss overe the measures to be taken in the case of an eventual necessity of regrouping of the troops in Dobrogea,to face up to the danger.

The enemy Commander describes the attack in this way:"On an open terrain filled with holes from harvestings,the divizions have attacked the enemy ,which,surprised ,started to run from flank ,but the support that was at the right side have opened strong over our cavalry,protecting the run aways.The horses were very tired and there was nothing else to do but the Regiment to make left ,to go in time away from the infantry fire and artillery one unleashed by the enemy".

The Attack at Amzacea

In the center of the attack sector,Amzacea Village ,formidable strongolded with deep entrenches and with nets of entanglements on several rows ,constituted the key position of the enemy,commanding the principal road towards Mustafaci and Caraomer.It was occupied by the 25th Turk Division ,strenghtened with Bulgarian units and with a strong artillery.In the first days ,the position could not be attacked because there was uncertainty over the right wing ,where the Russians attacks were continuously rejected.In the third day of the battle ,was,however brought to the right a Serb Regiment ,and this was a guarantee of solidity of this wing.The attack of the position of Amzacea was fixed for 4pm and will be given by the troops of the 17th Romanian Brigade Poetas;at the riight will be the 9th Hunters Regiment ,and at the left ,mixed troops ,of which the greatest part from 40th Calugareni Regiment,Romanian.The spirit of the attack troops is great.The Hunters have in their temple ,Major Rasoviceanu,a Commander of which energy is overtaken only by the flaming and despise for death.The troops of Poetas Brigade start to attack in waves ,advancing with spirit towards the enemy positions ,under the rain of projectiles which crisscross above thir heads .From time to time a quick stop and a salve of rifle fires towards the enemy and the rows,aligned again start in jumps ahead.From the ridge of Eski-iuc Hill,covered within the trenches ,behind the entanglements ,the Turks fire storms of fires.But the Romanians pass careless through the curtain of shrapnels and bullets ,descend the valley in front of the position,climb the ridge Eski-iuc,sneak between the barbwired nets broken by bombardment ,and jump ahead with bayonet over the Turks ,take them out of the entrenches and set them tu run.The artillery of the neighbour positions is flowing its killing fire in the lines of the assaulters.The Officers and Soldiers fell one after the other ;ahead of his Battalion of Hunters ,dies Captain Gheorghiu.

In vain the Romanian Commander try to bring to a stop the soldiers which go to far away.In vain they shout the commands ,sound the signalls from trumpet and whistle.The elan of the soldiers cannot be controled anymore.They pass as a hurricane and with blows of bayonet and rifle beds tear down anything in their way.Now they have entered the batteries of enemy artillery.Sublieutenant Stefanescu throws himself mounted on to a cannon :"They're ours brothers!" and falls ,with his hands in the air ,pierced by bullets.The Turks servants are runthrough bayonet ,set to run,and the Hunters enter Amzacea Village and seize it.The prey at Amzacea is seven cannons ,two flags ,five officers ,a major and over 300 soldiers prisoners.

The defeat of the enemy is complete;the panic spreads to the right and to the left ;the whole 25th Turk Division leaves the positions and begins a disorderly retreat towards Mustafaci.The disaster of the Turk Division alarms the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army,which sends in haste ,in Amzacea all the Bulgarian troops at his disposition,in which time the Bulgarian Cavalry is making desperate forcings to stop the Turk disband and gather the groups of run aways.A bloody body fight begins now on the lanes of the village between Bulgarians and Romanians.The Romanian troops ,in the turmoil of their success,advanced to far ;they were isolated ,at big distance ,both by the behind reserves and by the neighbours in right and left.The darkness creeping in made more difficult the reconning of the situation and orientation.That is why ,the soldiers have received the order to retreat a little and,leaving the village,have established on the Norther outskirts of it,where all through the night they have constituted strongholds.


Ceasing of the Battle

With all the success at Amzacea ,the result of the offensive in Dobrogea ,which lasted three days,was weak.The Army in Dobrogea has managed to advance at the left wing with almost 6 Miles,and at the right wing imposed its advanced posts with 1 Mile.Of breaking the enemy front could not be talk.General Zaioncikovski reports to General Averescu in the night of 3th -4th of October ,that he has executed with energy the ordered offensive ,but for its continuation, he will be forced the next day to put into battle the last reserve ,meaning the 9th Romanian Division and the rest of the Serb Division.He says that the influence of the III-rd Romanian Army ,which was operating at Flaminda ,did not manifest ,which has caused for the enemy to oppose stubborn resistance with all its strenghts.During that day,the operation at Flaminda ended ,taking the character of a demonstration ,for the next day to be completly given up.As a result it has to be prescribed also to the Dobrogea Army to cease the ofensive ,pass in to an active defensive attitude ,to fix the adversary forces in front.That is why ,in the following days have been given by the Romanian and Russian troops isolated attacks ,without important results .The action of the troops of the 10th Romanian Brigade (8th Buzau Regiment and 9th Rimnicu Sarat),against Preveli Village,could not reach the conquering of the village ,with all the difficult moments they made for Bulgarians .Numerous machineguns ,hidden through the roofs of the houses ,were cutting the rows of soldiers.The Romanian artillery has bombarded and set to flames the village ,but the advance of the rows of soldiers rared and bleeding was stopped by the strong wire entanglements .The action of the Russian fleet has been null,as that of the Russian troops between the left of Romanians and Black Sea,although the Russians had here ,without the Cavalry and mounted artillery,hunters and cyclists.

At 4th of October have been given violent fights North of Amzacea between Romanians and Turks,helped by Bulgarians ,with alternative successes.Not being of any use to maintain the too advanced position at Amzacea ,the Hunters have been retreted in the old positions ,starting positions,South of Topraisar.The heroic Poetas Brigade was left ,in the wake of the violent fights given so far,with 800-1000 men for each of the two Regiments .General Scarisoreanu's DIvision -th 19th -has lost in the fights of 1st-5th of october 45 Officers and 3150 men.

At 5th of Ocober ,the Command of the Romanian Group of Divisions 19th and 5th passes to General Rascu.


The results of the Romanian-Russian counteroffensive

The counteroffensive on the Southern Front has finished with a general failure(both sides).At this failure contributed :the insuficient technical preparation for crossing the Danube ,te stubborn resistance of the enemy,he himself ready for offensive ,on Dobrogean Front,but especially the unfavorable strategical situation on the Romanian fighting fronts.

Together with stopping the offensive action at Flaminda ,and with the sending of the three Divisions from there ,to the Carpathian Front ,are also suspended the fights in Dobrogea.From full fight ,Divisions 12th and 15th are withdraw from the front and send to strenghten the defence of Carpathians mountain passes ,Bran and Oituz.The place of the Romanian Dovisions ,left ,was taken by Russian troops :The 3rd Siberian Division .With our heart aking was to be received this fatal situation :the defence of the land of the Kingdom was going on the hands of Russian Army,Tzarist Army which has given in Dobrogea the proof of a lack of energy and indiference ,which were forecasting for the futer the worst expectations.

The failure of the counteroffensive on the Southern Front provoked a spiritual depression in raport with the great hopes which have been put in it.The following events ,have prooven that the action at Flaminda ,at that epoch at which it took place,has been a fatal strategical mistake.In Transilvania ,the enemy has finished its concentration and begun its offensive.Exactly in this moment ,the Romanian Army in Ardeal is left with 11 Division instead of 17 and a half of the enemy.The past twoo weeks from the taking of the troops from Ardeal(Transilvanian)Front to be transported to Danube ,till the retaking them back to the Carpathians Front,have been used by the enemy to strike ,disorganize and demoralize the Army in Ardeal and prepare its invasion.In this critical time ,a great part of the Romanian Army was in trains ,transported from the mountains to the Danube and then from the Danube to the mountains,back,.The unsuuccess of the offensive at the Danube and in Dobrogea -were we had superiority of forces over the enemy-has been to our luck;it saved us from catastrophe.If the Bulgarian and the Germans would have not opposed us resistance,and if by their retreat would have dragged our army South of Danube River ,then the enemy army in Carpathians would have found the III-rd Romanian Army engaged with the enemy in its country(Bulgaria).The divisions engaged in the fight would have not been retreated in due time ,to fill up the gaps on the Northern Front and the invasion of the Kingdom would have been produced one month after our entering in the War.One missfortunes escaped us from a greater one.

Mackensen prepeares the big offensive

After the ending of the Romanian counteroffensive on the Southern Front ,in Dobrogea reestablishes quiet.Time of two weeks have taken place only small local actions .The Romanian Supreme Commander used this break,to focus his atention on to the Northern Front ,very threatened in this time ,and to organize the defence along the line of the mountains,with the aids send from Dobrogea and from Danube.They are the turmoiled days from Oituz,from Predeal and at Rucar.It has only been succeeded to be made the defence at Carpathian Mountains ,when the storm unleashed again in Dobrogea.The silence here was only aparent.Behint the curtain of its front,Mackensen was prepearing with febrility and method the great offensive,which was to put him master over the longed objective:the line Cernavoda-Constanta.His army has received important reinforcements in troops and material.Numerous contingencies,Bulgarian and Turkish,as well as a new German Division-the 217th,Commander von Galwitz-made out of men from Eastern Prusia ,they have strenghtened his fighting front.The Germans were positioned in front of Topraisar ,sector destined to be the most important.The Turks ,counted as less worthy of trust,have been moved a bit to the left,in Cocargea sector.The effective of the army was now 96 Battalions and 28 Escadrons.Its dispozitive was this:the left wing,at the Danube ,was made by 1st Sofia Division,then followed the Turk Corps (Divisions 15th and 25th),then the 4th Bulgarian Division in front of Cobadin;at its right the Mixt Division (made up of the 6th Division and Dobrici Detachment);at the right of this one,in front of Topraisar,the 217th German Division and,and more to the left the Bode German Brigade.At the right wing ,until the Sea ,the 1st cavalry Division ,Bulgarian,strenghtened with infantry.The heavy artillery has been the principal object of preocupation for the German Maarshal,and has received considerable reinforcements.Mackensen had now in his hand a formidable offensive force.In the purpose of the Great battle ,he took in his hands the Command of the II-rd Bulgaro-German Army,which he has separated in to two groups:the Western Group-Commander in suborder General Tosev-comprising of Bulgarian and Turkish troops ,which had demonstative role and the Eastern GroupCommander in suborder General Kantargiev-made out of German and Bulgarian troops ,which will give the principal attack.The whole heavy German artillery and two Regiments of heavy Bulgarian Artillery have been concentrated in front of Topraisar.In the same time and on the Romanian Front have been produced som dislocation of troops.After the leaving of the 12th and 15th Divisions and the replacement of them by Russian troops ,the units have grouped in the next way:at East,left wing,leaned on to the Sea and defending Constanta,was made out of Romanian Divisions 9th and 19th,constituting the group of General Rascu.At the West,the right wing ,leaned over the Danube River and defending the bridgehead at cernavoda ,were the Romanian Divisions 2nd and 5th;it has been constituted also for this group a Commandment ,which has been handed to General Radian.The center was made by the Russian Divisions ;the Russian Group was mounted on line Medgidia-Cobadin-Bazargic.The 3rd Tiraliori Serb Division has been wthdrew from Dobrogea and send on carpathians Front ,at Busteni and Pietrosita.between Russians and the 19th Romanian Division ,which occupied the position at Topraisar ,was the Serb Division,remade after the Fight at Cocargea ,under the Command of General Zivovic.The Command of the Romanian-Russian Army was also that of Russian General Zaioncikovski,of which General Headquarter was at Medgidia.


The Fight at Topraisar

At 19th of October Mackensen unleashed the offensive on the whole front line ,long of 44Miles.A hurricane of fire and metal ,started from hundreds of mouths of fire of cannons of all calibers ,came over the Romanian lines ,at 6,30 in the morning .Short time after the beginning of the action ,the intention of the enemy was clear :he was giving the principal attack over the left Romanian wing ,especially over Topraisar Sector.Here was concentrated the mass of his heavy artillery,here was placed the 217th German Division ,to which it was added as strenght,the Bode Brigade.From an Earth mound ,from where the eye embraced all Dobrogean field ,Mackensen himself ,seconded by his Chief of Staff,General Tappen,was conducting personally the fight.At the right side ,in the tail of the Bulgarian Cavalry troops ,Prince Boris ,the inheriter of the Bulgarian Throne ,was making his compulsory exam of bravery.

The Romanian position at Topraisar was build in shaved field,between this village and Amzacea.It was a strong position,build by the rules of modern war.The first line of defense was made out of entrenches for shooters and individual shelters for observers .Behind it, was the line of barbed wire fence ,placed on four rows.At about 150 meters behind it ,were the works of the principal line of resistance .It was made out of sinuous rows of trenches ,dug deep to cover the shooters in stand up position.They were connected between them ,communicating with the back by long subterrain corridors.behind the position were shelters for reserves ,well protected by roofs and beams in to the ground.Above the technical execution ,was strong by the value of its defenders.It was the 19th Romanian Division,Colonel C.Scarisoreanu which,from the beginning of the Dobrogea Campaign ,was continuously in fight with the enemy.Under the conduct of a Chief with beautiful military qualities and spiritual ones ,this Division,with all the losses she has suffered so far-became a unit to count on ,in difficult moments.In the center of the position were the troops of Poetas Brigade-the brave soldiers of 9th Hunters Regiment and 40th Calugareni,heroes of Amzacea.In the morning of 6th of October ,the officers and soldiers of the 40th Calugareni Regiment have asked to be brought in the trenches the flag of the Regiment.They have unfolded it and rove with it fluttering in to the wind , through the warriors ranks.All af them sworn with the hand stretched ,that nothing will make them back away,that they will die sooner than to leave the position in the hand of the enemy.And they kept their word.


The formidable bombardment of the Romanian position from Topraisar was surpassing everything seen till then on the Dobrogean Front.It was executed with cannons of 105mm,150mm and two batteries of 210 mm.The firing range was directed by a squadron of five aeroplanes ,which were diving and turning over our shelters ,sometimes letting them very low. The artillery of the 19th Romanian Division was made out of 6 batteries ,of which two with slow firing , which firing range was obstacled by the smoke.The effects of the heavy enemy artillery are trumendeous .The shakings of the explosions are deranging the mechanisms of our cannons taking them out of service.Whole batteries ,framed by the enemy firing range,are taken out of the fight,by killing the men and the animals.The trenches and shelters are smashed to pieces and men buried under the ground.At the cover of the frightening bombardment ,the German infantry attacks ,trying to close in to the Romanian positions.At our left wing,towards Muratan,the Romanian Detachment occupying the position,having all machineguns destroied and lossing 2/3 of men ,have retreated on the principal line of resistance.At seven in the evening all troops of the Division were on the principal line ,at the Southern outskirts of Topraisar Village.In the principal position ,the brave troops of Colonel Poetas ,have kept themselves strong two days and two nights.The waves of the attacker were exterminated ,as soon as they got close to our lines.Two days and a half,the adversary bites the dust ,without being able to get close,just a little by night.The Germans addmit the extraordinary difficulties of the fight in front of Topraisar:"The greatly celebrated assault of St.Privat* has found here the repetition.The terrain was at Topraisar,however,much more difficult then at St.Privat,and the strenght of defence of the enemy much greater ,by the modern technic equipment.At night ,the companies got close to the entanglements .They were trying to cut in these wires the openings for assault.The enemy observed the action and throwed his fire waves on the terrain.From a patrol of officers made out of 24 Officers ,send in reconnoitring ,came back only three men.Are hours of excesive nervous forcing."

The enemy Commander sends to the 217h Division the order:"If you count on a decissive success continue the attack for seizing Topraisar;in contrar case ,strenghten strong on the actual position".And with all the forcings made in the days of 19th and 20th of October ,with all the crushing bombardment,the brave troops of the 19th Division remained uninched at their posts.The enmy could not advance anymore,and buried himself,as well in the entrenches ;his most advanced positions were 300 m from ours.

In the center of the Russian Front,the 61st Division has fought moistured ,and the 115thDivision has disbanded and left the psition,retreating towards Cobadin.The Bulgarians have obtained ,with this face ,an easy victory;the 4th Bulgarian Division has made 24 officers and 2800 soldiers prisoners,of the 61st and 115th Division.Theh Russian Division repercutes to the right side ,until the 2nd Romanian Division.Zaioncikovski takes the Command from Radian,which he replaces by General C. Petala.The 3rd Division Tiraliori is recalled to Busteni and pietrosita and resend to strenghten the Russian Front in Dobrogea.

Locality close to Metz,where it has been given at 16th of August 1870 a great battle between French and Germans.The culminant moment of the battle was the assault of the Prusian guard against the French positions occupied by Canrobert Army.6000 Prusians have fallen along the uncovered glacis in front of St.Privat Village.

.........150 mm Skoda system,model 1915,used by the Austro-Hungarian Army,captured by Romanian Army of the Great War,in 1918.


155mm ,1877, de Bange system,,used by the Romanian Heavy Artillery during the Great War

420 mm Howitzer of Great Power ,with quick firing ,system Skoda ,model 1916 Austro-Hungarian Heavy Artillery,captured by, Romanian Army of the Great War,


The Fight between Muratan and Tuzla Lake

While the position at Topraisar is defended with undefeated heroism by the soldiers of Colonel Scarisoreanu Division,sustained on the right side with equal strenght by the Serb Corps,the offensive of Mackensen droves strongly also over the left wing of Rascu Group,made out of the 9th Romanian Division.This division was on the Muratan -Perveli-Tatlageac-shore of the Black Sea.Just like in the neighbour sector ,a strong artillery ,made out of 12 field batteries and four heavy batteries flow the frightening fire over the Romanian positins.The artillery of our two Regiments answers shot by shot ;there are however only cannons of small caliber ;half of the batteries are with slow firing.Two batteries of Russian howitzers ,added to the division end the fight even in the first day,after few hours of bombardment and leave the field of battle.

In the day of 20th of October ,the enemy focuses its blows between Perveli and Tatlageac,in the defended sector of the 19th Brigade .He succeeds in breaking here the front and provoke a general retreat of the troops of the Division,which establishes by evening on to the line Muratan-South of Urluchioi-the Western corner of lake Tuzla.The fight continues with increasing violence at 20th of October.Numerous attacks of the enemy given towards Urluchioi are bloody rejected.The enemy concentrates its heavy artillery fire over Muratan,where the troops of the 40th Brigade maintain with difficulty.Other two heavy batteries ,installed on Tuzla Hill in front of the light house,at the entering of the ground tongue which separates Tuzla Lake by the Black Sea ,occupied by the Russians ,fire-over the lake -the flanks of the hills at North of Urluchioi and take out of service ,one after the other the pieces of 3rd Regiment,buring cannons in the holes in the ground caused by explosions and killing the servants and the officers.

At 21st the resistance of the defence troops weakens.The infantry is demoralized;for three days now, the replenisments have not arrived.A mass of 20 enemy aeroplanes throws continuously bombs over the services behind our lines ;the villages in this region are distroied and evacuated;the water pits are exhausted by the men and horses thirst,they have only mud to give.The connections with the Commandments have been destroyed.From 7 in the morning ,three Bulgarian Regiments ,supported by a very strong artillery,attack on two columns Musurat(Mulciva);with all the Romanians counterattacks ,the Village is conquered by the enemy at 12 o'clock.The infantry of the 19th Brigade begins to retreat in disorder ,the movment propagates to the right,being comminicated to the 40th Brigade as well.The whole front of the 9th Romanian Division is in retreat,infantry and artillery.The retreat is hastened by the go around the left flank.By the land tongue between Lake tuzla and Sea,the Bulgarian Cavalry managed to advance and occupy Techerghiol and Agigea ,although numerous Russian troops were there,and on the Sea was the Russian Fleet of Admiral Patton,made out of cuirasats ,armed with heavy cannons .The Russian Admiral avoids though an effective participation to the Battle,by fear of the Germans submarines and torpeedo-boats,which he knows or thinks in the close by.

The retreat is now general on the whole front of the 9th Division;on the line Mahometcea -Hasiduluc ,the 20th Brigade of the Divisin,Colonel Frimu,kept as reserve of Rascu Group,intervenes and manages to stop by evening the enemy and cover the troops in retreat.In the trenches of the driveway,in water and mud,the soldiers of the 7th Hunters Regiment sustain the retreat,over the railway of the rests of the other two brigades of the 9th Romanian Division.


Losing Constanta (city and harbour)

As at the right side of the Dobrogean Front ,positions at Rasova were still solid in the hands of Romanians,defended by the troops of Cratero Brigade and by the monitors of Danube Escadre,covering the bridgehead at Cernavoda ,on the rest of the front the enemy started ,even in the afternoon of 21st of October ,the pursiut of the Russo-Romanian troops ,in retreat.

A storm ,acompanied by a torential rain ,came over the field of battle.The thunder was mixing with the sounds of bombardment and the lights of the lightnings with the shrapnels explosions .Towards Constanta ,black clouds of smoke rose up like a panas,then widened surrounding the city like a black veil.On this dark fond ,the tongues of fire of the petrol trucks and carriages in the Constanta Harbour were lightning sinister.Behind the Romanian troops ,decimated and demoralized ,the enemy was advancing,sustained continuously by artillery,which didi not stop its bombardment but only for the necessary time to move to a newer position.The retreat of the Romanian infantry was very badly protected by the Russian cavalry,rushed to run first from the battlefield.In the morning of 22nd of October ,the remains of the Divisions 9th and 19th,Romanian and of the Serb Division were retreating to the North of the railway Murfatlar-Constanta,which long trains were carrying towards Cernavoda the authorities and the inhabitants which were leaving their ownings and houses,prey for the invassioneers.On the driveways which go North,on the dug out roads by torential rains,convoys of wagoons and carriages were passing in great haste ,mixing up with the military columns and with the troops in retreat.It was the sad spectacle of the population frightened ,which was taking the road of refuge,leaving in the hands of the barbarian hoardes the whole crop of a lifetime of work.From the South,big curtains of fire and clouds of smoke were showing the advance of the enemy.The Russian friends and Bulgarian enemies were contesting in the art of destruction on the back of our misfortuned region ,brought in a fluorishing state by Romanian labour.The enemy aeroplanes were circling like big birds of prey ,trowing bombs over the city in agony,over the trains and train stations,over the Cernavoda Bridge (Carol Ist ),over the hospitals,over the convoys of wounded.At the midday of 22nd of October,the infantry columns ,Germano-Bulgar and the Bulgarian cavalrymen made their apparition in Constanta,abandoned and devastated.The seizing of Constanta has had also a grotescue episode ,characteristic for Bulgarian mentality.As the Germans ,practical people,were occupying the wheat barns and the petrol tanks in the harbour,the Bulgarians were giving themselves in the city at cruelties and banditisms ,then stormed over...the Statue of Ovidiu.

To demonstarte in material forms ,the superiority and their victory over the poet of "Sads" and "Metamorphoses",the Bulgarian soldiers tied the statue of Ovidiu with ropes and tore it down the ground ,from the postament,carrying it with oxes harnesses of their heavy artillery.As they were dragging in triumph the victim towards the Sea ,the Germans have intervene ,ashamed by the deed of their accomplices of arms,and rose up back Ovidiu on his piedestal of Secular glory.


The Romanian troops at the Eastern wing have continued their retreat ,in continuous fighting contact with the enemy,in direction Caramurat-Babadag.In the day of 23rd of October was occupied by the enemy also Medgidia ,the General Hedquarter of General Zaioncikovski,from where the Russian troops have retreated in disband.The 3d Tiraliori Division,Siberian is transported with great difficulty in Dobrogea because of the slowliness with which the Russian were embarking and of the long stops in stations.In the evening of 21st of October,only three trains arrived at Fetesti.The Division has missed the day of the great battle ,such it did not fight nor in the mountains from where it has left,neither in Dobrogea ,where it has arrived.Disembarked at Medgidia in the days of 22nd and 23rd ,she cannot unfold in fighting position and it is dragged in the retreat of the other two Russian divisions of the Russian Corps.

The 5th Romanian Divsion,which was keeping the front in Mircea Voda sector,has been strongly attacked by the enemy,at 23rd of october ,in front and on the left flank ,where the Russian Brigade Meder has retreated to Medgidia ,leavinga big hole.The Romanians have been forced to reteat beyond the railway.The 5th Division was reduced to 4000 menHer retreat was covered the next day against a fiercely enemy attack by artillery and of the 2ndDivisionneighbou,which has remained intact.24 Romanian batteries have executed the whole day barrage firing ,which kept in respect the enemyad allowed the flowing of the convoys and troops towards North

At the Eastern wing ,the Romanians have stopped at Caramurat,where it has been tried to be organized the first serious resistance during the reteat,with the remains of Divisions th and 19th under the Command of Colonel Scarioreanu ,made General on the battle field.Big gaps have also produced in the Romanian Commandments Colonel Frimu,the Commander of the 20th Brigade ,of which speed and action have saved the retreat of the th Division,has fallen prisoner as Colonel Tarnoski ,the Commnde of the 40th Brigade ;Colonel Constantinesci the Commander of the ,the Commander of the 23rd Regiment has fallen dead in the fight.The effectives of the brigade were not bigger than a battlion,and of the divisions ,as a regimntBut the soldiers tired and demoralized are not capable o resistance Scarisoreanu has to retreat in the day of 24th at Terzechioi,and the next day at Daieni and then to Ostrov.

The retreat is made penible on roads filled with sad convoys of the refugees.The place of the Romanian troops is tken now by the Russians.


.......Elisabeta Cruiser built in Elswick Yard byArmstrong, Mitchell & Co. Ltd" of Newcastle upon Tyne

The heroic defending of Cernavoda

At 24th of October ,the Romanian front has taken the form of an angle with the peak towards North.At the Western wing ,it started from South of Cernavoda ,passing to the East of it,to head towards North-East ,until region Dorobantu-Carol I-Caramurat,from where it turned towards South-East to lean over Lake Tasaul.Cernavoda was hold strong in the hands of Romanians .In the morning of that day ,Mackensen ,enervated and contrariated by the resistance of Cernavoda ,sends to general Tosev,the Bulgarian Commander of the sector the order:"You will enter in Rasova and Cernavoda .I wait for them to be taken by nightfall..."

The defence of Cernavoda was made with an incomparable bravery by the troops of the 2nd Division and especially the 32nd Brigade under the Command of Colonel Cratero.The monitors Escadre of Danube River,has given to the defence of Cernavoda a concur more efficient than has given the strong escadre of Russian cuirasats to Constanta ,on the Black Sea.

The troops of the Bulgarian Division 1st of Sofia have taken with great difficulty Rasova and then they have been stopped in front of Cochirleanca Pond.The strong resistance of the 66th Romanian Regiment has given the Bulgarian Commander the impression that he has to deal with a formidable Romanian-Russian Army.*That is why General Tosev ,which was Commanding personally the operations against Cernavoda bridgehead ,has obtained for this operation,next to the 1st Sofia Division also the Divisions 25th Turk and 4th of Preslav,Bulgarian,as weel as a strong heavy artillery.The resistance of Romanians has been fiercely South of Cochirleanca Pond,on Mare Hill and on Irvinez Hill,as well as on Podului Hill,between Danube and Cochirleanca Pond.Overwhelmed by the number of the attacker ,the Romanians have retreated North of the Pond,occupying line Valu lui Traian,between Danube and Carasu Pond.

At 23rd of October the Great Romanian Headquarter was not yet considering the situation in Dobrogea as lost.With the help of the 3rd Division Siberian and of other troops which were expected ,it was thought that it will go to counterattack and reoccupy Constanta.That is why General Zaioncikovski have received the order to defend and keep with any price Cernavoda.The Russian disband at Medgidia has demolished all the hopes rose up by the heroic defence of Cernavoda.At 2 in the afternoon,Zaioncikovski reported that he is completely turned at the left wing ,which has retreated towards Caramurat and asked permission to leave also Cernavoda.The Great Headquarter,considered that Zaincikovski,having alone the responsibility ,is the most capable to apreciate the situation and take the measures imposed by it.Te principal thing is to be saved the Army.The Russian General reported again,by evening,that he keeps solid Caramurat and hopes to to keep longer Cernavoda-thanks to the determined resistance of Romanians;this will permit him at least to save the munition deposits there.

At 24th of ocober the defece of Cernavoda has reached the most critical phase.The concentration of the enemy is now complete and the small city almost invested(conquered).Tosev has attacked with the 1st Division from South ,as the Turk Division and the 4th Division have executed a movement of conversion ,to sit facing West and attack in convergent mode cernavoda.The 4th Bulgarian Division advances to East until Tortoman,in the flank of the 2nd Romanian Divison,as from the South ,numerous columns of infantry,supported by the bombardmen of the heavy artillery,advances one side and the other of Cochirlancea Pond.


General Rascu ,to which it has been handed the Command of Divisions 2nd and 5th ,Romanians,defends Cernavoda with the whole artillery of the two Divisions.;he has ,though ,small infantry and is overwhelmed by the enemy.Surrounded almost from three parts ,with all the heroic defence ,the faith of Cernavoda is sure.The drama from Turtucaia threatens to repeat.To obstacle the catastrophe ,the Romanian Commander orders at 6 in the evening ,the retreat towards Hirsova.And as Tosev was taking measures as "the units of the 1st Division Sofia to strenghten on elevations 114 and 121,for as to,even in the same night ,the artillery to be able to install on position ",and the decissive attack was postponed for the next day "given the exhaust of the soldiers",the Romanians were evacuating during the night of 24th-25th of October the bridgehead ,by men and materials.only in the next morning ,the Bulgarians find out from the liaison German oficer that the city is empty and the Bulgarians could make their entrance by 10 o 'clock.However,the occupation of the city was mad only after a very bloody fight ,on the streets ,with detachments of the Romanian arierguard.The Bulgarians have to notice with envy that at the "conquering" of the bridge head Cernavoda they coul only capture few dozens of prisoners and three cannons of 53 mm,broken.From the heroic 32nd Romanian Brigade there were only 200 men left,and the 2nd Romanian Division numbered 23 officers and 1505 soldiersof infantry,70 officers and 2342 soldiers of artillery,the cannons were almost all saved.

A painful necessity is imposed now.The great bridge "King Carol the Ist",the pride of Romanian civil engineering,had to be destroyed ,for not to serve to the enemy for crossing its troops to Muntenia.Fortunately ,the bridge resists to all the attempt of destroying it ,made with the weak technical means of the field army and remained almost intact.In the day of 26th has been destroyed the Bridge of Fetesti,over Borcea,as weel as the intermediary bridge over Balta,by our teams of Navy and Geniu,which used the floating mines of the Navy,heavily loaded with explosive(dynamite and tnt).

With the collapse of the bridges ,a big abyss separated us by our misfortuned province ove rthe Danube.

According to Tosev the "Garrison of Cernavoda Fortress" was made out by a Division of Infantry,four Fortress Companies ,Four Reserve Battalions ,Four Militia Battalions ,Four Reserve Battalions of reserve from 9th Division,82 cannons of 10,5 cm and an undetermined number of cannons for flanking and counterattacks!Further:"In the direction of the Fortress have retreated some 2 Divisions and 2 Russian Regiments."
In reality,the defence of Cernavoda was made out by the following troops:South of Cochirleanu was the 32nd Brigade ,reduced at two battalions of Regiment 66th;at East was the 4th Brigade ,reduced at 1500 men.At her left ,a battalion from 66th ,filled the gap between 2nd Division and 5th Division,occupying Villages Azizia and Carasu Pond.As artillery there was: Regiments 9th and 14th Artillery ,a divizion from 5th Howitzer Regiment and a battery of 53 mm.

......

9.The Defence of Dobrogea Let To The Russians

The new Russian Commander about Russian Army

The Russian-Romanian armies have continued the retreat towards North of Dobrogea ,keeping in permanent contact, of fight ,with the pursuer.A part of the Romanian troops have poured over the bridge of vessels from Hirsova,after which the bridge has been lifted and transported down stream,between Macini and Braila.Hirsova was occupied by the enemy at 26th of October .The Romanian Divisions 2nd and 5th ,19th and 9th very trialed with the effectives considerable diminished ,have been taken out of the fight.The 2nd Division has remained with an effective of 52 officers and almost 3000 men ;the 3rd Olt Regiment had 3 officers and 600 soldiers .Some units were unbirthed ,other had to be combined ,2 units into 1,or more in to one.Of the 4 Divisions ,have been made two:2th/5th and 9th/19th.The rests which could constitute the two Divisions have been gathered in the North-Western corner of Dobrogea ,then have been crossed to Braila ,to be completed with elements from deposits and be ready again for battle.

Instead of the Romanian Divisions have been brought Russian troops .In this way ,the guard of what was left from Dobrogea has been given entirely to the Russians .This time ,finally,the Russian Stavka decided to send big effectives,reinforcements into Dobrogea .Together with the two corps in Dobrogea ,the effective of the Russian Army will rise up to four Corps: General Alekseev announces that will arrive in Dobrogea ,IV-th Russian Corps and IV-th Siberian Corps.They constitute the VI-th Russian Army.An important change took place at the Russian Army Command.general Zaioncikovski which,by his incapacity ,have lost Dobrogea,has been replaced.His successor was General Zaharov,set under direct Command of general Alekseev;Zaharov had a good reputation;he has been one of the three Commanders with which Brusilov has given the Offensive of Summer 1916.General Zaharov has conquered Dubno and Radzivilow.It is true that he has won his fame by fighting against the rotten Austro-Hungarian Army.His reputation suffered a great deal in Dobrogea ,because with al the effectives set at his disposition had not made a better thing than his predecessor.

In form ,he showed severe and energic .At the receiving of the Command of the troops in Dobrogea ,he has given to his army a day order ,remained celebre:"Prikaz No. 1, 17/30 October 1916.The Commander of the Danube Army I order:The shameful running away to cease imediately.We have been send here,if not to win at least to fight,and not to contest ourselves in running away.I have taken measures that the machineguns and artillery to fire on the runners away.The officers which will not fulfill their duty will be courtmartialed,regardless of situation or position.The soldiers must not follow the strategical movement of the peasants,which run away with their elan.His Majesty have send us here to win ,not to make economy of our blood or that of the enemy.Our Front is in this moment :Ostrov-Topolog-Babadag.Forward!God does not help cowards and poltrons".The Day Order of General Zaharov is characteristic:it is the official confession ,made by Russian chiefs,of the incapacity and cowardice of our allies ,which have lost for us Dobrogea.


As the military action of the Tzarist Army in Dobrogea has been null,as the fleet on the Black Sea has made no deed,letting the enemy to advance undisturbed along the shore of the Black Sea ,exactly on the ground tongue between Tuzla Lake and the Sea,turning the flank of our Army,as in Constanta the Anty Aerian Artillery and the Tzarist hydroplanes have not obstacled the enemy airplanes to throw daily bombs over our hospitals ,the Russian soldiers gave themselves at plunderings on the back of Dobrogean population.Even in the course of the first retreat ,after the Battle on Dobrogean Frontier ,the officers and soldiers of the 36th Romanian Brigade could see a spectacle which filled them with indignation:the Russian Soldiers were retreating with precipitation ,emptying the villages on their way;the inhabitants were runing away as they could and in their wake the Russian soldiers were stealing the villages.You could see wagoons of replenishments carring sewing machines and for kitchens ones,chairs ,wardrobes and even pianos(without tail).Techerghiol has been completely devastated by Russians ,beginning with the wine cellars and ending with furnitures ,tableaus and mirrors in which the drunk soldiers amused themselves by firing shots.The devastations was put on the count of a Cazac Division,which they named it themselves the "Savage Division".In reality this was everywhere the conduct of the Russians ,even in Medgidia ,where it was the General Headquarter of General Zaioncikovski.In the wake of some panic,in which the Russian cavalry and artillery run away North,the small city remained deserted :the inhabitants have run ,loading in haste whatever they could in their wagoons.Until reestablishing the calm and the return of the population,the Russian soldiers have profitted to devastate and steal everything .The disorderly retreats of the Russians widen up the panic to far away and were disorganizing the public life in Dobrogea .Under the impression of panic unleashed by the precipitated evacuation of the general Russian Hedquarter ,of Medgidia ,the authorities in Tulcea have left the city,running away together with the frightened population towards Galati and Ismail.The intervention of the Romanian troops have reestablished the calm.


On the tracks of the barbarians

The good intentions and the aparent energy of General Zaharov did not had the ocasion to be put to use for liberatig Dobrogea.The Bulgarians continued to advance North with Cavalry,strenghtened with Infantry units ,on the tracks of the Russians which were retreating .The avanguards of Bulgarian Cavalry did not pass but just a little the separation line between Constanta County and and Tulcea County....The power of pursuit of Bulgarians was diminishing as the Russian resistance was increasing;the arriving on to the fighting line of the IV-th Siberian Corps (Divisions 9th and 10th)have stopped quick the advancement of Bulgarians and forbid them the occupation of Babadag.In the same time ,behind the cavalry curtain ,the Bulgarian Infantry was organising a line of resistance in the most narrow region of Dobrogea from Boascic on Danube River,through South of Gelengie,until Lake Tasaul.The line has been formidable strongholded with rows of entrenches and of barbed wire fence ;the elevations West of Topalu and Boascic and Beris-Tepe Hill ,the proeminent points of the line ,which were making two pronounced proeminences towards North ,have been transformed in formidable redoubts.Mackensen has withdrew the 1st Bulgarian Division and 217th German Division ,to organize with them the Army which had to cross the Danube River,upstream.With the rest of the III-rd Bulgarian Army ,meaning,the 4th Division,the Mixt Kantargiev Division ,the VI-th Turkish Corps (Divisions 15th and 25th) with a German Regiment and the 3rd Cavalry Division ,he has started a new offensive at 3rd of November 1916 for conquering the Northern Dobrogea .Faced with the received news about the strenghtening of the Russian Army ,especially being informed that on the left side of the Danube,at Slobozia ,is concentrating a new Russian Army Corps -the 4th -under the Command of General Alekseev,Mackensen has stopped the offensive and gave the order of general retreat on the resistance position of Boascic-Tasaul.

.....


At 7th of November the Russians begins the advance towards South,on the tracks of bulgarians .Burn and ruin was everywhere .All the villages left by the Bulgarians have been devastated and arsoned.At the right wing of the Russians ,along the Danube,was a Romanian Detachment;the Romanian Division of Monitors was advancing on the Danube ,protecting the flank of the army in movement.A little to the South ,in Balta Dinarii,in Region Calarasi -Fetesti,has been brought the 8th Russian Division.

At 8th of November,the Romanian troops ,made out of the fourth battalion from Regiments Bacau and Neamt,strenghtened with a Navy Detachment ,disembarked by the fleet and with a Russian Cavalry Detachment ,reoccupied Hirsova,as the Russian front line was much further North.The little city was completely destroyed and arsoned;two weeks of Bulgarian occupation transformed it into smoking ruins .The barbarianism did not know to respect not even the most beautiful manifestations of human spirit ;the admirable regional museum of teacher Cotovu,the crop of a lifetime of work,served by a noble passion was also ash and rabble.The heroes of Louvain were schooled.The destroing instincts of the Bulgarians were known to Mackensen which,by repeated orders,prescribed that no harm to be brought to Cernavoda Bridge(Carol the Ist Bridge),and to Constanta Harbour ,but only with direct order of Mackensen headquarter.

The Romanian fleet was always ahead of the Russian one,bombarding the back and flanks of the Bulgarians.After two days ,the artillery of the monitors away the Bulgarians from Toplau,which is occupied by Romanians.The fleet continued the advance to Boascic and Seimenii Mari,sending vedettes in reconissance until Cernavoda,defending the missfortuned Romanian population of the Danube villages ,not only against the enemy,but also against the Russian ally of which soldiers given themselves to devastations and brigandages of all kinds.

The pursuit has stopped in front of the fortified line of Boascic -Topalu,in which the III-rd Bulgarian Army with its Turkish strenghtenings and German ones,under its new Commander General Nerezov*has received the order to resist to the last man.It wasn't need for this of too much heroism.Zaharov ,edged himself to give from 23rd of November till 2nd of December a series of unsewed fights ,attacking isolated points ,without energy and without the intention to give a serious battle .Then, quiet went over the Dobrogean Front .And the fights will not reflame again but only when the Bulgarians ,edificated totally over the enemy in front of them ,will think it is the moment to throw him out of Dobrogea by an only one vigorous push.

But this episode does not belong to the Romanian Campaign;it is an episode of the strange Russian strategic game.


The End of Dobrogean Campaign

The bloody and painful Dobrogen act of the Romanian Campaign was ending now.Ment to be a secondary action in our war ,it became all of a sudden the principal cause of defeat.The Dobrogean Campaign has begun with the sad episode of Turtucaia Fortress and,slowly ,has pumped all the reserves of our military strenght and has paralised the elan with which the Army has hastened over Carpathian Mountains .Rejected from one line to another ,we have lost ,in the end,Constanta as well.Dobrogea has been the grave of some tens of thoulsands of sons of the Kingdom and of the most beautiful ilussions.

A deep discourageemnt and a great bitterness was descending in our souls.Our national pride was lowered.We have abandoned in the power of Bulgarians also a corner of our soul.Because for forty years ,the Romanian labour managed to transform the deserted region,about which Moltke was talking in 1835,in to the garden which imposed admiration even to the ferocious enemy.Mackensen himsel said:"The traveler which enters Dobrogea through Bulgaria has the impression that he passes from Asia to Europe".In a few weeks ,the Bulgarian invasion has passed with the fire of destruction over the Romanian civilization .The fluorishing villages were now rubble and ash;the population have taken the world in the head(run away).Bulgarians have succeeded to bring Dobrogea half a century back.

We also have lost the strong bastion which,in our War Plan,was supposed to defend us from the South,so that we had free hand in the North.We have also lost the unfinshed trust we had till then in the fighting power and in the vigor of our military organization,we have lost the trust in the power and sincerity of our Russian ally.A formidable coalition of enemies ,which put ahead the most capable military chiefs ,was grasping us more and more in the circle of fire ,and in the midst of it,exhausted of strenghts ,we were alone.Beyond the fire circle of the enemy our big friends ,eased by our jump into the spin of fire of the enemy,were sending us words of rising up moral and,regreting that for the moment were unable to send something else as well,they were edging in saying that we were weaker than they have been expected.

In the same time ,our war material,which had to be set on foot of equality with the enemy,was lost through the vastness of Russia or were at the bottom of the ocean by the submarines of the enemy.In our bitter hearts ,a hunch begins to make way:our principal ally was betraying us....

In these circumstances of inferiority and depression of soul,was ironing now the fight for defending the Kingdom by enemy invasion.

Between Mackensen and Tosev the conflicts were chaining.The last one of them has been determined by Mackensen order as the 1st Bulgarian Division to be imediately withdrew from Dobrogean Front and enter the composition of the Danube Army.Tosev,protesting against this decission ,was forced to resign from the Commandment of the III-rd Bulgarian Army.

[1]In the 1914 campaign ,Austro-Hungary prooven incapable of crushing Serbia,although has occupied temporarily Belgrade.The Serb victory of Rudnik(4th-5th September 1914)forced the Austrians to retreat towards frontier.At 15th of December in the wake of a new offensive the Serbs reoccupy Belgrade and liberate their national territory.The great offensive ,decissive,Austro-German against Serbia will start at 6 th of October 1915.

[2]The Legitimeers ,Monarhist party in France ,had as goal the abolition of republican form of government and reinstauration of Monarchy,by bringing back the Burbon Dynasty.Burbon Dynasty has ruled in France in 1589-1792,1814-1815,1815-1830.

[3]On the War Theatre in Serbia .Wishing to suport Serbia ,the Expeditionary Ally Corps at Salonic has send troops towards North-West ,which have arrived in the sector between Crna and Vardar.The Bulgarian troops which have begun the hostilities against Serbia at 21st of October 1915 ,oppose resistance and force the allies to retreat at 2nd of December from Crna and Vardar.

[4]In the Enetente camp there was no unity of oppinions pertaining the strategical periferical goals and of the Army of Salonic ;few French and British politicians and militaries were partizans of creating and activation of the Balkan Front ;for general Joffre ,example,the Balkan Front-secondary- would have swallowed important ally units so necessary on the French Front ,where the faith of the War was decided.On the Salonic Front have been ,however,send step by step,units of the armies of the great powers of Entente and Serbs-but ina very different measure.

[5]Prime Minister of France and ,and respectively of Great Britain.

[6]In this stage ,Grece was a neutral country,even there were two political opposed groups -proGerman and Ententofila."Grece and the Great powers" 194-1917George L.B.,Thesaloniki,Institute for Balkan Studies 1974

[7]Vasil Radoslavov (1854-1929) Bulgarian politician ,Primeminister(1886-1887,1913-1918).

[8]National Gathering of Bulgaria.

[9]Russian-Romanian-Turk War 1877-1878

[10]On the oriental Theatre of operations in Poland ;in 30th of November -6th of December 1914 here was a great battle ,in which the Russian Army suffered a defeat.

[11] about Turtucaia failure

[12]This is our Verdun

[13]Vaux and Thionville were strong forts of the fortifications system of Verdun,on the Frence Front,for which extremely bloody battles have been given in 1916.

[14]"Turtucaia is our Verdun,those who provoke it attak themselves"

[15]Fortress Przemysl,strong military fortification in Poland territories(Galitia),under Habsburgic domination,for which have been given hard and repeated battles between Russians and Austro-Hungarians .For the first time in September 1914 the Russians attack the forthress and siege it,but at 11th of October they been forced to end up the siege;still at 22 March 1915 the Russian force Przemsl to capitulate ,whit occassion in which they captured 120 000 prisoners ,900 cannons etc.Faced with this desaster ,what happened at Turtucaia were modest losses .The strong modern fortifications of Liege (Belgium) have been attacked by the Germans at 4th of August 1914,the fortress could not be conquered but only after heavy fights ,the German troops enterd Liege at 6th of August 1914,after the forts have been demolished with the aid of the formidable heavy artillery fabricated by Krupp.

[16]Justinianus Ist,Bizantin Emperor (527-565)

[17]Sveatoslav,Sovereign of Kiev (964-972)

[18]Dobrotici ruled Dobrogea 1354-1386

[19]Baiazid I(Ildirim),Ottoman Sultan 1389-1402

[20]I F Paskevici 1782 1856,Russian General ,have Commanded the Russians Armies in the Romanian Principates(countries) in the Crimean War 1853-1856

[21]Extraordinary Council of Defense of Tzarist Russia

[22]Monastir has been occupied by the French-British-Serb troops of the Ally Army of Salonic at 19th of november 1916.

[23]In depth

[24]Nizami-Ottoman infantry units(Turkish)


from Constantin Kiritescu -Rasboiul Pentru Intregirea Romaniei 1916-1919-translated by Andrei Radu Georgescu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 21:37, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 19:15, 17 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86DB:88E7:D184:1959:D938 (talk) 21:28, 17 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86AC:8D64:F47D:A2F9:AA2 (talk) 02:41, 20 June 2020 (UTC)Razu
The Invasion-1916
Chapter IV

The Invasion

1.Forcing Olt Line

The third crisis of our War

Under the pushing more and more strong of the enemy torrent,the dams of the mountains begun to crack.At Jiuu the breaking has produced.At Olt ,the dam was barely holding.

In the face of the invasion threat,the High Romanian Commandment was agitated by contradictory feelings and influences.There were,on one side ,consideration purely military .Evacuating of Oltenia ,to shorten up the Front,seemd like an inexorable necessity.Two times,the Great Romanian Headquarter planned it,studied it ,but gave up to it.Because considerations of other kind :feelings ,politics,cultural went ahead.Defending the national territory seemd to some like an intangible article of faith;not a patch of the ancestral land must be let by free will to the enemy.On the altar of this ideea has been sacrificied one of the great Commanders of Army.

At the Great Headquarter at Peris,in the morning of 22nd of November ,the two allied Councelors expose two opposite thesis.General Beleaev proposed a retreat after Russian method,on successive positions,to keep the Army for latter.General Berthelot was showing the impossibility of appalying the Russian strategy in a country with small territory ,as Romania,abandoning to the enemy the richness of the country and demoralysing completly the Army;this woud mean catastrophe without battle.The French General is for the ideea of an offensive with the Divisions that make the Strategical Reserve of the Great Romanian Headquarter.The breaking of Jiu Front is not an iremediable catastrophe.The hope of straighten things up ,shined still ,very lively.Berthelot proposes a vigorous manoeuvre in the flank of the enemy, too sure of himself,with an Army which would advance over Olt,to transform the German victory at Jiu in a desastre.The Group of Divisions ,which was in cours of gathering at Pitesti ,could acomplish this role .The Manoeuvre Mass will constitute at West of Pitesti of the 21st Division from the I-st Army ,together with the 2nd Division from Pitesti;the group had to cross Olt River ,above Dragasani,to operate with direction towards Jiu ,behind the German invasion Army.To cover the advance of the Group of Romanian Divisions ,it was needed that the troops on Jiu Valley to oppose a fierce resistance at Filiasi .The retreat order of the Group at Cerna and of the Detachment at danube at Bailesti,given by General Vasilescu Paraschiv ,the Commander of the Ist Romanian Army ,has been revoked;the troops had to stay on positions.The fast advance of the Germans into Oltenia made impossible the acomplishment of the planned manoeuvre.Berthelot thinks to a new manoeuvre:the Group of the three Divisions ,concentrated in Pitesti Region could be turned towards South to attack the heads of the German Divisions columns which will cross Olt River ,to repel them towards Craiova.Finally,these troops ,completed with Divisions 19th and 18th could organize ,whith a rise up moral ,the defence of Olt line .But the success of these operations needs without a doubt ,two more things :the I-st and II-nd Romanian Armies to oppose in their sectors a stubborn resistance ,and on the Moldavian Front,the Russians to begin,at last,their great offensive ,always postponed.The matter of outside help,to ease up the Romanian Front ,imposed itself as an indispensable condition.The Conference of the Interallied Commandments decided that the great offensive of the Armies of Entente to be postponed for the spring of the next year .Not being necessary the concentration of all forces on to the Western Front,Joffre proposed the strengthening of the Salonic Front with French troops ,English and Italians to take there a strong offensive ,wich will force the enemy to take from the Germano-Bulgarian forces from Danube ;the French Generalisim was convinced that Romania has managed to dominate the crisis ,which nears the end.Unfortunately ,the plans of the French Commandment have remained in the state of intentions.

What seemed as the most effective measure to aid Romania ,was the Russian aid.The Russian proximity made that his strong intervention to have imediate effects.From Bucharest ,from Peris,London,the most persistent requests were addressed to Russian ally to send in the aid of Romanian Army,situated in grave danger,numerous troops of Infantry and Cavalry, which were held on Prut ,with the weapon on foot and with the bridle in horses mouths.But the Russian aid let itself waited.General Beleaev ,the representative of the Russian General Staff attached to the Romanian Commandment ,was making to the latter one the demonstration that Russia have way passed over the obligations she has taken by the Convention with Romania.That in Dobrogea has send four Army Corps instead of three Divisions.That in Moldovia has taken over the defence of Romanian Front until Oituz.That the quick move of the troops ,gathered in Basarabia ,meets a lot of difficulties ,technical ,the principal fault of this situation beeing the poor capacity of Romanian railways...Russia cannot assume the engagement that she can make the aid troops to arrive in time,to stop our abandoning the positions into the mountains and the evacuation of the national territory.Besides,they do not see this eventuality as a catastrophe;on the contrary it would be an advantageous strategical operation ,because it would bring the shortening and strengthening of the Russian Front.

With much bitterness ,Bratianu(Romanian Primeminister) expresses to the Russian representativ the fatal consequences of the Russian actions.Ten Army Corps were sitting with the weapon on foot,blaming the administration of the Romanian railways .And still,the invoked motive did not had at all the value which the Russians wanted to give.From Prut until Carpathian mountains were only 63 Miles,meaning a distance which could be made in 5-6 days of walking ,with small stops ,and in Dobrogea, where four Russian Army Corps were concentrated ,the inaction of Zaharov permitted to the enemy to rise up troops ,which he then send in other parts of the Front.But the decission of the Russian Commander was determined;the much promissed Russian offensive is postponed for 28th of November ,and the units asked for the direct aid of Romanian troops ,the VIII-th Russian Corps ,the 40th Russian Division or at least the 8th Cavalry Russian Division ,are categorically refused to us.Berthelot communicates telegraphic to Joffre that Romanian Army "will be forced to extend by herself ,another eight days ,the extreme effort asked from her".

As the third crisis of our War was unfolding ,the defensive crisis ,fatal,light was brought over the intentions of our ally .At the dogma of defending the Romanian territory ,the Russians opposed the other dogma;sacrificing the territory ,in the interest of the strategic future developments ,necessitated by the operations of European War.The last ilussions which we made over the sincerity of our ally will receive this time the decissive blow.On the whole stretch of the Oriental Front ,from Baltic Sea to Egee Sea,the absolute quiet dominated.Only in the tongue of land ,streched between Carpathians and Danube ,a small Army ,tired for three months of continuous fights ,in which she did not had time to learn what rest means ,struggled ,cornered from all parts by numerous and strong enemies ,defending with energy of disperation the dear land of the ancestors .

And the Russian aid did not arrive.The hand of the strong neighbour and ally did not reach to stop us on the brink of catastrophe.But instead rise up ,to show us the road of retreat towards Siret .The Russian ideea triumphed.The Romanian Army will have to start on the road of her ordeal.


Towards Olt line

In this time ,the enemy invasion was following its course ,unbothered by any serious obstacle.The resistance at Filiasi has been defeated and Craiova occupied by the enemy.

Through the large opened gate in Gorjului Mountains ,on the upper valleys of Jiu ,the enemy torrent flowed in to the fields of Oltenia .The glorious remains of Divisions 1st and 17th Romanians,were uncapable of a serious action .The weak Detachments of arierguard could not have other mission but to ensure ,as much as possible ,the evacuation of the war materials and of the wounded from the abandoned territory and to protect the retreat of the troops ,blowing up the bridges.

The first serious line of resistance possible was on to the Eastern shore of Olt River,in Dragasani -Slatina region .The left shore of Olt ,high and marshy dominating the entire river -field and the flat of Oltenia ,crossing perpendicular over the advance directions of the enemy ,made an excelent line of defence.With only one condition :to be occupied in time and in order by enaugh troops.

Unfortunately it was not so.The operations at Jiu -desperate trial to escape Oltenia-provoked the destruction of Jiu Group,have delayed the retreat of the Group at Cerna ,which had to be condemned to an unuseful sacrifice ,made disorganizing ,and worn out of the 17th Division ,throwed unit by unit into Jiu Battle.

On the wake of our Detachments was coming the phallanx of the seven Divisions of the Armies of Kuhne and Schmettow ,unfolding as an imense fan,as they exited Jiu Pass.At 21st of November ,in the day of occupying Craiova,the German front stretched on a wide of 25 Miles .The right wing of this front ,made out of the two cavalry Divisions of Schmettow ,advanced with great speed along Valleys of Motru and Jiu,touching with the avanguards Craiova.The left wing was advancing much slower,along Amaradia Valley ,then crossed Oltet Valley with direction Dragasani and reached at Otetelisu .The German Front ,was making thus ,a converssion towards East ,to place itself parallel with Olt River.

At 24th of November ,the German Armies reached the line of Olt River and had the unpleasantness to find the bridges at Dragasani and Slatina destroyed.From the oppsite shore ,strong bursts of artillery and an infantry fire announced the enemy that Olt shore was well occupied and energically defended.The enemy torrent had to stop,gather strengths and wait for the mistakes with which the inexperience or unthoughtfulness of ours will come to its aid.

Behind the Front line ,the roads of Oltenia are filled by the enemy invasion.Long columns of Infantery and Cavalery ,unnumbered cannons ,unfinishing convoys of waggons ,heavy automobiles move towards East.On the sides of the roads dead horses ,from which flesh the birds of prey tear pieces,smashed automobiles,abandoned weapons,turned up side down waggons with the wheels in the air,are the sad signs of Romanian retreat.By a road crossing ,a group of turkey birds ,thrust in haste over the ground mounds ,newly dug out.

The roads go through empty villages ,emptied by population which has taken,frightened ,the road of refuge.Sometimes ,the convoy of peasant waggons with oxes,carrying all the belongings of the family:the tree cover,corn cobs,herds,pigs ,pushed by hunger or by children,arrived in to enemy columns and turned from their way of lonely,go back to the desserted villages at the first moment of fear.Shots can be heared at all times,at the passing of columns through the villages .The Germans cannot stand dogs ;that is why their triumphal way is filled with the corpses of the poor animals.There are sad autumn days.The sky is ash like coloured ,and the roads are dug out,filled with mud ,holes and water.



The Charge at Robanesti

Between the numerous episodic actions of the fights in Jiu and Olt ,by which the Romanian troops in retreat were trying to dam the advance of the German torrent ,to give time to set in defence the line of Olt River ,it deserves to not be forgotten the episode of the "Charge at Robanesti".

At Caracal was finding ,in the day of 7/20 of November ,the 2nd Rosiori Brigade-of the 1st Romanian Cavalry Division-made out of Regiments 4th and 9th ,with the mission of covering the left wing of the troops -Division 1/17-which was retreating from Jiu in direction Slatina ,pursued by Schmettow Cavalry .Advanced Escadrons come into contact with German patrols.The 2nd Rosiori Brigade receives from the Defence Group of Oltenia the task to fall in the flank and back of the enemy which was advancing from Craiova in direction East to attack the line of the most trialed 1/17 Division ,situated in the trenches between Robanesti and Cimpuri.

In the morning of 23rd of October ,the Brigade occupies Bujoiu Village ,setting on the run the enemy and advances towards West ,in Sector Lacrita-Robanesti-Pirsani,at the South of railway between Pielesti and Bals.Two Battalions of the enemy from 11th Bavarian Division ,solid entrenched ,opened violently from the edge of the Pirsani Forest and Robanesti Village .The 4th Rosiori Regiment(Cavalry) ,unmounted ,fights heroicly to crush the resistance ,but without success;the officers of the Regiment fall ,one after the other .At the left flank ,the 9th Rosiori Regiment did not succeed either to acomplish the mission of turning the right enemy wing ,such that it would ease the fight of the 4th Regiment.Then,Colonel Calinescu ,the Commander of the Regiment sends order that an Escadron to charge the enemy battery at the edge of the Pirsani Forest.

Captain Al. Filiti offers himself to execute this charge in the temple of 3rd Escadron.

The Escadron was reduced at only 110 swords and had no other officers but only the Commander,to which has added Lieutenant Mora ,which reconnoitred the position of the battery and Lieutenant Iuliu Rosca ,the adjutant of the Regiment,as volunteer.In the same Regiment was fighting ,as volunteer Seargent ,the old man Donici ,member of an old Moldavian family.With all his advanced age -almost 70 years-the oldman ,which made also the 1877 Romanian Campaign against Ottoman Empire ,did not thought much;he was making the campaign in the Platoon Commanded by his nephew,as in the Independence War of 1877 made it under the Command of the father of this one.Old Donici addressed to the Captain:

-What task you may give me ,Mr. Captain?

-Will you charge next to me?

-Thank you ,I am ready -answered short the old man,thrusting himself into the saddle near his Captain".

In five minutes ,the Escadron was ready .Filiti gives the order:"For attack! lance hang in balance,march,march!" Out of more than one hundred throats started the same shout:Uraa! and the Escadron dashed in gallop in the thunder of hundreds of hoofs .The German battery was sheltered behind the ridge of the hill of the clearing of Pirsani Forest;at the sight of the Escadron which was climbing in great speed the ridge ,the artillerists retreat in haste the cannons ,to hide in to the valley ,behind the infantry .As the Escadron continued the pursuit in descend now,the German machineguns ,hidden behind a straw stalk ,begin to cut down ,as a Company of Infantry -one file on their knees ,one standing-placed in the trench of the driveway Craiova-Piatra ,fires in full from front.Horses and riders fall in heaps ;the field is scattered by the dead bodies of men and animals.Captain Filiti ,Liutenants Mora and Rosca are amongst badly wounded.Near his Captain ,Donici has charged with the sword in the scabbard ,waving his hat in his hand like a flag-at his advanced age he did not want to kill-and falls dead ,pierced by bullets between the firsts.

The Escadron is entirely wiped out.

The rest of the 7th Regiment -reduced at two Escadrons -esalonated in depth to sustain the action of the 3rd Escadron ,is received in a very strong fire of artillery and retreats by Robanesti in direction Bals ;the same move is done by the 4th Regiment as well,which remained with uncovered flanks.

The 1st Cavalry Division has taken part in the fights for defending of Olt line ,cooperating with the Division 1/17 ,fighting when mounted ,when on foot,in a series of local engagements .Always harassed ,tired ,she has left the fields of battle scattered with the dead bodies of the fighters ,without being able to dam the advance of the enemy.

The Charge at Robanesti was an anacronism against the technical means of the modern war.General Kuhne classified it as "a madness!".This reminiscence of the old horsemen spirit of knights ,characteristic for the spirit souling the fighter on horse back in the times when a charge could have decide the fate of a battle ,has brought into evidence the elan and spirit of martyr of which is capable the Romanian soldier, in dfending his lands.

Falling of Olt line

In front of Olt ,at 25th of November ,the Germans thought that a frontal attack ,made with the strong support of the artillery,will manage to put them in the mastering of the most direct and important crossing point of Olt River:the bridges at Slatina.But the bridges were destroyed,and the Eastern shore of Olt ,which dominates till far the line of the River Olt,was well occupied by the soldiers of 1/17 Romanian Division ,in retreat from Jiu,with artillery and infantry.Two days,25th and 26th of November ,the trials of Divisios 41st and 11th,Germans have failed .In vain their formidable heavy artillery ,directed by aeroplanes ,bombarded Slatina and the Romanian positions ;as soon as the German troops were starting the crossing of the River by boats or through shallows ,a violent fire of artillery ,machineguns and guns ,was starting from the Romanian shore and the try failed.In the day of 25th ,at Curtisoara Village ,in the evening of the same day at Tesluiului ,the next day at Villages Colibasi and Mosteni ,many boats with German soldiers have been sunk .And Olt Rivver dragged down to the valley many dead bodies.The try to force the passing by Slatina did not work.The same thing happens a bit more to the North still,where the 301st German Division did not acomplish,as well to cross the Olt at Dragasani.The positions on the Eastern shore were well defended by 2/5 Romanian Division ,brought from the remaking center at Buzau.The luck of the Germans and our bad judgement ,helps them obtain by surprise waht they could not obtain by force.

Further down to the valley from Slatina was another bridge ,at Stoenesti ,serving as crossing place for the driveway which passes from Caracal at Rosiori de Vede.The German Cavalry goes towards Caracal and Stoenesti.At 23rd of November ,Caracal was occupied.For the great and pleasant surprise of the Germans ,the bridge at Stoenesti was almost intact;the Romanian Detachment ,tasked with its destroying ,only damaged it a little.It has been thus used by the enemy even the next day;the Germans have build next to it another bridge.At 24th of November the 6th German Cavalry Division crossed over the bridge ,on to the Eastern shore ,and at 25th crossed also the 7th Division.The few Companies of militia ,which were in the vecinity of the bridge ,had to retreat ,without any resistance trial,whatsoever.With this face ,the crossing of Olt has been made ,by our mistake ,easier than the German could have iever magined.The Romanian line of defence at Slatina was turned.

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Face with this success ,the German Commander sends the 11th Bavarian Division ,which exhausted in vain in front of Slatina ,also towards the Stoenesti bridge and also in the same direction was going the Reserve of the Army,the 115th Division which ,at 26th of November ,reached Craiova.

Now ,the resistance of the Romanian Front could not maintain anymore on middle Olt .In the Northern part ,Kraftt Group von Delmensiengen,fighting on one side and the other of Olt ,has occupied Rimnicu Vilcea and defeated the resistance of Romanians on Topologului Valley.Advancing towards SouthWest ,he manages to establish the connection with the left wing of Kuhne ,in the hills region North of Dragasani and ,with this face ,to assigne an arch of circle around the Romanian positions ,one side and the other of Olt River.

In the same time ,a part of the German troops ,which have crossed the Olt already at Stoenesti ,have taken the oblique direction towards North ,tending to fall behind the Romanian troops at Slatina,as the rest of Cavalry troops continued the road towards Rosiori de Vede.

The 1st Romanian Cavalry Division tries to stop the advance of the enemy.She executes numerous marches and countermarches ,exhausting,harassing the troops of the enemy and being many times attacked by the airplanes of this one.A violent fight was given near Alimanesti.Against the enemy Cavalry -the 7th Division-which have occupied the Forest of Alimanesti,in which they retrenched ,strong,the Romanian Brigades of Rosiori ,fighting unmounted or charging on fronts of Escadrons ,well supported by the Mounted Artillery ,have bleed uselessly ,without succeeding to take out the enemy from its strong positions ,nor to obstacle the continuous invasion of the enemy torrent over Olt.In the different fights given on the Eastern shore of Olt ,the 1st Cavalry Division has lost more than a half of her men ,horses and cannons ,being thus forced to retreat at Potcoava().The General Commander of the Division ,which could not arrive in time to stop the crossing of the enemy on Stoenesti bridge ,commited suicide ,latter.

The Romanian positions at Slatina were not to be held anymore.With the threat of turning from North and South ,the retreat towards East must begin.The entire Army of Kuhne was now on to the Eastern shore of Olt .In the day of 27th of November ,the line of Olt has fallen.During this time,a new and grave event took place.Behind the Romanian Army ,at Zimnicea ,Mackensen has crossed the Danube River[1] and started a rapid advancement towards North-East ,threatening the Capital ,and also the communication lines and retreat ones of Romanian Army.The situation was of an exceptional gravity.The plan of manoeuvre from Pitesti towards South ,against the heads of the columns of the IX-th German Army ,which would have crossed Olt at Slatina or even more to the South ,was not standing anymore.The Seperior Romanian Commandment gave up to this plan .There was no time to gather the Divisions of the Manoeuvre Group.A new regrouping of the Romanian Forces was now necessary ,to oppose to the advancement of the enemy,which was now concentric :from the mountains direction ,and from Olt River and Danube River.

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2.The Odyssey Of Cerna Group

The resistance of Cerna Group

One of the most impressive acts of the Romanian tragedy was played beyond Olt.The thunder like advance of the enemy and conquering of Olt line has cut in two the fighting Army in Oltenie.The remains of Jiu Group retreated on to this side of Olt.Have remained,however,beyond ,three groups of fighters ,isolated,broken from their tree:at Orsova Cerna Group,in Gorj Taut Detachment ,and at Bailesti a small Detachment said"of Danube".Between tem and the "kingdom" was interposed the enemy.Oltenia was invaded by the enemy ,Craiova occupied ,the line of the metal road in his mastering.The fate of the three Detachments ,remained isolated behind enemy lines ,seemd sealed:it was the capitulation.But the troops belonged to some Regiments from Olt region ,elite of the Army.Oltenian pride did not make good friend with the ideea of defeat without fight and of capitulation.And then,in the face of the enemy ,perplexed ,begins to unfold an unique show in the history of wars...In the most extreme point of the Carpathians Romanian Front ,on Cernei Valley,the troops of Cerna Group remained on a stand still,helding solid Orsova,Alionului Mountain and the whole mountaineous line ,as it has been conquered and handed to them as a sacre deposit by General Dragalina.Not a palm of ground has the enemy taken.The brave troops repelled any attempt of advance of the enemy and contributed ,by sending of Dejoianu Detachment ,to the Romanian Victory at Jiu.

During the second Battle of Jiu,the enemy Group Mehadia -Commander,Hungarian Colonel Szivo-received the order to attack the Romanian Group at cerna ,to not let him send aid troops at Jiu,and to force the passing towards Severin behind the Group at Jiu.For this operation,the enemy group has been strengthened with a Brigade of Cyclists,German-of a power of 1200 rifles.For four days ,10-13th of November ,ferocious fights took place at Cerna .Only on the 13th of November ,after violent street fights .Romanians have cede Orsova and retreated on the left shore of Cerna .The trials to take them out of here have remained without result and the enemy offensive ,arrived at the end of its forces ,had to cease .

..

During the fight given at Cerna,the Romanian Commander rose up, from the troops situated here ,three Battalions ,making Taut Detachment ,which he sends through Baia de Arama (Copper Bath) at Tirgu Jiu to intervene in the battle there;the Detachment could not arrive in time to intervene in the fight .Before ,have also been taken some other troops to strengthen the Army occupying Olt.

With all the weakness resulted from these taken of troops ,the thick of the Group made now of Regiments 17th,57th and 31st ,Commanded by Colonel Demetriad ,held with bravery Cerna line ,over which the enemy could not cross.Unfortunately ,painful events were taking place behind,at Tirgu Jiu ,which had to influence in fatal way over the Group at Cerna.

At 17th of November ,in the wake of the defeat of Tirgu Jiu,the Group had receive the order to retreat towards Filiasi ,to form up the left wing of the Army of Jiu,in retreat.This order has been however counter mandate ;in the interest of the manoeuvres planned by the High Romanian Commandment ,the Division received a new order ,to remain on place ,to resist,and it did.In a resembling situation was finding also the Militia Detachment -said the Danube Detachment-reduced at three Battalions and a battery under the Command of Colonel Al.Vaitoianu -shared between Hinova ,on Danube River and Bailesti ,in the South-West of Dolj County.It have received the order to retreat in the left of Cerna Group,with direction Caracal,to occupy and defend Stoenesti Bridge ,over Olt River.And this order was in the end ,countermandate.We now the result of the catastrophe of not occupying of the bridge at Stoenesti.

At 19th of November ,together with the advance of Kuhne Army towards Craiova ,the enemy started the offensive against the Group at Cerna ;the attack ,aimed against Alion Mountain ,has been repelled.Encouraged by the situation more and more difficult in which it was finding the Romanian Group ,with the cut retreat ,the enemy re newed with the same insuccess its attacks.In the same time ,Kuhne ,which has occupied Craiova and was advancing towards Olt ,started to be concerned by the safety of its back.On the other hand ,Hindenburg needed of the Way of Danube ,indispensable for the services of provissioning of the two Armies operating now in Muntenia Field(Wallachia or Valahia or Romanian Country).That is why ,the German Commander orders an action ,energic, by which the enemy to take in possession the left wing of Danube .The enemy attack on the whole line of the Front was given at 22nd of November ,sustained by Danube River monitors .With all the thinness of the Front line ,the Romanians have resisted with determination ,but start to be overwhelmed by the superiority of the enemy.

Behind the Group at Cerna ,Kuhne sends"The Strengthened Battalion Picht" with cannons and a telegraph station without wire.Picht started from Filiasi along the railway towards West and,defeateing the resistance of a weak Detachment of Militia at Balota ,occupies Turnu-Severin in the evening of 2nd of November .

At Cerna ,Demetriad is aknowledged by the Prefect of the County of Mehedinti that Severin is occupied since the evev ,by the enemy.Without waiting for an order from the Great Headquarter ,seeing his communication line cut ,the Colonel gives the order for general retreat.The retreat of the Romanian Group ,gave finally the occassion to the enemy to"conquer" the crossing of Cerna River and to begin the pursuit of the undefeated Romanian Division.The arierguard of the Romanian Group ,fighting with courage ,held the enemy to respectuous distance .In the night of 22-23rd of November ,the last Romanian Posts have left the Eastern shore of Cerna ,and at 24th ,the troops of Cerna Group were in front of Severin ,occupied with two days before by the Germans.

. "The wandering Detachment " Taut

Very adventurous has been the fate of Taut Detachment.Formed at 15th of November with the purpose of participating at the Battle of Tirgu Jiu,by elements taken from different sectors of Cerna Group.He was constituted by three Battalions of Infantry with an artillery battery at Ciresu and started in the morning of 16th of November towards Baia de Arama ,making a tiring march the whole day on snowing and waterandsnowing.From the right side ,the wind brings the echo of the cannon of Tirgu Jiu Battle ,which cooked up.Arrived in Baia de Arama late in to the night ,after three hours of rest ,the soldiers re-begin at 17th the march towards Tirgu Jiu.Before Pestisani ,the column meets with a Detachment of three Escadrons of the 6th Grman Cavalry Division ,with cannons ,which tey repel ;at night they cantoon at Pestisani.The next day in the morning ,18th of November ,the situations shows unclear.Isolated and in ignorrance of what was going on around him,Taut has to make suppositions over the situation and make decissions out of own initiative .The Battle at Tirgu Jiu took place yesterday,without the Detachment participation;it is obvious that the Romanians were in retreat ,followed by the enemy;the Front was towards South,far away.

The advance towards Tirgu Jiu was of no use whatsoever.Besides the Detachment was much too weak -with a little over 2000 fighters -to be able to bring a real service in the unfolding of the engaged battle.He has to look now after his own safety.Taut makes a going around move towards right and starts the march in South direction ,along Bistrita Valley.By here,has passed yesterday the 7th Cavalry Division of the enemy towards South and the road is followed now by the columns of Schmettow Corps.At Balcesti,the confluence of Bistrita water with Jiu River ,the Romanian Detachment meets a big enemy column ,which he attacks.After a violent fight ,the greatest part of the column is captured.120 waggons with munition ,effects and food are destroyed.The rest escapes on a lateral road ,under the protection of the snowing ,which obstacles the eye sight;three officers and 80 soldiers are made prisoners .At night,Taut is at Rosia;the enemy has important forces at Farcasesti ,2.5 Miles distance from the Romanian cantoonament.

The Commander of the German Group of Jiu,Kuhne ,which is on the way to Craiova ,is concerned by the existence and deeds of this wandering Detachment,which he has in the back and ribs.The 7th Cavalry Division ,German, and the Detachment of armoured automobiles are send in the pursuit of this Detachment.In the day of 19th ,Taut is at Raci;the enemy Cavalry cuts his way,occupying Bolbosi and Borascu .Taut changes direction towards South West to arrive over the hills at Strehaia ,from where he can go either to Severin,or Craiova.At the bridge at Bolbosi he is attacked by the enemy ,with strong artillery ;in the fight given here ,with heavy casualties by both sides ,falls Captain Benedict Popescu ,one of the heroes of Cerna Group.The road towards Strehaia being barriered by the enemy ,Taut changes once more direction more to the East ,towards Prunisor .Kuhne recalls the 7th Cavalry Division ,which he needs in other direction and leaves in the pursuit of the Detachment Taut ,only the Regiment of Armoured Nr.5th and three Escadrons with artillery;the armoured automobiles,stuck in the snow ,give up to the pursuit.In the day of 21st the Germans attack at Severinesti the Romanian Detachment ,but they are throwed back ,until Craiova and lose three cannons ,chesons,machineguns and prisoners .Important captures are send to Turnu Severin but,unfortunately ,the city has been occupied already by the Germans .The Detachment makes the telegraphic connection with the Commander of cerna Group .At 21st of November,in the evening.Taut Detachment is at Malovat,4.3 Miles North-East of turnu-Severin ,in the tactic field of the city,where he receives the order of Colonel Demetriad to leave for Turnu Severin to reconquer the city ,which ,in the mean time ,has been occupied by surprise by the Germans.


( Telegraphic Post of the II-nd Romanian Army)


The fight at Turnu Severin

At 23rd of November ,Taut is not able to attack Severin ,thinking that his Detachment is too weak to fulfil with success such a mission ,and the men ,few ,are tired after five days of continuous marchings and fights.In the same day ,arrives in to the tactic field also the bulk of Cerna Group ,coming from West ,followd close by the enemy,advancing hard on the driveway ,with ground holes made by rains and crowded by the multitude of horse carriages which here and there blocked the traffic.Panics were produced from time to time ,making losses of life and material.

The Germans ,occupying the city withe the Strengthened Battalion Picht,put it in defence position.All the exits from the city have been barricaded with the benches from the public gardens and squares ,with waggons and carriages;the machineguns have been installed in mansards and at windows of the houses ;on the boulevard in the center of the city ,from the public garden and from the Northern part of the city,cannons dominated the vecinities.So,for reconquering of the city by Romanians ,will have to be made a heavy fight.A lively discussion started between the Romanian Commanders ,if in this situation it would be oportun the attacking of Severin ,which will attract losses in men and time ;some opinionated that it would be preferable to continue the retreat in haste to East,going around the city,to save the unit from extermination and to make the connection of the Group with the bulk of the Romanian Armies.But Colonel Demetriad maintained his opinion, to attack Severin.The fight will be given during the day on 11/24 of November.

In the day of 23rd of November ,Taut ,which made contact with the German avanposts ,was forced to stay on watch in front of the city ,harassing with small enemy groups ,without engaging in fond.The arriving of the Group from Cerna in the tactic field was not without adventures which diminished its fighting strngth.An enemy attack in the dark over the tail of the convoys produced a great crowding and panic ;some Companies have been scattered to great distances towards East,missing the next day at the attack over Severin.The attack begun at 12 noon ,with all forces united of the two Brigades -as much as they could gather .The 1st Brigade ,Colonel Stavrache ,was operating in Eastern and Northern Sector ;the 2nd Brigade ,Colonel Lupascu in the Northern and Western Sector.The field of battle was well reconnoitred by the troops of the brave 17th Mehedinti Regiment ,of the 1st Brigade ,which had their Barracks in Turnu Severin,making thus on this terrain their exercises and fighting applications.Fighting with elan ,they have advanced on to the edge of the city.

Threatened ,the Germans request quick reinforcements by telegraph ,without wire,installed by them in the City Hall Park.They arrive the same day ;from the west arrives the Cyclists Brigade from Cerna;from over the Danube few Companies ,Bulgarians ,from east few Cavalry Escadrons of the 7th German Division ;on the Danube ,some Austrian vessels give help to the artillery.Their firing range and those of some Bulgarian batteries from the Southern shore of the river bombard,destroy and spread the convoys of waggons of the Romanian Division.A number of 380 prisoners ,Austrians ,found in the city ,are freed ,armed with rifles captured by Romanians and increasing thus the number of the enemy fighters.

The fight is made in difficult conditions for Romanians.The fires of the cannons and especially of the machineguns ,numerous,Germans ,which fire in full ,cut down the Romanians ,which cannot answer the same way.The Romanian batteries fire short ,of fraid to not destroy the beautiful Severin ,the residence of their own Division.Many officers and soldiers of the Division,from Mehedinti ,had here their house and family.The fight,very bloody,was given till late in the night ,at the light of rockets throwed by the enemy,in the edge and even on to the streets of the city where groups of Romanian soldiers have entered.The Germans,although they fought from shelters ,have big losses as well.By evening ,they are forced to notice that the resistance is not possible anymore ,they gather their telegraphic instalation ,without wire,and and prepare to run away over the Danube.Luckily for them,though,that in the same evening,Demetriad ,realizing that the fight is useless,that every hour of delay makes the situation more complicated ,that from one moment to another will arrive in his back the troops of Szivo Group ,and that the bulk of his forces executed the move of going around the city ,he breaks the fight and gave the order for general retreat with direction towards South-East;the retreat of the troops of the 1st Brigade started from own initiative of the Commander ,pushed by the situation of the fight.

Around the city ,the hills and valleys have remained covered with hundreds of dead bodies of the soldiers from Mehedinti ,dead in the fight for the pride and liberation of their city .A group of citizens and pupils of the schools of Turnu Severin have buried 216 dead bodies of Romanian soldiers ,which have been left by the Germans to putrefy on the field.


The retreat of Cerna Group

At 25th of November Cerna Group,reconstituted with all its units ,begun the retreat in very difficult conditions.No connection with the Central Command or with other Fighting Groups did not exist anymore.All communications have been cut or occupied by the enemy.In this desperate situation ,Colonel Demetriad decided that by,own means ,to cross Oltenia Region,by South of the railway and of the big driveway ,to arrive at Inferior Olt River,which to cross on one of the bridges of this region.Heroic decission ,but hard to acomplish ,when Oltenia was in the power of the enemy,when his Cavalry and armoured cars were roving through up and down all the roads ,when from behind the Division was closely pursued by advers Group ,which did not give a minute rest ,when from the North were closing in the German columns ,and at South were crossing the Danube River the Bulgarian Detachments.Still,the Officers of the Group ,decided to continue the retreat ,forcing the passing through the middle of the enemy.

On the right side ,Vaitoianu Detachment started also the retreat along Danube River.The two Groups united at 1st of December and fussioned under the Command of Colonel Demetriad.The extraordinary retreat lasted for two weeks,going more than 125 Miles behind enemy lines(enemy Front),with short stops at Rogova ,Braniste ,Galicea Mare ,Bailesti,Sadova,Zaval,Bechet,Corabia.The marching of the troops was made hard;the weather was cold and rainy;the foot wear of the soldiers tore .There was not one day in which the Group not to be attacked either in flanks or in the back,where the 1st Mixt Brigade -Colonel Stavrache -which formed the arierguard of the column ,reduced at the brave 17th Mehedinti Regiment ,with two weak Battalions ,had to sustain almost continuously the fight with Szivo Brigade.The Romanians have given themselves numerous attacks to cover the retreat and ensure liberty of movements.Everything that was not indispensable :waggons ,chesons(ammo bins or waggons),ambulances have been send in to the abyss of Copcii Valley.At Zaval,Vaitoianu Detachment buried its cannons in to the ground.

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At 1st of December Cerna Group has cross over Jiu River by Zaval ,under the beat of the enemy cannons and cantooned at Sadova ,where the Commander wants to accord a day rest,to the tired troops.The rich installations and the mansion Domeniu Coroanei(The Crown Domain) have been devastated plundered in a savage way,by the Bulgarian Commitee-men ,which came over ,over Danube River.Surrounded and caught by Romanian troops ,they have not ,however,been shot ,after the right of War,but-in number of some 150 -taken prisoners and dragged with the Division,fore few days ,until Olt River.The enemy ,which follows close by,attacks all day and the troops have to fight in the trenches ,repelling all attacks.At Sadova,plundered by Bulgarian Commitee-men crossed over Danube River,the Commander receives finally,news which lightens the situation.A Calaras(horseman),Romanian, alone ,which escaped from a reconnoitring patrol ,comes back from over Olt River,with the news of the general retreat of Romanians and forming of the Romanian Front line on Arges River.With all the tragic of the situation ,the Council of Commanders decides retaking of the march towards West ,with cover over the right side against Bulgarians ,which try to attack from Danube direction.A new enemy attack with artillery ,at Visina ,on to the railway Caracal-Corabia,is repelled and at 5th of December the troops of the Group have reached the Olt River shore.The troops are unfolded facing Olt ;at the left side is the 1st Brigade ,Colonel Stavrache ,at Ciineni and Tia Mare;the bulk -the 2nd Brigade -is at the right ,at Izbiceni.The Group is reduced now at barely 5000 men .The rest have perished in the fights ;many soldiers ,especially Milita -men of "Dunarea Group"(Danube Group),from Mehedinti County , Dolj County and Romanati County,have remained in their villages ,which the Army was going through in her retreat.

A big desilussion awaited the heroic troop at the shore of Olt .The waters of the river were big ,because of the rains ,and the crossing over the bridges was impossible.The bridge at Stoenesti ,at Caracalului,went down in to enemy hands long time ago,which was occupying it solid.Same with the bridge at Islaz;a trial by here would have been very risky ,as the bridge was,as the shore,under the beat of the cannons from enemy vessels on Danube River and from the Bulgarian shore.The bridge at Izbiceni ,intermediary between the two ,has been blown up by the Detachment in which guard has been trusted and which was in a hurry to retreat.Demetriad,took the decission :the troops will cross at Izbiceni.In two days ,the big break made in the beautiful bridge of concrete will be repaired with improvized material at the disposal.The works begin imediately,almost under enemy fire ,and the troop place herself in cantoonament through the villages on the edge of Olt River ,constituting a fighting Front facing West,with the back towards Olt River and with the left flank towards Danube River.


Before the reparations to the bridge to be ended,the inevitable has produced.All around the brave troop was gathering the enemy,which started to attack from all directions.At Islaz the Austro-Hungarian fleet disembarks troops ;behind,on the other side of Olt ,appeared troops of Stage ,Austro-Hungarians ,Bulgarian Pioneers and troops of German Railway.The bulk of Szivo troops arrived in the face of Romanian Front.

The enemy attacks -from North and North-West -at 5th and 6th of December the left Romanian wing-of North-of the Group.The Milita defenders -from Ciineni ,overwhelmed by the superior forces ,cannot resist anymore;the enemy occupies the villages and captures troops;now he can attack both from front and flank Tia Mare where cantoons the Brigade of arierguard.The Romanians resist with fury.The enemy artillery bombards with rage the village.The link with Izbicenii is broken ,the enemy columns invade from all parts .A try of braking of the enemy circle ,executed with two Companies ,is rejected.Nothing is to hope for.The flag of the 17th Regiment Mehedinti ,glorious carried in fights for three months ,is kissed by officers and soldiers ,then burned in fire.The trumpet-man sounds the cease of the fight and the white flag rises over the Romanian thrences ...In the same day ,the same fate has the bulk ,cantooned at Izbiceni.The enemy circle tightens from all parts around the troop.Attacked from North ,from West and from the South ,the Romanians find themselves also attacked over from Olt by railway troops of Mackensen Army ,which were on the Eastern shore.Defeated by fatality ,overwhwlmed by the enemy ,without any perspective of escape ,the troop has to bow her head in fron of fate.Painful scenes took place with the occasion of capitulation.Some batteries of the 1st Artillery Regiment,Romanian destroyed their cannons ,the waggons and furgonets;blew up their projectiles ;the officers and soldiers broke their swords and rifles and shot the horses.The smashes of the guns and waggons have been piled up in a huge stalk along with the dead bodies of the horses and burned.The soldiers of the heroic Division,which did not new defeat till then,were crying in front of the imense fire ,the altar of the sacrifice of a brave troop ,but without luck.In a big room of Rosianu Mansion ,has been made the scene of the dramatic capitulation.Colonel Szivo congratulated Colonel Demetriad for bravery ,the courage and resistance which he made proof of,in this long and difficult retreat .In the conversation which followed ,the Romanians found out that ,with consternation ,in tha same day,Bucharests have been occupied by the enemy Armies.So ,the plan of crossing Olt ,to unite with the bulk of the Romanian Army ,would have been inutile ,himeric,and the martyrs of two weeks of fighting,of the penible retreat, in vain.This is how the glorious story of this brave Division ends .In the history of our War,remains a bright page and the enemy consacrates elogious rows:"The small Group of Orsova,which have stayed for two weeks in the middle of the torrent and only at Turnu Magurele have been captured,have saved the honour of Romanian Army,when the bulk of her,already for a long time now,could held only by Russian aid".

The military correspondent of "Norddeutsche Algemeine Zeitung"-one of the German newspapers inspired by the government in matters of foreign politics -writes at 30th of December in connection with the retreat of the Group at Cerna:"All these cannot obstacle us from addmitting ,alltogether with our good militars ,that the conduct of Romanian at Orsova and in general of the entire Romanian Army of 1916,deserves all the admiration ,even in comparisson with the other allies of them.Who has the cult of the flag ,and unmoved trust in it ,will have to admit what is of the enemy as well ,after all".

Falkenhayn himself,very sobre when it comes to admit the virtues of the adversary ,border himself to write :"Also this deed deserves not to be forgotten in the history of War".

Colonel Demetriad has been sued ,at his return from captivity ,and trialed at Iasi in 1919,with the guilt of making an inutile attack at Turnu Severin,without superior orders:he was condemned to penssion before age limit.Bitter ,he put an end to his life ,latter.The public opinion absolved him and gave him the high esteem deserved by men of bravery and character.


3.Crossing the Danube

An important number of the German program

In the second half of November ,the Supreme German Commander thought that the events on the Romanian War Theatre have reached,in their advantageous unfolding,to a deciding point.It was the proper moment for an Army to cross over Danube River ,to take part,hand in hand with Falkenhayn ,to a concentric advance towards Bucharests.The ideea of attacking simultaneously of Romania from two directions ,from North-over Carpathian Mountains-and from the South-over the Danube -was ,as we know the initial and fundamental ideea of the German strategic plan.There were the two blades of a scissor,which closed in,cutting the piece behind them.The plan has been elaborated by the Great German Headquarter ,imediately after Brasov Battle ,at 8th of October.

The awaited moment for executing this operation arrived;it is true that much latter than calculated the Great German Headquarter .The breakthrough of the Romanian Front in Dobrogea permitted to Mackensen to build up a strong defence line in the most narrow region of Dobrogea .The guard of this line has been handed to an Army ,made out of Bulgarian Divisions and Turkish-German Detachments ,calculated as sufficient for the lack of energy of the Russian attacks.With the rest of the German-Turkish-Bulgarian forces,Mackensen constituted a new Army ,destined to the invasion in Muntenia(the Romanian Country or Valahia;not the entire Kingdom of Romania).He completed this Army with Cavalry units ,taken from the Macedonian Front where ,after seizing of Monastir[2],the War there,entered a stationary phase,with German troops and with the 12th Bulgarian Division,which made till then the guard of the Danube and with a Turk Division.This was the new "Danube Army",which was supposed to cross the river ,between Sistov and Zimnicea .The day of the crossing depended by the situation of Falkenhayn Army .It has been set for 23rd of November ,when Kuhne Army ,advancing in the pursuit of the Romanian Army at Jiu,defeated,closes in to Olt River.The passing of Mackensen behind the Romanian troops had to have as result conquering of Olt River line and perhaps-the capturing of Romanian Army.

Preparatives

The operation of crossing Danube River is,in itself,a difficult operation ,which reclames a lot of preparation ,rich technical means .The Germans have prepared it with meticulosity and with the spirit of tidy,specific to the rase.Harder even than the operation of crossing ,is the one of holding on on the adverse shore.For this it is necessary ,on one hand,that the bridge to be solid defended,and on the other hand ,that numerous and well organized forces to occupy the shore on an extended ray.Our try at Flaminda demonstrated that it is easier to throw a bridge and cross over it,than to try to hold on on the adverse shore.

Even during the time of neutrality(before the War).the Austro-Hungarian pontooneers have transported the necessary material for constructing a bridge System Herbert ,capable to sustain the most heavy artillery ;pntoons and pieces of bridge that had only to be set ,head to head.This material has been sheltered in Belene Channel ,between Persina Islet and the Bulgarian shore.Persina Islet is the greatest of the Islands of Danube River and it is covered by woods of willow tree,which mask completely the channel behind .It is at some 6.25 Miles above Zimnicea .The transport and sheltering of the material was made with a lot of guard and discretion ,such that ours did not find a thing.It would have been enaugh some cannon shots to destroy all this material.Also here,hide the fleet as well,of monitors and vedette Austro-Hungarian,as well as numerous motor boats ,which will be of great use at the crossing of the troops.

The chosen poit for crossing of Danube was Sisitov ,in front of Zimnicea .It is exactly the place where the Russians have built at 1877 the bridge,on which have crossed the Armies ,in the War for Liberating Bulgaria.The chosen point presents numerous advantages .The Bulgarian shore ,high and with gulleys ,dominates-as in the all course of the Danube-the Romanian shore ,flat,permitting observation up to great distances ,as behind the heights of Sistov ,covered with trenches ,the own movements,are hidden by the sight of the adversary.Besides,Sistov is head of railway ,at close distance from the base of the fleet of Persina ,and in the middle of the Danube ,in front is Bujorescu Islet ,which separates the flow of Danube in two arms ,making thus easy the crossing and construction of the bridge.The preparatives for crossing the Danube were made during the night .There were constructed on to the side of the driveway well masked ,there were unfolded rails ,there have been carried considerable amounts of munition and provissions ,there were installed in the trenches cannons of great caliber.A very severe supervising has managed to obstacle ,any crossing over the water ,such that the secret of the preparatives was well kept.The thing is not a surprise .The preparatives of the Romanian crossing at Flaminda have remained,as well,unobserved by the enemy,although he had the superiority of mastering the air with numerous aeroplanes and his fleet had more liberty of movement than the Romanian fleet,retained beyond the Dobrogean Front.Destroying of the Romanian observation post at over Cinghinelelor Islet ,at 8th of October ,has left to the Austro fleet the mastering of Danube ,which was not troubled but only by the batteries on the Romanian shore.

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However,the Romanian Commandment have received informations which yields the intention of the enemy.British aviators ,arrived from Lemnos Island ,reported that ,during their flight over the Bulgarian territory ,they have seen a long column of over 12.5 Miles going from East to West ,on the driveway from Osman -Pazar at Tarnovo.Other French aviators have observed big concentrations of troops arround Plevna .The officers of the Militia troops have notified their Chiefs that,during the night ,one can hear on the Bulgarian territory sispicious noises,which indicate an anusual activity.Unfortunately,the general situation did not permit to Romanians taking of measures of strengthening ,especially that no one knew for certain which might be the point chosen by the enemy to effectuate the crossing.To deceive the attention of the Romanian Commandment ,the enemy started an intensive bombardment in the whole length of Danube River and has occupied several islets.The bombardment was of unusual strength in the day of 22nd of November ,in the eve of the day fixed for the operation,whene there have been executed many more deceiving actions of disembarking in different points.At 22nd of November ,the enemy Army of Danube was entirely concentrated at Sistov and has been presented(review) by Marshal Mackensen and by the Chief of his General Staff,General Tappen.

The composition of this Army was the following:the 217th German Division ,General von Gallwitz,which fought at Topraisar;a Mixt Division,Germano-Bulgar,Austro-Hungars and Bulgars,brought from Macedonian Front.The Army has been foreseen with a very powerful artillery and especially with a big number of machineguns.The Commander of the Danube Army was General Kosch which,before the War,commanded the 10th Prusian Division with the ressidence at Poznan and took part in the Campaign against Serbia.

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On the Romanian shore ,the defence was given to a Group named the Group of Danube Defence ,put under the Command of General C. Iancovescu .The Group was made of the 18th Romanian Division ,General Referendaru,made out of three Brigades ,strengthened with a Brigade of Artillery and three Brigades of Calarasi.The 2nd Cavalry Division ,which fought at Magherus and Oituz ,has been brought in Muntenia -without one Brigade,left at Oituz -and cantooned in Bucharest,forming thus the Reserve of the Group for Danube Defence.The Danube shore ,from Olt to Calarasi,was separated in to three Sectors:Turnu Magurele-Zimnicea,Giurgiu and Oltenita ,corresponding to the three brigades of the 18th Division.Face with the strech of the sectors ,the guard was illusory :the density of the means was of one man at each 30 meters .The troop was made in the most part of Militia men.The Division was formed after the beginning of the War of Battalions of Militia and of the fourth Battalion of some of the Regiments in Muntenia.As active Regiment ,was only the 20th Teleorman .The weapons of the Militia were very weak ;the old weapons Martiny ,with which their parents made the 1877 War.In the last moment it has begun the change of the rifles by Weterley ,difficult to use weapon ,defectuous as mechanism ,but with a formidable bayonet!The artillery was submediocre .Without only few modern batteries or of great caliber ,the majority were the old cannons ,without repetition and the acompany batteries made out of the small cannons of 53 mm,taken out from forts and mounted on afets.The Romanian soldiers have nicknamed them the "rifles" in opposition with the powerful enemy artillery.Some batteries were harnassed with oxes ,because of the lack of horses.In some points of the Danube shore were installed fixed batteries ,which supervised the course of the Danube and the opposite shore .This was the weak cover that would have to be opposed to the strong Army ,which Mackensen prepared to throw over the Danube .


The Crossing

In the morning of 23rd of November ,a very thick fog covered the river and the shores.One could not see 10 m in front.At about 4 in the morning ,the first Company of German Hunters crossed the river on to the Northern shore in boats with padeles.The thick fog made the crossing easier,unobserved.Other boats followed .A bit up stream, crossed the river also the Bulgarian Companies .The disembarked troops started to dig fast ,holes in the ground,building a temporary bridgehead .

Soon ,the enemies have been discovered by the Romanian Posts and the general alarm was made.It was too late.From the Bulgarian shore ,the heavy and light German artillery started a strong bombardment over the Romanian shore ,separating by a curtain of fire the desembarking zone of Zimnicea ,by the neighbour villages ,where the Romanian troops were.Under the protection of this fire of baraj,the tow motor boats start to dragg the bulk of the troops ,on to Romanian shore.The Austro-Hungarian fleet of monitors was supporting the crossing ,firing as well over the shore.By evening have crossed the 217th Division von der Goltz and the 1st Bulgarian Division.

The bombarding of the Romanian shore ,was general now,from Islaz to Giurgiu.At Islaz disembarked other German troops ,making the Romanian Militia Battalion to retreat ,in the guard of which were the two bridges over Inferior Olt River.The small Detachments of Militia ,which have tried to oppose resistance ,had to retreat at North of Zimnicea .They are too weak -one against eight.

The next day ,24th of November ,the Germans have widen and completed the bridgehead .Now have started the construction of the bridge itsef by the Austrian pontooneers ;the construction continues also at night at the light of the projectors from the river monitors.In the next morning the bridge was ready ;its metal bars were shining in to the rays of a joyful autumn sun.Over the bridge were passing in unterminable columns ,in the sound of music and under the eyes of Marshal Mackensen ,the infantry masses ,cavalry and artillery ,Germans from all parts of the empire:from Mainz and Platinat,from Bavaria and Pomerania ,from Silezia and Schleswig -Holstein,then Hanovezi,Hungarians,Bosniacs ,Turks ,Bulgarians ,to pour as an invasion wave over the fields and villages Romanian.The enemy invasion was bursting now the kingdom from three parts.The fire circle of the strong enemy was getting tighter now ,more and more over the exhausted Romanian Army.She had to fight in the same time in the mountains facing North ,at Olt with the face towards West and now ,at the Danube facing South.The tragic situation in which we were finding ourselves ,reclaimed in to memory another decisive moment in Romanian history.From the same place ,in which now rise up the threatening sword of the enemy ,with almost 40 years before rose a frightened voice :"The Turks are finishing us.Cross the Danube .Make a demonstration ,pressure ,or any other operation,as was your wish".It was the voice of Grand Duke Nicolae ,the Generalisim of the Russian Army ,cornered by Osman Pasa at Plevna ,threatened to be pushed into the Danube River.He was imploring King Carol of Romania for the saving helping hand.The Romanians run for the aid of Russians ,Bulgaria was freed and...Basarabia was taken from us .Thirtynine years latter ,on the same spot ,the invasion hoardes ,in which shine,filled with hate ,the eyes of the liberated slave ,hand in hand with his yesterday executioner ,step onto Romanian land.But this time the voice of Romania resounds in vain.The great ally had his misterious calculations .His aid comes late ,weak,hesitant.We were alone in the hour of our grave danger !


The Advance

The enemy has set foot on Romanian shore .He started its unfolding for battle.Goltz Division was closed down;its elements have been ,part of them assigned to other units,and another part remained as a Mixt Brigade Bulgaro-German independent ,and General von der Goltz took the Command of the Cavalry Division ,which will form up the covering of the Danube Army*.

Even in the day of 24th,Zimnicea was occupied by the enemy.He begins his advance along Zimnicea-Alexandria railway .The 217th German Division and the Turk DIvision are at the center.The Cavalry Division is at the left wing .The Bulgarians are forming up the right wing ;they take North -East direction ,along the Danube ,with direction of Giurgiu,accompanied by the Fleet of Danube ,which defends their flank.

The Romanian Detachments of Militia ,which constituted the defence of Zimnicea Sector ,are too weak to obstacle the advance.However,they give attacks which delay the moves of the adversary ,as the Commander of Danube Defence calls in support the troops of the other two sectors ,to concentrate all his forces in the invaded region.The enemy avanguards are detained for a brief moment by an attack from direction of Bragadiru ,executed by Arges Battalion ;then are brought to a stand still in front of Romanian positions at Ulmulet Trainstation.But the enemy attacks strong with three Regiments of Infantry sustained by artillery ,and the defence is made by three Militia Battalions with three batteries of old cannons ;few Companies of 20th Teleorman Regiment arrive too late and are too tired to take part in the fight .Face with this crushing superiority ,the Romanian troops have to continue the retreat.

The enemy advances now in three directions :the left continues the road towards Alexandria ;the center goes oblique towards North -East towards Tporu and Draganesti ,to cut the driveway Alexandria-Bucuresti;the right follows the road of Giurgiu.the Turks remain in reserve .To dam the advance of the enemy and to gain time,to make the marches and concentration of troops necessitated by the new situation ,the Romanian Commandment sets the troops of Danube Defence in a form of an arch of circle,leaning with the right on Vedea at Alexandria and with the left on Danube River,at Giurgiu.

The left enemy wing ,made especially of Cavalry ,is followed at distance by Turkish troops.She defeats the Romanian resistance at Soimu and at Sumirdioasa -were have fought only the 20th Regiment ,Teleorman,because the Battalion of Militia have left the fight-and occupies at 26th of November Tiganesti,and at 27th Alexandria.The enemy avanguards meet at Plosca ,between Alexandria and Rosiorii de Vede ,with Schmettow avanguards.


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The German cavalry ,coming from Caracal direction ,have crossed Olt River at Stoenesti Bridge,and have occupied in the eve Rosiorii de Vede.The 5th Rosori Regiment with an artillery battery and a section of machineguns is send to reoccupy Rosiorii de Vede,in which ,the Romanian Commander thinks have entered only an enemy patrol.Entering in the city ,the Regiment is received with fires from all the houses and especially from a position which the enemy occupies at West of the city.Surprised and threatened in his retreat ,the Commander of the Regiment ,gives order to Captain Corlatescu to cover the retreat by attacking the positin West of the city in which the enemy has retrenched himself.Corlatescu understands his sacrifice role and starts in a charrge with the lance in ballance for attack and in regulated files as at the parade ,against the enemy.A gulley stops for a few seconds the elan of the attack ,at 200 meters from enemy position.It was enaugh for that the rattle of enemy cannons and machineguns to cut down to the ground more than half of the men of the Escadron ,ahead with his Captain.The Regiment could retreat and save.

Three German Cavalry -men have been killed in the city .As retaliations ,the German set fire to the entire Comercial Center of the city;they also ask for a fine of half a million Lei(Romanian currency).Memories filled of feelings come back to the minds of Germans as they cross the city in flames."After 28 months of War ,we relive in the bottom of Valahia ,scenes of Belgium ,scenes of Dinant",writes a correspondent which has recorded the German atrocities from the firsts times of the War only as a pitoresque element.

After occupying Alexandria ,the Germans have advanced towards North-East ,following the driveway Alexandria -Bucuresti.Five Miles from Alexandria ,they have collided with the Romanian troops which have occupied the resistance line Vitanesti-Grosu on Teleorman.All the enemy columns which closed in of this line have been attacked end repelled.But the enemy,occupying with the middle column Prunaru and bombarding Draganesti ,behind Romanians,General Referendaru had to retreat towards these two localities.

The German units of Kosch Army were:as Infantry,the 217th Division(without Regiment 9th,left in Dobrogea and Landstrum Regiment 115th ;the Cavalry Division von der Goltz was made out of Reserve Mounted Hunters Regiment,the 6th Ulans Regiment ,7th Husars Regiment of reserve,the 12th Dragons Regiment ;the Detachments of Mountain machineguns no. 234 and 240;as artillery there were parts of Regiments 65th,201st,69th,1st Bavarian,6th,9th ,13th 67th a.s.o.The 8th Battery of heavy mortiers of ridge .Battery 25th of short cannons of fleet ;finally the 6th Battery de Minenwerier[3] and Section 243 of Aviation.

Destroying Giurgiu

The right wing Bulgarian was advancing towards Giurgiu,weakly defended by two Romanian Battalions of Militia and by some old batteries,with oxes.In the days of 25-26th of November ,the Bulgarians bombard with savagery the city ,from the Southern shore of Danube,transforming whole neigbourhoods into ruins.In the day of 27th,Giurgiu was occupied by the columns coming from Zimnicea and by other troops which have crossed the Danube at Rusciuk.The first Bulgarian troops ,entering the city ,had part of bloody street fights with Romanian troops ,in retreat.Occupying the deserted city ,the Bulgarians stormed over the houses and the ownings of its inhabitants.The shops and houses have been robbed by everything .When the last thing hs been "lifted" came the turn of the windows and doors and everything that could be strip.All the pray of this savage plunder was transported with waggons in Rusciuk,on the boats-bridge ,throwed between the two cities.

This banditry is confirmed by one of the German correspondents ,which was following the German-Bulgar troops*:"Giurgiu was first hit by the heavy artillery fire ,during the artillery duel which preceeded the crossing of Danube and,what escaped untouched,perished during the street fights ,which took place in the city .Bulgarians ,which consider the War against Romania as a personal revenge War ,have unleashed their hatered and destroyed evetything they could .Everything which escape the fire ,has been destroyed by their blind hate".The Bulgarians were paying as their soul dictated them ,the debt contracted at Grivita ,Plevna and Smirdan (in 1877-1878 War against Ottoman Empire).

Hugo Schultze,"Arbeiter Zeitung",(Wien),16th of December 1916.
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The fight and charge at Prunaru

The center of the invasion Army ,advancing through Toporu,occupies with the 217th DIvision German,in the evening of 26th of September ,Prunaru Village ,on the driveway Alexandria -Bucharest.The occupation of this village set in to critical position the Romanian troops in Alexandria-Dragasani region,to which the retreat was in this way cut,towards Bucharest and the junction with the 21st Romanian Division ,which was expected from this direction.

The base military formation of the Romanian Detachment of Zimnicea ,was made by 43rd Mixt Brigade ,of the 18th Division ;it was made of weak units ;four rests from Milita Battalions and one from 20th Teleorman Regiment ;as artillery ,three divizions of old cannons of 87 mm.For strengthening was send to Zimnicea Detachment ,the 2nd Rosiori Regiment(Cavalry) ;he assumed position in Grosu-Poenari-Schitu region ,between Alexandria and Dragasani.The Regiment has made ,in the frame of the 2nd cavalry Division the Ardeal Campaign ,from Oituz to Birsei Country,fought unmounted ,with the lance in hand,at Magherus and when the damns of the Kingdom were broken ,has been transported in the Kingdom ,as reserve of the Group of Danube Defence ,in Oltenita region.When the enemy has crossed the Danube at Zimnicea ,the Regiment has been brought in Alexandria zone and set to the disposition of the 18th Romanian Infantry Division.

At 27th of November ,Colonel Naumescu ,the Commander of the 2nd Rosiori Regiment has noticed that the infantry of the 43rd Brigade ,tired of fight and defeated ,with very big casualties is in retreat at Prunaru towards West ;the enemy threatened to enter our lines .General Referendaru ,the Commander of the 18th Division decides to try to reoccupy Prunaru and gives to the 2nd Rosiori Regiment the mission to protect the left flank of the infantry.All night of 27-28th of November ,the Germans throw lighting rockets and burn up the hay stakes ,to intimidate the Romanians.The Romanian attack is set for the morning of the 28th of November.At 5 in the morning ,the attack troops ,Romanian of the 43rd Brigade begin to advance ,without knowing well the positions occupied by the enemy in Prunaru Village at North of this one.

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It is a very thick fog which obstacles completely the visibility;the only repere line is Draganesti-Prunaru driveway,which makes big rounds .As the Infantry of the 43rd brigade engages the fight with the enemy ,in the edge of the village ,the 2nd Rosiori Regiment sets to marching ,with Prunaru direction ,from where the noise of the fight is coming;the Regiment is made of Escadrons 1st,2nd,3rd(the 4th is detached into another sector),strengthened with two Platoons of Regiments 3rd and 7th .The marching through darkness and thick fog is penible also because of the carriages of the units and the waggons of the refugees from the villages ,which obstacle the circulation.At 6 in the morning ,Colonel Naumescu receives the order :"The Cavalry to pass forward!" .The Regiment sets in fighting position ,having as avanguard the 2nd Escadron .because of the fog ,the attack direction is very simple :attack straight forward ,along the driveway ,together with the Infantry.The misson of the regiment is to protect the left wing of the Infantry ;that is why he unfolds on to the left side of the driveway ,on the Eastern rib of the Valley of Buna ,at the South-Eastern corner of the Scurtu Forest.

At 7 in the morning the Rosiori close in, by the edge of the village from where ,between artillery bursts ,of machineguns and rifle bullets ,the shouts of "uraa!" of the Romanians show that bayonet attacks are given.The fog obstacles the knowing of the flanks of the enemy positions ,such that the advance can be made only straight on to the driveway.After two hours ,it is sensed that our artillery is raring her fire :sign that the ammunition is ending soon;the rows of soldiers are retreating towards West ,imploring for the saving intervention of the Cavalry ;there are signalled enemy reinforcements ,coming from South direction .The Romanians have fought with bravery ;Prunaru Village has passed three times from one hand to the other.The fight closes in, to the Cavalry positions; Colonel Naumescu keeps a short council with the Commanders in suborder ;all opinion to go straight in the aid of the Infantry .Colonel Naumescu takes place at the temple of the Escadron in avanguard ;although sick ,fresh out of the hospital ,he has a high conception about duty of a Commander and does not understand to leave to someone else the honour to be the first at danger .It is 8,30 in the morning.

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At a sign of the Colonel ,the horsemen set with all Escadrons in line,pedal to pedal?,passing from trapp to gallop ,and advance as a hurricane ;Colonel Naumescu ,followed by his officers of Staff ,gallop at the center ,ahead of 1st Escadron .The trumpet gives the signal for the charge ;the horsemen leaned over the saddle front ,start in a crazy torrent ,as a wall of lances and swords ,on the slope of the hill which descends towards the village .The enemy,surprised by the unexpected apparition from the middle of the fog,of this impetuous attack,runs away like hell towards the villege.His first rows are broke by horses chests and smashed under the feet of the horses .The Cavalry continues with the same fury .Some horses fall to the ground ,keeping the horsemen under,of which rows are raring,here and there.The charge is at the edge of the village ,which they attack from two parts .With all the bravery of the horsemen ,it is noticed that the conditions of modern war are not favorable anymore to the theatral unfoldings ,of Napoleonean charges.From behind the fences ,from behind bushes ,and from the windows and mansards of the houses ,transformed in mouths of fire ,the enemy hidden with tens of machineguns ,trows spins of fire over the proud Regiment .Horses and horsemen,fall over ,ones over the others .In a place on the main street of the village ,a baraj of trunks of trees ,stops the elan of the horsemen;from behind ,the machineguns fire in mass;few horsemen which succeed to jump over the obstacle ,cannot stop but only to the opposite edge of the village.The ones, off their horses ,continue the fight on foot with fury,through the yards of the houses

The Regiment is destroyed .Few horsemen from the left side escaped with life,beeing defended by a terrain mound.Of the proud Regiment ,two hours before,had 14 officers and 360 soldiers;are left 2 officers and 50-60 men,which have continued the fight on foot ,together with a handful of infanterists of the 20th Teleorman Regiment.Over 250 men have remained on the battle field making,together with their horses dead bodies ,piles of bleeding flesh.Ahead of them ,Colonel Naumescu ,gravely wounded ,dies after few days in a hospital in Sofia.


At around 11 the weather which has been foggy and sad,lightens ;the sun takes the fog away,and the heavy German artillery ,arrived and placed in to batteries at South of the village started the firing range with a frightening precision .At 2 in the afternoon ,the Romanian Commander breaks the fight ;the superiority of the enemy was too overwhelming .The rest of Romanian troops retreat towards North in Letca Veche direction ,Mereni and Rusii lui Asan from where then are taken at Jilava ,to remake themselves .The martyr at Prunaru had not been in vain .

At 27th of November ,the enemy Army of Danube ,was mastered on line Alexandria-Dragasani-Prunaru-Giurgiu .Mackensen gave the order for an energic advance towards Bucharest ,along roads Alexandria -Bucharest on one side and Giurgiu -Bucharest on the other ,cross Valleys Glavacioc ,Neajlov and Arges .These valleys have seen ,during the centuries ,ferocious fights ,in which the Romanian defended his piece of land against the invason.There are the fields of battle of Radu from Afumati and of great Mihai.They will witness now of the supreme effort ,which will be made by enything that exist as Romanian Army ,to save the land of the Kingdom and the Capital of it by the invasioneer.These forcings will summon up in the most formidable fights that took place in the first part of our War.It is the great battle on Arges and Neaslov.


4.The Great Battle On Neajlov And Arges

The convergent march of the enemy towards Bucharest.

At 27th of November ,Olt line has fallen at North ,the enemy has taken Curtea de Arges(Arges Court) and the line of Topolog;at South the line Rosiori de Vede -Alexandria -Giurgiu was in his hand.The three enemy Armies ,Kraftt,Kuhne and Kosch ,formed now an unique Front,drawing a vast arch of circle ,of which left was Curtea de Arges ,the center at Slatina ,and the right at Giurgiu.

At 28th of November in the morning ,the three Armies starrted to march convergent towards Bucharest .The impression of the enemy was that the road to Bucharest is free ;the Romanian Armies defeated ,weakened by the heavy casualties suffered ,with the shaken moral ,they could not be capable of a serious resistance .Different episodes proved the demoralization of the troops.Numerous groups were surrendering to much inferior German Detachments .

One of the most evident episodes of this state of spirit is the one at Ciurari.A Detachment of Militia ,of 1200 men with 12 cannons and machineguns ,under the Command of Major Ricman -was retreating from Olt ,where it has abandoned the guard of bridges of Islaz and Izbiceni.Being followed at North of Rosiorii de Vede ,in direction Butculesti-Ciurari,by a Cavalry Escadron ,German,accompanied by an armoured automobile ,the Detachment surrended without fight and without conditions ,with all weapons and luggage.The shameful surrender was made exactly in the moment when the German Captain decided that,faced to the great inferiority in which he was and by the breaking of his automobile ,to cease the pursuit.

Under the influence of the advance of the enemy in Muntenia(Southern-Central region of Romania),the Romanian Front in the mountains started to shake as well.At 28th ,the Army which held almost two months the glorious resistance at North of Cimpulung ,threatens in the back by the progression of the enemy Group ,neighbour towards Pitesti ,started herself the retreat with direction Tirgoviste -Ploiesti.On her tracks ,set to move the Group of General Morgen.

At 29th of November ,the line of the German Front advanced like an invasion wave .The circle arch have diminished its ray.At North-East ,Kraftt Group has occupied Pitesti and was advancing along the driveway with railways towards Golesti-Titu.The Group was now made of three Divisions of Infantry:the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,the 216th German Division and the 73rd Austro-Hungarian Division.The last one of them ,has been constituted of the Alpine Brigades Austro-Hungarian 2nd and 10th,which have fought on Olt Valley and on Topolog Valley Commander,Feldmarshal Goiginger.It has been aded a new Division of Cavalry ,German,the 2nd ,General von Etzel.

At the center ,Kuhne Group has touched with his five Divisions ,the approximative line Costesti-Rosiori de Vede.At his left flank ,te 301st Division ,held for some time at Dragasani ,was at about 6 Miles from Costesti ,and at the right flank ,the 115th Division,which constituted the reserve ,was on the road between Caracal and Rosiori de Vede.Between the two wings of the Group was :the 41st Division at Mirosi ,the 109th Division at Beuca ,and the 11th Division Bavarian exactly at Rosiori .6 Miles ahead ,the two Divisions of Cavalry of Schmettow ,with the Cyclist Brigade ,with auto-machineguns and its armoured automobiles ,were making the avanguard ,masking by their unfolding the march of the Divisions arriving from behind.

At the right wing of the enemy Front ,Kosch Army was advancing with 217th Division on driveway Alexandria -Bucharest.At left the 217th Division ,at North of the driveway.The Mixt Cavalry Division von der Goltz was forming the phallanxguard ;behind ,the 26th Turk Division was at Dragasani as reserve;on the right ,the Bulgarian Divisions 1st and 12th were closing in by Calugareni.

The three Armies :Kraft ,Kuhne and Kosch ,represented with this face a force of 12 Didivisions of Infantry and four Cavalry Divisions .For to give more cohesion to the formidable ensemble of forces ,it has been given to Marshal Mackensen the Supreme Command of all forces of the enemy ,allied in Muntenia,Falkenhayn remaining Commander of the IX-th Army.

The German strategy succeeded.The Supreme Commander united all powers on a single firing line ,which was starting now,impetuous and irresistible towards the supreme target:the Capital of the Kingdom of the enemy.

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Bucharest fortress

The situation of Romanians appeared desperate .Three months after the War proclamation for the liberation of their opressed brothers ,they were on their own territory now invaded ,and in front of the enemy strong without mercy ,thirsty of revenge and greedy after pray.The Romanians could oppose now only troops in retreat ,decimated ,missfortuned with lowered moral ,bowing the head in face of inexorable fatality .Will it be rennaunced to any trial of resistance and will it be the enemy let to conquer Bucharest without a fight?

About a resistance of the Capital ,in itself,could not be talk.It is true that Bucharest was considered as a strong fortress and,on maps ,it was drawn that it was surrounded by a strong belt of 18 big forts and 18 intermediary batteries .The fortification of Bucharest has been made after the plans of celebre General Brialmont [4],who also fortified Anvers.The forts of Bucharest(or Bucharests)build out of concrete masonry with earthworks ,armed with long cannons of 150 mm ,with howitzers of 120,210 and 240 mm ,protected with armoured turrets ,passed between one of the most succesful works of fortification.Defended by this formidable belt ,seemd as an inexpungable fortress .In front of the big calibers, modern ,of artillery ,no armor could stand .The experiences made at Liege ,Namur and Anvers[5] proved it enaugh.Besides,the cannons with long firing ,of the enemy,could bomb the city ,firing over the defence belt ,distanced with only 6 Miles by the city .If the only belt of forts was broken in one of the sector,the fate of the fortress was sealed.The only use that could have been given to the forts was to serve as shelter for an infantry defence ,but the much extended perimeter of the fortifications line would have reclaimed a force of 100 000-200 000 men,which would have been condemned beforehand to surrender.The fall of fortresses of Maubeuge ,Przemysl,Novogeogievsk (Modlin)[6] and Turtucaia showed what was the fate of the fortified cities ,wich let themselves to be surrounded.That is why ,during the neutrality,learning from the lessons of the Great War,the forts have been declassed.It has been taken out from them,all the artillery material which,placed on wheels build in manufacure shops within the kingdom,have contributed to the increasing of the artillery which has been used in the first part of the Romanian War,especially heavy artillery.


The plan for the battle of Bucharest

The Commander of the Romanian Army decided to not consider the War as lost,but to try a supreme effort for the defeat of the enemy and saving of Bucharests.

The defence of Bucharest was imposed by moral considerations ,and military ones.The Capital of Romania was the brain and heart of the kingdom;its fall woud have had an imens echo and would have demoralized deeply the kingdom and our foreign allies friends.Besides Bucharests were the vital node of the organization of national defence and of the communication ways;they were the "concrete platform" of the the railway network of the kingdom.The occupation of Bucharest would have meant the complete evacuation of Muntenia ,for which there was no rocade line anymore.The whole kingdom from West ,North and South of Bucharest ,with all its riches ,meant to be abandoned in the hands of the enemy.The leaders of the Army could not content with such a loss ,without making a supreme try to avoid it.The decission of the Commandment was made :it will be given a great battle for Bucharest.

The only line which could be used as support for the battle for saving Bucharests,was Arges River line.Its military value was much inferior to that of Olt River line.As Olt formed the shortest line ,leaning perpendicular on mountains and Danube ,Arges formed an oblique line ,running towards South-East ,almost double in length compared to Olt line.As obstacle,Arges was smaller than Olt ,and the dominant shore was the South-West one.Besides ,in the Northern part ,in Pitesti -Cimpulung sector ,the enemy was on the Eastern side of Arges.Still there was no other way ;it was the single line which the Romanian Commandment had at its disposition .The great battle for defending Bucharest will take place,along Arges River line ,in full flat land;the most important actions will take place in the region between Arges and his afluent,Neajlov River.It is the Battle on Neajlov and Arges,also called the Battle for Bucharest.The Command of the operations of the great battle was given to General C. Prezan,which has earned a beautiful reputation by well conducted operations in Transilvania and especially by the excelent defence of Moldavian Passes ;the former Commander of the Northern Romanian Army became available in the wake of replacing the most part of Romanian Army in Moldavian Mountains by Russians.It has been set to the disposition of the new Commandment all available forces in reserve and in remaking .The plan of the battle on Neajlov and Arges was excelent made .It was supported on the judicious observation of the dispozitive of the enemy forces.The Commandment of the RomanianArmy has observed that the enemy ,in his impetuous advance ,has adopted a very risky dispozitive.After the informations of the Great Romanian Headquarter ,the enemy was advancing in to two Groups:a Northern Group-Kraftt Army-was in Pitesti-Costesti region,and a Southern group -Kosch Army ,along the driveway Alexandria -Bucharest .This latter group was more advanced than the Northern one ,making a pronounced outing ,and had the left flank "in the air".By the existence of a connection between the two groups ,the Romanian Commandment had no knowledge whatsoever;he suspected that Kuhne Army which,coming from Jiu ,crossed the Olt ,separated its units between the two Armies ,neighbour.It seemed that in the great interval between the two enemy Armies ,there was only the weak connection made by Schmettow Cavalry.


The Romanian Commander discovered that in the left flank ,uncovered ,of Kosch Army ,the weak point of the enemy dispositive ;here must be applied the blow.He conceived the plan of the classic manoeuvre on interior lines ;to sneak with the Romanian forces between the two enmy Armies ,before they could operate the junction ,then to attack them one by one.Firstly,it has to be attacked Kosch Army,which was in the most unfavorable position and which was the most threatening ,by its advance towards Bucharest.If the first blow succeeded and Kosch Army was throwed in to the Danube River,the Romanian forces ,becaming in this way available ,to turn against the Northern and Eastern enemy*.For acomplishing this plan ,it has been taken the following dispositions:in Moldavia ,all the Carpathians Front ,until Vrancea Mountains ,passed under Russian Commandment.On the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army in Vrancea Mountains until South of Cimpulung ,General Averescu received the order to resist with strength and to hold to a stop the enemy ,which was looking to descend the valleys of the mountains towards Buzau,Ploiesti and Tirgoviste.

Between Pitesti and Costesti was in retreat the I-st Romanian Army .She was formed by the remains of Olt Corps ,which fought in upper Olt Valleys and Topologului ,together with the rests of the Group defeated at Jiu,which have executed a long and penible retreat through Filiasi ,Craiova and Slatina .The I-st Army was also subordinated from operative point of view to the Group of the Southern Armies ,Commanded by General Prezan and received the task to "to keep with any price on its positions".In the case in which would be attacked by forces totaly superior ,to retreat step by step,fighting on successive positions of resistance.It must be observed,that the task of this Army was not an easy one .She had in front the four Divisions of Kraftt Army and the 301st Division of Kuhne Army ,meaning five Divisions ,of which two fresh ones.The resistance of the Ist Army had to give time for the execution of the manoeuvre aimed against Kosch Army.This mission ,principal,came to the Group of Southern Armies ,under direct Command of General Prezan.

.. .....

At the left wing was "The group for Danube Defence" under the Command of General Iancovescu.It was formed by the remains of the 18th Division which has formed the defence of Danube and had to be completed with the 9/19 Mixt Brigade ;behind him was brought as reserve parts of the 7th Division ,General Istrati,which has fought on Trotus Front .The Group was occupying the region Sout- West of Calugareni ,from Neajlov to Danube ,having in front of him Divisions 1st and 12th Bulgarians.The mission of the Group for Danube Defence was to held on stop the enemy and to repell him ,not letting him to cross over Neajlov River or over Arges River.Between the Ist Army and the Group of Danube Defence ,General Prezan gathered a mass of manoeuvre ,destined to be the key of the entire battle.As the two armies at the wings had to oppose,against the enemy advance ,a fierce resistance to bring him to a stop ,the manouvre mass had to intervene actively ,attacking the left flank and behind of Kosch Army.For making this Army of Attack,have been reclaimed into the fight three Divisions ,which were in reserve.They were ,firstly,Divisions 2/5-General Socec -and 9/19 -General Scarisoreanu-made ,as we know ,by the rests of the Divisions with the corresponding numbers ,united two by two ,because of their very reduced effectives in the wake of the bloody fights in Dobrogea.;remade in Buzau-Braila region,they were now displaced between Arges and Olt ,for the planned manoeuvre over Olt,which has been given up.Making a leap back,Prezan was opening up his right to gain freedom of movement ,using the two Divisions in to a new mission.There were then Division 21st-general Lambru-which has sustained until the end of October the defence of Predeal.Divisions 2/5 and 9/19.starting from the points were they were ,Pitesti and Titu,had to fall perpendicular on driveway Alexandria-Bucharest ,behind and on flank of Danube Army ,as the 21st Division had to attack the same Army frontal,making the connection with the right of the Group of Danube Defence.

The Cavalry Divisions 1st and 2nd were tasked to defend the flanks and to make the connection between the attack columns .At South of Ploiesti was held in reserve the 10th Division ,remade in the wake of the fights in Predeal region.

The mission given to the attack Group was of an exceptional importance .By the success of it hanged the victory .This victory hanged ,in her turn,by the fulfiling of certain conditions and was linked by certain risks.Firstly,was the doubt if the Division making the Attack Group ,reorganized in haste,will be capable to give the intensive forcing asked from them.The legendary power of resistance to marchings of our soldier and his heroism in the fight ,gave to the Commandment all the needed trust.Secondly,the advance of our troops in the empty space between the enemy Armies presented two dangers :they could be crushed between the two Armies:then it would be produced-also on our part-an empty space between I-st Army and the Group for Defending the Danube.As much as our Attack Group advanced South ,the greater this empty space becomes and the flanks ,internal,of the two wings could be turned by the enemy.Will Prezan be able to beat the enemy advancing from Danube ,before to be caught by the one coming from Olt?

The plan of the battle had ,as such,big risks .It was counted on the complete secret of the operations ,which had to be masked by the movements of the Cavalry troops and by the speed of the attack ,which had to give us the success,before the enemy to realize the sense of our manoeuvres.

.. .....

The conscience of the gravity of the situation and the concern for punctual fulfilling of the mission given to different units ,yields from all the orders of operations which the Commandment was addressing to the troops ."By the fate of the battle which will be given in the day of 29th of November ,depends the fate of our nation.This being said,the troops attack ,either they defeat,or they have to die".Such voiced the order of 27th of November .At 29th ,Ceneral Prezan explains once more to the troops the hour of grave times in which we were and what is expected from them :"The fight which begins tomorrow ,being the only one by which depends the fate of the nation ,does not admit retreat.From soldier to general ,have to die attacking".The words take unusual meanings ,after the circumstances in which they are spoken.In other circumstances ,they would have sounded fals ,as a bombastic speech ,as an effect declamation .The tragic of the hour gave to the words of the Commander unresembling gravity.Conscious or unconscious ,an entire country was waiting with unrest the unfolding of the drama which was preparing in the flats of Neajlov and Arges .From there the voice of the cannon had to carry ,on wings of wind ,the news of victory or slavery.

.....

It has been established some kind of analogy between the plan of Arges-Neajlov battle and the manoeuvre executed by the Anglo-French Army in the culminant moment of the great Battle of Marna .Between the German Armies of General von Kluck and von Bulow has been produced a big empty space :the empty space at Rebais ,covered on some 19 Miles wide ,only by a curtain of Cavalry.Through this empy space sneaked with vigor the British Corps of Marshal John French and the left wing of Franchet d'Esperey Army ,rejecting the German troops ;they have crossed Marna ,turned the internal flanks of Kluck and Bulow Armies and landed on to the communication lines behind the two armies of the Germans .It is the decissive blow ,given in the day of 9th of September ,which provoked the general retreat order of the German Armies ,so called "the miracle of Marna".

General look over the adversary forces and their settings

The battle of Neaslov and Arges took place in their decissive days ,29th of November-3rd of December ,on a Front of 75 Miles,from Golesti until close to the Danube River.It was made of a series of fights ,isolated ,but forming an operative ensemble ,lead by both sides by a unique will and goal.The analogy with the grea Battle of Marna is obvious:the principal fighting line was the valley of a river ;the battle has engaged almost the totality of the available forces of the two adversaries ;it had to be decissive for the fate of the Capital of the country.

On the side of the enemy,have took part 16.5 Divisions ,grouped in three Armies ,and on the Romanian side 13.5 Divisions,grouped ,also,in to three Amies ;to these it was added in the last day two Russian Divisions.The comparison of the above figures is not enaugh to give us an exact ideea about the raport of the adversary forces.The Germans had not more Divisions than us ,but some of them were fresh troops ,entered not long ago in the fight ,as all Romanian Divisions were those who stayed almost permanently in to the fighting line.The effectives of most of them have been reduced at less than half;those reorganized in haste have been throwed in the fight before they could rest ,as it should be.

Divisions 1/17 and 11th were smashed.The Army at Jiu ,which was in continuous retreat for two weeks.Division 13/23 ,was made of the remains of the Divisions which have been eaten day by day on to Olt Valley ,for two months ;their effectives were derisory ,and the fight capacity almost null.The 18th Division which constituted the principal mass of the Group of Danube Defence ,was a troop of mediocre value ,made mostly of militia tasked with the guard of Danube;she has been entirely decimated and deorganized in the fights given with the enemy which has crossed the Danube ,reduced at few Battalions.The single complete units were those brought from the remaking zone :2/5,9/19 and 21st.This "remaking" has been far from the true sense of the word ;the organization of the units has been made in a rush ,it has not been time for instructing the men.In full activity of organization ,the troops have been put in the train and send to the danger place.The 2/5 Division was entering in the fight tired after series of marchings and countermarchings ,provoked by the continuous change of the operations plans ,determined by the direction of enemy attacks ,which had now the total initiative of movments.The 21st Division ,retreated from Predeal Front with a small effective,remade at Baicoi,has been send at Predelus ,then turned from her way and send to neajlov.

For the systematization of the description of the fights given in the days of 30th of November-3rd of December,the battle theatre may be separated in three Sectors.:a)Superior Arges Sector ,with the initial Front Costesti-North -East of Pitesti having as unfolding axis of the fights ,Arges Valley ,the driveway and railway CGolesti-Titu .The sector was defended by the I-st Romanian Army ,general Stratilescu,having in the first line Divisions 1/17,8th,14th and Divisions 11th and 13/23 -the rest without combative value -a reserve on the second line .The 1st Cavalry Division covered it on the left side.On the side of the enemy operated in this direction Kraftt Army von Delmensiengen ,made out of the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,the 73rd Austro-Hungarian Division ,the 216th Division the 2nd German Cavalry Division ,as well as two Divisions :301st and 41st of Kuhne Army.

b)Arges Sector and of middle Neajlov was the sector of the Attack Group Romanian .The fighting action unfolded alon Valleys Glavaciocului ,middle Neajlov and Arges,having the driveway Alexandria -Bucharest as advancing axis .The Romanian Group was made ,as we know ,of Divisions 2/5 ,9/19 and 21st sustained on the right by the 2nd Cavalry ;between this sector and the preceeding one was added latter the 10th Division.The enemy had in this region Divisions 109th,11th and 113th of Kuhne Army ,the two Cavalry Divisions -6th and 7th -which formed the group Schmettow and a part of Kosch Army .Division 217 German ,Division 26th Turk and the Mixt Division of Cavalry von der Goltz.

c)Neajlov Sector and of inferior Arges ,with the tactical center at Calugareni ,having as Front infrerior Neajlov until the flowing of this one into Arges ,continuing then towards South ,till the Danube .The advancing axis :drveway Giurgiu -Bucharest .In this sector .were fighting on the Romanian part Division 18th -reduced at four Battalions and two Escadrons -parts of the 7th Division and the Mixt Brigade 9/19.On the enemy side were Divisions Bulgarian 1st and 12th (five Brigades) and a Mixt Brigade Germano-Bulgarian.

The geometrical center and tactical of the field of battle will be Sector Neajlov and middle Arges ,along driveway Alexandria -Bucharest .There ,there will be given the most fierce fights and decissive.

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(Preparing the attack in an Infantry Unit)

How were the "allies" helpping us

Again there were made interventions ,near the Russian Great Commandment ,as along the Tzar ,personally,for that in this supreme hour ,which will be decissive for Romania ,a part of the numerous Russian troops ,which were available,to take part in to the great battle which was preparing on Arges.The telegram addressed by Bratianu(Romanian primeminister) to General Coanda ,written in determined and energic terms ,is given with intention open,to impress the entire Great Russian Headquarter:"Romania is wondering with unrest -writes the Romanian Primeminister-if the brothers in arms will let her to be crushed ,without those who may come in help to spear her by the desastre of an occupation of Bucharest".The Romanian appeal is suported with warm also by the French Commandment .At 26th of November ,Joffre intervenes also next to the General Gurko,the succesor of Alekseev ,and Poincare next to the Tzar ,asking for the concentration in Bucharest region of the available Russian forces.The French reminds to the Russians of the decissions taken in commune and the assurances given by them,and show them in a solemn way the importance of a failure of Romanians ,if the Entente would let one of her Armies to be crushed.

The direct interventions of General Berthelot towards Russian Stavka from Moghilev are made by General Janin ;he asks the Russians to send in the aid of Romanians the 40th Division of Infantry and 8th Division of Cavalry from the Danube ,as well as VIII-th Corps Army,the reserve of General Lecitki.But Gurko is worse than Alekseev.His answer falls brutally at 26th of November through Beleaev:"not a man ,nor a cannon"*.Janin thinks that in this categoric response can be seen as the Russians indisposition against the Romanian Commandment ,which will not take in to account by Belaev oppinions-representing Stavka's conception -after which the Superior Romanian Commandment should be lowered to the rank of an Army Commander interposed in to a Group of Armies under a Russian Commander.Berthelot sees himself forced to notice in his respons towards Janin :"The public opinion is very surescitated against the Russians ,of which offensive has been delayed and which keeps in the face of the dezastre a peacefulness and indifference which contrasts with the gravity of times".

To give the impression of good will,at 27th of November ,Beleaev communicates to the Great Romanian Hedquarter ,that in the case in which Romanian guarantees to the Russians 16 trains a day ,then Russia gives up at her offensive ,which was supposed to begin on Moldavian Front even the next day,and in the same time will head some of these troops towards Muntenia.The Russian General asked for an answer within an hour.The request of the Russian was an impossibility .General Iliescu could not answer ,but that Romania cannot guarantee the 16 trains,because the railways are full already with the transport of Divisions 7th and 9/19 which are send to the fighting Front at Arges ,and also with the numerous evacuations which are made towards Moldavia.That is why,he preferes that at least the Russians to begin ,even the next day 28th of November,their ,much awaited offensive on the Moldavian Front ,which wil bring a felt ease in the situation of Romanians.

Much better intended than his generals,the Tzar communicates to the King ,through General Coanda,that he has given a day order to Zaharov to send the 4th Division of Infantry at fetesti ,together with a Cavalry Division ,to take part,together with Romanians ,to Arges battle.The Tzar has also asked to the Russian Commandment to assign for the Command of this Group ,one of the most capable of the Russian Commanders of Army Corps ,"engaging the honour of that General for his cooperation for the success of the manoeuvre".It has been assigned General Aliev.It has been given to Aliev Corps the mission to strengthen the left wing of the Romanian Front in inferior Arges Sector .How Zaharov and Aliev understood to correspond to the good intentions of the Tzar and to engage the honour ,would be seen in the unfolding of the battle.


Posted 15 June , 2009

The Russian thesis exposed by General Vinogradov ,is that Stavka has the right to refuze the imediate Russian concur ,for the operations on Arges ,because Bucharest did not have the importance of a commune objective in the face of the vital interests of the Entente,to risk an Army.On the other hand ,the limited output of the Romanian railways did not give the possibility for a fast transport ,quick of the troops on Arges to ensure the victory ,and their arriving in small packages would have lead to a series of partial failures.The Russian Group nearest by (the Danube Army) had a serious mission ,which they prepeared to fulfil ,that is why it was logic that General Zaharov to refuse to enterprize something untill the end of the concentration of all the elements amd means of his.To appreciate the value of this argumentation,to be seen further,in the text ,the conduct of General Rasvoi ,in the middle of the fight on Arges ,and of general Zaharov in Dobrogea ;these were even on the fighting terrain ,in imediate contact with the enemy,when they refuzed to fight.
Posted 15 June , 2009 The prologue of the great battle

The Romanian attack ,planned to take place in the day of 29th of November against the enemy Army of "Danube" ,could not take place in this day ,because the Romanian troops could not arrive in to the fighting zones ,nor in the middle sector ,or the Southern one.In all sectors,however ,wer given by different units ,which were seeking to reach their concentration zone,isolated fights ,but very lively,with the enemy units whith which they came into contact.The general aspect,drawn by these fights,forecasting of the great battle ,could be exposed with the next face :in superior Arges Sector ,the I-st Romanian Army ,in retreat was occupying solid positions at East of Pitesti and West of Costesti ,sustaining fights with the enemy.The fights are given on a Front in the form of an arch of circle ,between Pitesti and Golesti.Costestii are well defended.

In the Middle Sector,the troops of Divisions 2/5 and 9/19 are in march towards South ;they collide with the avanguards of Kuhne Army which follows its marching towards East.None of the two parties knows what adversary has in front.The Germans have no knowledge of the existance of the strong columns of the Attack Group,which advances from North to South ,perpendicular on to their own advancing direction ;they think they have only to deal with the arierguard of the defeated troops at Jiu ,in retreat towards East.At their turn,the Romanians do not realize the importance of the enemy troops coming from West ;they think there are only small Detachments of Cavalry ,sometimes strengthened with Infantry,which are making the connection between the two enemy armies.

In Neajlov Sector ,however ,the enemy is in full offensive along the line Alexandria-Bucharest ,as well as on Calugareni Front .Sustaining at the left wing the strong attacks of the enemy ,the troops of the Group of Danube Defence and of the Attack Group execute with the right ,the great move of converssion towards South-West .The Front of these groups pivotes around the left wing ,which is at South of Calugareni,as the right wing which goes around ,made by Division 2/5 Socec ,advance fast with directions North-South,towards Draganesti.


The marching of Socec and Scarisoreanu Divisions

On the roads which descend the hill region towards the flat lands of Muntenia ,are unfolding long columns of troops of different weapons.Thin,pale,bend under the weight of the filled backpacks ,with tore and decoloured uniforms ,the soldiers of Divisions of General Socec and of General Scarisoreanu,tired by entire days of marchings,advance all the time fermenting with their boots the holes of the ground and the water with snow covering the roads.Through the humid and cold air ,through the thick fog of November days ,they seem like some unfinished corteges of shadows ,pushed forward by a blind fatality towards unknown destinies.But in the hands of this ghosts is the fate of the great battle.The great director of the drama which begins to unfold have casted the prime roles to these soldiers ,tired and discouraged ,And,as the action begins ,they transfigurate .From the first touch with the enemy ,they are not recocnizible anymore.The foot starts to step stiff,the bend backs straighten up,the eye envigorates ,the arm tightens on the weapon ,the bayonet has shines of lightning.The rows get in to fighting formations ,the artillery leaves in horses gallop and sets into position ,the attack begins ,with despise for death ,superb...

Socec Division, remade herself uncomplete at Buzau.She had barely the time to reorganize the officers ,complet the effectives and start to learn the handling of the new machineguns when,in the day of 17th of November , she has to gather up and leave for Pitesti.From here it was send at 23rd of November on to the Eastern Shore of Olt ,between Dragasani and Topolog Valley,to obstacle the crossing of the enemy in this region.In the night of 26-27th of November she had to break up the fight and leave at Costesti,for then to go towards Draganesti .This Division would have to fulfill the most difficult mission and dangerous ;she was the extreme right wing -the going around wing-af the Attack Group.She had to turn the left flank of Kosch Army ,falling in the back at Draganesti.

In five days of march the Division had pass at Costesti and aimed towards Draganesti ,on two columns ,distanced with 1-2 Miles one from the other :at the left is Racovita Brigade,Romanian,which advances along the driveway Pitesti-Draganesti-Giurgiu,on Glavaciocului Valley ;on the right is Serbescu Brigade,Romanian,which advances on a lateral road ,through Clantei Valley ,A Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division is attached to the Division ,to acompany it as phallanxguard ,the other Brigade acompanies the I-st Army.

The advance of Socec Division is made in to a contact very close to the enemy avanguards columns ,which in their turn were advancing from West to East ,perpendicular on to the advancing direction of the Romanian Division.There are troops,especially belonging to the 6th Cavalry Division of Schmettow Group and the avanguards of the 11th Bavarian Division ,the most advanced of the German columns .From place to place produces not only collisions of patrols but also of Detachments more numerous .Most of the times ,the artillery has to intervene and the infantry to start to attack to away the enemy which has occupied the villages ,have nested in the woods ,or established on to the ridges which had to be rove through by the columns of the Division in march.As the Division advances towards South ,the collisions become more serious.

In the day of 29th ,the column on the right side -Serbescu brigade-occupies after short fights the villages Zlotesti ,Negreni and Dracesti,the enemy retreats at Talpa Ionesti.The next day ,the avanguard of the column is attacked with machineguns fires and of artillery from the edge of the village Valea Postei ,which he occupies by fight.Villages Talpa Postei and Talpa Ionesti are occupied by enemy Cavalry Escadrons ,unmounted .They are set on the run and the Romanian column continues her road towards South.In the evening the Brigade has arrived at Frasinet and Babaita ,were has stationed over the night. 9 ........

On the left side ,Racovita Brigade ,following the driveway in Glavaciocului Valley ,finds in the day of 30th of November Catunu Village occupied by few Escadrons of the 6th German Division ;at the apparition of the Romanian troops ,the Germans retreat towards South in Blejesti direction.Near Caldararu ,between Adunatii Butesti and Budeasca ,the enemy having infantry forces with numerous machineguns and with artillery ,attacks the avanguard of Socec Division .Two Romanian Battalions ,sustained by artillery ,proceed to a veiling attack and occupy one by one villages Purani and Blejesti .The Germans retreat towards South-West in disband ,leaving in the hands of Romanians 240 prisoners ,10 machineguns on carriages ,two cannons ,automobiles and a big quantity of material of all kind.The pursuit cannot be made :the link with the own Cavalry has been broken,and Romanians have to follow the road South.In the evening of the same day ,the Brigade seized Flaminda ,occupied by German-Bulgar troops ,of Kosch Army ,from which they capture prisoners and material.Behind the Romanian column reappears the German cavalry ,which catches the ambulance and few carriages of the Division.

Socec Division has touched the objective .Before her was Tirnava Village and then Draganesti :the Army of Danube of Kosch.


.....

Scarisoreanu Division -9/19-which has the principal role in the hit which is preparing,has started at 27th of November from Titu towards South.She passes into Arges Valley and of Neajlov ,from here in to Dimbovnicului Valley and then in Glavaciocului Valley.

In the night od 28-29th ,the Division makes contact with the enemy at Videle -Cartojani,in Glavaciocui Valley .There are troops of Kosch Army ,made out of Infantry,Cavalry and Artillery.The Romanians cannot attack the enemy at 29th ,because the Chief Commander wants to wait also for Division 2/5 which is a little back;the Divisions only repells the daring attacks of the enemy Cavalry and has occupied at night Clejanii,attacking and away-ing the enemy Detachment which was there.

The next day,30th of November ,the DIvision attacks the enemy on the line Fotachesti -Videle-Cartojani,Tamasesti,beats him and sets him on the run in direction South -East,towards Mereni and Letca Veche ,capturing over 200 prisoners ,six machineguns ,horses,kitchens of campaign and other material ,as well.Unfortunately,the 2nd Division of Cavalry is not here to pursue and finish the defeat of the enemy ;she has retreated in the back of the right flank of Division 9/19.

In the evening of 30th of November,Divisions Socec and Scarisoreanu were on the line Flaminda-Clejani,9,3 Miles North of the driveway line Alexandria -Bucuresti ,in tight contact of fight with the Cavalry of von der Goltz and with the troops of Infantry which were forming up the phallanxguard of Kosch Army.But the frictions and postponings have delayed the concentration and the coordonated attack.If Socec could have begun the attack of the flank of Kosch Army at 29th,the future chances would have been great.The delay made that the Germans to be able to realize their concentration ,and Romanians position to become critical by the arriving behind Socec of Khune Army.

... The fights of 21st Division

As the right wing ,the going around wing,of the Attack Group ,Romanian,was descending from North to South with the goal to fall behind and on the flank of Kosch Army ,the center of the group ,made by the 21st Division -General Lambru -was advancing from East to West along driveway Bucharest-Alexandria ,to meet frontal the bulk of Kosch Army.In front of Naipu Village ,the avanguards of the Romanian Division the 21st collided with the 217 German Division which,after occupying Prunaru ,was advancing in opposite direction ,towards Bucharest .In the night of 29th of November produces the first enemy attacks ,which are rejected.

The next day in the morning,around 7 the enemy ,strengthened ,attacks again the Front of 33rd Romanian Brigade ,which has taken position on the right of Glavaciocului ,mounted on to the driveway.The Romanian Detachment of flank which was at Pingalesti ,is attacked by ten Cavalry Escadrons ,two Infantry Battalions and artillery ;the Detachment at the right wing ,at Letca Veche ,is attacked by forces of Infantry and Artillery ,which he rejects.By evening ,the German troops are strengthening more and more and make a strong pressure over Romanians ;at their right side ,Division 9/19,which had to shake hand with the 21st Division ,is late and is only at Clejani.Lambru has to retreat ,pursued over the night by the enemy ,which occupies Copaciu and Ghimpati .With heavy losses ,the 21st Division has retreated in the morning of 30 of november at Braila.

Determined to defend and keep with any price Braila ,General Lambru advances towards West,mounted on the driveway ,with both Brigades ,and is attacked at 10 in the morning by the whole 217th Division ,German,which has now all her formidable artillery.The fight is very fierce .The right column ,made out of the 33rd Brigade of Infantry ,has been turned by the enemy and taken under the fire of heavy artillery ,which makes ravages in Romanian rows ;the Brigade loses all officers and has to begin the retreat .The column on the left,unfolded between Matei Basarab and Ghimpati Forest ,is also disbanded by the enemy .The resistance of Romanians is strong ;The Hunters Regiment at the left wing German has considerable casualties .But the Division 9/19 Romanian ,which is supposed to come in the right is caught in fight at Vida -Cartojani and Tamasesti;the 21st Division ,in fight with the enemy ,which has a crushing superiority of artillery ,has to retreat ,giving on the lanes of the Village Balaria bloody body against body fights ;the Romanians have continued the retreat beyond Neajlov ,occupying positions between Banesti and Gorneni.The Germans have occupied in the afternoon Braila ;towards evening they are masters over entire line Bulbucata -Stilpu -iepuresti with the crossing over Neajlov.

.

(Battle of Calugareni,13th of August 1595)

The fight at Calugareni

Other fights ,just as violent ,were given in the days of 29th and 30th of November on inferior Neajlov Sector .Here ,the Bulgarians,making two Divisions (the 12th and 1st),strengthened with Germans ,have attacked the line of Neajlov ,having as advancing axis the driveway Giurgiu-Calugareni-Bucharest.The Romanian troops are on the elevations South of Neajlov Water ,forming a kind of a bridgehead before Calugareni .There are four Battalions of Militia ,with very reduced effectives ,remains of the 18th Division.From the 7th Romanian Division have arrived till now only two Battalions of the 4th Hunters Regiment and one Battalion of the 14th Infantry Regiment .Few Escadrons of cavalry and 14 batteries of artillery ,the majority old cannons of 87 mm,were completing the forces in this Sector ,of which Command has been given to Colonel Gr.Bunescu.

In the morning of 29th of November ,four Bulgarian Regiments ,with a very powerful artillery ,attack with energy the Romanian Front.The elevation at Crucea de Piatra (the Stone Cross) ,with the comemorative monuments of the most shining victory of our great voievod(Michael the Brave),have been defended with heroism by three Companies of the 4th Hunters Regiment with four machineguns .They are the braves who seized Miercurea-Ciuc and won the victory at Poiana Uzului.Fierce fights were given in Dadilov Wood and on the field of Firing Range Mihai Bravu.Four ferocious attacks have given the Bulgarians against Crucea de Piatra Hill until,around 5 in the afternoon ,they occupied it.By evening,the enemy made a going around move by East;he has occupied Comana ,crossed here the Water of Neajlov(the river) and has occupied Budeni Village ,on the Northern shore of Neajlov.The Romanian line of resistance was ,with this face,turned;it could not be held anymore.There was no reserve behind ,to refresh and relieve the men standing in the fight for 10 hours already.The brave troops have been all crossed on to the Northern shore of Neajlov ,then they set fires to the bridges.During the night ,however,the Bulgarians managed to repair the bridges and cross the Water ;they have occupied Calugareni.

In the morning of 30th of November ,the Bulgarians unfolded on the Northern shore of Neajlov ,occupying with numerous forces the villages on this shore ,which they fortified very strong with trenches and barbed wire fences,installing numerous machineguns .The Romanian attacks ,given by 14th Roman Regiment of the 7th Division aimed especially over the Villages Branistari -at East-and Singureni -at West -have taken out the enemy from the trenches ,repelled the columns trying to adavance,but did not succeed to away him from the villages where he was strongly retrenched.The 1st Battalion of the 4th Hunters Regiment is almost destroyed.Towards evening has arrived also the Mixt Brigade 9/19 ,which is cantooned -as general reserve-at Adunatii Copaceni,in the point where Arges River is cut by the driveway Bucharest-Calugareni-Giurgiu.

At 30th of November in the evening,all Romanian troops were gathered in the operations zone ,in contact with the enemy on the whole stretch of the Front.The Romanian offensive,in itself,had to unleash the next day.


The day of 1st of December

The 217th German Division continues in the morning of the day of 1st of December ,her offensive march,along the driveway between Neajlov and Arges.The German Commander thinks he has no real motives for concern ; on the left side ,he knows he is defended by Goltz Cavalry Division and the phallanxguard of infantry ;behind ,at some distance,is the Turkish Division .That is why ,the Germans fast their step on the traks of the troops of General Lambru ,which are in retreat.In the afternoon the heads of the enemy columns arrived at Arges River;they enter in Mihailesti .The German troops begin to concentrate on the South -Eastern shore of Arges ,from Draganescu ,at North-West of Mihailesti ,until Tuta,at South-East.The Romanians held solid occupied the bridge ;they have organized at Buda ,on the opposite shore of Arges ,a very strong position ,a bridge head .The enemy sings already victory!His offcial reports aknowledge the world that the German Armies are in front of Bucharest forts.But bad signs start to show.From behind and from the left flank of the 217th Division come alarming news.Groups of Germans run-aways arrive in disband towards the bulk of the Division .They bring the news that the Cavalry Division von der Goltz is beaten and in retreat,and the phallanxguard of infantry obliterated and set on the run.The Romanian Attack Group has started the offensive!

At his extreme right ,Socec Division ,which has seized in the eve at evening Flaminda restarted in the morning of 1st of December her march towards South,occupies Tirnavele with Racovita Brigade and continues to advance towards Draganesti.In the Northern edge of Grozea Forest and of Tunari Village the enemy ,strongly retrenched and supported by numerous artillery ,attacks the Romanian avanguard .There are Germn and Bulgarian troops of Kosch Army.A fierce fight cooks up on a streched Front between driveway Tirnava -Draganesti ,on the right side ,and Cilnistei Valley ,on the left side .The Regiments of Racovita Brigade have big casualties .The troops fight without machineguns ,against an enemy which has plenty.At Buzau are distributed to our Regiments French machineguns ,model Saint-Etienne ,but the soldiers and officers ,occupied all the time with marchings and fightings ,did not learn how to use them.The Romanian soldiers fight with elan which compensates for the lack of military material .There are Romanian troops which have tasted the bitterness of defeat in Dobrogea and are finding here again their old enemies:Bulgarians .They have seen through the villages they passed through yesterday,the tracks of the same bestiality ,they learned of in Dobrogea.


At around noon ,after six hours of ferocious fight ,the Romanians have conquered Grozea Forest and Tunari Village ,taking 50 prisoners and two heavy cannons .From the East ,from Frasinet,arrives Serbanescu Brigade .Both Brigades of the Division are now united.Before her ,at 2-3 Miles ,are Draganestii.It is the principal strike to be given.If Draganestii are taken tonight ,Kosch Army which is on Glavacioc and Neajlov ,is cut from her base.But around the Romanian Division the enemy gathers his strengths .From all parts the Division is cornered :Schmettow Cavalry and those of Goltz ,Turkish infantry ,Bulgaro-German ,gathers up and recomes to attack against Socec Division .The enemy, beaten and rejected ,place himself in the trenches South of Grozea Forest ;strengthened with three Battalions Torkish-Bulgarian,recomes to attack against the Romanian troops which have occupied the Northern edge of the forest.From West ,from Comoara Forest ,appear other enemy columns .The enemy has numerous heavy cannons ,and the Romanian Division has only two Regiments of Field Artillery.Socec feels entered in a bottom of a bag.Surrounded by a swarm of enemies .An escadril of enemy aeroplanes throwes bombs over the Hedquarter of the Division ,in Tirnava ,kills and wounds a great number of officers ,together with the Chief of Staff of the Division.Discouraged ,Socec breaks the fight and turns his eyes towards East.



..........

Behind Socec Division has arrived the 2nd Romanian Cavalry Division -General Sinescu-which comprises also units from the 1st Division and is strengthened wit a Battalion of Infantry.The mission of this Division is to defend the back of Socec Division and the right of Scarisoreanu Division .In the day of 1st of December ,the Cavalry is at Blejesti ,behind Socec Division,which after the fight of Butesti followed its advance to Flaminda.But the enemy troops,defeated are remaking themselves ;the 7th German Cavalry Division ,and the avanguards of 11th Bavarian Division from Talpa Ionesti retake the advance towards South -East .Sinescu receives the news that strong enemy columns have entered in Baciu-Blejesti zone;he face them with 7th Rosiori Regiment with artillery,bringing them to a stand still.But the mission of the Cavalry is not to engage important fights,but to follow Division 2/5 in her evolution;The 7th Regiment breaks the fight and as other enemy columns announce from the West ,the Cavalry retakes the marching towards South and arrives at Flaminda ,where it cantoons in the night 1-2nd of December ,behind Socec Division,which is supposed to be towards Tirnava.The liaison officers send towards Tirnava report that Socec is not there and the village is occupied by the enemy!


.........

In the center of the Romanian Attack Group ,Division 9/19-General Scarisoreanu -has to attack the flank of Kosch Army.She starts on two columns ,taking oblique direction towards South-East :one column through Rusii lui Asan towards Ghimpati ,and the other one through Clejani towards Balaria .But the enemy ,defeating the resistance of the 21st Division has advanced considerable .That is why ,Scarisoreanu Division has to change direction ,going further to left and,insteda of Ghimpati sector -Balaria ,she has to attack sector Balaria-Stilpu.The column on the right side having to away the enemy which she finds in the villages on her way ,delays the marching of the entire Division .The Commander of the Division is a trialed militar:he waits to have all the forces in hand to give the attack.Because of this ,only by evening the Romanian Division makes contact with the enemy .This time is not Goltz's Cavalry ,which has retreated at South of the driveway ;its the bulk of the Kosch Army.The Romanian Division finds again in the 217th German Division,the former adversary from the field of battle of Dobrogea ,whith which has old disputes to settle.In the head of the Division are the Regiments of Poetas Brigades ,the braves from Amzacea and Topraisar.

The left of Division 9/19-six Companies of the 197th Brigade has attacked,in the morning ,the Village Bulbucata,by surprise,at bayonet ,without firing shots ,repelling the German troops occupying it;the Romanians have captured prisoners and material.Then ,they have made the connection with the left of Brigade 17th Infantry,which had as objective Balaria.Balaria Forest is attacked by evening through very hard fight ,and at 10 in the night ,the 40th Calugareni Regiment attacks violent Balaria Village,where surprises completely the enemy.The Germans are running in disband ,scattering in all directions.The Romanians captures over 200 prisoners ,three heavy cannons ,numerous material of war.On the field of battle remain numerous shot horses by their own masters,to not fall in the mastering of Romanians,throwed away ammunition,carriages and waggons turned upside down ,many of them filled with things stolen from people's houses ,automobiles tippled over in the trenches;all these showed the violence of the attack of the 40th Regiment and the panic of the enemy.


The retreat line of the enemy is cut.General von Gallwitz ,together with the Staff of the 217th Division escapes,running back to Balaria towards Ghimpati .The Commander of the 18 Reserve Brigade German ,Colonel Vogel ,which is at Mihailesti on Arges River,asks instructions by telephone from the Commander of the DIvision ,which he knew at Balaria .He hears only two words:"Rumanen...hier..."[8],then the communication breaks with a strident noise.Balaria has fallen in Romanian hands.

On the driveway the confusion is at the top.The Germans are running towards South,at Pingalesti ,with a part of the heavy artillery ,which they can save.The Detachment ,which has arrived at Arges-in the power of a Brigade-has remained in the air,with the communication behind cut.The left and center of his,are attacked by the troops of Lambru Division,from the shore in front of Arges River.On the right side the Bulgarians have suffered also a defeat and were in retreat,losing the connection with the Germans.

The enemy cannot hold on to Arges;he begins the retreat to Neajlov .Covered towards North-West ,in direction Bulbucata by a Battalion of Bavarian Hunters ,the Germans retreat on to the Norhern shore of Neajlov River,the Villages Iepuresti,Stilpu,with the bridge over Neajlov ,Chirculesti ;the Front surrounds Banesti Village.During the night they retrench very strong in the position from where they have been forced to retreat during the day.

In Neajlov sector and of inferior Arges ,the whole morning of 1st of December has been a very strong cannonade of artillery,by both sides .Then,the enemy started from the positions he was occupying along the Northen shore of Neajlov ,a general offensive against the Romanian Front.On our right side ,the Mixt Brigade 9/19 has sustained with strength the enemy attack and has attacked in her turn,in region Chirculesti -Singureni ,to ease the left of Lambru Division ,which was strongly attacked.At around 1 in the afternoon the enemy begins a great attack ,at the center ,from Calugareni direction ,as at the right of him,from Budeni direction.Sustained by heavy artillery ,the enemy advances on six rows .Crushed under artillery fires and attacked by superior forces ,the remains of the two Regiments occupying the Romanian positions could not resist and have left the fight without order.The situation was very grave .Colonel Bunescu ,the Commander of the Sector,asks for quick reinforcements.There are send troops from 38th Braila Regiment ,Commanded by Lieut-Colonel Bacalbasa ,which was part of the Mixt 9/19 Brigade .The Regiment has arrived at night at Copaceni ,where has been brought with trucks and automobiles from Jilava.Colonel Bunescu gathered the officers and made a moving appeal to patriotism and their spirit of martyr ,to save the honour of the Army and the Capital of the kingdom.The Regiment statrted at assault with great elan ,encouraging also the soldiers of the Regiments in retreat.A machinegun automobile .manoeuvred with courage and skill by a French officer ,blasting death in the enemy rows ,have brought up much the Romanians courage .With rifle shots but especially with the long bayonet of Weterley Rifle ,the Romanian soldiers strike with fury the enemy and break his ranks.Four times the Bulgarians come back to attack ,strengthened with fresh forces,but in vain.By 5 in the evening ,the Romanian troops were mastering again over on the Northern lines of Neajlov.To the South,however ,the Bulgarian forces ,starting from Comana and Budeni ,have gone around the Romanian flank and occupied Gradistea on Arges River.In the face of this situation ,and of the fraid of a veiling attack,the Romanian troops from the Southern sector had to leave again Neajlov's shore and have occupied the Southern shore of Arges,covering the passes over the river at Darasti,Copaceni and Varlaam,around which they have build a strong bridge head ,for each.Towards evening ,have started to arrive Russian troops from Aliev Corps :the 40th Division and the Cossacks;they have placed at the extreme left of the Romanian Front ,between Arges and Danube.

The day of 1st of December has been,in general,a good day for Romanians.In the most important point of the battle field , have obtained a beginning of victory ,full of hopes.


Catching the Romanian operations plan

An unfortunate incidend happens at the extreme right wing of the Romanian fighting Front ;it wiil have grave follow ups for the entire Romanian action.

In the Sector of superior Arges Reiver ,the Ist Romanian Army fights hard against the strong adversary.The Olt Corps,attacked ,by the front at Golesti and in the back at Priboineni ,has to retreat.The 14th Division remains with 1400 men;she is mixed with 13/23 Division giving together a number of almost 5000 fighters .A little to the South,the 1/17 Division resist vigorous at Costesti against the attacks of 301st Division of the enemy;the retreat of the troops in her right ,force her to retreat as well.The whole Front of the I-st Army is,with this face ,in retreat towards Gaiesti.

During their movements ,the adverse troops were mixing and it happened,frequently,that in the morning ,a troop to noticed that has bivouacked in the night in the middle of enemy troops.At Ratesti,on Arges ,at South of Leordeni an automobile of the 8th Division -which has fought on this Front -in which there were two officers of General Staff of the Division,Captains Epure and Barcan,fell in the day of 1st of December in the midst of the troops of a Bavarian Regiment,in marching.In the metal box in the automobile was the correspondence of the Division and all the orders of operations given by Superior Commandments ,which the officers had to distrinute to the units of the Division.

The capture is of unmeasurable importance .In the great speed of his automobile ,General Kraftt runs at the Headquarter of the IX-th Army and surrenders it to Falkenhayn,where the complete decifring of the documents produced an enormous senzation.Seldomly,in the History of Wars ,a Commander of an Army has been served by luck in such an extraordinary way .Falkenhayn has found the secret of the great operation of manoeuvre ,started by Romanian Army!The hole mistery of troops movements ,in the last few days ,the whole mistery which the German General could feel without being able to guess ,appeared ,at once ,like lightened by a blinding ray.The German Commander was not the man to not know to take advantage by this unexpected luck.He was able to take the imediate dispozitions necesitated by the new development of the situation,revealed to him:The knowing of the plans,gave the oportunity not only to escape from the dangerous position in which the Romanian offensive brought the Germans,but even to take advantage by the knowing of the Romanian positions ,to give us ,in the most weak point ,the decissive blow.In truth,the Romanian plan,daring conceived ,needed the complete secrecy of the movement of the troops.Now the Germans knew that the principal attack was given against the Danube Army ,that the troops with which collided Schmettow Cavalry and the avanguards of the 11th Bavarian Division ,were not Romanian units in retreat over Olt River,as they thought in the beginning ,but the elements of an important Manoeuvre Group ,marching towards South ;that there,towards Glavacioc and Neajlov ,is played the fate of the Danube Army and of the great battle for Bucharest.Falkenhayn also knew now that at the back of the Romanian Group of Attack has produced a big empty space ,which separated the troops of the Northern Sector by the other two Sectors.

........

With all the frictions between Falkenhayn and Mackensen ,provoked by the rivalry between the two Generals ,which aspired both at the role of Supreme Commandand of German Armies Reunited in Romania,Falkenhayn decided to come in the help of his kamarad threatened and,exploiting the revealed situation ,to turn in his favour the manoeuvre conceived by Romanians.In consequence ,the German Commander decided to to enter the empty space between the two Romanian Groups and to turn both their internal flanks.To acomplish this manoeuvre ,he had almost the entire Army of Kuhne ,which was advancing ,from West to East ,without meeting Romanian troops on the way.

The 41st Division which has reached Selaru ,on the Water of Dimbovnicului,on the driveway Pitesti-Draganesti-Giurgiu ,has received the order to turn oblique towards North-East ,to cross Arges River and to fall in the back of the I-st Romanian Army ,which was retreating along the railway line.In the same time ,a little to the South,Divisions 109th and 11th Bavarian which were in Butesti-Goleasca region ,to turn oblique towards South ,in direction Clejani-Rusii lui Asan ,to fall behind the Romanian Attack group,which was operating against Kosch Army ,and to cut his retreat towards Bucharest .Between the two Groups ,Schmettow Cavalry will pass over Arges River ,covering the advance of Kuhne Army over Bucharests.The 115th Division was following as reserve.

Mackensen has received from the Big German Headquarter the Supreme Command of the enemies Army in Romania,brought a modification to Falkenhayn plan ,leaving only 11th Bavarian Division to attack the back of Romanian Army ,and ordered to 109th Division to continue the marching towards middle Arges River.Together with the Cavalry ,this Division will occupy solid the shores of Arges for to cut the retreat of Romanian troops and to acomplish the complete dezatre of Romanian Armies.With this face ,the roles were changed now.The trap,which have been prepare to the enemy ,was turning now against Romanians .The surprise of the Romanian plan of operations and the superiority ,crushing of the enemy ,permitted this one to transform from attacked in to attacker .The fatal unprecaution of the Romanian officers ,helped them.


The day of 2nd of December

In the day of 2nd of December ,the battle followed its course on the whole line.

In the middle of Neajlov Sector ,Scarisoreanu Division continues the offensive;she is in the center of the action.Early in the morning ,Poetas Brigade attacks the line Stilpu-Iepuresti.On the right,the 40th Regiment ,covering from this side the bulk of the Division ,takes with assault Iepuresti Village ,beats the enemy which was retrenched there and repells him over the Water of Neajlov(river),capturing some few hundreds of prisoners.At the center ,the 9th Hunters Regiment ,reduced at five Companies ,having their Commander ,Major Rasoviceanu ,mounted on a horse,in the middle of the troop,hastes in a very fast assault from the exit of South-East of Balaria Village towards Stilpu.With all the stormy fires of the enemy machineguns ,with all the big casualties suffered ,the Hunters do not back off and attack with fury the enemy.They are supported on the left side by Regiment 23/63 of Infantry,and behind by 3rd Regiment of Artillery.At noon ,the victory is of Romanians.Stilpu Village,together with the bridge over Neajlov River ,is seized by the Hunters;the enemy Company of six machineguns ,which have killed us so many brave soldiers ,is captured with all its servants.The Germans had big casualties ;a part runs in disorder over Neajlov towards Banesti ,others are taken prisoners .A column of 400 prisoners can be seen coming from the South,from Iepuresti ,as in the North the Hunters cross Neajlov River and occupy Gornenii,and Bulbucata is occupied by Regiment 38/78.

At 2 in the afternoon ,the remains of the heroic Regiment of Hunters are saluted by the Commander of the Division ,of the Brigade and by the French Mission .General Scarisoreanu and Colonel Poetas can be proud by the soldiers ;they are at the height of their Chiefs who formed them ,and commands them.

The 217 th German Division is almost smashed ;she is broken in two.A part has been repelled between South-West ,over Glavacioc and Cilnistea ,together with the Cavalry of von der Goltz ;Ghimpatii has fallen as well in the hands of Romanians .The other part is repelled to the North ,over Neajlov Water.

From Arges direction ,the 21st Division attacks with strength ,crosses the river ,rejects the left wing of the 12th Bulgarian Division ,which was making the connection with the Germans ,breaks this link then,making a conversion towards left parallel with the flow of Neajlov ,occupies a line to the North of Chirculesti facing South ,forcing the right German wing to bend from this side as well towards Chirculesti.Now the Germans are completely surrounded .They occupy only the line of Villages Banesti-Chirculesti and the woods in the vecinity ,forming a closed circle ,surrounded from all parts by the Romanian troops of Divisions 9/19 and 21st.In two days ,the 217th German Division has lost 1500 prisoners ,20 cannons and 30 machineguns and an imense material of war.The dezastre is eminent.A last effort then,and a brilliant victory starts to announce.

The moment is a decissive one.General Prezan gives order to the Russian troops ,which have arrived at South ,to attack and advance towards West ,to go around the right wing Bulgarian and force the Bulgarians to evacuate line of Neajlov ,the only support remained still to the Germans.The Russian Commander refuzes to acomplish the order ;he declares that he cannot attack ,because he has no order from General Zaharov;then he has not all his troops on to the fighting line yet.And true,the troops of Aliev Corps ,which were coming by train from Dobrogea ,have interrupted the journey with the train at Lehliu-Sarulesti and have disembarked to make the rest of the way on foot.That is why they have arrived four days latter ;most of the part did not even arrive on to the battle field.Still,the 40th Russian Division is entire in the fighting sector with a Brigade in front of Comanei and with the other one at Vlad Tepes.Her intervention would save the situation of Romanians and it would be a desaster for Bulgarians.Generals Prezan and Berthelot,send to General Rasvoi ,the Commander of the Russian Division,two officers of General Staff-Major Vasilescu and French Captain Nicolay,to determine him to intervene in this decissive moment ,without waiting for the bulk of the troops .Indignated by the resistance of the Russian General ,the officers ask him if he wants to play the role of Grouchy from Waterloo[9],at which the Russian general replayed that he is not there to listen a history course.The Russians refusal makes the enemy to gain pretious time .The remains of 217th Division retrench very strong in the corner where they are crouched ,surrounding themselves with barbed wire fence and with machineguns ,in the awaiting of the holly -happening which must arrive from the North.


As at the South the Russians refusal obstacled the Romanian Commander to take all profit from the victory reputed by Scarisoreanu Division ;from the North and West were gathering black clouds ,forecasting of storm.From the North ,are signalled numerous troops of the enemy ,behind the 9/19 Division ,which is not defended ,from this side ,by Cavalry,as it should be.Scarisoreanu takes measures of protection.He evacuates all columns and the services towards Arges ,keeping only the ambulance and a part of the munition column and occupies with the Mixt Detachments Letca Noua,Rusii lui Asan ,Clejani and Nebuna Velea,to obstacle the fall of the enemy,by surprise ,behind the Division.These measures of precaution prove very well thought :the enemy has taken the offensive from this part .There are the avanguards of the 11th Bavarian Division of Kuhne Army ,which begin to arrive in the fighting zone ,behind the Romanian Army.In the most advanced position,at Clejani ,the Romanian Detachment of the 39th Regiment sustains a fierce fight all day with the enemy forces which grow more and more.The Commander of the Detachment ,Captain Iordache ,is badly wounded ,with the right arm smashed ;he refuzes to be evacuated ,starts again to conterattack and falls pierced by bullets in the head of his Battalion .Towards evening the Detachment ,almost destroyed ,has to retreat towards Rusii lui Asan line-Nebuna Bulbucata Forest.

A much graver turn of things produces at the West wing of the Romanian Army of Attack.General Socec ceased the offensive and was retreating towards East !After the brilliant march executed by 2/5 Division in the days of 29th,30th of November and 1st of December ,his troops ,exhausted and with heavy casualties suffered in the continuous fights given in these days,could not continue the road in Draganesti direction.Unrested by the isolation in which he was finding ,at the extreme right of the Attack Group ,feeling attacked by a numerous enemy ,which was gathering from all parts around him,Socec lost fate in himself and in the troop and thought that he is not able anymore to acomplish the task ,given to him.From Tirnava,Socec made a going around to the left and started in retreat ,facing Bucharest :the role of 2/5 Division is now to cover from the West the operations of Divisions of Scarisoreanu and Lambru.In the night of 1-2nd of December Socec is at Letca Veche ,in Glavaciocului Valley.The next day ,2nd of December ,Socec has continued the retreat towards East ,with Ghimpati-Balaria direction;the heads of the most advanced columns were at Matei Basarab ,at South-East of Balaria and of the driveway Alexandria-Bucharest .On his tracks was advancing the Turk Division and other enemy units.


The retreat of Socec Division puts in a very difficult situation the 2nd Cavalry Division.In the evening of 1st of December the Cavalry ,which is at Flaminda ,sees herself , at once ,completely isolated .Not even a contact with Socec ,nor an order ,not even a news about his wehereabouts .All around ,at Blejesti ,at Tirnavele ,at Letca Veche ,are signalled to him enemy troops.Without any orders whatsoever and not being able to establish contact with any troop or friendly Commander ,Sinescu makes a grave decission.Instead of letting be caught in a mouse trap,better to seek to save his unit,which he Commands.At 10 in the night ,the Cavalry Division begins the retreat towards North-East ,on the only way which was free :a breaking of some 16 Miles through the enemy columns .All night of 1-2nd of December ,the Cavalry-men walk along their horses ,with the horses by the strap ,cross Cervenicu Mare bridge ,the only one which is guarded by a Rosiori Detachment and at 8 in the morning arrive on the plateau above Merenilor.Neither here are friendly troops;Division 9/19 is towards South-East ,in marching to Balaria.The 21st Division is on Arges ,and Division 2/5 no one knows where it is.Sinescu decides to continue the marching in direction Mihailesti ,on Arges .Enemy columns show on the left ;there are the Bavarian troops which make the conversion towards South.The runners from the Safety Detachments of the 9/19 Division bring the news about the enemy which arrives from the North.

The Division begins to receive shots of cannon ,then is attacked by infantry;she changes all the time the advance direction ,wanting to avoid serious engagements.A flank Detachment ,made out of troops of Rosiori unmounted,under the Command of Lieut-Colonel Davidoglu ,protects on the left the column in retreat .A Battalion of the 39th Regiment "Petru Rares".from troops send by Scarisoreanu for the protection of his back ,attaches to Davidoglu Detachment and fights against the enemy which attacks the Division in marching,from three directions :from Nebuna Velea ,Clejani and Rusii lui Asan .In Nebuna Forest ,the soldiers of the Division have again to unmount and cross in dramatic conditions ,with the enemy in the rib ,retained by fights in the North clearing of the Forest.It was well dark when ,disengaged by the enemy ,the Cavalry Division ,lead by a safe guide ,manages to get out of the horrifying Forest and to enter in Bulbucata.


Posted 18 June , 2009 In the morning of the 3rd of December ,the Cavalry Division was on the shore of River Arges,escaped by the surrounding circle in which she was to be found for two days.The unit was in this way saved for future operations ,but she has been absent from the principal fighting zone ,depriving the Attack Group by her concur in the day of 2nd of December ,which could have been a decissive day.In superior Arges Sector,Kraftt continues the advance and attacks by the front with 3.5 Divisions the I-st Romanian Army in retreat ,on both shores of Arges River ,as the 41st Division was executing a turn around by South ,towards Titu.The enemy bombards violent with artillery of all calibers ,breaks the Front of the 8th Romanian Division ,turns the flank of Division 13/14 and force her to retreat towards Gaiesti with big casualties.Amongst the wounded ,is the Commander of the Division,Colonel Cihoski ,and the French Colonel Dubois .On the Southern shore of Arges ,the troops of Divisions 8th and 1/17 repell the enemy attacks and hold on positions until the evening ,when they begin the retreat towards North .They cross with difficulty on to the Northern shore ,over the bridge at Gaiesti ,strongly bombarded by the enemy.The majority of the troops have to cross at night through fords ,fighting with numerous patrols .In the evening the enemy has occupied Gaiesti.

Towards South,the advance of the 41 Division Prusian ,constitutes a grave danger;she has occupied Crovu and is going towards Titu.General Prezan sends in haste the 10th Romanian Division ,which was held in reserve ,to oppose to the advance of the enemy ,covering also the Southern flank of the I-st Army.The Division counterattack is stopped on line of Villages Vacaresti and Odobesti by a strong bombardment of heavy artillery and by a big number of armoured automobiles ;the Division has to cross back Arges and to establish on line Serdaru -Potlogi-Bolintin -Vale.

The day of 2nd of December did not bring to Romanian Army the victory hoped for.Scarisoreanu Division has obtained ,in truth ,a beautiful success.But the weakness of resistance on to the other sectors and the Russian refuse to fight did not permit the exployting of the succes .The effort had to be retaken the next day .During this time ,black clouds gather all around the Romanian Army;the storm was ready to unleash.

...

(Romanian soldiers in the Great War)

The day of 3rd of December

The day of Sunday 3rd of December ,is the fatal day of the unfolding of the battle at Arges.It had to bring us victory and brought us defeat.

Around the Attack Army the enemy has finished his concentration .From the West ,the Turk Division ,following Socec Division in retreat,has occupied the elevations between Letca Noua and Ghimpati .At her right ,between driveway and Glavacioc ,has been remade the Cavalry Division Goltz and,with the remains of the 217th Division and with the Mixt Brigade Germano-Bulgar ,has taken position at North of Galvacioc and established the connection with the Bulgarian Front on Neajlov.At the left of the Turk Division ,has taken position between Clejani and RUsii lui Asan ,the 11th Bavarian Division ,which has received a formidable heavy artillery-the own artillery and the artillery of the neighbour Division 109th-which kept under the beat of its cannons the driveway Alexandria-Bucharest,until Arges.East of the Bavarian Division ,the 6th Cavalry Division of Schmettow Corps was guarding the crossing over Arges River.The bulk of the 217th Division ,very reduced ,was crouched in in its desperate position around Banesti Village ,until Chirculesti,beyond Neajlov,but decided at resistance till the last man ,numbering its last hours.With this face,the Armies in fight ,started to draw ,in the principal fighting zone ,three concentric circles .The most interior was the circle formed by the Vogel Brigade of the 217th Division German,like a snake around Banesti Village.Around her,has closed ,almost,the circle of Romanian Divisions 2/5,9/19,21 and parts of the Danube Defence Group,incomplete in the Southern part.At his turn,around the investment Romanian circle ,was tightening the enemy exterior circle formed by:Turk Division,11th Bavarian Division,Schmettow Cavalry ,Bulgarians and Goltz Group.The fatal fate has became reality.

From surrounders we have become surrounded.The Romanian Attack Group was caught in the fires of those inside and of those outside.

From the morning of the day ,our offensive action has been retaken .The gravity center was at Divisions Scarisoreanu and Lambru .Both of them had to attack facing South ,with Calugareni direction ,one on the right shore and the other on the left of Neajlov River.The back of the two Divisions had to be protected :towards North ,between Neajlov and Arges by the 7th Division ,and the flank towards West and South-West ,from Ghimpati and Balaria ,by Socec Division and the Cavalry Division.The Group of Defence of Danube ,sustained by Russian on the left side ,had to attack from Gradistea and Comana the center and flank Bulgarian.

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The offensive started to unfold favorable .At the left wing ,the Group of Danube Defence made beautiful progresses.Colonel Bunescu seized back Gradistea in violent fights ,in which distinguished Captain Nicolay of the French Mission .The other columns have rejected the enemy until Neajlov.

Again,General Iancovescu appeals to General Rasvoi ,the Commander of 40th Russian Division ,which was "sitting with the weapon at his foot" in front of Comana ,to attack the Bulgarians ,to cut their retreat and transform their defeat in desastre;but Rasvoi refuzes this time again to pick up the easy fruits of the victory.

Divisions Scarisoreanu and Lambru ,which had to acomplish the most important mission ,begin their advance convergent.The 21st Division occupies Chirculestii;the Russian Brigade 9/19 rejects the enemy towards Singureni.Scarisoreanu feels his back unprotected :the Cavalry Division is not here anymore,and the 7th Division has not arrived yet.He has to take care by himself of his cover and detaches from the 9/19 Division few units which he sends North of driveway Stilpu-Mihailesti;then starts the attack from Iepuresti towards South with Poetas Brigade.

Socec Division is placed in the form of a semy circle around Matei Basarab Village ,facing the enemy towards North-West ,West and South ,covering from this part the flank of Scarisoreanu Division .Early in the morning ,Socec begins the attack in two directions :towards North-West he occupies the Forest and Village Balaria ,towards West he closes in to Ghimpati.

At once,around 10 ,the covering Detachments to North of Scarisoreanu Division are attacked with violence by the enemy artillery ,after which infantry attacks follow ,in mass.The attack generalizes ;from North and North-West ,a formidable avalanche of metal and fire beats in the back and flanks of the Romanian troops .Kuhne Army has joined in the fight.

Encouraged by the strong help arrived ,Kosch units start as well the attack against Socec Division .The Turk Division attacks her from Letca Noua direction .From South-West ,from Naipu and Pingalesti ,Goltz Division and the Mixt Brigade Bulgarian-German attack her ,in their turn.Gallwitz Division ,from the circle in which has retrenched ,gets courage and reenters the fight.The grenades and shrapnels fall like stone rain over Romanian position .Balaria and Bulbucata are on fire,burning;they are seized by the enemy .Scarisoreanu stops the advance towards South ,strengthens the troops covering him towards North ,sending reinforcements of infantry and artillery which cross Neajlov through water and organizes the resistance and the eventual retreat towards East.


A missfortunate event takes place at the Western wing .Under the concentrated attack of the enemy ,the 2/5 Division begins to shake.The Commander of Division 2/5 is on Matei Basarab plateau ,caught within the fighting lines.The columns of munitions ,made out of waggons ,taken from the peasants,make a numerous mass and exposed to fast demoralizations.The grenades of the German artillery begin to fall in the mass of poeple.Socec appreciates that the position is too exposed for a Commandment and gives order to the Quarter of the Division to move with a Mile towards South,at Iepuresti .The order has been executed without the necessary precautions ;the precipitated movement of the group of horsemen gave the senzaton of running away.That was enaugh to born panic.As to a signall ,the whole mass of people and fighters started in crazy running towards Iepuresti ,dragging the Commanders or anything trying to stop it.The whole Division 2/5 is now caught in retreat ,part towards Stilpu ,part towards Iepuresti.Neajlov,with its marshy shores ,cannot stop now the units which,with a bit of cold blood could have found and organize here a resistance line.The masses in retreat are looking to get to Arges River;even the Commander and the General Staff of the Division did not stop but at Bragadiru,beyond Arges.

The advancement of the enemy is now general;it is made all around:from Bulbucata ,Rusii lui Asan ,Letca Noua,Balaria ,from Pingalesti ;Lambru Division is attacked with force from South,from Chirculesti and from North,from Velea.The disorder of the Division 2/5 entangles the back of Scarisoreanu Division ,the 21st Division resists on line Chirculesti -Forest until evening.

In Iepuresti ,in Stilpu in the fords and bridges of Neajlov River ,along the driveway which goes at the bridge over Arges River at Mihailesti,it is a crowding of troops and columns in retreat,which seek to get to Arges ,to save themselves on the opposite shore.The enemy has advanced with a Brigade of the 11th Bavarian Division in Arges direction ;he dominates now with the artillery and machineguns the whole driveway,the river and the bridge.Enemy shrapnels smash now above the Army in retreat ,cutting human lives and spreading panic in the demoralized troops .Through heroic efforts and with the sacrifice of some units,which remain on stop to retain the enemy ,Scarisoreanu manages to save almost the entire artillery of the Division:38 cannons out of 47;the General himself crosses the river together with the last soldiers.Socec Division has lost ,however,at the crossing over Neajlov ,the whole artillery ,the convoys and the most part of his troops.General Lambru and the officers of his General Staff try in vain to stop the mass of run away of the 2/5 Division .In vain;the panic mastered the mass of run away.The 21st Division considered herself happy to keep the position on Arges ,at Mihailesti.


Hit straight in the heart of its tactic dispozitive ,the strength of the Romanian Army on Arges collapses.The battle is lost ;general retreat is imposed.The care of Romanian Commanders cannot be other now ,but to escape from total loss and death as many men and material as possible.Wat have remained of the troops of the Attack Group is crossed over the North -Eastern shore of Arges and then on the one of Sabarului.The operation of retreat is well sustained on the left by the Group of Danube Defence ,which has remained on its advanced positions near Neajlov,until the entire 21st Division on his right side ,has crossed in order Arges River ,on the bridge at Darasti.Then the Group has reoccupied the bridge head on the Western shore of Arges ,from Pislari to Darasti .Even the next day in the morning ,after the rest of the retreated Army was set in to sfaty on Arges and Sabar,have retreated the troops of the Group on the opposite shore.

As in the Sector of Neajlov and middle Arges ,the Romanian Attack group was receiving the death blow,in the other sectors the plans of the German Commander were executed with more or less success.The 41st Prusian Division -General Schmidt von Knobelsdorff-has forced in the evening of 2nd of December the crossing of Arges River at Corvu and Potlogi and has occupied the villages.The next day,it had turned facing North and attacked Titu ,which was attacked in the same time also from West by the troops of Kraftt Group .The resistance of Romanian troops ,attacked in front and back by superior forces ,could not hold for long .They have started the retreat ,crossing Dimbovita and heading towards North-East ,to South of Ploiesti .The enemy has captured prisoners and war material.

But Falkenhayn has big plans .He knows that the principal objective in a battle is the adverse Army;he wants to transform our defeat -which he based upon previously -in a catastrophe,cutting the retreat and capturing the Army ,defeated.He took necessary dispositions ,pushing the free troops he had,along Arges River,to fall on our retreating lines.The 109th Infantry Division and the 7th Cavalry Division of Schmettow Group have crossed the Arges ,in the North regin of Bolintin-Vale ,the Germans have organized at Cascioarele and Malu Spart ,on the Eastern shore of Arges ,two strong bridgeheads;they have to constitute the support base of the operations of tis Group ,to which it has been given the objective the cutting of the retreat line of the Romanian troops towards Bucharest.

The enemy could not ,however,reach its goal .The troops of the 10th Division ,Romanian ,supported by the 1st Division have rejected with energy the enemy attacks and forced him to to defend ,the whole day,its own positions on Arges shore .Only by evening the Romanian troops have retreated ,because their mission ,to cover the retreat of the troops in the neighbour sectors ,was acomplished.

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With as much success also met the trial made on the Wastern shore of Arges ,to cut the retreat of our troops towards Mihailesti.This task was given by Falkenhayn to the 6th Cavalry Division ,which has started from Malu Spart towards South,along Arges.At Flacoianca however,the German Division was met and counterattacked by phallanxguard of the Romanian Attack Army ,made out of troops of the 7th Division ,and repelled back,with heavy casualties.

In the morning of 4th of December ,the entire line of Arges was in enemy's hands .The Battle of Neajlov and Arges was over with our defeat.The enemy pretends that he has taken in the tree days of the battle a pray of almost 20 000 prisoners and 100 cannons.The figures are visible exagerated.The martyr ,was great.Thoulsands of dead have remained in the Valleys of Arges,Neajlov and Glavaciocului.Some units have remained with insignifiant effectives.Division 2/5 was as closed down;she has remained with few Battalions .Division 9/19 ,one of the most tried ,has remained with 4000 men out of 16 000 ,as she had at the beginning of the battle ;Regiment 40th ,of this Division ,had at 21st of November 2 officers and 51 men.Out of Division 9/19 ,the remains have formed up on the field near Bellu only one Brigade ,weak:Colonel Mihaescu.The 18th Division has reconstituted in the same day with 3200 men.Roman Regiment No.14th of the 7th Division ,which has entered with an effective of 4200 men ,have lost 1200;4th Hunters Regiment has been reduced from 2200 men at 1400 a. s. o.Only in the days of 18-19th of November have passed to the Aid Post-the one at copaceni ,on Arges -42000 wounded.The energy and despise for death with which have fought the majority of the Romanian troops are above any praise;the enemy had also big losses.What is most important ,is that the determination and martyr spirit of Romanian soldiers ,has had as effect that the Romanian Front could not be break in any place.The retreat was organized in good order ,in the 3rd of December as in the next day.The goal of the enemy,to crush the Romanian Army ,could not be acomplished.Falkenhayn in his memoirs,he admits the wit and energy with which Romanians have fought ,but atributes the insuccess of his plan of crushing the Romanian Army ,to the changes of Mackensen of some fighting dispositions ,of his.No matter what,we still had an Army capable to held chest to the enemy.The Capital of the kingdoom was now at the discretion of the enemy.The target of our Supreme Commander will be from now on the saving of the rest of the Army,and the resistance in successive position will have as aim the delay of the advance of the enemy.With this face ,on one hand was made possible for the II-nd Romanian Army the pouring of her troops through the valleys of the mountains and putting them to safety ,and on the other hand ,was given time to the Russians to organize two lines ,strong,of resistance behind the Romanian Front.


Reflections over defeat on Arges

The causes of defeat has been several.It is out of discussion that the Romanian conceprtion of the Battle on Neajlov and Arges was a very good one.But there is a military axiom that"a war conception has no value but by its execution".And this execution has been a defectuous one ;it brought us to defeat .One may be considered as organic ,fundamental ;the other causes are incidental.The fundamental cause is the insufficiency of the forces with which we tried the manouvring of the enemy on interior lines.This manoeuvre is always risky.;for it it is needed ,as esential condition,superiority of forces.The reality was the opposite;the superiority was on enemy side ,by number ,as by war material and moral one.Not only that the Group tasked with helding to a stop Kraftt Army -as the Attack Group had to strike the Danube Army -did not acomplish its mission ,but the insufficiency of our means of reconnoitring did not permit us to know a very grave fact ;that the enemy had not only the two Groups ,but it had also the third Group,strong,the bulk of Kuhne Army which,masked by Schmettow Cavalry ,was adavancing through the empty space between the first two Groups without having in the face Romanian troops.Caught between Kuhne Army and Danube Army ,the Romanian Manoeuvre Group has been crushed ,as he tried to fulfil its mission.

The superiority of the enemy was so smashing ,that one of his Divisions -115th -did not even had to intervene in to the fight,being held all the time in reserve .During this time ,the Romanian Divisions ,some of them reduced to derisory effectives ,with no reserve behind,were torn by exhaust of a campaign for three months ,in which they have been kept continuously on the Front line and transported ,through long marchings ,from one Front to another.These troop could not complete the enormous effort asked from them.

The incidental causes ,which added to the fundamental one,wer:1.Catching the Romanian plan of operations ,due to the blameable negligence of the two officers.It made us to lose the advantage of the secret of movements ,and gave the occasion to the enemy to know the weak spot ,of our tactic dispozitive ,putting in light his imense superiority ,numarical and thechnical.

2.The lack of some units,which could not fulfil their mission .In this way there were:the 2nd Cavalry Division ,which lost the connection with the Divisions of th Attack Group and left the fighting zone,leaving unprotected the flanks and backs of these Divisions ,but mostly ,Socec Division,over which important mission was suported the whole manoeuvre of the Attack group.Acused of leaving the post in fron of the enemy,General Socec was send in front of the War Council ,which condemned him to degradation and five years in jail;he was degraded at 8th of February 1917 on Copou plateau ,in Iasi .Latter ,during Marghiloman government ,the trial has been reviewed and general Socec aquitet .

3.The Russians refusal to to associate to our offensive action ,in the decissive moment of the fight .This refusal ,inexplicable then,was part of a plan pursued metodhically in the whole course of our War of which intentions will be revealed latter on.Fact is that the culpable action of the Russian did not escape to the Germans Commanders observations.Ludendorff himself writes in the chapter of Arges battle in his memoirs:"There cannot be explained the motives which made the Russians to let the Romanians to be beaten ,leaving them alone all through the fights;the Russian could very well take part in the fights in Muntenia.Only this fact gave us the victory".The Battle on Neajlov and Arges was the greatest battle to be given on the Romanian Front of 1916 .By the operative ideas of the of the leaders ,by the measure of the effectives which took part in it,by the technical importance of the manoeuvres executed in its course ,as by the results expected or obtained ,she counts amongst the great fights given in the course of the Mondial War.In this great battle we had to held chest ,in open field,to the Armies of four nations :Germans,Austro-Hungars ,Bulgars ,Turks,superior to us as number and military power ,Commanded by two Generals of the most ilustruos ,which had one of the most powerfull and well organized Army of Europe.We have been defeated ,but we haven't been destroyed .The enemy pay very dearly the victory ,for two day even, we kept him under our knee.Neajlov and Arges could not be for Romania what was Ourcq and Marna [10] for France.The disproportion of the powers was to big and the circumstances to much against us.But in front of the great allies ,which have looked at the inequal fight,and in the face of our followers ,which will judge us,we have the right to be proud with this unlucky ,but glorious page of history .It is right, the most worthy appreciation to the heroes which have fought and fell on Neajlov and on Arges .From the land fatten with their blood and bodies ,to grow the flower of gratitude of a free and united nation!


(German field cannon with fast firing ;system Krupp;model 1914;caliber 105 mm;captured from German Army by Romanian troops in 1918)


Posted 20 June , 2009 5.The Retreat on Siret River

General retreat

The defeat at Neajlov and Arges has been a decissive one,not only for the fate of Bucharests,but also for the fate of our entire Army.Would the Romanian Army be able to confront,without the danger of complete destruction ,the enemy?By the answer to this question depended the plan of unfolding of future campaign.In the name of the French Mission,Colonel of General Staff Petin proposed the retreat ,step by step ,with the risk of having a new battle at West of Bucharest-Ploiesti line .It had,on one hand ,to give time to the Russians to arrive on the principal fighting Front ,and on the other hand to obstacle the stabilising of the Front on a shorter line ,where the enemy would formidable strengthen with trenches and nets of barbed wire fence ,against which will be difficult to retake the offensive.

The thesis of Romanian Commandment was other.The Romanian Army was not capable anymore to give with chances of success a great battle to the enemy,of which superiority ,material and moral,is now crushing .A new defeat would mean the iremediable destroing of Romanian Army.The Great Romanian Hedquarter decided ,for the time being,the general retreat and the gathering of the Romanian units ,of those taken out from mountain area as of those coming from Olt River and Arges River ,on a line :left shore of Teleajenului -Urziceni-Netoti-Mostistea ,but between Carpathian Mountains and Danube River ,at East of Bucharest ;the retreat will be sustained on the left by IV-th Corps ,Russian, of General Aliev.

This retreat and resistance had the goal to prepare ,on one hand ,the replacing of Romanian units ,tired and decimated ,by fresh Russian units ,and on the other hand organizing strong defence positions .In full understanding of the situation and of the commune interests ,the Russian Commandment and the Romanian one have taken the measures imposed:the two Armies wil move in opposite sense.The Romanians will begin the retreat towards West to East ,as the Russians will advance from East to West ,to hold chest to the enemy.Two principal lines of rsesistance were organizing ,in this time,behind the Front:the first one ,closer ,on line Rimnicu Sarat -Viziru Danube ;the second one ,a bit distanced ,on line Putna -Siret-Dunare(or Danube).


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The task of the Romanian Commandment was a very difficult one.It had to gather the Detachments from the mountains ,ungluing them from the enemy and head them to East ,forming a continuous Front with the remains of the defeated Armies on Neajlov and Arges.It had to ,escape from desaster as many troops as possible with as many material ,for that to the shelter of the new Front ,Russian,to prepare the strong Army for tomorrow.In the same time ,it had to evacuate the territory ,lift military establishments,deposits,hospitals ,young contingents unincorporated yet.In one word,anything that could,remaining on place,to increase the strength of the enemy or weaken ours ,had to be lifted or ,if not possible to be lifted,destroyed.

Very painful tasks were very necessary .We had to go with courage on the road of our missfortune ,on which we started in full knowledge and with determination.And we walked!

The second day after the defeat at Arges ,the Great Romanian Hedquarter ,which have moved from Peris to Buzau ,took dispozitions of general retreat .It will remain on the old fighting Front only the Northen Romanian Army ,reduced to a Division and a Mixt Brigade ,occupying the sector at South of Trotus ,over Oituz and Vrancea Mountains.From Oituz towards North,Romanians have been replaced by Russians.

From the region of Vrancea Mountains towards South-West was stretching the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army,formed up by three sectors:Buzau,Predeal,Cimpulung.The II-nd Army had to retreat ,executing a conversion movement backwards with the pivot in Buzau region and with the going around wing in Cimpulung-Tirgoviste-Ploiesti direction,to place on Teleajenului Valley ,from the frontier to Corlatesti,3 Miles South-West of Ploiesti.The Front of this Army ,which faced until now North,had to look now to West.

The I-st Romanian Army had to continue the retreat towards East ,placing herself at the left of the II-nd Romanian Army and in her elongation,from Corlatesti to Buftea.More to the left ,were the rests of Group of Danube Defence,together with the troops which fought on Neajlov and Lower Arges ,forming a Group under the Command of General Istrati;they were retreating ,covering Bucharests.More to the South ,until the Danube was the IV-th Russian Corps ,under the Command of General Aliev.These latter three Armies had to articulate in to a continuous Front ,extending the going around wing,left,of the II-nd Romanian Army,in her move of conversion.

The retreat had to be made step by step,holding chest to the enemy which was continuously attacking and destroying radically everything that could serve to this one:railways,driveways,telegraph ,telephone,deposits,industrial installations etc.At 5th of December ,the order of the High Romanian Commandment has fixed as stopping line of retreat a position of resistance which was in course of organizing along Rimnicu Sarat River ,extending to Faurei ,until Viziru,on Danube ,at South of Braila.

......... .........

The retreat of the Romanian Army ,after the Battle of Neajlov and Arges ,constitutes the most painful episode from the entire cmpaign so unfortunate of the year 1916.The conditions in which it was efectuated were very tragic and the sufferings imposed to the Army have been almost supernatural.It cost more victims than in the three months of fights preceeding it.

The weather has been exceptionally bad .Cold rains ,which were falling entire days ,one after the other,dug uot the roads ,fermented by thousands of men and by vehicles , transformed them in muddy ways;a winter ,which have rarely been seen ,followed to this unmerciful autumn.The troops in retreat had to go considerable stages daily,for which the physical powers of men and horses ,tired with exhaust ,missgivings and fights ,were not enaugh anymore.The effectives of the men and horses of the units have benn wasted ;the small units dissappeared alltogether;there were Divisions which barely numberd some hundreds of men .The services were lost by the units they belonged to ,so the replenisments were made by chance ,where ever they could.The troops suffered mostly by the lack of shelters ;most of the times they bivuacked under the clear sky,without fire.The horses of cavalry and artillery ,with the saddles not taken off by weeks ,with the backs only wounds ,fell terminated along the roads,where they were left to die.Some of the men were wearing the summer blouse they recieved when they have been mobilized.The marchings were penible ;most of the units were obliged to avoid the big roads ,where they were exposed to attacks of the columns of enemy Cavalry ,and to go straight over the field ,through bushes and ploughed land.The bridges being occupied by the enemy ,they had to cross through fords ,many times entering to chest in to the freezing water.

The Commandments were desorganizing ;the connection between them could not be kept ,and the tranzmitting of orders was made with much difficulty.Many times a troop received an order of operation which did not correspond anymore with the reality and which produced stops on to positions which have been well absolete.And from behind was following close by the enemy ,with high moral by the victory ,which had,next to the infantry units ,five Cavalry Divisions and which attacked continuously,forcing to separate one by the others the groups ,to turn their flanks and to cut their retreat,to capture them.Sometimes bigger or smalle units have been sacrificed ,many times regimentary trains,which could not advance anymore,have been abandoned ;in general the retreat towards the new positions could be made ,avoiding the catastrophe.It was the probe of superhuman endurance and of undefeated energy of the Romanian soldier.

.........

German desillusions

With all the important gain in territory ,which we were abandoning by our retreat,the Germans were not satisfied.It was obvious,that what preocupied them ,firstly ,were not the geographical objectives ,but the enemy fighting Army.Only the destroying and capturing of this Army would have meant decissive victory.The attention of the enemy Commanders will be now for the using of the critical moment of the detachment of the Romanian Armies by the positions in which they fought until now and by the enemy whith which they have been in fighting contact ,to begin the retreat towards the new positions .It was the most favorable occasion to attack them,surround them and destroy them.

The first desillusion of Falkenhayn was the retreat of the Group from Dragoslave ,in the night of 28-29th of November ."the move was executed with an extraordinary wit",writes Falkenhayn .General Morgen ,unpleasantly surprised in the morning of 29th in the face of the Romanian positions,abandoned over night, has to be thankful with the cheap glory of "conquering" of Cimpulung, evacuated.Our manoeuvre efectuated fast has obstacled the catching of the Romanian Group between Morgen Army and Kraftt Army,which was advancing from Pitesti ."Neither this-adds Falkenhayn-did not succeed ,behind the hasty retreat of the enemy ,to cut his retreat".

Also ,as less it acomplished to Falkenhayn the catching of the I-st Romanian Army in retreat on line Pitesti -Titu,between Kraftt Group ,which was following her on the left flank and the Group of Divisions 41st and 103rd ,of Kuhne Army,which were following her on the right and cut the retreat to Titu ;the I-st Army could pour through the empty space between Tirgoviste-Buftea -Titu over Dimbovita River,towards East.

The greatest deception of the German Commander was the unseccess of the plan of cutting the retreat of Danube Defence Group,in the wake of Neajlov defeat .This mission given to Divisions 11th and 109th ,as well as to Division 7th of Cavalry ,did not succeed because of the determined resistance of the Romanian troops in sectors Mihailesti and Bolintin.

Not even the pursuit over Arges River in direction Sabarului was not happier.Falkenhayn expresses with melancholy:The German Army "was not able to advance as quick as they wanted to.The stubborn resistance of the enemy arierguard on all roads obstacled it,such that it forced us at very often unfoldings of fights".Ludendorff reports the insuccess of this last try in this way:"At 4th of December started a new attack ,which Romanians went around it with much cleverness".

Awaiting for the end

The Chambers are summoned for the day of 25th of November/8th December at Iasi.The Conservative Party decides not to attend ,because the Constitution says that the Government is in Bucharest ,and Iasi(which became the Capital under occupation) are occupied by a foreign Army (Russians),entered in the country with the violation of the Constitution.

The authorities are taking the last measures of evacuation,instituting as military governor ,the old General Angelescu ,with almost dictatorial powers;he acomplishes very well his role ,of applying drastic measures faced with the spreaders of false news and of panic provokings.The ministers are leaving Bucharests in the day of 3rd of December ,leaving the ministries on the hands of some general secretars ellected amongst the persons with connections,or at least with simpathies for the Germans.It is given to Marghiloman ,being head of the Red Cross ,the fonds -two millions Lei(Romanian currency)-necessary for the well being ,for some while ,of the hospitals with sick and military wounded,as well as for the wage of the City Sergeants ;it was counted on the laws of the Internationa Law,which ensures the protection of the Red Cross in times of war,as well as on the consideration which the Germans had for Marghiloman because of his political attitude ,that the hospitals will not have to suffer.The guard of the Public Order was left to Lupu Costache ,partizan of Carp ,installed as replacement for Internal Minister ,and of the fresh germanofil ,Reserve General Mustata,invested in extremis with the dignity of interimar Mayor of the Capital.It also remained in his place Emil Petrescu ,the Mayor of the city.

Numerous important persons have remained in the Capital to have the same fate and sufferings as the population and to protect her as much as possible ,keeping the moral up ,by their presence;even the prime minister has given the good example,leaving his old mother Pia Bratianu ,respected widow of Ion C. Bratianu ,as well as his three sisters.

The Mayor of the Capital has been given the mission to acomplish the formality of surrendering the city ;to ease his sad mission ,it has been set to his dispozition ministers of Holland and of United States ,with the hope that it will take place without to much frictions,being that Bucharest has been declared unfortified city and undefended by armed forces.

At 4th of December ,the General Head Quarter Prezan was moved from Bragadiru to Urziceni .The road of Bucharest was defended now only by the arierguard which was covering the retreat.


Occupying Bucharests

At 5th of September ,Mackensen was on Sabarului line ,ahead of Bucharests forts.At 5 in the morning ,he has send as parliamentary Captain Seidlitz ,accompanied by the former profesor of rhe Evanghelic School of Bucharest,Lange,as interpreter ,with the following letter addressed to "the Commander of Bucharest Fortress":"The Romanian Campaign Army is defeated.The value of the Russian help you could Your Excellency appreciate it by yourself,better than anyone else.The allied troops of the Central Powers are on the brink of attacking Bucharest.Nor the Romanian Campaign Army,neither the Russian Detachments of Aid,could not stop her.I presume that Your Excellency are aware of the effects of the heavy artillery of 305 and 420 mm from the seize of Liege ,Namur and Anvers [11].The fortifications of Bucharest cannot stand it.Numerous batteries are installed for bombarding Bucharest .To spear the Capital of Romania and its inhabitants of the might of such an attack and to avoid a blood shed unuseful,I invite Your Excellency to surrender without conditions the Garrison of the City.I guarantee the sparing of the city ,as its surrender would be made imediately and regulated to the German Military Authorities.If this will be refused ,Your Excellency and the city will suffer the consequences ".Signed:Feldmarshal Mackensen and his Chief of General Staff,General Tappen.


The parliamentary has been escorted to the Geniu Barracks of Cotroceni ,where there were all the authorities tasked with the order,and Generals Commanders of Great Units of Danube Army.The Romanian Commander gave back the letter without opening it ,with the explanation that there is no more "Fortress" of Bucharest ,nor armed forts ,neither troops of campaign to defend open fields.

In the morning of 6th of December ,as Mackensen was receiving his parliamentary with this answer ,the avanguard of Cavalry and Infantry of Schmettow Corps and from the 115th German Division ,coming from North-West ,were arriving at Chitila Fort which,they found deserted alltogether ,they were in a haste to "conquer it".Entushiast telegrams were reeling Berlin and Viena about the fall of the "line of forts".Few Romanian Companies from the remains of the 2/5 Division fought with heroism between Chitila and Mogosoaia ,delaying the advance of the enemy in Bucharest ,to give time to the last of the troops scatterd to retreat from Bucharest .At 12 ,a Cavalry Detachment ,a Company of Prusian Grenadiers and another Infantry Company from Northern Alsacia ,entered Bucharest ,withot fight ,through Calea Grivitei.

In the morning of the day ,the Mayor of the Capital,accompanied by the Minister of United States ,Vopicka ,by the Minister of Holland ,Wredemburch and some other persons ,went to meet the enemy troops on driveway Bucharest-Giurgiu ,to make the surrender of the City.They waited at Bragadiru for three hours in vain,without meeting any enemy patrol.At 12 and a half ,a group of German officers,ahead with Prince de Schaumburg-Lippe,former secretary to the German Legation of Bucharest ,present themselves to the City Hall ,asking in the name of Falkenhayn the surrender of Bucharest .They have been given an address with the following content:"23 XI(c.XII) 916;12 and a half(hour of Vien) p.m.The Supreme Commander of the Allied Troops which advances against Bucharest .Bucharest ,the capital of Romania ,are completely evacuated by troops and will not oppose any resistance whatsoever .The Mayor,Emil C. Petrescu ,in the name of the quiet inhabitants of the Capital city ,asks Your Excellency to take all the measures for the normal life to remain asured ,in the interest of the occupation troops and also for the peaceful inhabitants citizens.The Mayor of the capital Bucharest"

At 2 in the afternoon ,Mackensen enters with the automobile in the city through Calea Rahovei .He had the unpleasantness to notice that his camarad Falkenhayn arrived before him.Bucharests have been occupied by the IX-th German Army .

There were exactly 100 days since the entering of Romania in the War


The retreat of the II-nd Romanian Army

The retreat of the troops of the II-nd Army towards the new positions of resistance was made very hard.There were extremely delicate technical problems ,which became even harder because of the circumstances in which it had to be executed.The weather was very bad;cold,rain,snowwings.The terrain of the most difficult:hills to climb and valleys to descend ,filled with muds sticking to the boots making heavy the walking.The moral of the troop was ,naturaly,down,because of the retreat.The pursuit of the enemy was very weak at the right wing of the II-nd Army ,in region Buzau-Predeal;it was ,on the contrary,very active at the left wing ,Cimpulung Group-made out of Romanian Divisions 12th and 22nd-which had to go a very long march,to be able to arrive in Ploiesti region where it had to connect with the I-st Romanian Army.

Behind Cimpulung Group was Morgen Corps -Divisions 76th ,12th Bavarian and the 8th Brigade Alpine Austro-Hungarian .This Corps,which did not know until now,in fair fight on the Front of Dragoslave but only defeats,found now,by the retreat of Romanians ,the occassion to show its strength in pursuit.The situation of the Romanian Group was really very dangerous one:completely isolated ,without any cover in the right and left ,had to execute a retreat of almost 93 Miles ,with the enemy tightly connected by its heels.The precipitated retreat of the right wing of the I-st Army which,at 15th of December was at Priboieni was uncovering the left flank of Namaesti Group.This one had to execute a converssion of 90 degrees ,with the left behind ,having enemy troops in front and behind the going around flank .From Cimpulung ,Morgen started the advance fast towards South-West with three goals:to pursue and destroy the Romanian Group of Cimpulung in retreat,to cut the retreat of the Romanian troops from Prahova Valley and to get out in front of the bulk of the I-st Army ,Romanian,which was operating the retreat between Ploiesti and Bucharest.


An unclever manoeuvre ,in the moment of detaching of the troops by their positions,made the enemy to be able to sneak through Arges Valley towards Suslanesti ,separating in this way the 12th Romanian Division by the 22nd Romanian Division ,and to capture the whole artillery of the 22nd Division ,the carriages with the Archive and the ambulance ,as well.The Romanian Group of Cimpulung,closely followed by superior forces ,arrived in the day of 3rd of December in Ialomitei Valley ,on line Tirgoviste-Pucioasa .In its pursuit ,Morgen attacks Tirgoviste with the entire 12th Bavarian Division and occupies the city ,after a fight given with disperation by the soldiers of the 22nd Division Romanian,which almost entirely without artillery.With its left,made out of the 8th Alpine Austrian-Hungarian Brigade ,Morgen crossed Leaota Mountains and seized Pietrosita,going around the right flank of the 12th Romanian Division.The pursuit continued with direction towards line Cimpina -Ploiesti ;Morgen Group was made now by two Divisions of Infantry ,a Brigade of Alpiners and a new Division of Cavalry,with mounted artillery.

At 4th and 5th of December ,fierce fights at the crossing of Prahova .The bridges at Floresti and Darmanesti have been crossed with the troops of the most trialed Divisions 12th and 22nd ,under enemy bombardment in the midst of flames.The next day,6th of December ,the Bavarians entered Ploiesti ,defeating the resistance of the weak and exhausted Detachments of the 22nd Division.It was the day of seizing of Bucharests.The Cimpulung Group have lost more than three quarters of its effectives .The 22nd Division had only some 1000 combatants;one of her Brigades have remained with 380 soldiers ,of 400 at Dragoslave.The 12th Division numbered 1000 men gathered up;the rests are scattered groups.These remains ,pathetic ,of the glorious Army of Cimpulung gather on the Eastern shore of Cricov.


In the same time ,has started the retreat of the Central Group Predeal,of the II-nd Army ;at 5th of December Busteni and Sinaia were evacuated .The retreat of the troops of Divisions 4th and 16th is made along Prahova Valley.

Between Cimpina and Ploiesti ,the avanguards of Divisions 4th and 16th ,together with the Divisions of Cimpulung Corps ,with which they made the connection ,have to give lively fights with the enemy troops of Morgen Group,which had closed the way .

As the Divisions of Cimpulung Corps ,as well as the 16th Division ,could sneak through with big losses over Teleajen ,the 4th Division moving slow,saw her retreat cut in region Baicoi-Tintea .All around are enemy troops ,and namely:the 12th Bavarian Division towards South ,the 76th German Division at North,Bavarian Alpine Corps towards South-East and the 8th Alpine Brigade Austro-Hungar in the back.At 6th of December in the evening the Headquarter of the Division is captured.The Division has to attack Cocorastii Mislii to open up the road with force,towards East or to change the direction towards North-East ,to Valenii de Munte ,the only part where the road was still free.The initiative was now in the hands of Brigades Commanders; they don't know,however,to take a commune decission and to execute it with strength.At 7th of December ,the Commander of Feldioara Brigade attacks alone Cocorastii Mislii with what he could gather from his Brigade.The artillery of the Brigade bombards for an hour the enemy positions of the 12th Bavarian Division.But this one is superior in strength ,counterattacks the Romanians ,which have to retreat ;the Brigade is surrounded and captured .The 8th Infantry Brigade -Colonel Berindei-hesitates in chosing the solution ,gives up to attack Cocorastii Mislii ,returns to Recea ,where is attacked by the enemy .Demoralized ,the soldiers do not try to defend anymore and surrender.It was the second day after the capitulation of the glorious Division from Cerna ,at the mouth of Olt River ,but what a difference!The remains of the Division which fought at Porumbacu and Sinca deserved an end not as shameful as the capturing at Cocorastii Mislii ,where was brought by an hesitant and uncautious Commandment.

At 6th of December ,the right wing of the II-nd Army ,Divvisions 3rd and 6th ,which held the positions at Bratocea ,Tabal Butii and Buzau ,evacuate the positions as well, and begin the retreat .The enemy does not pursue here,but the retreat is made on a very bad terrain and difficult ,over rows of mountains and steep hills ,covered with forests ,placed perpendicular on the retreat direction of the troops.


The retreat of the other groups

At South of the II-nd Army ,was retreating the I-st Army .After the defeat at Titu and Arges ,the Front of this Army was stretching between Ploiesti and Buftea ,linking with the II-nd Army ,and towards left with Danube Defence Group.The retreat was made with the Divisions,meaning with what was left of them -13/14 and 8th on the right ,and 1/17 and 11th on the left side and with the 10th Division in the reserve of the Army,in her left flank.The enemy attacks at 6th of December with power the center of the I-st Army at Peris and breaks the Front ;Division 1/17 towards Tincabesti ,where the enemy catches the whole General Staff of the 10th Division ,together with her Commander ,General Costescu ;with this occasion he takes also some 2000 prisoners and all the regimentary trains of the Division.Still,there were in this Division troops which save the honour of the unit and the interest of defending the kingdom. The 33rd Infantry Regiment remains on position and defends fierce until half past eleven in through the night ,although it has lost any link with the neighbour units .During the night,the Regiment which has been surrounded ,has forced the enemy line through Tincabesti .A Battalion with the flag of the Regiment has crossed through the water of Snagov Lake (outskirts of Bucharest),between Tincabesti and Cioc and retreated towards Ialomita ;the other Battalion ,together with the artillery of Division ,escaped towards East ,by Lipia -Bojdani.

At Tiganesti ,Division 1/17 defended the bridge over Ialomita until poured over it all troops and convoys ,after which the bridge has been destroyed.

Istrati group ,former of the Danube Defence Group,having the Divisions most weakened after Arges Battle ,was retreating one side and the other of Bucharests ;beyond Bucharest,Division 2/5 numbered now only 285 fighters !The 2nd Cavalry Division was in an extreme state of tiredness ;for 15 days now they haven't took off the saddles from the horses .Through the villages there was no more food ,such that the horses remained dead on the road of starvation ,cold and exhaust.Divisions 2/5,9/19 and 21st have been united in only one.


South of Istrati's Army were the Russian troops ,which were retreating towards Mostistei Valley ,pivoting around Urzicenilor ,as center .In the evening of 7th of December all that was left of the II-nd Army ,and General Istrati were gathered in to a single continuous line behind Cricovului ,Prahovei and Ialomitei.The troops stop for a moment ,to breath,reconstitute their units and oppose resistance to the enemy.The retreat made through.With all the clever manoeuvres of the enemy,which had five Divissions in the pursuit , of Cavalry,with all the weakness and demoralization of our troops exhausted by marchings and of fights they had to give every day ,the catastrophe could be avoided.The most important part of her could escape from the grasp of the enemy ,preserving for the pretious day of tomorrow.At 7th of December ,the Great Romanian Headquarter have moved from Bucharest to Buzau.

.........

Destroying the oil region

The retreat of the Romanian Armies on the whole widness of the country ,between mountains and Danube River, was also accompanied by fatal destructions.In the wake of the request made by the British Government ,sustained also by the other allied governments ,was decided the destruction of all installations of the petrolifer industry in Prahova and neghbouring counties.This destruction was made after a systematic plan and was Conducted by British Colonel Jack Norton Griffiths.The oil wells have been closed down by throwing and stucking of metal objects in to the pits.After that ,it has been set fire to all external instalations :towers,reservoirs,refineries*.All Prahova Valley ,from Cimpina to Ploiesti ,from Ialomitei Valley until Teleajenului Valley ,and from there forth,until Buzau Valley,was a sea of fire.The flames were rising like red tongues and serpent to the sky and stretched to the surface of the Earth,following streams of oil pouring to the valley.Black thick clouds were rising over the flames ;they covered the whole region in black ,so thick ,that it was night all day.Three days in a row Prahova Valley was dived into darkness.Through the dense black you could see from time to time the fire tongues shining of the melting metals ,and thunders and booms were announcing the collaps or blowing up of full tanks.Through the midst of this terrifying tableau of Sodoma were passing with difficulty the trains of military transports ,columns of troops or pittiful convoys of refugees.

In three days ,the most flourishing and rich region ,industrial ,of the kingdom became a pathetic ruin.We have martyred our great end envied stream of wealth .We made it with our heart filled with pain ,but with the conscience that that we bring an imense service to the commune cause of the allies.When the German was advancing conqueror and greedy in this land of plenty,one of his main targets of the plundering War,he remained astouned in the face of this vision of Sodoma and Gomora ,before his eyes .Through the smoking ruins ,through the contorssioned metal covering the dry land of this desolant region ,he will not find for a very long time the pretious liquid to feed his engines of his hellish machines of War.

........

However , in more detail has been captured this moment by Mr.Hamilton Fyfe:

from 'the War Illustrated’ 13th April 1918 'Smoke-Clouds of Destruction' by Hamilton Fyfe a Wanderer in War Lands

How a Great Task was Greatly Achieved

from 'the Times History of the War'

What will happen to the Romanian oil-fields ? Many people would be glad to know, especially those who have money invested in them. Will the Germans try to keep them ? If so, will the property of British investors be confiscated ?

The British, French and Russian Governments agreed, so it was stated in Rumania at the time of the destruction of the wells, to pay compensation for damage done. Now Russia has no Government. Will France and Britain recompence shareholders in oil companies for their whole losses ?

What would those losses amount to if the oil district were annexed ? That I must leave to "someone in the City" to compute. All I know is that the engineers put the value of the property destroyed towards the end of 1916 at thirty million pounds ! A more effective, more creditable piece of work has not been done during the war.

Yet it was, of course, a melancholy business. It had taken many years to build up the Rumanian oil industry. Years of thought and labour, of effort and calculation. Years, at last, of triumph and profitable toil for all concerned.

A "Destroying Angel"

The industry kept a large population busy and prosperous. It provided the world with more than one of the necessaries of life, as we live it to-day — with light and heat, with grease to make the wheels of engines go round, with the driving power for millions of automobiles and other kinds of petrol motors. Hundreds of thousands of people depended upon its continued working for their living, or for part of it. The convenience and comfort of millions have been affected by the lessening of the petrol supply. Yet it was a military act of necessity to destroy. the industry as far as possible.

"What is war," Napoleon asked, "but a game of barbarians ?" Savage and senseless, save from its own distorted view-point, acts of war must always be.

It was on a sunny November, day that I first saw in Bucharest my old acquaintance "Jack" Norton Griffiths — "Empire Jack" his constituents used to call him. He was looking at the ruins of a building wrecked in the early morning air raid. At first I did not recognise him, in uniform with red tabs, but I found that being a Staff colonel had not a whit changed his jolly, kindly, care-free nature, nor diminished his immense energetic capability by any job of "militarism."

He had been sent out to see that. The Germans got as little as possible out of Rumania, either in the way of oil or grain. Already it was clear that the Romanian Army could not save the country from invasion. Help was looked for from Russia, but the Russians could not send it in time. They were most unjustly accused of "betraying Rumania." That is nonsense. General Alexeieff was ready to do all that lay in his power, but he could not work miracles. Only a miracle could have moved sufficient Russian troops to save Rumania from Mackensen's machine- like manipulation of his forces.

By the end of November it was clear that the oil-wells must either be destroyed or presented to the enemy. Already they had been left untouched too long. The Rumanian Government urged that they should be left a little longer. But now Colonel Norton Griffiths had his orders. Off he went to Ploesti, the capital of the oil country. He called together the British engineers and managers who had longest experience and those who were reputed to possess the longest heads.

He got valuable advice also from American oil-men. There was general agreement that the only way to seal up a well, so that it could not be used again, was to drop the dipping machinery into it upside down. Wherever such a thing had happened by accident, it had been found impossible to get the machinery out.

Then the colonel got to work. He is by the way, the founder and head of a very big contracting firm which makes docks, digs canals, builds harbours all over the world. Now he proved that he was no less competent at destruction than at construction. A "destroying angel," the oil people nicknamed him. One mine manager of a poetical turn, described him to me as being "in love with ruin."

A great deal of oil was pumped or run off from the reservoirs into shallow basins, where it was set on fire. It did not explode. It did not blaze up. It burned sullenly, giving off a dense black smoke. All over the country the dense black smoke rolled in sinister, slowly-moving clouds. At a place called Targovistca, twenty miles away, it was thick enough to blot out the daylight and make dark night at four in the afternoon.

As I look back, those days of destruction are like a nightmare in my memory. A nightmare lit up by huge flares of burning petrol, lakes of petrol, rivers of petrol, and always above them dense, black, stinking smoke.

Nothing in the war has made a deeper impression on my mind. The lurid sensationalism of it, the hurry in which it was all done, with the query lurking at the back of everyone's thoughts : "Can we do it in time ?"

With Colonel Norton Griffiths worked several oil-men. The new officers set to work with as many helpers as they could enlist by promise of reward. It was a perilous job they were engaged in. There were dangers of falling roofs or walls, dangers of fire, dangers of suffocation. And added to these, there was danger in the threatening mood of the population.

These unfortunate people had to look on and see their living vanish. They saw the wells and refineries which supported them and their families being choked up and knocked down. "Better that the Germans should have them, and employ as, than that we should have no work and starve." That was how they argued.

The colonel was here, there and everywhere, "the life and soul of the party," as another mine manager put it. This poor fellow had helped to break up his own home. His furniture, piano, a library of books which he had been collecting since he was a boy, all had gone. His job had gone. The oil-field which he had managed so capably, and made to yield its increase in growing volume year after year, was out of action. Yet he joked about it. He was the most cheerful of us all as we sat at our scanty meals.

the destruction of the Romanian oil-wells as seen by a German magazine - 'Illustrirte Berliner Zeitung'

Just in Time

If the oil would not light up quickly the colonel took bundles of blazing straw and flung them into it. He was seen swinging sledge-hammers against the oil-refining machinery, "He ought to have been killed a hundred times," said an admiring American. "Why he wasn't, I cannot understand." His example made all his assistants work like three men apiece.

Just in time they got their work finished. The sound of the guns, magnified by the mountain echoes, had been coming nearer and nearer. Through the town wounded men and deserters and fugitives were flowing in solid streams. There was no hope now that the enemy could be checked before he had captured Bucharest and the oil region.

The well-to-do part of the frightened population had no thought but to flee. The rest for the most part, took a fatalist view. "Let the Germans come," they said to each other. "They can't harm us more than these foreigners have done."

On a Saturday the destruction was almost completed. It was, known that the Rumanian Headquarters Staff had passed through Ploesti in flight. "Give it up now," the colonel was urged. The bombardment sounded very near.

“No," he said, "we'll make a clean job of it." They went on until the Monday. Then the remains of Avarescu's Army began pouring down from the passes they had held so bravely, and so much longer than they had been expected to hold them.

Only then did Colonel Norton Griffiths give the word to quit. It would, indeed, have been useless to stay longer. There was nothing left to do.

portraits of colonel Griffiths / oil wells ablaze in Rumania

see also : The Fall of Bukarest as Seen by a British Journalist


There had been destroyed in counties Dimbovita,Prahova and Buzau : 1 677 wells ,of which 1 047 productive,20 rafineries of petrolium ,reservoirs and rafineries with 827 000 tons of petrol and derivatives of petrol,with all the anexe installations .The damage evaluated in 1922 by a mixt commision Anglo-Franco-Romanian is of 9 980 527 Sterling [12]

The road of Calvary

The retreat of the Army is precedet and accompanied by destructios of all sorts.The sheds and barns filled with grains cropped with the hard work of the peasant are transformed in piles of ash.There are demolished factories and burned down mills.There are blown up arsenals ,powderies and military deposits .There are collapsed great bridges ,thrown over the waters with so much spending and hard work.It is exterminated the whole wealth of the kingdom.Then it is only desert and pain.

On the muddy roads ,in the humid atmosphere and frozen of this beginning of December ,between smoking ruins and deserted villages ,pass unfinishing columns of the Army in retreat or of the frightened poulation ,which took the road of drifting.Everywhere are seeded the mute witnesses of the defeat and missfortune :piles of weapons abandoned,smashed waggons.dead horses around which swarm the crows.Waggons with oxes ,carriages and military ,furgons convoys of cannons ,automobiles are mixing with the columns of pedestrians and rove in unfinished rows the neverending roads which the rain and the circulation transformed in mud ways,in streams and water holes.Very missfortuned the waggon entered with the wheel in one of these holes ,or the horse stuck ore turned over !Take them aside,make way, make way!In a second the obstacle is taken aside ,and the crowd follows the road ahead like a torrent ,rolling the waves unceaselessly ,looking without care at the smashings aside ,or to the animals giving their soul in the trench of the road.


Posted 23 June , 2009 Through the sad villages ,the rare ihabitants have terrified glances towards the convoys pouring and frightened towards the horizon from where it is guessed the closing in of the enemy .On the faces of the onlookers can be very clerly read the concerns and fights tormenting their souls.From time to time,one or two of them,get out from the column .The sad eyes caress once more the panorama of their farm ,the house ,the yard,the sheds ,the herds ,the woman ,children.A bag in the head of a stick ,a ferwell ,the sign of the cross ,and they thick the rows of the convoys that go with the destination towards unknown.

Through train stations ,a colorful crowd and agitated ,militars mixed with civilians ,fight for a place and await nervously ,hours after hours ,the leaving of the trains stuck by the problems with the rails .The trains start with wheels high pitched noise hard and go slowly ,with often and long stops ,carrying the people which fill the corridors ,on stairs ,on bumpers ,on roofs.Not even a word of compassion accompanies now the fall of the unknown person,which asleep,has sliped from the roof or smashed his head at the entering of the train on the bridge ,or of which tired hand let lose the metal bar giving him the chance to stand.All this crowd taken out of the bed for the military duty or by the horror of the enemy,is spirited by only one thought :Moldavia .Is the hope of safe shelter ,glimpsed through the fog of the thin rain ,cold,which surrounds like a dressing the drifters groups.

Long and scattered are stretching the rows of the soldiers ,which crouched under the heavy of their backpacks and of concerns ,finished by exhaust and discouraged ,ferment with their boots the muds and waters of the roads.From time to time ,the voice of the cannon sounds close by.Groups of enemy horsemen appear on the neighbouring hill edges ,with the lance in hand ,ready to attack .Then,orders run along the columns .The soldier close in their ranks ,invigorate ,form up for fight.The noise and turmoil of fight cuts the monotony of the retreat ,the machineguns begin their furious rattle ,death reaches her unseen hand ,giving rest and quiet to some hard trialed bodies.

The cold gets colder.The snow begins to fall .The wind becomes blizzard .The thick snow covers the roads .The convoys advance all the time on the road of defeat and missery ,always thinner.Who cares about the fall of the men next to you?Ahead,always ahead,towards Siret,to Moldavia ,to Holly Ereasing !

It is hard and difficult the blood road of Calvary ,but at its end ,Golgota is not only the place of martyr ,but also the symbol of victory.Nations have to suffer just like individuals.Through Faith ,sufferings and martyr,we gain our right to stand with heds up in the hour of reward,to conquer the forgiveness of our brothers and wholing of the nation.


(Romanian artillery position during the Great War)


The battle at Cricov

8-11th of December

At 8th of December ,the units of the Romanian Army in retreat arrived to connect between them ,such that they formed a tight and continuous Front.This Front was stretching along Cricov,continuing then on the shore of Prahova River and on the one of Ialomita River,until the region of Urziceni.The right wing was formed by the II-nd Romanian Army ,from the mountains until the line of metal road(railway) Ploiesti-Buzau,from which then ,continued the I-st Army and Istrati's Army. At South of Urziceni were the Russians ,which constituting the going around wing ,were retreating much quicker.They were strengthened by numerous units ,brought also from Dobrogea ,which evacuation was decided by the Russians ,an also as numerous troops ,fresh,which were arriving continuously from Russia through Galati.The Front line Romanian -Russian was leaning over to the right on the mountains ,and with the left on Danube River.It could only be attacked now by the enemy frontal.

The enemy was advancing with the two Armies of his.The IX-th Army hd as axis of advance the railway Ploiesti-Buzau.On the left of her,in the mountaineous region,has constituted a Group Kraftt,composed of all the elements Alpine Germans and Austro-Hungarians;then followed Morgen Group ,increased as number of Divisions ,and at the right was Kuhne Army.The Cavalry of Schmettow and the Danube Army ,Kosch ,were in Ialomita sector ,with direction Urziceni.The Kosch Army has strengthened with numerous Bulgarian Detachments,which made till then the guard of the Danube River,and now have crossed the Danube at Calarasi and Fetesti ,to increase the bulk of Bulgarian troops.This right wing ,moving parallel with the left one through the heart of Baragan(Romanian Great Wheat Field),in direction Braila ,had a much longer way to make than the left one.

. The resistance of the II-nd Romanian Army on Cricov has lasted for three days .It was not about repelling the enemy now,but to delay him by offensive actions such that ,behind the Front,to permit the Russians to make their concentration on the resistance line Rimnicu-Sarat -Viziru-Dunare(or Danube River).

The II-nd Army was organizing the resistance position with the following dispozitive:in the right side was the III-rd Corps ,having Divisions 6th and 3rd on the plateau between Buzau River and its afluent Bisca Chiojdului,at Cislau and Bisceni ,and the 16th Division have occupied the shore of Cricov ,having the 12th Division at Loloiasca ,the 23rd Division at Tomsani and the 22nd Division at Ionesti .The Front of the II-nd Army continued with the one of the I-st Army ,which was occupying the shore of Cricovului between Cioceni and Baraitaru.

In the day of 8th of December ,the II-nd Army begun the fight .As the II-rd Corps was resisting to the attacks of the Bavarian Alpine Corps in the mountaineous region of North,the 12th Division ,supported by artillery ,attacks the enemy Corps of Morgen which occupied line of Villages Loloiasca -Ionesti,reoccupies the villages ,captures few machineguns and repells the enemy ,throwing him beyond Cricov.The next day,9th of December,the action must continue.Behind the Romanian Front has arrived the strong Group of Russian Cavalry of General Count Keller .There are three Divisions of Cavalry ,representing an imposant military force.But Keller has stopped at Rimnicu Sarat and declares that he needs two days of rest ,to mend his horses shoes of the cavalerists ,which makes Primeminister Bratianu to ask the Russian General:"Would the German Cavalry which,ever since has entered in the country at Jiu ,in uninterrupted marchings of almost a month now,has shod her horses?"In the awaiting of the intervention of the Russian Cavalry ,the Romanian Commander wants to push ahead towards Teleajen and to strengthen the line of Cricov.


The attack unfolds favorable in the beginning ;at 10,30 in the morning the 12th Division is at Albesti and the 23rd Division beyond Tomsani.In this moment,though,Morgen,which was helding the enemy Front with three Divisions ,12th,76th and 216th,pronounce a strong counterattack on the two wings of the Romanian Group of Attack ,threatening to turn them;one column attacks at North from Urlati the positions of 16th Romanian Division ,and another at South from Cioceni the positions of 22nd Romanian Division.Another column,in the strength of three Battalions ,with numerous machineguns ,strongly supported by artillery ,attacks the Romanian center ,along the railway ,overwhelms the right of the 23rd Division and breaksthrough the Romanian Front .The 12th Division loses Loloiasca .Threatened with going around the wings ,the II-nd Romanian Corps gives up the terrain and retreats on line Ceptura -trainstop Ionesti-Degerati ,followed by the adversary;in the evening ,this one attacks again and occupies Ionesti,Colceag and Degerati.

At 10th of December ,General Averescu takes measures that at least line Ceptura -Degerati to be held with any price ,in awaiting for the Russian Cavalry ,which did not finish the shoing of her horses.The Great Romanian Headquarter prescribes to the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army to avoid the engaging of a general battle ;the mission of her remains prolonging the resistance ,to permit the Russians the gathering up on line Rimnicu Sarat-Viziru.

Early in the morning ,the enemy attacks the entire line of the II-nd Romanian Army with Kraftt and Morgen Corps .At the right side ,the Alpiners of Kraft force the 3rd Hunters Regiment to leave Patirlagele ,after a lively resistance.Cricov Detachment ,from the 3rd Romanian Division ,made out of Regiments 22nd and 24th ,hold on position with great sacrifices ,but is forced to retreat ,abandoning some terrain ,after losing 40 procents of its effectives ;the 22nd Regiment remained with 400 men ,and the 24th Regiment with 800.

At the center ,the troops of the much wekened Divisions 22nd and 23rd counterattack the line they lost in the eve in the evening and succeed to reconquer at 8.30 Ionesti and at 10,30 Colceag ,capturing prisoners and machineguns .But the enemy takes the offensive with great forces .One side and the other of the driveway Ploiesti-Mizil he attacks with four columns ,made each of four Battalions .A strong field and heavy artillery sustains the attack .The troops of Divisions 12th and 16th have to retreat ,abandoning the gained terrain .Still,the II-nd Corps Romanian resists with stubborness ;for the next day ,11th of December ,announced the intervention,Keller's Cavalry Corps ,strengthened with the 14th Division of Infantry Russian .At 11th of December ,the pressure of the enemy has become very strong.Kraftt and Morgen have put in to the fighting line the whole forces of the six Divisions they Command.The Romanian Front is brokethrough in several points.The right wing of the I-st Army neighbour has been pushed and retreats towards Vintileanca.The II-nd Army is threatened with going around her left flank.At North,the advance of Kraftt towards Cislau threatens the going around of the right flank of the Army.Averescu obtains the authorization to break up the fight and retreat step by step towards line Rimnicu Sarat-Viziru.Just now intervenes the Russian Cavalry ,which attacks weak and without any effect.After few evolutions ,the Russians cavalry-men retreat in cantoonament at the cellars of wine great deposit of Mares ,at Mizil.The troops of Groups Buzau and Niscov ,forming up a Group under the Command of General Vaitoianu ,have kept the resistance in the following days on line Mizil ,then on line Ulmeni and then at Buzau ,continuously attacked and overwhelmed by the imense superiority of the enemy.More and more,though,the Romanian troops were retreated on to the second line ,being replaced on the first line by Russians .At 12th of September ,the Germans occupy Mizil ,and at 13th of December Buzau,by a veiling move ,executed by North,by Lipia Village ,against the 15th Russian Division and of the 3rd Division of Cossacks.


The retreat behind Ialomita.Looting and murders

Before Ialomita ,the enemy has been detained several days.His trials of crossing have been repelled by the troops of Istrati Group ;his heavy convoys and heavy artillery have suffered much in the lowered and dug out by rains region at South of Ialomita.At 10th of December ,a Regiment of Russian Ulans ,leaving the position and retreating without order towards North ,the German Cavalry occupied Coserenii.After,by the retreat of Romanian troops from Cricov line and from Mizil ,the Romanian -Russian troops from Urziceni were threatened in the back;that is why it has been ordered the retreat ,much that the Russian Commander has announced that he will make the concentration of the 4th Russian Corps on the Northern Shore of Ialomita ,on line Mateleu-Rosiori -Tandarei-Piua Petrii.The Germans have crossed Ialomita River and occupied Ursiceni,Manasia,Silistea ,at 12th of December.

In front of Bulgarians and of the Turks ,which have crossed the Danube River at calarasi and at Fetesti,the Russian troops ,which were occupying the flat of Baragan(Wheat Fields) ,had to retreat at North ,over Ialomita.In their retreat they have plundered the villages ,looting and burning everything in their way,the Bulgarians and Turks have completed their masterpiece ,committing the most abominable atrocities over the population unarmed.They were concoursing in plunders and cruelties on the back of our poor country.Not only the Bulgarians and the Turks ,but even the Germans the "civilized" and "disciplined" committed exceses of this kind ,as Falkenhayn himself sees forced to notice them in his memoirs :"During the advancement happened manifestations which proved a great weakness of the discipline.The number of pretended lost of their troops ,which swarmed this way and that way,was multiplying in a frightening way,with all my severe measures.On all the advance roads I have organized small arierguards ,formed with men of trust ,to follow th columns few hours distance ,to garher the hidden ones to resend them to their posts...But a measure like this helps little ,as the Army is in marching.Even under the eyes of their most brave Chieftains ,which,ofcourse were not lacking energy,were committed lootings in great measure;such in Ploiesti and Buzau.On the roads of stages ,the murders and plunderings was a daily routine.On these roads and in their vecinity ,the shooting after herds ,pigs did not stop.Im many of the places the circulation became very endangered".

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Regrouping of the II-nd Army

The Battle at Cricov has been tha last military action of the Romanian Army as an independent organism during the retreat of 1916.After the retreat on Cricov,the Romanian units which constituted the I-st Army and the Group of Danube Defence have been retreated from the fight and send in the remaking zones in North of Moldavia ,being replaced with Russians.Have remained on the Front only the units of the II-nd Army ,to which has been attached some of the ones belonging to the disolved armies.Strengthened in this way,the II-nd Army ,Romanian,under the Command of General Averescu ,was now intercalated between IX-th Russian Army ,which was stretching at the left of her until the shores of Danube River.

At 14th of December ,the II-nd Romanian Army was separated into two sectors.The Sector in the left was made out of Rimnic Group ,Commanded by General Vaitoianu ,occupying the montaineous region of Rimnicu Sarat County ,from Racoviteni -at West of Rimnicu Sarat-where it connected with the Russians ,until Furu Mountain ,at West of Dumitresti .Rimnic Group had in the first line of the Front ,Divisions 3rd ,1st and 6th,and in reserve Divisions 12th and 7th ;Divisions 3rd and 6th considered as the best which remained to the Romanian Army,because being in more quiet sectors they haven't suffered so much losses.

The Sector in the right was made out of the Vrancea-Oituz Group ,under the Command of General Cristescu .In Vrancea region was the 7th Mixt Brigade ,under the Command of Colonel Sturza ,connecting to Furu Mountain with the right of Rimnic Group.In Oituz Rregion was the 15th Division ,under the Command of General Eremia Grigorescu,connecting in the right with IX-th Russian Army,at Slanic.

Few units ,Russian, are intercalated amongst the Romanian ones ,being set from the operative point of view under the Command of the II-nd Army.In this way,at 18th of December ,arrives at Dumitresti ,behind the right wing of Rimnic Group also the Cavalry Division Zamurskaia ,formed of 24 Escadrons with 20 machineguns and 12 cannons.After a few days is attached to Rimnicu Sarat Group also the Cavalry Division Tuzemna ,and to the 7th Brigade Mixt,the 12th Russian Cavalry Division.

For 10 days ,in the sector of the II-nd Romanian Army has been relatively quiet .The Romanian troops have occupied themselves with the organization of their positions in the bad terrain regions ,which they occupy.There were undoubtful signs that the enemy prepares to attack line Rimnicu-Sarat -Viziru.


The crisis of the Romanian Commandment

Penible matters of Commandment were agitated at the Great Headquarter of the Romanian Army,which from 7th of December has moved to Birlad .Transporting of numerous Russian troops in Romania and taking out of the Front the Romanian troops ,decimated by fights ,have modified the composition of the allied Armies.The numerical value of the two components had been changed .The Russians were predominant now.They have started to manifest veleities over commune Commandment of the two Armies.At 10th of December ,Beleaev asked very determined,for General Zaharov ,the Supreme Command of the Allied Armies ,the suspending of the Great Romanian Headquarter and comprising it in to the Russian Headquarter.The Romanian Government opposed energic to this pretention.Whatever the momentarily situation of the military operations ,it must not be forgotten that Romania is an independent state ,with a National Army.Not even at 1877,when Romania was a "vasal" sate ,she did not enter the War until Russia guaranteed her individual line of operations and own communication lines.Much less she could today abdicate from these rights ,after 40 years of independence and three months and a half of fierce fights with the enemy.Matters of law were also in contradiction with this disolvation ,in fact ,of the independent Romanian Army .After the Constitution ,the King was the head of the Army,which he Commanded directly.Then,the law of the state of siege gives the right to the Great Headquarter to have say in matters of administration and police for the ministers of the country.To pass this authority to the Russian Army,means to put the authorities of the country(kingdoom) under the orders of a foreign military organ,which would mean the non existence of our sovereignity on own territory .The only thing that the Government could aproove to ,was that under the direct orders of the King ,a Russian General to function as a Chief of Romanian General Staff and the Romanian Army to remain independent as organization and Commandment.It has been addmitted that ,for the time being ,the Russian-Romanian troops from the operation zone to be put under the Command of General Zaharov.


At 14th of December an important change was made in the High Romanian Commandment .General M.Iliescu ,Sub-Chief of the Great General Staff which,in the absence of a titular chief *,conducted the operations of the Romanian Armies for three months and a half ,has been replaced from this Commandment by General C. Prezan.The dizgration was the result of hostility of a great part of the public opinion and of the chiefs of opposition political parties ,which atributed to General Iliescu the unsuccess of the campaign ,started under such promissing circumstances.It has been imputted to him mistakes of strategical conceptions ,of conduct of the operations and especially that he had surrounded himself by a personal clientel ,giving important Commandments to mediocre Generals ,siding or neglecting the best officers of our Army.In the hard moment of leaving the high post,full of the greatest responsibilities ,which he has occupied till now,Iliescu has disculped in front of the Supreme Commandment ,showing that he has worked with the staff from the General Staff which he has found when accepting the post ,without changing anyone ,that the campaign plans have been studied and approved by the Generals in Command of the Armies,that he has worked with faith and devotion ,taking in the hours of crisis such measures ,to avoid the dangers and diminish the threatening proportions of the dezastre ,that the defeats are owed to ,in the most part, outside causes and that anyone ,in the same situations,could not have done better or more.This is how greart was the ferocity with which General Iliescu was attacked ,that the Supreme Commander of the Army(the King) thought that is not able to retain the General not even in the post of Sub-Chief of the Great Headquarter,not even to give him the Command of a Division.He has only been given a mission next to the allied Commandments.

The titular Chief of the Great General Staff ,General Al . Zottu ,being very ill ,with nerves ,could not take part to the works of the Commandment ;he commited suicide during November 1916.

Advancing on the traks of Romanians and Russians,Mackensen was at 19th of December in front of line Rimnicu Sarat-Filipesti-Viziru-Dunare.The aerian reconnoitrings and sensings made with patrols ,brought him to the conclusion that he has to deal with a carefuly prepared position ,and solid organized,defended by numerous forces ,which could not be forced but only through a great battle .Its beginning has been set for the day of 22nd of December ;till then ,the units of the enemy Armies has been regrouped ,brought into the fighting zone ,giving them also fwe days of rest.

The battle at Rimnicu Sarat has been engaged by the Germans with the totality of their forces ,existing between Carpathian Mountains and Danube :17 Divisions .At the left ,the IX-th Army ,under the Command of General Falkenhayn ,had to execute the principal mission with the mass of the 10 Divisions from Infantry of his .The advancing axis of the IX-th Army was the driveway and railway Buzau-Rimnicu Sarat ;his operational field was the region of hills and mountains in the North of Buzau County and Rimnicu Sarat County,until Buzau River.When the Romanian-Russian position will be broke through ,will begin the action also the Danube Army,Commanded by General Kosch,made out of five Divisions of Infantry German-Turk-Bulgarian and two Cavalry Divisions.She will operate in the flat region between Buzau River and Danube River ,with the direction towards Braila.

The Romanian-Russian Front was occupied at the right wing by Romanians ,and at the center and left wing by Russians.The Romanians were occupying the mountaineous positions and of hills,from Furu Mountain until Racoviteni ,with the troops of Rimnic Group of the II-nd Romanian Army .The Russians were occupying the most important part of the Front ,with many Army Corps and with numerous Cavalry.The two adverse armies were forming in this way o commune fighting Front ,from mountains to Danube.


With all the big concentration of troops ,the Russian did not had the serious intention to hold with any price this line.Even from 16th of December the Russian Commander ,in a report towards the King ,as well as in the order of operations towards his troops ,shows the intention to retreat behind Siret River ,indicating to each unit the sector to be occupied.That is why ,also ,the Romanian Commandment had to cosider the resistance on Rimnicu Sarat Front as a provisory stage and to proceed at organizing of definitive resistance on line Casin-Clabuc Mountain -Purcelesti(North of Odobesti),in continuation with the Russian line of Siret River.

The battle at Rimnicu Sarat has lasted six days ,from 22nd to 27th of December and it was the greatest battle in the retreat times.The Germans name her also "Weihnachtsschlacht"-Christmassbattle,because her decissive action was given in the days of Chatolic Cristmass.

General Falkenhayn ,of which IX-th Army ,will carry the weight of the battle ,has set to its left wing Kraftt Group,made out of the totality of its mountain troops ;this one would operate against the Group of Romanian Divisions in the mountaineous region and of hills;its mission was to operate a turning of the Romanian flank in Dumitresti region .Mounted on Buzau-Rimnic driveway was Morgen Group ;its mission was to breakthrough the Russian lines and conquer Rimnicu Sarat city .Falkenhayn kept in reserve Divisions 89th and 41st ,to throw them into the fight at the moment and right point ,to obtain the decissive success.At the right side ,until Buzau River ,was Kuhne Group.

At 22nd the battle unleashes on the whole Front of the IX-th German Army .At the left extremity ,the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,operating in the mountains,extends its wing ,seeking to establish the connection with the right side of the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army under the Command of Archduke Iosif ,which operates in Vrancea.On our side,the connection between Rimnic Group and Vrancea Group is established by a Cavalry Division ,Russian.For three days ,the German Alpiners and the Austrian Alpiner of the 73rd Division which are at the right side of the first ones ,cannot make one step forward .The Romanian troops of Divisions 2nd ,1st and 6th kepp with strength the positions on Cilnului Water ;the Russian Cavalry Division Zamurskaia have occupied Vintileanca and Intre Rimnice ,at the right of Romanians.

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In the day of 24th of December ,Morgen Group manages to obtain a decissive success :the 12th Bavarian Division ,with the aid of the 89th Division ,fighting at the junction point of the Russian Front with the Romanian one,has taken with assault the elevation with height 417 m ,which dominates,at South East of Racoviteni ,Cilnului Water .The position,heavily strengthened ,has been defended with stubborness by the Russians ,has been retaken by these ones and again taken back by the Germans after fierce fights which lasted until the evening ,making heavy casualties to both adversaries.After the losing of these positions ,the Russians have decided the evacuation of the entire line of battle and step by step retreat to the behind positions.This decission,taken by the Russian Commander and not communicated to the Romanian one ,starts to show its effects in the unfolding of the fights in the following days.In the day of 25th of December ,the fourth day of the battle ,the Alpine Corps inensifies the attacks against Romanians .At the extreme right of the Romanian Front ,the Russian troops of Zamurskaia Division leave the position ,and leave uncovered the right wing of the 3rd Romanian Division;the enemy advances and occupies Sarii Hill(Dealu Sarii),Vintileanca and Intre Rimnice.The Romanians have to retreat with heavy losses ,after they oppose a fierce resistance.A Company of the 22nd Regiment,Romanian, has occupied and defended the hill at height 854 m,fighting with the bayonet ,untill all soldiers together with their Commander have been murdered.To the South,the Alpiners attacks ,Austro-Hungarians,against the 1st Division ,Romanian,given with strong support of artillery ,are repelled ;Marghiloman hill is held solid by Romanians.The Front of Divisions 3rd and 1st are strengthened with troops of the 7th Reserve Division.


At 26th of December ,the fight has continued.The enemy,sustained by strong artillery ,has attacked between Divisions 3rd and 1st .The fights have unfolded with violence at Spidele ,on Hills Sonticari and Marghiloman .The hills are conquered by the enemy and the Romanians retreat on Ferului Hill.The Russians send in aid from Dumitresti a Brigade of Cossacks from Tuzemna Division ,with a baterry of cannons for mountain.But only engaged in to the fight ,the cossacks retreat with music ahead ;after it retreats also the mountain battery .Through the empty space thus produced ,the enemy advances between the two Romanian Divisions ,of which wings he turns,and occupies Spidele and Ferului Hill.The 4th Hunters Regiment ,which has occupied by a counterattack Sonticari Hill after a fierce fight ,is forced to retreat with great casualties;also the 27th Regiment.The left wing of the 3rd Division is checked under the fire concentrated of enemy artillery and has felt casualties.

The batteries of artillery of the 1st Romanian Division unleash a violent baraj fire over the enemy and bring it to a stand still.The Romanian Commander sends to counterattack a Battalion of the 16th Regiment from reserve ;under his protection reconstitutes the scattered remains of the 4th Hunters Regiment and of 27th Regiment,and attack with vigor the enemy.Spidele Village is reconquered;the Romanians attack Ferului Hill in the left flank and behind and reoccupy it.Sustained by the artillery of the 21st Regiment ,the Romanian troops advance and occupy Hills Sonticaru and Marghiloman ;the storming of the Romanians and the artillery precise fire of theirs encouraged the Cossacks ,which come back to attack.Towards evening ,Sonticari Hill is reconquered and the situation is reestablished almost everywhere,after a day of violent fights and bloody losses.


Posted 25 June , 2009 The day of 27th of December was supposed to bring the decissive .At the right wing of the Romanian Front ,the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,strengthened with troops of Infantry and Cavalry,has made the junction with the right wing of Gerock Group of the Army of Archduke Iosif and attacks with strength in concentric mode the whole Front of the 3rd Romanian Division and of Division Zamurskaia ,forcing them to retreat at East of Jitia ,in Dumitresti direction .On the Front of the 1st Romanian Division the fights have continued for mastering of Sonticari Hill and Marghiloman Hill which by evening have been almost entirely conquered.

But in the central sector ,the Russians ,which after occupying of height 417 ,have retreated step by step,fighting for each palm of terrain,lose today the city of Rimnicu Sarat .The Russian Commander considers the battle as lost and gives the order of general retreat .At the right side of the Russians ,the 6th Division Romanian,remaining with the left flank in the air,receives as well order of retreat.The 1st Division ,with all the victorious fight which she has given during the day ,has remained isolated ,by the retreat of the 6th Division from the left,and of the 3rd Division ,from the right ;she has now to follow the retreat of her neighbours.

At 28th of December ,the retreat of Rimnic Group is general;the three Divisions of Russian Cavalry ,which have operated under the orders of the II-nd Romanian Army -Divisions Zamurskaia ,Tuzemna and Usuriskaia-are united in a Corps under the Command of Russian Generla Krimov ,which is moved to the right of Rimnic Group,to make the connection with Vrancea Group .besides,the Romanians Commanders,General Averescu and General Vaitoianu has found themselves forced to ask to the Great Romanian Headquarter and to the King,to give another destination to Russian Cavalry Corps ,"because by intempestive and disorganized retreats ,they influence bad the Romanian troops".

In the South -Eastern Sector of the battle ,Kosch Army has started the attack on the Front between Buzau and Danube ,when on the Front of IX-th German Army,the battle begun to be decided in the favour of the Germans .At 26th of December the enemy attacks the strongly strengthened positions,by the Russians, at Filipesti (Faurei train station);has been given a fierce fight ,especially around point of support near Filipesti Church and height 55.More to the East,in the neighbour region with the Danube River,has taken part into the fight with bravely also a Detachment of British Armoured Cars ,of which Commander has been wounded .After the Russian 's retreat from Rimnicu Sarat,the position at Filipesti ,being threatened to be taken in flank ,has been evacuated and,in her wake,the entire line Viziru-Dunare(or Danube River)The general retreat of the Russians has been made in direction Focsani -Braila.The losses of the Russians in the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat hve been very big;the number of prisoners taken by the Germans is ,after the German communicates ,of 10 220 men.


The Russians are leaving Dobrogea

The retreat of the Russians from Muntenia(Valahia or Romanian Country) flat has provoked also their retreat from Dobrogea.General Zaharov came to the Command of the troops in Dobrogea -replacing the incapable Zaioncikovski -full of the fame earned in the fights in Volinia.He has lost it in Dobrogea.Although he had at his dispozition numerous forces -four Army Corps-es and few Cavalry Divisions -he has done precisely nothing to regain the lost terrain and has imobilised himself ahead the Bulgarian positions .

At 14th of December ,the Russians have started the retreat from the Dobrogean Front ,pursued close by Bulgarians.Dobrogea trusted by us to Russian defence ,was abandoned in Bulgarian hands .At 16th of December ,the Russian Front was on the line Pecineaga-Babadag ;the next day ,the Bulgarian Cavalry entered in Babadag on the pontoon bridges ,build in this points ,after which they set fire to them.The Romanian bridge of boats,throwed here by Romanian pontooneers,for the flowing of the Romanian refugees has been carefuly lifted ,towed to Galati and send in the country.

In Dobrogea have only remained Russian troops massed in to Macinului Peninsula ,having as defence line the wooded hills which stretch in the istm of this peninsula ,from Greci to Vacareni.Macinul was making the bridgehead wich defended Braila ,from the Dobrogean shore ;the two localities have been linked by a bridge of pontoons .At 29th of December Mackensen ,following with the right wing the attack of Braila ,from the South,as the Dobrogean Army was attacking it on the other shore ,from the East.At 4th of January the German troops ,Bulgarians and Turk entered in Macin.the next day,the last of the Russian troops from Dobrogea were crossing the Danube ,by Vacareni,in Basarabia .In the same day Braila ,attacked from the South and from East ,has been occupied by the enemy;she has been completely exhausted by the Russians:the deposits ,docks ,even the shops were empty.

The Danube enemy Army has arrived in the wattery region from the South of Siret River;at 6th of January ,her advance has been completely stopped by this region.

A Russian military historian ,General Vinogradski writes:" During this time we have lost Dobrogea in an unexpected way;the situation did not impose ,in the slightest ,the retreat of the VI-th Russian Army.The enemy,inferior ,was not pressing but only soft against the excelent positions covering the crossing of the Danube at Braila...Nothing out of the ordinary threatened the troops on the left of Danube ,because the fleet of the enemy was not mastering the Danube River so there was no danger for the Army to be cut by her base.This deplorable manoeuvre made us lose the fluvial way of lower Danube ...etc".

(Romanian Army crossing a boat bridge -drawing)


( Columns of the Romanian Attack Group crossing Neajlov River-during Neaslov and Arges Battle- under enemy bombardment-after a German engraving)


(Moment during Neajlov-Arges Battle -sketch by Bassarabescu)


Defending Danube River Delta

The Danube delta was in a situation alltogether special compared with the rest of Dobrogea.It was of the greatest interest to defend and keep navigable the Sulina river arm(Danube River has three arms wich flow into the Black Sea;Chilia ,Sulina and St.Gheorghe).That is why ,from the outbreak of the war ,the mouth of the channel has been barriered by a strong mobile gate ,made out of thick beams heavy chains and wire cables ,behind which there was a hidden battery of launch torpedo automobile.On the beach ,around Sulina,has been installed two Russian batteries of 150 mm and three Romanian field batteries ,served by sailors ,which were aimed to the large of the Black Sea.In the harbour was the small Cruiser"Elisabeta",a canoonier ,a torpeedo -boat and all the floating material of the European Comission.

In the beginning ,the whole defence preparation was aimed towards the sea.The Germans have tried to obstacle the Russian transports of troops ,sending submarines until the ray of Sulina Harbour and placing thousands of torpedo-mines in the way of the Russian boats.Some of the Russian transports have been torpeedoed by submarines ,or they collided with the mines and drowned.A special rservice for fishing the mines ,made out of Romanian sailors and Russians ,were working around the clock.Ships S.M.R.[13] have been given to the Russians which armed them,as to use them as cruisers and for stretching nets against submarines.

The German Cruiser "Breslau" has attacked the Snake Island ,where it has been installed a station of wireless telegraphy ,and taken prisoner the small Russian-Romanian garrison.


After the fall of Constanta ,starts to enter in the calculus of the Romanian Commandment also the eventuality of an attack of Danube Delta from the land.In truth Russians,retreating from Dobrogea ,the enemy advances towards Tulcea and Isaccea .The communication on the water between Danube and Galati is threatened to be cut and the Danube Delta to remain isolated.The Germans organize at Constanta a naval base.Their hydroplanes come almost daily to Sulina ,where the bombs throwed by them make ravages ,especially amongst the civilian population ,killing people ,destroying and burning buildings from the city,which are almost all made out of wood.A hydroplane is hit by the cannons of our defence and taken down in to the sea,from where it is captured together with the pilot and mechanic ,at 7th of November.Latter on,even the German Commander of the squadron has been hit,captured and transported to the hospital in Sulina where he died.

The Russian Commander prepares to evacuate Danube Delta and the Commander of the Russian fleet in Sulina takes measures of retreat towards Sevastopol .The officers of the Romanian Navy ask with all their strengths to not abandon Delta ,which can be easily defended because her geographical particularities ,and the enemy has not the necessary equipement to attack such a dificile region ,in which he cannot unfold his land forces of infantry and artillery.Under the protection of the Romanian river monitors which descend from Braila and bombard the elevations at Isaccea ,could puor down the valley the imense convoy of comercial ships and of loaded barges ,from Galati to Chilia .Following the explanations and insistences of Romanians,the Russian Admiral Kolceak ,the Commander of the Russian Forces in the Black Sea ,was convinced about the necessity of keeping the Delta and of the possibility of her defence.In truth,becoming masters of the Delta,the Austrian-germans would have made of Sulina River Arm a strong operational base ,which would have threatened from very close Sulina locality.On the board of "Elisabeta" Cruiser Kolceak declared to the Romanian navy officers :"Even if Zaharov retrets all his troops from Dobrogea ,I will keep with any price the Delta with the war ships and with the navy infantry troops which I wiil send from Russia".And truly,Kolceak has send a Russian Division of troops of Navy Infantry ,which have occupied Delta ,making Front on Danube shore from the mouth of Sf.Gheorghe Arm until Chilia .Behind this Front were constituting two great bases of operations :Sulina and Chilia which are in permanent connection over the water with Odessa and Sevastopol.In these bases are gathered all Russian war ships-countertorpedoboats,cannoniers,pontoons on which have been installed cannons of 150 mm,mine draggers ,hospital ships,as well as the Romanian ones-monitors ,vedettes and all the floating material which managed to flow from Galati .One part of the barges ,which could not pass under the cannons of Isaccea ,have refugeed on Prut River.From the barges from Chilia have been send by land to Iasi great quantities of wheat ,in the heavy winter,when the deposits of replenishments from the country(kingdom) were almost over.The Front of Danube Delta (or Delta) defence .Fixed in this way has remained till the end of the War in the same situation .Few trials of the enemy to cross in the Delta have been repelled.That is why the enemy only organized his high positions at Tulcea and Isaccea with cannons of big caliber and strong projectors ,of fraid of an offensive Romanian-Russian from Delta direction ,under the protection of the fleet*.

At 15th of April 1917 ,the torpedo boat "Smeul" was shipwreked in the Black Sea ,on the road between Sulina and Periprava,at the entering in Stambulu Vechi Arm.In this shipwrek perished three members of the French Military Mission,Navy Lieutenants Carriou,Denain and Begouin.

(Romanian escort vedette,"1906")


"Elisabeta" Cruiser(build in England),and River Monitors,"Kogilniceanu" and "Bratianu"


The Front of the Northern Romanian Army

The second half of the November has been relatively quiet on the Moldavian Front.After the burn out of the battle begun by the enemy with the aim to mask the principal operations enterprized by him in Jiu Pass ,the two adversaries have remained on their positions.The Moldavian Carpathian Front(as the Carpathian Mountains go also in Moldavia) was now held until Uzului Valley by the IX-th Russian Army ,under the Command of General Lecitki ;from Slanic towards South ,the Sector of Oituz and of Vrancea was held by the Romanian Northern Army,reduced at Divisions 15th and 7th ,the 7th Mixt Brigade of Calarasi and the 6th Division in Buzau Mountains .The latter one ,after the operative necessities ,was passed when to the Northern Army,when to the II-nd Army.The Command of the Northern Army was given to General Cristescu.

At 28th of November the IX-th Russian Army begun the long awaited action ,offensive,against the enemy in front ,on the whole stretch of the frontier , mountaineous of Moldavia.The action extended to the right to Kaledin Army ,which occupied the Front of Bucovina Carpathian Mountains and the Padurosi ones,until Iablonita Pass.The goal of this offensive was to ease the action of Romanian Army which,in Muntenia ,had to begin the great battle on Neajlov and Arges.The fights have been given when in a sector ,when in another,with breaks ,lasting until the half of December .They were made out of attacks not very well coordinated ,made when for an elevation ,when for another one,without obtaining any significant success .The only result reached ,was that the Germans and the Austro-Hungarians have brought some more Divisions from the quiet Fronts ,to strengthen the Carpathians Front ,especially in Trotus -Oituz region ,the most threatened.The I-st Army Austro-Hungarian on the Moldavian Front was at this date composed of three Groups;at the center Ghimes Group ,Commanded by German General Litzmann;at the North Bicaz-Dorna Group ,Commanded by the Austrian general Lutgendorff.Gerock Group depended operatively by the IX-th German Army ,of Falkenhayn ;the Ist Austro-Hungarian Army continued to be part of the Group of Armies Commanded by the Archduke inheriter Carol;After the death of Emperor Franz Joseph and arriving on the throne of Carol,the Command of the Group passed over to Archduke Maghiarofil(Hungarofil) Iosif.


About the left wing of Lecitki Army,the Northern Romanian Army has also received the task to participate to the Russian Offensive ,with the mission to repell the enemy and occupy the exits of the Defiles in Sesu Secuilor(Secuilor Flats).Because has been taken from this Army ,the 7th Division ,send to take part in Arges battle,her combative force diminished ,such that it could not be talk now about a strong offensive,but only about actions for fixing the enemy.

The operations of the Northern Army have started at 30th of November by an attack in Slanic region ,with the right of the 15th Division against the Southern wing of the Army of Archduke Iosif,and extended towards South,one side and the other of Oituz Valley and in Vrancea against Gerok Army.There have been obtained small initial successes ,with all the thick fog which was making impossible the operations ,but the conquered positions could not be held.It was quicly reached the conclusion that the forces of the Northern Romanian Army represent only the strict necessary to keep the equilibrium with the enemy ;any waste of forces would break this equilibrium in our detriment.Faced with the lack of perspectives of the fights ,and of their risks,the action ceased at 3rd of December.

General Cristescu has been named sub-Chief of the Great General Staff ;the Command of the Northern Army ,reduced at 15th Division and 7th Mixt Brigade ,and 4th Calarasi Brigade (Cavalry0 has been given to General Er.Grigorescu.By mid December ,the troops of the former Northern Army have entered in the composition of the II-nd Romanian Army ,under the Command of General Averescu,under the name of Oituz-Vrancea Group.


Casin battle

For almost three weeks ,the Sector of the Northern Romanian Army ,narrowed at the Front occupied by a Division and two brigades ,has been quiet.The Romanian troops could consolidate their positions ,fighting mostly with the winter hardships.In the second half of December ,the quiet ended.A great battle ,the most important on this Front ,will start in the same time with the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat.

Archduke Iosif ,the new Commander of the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Moldavian Front ,did not want to remain inactive.As Falkenhayn prepared the attack of the Romanian-Russian positions at Rimnicu Sarat,he decided to take,in his turn ,an offensive in the Moldavian Mountains of South.The offensive had to embrace the whole montaineous region from Ghimes Pass until Vrancea region and to be executed with a strength of some 10 Divisions ,of which 6 Germans and 5 Austro-Hungarian.Its aim was the entering through Trotus Valley and of Oituz into Siret Valley ,to turn the Russian-Romanian positions from this region and,with this face,to ease Falkenhayn advance from the South.The Austro-Hungarian Commandment did not give up to its favorite plan,with all the failures from Oituz and with all the opposition of Falkenhayn ,which did not stop at all with his ironies and persiflations the Austrian Commandment ,in which strategig capabilities he had no trust whatsoever.The Groups Ghimes and Uz ,strong of five Divisions ,would have to fight against the Southern wing of the Russian Army Lecitki ;the principal action would have to be lead by Gerock Group against the Romanian Group Oituz-Vrancea .Gerock Army had two sectors :at North ,Sector Slanic-Oituz-Casin ,made out of Divisions 71st Austro-Hungarian ,40th and 187th Germans ,under the Command of German General von Staabs ;at South ,Putna Sector,made out of 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division and the 218th German Division under the Command of Austrian Cavalry General Ruiz von Roxas .The Romanians had,as we know ,the troops of Oituz-Vrancea Sector (the 15th Division and the 7th Mixt Brigade ).The 15th Romanian Division was made out of 24 battalions of Infantry and and was strengthened with a Calarasi Brigade ,of Cavalry.The disproportion between the forces of the two adversaries was thus a crushing one in the adversary's favour.The move of the 14th Russian Division in Oituz Sector and sending of a Russian Cavalry Division in the aid of the troops of the said sector,made during the battle,could not modify but very small this disproportion.That is why ,the battle of Casin,named in this way after the name of the Valley in the middle of the tactic field of operations ,wil constitute for Romanians a new and very hard trial.The 15th Division and her Chief ,General Grigorescu ,both becoming legendary by their iron resistance at Oituz,will have again the occasion to make the probe of wit,energy and of their power of martyr.


The battle at Casin started at 22nd of December ,in the same day with the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat and lasted until 31st of December .The terrain in which it was given being,especially in the Southern part,very bad,rove through by mountain massifs and with a confuze structure ,cut by deep valleys and covered with secular forests ,did not permit the unfolding of big continuous Fronts ;that is why it was made of numerous attacks and counterattacks given by isolated units.In fight with the adversary,greatly superior the resistance of Romanians was brilliant.The heroism of the troops was at the height of the wit of her Commander .The elevations neighbour with Oituz ,witnesses to so many fights ,heroic ,given in the first two Battles of Oituz ,have been again watered with the anemied blood of our exhausted troops .

What was making very difficult the carrying of the fights,was the lack of trust in the Russian ally.Tactical necessities asked for th Romanians to be replaced by Russians ;the enemy sensed it ,and attacked imediately.The Russians were leaving very easy the positions which had names that became hollyfor Romanians ,because in their land were resting thousands of heroes which gave their souls for preserving them.Then the hearts of Romanian soldiers were aking ,the attacks started then by themselves almost and,in heavy fights,on blizzards and terrible colds,the celebre elevations of Capusii,Cernicai ,Staneica,Fata Moarta ,were reconquered by Romanians ,for then other attacks ,overwhelming as strength,or surrounding manoeuvres made in other sectors,to oblige the defenders to leave them again.In the center of the action in Oituz Valley ,13th "Stefan cel Mare" Regiment has made again his duty with vigor and sacrifice.


The offensive of the enemy has started in Vrancea with the attack of the Southern wing ,General Ruiz,against 7th Mixt Romanian Brigade ,which had her positions on the Valleys of the two Tisita,Lepsei,Putnei,Narujei and Zabalei.Artillery batteries,heavy, of 150 mm bombard with extreme viollence the position on Clabuc ,which they destroy.In fierce counterattacks ,made on 24th of December on line Clabuc-Fata Moarta ,the Romanians acomplish to reoccupy Clabucului Peak.The pressure of the enemy becomes more and more stronger;it exercises itself especially along Lepsei Valley and in direction of Putna Train Station,at the flowing of Tisita in to Putna.The train station is occupied by the enemy at 26th,reconquered by Romanians then,again lost .The 12th Division of Russian Cavalry is send in the aid of the 7th Brigade Mixt;she arrives on position at 26th and attacks ,reconquers Putna Train Station.The German official communicate of 26th of December has to confess:"Romanians defend with stubborness the valleys which take from Vrancea Mountains in Moldavian flat lands .With all the weather and unfavorable terrain in the high mountains ,our troops push the enemy step by step ".The two units constitute in a Group ,under the Command of General Baron Mannerheim.At 27th of December ,the enemy attacks overwhelm the 7th Brigade Mixt which,not being able to resist ,started the retreat in order towards Soveja-Dragosloveni.

In this time,in Oituz Sector ,Staabs was thankful to bombard the Romanian positions with artillery ;the bombardment touched a maximum of violence in the day of 23rd of December .To come in to aid of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,heavily attacked in the neighbour sector,the Romanian Commandment decided to retreat the 15th Romanian Division at Onesti,to constitute a reserve from which to send reinforcements in the threatened sector .The place of the 15th Division was supposed to be occupied by the 14th Division ,Russian,neighbour;the replacement will be made on the day of 25th.This decission fills with bitterness the hearts of Romanians.They understood to fight with hopelessness for the defence of their lands,to close the way to Modavia ,but the Russians were fighting without any heart whatsoever.

These feelings were expressed by General Grigorescu in a report addressed to the High Romanian Commandment .Grigorescu shows that the terrain in Oituz region is absolutely unknown ,for the officers,as well as for the Russian troops."The mentality of those replacing me is totaly other than ours-continues the hearted general-and namely retreat ,and again retreat ,to spear the lives of those called just to sacrifice them for fulfilling of their calling.This mentality is manifested daily in all the circles and I believe is not of the nature to ensure the defence of the national territory ,as our allies consider Moldavia as a simple territorial avanguard ,a piece of neglecting importance in a retreat,faced with the imensity of their Empire".Grigorescu shows that for nine weeks he has defended the Sector with 24 Battalions and he has the courage to do it in the future as well,if he is given only a Brigade in reserve."The defence has to be let in the hands of those who have made the test,that they now how to do it".


Theatre of Fights at Casin,Vrancea and Focsani

Pozitii initiale dusmane=initial enemy positions;Directii de atac principale dusmane=principal directions of enemy attack;Pozitii romano-ruse=Romanian-Russian positions;Inainte de 22 decembrie=before 22nd of December;(inceputul bataliei de la Casin)=the beginning of Casin Battle ;la inceputul lunii Ianuarie=At the beginning of Janauary;La 7 ianuarie=at 7th of January;la 18 ianuarie=at 18th of January


At 25th of December ,the 14th Russian Division arrives on position to replace the Romanians ,which begin at night to evacuate the positions from North towards South.The next day ,at 26th of December ,like he would have been knowledged by this change ,Staabs attacks the sector with 71st Division ,on both sides of Oituz Valley,breaksthrough the Russian Front ,and conquers Cernica Peak and Staneica Ridge.At the request of help of the Russians ,four Romanian Battalions return from their marching ,counterattack the Germans and after a violent fight reconquer Staneica Ridge;during the night Grigorescu sends another five Battalions in the aid of the Russians .The next day the German's attack is general ,on the whole stretch of the sector ,intervening also the 187th Division in Casin Valley.The 15th Romanian Division cannot be retreated from the Front ;one part of her is engaged in the support of the 14th Division ,Russian,of which Commander asks for help with great insistence.The enemy attack is now general;it increases in violence with the participation of a numerous artillery ,without stopping even at night.Under this formidable pressure ,the left wing of the 15th Division from Casin sector has to retreat on Talimba fields and Fata Coroanelor ,accompanying the move of retreat of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,from the left ,which is retreating at Soveja -Dragosloveni.

On the new positions ,Oituz-Vrancea Group supports in the day of 28th of December fierce attacks ;the troops of the 15th Division hold on position with great sacrifices.Some of the units have 75% casualties.It is planned for the next day a counteroffensive with the 7th Mixt Brigade ,for which are concentrated at Soveja -Dragosloveni 7 Battalions from the 15th Division and from 2/5 Brigade ,one Calarasi brigade and 7th calarasi Regiment ;that is why the Detachment on Talimba field has to keep the position with any price.But at 29th of December gerock ,which has suspended the attacks in the Northern sector ,Slanic-Oituz, has concentrated all the efforts and troops in Casin sector ,has attacked with great strength on the whole Casin Front ,turning the Romanian Detachment flanks;this one has to retreat ,tries a counterattack ,which crushes by the overwhwlming superiority of the enemy ,and has to retreat some more to Union Factory .The Romanian Detachment has lost in this day 16 officers ,dead and wounded,315 dead soldiers and 495 wounded and 235 m.i.a.In the same day, Ruiz closed in to Soveja and attacked Mannerheim Group both sides of the driveway.The attack made against 7th Mixt Brigade does not succeed ;Sturza resists,repels the enemy and regroups his troops for the planned counteroffensive .At the left wing ,the 12th Russian Cavalry Division gives up a little terrain ;Tulnici Train Station passes from hand to hand.

At the left of Mannerheim Group constituted the Russian Group of Cavalry Krimov,which makes the connection with Rimnic Group -General Vaitoianu.


Gerock intention is now clear ;interrupting the attack at the left ,in Oituz Valley ,he attacks now in the point of junction of extreme left wing of IX-th Russian Army (the 14th Division) with the 15th Romanian Division ,there pushes Staabs the 187th German Division with strength and the right wing of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division .Grigorescu has retreated his troops under his direct Command on the edge of the elevations which dominate from the West Vrancea flat:Magura Casinului -Cornu Magurei -Muntele Razboiului(War Mountain)-Slatinei Hill.The attacks of the enemy cannot take out the Romanian troops from this position,no matter how violent and frequent they are repeated.The attacks and counterattacks succeed at short intervals for regaining of some position ,lost,and the victories are always payed with big casualties.The Austro-Hungarian communicate from this day has to notice once again that:"The enemy defends with stubborness each palm of terrain".

In Mannerheim sector ,Sturza has started at 30th of December the counteroffensive from Soveja with the 7th Mixt Brigade,strengthened.The Romanians are advancing on six columns ,attack with energy Ruiz 's troops and reject them.Two Battalions of the 25th Rahova Regiment suroound a German Company and make it prisoner entirely,with the Commander and machineguns.At the left ,however,the 12th Russian Cavalry Division and the Calarasi Romanian Brigade do not resist to the enemy attack ;the Germans are advancing towards Negrilesti.Sturza cannot exploit his success ;threatened at the left flank he begins the retreat towards Rachitasu-Gura Vaii(Valley Mouth).With all the orders of General Averescu to retake the offensive ,or at least to remain on position,to not uncover the left of the 15th Division ,Sturza believes that this move would be risky and continues at 31st of December the retreat,stopping on Rachitasu,mounted on Susita Valley.At 31st of December Gerock could make the calculus of operations.In Vrancea,Ruiz was with the Southern Wing ahead of Naruja Valley ,and with the Northern wing at Soveja.In Casin-Oituz sector ,Staabs was finding with the Southern wing on Magura Casinului ,occupyed even in the evening of that day and ahead of the elevations connected by her,fixed by the heroic troops of the 15th Division ,as the Northern wing could only occupy only some elevations on the frontier and was still ahead Hirjei ,kept to respect by the Romanian Battalions of the 15th Division ,which have strengthened the 14th Russian Division.

In ten days of violent fights ,given by both sides with big losses and great sufferings ,on torential rains ,blizzards and snows ,in one of the most difficult regions ,the Romanian Front has been pushed in the Southern part of Vrancea where the advance of the enemy was maxim,with about 12.5 Miles .The trial of the enemy to fall behind and in the flank of the Romanian-Russian positions at Focsani and Siret ,making possible in this wasy for mackensen Army and the one of Falkenhayn the occupation of these positions ,did not succeed.For the success of this last trial ,new efforts had to be made ,new blood had to be speled.

The battle started to take a new course .From the South ,in the wake of Rimnicu Sarat Battle ,were closing in the troops of the two adversaries heading North;the Romanians and Russians in retreat ,the Germans in pursuit .The Front of the two Armies will establish on Milcov for the baattle to come,which will decide the fate of Focsani .The Romanian Group from Oituz-Vrancea ,making the junction with Rimnic Group ,will take part together with this one in this battle .The Battle at Casin will continue ,but as a sector of the great battle of Focsani and Siret.


Siret line

After the victory at Rimnicu Sarat ,Falkenhayn had a moment of hesitation.The hardships of the winter ,which was announcing more and more threatening ,the exhaustion of his troops and the resistance of the enemy showed him the continuation of the advance as a risky bussiness.At 31st of December however,the Great German Headquarter ordered the continuation of the operations ;the IX-th German Army and the Danube Army have to occupy line Focsani -lower Siretului Valley ,to unite with the right wing of the Army of Archduke Iosif on a shorter Front and to gain on this river a strong line of defence for the winter time,and a base of operations for the latter beginnings of offensive.Keeping the line of Siret was for the Russians a capital matter.It was strongly organized and will be tremendeously defended. At its defence ,was not about saving of a piece of Romanian land anymore,which left the Russians indiferent ;it was about the safety of the Russian Front ;Lower Siret River Line formed the left flank of the big Russian Front ,stretched from the Baltic Sea until the Danube River and the Black Sea.

The valleys of Putna and Siret had a strategical value well recognized ;they continue ,from the military point of view,the line of the mountains ,closing the passing from Moldavia in to Muntenia(Valahia) in the most narrow portion of the country.But as,close to its flowing into the Danube River,Siret forms a large valley and marshy ,difficult to attack ,in the region between the mouth of Rimnic and mouth of Putna ,the valley shortens and the shores are low.Here,in the most favorable point to be attacked ,finds the driveway crossing Nanesti-Fundeni .The line of Siret ,with Galati towards East ,with Focsani towards West ,was organized in a strong defensive system ,formed by the fortified zone Focsani -Namoloasa -Galati .The fortifications have been build facing North ,such that they are a strong support in the case of an agression of the Russians against Romania.By a strange twist of fate ,the line was now turned upside down.Instead of defending us against the invasion from the North ,she had to defend us against the attack from the South .Undoubtfully,the system has lost entirely its value.The forts and batteries have been disarmed ,as those around Bucharest.The Russians have build strong works of strengthenings at South of Focsani and of Siret ,especially in the region Nanesti -Fundeni,something towards North-East of Namoloasa ,where it is organized a solid bridgehead.

It was obvious that the attack of Siret line will be given against this sector ,central.Falkenhayn has such,to operate facing North-East .He has ,however,to have the flank and back ensured.The follow up was that the attacking of Siret has to be made ,only in the same time with Focsani occupation and with the taking out of Romanians from Vrancea.That is why,the action of Falkenhayn will go hand in hand with the one of Gerock .The two Groups of adverse Armies will constitute now a single fighting Front ,of which left wing will be in Vrancea ,the center on Milcov and the right on SIret.


Posted 29 June , 2009 The battle at Focsani and Siret

As Oituz-Vrancea Group was heroicly resisting to the enemy aasaults ,Rimnic Group ,after ending the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat ,was beginning the retreat to North ,in the nigth of 31st of December-1st of January .The retreat was made with difficulty ,through accidented(bad) terrains and forested,on a very bad weather ,with a blizzard whipping in the face .After 36 hours of penible marchings ,Rimnic Group could occupy the new positions on the Northern shore of Milcov River.The right side of the Front was at Capraria ;from here through Odobesti stretched until Patesti ,where it connected with the right of the IV-th Russian Army.The units in the composition of Rimnic Group were,from left to right,Divisions 6th,3rd and 12th.The Division has been passed under the orders of General Mannerheim ,with which Rimnic Group linked at the right side ,and the 7th Division was in reserve.The five Divisions of Rimnic Group summed at this date an effective of 1217 officers and 31 970 men of troops,fighters.In this way, the II-nd Army was reconstituted of Rimnic Group ,general Vaitoianu,occupying Milcov Sector and General Mannerheim Group ,occupying Vrancea Sector(Naruja-Zabala-Soveja).More to the right ,the 15th Romanian Division -General Grigorescu -at Casin ,was passed under the orders of 40th Russian Corps of the IX-th Army.

The IV-th Russian Army ,retreating from Rimnicu Sarat to the North ,has opposed resistance with the right wing in Sihlele-Plainesti region,on Rimna.At 29th of December ,General Morgen has defeated this resistance and forced the Russians to continue their retreat.In these places ,the celeber Russian General Suvorov has reputed in 1789 a great victory over the Turks ;it brought to the General the supername of Rimniski.The Germans felt obliged to profane and destroy the statue biuld by the Russians on Rimnei shore ,in the memeory of their great General.At 3rd of January Morgen was in front of Focsani.

The Front of the two Armies was descending thus ,from Oituz mountains and of Vrancei ,along Milcov River ,continuing then with Putna Valley and at the Sout of Siret until Braila region,occupied by the enemy at 4th of January.The grouping of the enemy forces was the following:in Oituz-Vrancea Sector was operating ,just as until now,Gerock Group ,from the Army of Archduke Iosif ;in Odobesti Sector ,against Vaitoianu Group ,was operating Kraftt Group ,made out of the Divisions of German Alpiners and Austro-Hungarians;in Focsani and Putna Sector ,against the right of the IV-th Russian Army,was operating Morgen Group;Kuhne and Kosch Army were operating in Siret Sector.


At 4th of January Gerock retook the action at the left wing of Stabbs ,in Oituz Valley,intercalating between Divisions 71st and 187th also the 49th Division ,which he kept till then in reserve .The Front of the three groups of the enemy ,Staabs,Ruiz and Kraftt ,were drawing now an arch af circle ,fighting with the face to the East ,North-East and North ,against the II-nd Romanian Army .At 5th of January Ruiz attacks the Front of the 7th Mixt Romanian Brigade at Rachitasu .Without resisting,Colonel Sturza gives the order for a new retreat on Susita line :Cimpurile-Racoasa -Momiia abandoning to the enemy a considerable portion of terrain.This retreat ,premature,justified by nothing,compromises the left wing of the 15th Division and,by this,of the wing of IX-th Russian Army.Coming after other two retreats executed from the order of the same Commander ,it became suspect to the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army.General Averescu orders the stopping of the retreat ,which followed to be done in case of need ,step by step.Together with this ,Averescu puts under observation Colonel Sturza ,the one who latter will gain such a sad celebrity.

More to the left ,Magura Odobestilor,the imposant massif which rises its central ridge at 1001 meters high,dominating to great distances the whole region ,was the key to the Romanian-Russian positions.Its fall into the hand of the enemy would have give this one the power to turn both flanks of the Romanian-Russian Front and would have ensured to him the posession of Focsani and of Putna Valley .For the conquer of Magura-Odobestilor, Falkenhayn destined to Kraftt Group two more Divisions from the left of Morgen Group,which will make a veiling attack.At 5th of January ,the Bavarian Alpine Corps has attacked at the junction point of Rimnic Group and Mannerheim Divisions 12th and 1st Romanians.The troops forming up the rest of the 12th Romanian Division have defended with stubborness the whole day of 5th,night 5-6th and the morning of 6th of January,Gorunului Hill,on the western versant of Magura ,giving also violent night counter attacks .At the right side of the 12th Division ,the 1st Division could not resist to the ttack and has retreated.Attacked by the uncovered flank and threatened with the surrounding ,the 12th Division had to retreat ,fighting ,with big losses ,towards Tarnita small Monastery and height 1001 ;the mountain cannons ,not being able to be saved ,have been buried in the ground .The 60th Infantry Regiment is reduced at 170 men,and the 62nd Regiment at 40 men!

Magura Peak ,height 1001 m ,has been defended with outstanding energy by a Battalion of the 4th Arges Regiment ,of the 3rd Romanian Division ,Commander,Major Balan.Attacked by two sides by the superior enemy which has many machineguns ,the soldiers of the Battalion fight fierce at bayonet ,body to body with the enemy,for an hour and a half,until Major Balan ,which fights elbo to elbow with his soldiers ,is wounded and falls prisoner.The Company is entirely destroyed ;she leaves on the terrain 170 dead and wounded ,together with her Commander.A Battalion of the same Regiment makes way with bayonet through the enemies .Few units of the 12th and 3rd Divisions retreat on the North-Eastern versant of Magura ,at Tarnita Schit,where they are attacked again by the enemy and forced to retreat at Gagesti ,in Putna Valley.

Together with Magura Odobestilor in the mastering of the enemy ,the defence of line of Milcov and Putna ,at East of Magura ,was compromised.Even in the evening of the same day ,Falkenhayn attacks with the right of Kraftt Group (73rd Alpine Division Austro-Hungarian) and with Divisions 80th German and 12th Bavarian ,the Front Odobesti -Patesti ,at the junction of the Romanian troops with the Russian ones.Bombarded very strong the whole night by the enemy artillery ,then isolated by the back by a strong barrier firing range ,the 6th Romanian Division has been surprised by the enemy attack ,pronounced the next day in the morning,in her entrenches.The Division have had considerable losses in dead and wounded,prisoners.Our artillery has opened over the enemy columns ,but her firing range could not be well directed because of the terrible enemy bombardment which destroyed all the telephone lines.Localities Odobesti and Patesti are occupied by the enemy ;the Russian and Romanian troops of the Sector retreat on Putna ,Bolotesti and Jaristea.

For the same day ,Averescu planned the reconquering of MaguriaOdobestior by a convergent attack ,which had to be executed from three directions ;from North-West from Racoasa -Momiia by the new constituted Group Grigorescu(the 15th Division and a part of the 7th Mixt Brigade ),from the North by Mannerheim Group (a part of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,two Divisions of Russian Cavalry and the 1st Romanian Division) and from the North by Vaitoianu Group .The attack could not be given though.Grigorescu group was engaged on the whole Front and could not give away troops anymore;the three Battalions of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,send to Mannerheim Group ,did not arrive in time ,and the dezastre of the 6th Division of Rimnic Group wekened the power of Rimnic Group.Besides ,in the same day the Russians started the retreat on the whole Front towards line Putna River and Morgen entered Focsani .To shorten the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army ,which was to long,her right wing -Group General Grigorescu -was also retreated on the line:West Casin Monastery-Poiana Coada Babei(the Tail of the Old Woman Clearing),772 m-Dealu Dorului(Miss Hill) 670 m -West Racoasa -Momiiei Peak.

Towards East ,Siret line has been reached by the enemy Armies at 9th of January ,after heavy fightings with many adventures ,amongst which a victorious counterattack of the Russians ,in Namoloasa region ,has put for a moment in difficult ballance the German victory.


(small cannon System Crousson ,53mm)

Russians intend the retreat on Trotus River line

The defeat at Focsani was bringing up to discussion again the fixing of the retreat line of the Romanian-Russian Front.At the Eastern wing ,the line of Siret River prezents itself as a resistance line beyond any doubt,strong ,by its natural situation ,as by the works built before on to the shores of the river.It was considered,by the Germans ,as by the Russians as the last stage which has to end the cmpaign of 1916.Totaly different presents the matter of extending to West of Siret line.In Focsani region ,the Russians and Romanians have occupied in retreat the line of Putna ;more to the West ,the Front was on Susita Valley ,from where it went by Magura Casinului in Oituz Valley.As the IX-th German Army,completely exhausted ceased any warfare attempt ,Gerock Army continued the attacks .At 9th of January Grigorescu Group has been again attacked in Casin Sector ,on Marasti Hill and on Momiia ,by the three Divisions of Staabs .Ofcourse ,the Germans wanted to obtain a breaking of the Romanian Front in direction Cimpurile -Pralea-Caiuti .Grigorescu has resisted ,but had to retreat on Budiului Hill .General Zaharov tells to the Romanian Sepreme Commander his intention of retreating the right wing of the Romanian-Russian Front behind Trotus River.It was for the Russians the ideal line of retreat ,which shortened to a line almost straight ,the Moldavian Front ,uniting the line of the Mountains of Neamt with the line of Siret River.The Romanian Commanders opposed with strength to this voluntary abandoning of a region so important.The destroying of the railway Tirgu Ocna -Adjud and the interception of the communication through Trotus Valley would have meant a death blow given to our resistance.In truth,in this rich region were the only and last resources of ours in coal ,petrol and salt,which fed the kingdoom and the Army.The railway in Trotus Valley itself,an excellent line of rocade ,were going parallel with the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army and behind it,permitting the transport of troops from one point to another.That is why,the Romanian Commanders asked to the Russian Generalisim that,before giving up the terrain between Putna and Trotus ,to strengthen and defend the line of Susuta -Zabraut.Zaharov agreed to the Romanians insistences ,which had the advantage that they were keeping for the Russian Armies the important line of communication Marasesti-Tecuci.The Front of the IV-th Russian Army has been extended with the right wing until Iresti,liberating in this way the 7th Romanian Division ,which,together with the 6th Division ,have been passed to reserve of Grigorescu Group.


Battle of Pralea

If the retreat of free will from Trotus line has been abandoned ,there was still the danger of a retreat under the pressure of the enemy attack.The Romanian Front has take an unfavorable dispozitive :in Pralea region and that of Zabraut was much bend towards North ,presenting a dangerous entering .All the clues showed that the enemy wants to take advantage of the tactical gains he made during the late battles and to attack in Pralea region ,with Caiuti direction .The success of this attack meant a real dezastre:it was the push through force of the Romanians beyond Trotus.

To avoid this danger ,the Romanian Commandment tasked General Grigorescu to take the offensive in this region ,to obstacle the enemy attack to push the Romanian Front towards South-West.It has also been put to Grigorescu dispozition the 7th Division ,then the 12th Division from Vaitoianu Group ,from Verdea ,the Graniceri Brigade and a Cavalry Division of the Russian Group of General Keller.

But the Germans went ahead .At 13th of January ,Staabs has attacked in Pralea direction and occupied height 772,which he imediately transformed in a strong resistance central.

The following day ,14th of January ,Grigorescu started the counterattack to retake the lost position .Troops of the 7th Division have attacked and conquered height 772 ,together with the neighbour positions:Poiana Ciresului (Cherry Clearing) and Poiana Secatura(Dry Soldier Clearing),where they have taken prisoners an officer and 27 German soldiers.In the same time ,troops of the 15th Division have occupied after a very lively fight with bayonet and hand grenades Dealul Pietricelelor(Small Rocks Hill) ,repelling all of the enemy trials of reconquering it;they could not however occupy also Dragan Hill,strongly entrenched and defended by the enemy.The troops of the 12th Division ,out of their own initiative, of the Commander ,have attacked in Marasti direction and occupied Hills of Virlanu and Dragotestilor ,until the Valley of Limpejoara Stream in front of Marasti Hill.The following days followed very bloody fights .Numerous attacks and counterattacks were given for the possesion of elevations "La Incarcatoarea"(height 711) and Poiana Coada Babei (height 772),for five days ,but they could not be taken by ours because of the superiority of the enemy forces and of the powerful strengthenings.The Romanian troops have had felt losses .Still,the goal of the action has been acomplished .At 18th of January ,our troops managed to advance 0.5 -2 Miles ,obtaining an important rectification of the Front.Instead of being on the line of the arch of circle ,we were now on the cord of the circle , obtaining,together with the terrain gain at South of Pralea ,also a shortening of the Front .We were holding now under the beat of our artillery Susita Valley.With all this success ,which was ensuring us against an enemy attempt to rove through to Trotus Valley ,there were taken measures of precaution.it has been definitively organized Trotus Valley and has been studied in detail the eventual retreat in this direction .It has also been organized another line ,intermediary ,at South of Trotus Valley ,along Dealu Mare ridge .With this action the fights,started at 22nd of December by the Group of General Gerock, have been ended ;they have lasted for 27 days.


Invasions and Retreats

Directiile de invazie ale inamicului=enemy directions of invasion

Pozitii romano-ruse in retragere=Romanian-Russian positions in retreat

1.During Arges Battle,2.After the evacuation of Bucharest,3.On Cricov and Ialomita,4.Rimnicu Sarat Battle,5. Final Front at the beginning of 1917


The end of the fights and stabilization of the Front

By the end of December ,the two adverse Armies have reached the end of their efforts.The long campaign of four months and a half of tensioned fights ,which heve not stopped even for one day ,the long marchings ,in which men and horses have gone hundreds of Miles ,the bad weather of autumn and winter with torential rains ,the snows and blizzards ,the lack of shelters for horses and animals ,the hardships of provisionings which became even harder,have ended alltogether the strengths of the fighters.The suspending of the operations was seen as a necessity unavoidable by both fighting parties ,much that the winter has started and it was foreseen that soon it will begin the frost which will put an end to all other sufferings .Besides ,even after the Battle at Rimnicu-Sarat ,Falkenhayn told to the Great German Hedquarter ,his fears pretaining the risks linked by the continuation of the operations and has oppinionated for their ending.If ,however they have continued ,this was owed to the fact that the High German Commandment have conceived beforehand the line of Siret as an ideal line of stopping after the 1916 campaign and because the giving up at conquering Focsani ,trumpeted anticipated by the German communicates ,could have been interpreted as a defeat.That is why ,when the Romanians and the Russians,after losing Magura Odobestilor and the evacuation of Focsani ,have retreated on Susita line ,of Putna and of Siret ,the enemy Armies advanced only few Miles ,until they were in front of the new adverse positions.To try to force them ,would have been an impossibility .Besides,at 9th of January the Great German Headquarter asked Marshal Mackensen to have send a number of units ,which were necessary on other Fronts of the European War,where it was believed the retaking of the operations ,suspended during the Romanian Campaign.At 10th of January ,the High German Commandment of the troops in Romania gave the order for entering in defence positions .The break ,indispensable for both parties started with this date .The two Armies ,placed face to face on the two opposite shores of the rivers ,have ceased the fight ,to give themselves alltogether to the works of consolidation of the positions and building of the winter shelters .It was time.Towards the middle of January ,a terrible frost and a violent Crivat(Eastern winter wind) have interrupted whatever military action,causing ,especially to the Germans and the Turks ,imense losses."Only in one week-writes Falkenhayn-the casualties caused by the frost of the men -partially or totaly-climbed at more than a quarter of the total casualties ,which we had in dead ,wounded and prisoners ,in the whole course of the four months of campaign".

The War of position,with its bombardment and local actions ,is the only one which will dominate for half a year.


Accounting a campaign

The Campaign of 1916 was ended.It was not the ending expected at the beginning of the campaign .It was ,on the contrary,a sad ending,which tore with pain the hearts of Romanians .The proud Army,which ventured over the mountains with elan four months before ,to liberate the enslaved brothers ,has been forced to retreat with bowed head and with the bleeding heart ,burning the wealth of the country and abandoning the own country in the hands of the enemy.With all the tragic of the situation ,the Romanian soldier had the will of strength that,for the day of tommorow ,to leave his family and house ,leaving them on the hands of invasioneers and to take the road of retreat ,along the kingdom ,from Turnu Severin until Siret ,on bad and dug out roads ,in fight with hardships ,with the heavy of the winter and of the enemy,faithful to duty and flag.Thanks to him,has been saved all that was of need to the reconstruction of the New Army :recruits,woundeds,war material ,the locomotive park and of carriages and all that has been decided to be evacuated from Bucharest and from other cities,all that was needed to rebuild our military power ,which tomorrow will be called up again to fight ,for the honour and saving of the kingdoom.

It has remained behind ,in the abandoned country ,between the piles of ruins ,50 000 graves ,sign of the heroism and of the unfortunate events in which has made his duty the Romanian soldier!

There are no exat figures over the losses in dead and wounded of our Army in the 1916 Campaign.An officious publication indicates the approximative figures of 50 000 dead,and 80 000 wouded .For prisoners we have the official data published for the Central Office of Prisoners finding themselves at the Central Powers ,at 1st of February 1917.At this date there were as Romanian prisoners:

..............................Officers Soldiers

at Germans................ 202...........9955

at Austro-Hungarians...542.........37765

at Bulgarians........... 789.........27718

at Turks.................. ......3..........2909

Total officers, 1563 ........... soldiers 78 347

At this total must be added the prisoners in the camps and hospitals in the Romanian occupied territory and unevacuated yet.Between 1st of January and 21st of March 1917 there were -after official data of the Germans-31 842 Romanian soldiers ,separated in seven principal centrals and 33 secondary centrals .It is probable that some of these were also in the above figures .Total: 111 725 prisoners ,officers and soldiers .We are,as such,far from the fantastic figures served daily by the German communicates ,as advertising and intimidation[14].


[1]The German-Bulgarian troops have forced the Danube at Zimnicea ,at 10/23 of November 1916.

[2]French -Serb troops on Salonic Front have occupied Monastir at 19th of November 1916.

[3]Brand,mine thrower.

[4]H.A.Brialmont ,Belgian General,one of the supporter of the fortress ideea which"dominatest the war theatre",inspirer of the great buildings of fortresses in Belgia.

[5] Great fortresses in Belgium ,at which construction General H.A. Brialmont had a decissive contribution ,conquered by the Germans since 1914 campaign ,by using of Krupp cannons of great caliber-one of the German "surprises" in the War.

[6] Fortresses in France ,and from the Polish territories mastered by Austrians ,conquered by the Germans or Russians in the 1914-1915 campaigns.

[7] Pretaining Michael the Brave and the "Calugareni victory" in 13/23 1595

[8] "Romanians ...here..."

[9] In the great Battle of Waterloo,locality at South of Bruxelles ,since 18th of June 1815,between the French and an Army Anglo-Prusian -of the European Coalition anty-French-,Napoleon Bonaparte has been defeated decissive ,which trained the definitive losing of the Imperial French throne .The absence from the fighting field of the Army Corps Commanded by General Grouchy played a decissive role ,desastrous for Napoleon.

[10] Ourcq and Marna -important water courses in France of North-East which in August -September 1914 ,during the great German offensive on direction Paris ,played an important role in the French defence dispozitive in front of French capital city .Besides,here has been given the decissive Battle for Paris and France and also here ,after failure,Germans has started their great "War of illusions" ,which will end with the desastre in November 1918.

[11]The last fort of Liege has ceased the resistance in front of the Germans at 17th of August 1914.The Belgian Army retrenched at Antwerp(Anvers) ,of which siege has been executed by the Germans in 28th of September -9th of October 1914.The German troops entered Antwerp at 9th of October .The Battle at Namur -Charleroi -Dinant unfolded at 12-24th of August 1914 and has been lost by the French.

[12] Sterling(pound sterling) -national English currency.

[13] Romanian Maritime Service .

[14] Pretaining the losses suffered by Romanians.2003:CF:BF29:869F:A47A:A308:D7FD:64D5 (talk) 20:13, 25 June 2020 (UTC)from Constantin Kiritescu -Rasboiul Pentru Intregirea Romaniei 1916-1919-translated by Andrei Radu2003:CF:BF29:869F:A47A:A308:D7FD:64D5 (talk) 20:14, 25 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

The agony of a capital
The agony of a capital-1916


(lived scenes)

1.Romanian Capital During The War

In the heart of the country

The capitals of countries live with outstanding intensity the history of their country.All the fermentations ,all the missfortunes ,all the hopes echo in the tormented life of the Capital.Here ,they unleash with more strength;from here their echo ,is waved to all the countries of the World.The word Capital is the last word of the country(kingdoom):the country thinks ,feels and talks through her Capital.Without a doubt that"the country" has in the historical action the wide and deep part.The manifestations of the Capital appear however in the first line;they are ,maybe,more superficial,more exalted ,but more characteristic ,more impressive.The first action,the Capital will feel the first the effects of this action.She will get drunk more than the rest of the country with the joy of successes;she will drink to the end the glass of biterness.

Bucharest(or Bucharests) did not make an exception from the general rule;they have lived more lively than the rest of the kingdoom all the phases of our War.The shivering waiting of "the moment" decissive,fierce and full of phatos fights amongst the oppsite currents(political),the enthusiasm unleashed by the news of the grave decission of general mobilization of the Army ,the joy without borders of the first victories then, all of a sudden ,the brutal awakening ,made by the unfinishing defeats .

...the calvary of three months of sufferings ,with which the Bucharest had to be sentenced for the few days of joy and victories !Sad days of autumn ,spend in the awaiting ,full of concerns ,of the news which hurried to arrive us ,one worst than the other and with the threat of death ,hanged day and night over our heads .No other city went so suddenly from the most beautiful dream to the most terrifying awakening.


Aspects from the war life of the Capital

The War Declaration was not known by the masses of population but only in the morning of 28th of August,the second day after the historical Crown Council -in the eve has been known only the declaring of the state of siege and the mobilisation of the Army.Even from the first moments has been manifested one of the characteristics of the spirit of the population of the Capital: the ease of seing/doing things and lack of critical spirit.The War was taken with ease by population.The cheap success of the 1913 campaign(in Bulgaria) has dizzied the heads of the crowds ,without serious knowledge and not used with the objective judging of events.A superficial press has contributed at this easy mentality.We underestimated the enemy ,we dispise and riduculized especially the Bulgarians and exalted ourselves in own virtues;"We only had to show up to win".If it will not go on exactly as it did in 1913 ,it would not be to much of a difference.Especially that we had also strong allies.And the holly"protection" the goddess of Romanian ,she will show her blessing here as well .That is why ,it has only been read the first communicate ,which announced the War Declaration and,on Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest) and in the places frequented in the center ,folks "well informed" new that Brasov and Sibiu have been alredy occupied over night,and our Army is on the road to Budapest!The sceptics were apostrofated with severity;the epithet of "Germanofil" was throwed in their face as supreme insult.The fabricant of untruthfull lies -an industry which wil prosper during the War ,feeding from the missfortunes of the kingdoom.-was on the market.Anyway,the general mood was in the first days enthusiastic and optimist ,as it should be.The official communicates were considered as being reserved,from prudence ;our victories had to be even bigger.The unsignifiant resistance of the Austrian-Hingarians forecasted a short and easy campaign .The first lists of dead and wounded ,published in the fourth day of the War ,surprised us,in some way.We knew nothing about the War!

Like a lightning fell from out of a blue sky,came the news of Turtucaia .Few initiated,with connections in the high military circles ,knew the gravity of the situation there and were waiting the result with unrest .The great mass ,fed only with the sobre and voalated literature of the communicates ,supported also by her deep optimism ,was preocupated but to no extent alarmed.So the greater was the news of the catastrophe.It was agravated by the proximity of the danger.In the days of tuesday and wednesday ,5th and 6th of September ,fatal days,the bucharesters have been witnesses to unusual scenes ,clues for grave things.It could be saw the police and military patrols requisiting particular automobiles from the streets and sending them outside the city for the quick transport of the troops to the danger spot.They have also seen ,the bucharesters,the convoys of sanitary automobiles passing in clouds of dust ,to the roads going South.But they have seen ,especially ,in the morning of 7th of September ,the crowd of wounded and of run away,escaped with whatever they had on them,arriving in Obor train station ,brought with the train from Oltenita ,storying in a terrified way the dezastre of Turtucaia and the bombarding of Oltenita.It was the first direct contact with defeat.The grief and shame were complicated with the fear of an attack of the enemy over the Capital.The ideea seemed very natural:Oltenita was at 38 Miles from Bucharest.The fearful ones have invented a declaration of Mackensen :"If Romania enters the War ,in three days they will cross the Danube on a bridge of Romanian dead bodies!".Fortunately ,on Calea Victoriei the fabrication of false news was working under great pressure.The last news was that Turtucaia has been reconquered and the Romanians have made with this occasion 10 000 Bulgarian prisoners.The news was presented as carrying the the mark of origin of British and Russian legations.Congratulations,huggings ,rasing of glasses ;Bucharest was living the life of War.


Same thing repeated after every defeat.Brasov,Constanta ,Craiova ,fall one after the other in the hand of the enemy ,have been reconquered the next day on the Front of Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest) ,in the trenches of "Cooperativa" beverage place,in the bridgehead of Capsa Restaurant .The high strategy was conducted in the different clubs and establishments of "drinking" by a mixed crowd civilo-military,with grave airs and misterious ,of men well informed.Sometimes ,even the authorities gave the example of the most amazing ease.The next day after the occupation of Craiova out of the initiative of the aid of the Mayor of the Capital ,has been spread the false news of a great Romanian victory between Jiu and Olt River,with 25 000 prisoners ,Germans etc.The spreading of the news has been methodically organized ,by handing out posters by the agents of public force.It has been requested and executed the paving of the shops and public edifices.The enthusiasm of the population was delirant.Soon ,they saw it has been a misslead,started from a man turmoiled by the war nevroze.The authors of the joke have been arrested ,trialed and easy sentenced to different punishments ,and the public spirit remained more shaken than before.

Two categories of men ,made the wonder of the public.It was first the great crowd of the militars which were necessary for the services said"behind the Front line".It is a species well known in every country ,to which however the circumstances ,social,of our country ,have created an enviroment good for multiplying :the French named them "embusques",the Romanians have localized the word by "twisters".


Running for places away from danger was a sign of moral weakness .Ministers,Generals and any officer which had some Commandment ,were assaulted by those requesting jobs in auxiliary services the most humble ones,or by their protectors or her protectors.The censure of the press and of the private correspondence has proved a wonderful institution ,if not for goals of national defence ,but of course for sheltering of numerous braves during the neutrality.The military technical terms as a sedentary part and mobilization ,have entered in the current vocabulary ,with all together special meanings.

There was then much bigger crowd of eldery people for carrying a weapon and which,instead of being someplace ,on the Front ,were swarming on the streets.As the villages were emptied by all the man ,without the very old ones and the children ,Bucharest were full of the mass of those hidden -under all kinds of pretextes -from duty;a penible icon of inequality in front of the law.The authorities ,military and police have been forced,under the pressure of the revolt of public opinion ,to enterprize real lookouts,closing down streets to question everybody of their occupation.

A new species which fulfilled during the neutrality a period of prudent gestation ,evolves now in full power of life through the offices of military authorities :is the bussiness man ,trader or intermediary ,which offers his merchendise or services.Is the beneficiary of wars, the tomorrow rich.

Next to the crowd of easy people ,talkers ,twisters of all kind and of the bussiness men,there were also the other people of Bucharest ,less noisy,more discrete ,but more worthy of interest and simpathy.There were the Bucharests of those 30 000 soldiers ,which have left to faten with their warm blood and with their young bodies the field of Brasov ,the valleys of Bucegi and the marshes of Neajlov and of Arges .There were their families ,which were waiting with trembling heart the news from the Front:parents,wives and children which were crying and hopping ;there were the women who have left the pleasures of a comfortable life to devote themselves to tending for the wounded which were filling more and more the numerous hospitals ;there were the intelectuals ,of which soul cords vibrate more painfuly under the blows of the faith.


Slowly and slowly the easy enthusiasm of the first days quiets down.Serious preocupation take its place.The follow ups of the War start to show in every day life of the citizens ;they manifest in all kinds of deprivations.A long row of ordonances(laws)of the authorities tries to make the education of a public unprepared enaugh spiritualy for sacrifices.The public clubs ,especially the cofee shops ,the centrals of fabrication of the false news ,are closed down.There are also closed shows and drinking places,out of a sentiment of elementary honesty;it is forbidden the debitation of drinks.The means of transport become more tighten.The provisioning is made with difficulty,because of the use of railways in military purposes.The days of ,without meat,are multiplyed more and more;the population begins to know the bitterness of long waitings in front of the bread shops.It is added the ungeniune of some traders ,which hide and speculate the merchendize.The authorities ,surprised by the new and difficult situation ,lose many times its head.There are taken contradictory measures ;there are given orders and counterorders which do not ease the pains,but increase the nervosity and feed the untrust.In the same time ,the news from the fighting Front start to produce desillusions and fears ,and the danger of own life comes over the joy of other times,to the Capital.


The nights of Bucharests.

The zeppelins attacks [1]

The enemy wanted to neat the contrasts of the spiritual life in Bucharest and to dive all its inhabitants under the burden of the same preocupations,surrounding the temple of the city with the crown of martyr.In the warior conception of the German ,the War was not waged only against the armies.The civilian population which remained behind ,at home ,had to be intimidated ,terrorized ;her tortures had to influence the moral of the fighters on the Front.Out of this barbarian conception /ideea has streamed the ideea of bombarding the cities in the interior of the kingdoom.The Capital of Romania had the honour to be the most crule attacked .In this way,the War against Romania was not only on the Front ;but also felt by the ones at home.The inhabitants of the Capital have carried the life of War with all its sufferings and dangers.

Before our entering in the action the Germans ,for the event of a War ,have send in Bulgaria some of their zeppelins and an escadril(squadron) of aeroplanes.It has been organized at Razgrad ,at South of Rusciuk and Turtucaia ,an important central of aviation and aerostation,destined to serve the operations against Romania.Even in the first night after the War Declaration ,28-29th of August ,zeppelin No.101 made us the first visit;it has been received with outstanding honours ,in the pieces of light of the projectors and in the bombardment of the cannons of anty-aerian defence and of the machinegun post ,installed on high edifices of the Capital.The show ,entirely new for Bucharet people ,imposed to the eye sight and to the hearing as well ;it gave the impression of a well organized guard .The circumstance that in this first visit ,the damages material and in human lives have been as null,made us to not take too in tragic the night attacks.


For a few days even,we cradle with the faith ,trumpeted by police and military authorities ,that the zeppelin has been taken down.The awakening has been unpleasant.Zeppelin no.86 came in the night of 3-4th of September ,traversing Bucharest a ong an aproximative line:Calea Dorobantilor -Ateneu -Royal Pallace -Cismigiu Park-Dimbovitei Pier;in its way ,it throwed bombs which provoked human victims and grave destructions.The Anty -Aerian defence has been very active .The zeppelin has been touched by sharapnels of our cannons and escaped with great difficulty over the Danube ,after throwing over bord many pieces of its machinery ,which have been found on the road towards Alexandria.It has been taken out of service and replaced with another aeronave.

The log of an officer aboard the Zeppelin crew no.86 gives a interesting description of the attack over Bucharests,in the night of 3-4th of September ."...At right side and left side of the aerian craft appear reflectors which reach their huge arms towards the sky.There can be numbered a whole dozen of them ,and the number is increasing.They sweep fast the sky,looking in all parts .Soon they wil embrace us .A live light comes over the middle of the aeronave(craft).Like dogs they jump in the same moment ,all the projectors in the same direction and stop over our craft.Now they are all over the Zeppelin.In the gondole,all glance for a moment ,blinded to the Earth.The projectors do not let us go for one moment .Like at a command ,enters the Anty-Aerian Artillery in action.Closer and closer appear the white small clouds of shrapnels which explode.The spins of the propellers are dominated by the sound of the cannons which follow fast-To the right full!-Obedient the ship dissappears in the darkness of the night .The huge arms of the projectors drift sideways,-Throw!.One after the other fall the bombs -Explosive bomb,incendiary bomb!.A powerful pressure of the air takes up and then descends the aeronave ;everybody hangs tight.-It was a nice explossion down there !.With madness fire the cannons of AA defence .With a powerless haste ,run the projectors over the sky.It is an overwhelming spectacle ,which remains deep in the memeory printed.The nerves of the crew are extremely tensed...Slow,but with a sinister constantcy ,the barograph writes a descendent curve on tha patient paper.The aeronave has fallen...minutes with...meters.There is no doubt ,we have been hit.No wonder,at the crazy cannonade of the Romanians.And truly ,when blew up in pieces the windows of the gondole ,the small clouds of the shrapnels were exactly near the baloon of the craft .Ofcourse some bullets of shrapnels have pierced through the cells.There was no time for doubts.Every minute lost ,meant as many cubic meters of gas lost .Ahead of us was the Danube.It could be seen the wide and lightened draw of her .On the other side of the river was the friendly country.Zeppelin No.181* will not fall under any circumstance in the hand of the enemy; that is sure thing.If we manage to repair the damage in time,to patch the broken cells ,then we reach home .If wee succeed only partialy then we land where it woild be possible.If we do not succeed ,then...We don't even want to think about this possibility .The thoughts are storming through the brain.We must work fast;we are still over the enemy country .The Commander orders to search the craft with light.We don't have to search much.Even over the first gondole are two touched cells...After some time ,the engineer announces when we cross over Danube : Cells X and Y are in several places patched .Leak of gas at other cells ,which cannot be found.We must expect the complete empty-ing of cells a,b...The Commander looks full of concern to the map .Under us shine the waves of the Danube.Unforgiving,the barograph draws the descendent curve .-Engine B.B. to be taken down and throwed over bord!sounds the order of the Commander .The machinist begins to disasemble the engine fast.With heavy heart he throws over bord ,piece by piece the pretious engine.All other dispensable objects follows the road of the engine in Commander's order.For one moment seems that the aeronave can keep up the determined elevation and we coul arrive in our country.Again shows the barograph a slight decrease .Few big canisters with petrol ,the last ballast on bord are throwed away.The wireless telegraphy asks for help .Through the big telescope I see in the night a city of medium size ,a railway .a train station.It is Y city we have escaped".

. The nocturnal attacks of Zeppelins 101,81 and 97 repeated ,sometimes two three nights in a row.They have not produced to many victims or damages ;they however kept the population in a continuous nerve strain .

The nights of Bucharests became a nightmare.The gas-lamps on the streets were out ;here and there just one light turned up,but in which the light was stopped by glass painted in blue in its upper part.In the nights without Moon ,was completely dark.But in the houses with windows covered in blue paper ,did not escape one wire of light.A fear almost sick ,made everybody to watch the executing of the ordonances of the police ,which stopped any filtering of light,outside.The band of volunteer watch men terrorized the people.Smass scouts were implacable executioners.At once,in the power of the night ,the big bell of Mitropoliei(church) gives the alarm with its sinister toll.The bells of the other churches and the whistling of the guardists followed it,helding the chorus.Dizzied by the sudden awakening from their sleep ,people were running in cellars,dragging scared children.Outside the fairy of the projectors was beginning,accompanied by the infernal music of the cannonade.The ear followed one by one the deaf explosions of the cannons ,the rithmic and precipitated clikings of machineguns ,the irregulated unloadings of the rifles salves.From time to time ,the heart was aking ,the breathing was stopping ;a more powerful bang ,a longer one ,with iron sound of falling metal.The bombs throwed from above were exploding somewhere ,close by,destroying the own ,gathered with hard work ,leaving behind dead bodies and crippled.In the dizzing heights in which floated ,the aerian pirate ,once the deed done,was going away conquerour ,dragging after ,like tails of comet the light draws of the projectors which died out one by one ,powerless.The long scream of the siren of the Arsenal was announcing the end of the tragedy for the night.Taken to the bones with cold ,with the children half asleep ,embraced by a nervous trembling ,people were getting out of the hiding places with a relief moan and climbed in their rooms to sleep ,whenever they could,a tormented sleep,haunted by bad dreams.

Changed number of the zeppelinby the author of the German publication in the interest of secrecy of operation. The aerian attack of 12/25 of September

Almost a month now since the War has broke out,the enemy only attacked with zeppelins by night.The day of 12/25 of September has been one of the most tragic days lived by Bucharest ,or any other capital.It was the beginning of a new series of abominable murders ;the attacks of the aeroplans over the population of an open city .A squadron of five aeroplanes ,Germans,type Taube ,passed over the Capital ,projecting on the blue sky of a splendide autumn afternoon the graceful siloueths of five white pigeons.But the birds with an unguilty air were carrying in their infernal bellies the messages of death .Thirty bombs ,six each aeroplane ,have been throw in less than five minutes .And it has been enaugh ,for that pain and death to spread over the curious city ,which went out on the streets to admire the spectacle alltogether new of the flight of aeroplanes between the white small clouds of the shrapnels..The crowd ,curious and imprudent ,was gazing ,gathered in big groups in the squares and on the streets.The bombs made a real masacre.485 dead and more than 1000 wounded -many have died latter - is the sinister counting of this tragic day.Like in a big battle.And the victims were not soldiers ,fell with the weapon in hand.No.There were the inhabitants murdered on the streets as they walked to their daily activities ;there were children surprised in their peaceful games and crippled in a terrifying way ;there were sick and wounded assasinated in their beds of suffering in the hospitals defended with the holly sign of the Red Cross*.The Capital had in the afternoon of 25th of September the aspect of a city which went through a big catastrophe.In Piata Mare ,at the junction of Calea Calarasilor with SF.Ioan Nou Street ,in Maria Boulevard in front of Brincovenesc Hospital ,in Covaci Street ,at the junction of Elisabeta Boulevard with Calea Plevnei ,the spectacle is heartbreaking.The street is covered with dead bodies and with wounded which are moaning .An eye witness has ,in Piata Mare,the impression of flies dead on the insect paper from a plate.The hospitals and morgue do not have enaugh room for so many dead bodies and of the dyings ,which overloaded trucks are bringing them in continuously.It is the most hideous manifestation of an ideea ,savage,about war.The most beautiful conquerings of human intelect change face and deform after the heads through which they reflect.The wonderful invention of the American Wright and of the French Voisin and Bleriot [2] have transformed ,in the hands of the Germans,from a pretious auxilliary of the civilization in a hideous tool of murder.The Germans were giving to the War a savage form ,worthy of the primitive times of humans and their "mates" they choose to assist and aplaude them.

Among the victims has been also Romano painter,one of the most beautiful hopes of Romanian art.

(The gigant German airplane D.L.R. 70 captured by Romanian Army at Cristinesti in the autumn of 1919)


(propellers of D.L.R. 70)

Through murder and terror

The attacks of the aeroplanes over the Capital have continued with regularity,alternating with the nocturnal attacks of the zeppelins,however,unfortunately ,with stronger and more sad effects.None of the capitals of the Entente did not have to suffer what was given to the Capital of Romania .In the bloodiest day of aerian bombardment ,London numbered almost 70 dead.

Bucharest were not defended properly.The defence with artillery was not effective to touch and take down the aeroplanes at the height they were planing ,and the fighting aeroplanes we did not have at all.We were at the absolute discretion of the enemy ,who attacked us whenever he wanted ;one day they came over Bucharest seven times !There were no days of peace ,but only when the planes for bombardment were used somewhere else,on the fighting Front.It is true ,that the victims have not been so numerous as in the fatal day of 25th of September .Trained by painful experience ,the inhabitants of the city became prudent and,at the signall of alarm ,they were hiding through cellars ,undergrounds of houses ,gangs and other sheltered places.The enemy aeroplanes have started to visit especially the poor neighbourhoods and the surroundings of the Capital.Through these poor neighbourhoods the enemy aeroplanes were destroying especially poor small houses ,surprising and slaughtering missfortuned women which were waiting for hours in front of the small bread fabric shops,or wood shops ,in unsheltered places ,or children.In the surroundings of Bucharest they were throwing bombs over the trains and installations of railways ,but they did not hesitate to descend and fire the machingun over the men working in the fields ,and over the walkers on roads.In one day they have throwed 70 bombs over the Castle at Buftea in which they new is a sad Queen by the missfortunes of her people ,but also a mother which was crying her baby, dead few days before.The hideous murders were after,ofcourse ,more psichological goals than strategic ones.They were meant to drive people crazy with fear ,to disorganize life ,weaken the resistance and produce a depression in the spirits ,to influence over the warior dispozition of the Romanian Army and of the political leaders.No means was too low for the Germans,to reach this target.The discoveries made in the day of 4th of October in the yard of German Legation prove a lack of scrupules extraordinary in their methods of fight.A raid of the Police Prefect and Andreews,the Secretary of the American Legation -which took the responsibility of the guard of the German Legation -gave terrible results.There were found a great number of boxes with TNT and ampoules with bacteria growings of morva and dalacu.The boxes were carrying the adresses of the military attaces of Germany and Bulgaria ,Colonels von Hammerstein and Samargiev,and has been expediated ,through diplomatic way,by the German Consulate from Brasov.After the declarations of the service men from the german Legation,the boxes have been brought from Brasov in the eve of general mobilization of our Army and deposited in the basement of the legation.In the eve of the day of leaving of the personell of the legation ,they have been buried in the yard ,from the order of the Conceler of the Legation ,Rheinbaben and in the presence of the Chancelar of the Legation,Kruger.The criminal intentions followed by the German diplomatic personell were obvious ;only the premature outbreak of the War obstacled their acomplisment.


Agony days

The one hundred days of the War in the autumn of 1916 were,in this way,for the inhabitants of the Capital ,turmoiled days and bitter ones.On one hand ,day and night ,the danger of death was hanging over heads,tormenting the soul and tiring the body.On the other hand the news ,which were coming from the fighting Fronts ,were worse and worse.The daily communicates were waited with aprehension ,but also with fear.They were of an exasperant sobriety,not only when they had to announce defeats but also when they could celebrate successes to high up the moral.When on the fighting Fronts were given the great battles which had to decide the fate of the War ,the communicate announced:"Small harassments".What the communicates did not want to share with the public was carried by whisper and immagination.And these were working ,ofcourse with natural exagerations :it could be read through the rows more than it was in reality.The untrust in successes was nested in the souls of people ; any new news could not be but bringer of missfortunes .There were gone the beautiful days of the enthusiasm ;the illisions of victory flew away;it perished the optimism ,clear ,and the easy dispozition of the spirits.The incorigible optimism ,which saw only successes and had not enaugh words of despise for the adversary ,was gone;it took the place the pesimism,which did not believe anymore not even in the reality of our small successes.Maybe ,the gentlemen with sepulcral face ,which wave his head in disbelief and mumbles when it is demonstrated to him that the situation is not disperate,is not the same one which in the first day of the War was calling "Germanofil" those who questioned his afirmation ,that two hours after the War Declaration ,our troops in a very fast flight ,have occupied Sibiu and Brasov? The most boiled up carriers of the War during the time of neutrality were now the most cruel enemies of the government and of the Allies "which threw us in War",the most acerb critics of the military operations .Obviously we were not prepared for this kind of trials.

The government sees himself forced at 15th of October to publish through the news papers a communicate ,pointing the finger to "spreaders of bad news and the interpreters badly intended of the measures taken in any country during War time",explaining that there is no reason for concern ,because the fights are carried outside the borders and the bravery of our troops is the complete guarantee that the defending mountain will not be crossed by the enemy.

........


Still,the panic cannot be overcome.The ones propagating it are even the ones which would have to give the proof of cold blood.Because the automobiles running towards the train station ,and the trucks which pass by loaded on the driveway are not taking to Moldavia,towards Russia ,until Caucaz ,the men with official situations and social, of the highest ,families ,the luggage and their ownings?Constanta was not fallen yet,the barrier of Carpathian Mountains was resisting vigorous ,and still there was some kind of "escapes who can" ,general.The first friend or aquaintance with which you were making a conversation ,had on his lips the question:"When do you leave?".

The Russian rubla went up in one week from 2,48 as has been officialy ,to 2,80 and still there were no rubles (Russian currency) to be found ,being taken over by those ensuring funds for the crossing in Russia.A sudden change has produced in the public opinion.The factory of false news has transformed its fabrications.The imagined victories were articles with no room on the market anymore.The gentleman "well informed" was taking you now misteriously to a sheltered spot and whispered you only bad news ,and interpreations very pesimistic.The official encouragements sounded false;they were contradicted by the attitude and measures taken by civil officialities and military ones were taking,in the eyes of everyone ,to put to safe place their families and wealth.Also the press had very small echo which,under a rigurous censure ,must give up to usual polemics and forced herself to follow in a good way ,the line of conduct imposed by government and by the circumstances :rising up the moral of a sad and depressed population.As our soldiers were held in the trenches ,the guard of the borders ,it was a duty of the foreheads of our civilian life and intelectual one to be,in their turn ,the guardians of consciences.In this patriotic masterpiece has taken place in the first row the personal paper of Nicolae Iorga ,in which the enlighted blankets of people were finding the rising advices of manhood,streamed from the most solid ideeas and expressed in accents of warm and communication.At 15th of October has been brought to the eternity place Nicolae Filipescu .He has fallen as a soldeir in the turmoil of the battle taken down,if not -physicaly -by bullet ,but by bleeding wound ,made to its proud soul and flamed,by the catastrophe of his country.In these sad circumstances the death of the vigorous fighter ,the most passionate of our War carrier,had something of a symbol...

The quiet city ,sad,seemed dived in the spasms of a painful agony :Bucharests were prepared for the most sad perspectives.


2.Occupying Bucharests

Running towards Moldavia

The unfinishing defeats on the fighting Fronts made,step by step,their effect over the state of mind of the inhabitants of Bucharest:people started to get used with the ideea of an enemy occupation.Rejected in the beginning as absurde ,crazy,the seed caught in to the soul ,started to grow ,like a bad weed,fed by the news of missfortunes and catastrophes which were following one after the other .Soon,she could not be taken out of the ground.In vain were the encouragments of the official communicates ,in vain the calculus made by the optimists ,or the appeals or argumentations in the news papers ,or even the trials of autosugestion ;the sinister ideea caught roots and all new deeds came to strengthen it.The retreat of our Armies on the Carpathian line announced it as possible ;the breakthrough of the Front and the invasion in Oltenia made it probable ;crossing of Danube River at Zimnicea made it almost inevitable ,From now on,for people of Bucharest ,the fate was known ;the newspaper of 27th of August a,fell bad.The inhabitants had to prepare themselves for the supreme humiliation.Even from old times,when the waves of the invasioneers struck with fury the wall of Carpathian Mountains ,the authorities started to take,in silence,measures of precaution.It was the sign that a foreign occupation entered in the calculus of probabilities .First,it has been send to Moldavia the sedentary parts of the Regiments and contingents untrained.It had to be put to safety the military reserves .Then,as the danger increased,started the evacuation of the Thesaurus of the Romanian State,of the House of Deposits ,of banks[3].Soon after,the archives of the authorities ,the most pretious objects and art collections from state museums and of the particulars have taken the road of the old Capital ,in Moldvia(Iasi).The sense of these precautonary measures could not escape to the individual (public).The panic descended in to the soul.Running to Moldavia became the preocupation of the crowds;differend considerations determined the runners to do it.There were firstly the consecvents:political people which wanted ,asked for ,and prepared the War;they had a duty to follow the King and the Flag of the nation ,to ensure the existence of the state and of its efforts to continue the War till the end of our powers.It was ,at others the fear of exceses.There were known the attrocities commited at the occupation of Belgium and of North-Eastern France ,the deportations ,plunderings ,vexations of all kind commited in the occupied territory of the West.The horrors of the aeroplanes attacks,the sinister discoveries made in the yard of the German Legation of Bucharest,undoubtfuly they could not change for the better the ideea which dominated the public opinion about the barbarian face with which the Germans understand to treat the enemy populations.


The possibility which became more and more probability ,that the ocupants will have at their side their allies ,the Bulgarians and the Turks ,filled everybody with terror.The popular immagination was rambling frightened ,without any stop ,through the row of all possible cruelties :masacres ,violations ,mutilations.A popular belief was that the enemy cuts the hands of the boys ,to stop them from becoming soldiers!The whole bloody tradition of past generations appeared now,unconsciously in the souls of the followers.The most optimist and with cold judgement rejected the ideea of atrocities or of organized crimes .They could not side ,however,the one of individual excesses,the one of retaliations ,political-arrestations,deportations -and especially the one of general suffering ,provoked by the rationalization of the daily means of living.The spectre of hunger accompanied the enemy armies in their advancement towards the Capital .Under these impressions ,the people of Bucharest started to leave the city,to find refuge in Moldavia.Happy those who could find relatives or friends who could receive them with open arms .The others had to look and find hard with money the small rooms which started to become more rare.The houses and the untransportable wealth was left in the guard of some relative ,or trustworthy servant :when this one was German women ,there was an inssurance that the house will be ok;many of them have stolen the house in complicity with the German occupationeers ,their conationals.The biggest difficulty was reaching to Moldavia.The trains were more and more not big enaugh for the mass of refugees.The train places were obtained in Gara de Nord(Northern Train Station,main train station of Bucharest) with unsaid difficulty.The privilegiats had them from time,by the protection of military authorities ;the curageous ones conquered them getting out few miles in front of the train and jumping in the carriage in the triaj station or on the road between this one and the train station.When the train was brought in to the train station ,it was already filled up ,and the ones waiting for it had to start the whole thing the next day.And there were women ,children ,old men ,sick people.The most lucky were those who could snik in convoys of the authorities which were evacuating ,or those who had a carriage or an automobile .Many times trains destined to evacuate an institution were taken by personalities ,for self interest.


The ones that stayed

In awaiting the difficult hours ,the Capital was emptying herself slowly.The great mass has remained however,the ones without means and without possibilities ,the ones without recomendations and without automobiles.It have remained the ones who accepted the situation,the courageous ones ,those connected too strong to their homes ,by their families ,those who prefered the dangers of enemy occupation than wandering in foreign lands,those who wanted to die on their place than on the ditches of roads.

Also it have remained the clerks ,those left by special orders,as those which not being under the flag or with special tasks ,thought it is their duty to stay ,to try to ensure -with all the risks -the continuation of functioning of Romanian institutions.

But, has also remained a handful of people which had nothing to be afraid of the enemy ,because this catastrophe ,national,gave them staisfaction of fulfilling at least of one well thought foresight ,if not of some hidden wishes.It have remained the foreigners ;all the Jewish people of the Capital.A calculus made in the first days of the occupation showed that the ones that left the Capital -without the militars -were not over 10 % of the population of the Capital;the rest ,the great mass ,has remained ,waiting with aking heart the fatal watch.And this one was closing in fast.


Leaving of the authorities

In the morning of 25th of November a precipitated agitation dominated all the cancelaries of the great authorities of the Capital.The ministries have been announced that the government moves to Iasi.Together with it had to leave ,in the evening of the same day ,or the next day-with special trains -a part of the high clerks ,together with some inferior clerks ,for services.It was the inevitable following of the events on the Front :the retreat of the I-st Army on the Eastern shore of Olt River and crossing of Mackensen at Zimnicea ,behind the defence line of Olt .All the clerks ,those that were leaving,and those who had to stay ,to ensure the continuation of public services ,under enemy occupation ,have received the wages for three months in advance ;the beautiful aspect of the new money packages received by everyone could not away the general sadness.All day the ministries have been the theatres of ferocious fights .It is given the fight for getting on the list of those happy chosen .The ministers were assaulted ,implored.How is it possible to be left him behind ,just him?All the motives which could move the hearts of the ministers were invoked.Somone,was known to the Germans as pro Entente-ist;somone wrote once an article or kept a lecture against the Germans ;another one was originary from Ardeal and looked up by the Hungarians;the other one was known as anty semit and wrote down by the Jews on a black list.There were then "the indispensable" without whom it was not conceived that the services might work.There were ,then,those which have sacrificed their peace of nerves and health bringing,from the beginning of the War ,very pretious services to national defence on the Front ,full of dangers ,of the censure services ,of statistic ,at provissionings!

Through cancelaries and holl ways of ministries there were crossing paths the radiant and important figures of the chosen ones ,which were whispering to the ear the final dispozitions ,with those desperate , the abandoned ones ,arounded by the first category.At some authorities,the leaders ,in haste and enervation of the preparatives ,have neglected or forgot to news the clerks by the painful necessity of separation and to encourage the ones left behind.That is why,the leaving of the authorities gave sometimes the impression of unjust by the running away of some privilegiat minority with the abandoning of the sacrificed majority .The ministries have remained under the leadership of some general secretaries ,assigned from the "uncompromised" persons face to the enemy,or even from the ones simpathetic to this one.The government have stayed during the following week ,26th of November -2nd of December ,waiting the unfolding of the military events .A great hope was filling the hearts of those initiated :it was prepared the Battle on Arges.


The week of convoys

The last week of the free Capital was among the hardest.It has been the week of convoys.Long rows ,unfinishing,of vehicles ,rove through the streets of Bucharest .They were very different as form,load,and with special destinations.There were first the carriages of those last run aways of the Capital.The trains were not available for the public anymore;they were serving only the authorities now ,evacuating,to the Army and few privileged ones .Everyone was running whith whatever available .On the streets going to the North and North-East were passing trucks ,luxury automobiles ,carriages ,waggons ,carrying the late ones ,in a haste to escape as soon as possible from the ship starting to take water .Groups of walking men ,with the bag in the back ,were mixing amongst the waggons stepping determined towards the barriers of the city.The spirits of their ancestors were reincarnating in their souls.Here and there the roads were interrupted by long convoys.Hundreds of easy waggons ,covered with sheet,and pulled by two horses ,forming up the trains and the military columns of the fighting formations ,were going in unfinishing rows ,making noise against the pavement of the streets.The people of Bucharest will never forget these convoys ,of which appearance on the streets of the city was always connected by the moving of the troops for a the trial of a blow,or was caused by a defeat.They saw them in haste walking after the desastre of Turtucaia ;they saw them around the failed trial of Flaminda and now they were crossing in different dirctions ,going through the streets of the Capital ,with unknown destinations to the public.For the first time,however ,there were now other convoys as well .There were the long convoys of waggons which were bringing ,this time ,from West ,the inhabitants of our villages in Teleorman County and Vlasca County ,because of the invasion.It is painful the story of the poor inhabitants of the lands haunted by War.The men and young men are gone to the Army.In the poor farms,old men women and children gather with concern and look ,not understanding, at the run away soldiers which come through their village ,to the wounded with waxed faces ,as the ear cathches more clear the sound of the closing in cannon.And one day,the geandarms arrive like a storm and order the whole village to load up their waggons ,to leave their houses and take the road in to unknown,the road of missfortune ,on which entire generations of ancestors have left trails of blood.And now,as behind them,away ,houses and farms collapse under the weight of the cannon shot ,friendly or unfriendly ,and red toungues reden the sky ,here they are,roving through the streets of Bucharest.Passes ,waggon after waggon .Next to the oxes an old man or a young lad.In the waggon ,on the pile of corn leaves -the "zestrea"(box with the wedding gift) of the girls .Over it ,small children next to their mother.Towed behind the waggons are the animals from the farm..etc.At the edge of the city the convoys stop,they build a fire ,gather around the fires with sad faces which have accepted the fate ,waiting in silence.What?They don't know.Maybe God?


The remaining days

The news coming from the field of battle were few ;the official communicates ,laconic .There was no doubt the situation was getting worse with every passing day.Cimpulung,Curtea de Arges ,Pitesti ,Slatina ,Alexandria in the hands of the enemy .Violent fights at Golesti ,towards Gaiesti ,on Vedea ,on Glavacioc ,on Neajlov .The fire and metal circle of the enemy was getting tighter around Bucharest.Friday ,1st of December ,for the first time ,the cannon could be heard very clearly ,in deaf booms ,sometimes many ,repeated ,othertimes at bigger intervals.The cannonade held till afternoon .No doubt there could be.There are the cannons from the fighting Front .The battle was then at the gates of the Capital .And ,for real ,it was the first day of Arges Battle;it was the hour of our first success.The second day,Saturday ,the noise could be heard much weaker.Our imagination established imediately optimist corelations:the enemy has been defeated and repelled,the fight was going further than yesterday.The apparition of small groups of prisoners seemed to bring a confirmation :there were groups of some 30-40 individuals,very mixed ,German Cavalry men with proud uniform ,Turkish in rags ,Bulgarians with eyes of vengence.Towards evening ,the news of a great victory ,carried by few initiated,did not manage to rise up to much the moral to the ones which became now sceptics in the wake of the abuse of news of imagined victories.


The enervation of the population was increasing more and more.The authorities are not working any more.The clerks are running towards Moldavia,as soon as they have what with.Aliments almost are not to be found anymore.Of the fraid of tommorow day ,or for speculation,the merchandisers are hiding the stuff.The military Governor of Bucharest posters the proclamation by which threatenes the traders which sell with bigger price than the maximal one ,or the ones who hide the goods ,with "an exemplary public correction".

The day of 3rd of December ,the fatal day of the end of Arges Battle ,will remain forever in the memory of people of Bucharest.Early in the morning ,the cannonade started again and increased more and more with strength.At about 11 ,before noon,the cannon was thundering with fury.There was not the one from Friday.Many times there could be not made a distinction between cannon 's salves;there was a continuous deafening noise ,which was increasing with so much violence ,that the windows's glass was vibrating.On the sidewalks of the streets ,people stopped ,changed impressions and getting further away one from another ,nodding with their heads.By intuition ,the minds of some was catching the cruel truth :it is the heavy German artillery.Our poor soldiers!And the cannonade was following unceasingly ,unmerciful,until towards the evening...Far,towards West ,from the marshes of Neajlov until the fords of Arges ,the heavy cannons of Falkenhayn Divisions ,fell unexpectedly behind our Army of Attack ,caught in the fight with the Army of Mackensen ,were turning in the favour of the enemy the fate of the battle,which smiled to us till then and was seeding death in the ranks of our troops,tired and halfed.In the city no one knows the adventures of the drama unfolding at 12 Miles away ;inconsciously though ,people realized that there is decided the fate of the Capital.


In the afternoon of the missfortuned day ,a ray of light seemed to clear the souls .A long convoy of prisoners ,Germans-almost 2000 men ,were defilating on Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest),in rows of four ,between the bayonets of our militia (police) .They were the prisoners from Balaria ,Stilpu and Iepuresti ,the trophees of the brave General Scarisoreanu Division .Unforgetable spectacle!The proud and undefeated enemy has been,as such,beaten ,by ours;the long convoy of apprehendeds was the material proof of victory of ours.Soon then,the papers did not brought the official communicate with the confirmation of the victory reputed against a "Turkish Division" and over the bulk of the "Army of the enemy".The hope was reborn in the souls ,but for a short duration.The convoys of the prisoners did not yet reach the barrier of the city ,when a manifest of the government started to be glued on tha walls of the city .It was announcing the citizen,that in the interest of defending the country and of organizing of the resistance forces ,the government is forced to leave the Capital and to move to Iasi.It was not difficult to understand .The government,which stayed in Bucharest with the engines of the automobiles under pressure ,in awaiting of the supreme trial,was knowledged by the fatal turning of the battle and was leaving the Capital,which nothing could defend it ,from now on against the conquerer enemy .

At around four in the afternoon ,a long convoy was climbing the big boulevard .At Cotroceni towards Obor ;theree thousand lads,"Young contingents",gathered by geandarms from the villages of the county,send to Moldavia to form up the new army,the revenge one for the defeats and humiliations endured.They were passing slow ,row after row,in their thick peasant clothes ,with the bag of food hanged over their necks and with the cap stuck over their ears.Between them ,here and there a city lad,some in highschool uniform.From time to time ,at the advice of the accompanying geandarm a shout of urra! without enthusiasm ant too much of an echo.From far away,from Arges ,the cannon was moaning continuously ,cutting down young Romanian lives .And the column was passing all the time ,one by one in aclamation of orders ,towards unsure roads ,beaten by the enemy's projectiles.In the mind,awakens without will,the ancient icon of the procession of Romans gladiators ,stepping quiet to death:Ave Caesar,morituri te salutant!


(Decorating the flag of 39th Romanian Infantry Regiment,which has distinguished during the Battle of Marasesti-1917)


Awaiting the enemy

The most sad night lived by the people of Bucharest have stretched her black veil over the deserted city.A little after midnight ,the ring bells of the houses ,or strong knockings in the doors or gates and windows,woke up the population.There were the police agents and street agents which were executing the orders of the new Prefect of the Police.At the frightened questions of the people ,asleep by the brutal awakening from their sleep ,the policemen give a curious order ,followed by the short and terrifying explanation ,whatever waited it has been:"Turn up the lights and leave the doors and gates unlocked.The city have surrendered .The Germans are entering!"Just like by a spell the whole city lightens up .The streets the houses ,public edifices ,kept in darkness for three months by the fraid of the aerian attacks ,are shining now by light.No one has slept until the day.The enslaved city was waiting for its master dressed in light.It is not the lighting of a celebration ,but of a mortuary room .Through the poor houses ,from the same order,was prepared the table with which had to be fed the hungry invasioneers.


The alarm has been alltogether premature.the enemy did not show up that night and will not show up but only after three days*.The day of Monday has brought the surprise ,unpleasant of a "proclamation" terorist of the new Prefect of Police .It was ordered to the inhabitants of Bucharest what conduct they may have towards the soldiers "of the Imperial Armies".A long list of commands ,beginning almost all of them with "it is forbidden" and ending with ,invariable , the threat of the culprit with shooting.A second proclamation was more ctegoric even and more terorist.It was asking the inhabitants to keep the doors and gates open and continued with the characteristic passage that the one who will threat the "members of the Imperial Armies" with word or gesture ,or who will not put to their dispozition whatever they will be asking ,will be punished with shooting.Two days before ,another manifest was threatening also with shooting those inhabitants which will give asylum "to some soldier belonging to the enemy Armies(Romanians,Russians)".This manifest ,which named the Romanian soldiers enemyes ,was signed by this new Prefect ,Romanian General Mustata(Mustache) .He was the garant of order in the city deserted;he was the defender of life ,ownings and honesty of the inhabitants of the Capital of Romania!


The enervation of the days in the eve has past now ;people knew their fate .It is like you are ashamed to speak ,man to man ,and still ,you chat with anyone you meet on the street,for then to leave quick ,leaving the conversation unfinished.Towards the great square there is a lively activity;everybody is looking to complete the replenishments for the black days which will follow .Big crowding at the City Hall .Following the order of the police,the inhabitants are in a hurry to surrender their weapons .It is a painful spectacle .The ordonance of the prefect threatens that-as usual with death,those who will be found with a weapon.And folks come in waves ,some by foot,others in carriages ,some pushing the wheel ,bringing weapons of all systems ,from the heavy rifle of the civic gvardia?,forgotten through a corner of the shed by who knows how many generations,to the elegand hunting rifle ,modern,Turkish pistols, rusted ,weapons for diorama ,pieces of collection and saloon toys.It is the new manifestation of a new spirit:the fulfilling with holliness of the authorities orders.It is announced a severe regime:from now on the unforgiving sanction will follow.

A new spectacle ,more painfuly,is brought to the sights.Groups of soldiers start to appear on the streets from West.They are the remains of the Army defeated on Arges.They came walking all through the night .Some two,three ,sometimes in bigger groups ,tired ,pale ,some of them barely dragging themselves ,mixed up ,soldiers of different Regiments going together ,Infantery men ,Cavalry men on foot ,Artillery men without cannons.Plantoons placed at streets junction ,give them directions for the places of concentration ,some of them to Mogosoaia ,others towards Pantelimon .They cannot give clear explanations .Some of them look dizzied ,mumble something and start again further.Others are more communicative:"The Germans have pushed us in marshes and melted us with their heavy artillery".A general thing is that everybody complains about the lack of armament -"our rifles of cannons"-faced with the crushing superiority of the enemy artillery as number ,and also as calibers.They were also scared by the numerous machineguns spread in every bush ,in every corner.

.....


All day went by on the streets groups ,and they continued the next day also ,and the next one.On the belt driveways of Bucharest were pouring ,in the same time ,the convoys of the Army,heading towards Nort-East :unfinishing rows of waggons ,furgons,carriages of ambulance or some filled with wounded .In the city sadness ,increased by the painful sight of our proud Army ,used to be ,an intermezzo of opera.A joyful music ,strong chorus of men's voices ,calls the people along the big boulevard.A Russian troop was coming from Pantelimon neghbourhood ,heading towards Cotroceni.How many were they:a Regiment ,a Brigade?the popular imagination took elan :the Russian do not want to leave the Capital conquered and are restarting the battle.The perspective of fights around the Capital ,was freezing to some the enthusiasm for the Russian troop ,which was presenting beautiful ,as men,and as material.The Russians,a unit from Aliev Corps ,which instead of going to Arges ,prefered to come to Bucharest ,edged themselves to enter the city through one of the barriers ,to get out on another.The hopes caught roots again for one moment ,when they saw the police men breaking the ordonances of General Mustata.After few hours ,however,they have reappeared.Orders and counterorders...The fate could not stop from its way now.


The entering of the enemy in the Capital

The morning of Wednesday ,6th of December .A led like sky ,a humid air and cold.In the eve and over the night ,some strong explosions were announcing the destroing of military works which would use to the enemy .In the morning ,a sea of flames from Spirii Hill:the Army Arsenal was burning.

Great commotion on Calea Victoriei .It is put sand on to the pavement .Police in great uniforms:the city seargents with the Prusian cap for parade.Moving attention for the dear guest which is awaited.General Mustata was making exces of zel for the "imperial troops*".After all preparation and calculations ,was awaited that the entering of the enemy to be made by Rahova Barrier.To general surprise ,around 12 ,the first patrols of German Infantry entered the city through Calea Grivitei .They were troops from Avanguard Army of Falkenhayn ,which advanced through continuous fights with our arierguards ,from Chitila to Bucharest .Mackensen was in this way ahead-ed by Falkenhayn.As he was waiting on the opposite shore of Sabaru ,beyond Bragadiru ,the results of the tratatives of the parliament send to Bucharest ,his camarad and rival,Falkenhayn was pinching ,for himself and for his Army ,IX-th German ,the glory to be the first to arrive in to the "fortress" of Bucharest .Some on foot,some climbing in to the tramway met in their way on Calea Grivitei,the German patrols have reached Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest) ,where they have disarmed with brutality tha santinels in front of the Royal Pallace and occupied the pallace.Soon after,arrived also Mackensen in automobile ,roving daring through the city unoccupied yet by his troops.He has inspected the posts set to the Pallace and gave orders to occupy the War Ministry,Foreign Ministry and other public edifices.

The last scattered groups of Romanian troops were leaving the Capital by the barriers at North-East,as ,in the same time ,from opposite directions ,from Calea Grivitei and from Calea Rahovei ,were arriving the enemy patrols more and more numerous**.As by a miracle ,Calea Victoriei has been crowded,all of a sudden,by a joyful group of people ,and noisy.The former hostages ,German servants and Austro-Hungarian ones ,liberated in the eve ,especially women ,singers of theatres of cabaret,held till then locked at Vacaresti Prisson and for a few days now transported at Hotel de France ,were making to the liberators a triumphal reception .Flowers,waving of handkerchiefs,kissings were surprising and making dizzy the newly arrived ,which could not believe their eyes***.

By evening,the bulk of the German troops enterd Bucharest and went on Calea Rahovei,Carol Street,Calea Victoriei and Elisabeta Boulevard,towards Army barracks ,with heavy steps ,singing patriotic songs.The military automobiles sounding their strident sirens ,unknown till now,enormous trucks ,heavily trialed ,were going in a deafening noise through the streets.


Thurstday the invasion increases .From all directions arrive troops of Cavalry,Cyclists .The supreme humiliation and injury did not spear us:a Company of Infantry,Bulgarian, goes proud on Calea Victoriei ,in the sounds of a bad music which shouts and booms like at village Sunday party ,and enters in the yard of the Royal Pallace .The street fills up ,in front and behind the Royal Pallace,by ugly waggons ,filled with stolen things from villages.The Bulgarians go around the improvised speakers ,which celebrate the great event ;it is sang "Sumi Marita"[4].A German Company throws out the Bulgarians and closes the gates of the Royal Pallace.Missfortuned ,the Bulgarians gather their stuff ,their tents ,waggons and start to the valley ,on Stirbei Voda Street ,towards the cantoonament places.For the coloration to be full ,in the yard of the Garden of Romanian Atheneum ,bivuacs a Turkish Detachment ,of Cavalry.Calea Victoriei moans with crowds..You can only hear German.Next to the Austro-German population of the former interned ,now liberated ,of the "dames" from Vacaresti Prisson and of all those hiding in unknown corners of their soul ,simpathies for the father land ,to them also adds the mass of the Jewish of Bucharest ,which has forgotten imediately to speak Romanian.You sneak through these colorful and vengeful people, humiliated and when you meet a friend ,a hand shake and a quick separation of the shame you feel coming in the corner of your eye.

On the walls of the city is spoiled the proclamation of the new master.Mackensen is celebrating his victory announcing:"Bucharest,the Capital of Romania ,has been conquered by my Army.He (the city) enters today under the laws of War....".Yes ,he will feel them,for two years ,taugh laws of your War!He will carry the cross to the end,but arrived there ,he will have the chance to dress the celebration cloth ,to live also the big day of the triumph ,payed through pain and faith.

The explanation of the unfaithful attitude of this former Romanian General was known latter.In the files of corruption of the Germans ,during the neutrality time ,the name of the General figures with a big sum of money as price of signing at the bottom of an article of newspaper -written by someoneelse- by which it was tried the intimidation of Romania,with the threat that,in case of War against the Central Powers "the Carpathian Mountains will be the grave of the Romanian Army ".The social moral has changed a lot during the centuries:during the time of Judas the Iscariot,the traitors hang themselves!

A collision ,with unimaginable follow ups ,was almost to happen in the middle of the Capital ,between the German patrols accompanying the officers tasked with taking over of the city and a late group of Romanian soldiers .With great difficulty ,the intervention of the Romanian authorities convinced the Romanians to surrender and the fatal conflict has been sided.

In this way has been established the calomnious legend of the cordial receiving of the enemy by a Romanian population of the Capital.German newspaper men ,serious ,of the value and reputation of a Bernhard Kellermann and Ad.Koester ,have kept for the duty of geniune to come back,a little latter,to reestablish the truth:"It has been much discussed these days about the conduct of the city.It would be wrong to condemn a city after the gestures of the principal street(Calea Victoriei).There is a big street in Bucharest .And in this street ,only on a Kilometer ,are massed all the cofee shops ,theatres ,cinematographs.The sidewalk of this Kilometer gives ,even today(?) the tone.It is natural that the German ,the Austrians and the Hungarians in the city to mass up here.That many which have been quiet till now rediscovered their German heart .That the Jewish people ,which almost all are sympathise us ,risk today a strong word.But this is not enaugh .In few cities ,the feminin element plays a role like here.From the vestibul of the smallest hotel ,to the cabinets of ministers .This International ,unique in its kind,which has resisted during the War ,is strongly represented by women artists ,Germans.Undoubtfuly ,they have false names ,French or American .In the past they played Tipperary and celebrated , in private cabinets , the Russian victories .But,when the Romanian War started ,they had to show up their passports and has been seen that most of them where from Hungary and Berlin ,from Boemia and Wien.They have been interned at Vacaresti .Today ,however ,they have give the tone in the whole hotels ,cofee-bars from the streets,everywhere where there are German soldiers.The Germans are astound by this "enemy" city or they are mocking.But it is sure that not entire Romania is what he sees on this Kilometer of sidewalk of Bucharest,not even the whole Bucharest".

[1] Aeronave -aerostate dirigible -build by German inventor Ferdinand von Zeppelin(1838-1917).The types of dirigibles used during the Great War have been created in years 1905 -1906.

[2]Louis Bleriot(1872-1936) ,French constructor of airplanes;Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) and Oliver Wright (1871-1948) ,North American constructors of airplanes .All three of them are pioneers of aviation.

[3] About economical evolving of Romania.

{4] National Bulgarian anthem.

jpg

(Meeting of the Romanian-Russian delegation and Central Powers delegation ,for signing the Truce ,November 1917)


Causes Of Romanian Defeat

Precautions and results

The Romanian Campaign in 1916 lasted for one hundred and forty days.In the night of 27-28th of August ,our troops were hasting over Carpathian Mountains ;at 6th of December ,after one hundred days ,the enemy was entering the Capital of the Kingdom.The power of the Romanian Army has been deeply shaken ;still one part of the Army keep up until the middle of January 1917,from time to time another forty days still of continuous fights for keeping of a line of Front and for setting to shelter of the other part of the Army.The Romanian Army-after the expression of Ludendorff -has been beaten ,it hasn't been destroyed,however[1].

Our entering in to the War provoked a strong explossion of sentiments ,different at the two parties of fight ,such that until then no other country entering in to the Great War has done it.The general opinion was that the entering in to the War of Romania ,with the throwing in to the fight of half a million of fresh fighters ,will be dicissive.As great as the enthusiasm was in the press,parliaments and trenches of the friendly Fronts,just as deep was the consternation of the enemy.Our entering in the War was giving decissive blow ,in a moment in which the enemy was tighten by almost all Fronts ;at Verdun and on Somme ,on Styr and in Carpatii Padurosi,on Struma and on Vardar [2], the enemy held chest with difficulty to the blows.That is why he was looking terrified at the agravation caused by the entering of Romania."Never-writes Hindenburg-a decissive role ,historic ,has been given to a state such small as Romania.Never has been,the fate of powers ,as big as Germany and Austro-Hungary ,in full development of their entire military forces ,was not been given to the hand of a country so small as Romania ,which numbered the 20th part of the population of both states ,as in this case.Based on the situation of the War ,it could be foreseen that Romania may go in any direction she chooses ,for to decide the fate of the War in the favour of those states ,which for two years were assaulting us in vain".

The result of the Romanian Campaign of four months and a half did not correspond to the Allies expectation ,nor to the fears of the adversary.This result may be expressed in the following way:

a)To face the new situation ,the enemies had to lift from the other Fronts of Europe a considerable military force -over 40 Divisions -to throw against the new adversary.The follow up was that the Entente Powers have took advantage of this relief of their Front ,either to rest their troops and regroup its forces ,or to save themselves from threatening situations ,either to apply to the enemy felt blows.

b)Fighting continuously against the Romanian Army for four and a half months ,the enemy reputed great victories ,but also suffered felt defeats.His losses has been very great.One part of the enemy Army has been destroyed;the other part was exhausted.For the rest and its remaking ,this Army needed a long repaus ,about which will profit our troops ,to remake themselves ,and also the Allies ,to give blows to the commune enemy.

c)Romania being defeated ,not,though ,taken out of the fight ,the enemy had to keep on the Romanian Front an impozant number of forces for the future operations ;all these forces were as such,from the use they would have had on the other European Fronts.

This was the real result of entering of Romania in to the War after four and a half months of campaign in the year of 1916.That it is an important role and that it hangs heavily in the ballance of the War ,on the Allies side,it is undoubtful.Also ,very true is ,that it has been very different than expected[3]The lack of coordonation of the Entente.

Which are the causes?

Ofcourse,the judgement of the circumstances of the intervention of Romania was made wrong by both sides.The unfolding of the War ha sbrought to the light things that were unknown ,or were not known till then.Not from our side ,nor from,especially ,of the Allies ,was not ballanced with precaution all the circumstances in which we would have to fight ,were not foreseen all the eventualities which might come up,and have not been taken all the measures to side the possible complications.At the mistakes made with good faith ,out of ignorrance or because of wrong calculus ,must also be added the ones made with guilty intend.

A critical example of our entering in the War ,of preparing it on all terrains , and of its unfolding ,will explain to us ,fully,why our campaign of 1916 ,started under such beautiful circumstances ,has finished in such a painful way.


Choosing "ofthe moment" for entering in to action

Tha lack of coordination in the political-diplomatic action ,as in the conduct of the operations .The Central Powers had the advantage of their position ,of their vecinity and of the preponderent role played by Germany on the political terrain ,as on the military one.The veleities of independence of Conrad von Hotzendorf did not influence ,nor intimidated the central Command ,which firstly by moral ascendent ,then by written conventions ,were of Germany.At the Entente ,this thing did not exist.Each Army operated on its own without ensemble coordination.It is true that the french Commandment exercitated a certain ascendent over the others ,thanks to the known value of the French Army and of the fact that France was the most important partner as military power .But effectively,Jofre did not had the right to give orders ,because Haig[4] and Cadorna[5] were his equals ,and Zar Albert [6] and Princip Alexandru [7] could give only suggestions and advices ;but ,in war,what matters ,is the execution.The lack of coordination in the Powers of Entente made that she lost the advantage of the numerical superiority of her forces and permitted to the Central Powers to keep the initiative ,giving blows when on a front ,when on another.

The timid trials of coordination by instituting of a unique Commandment were made through conferences at Calais (July 1915) ,Chantilly(7 July 1913,December 1915,November 1916),but only in the spring of 1918 ,under the empire of terror and catastrophe it could be acomplished.


The entering of Romania into action and leading of the operations on our Front are a classic example of this fatal lack of coordination.Joffre gives it as an example of effect of the slowlyness ,hesitations,lack of precise directives and of the result of colaboration.For the great events, marks the summer of 1916:the French-British offensive on Somme ,Brusilov offensive ,the advanced offensive [8] and the entering of Romania .Well and coordinated conducted ,they could have had a decissive effect .Instead of this,the result has been lamentable:"The Entente payed it with the extension of the conflict for two more years ,Russia with a revolution ,the Zar with the Throne and His life ,Romania with an invasion which brought her two inches from extinction"(Joffre).

For that the entering of half a million of fresh soldiers to have the decissive effect ,which was expected,would have had that the Romanian forces to make felt their action in the Points and Moments asked by the startegical unfolding of the operations on European pattern.But for ths,it would have been needed a commune plan of campaign and a superior unitary direction which to know to distribute the roles and to impose their execuion .And the moment of our entering was not happily choosen.Bratianu(primeminister) had constantly the preocupation to not engage his country in a moment considered ,by him ,as not good.The events,that followed have demonstrated how motivated was this preocupation.With all the prudence and ability of the Chief of the Romanian Government the circumstances have been stronger:"he had to enter in the War not at the moment wanted by him,but at a moment imposed by outside".The hostility of the Zarist Government(Russian),its oposition to recognize our national integral territorial revendicaions ,the bad will at surrendering to us the war material send to us from the West ,by our Allies,all the difficulties set for obtaining the borders which Bratianu ,trained by the painful experience of the past,calculated as indispensable,have delayed the date of our entering in to action."The Moment" did not correspond anymore with the most favorable epoch.


At the interally conference at Chantilly from 15th of November 1916 Joffre,expressing that the entering of Romania did not produced the awaited effect ,because of the tardive moment at which it has produced itself,the Romanian delegate,Colonel Rudeanu ,replayed that Romania has delayed because it was not set quicker by the Allies in the state of being able to enter in campaign.With all the insistence set in this aim ,showing clearly the insifficiency of the Romanian Amy armament ,especially with artillery munitions ,these needs have not been stisfied in due time and even so,at the date of the entering,Romanian did not receive what she needed.

What couold have been ,and what has been in reality ,is easy to understand:one to two months earlier ,the Romanian intervention would have been a catastrophe for Austro-Hungary.Her delay,saved Austro-Hungary.The Austrians,in the wake of their desastre at Luck[9] ,could bring their heavy artillery and numerous units from the Italian Front ,and the leadership of their Army has ben taken by the Germans.The crisis has past.The offensive of Brusilov was exhausted ,and the Central Powers were recollecting .Their military forces ,badly apreciated by our Allies ,were now enaugh,not only to oppose resistance but also to plan offensive actions on the other fronts.An action like this was started on the Salonic Front ;another one was prepared on the Russian one.

In this moment ,when the situation started to draw disadvantageous on the Oriental Fronts ,the General Staffs Russian and French did not set the ultimatum:now or never.We entered,as such,not at the favorable moment ,freely choosen by us ,but imposed by the Allies ,to ease the general situation on the European Fronts.The easyness whith which Romania has been pushed in to the War ,with all the unfavorable conditions of the moment ,has been wonderfuly sintetized in Joffre's words-a precautious man at appreciations:"The esential is that Romania enters ,what will be after ,we will see".

Why the Entente Powers have forced Romania to enter the War unprepared and without her action to be coordinated with the one of her Allies?We may understand ,borrowing a metafor from the technic of the game of Chess:a pion destined to be scrificed.It is more interesting to reveal the comments made latter,after the desastre,by the same Ally circles which have forced Romania to enter the War ,in any way she can.A Russian General (Win) writes:"It is the general impression that Romanian has draw the sword out ,much to easy ,counting her much stronger than she is in reality and with the hope that she will make 'her War" with Austro-Hungary ,following limited objectives ".Latter on ,Sazunov condemned as well the ease with which Romania ,by the somations of Alekseev and Joffre has "been pushed by our Allies ,influenced ofcourse by the public opinion ,which was nervous.The Chief of Russian general Staff ,has seen himself forced to ask the advance of Romanians into Austria with the threat ,that in case of refuse,to be deprived by the promised advantages.It was a mistake very well foreseen by the Russian General Staff.We were not capable to help the Romanian troops and to make them to get out unharmed from the spin.Two years of terrible fights weakend a lot our Army ,and our ammunitions ,after the insufficeiencies from the beginning ,were almost completely exhausted".


The Allies did not know to prepare the Romanian intervention

The Romanian intervention was not studied sufficiently by the Allies ,such that ,to be be made in conditions to produce maximum of effect.The Allies ,although trained enaugh by the experience of two years of War ,have passed with shallowness over the grave strategical situation of Romania.The Romanian frontier ,which became its defence Front ,was two times longer than the French Front and only with a little shorter than the Russian one.The Romanian forces will be obliged to place themselves in a cordon along this frontier.Other than this,the pronounced outing of Muntenia ,adavancing towards West between Carpathian Mountains and Danube River,could easely been caught in a cracker.And this strategig dispozitive ,so unfavorable was do be defended by a small Army and not enaugh equiped with the technical aparatus of the modern War.Far from being what was announced in such an easy manner "a great offensive",to increase the force on the friendly existing Fronts, a serious judgement had to understand that Romania was forced to fight for defending of the new Front which was made by its frontiers ,in such a disadvantageous geographical situation.

Also ,missjudged was the opinion that the enemy do not have enaugh forces anymore ,to face the new Front.On the contrary:the enemy was able to face it ,and even with superior means ;the insufficiency of the means of informations of the Allies,did not know to anticipate this thing.Ignorring the resources and means of the enemy ,he was considered unable to make an effort which he was preparing even in the moment when he was declared unable to prepare it"*.That is why "Romania has been dragged in the War without studying ,and know the means which the enemy will have against her and,as a result,without grouping,on the Romanian territory or on the Macedonian Front ,the material means and of men,which maybe would have allowed us tu smash the enemy plans"**.


The Romanian Government has been assured by the Allies that:1)the enemy will not be able to oppose but seven Divisions ;2)all the measure are taken for the Bulgarian offensive to not produce,and in contrar case ,it will be paralized by a vigorous counteroffensive from the South.Only after the beginning of our War was noticed that the calculus of our Allies were wrong:the enemy was able to put in the line against us a formidable Army ;instead of seven Divisions ,he send 40!*.And to sustain the fight against him ,we have been left almost at our own means as armament ,Commandment and effectives.It has been sent to us the Mission of General Berthelot ,but it was too late and it was not enaugh.Falkenhayn has found the just note for characterizing of the situation :"Berthelot ,is good,but if he doesen't bring also 500 cannons ,heavy,we have nothing to be afraid of him".

As for the reinforcements ,they have been calculated by the Allies,themselves:it was on one hand a Russian Army of 200 0000 men to attack on the Southern Frontier ,the Bulgarians,to leave to the Romanians the freedoom of movement in Transilvania;on the other hand ,it was needed a strong offensive of Sarrail Army at Salonic.

The realization of these conditions ,indispensable,was lower than the good intentions ,with which they have been conceived.We had to renounce at the number of 200 000 of men in Dobrogea -which the Allies themselves have fixed at-and also to their insistences ,to be thankful only with 42 000 ,in tha wake of assurances,that in the general plan of the operations,this number will be enaugh.It showed ,though ,not enaugh to face an organization like the German one.

General Wilson [11] ,Chief of the British Mission General Staff,characterized in this way the insufficiency of the preparations of the Entente actions:"The mistake of the Allies was always that they did not had a system,whatsoever.Their political action was never coordinated with the military action;if it would have been ,Bulgaria would had come ,maybe ,with us in 1915.There was no connection in their military action:if it would have been,the intervention of Romania in 1916 could have been decissive"**.


For attracting Romanian into the alliance with the Entente ,have worked very actively T .O .E. service (Theatre des operations exterieures)[10] from the Great General French Headquarter .With all the untrust this service had in General Sarrail and in his Army at Salonic ,the officers composing it,especially its Chief ,Lieut Colnel Billotte ,where making many efforts next to Colonel Rudeanu ,the Chief of the Romanian Military Mission at Paris ,trying to convince him -and by him the Romanian Government -that Sarrail has important forces and orders ,that Sarrail will attack ,that Romanians will be in charge on their campaign a.s.o.This one,although the less convinced by the utility of the Romanian intervention was Joffre himself ,which was informed by Alexeev that the Russians were exhausted and that they will not be able to give Romanians ,in case of need,the prompt help that they might need.Still,the intervention of Romania has won almost entirely the Great French Headquarter.The formulae expressing this desire was:" Five hundred thousand bayonets more,thrown in to the battle ,never harmed those who had them on their side".At this optimist apreciation was added with great authority the affirmations of the Information Bureau ,after which,the enemies have not a single Division available.Crazy hopes were build on this information; At the supreme war council,by Capt.Peter E.Wright.In"R.Tg Mil."7-8,1921.General Castelnau[12] thought that the Romanian Army will be the going around wing-l'aile marchante-of the Russian mass. After the first successes of the Romanians against the Austro-Hungarians ,afirming at Great French Headquarter the hypotesis of a German concentration,to relief Austria ,the Information Bureau replied:"With what do you think the Germans will attack?They have only half a Division left in reserve!"And when this half of a Division changed in to a half a duzin of Divisions ,the deception has been great.The historiograph of the Great French Headquarter stories that he has seen an officer of the Info Bureau keeping his head between his hands and axclaiming:"Mais ou les prennent-ils,n...de D...?"[13].The fury has been unloaded against General Sarrail ,to which were send cominatorii thelegrams;some officers at T.O.[14] asked in big mouth that Sarrail to be shot.


The offensive of the Army in Macedonia was not strong

"The Orient Army" from Salonic-under the Command of General Sarrail ,has been kept there more with a political goal .The principal supporter of it,Briand,was convinced that her presence there would be a strong means for attracting Romania:It was his great conception.The strategic mission of the Army at Salonic would have been :to cover indirectly the mobilization and concentration of Romanian forces,to operate in combination with the Romanian forces at South of Danube ,to obtain the destruction of the Bulgarian forces.

An antagonism has been established -and on this-between Briand Government and the Great French Headquarter .This one did not understood the importance and the opportunity of the War in Orient,which was considered as a Theatre of War absolutely secondary.After the forecastings of the Great French Headquarter ,the troops had to be held on the principal Front ,the only one where there could be expected decissive actions.Big discussions have been carried between Paris and London on this matter.

Kitchiner[15],putting the offensive of Salonic in connection with the operations in Dardanelles ,wanted to enterprise it with big forces -400 000 men-to obtain decessive successes ,but he could not understand with Joffre where to take them from.During this time ,the situation in the Balkans was worsening day by day .Clemenceau was supporting the same ideea of the concentration of the action on the French Front and Russian one;"On Meusa will remake the Great Serbia and in Poland will lose Germany its colonies".Joffre has refused to give four Divisions ,necessary to the strengthening for the offensive in Champagne[16].The Great French Headquarter had to choose between Constantinopole and Tahure;he chose Tahure.


The leading of the Army at Salonic was very badly organized ;General Sarrail Commanded the French troops and depended ,not by Joffre,but by the War Ministry directly.General Milne ,the Commander of the British Forces was independent by Sarrail and listened by General C.Monro ,the Commander of the Ally troops at Dardanelles,which in his turn,depended directly by the War Office[17] from London.In any case ,the Army at Salonic was a force which could not be let in inaction.The divergences between the French Commandment and the British one ,were paralising it.The British did not trust the efficacity of this action ,nor in to its Commandment and were threatening even to retreat,what they had there.Joffre was deeply unhappy with this inaction .The pretext of Sarrail that there could not be enterprized actions during the warm season was rejected by the French Generalisim,with the obiectioned that the warm season at Salonic was more bareable than the greatest part of the colonies.

When,from the Entente side,the time was lost in discussions over the opportunity of the action at Salonic.the Germans understood better its importance.A British historiograph writes:"The Central Powers have used the strategical opportunity of continuing to pretend that they will give the principal blow in the West ,when in reality they were looking to have the superiority of men and cannons in the East ,to distract the attention of the British and of the French and minimize the possibility of a strong counteroffensive through Dardanelles and the North of Balkan Peninsula.That is why"the Easteners" from France and England were not listened in the war advices of the Allies ,although on the British part there were first hand politicians ,like Asquith,Loyd George and Grey,and on the French part Briand a.s.o.

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(British troops in the Great War)


The centrals have broke the inaction.the Bulgarians ,in understanding with the King Constantin of Grece,crossed the Greek frontier without firing a shot ,occupying Front Ruppel and the whole region left side of Strumei ,such that they have constituted a sure base of action for future operations.The War Council ,French-British has been emotioned by it,and in a meeting held in London ,at 9th of July 1916,decided...the postponing of the action of the Army at Salonic for September ,for the British troops to be able to equip themselves for mountain warfare ,and the Serb Army ,remade in Corfu [18] Island ,to be transported on to the fighting Front.Joffre has seen himself forced to write to General Sarrail to be able to attack only with French forces and did not hide his uncontent provoked by the campaign plan presented to him by the politician General Sarrail.All these frictions and missings ,writes Joffre,contributes "to weaken the zel of the Romanian Government".

Besides,Sarrail Army was really too weak to enterprize decissive actions.Sarrail himself qualified as "bluff" the operations he could enterprize on the Salonic Front with an insifficient Army as effectives and reduced more by the climate conditions and of the hygiene ,bad in which he was.It was simply a bate for Romania.And ,in truth,the Romanian intervention came in time to provoke a relief between the Commandments and Governments French and British,when the quarrel threatened to take very upsetting aspects.

By the conditions of entering of Romania was also decided that Sarrail to enterprize an offensive ,serious,it has also been set the date of this offensive ,which had to preeced the Romanian one .It is known that,even this time ,the Bulgarians went ahead by Florina[19] offensive,and anihilated alltogether whatever influence over Romanian campaign.The offensive of Sarrail in October led to conquering of Monastir ,but has been also a tardive action ,episodic and local.The Central Powers were informed by the lack of the effectives of the Allies and by the attitude of the British ;they knew that it is not possible to take here an initiative in great style to threaten the solidity of the Germano-Bulgar Front in Macedonia.That is why,the diverting offensive Cordonnier did not attract any Bulgarian soldier from the Dobrogean Front to the Balkanic Sector.

The result of the antagonism between the politicians and the French Military Chiefs and of the Great French Headquarter were that:was adopted the Russian War Plan-with the attacking of Austro-Hungary and menage Bulgaria ;it has been given an insufficient help at the Bulgarian frontier ;the action of Sarrail Army was weak.That is why ,the Bulgarians were not taken out of the fight ,and Romania was not liberated by the heavy task of the War on two Fronts ,which would have gave her the opportunity to pursue with energy the principal objective imposed by the Allies.


Name given to the partizans of the action in Balkans.Only in 1918 ,the victory of Franchet d'Esperey ,which have determined the final victory ,showed that the "Esterners" were right . The official report of the French politician(deputy) Benazet notices that Sarrail had at 1st of October 1916 ,127 000 combatants ,instead of 307 000 ,as he has been shown by the Great General Headquarter French.Still,from this number ,an important number were not capable of fighting because of the diseases.In this way,Regiment 54 Infantry from Kenali had in the first line only 1394 men,instead of 3000;the 1st Marching Regiment from Africa ,in front of Monastir ,had only 1102 men.All over the place Sarrail could not count but only on 28-29000 fighters of Infantry.The Serb Army ,remade at Corfu ,started to arrive ,but without artillery.That is why,one of the conditions set by the Romanian Government for entering of Romania in action,fell;the convergent offensive against Bulgaria could not be acomplished .Not even the Russian could attack from North ,neither Sarrail could attack from South.At 6th of August G.Q.G French ,news Sarrail that his mission is to harras the Bulgarians.

Was the plan of our campaign wrong?

The defensive on the Southern Front and offensive in Transilvania have been considered by many as a "fatal mistake" which,giving chance to the enemy counterattack on the Dobrogea frontier ,has been the cause of all the missfortunes that followed.The plan of our campaign was imposed to us by severel circumstances.Firstly,the offensive in Transilvania corresponded to the public sentiment in Romania;our War was a nationa l war ,it was the War for Transilvania ;the conscience of this fact had to pour the enthusiasm in the souls of the fighters and give them the impulse of fight and of martyr.Secondly,the liberation of the territories revendicated by us ,was part of the political program of the government;Romania had to have in hand the guarantees of territories which ensured the price of the sacrifices of her victories.But this offensive was-before anything -a condition imposed by the Russians ,strongly supported in this by the Great French Headquarter."The concessions we make to obtain the concur of Romania -were the Russians saying-are limitted to the condition that Romania wil constitute the left wing of our Armies in Transilvania ,in which she will storm,even at the beginnings of operations"*.

It is true that Briand,the Chief of the French Government ,has intervened for the offensive on the Southern Front ,of which personal partizan was,but the French Generalisim ,Joffre and the other military Allies leaders ,which had the decissive word ,in divergence of oppinions with the French Government ,have supported the ideea of the Russian Commandment' s plan ,which has been finally imposed to us.


The faith that the fate of our Army would have been other in the case when ,instead of of attacking on Transilvania Front ,we would have attacked on the Dobrogea one ,may not be considered as an absolute justification.Military personalities with authority in the leading circles of the Allies have rejected it with decissivness.Same thing would have happened if we woud have mass our troops towards Bulgaria ,leaving weakly defended the long frontier of Carpathian Mountains ,with its numerous mountain passes ,favorable to attacks by surprise.Only the roles have been changed ;the result would have been the same.Even neutral military writers ,from the ones with authority in the field, as the Swiss Colonel Egli ,finds that the plan followed by us was best.Egli convenes that the offensive against Bulgaria had indiscussable advantages from the poin of view of general interests of the Allies :taking out of the fight of the Bulgarians ,isolating Turkey ,reestablishing a more direct link with the Allies in the West with Romania and Russia ,bringing back the Serbs in their country.It was connected by great difficulties,though ,and trumendeous risks for Romania which,surprised through Carpathians,would have been dragged in to a catstrophe."Choosing between the two possibilities was not,ofcourse easy;it fell over the first one -ofcourse-with rightness.This solution had-with all its dangers -more chances of success than an attack in a direction opposite to the political goal pursued".Besides,the offensive at South could not have been made but only in concordance with an action started from Salonic .We know,that the situation of Sarrail's Army did not permit him such an action.In these conditions it could not be talk about a campaign having the taking out of Bulgaria from the fight as principal objective .

The fatal cause of our defeat has not ben the plan itself ,of the campaign,but the face with which was executed .The indispensable conditions of a well acomplishing of this plan have not been respected.In the perilled geographical situation ,in which we were,the military action of Romania could not be executed isolated: she occupied only a sector of the great Oriental Front so it had to be supported at the two flanks by the effective colaboration of its Allies.One of the chief conditions formulated by Bratianu for our entering in to action ,has been the defence of Dobrogea frontier by the Russians and retaking the offensive at Salonic.The other condition ,imposed by the strategical colaboration with the Russians ,was the Russian offensive through Bucovina and Galitia .Supported in this way on the two flanks ,the Romanian offensive in Transilvania would have evolved with vigor and effect .The reality was different,though.


On the Southern Front ,the Russians have brought too few Divisions ,one by one and at long intervals in between.The forced attack of the enemy ,with many forces ,has found here the Russian -Romanian forces week ,scattered ,not united on to the fighting line.In the day in which,after Turtucaia,has benn seen the need that Romania to defend alone on two fronts ,the fate of our War was decided.The action of Sarrail ,ineffective,did not bring any relief to the Southern Front.

On the Northern Front,the Russian colaboration ,did not realize ,also.The offensive of Brusilov has ceased completely in the first half of September .Romanians,advancing in to the heart of Ardeal,did not find with the Russians at the established place and had to stop,with the right flank in the air.In this difficult position ,attacked by the front by Falkenhayn ,with the threat of cutting the communications with the country,without reserves,send all to the Danube,we had to evacuate Ardeal giving up to the offensive.Instead that our intervention to count as offensive factor ,here we are ,as such,in defence on two Fronts.Attacked now alternativ by Mackensen at South and Falkenhayn at North,without serious aid from the Russians,without any vigorous action at the two flanks of our Front,we are forced to begin the fatal game of changing the troops from one front to another,sending them from the ountain at the Danube and from the Danube to the mountain ,or lateral from one point to another of Carpathians,to patch up the holes produced,one after the other ,on the long line of the fighting front .These movements were made with extraordinary efforts and delays ,because of the geographical configuration of the montaineous frontier ,with rows of elevations perpendicular on the Southern versant of carpathians.

Hit in this way from all directions ,threatened with the breaking of the Front in diferent points and with the cutting of our troops in different directions ,without reinforcements to refresh the exhausted forces,we had to abandon the territory of Muntenia ,retreating step by step and forcing the enemy to follow us in retreat,but obstacling him from cutting it.Only after leaving the line of Bucharests ,the Russian reinforcements have started to arrive to save,not the rests of our Army,but the communication lines of the Russian Army ,the left flank of their Carpathian Sector in Moldavia.

So,at the pushing of Romania in to the fight at a disadvantageous moment ,it is also added the abandoning of us at our own powers ,without help on the fighting Front and by the colaboration at the two neighbour wings ,between which we were placed.

.........

Briand's declarations in the meeting of the secret committe of the French Chamber in 28th of November 1918

The enemy had moved his principal action on the Romanian Front

As our Allies were making the mistake of dragging Romania in to the War without a well studied plan,beforehand,without putting at her dispozition the necessary means and without knowing the real situation of the enemy's forces ,this one ,recollecting himself fast,could sneak between the hardships in the beginning and realized perfectly well the situation ,looking to turn it in his advantage.Germany had moved on to the Romanian Front the center of weight of the War.It was obvious that on the principal Fronts was not to be expected any victory ,decissive.Faithful to their doctrine ,of attacking the weaker enemy ,where was a certain success to be obtained and exploit,convinced that the entering of Romania in to the War offered a weak point in the totality of the Front ,the Germans have abandoned the fight in West and East ,where they have left minimum of forces ,indispensable to keep the defence.The circumstance that the winter was arriving ,and on snow and frosts a strengthened line can be defended with much fewer troops than in the summer ,permitted them to retreat especially from the Northern Sector of the Russian Front ,numerous units.All these troops which became available have been aimed to the new Romanian Front.At this combining of forces ,realized against Romania,the Allies could not respond.Brusilov's offensive saved the Italian Front threatened at Arsiero and Asiago;our entering in the War cleared the French at Verdun ,permits the Italians to be victorious at Carso,made easyer for Sarrail to occupy Monastir and escaped the Russians by the blow prepared for them.On the Romanian Front ,the enemy has concentrated in November ,40 Divisions and 6 Brigades ,from which the majority were Germans ;in the same time we had 27 Divisions ,from which 20 Romanians and seven Russians ;their number increased in December to 34(15 Romanian and 17 Russian).

The motives for which the Germans have transformed our Front in to the principal fighting Front of the European War,were several.Firstly,there was a pshchological reason.They have noticed our military weakness which yields from the long and twisted frontier line ,which we had to defend ,by the lack of technical means and from the insufficiency of the Allies support.Descovering this weak spot of the European Front ,they have understood imediately the use they can make out of it:it was the only Sector of the European War ,where ,with a strong effort ,they could obtain a great success,resounding,to impress.It would be the third small country,allied of the Entente ,which would be invaded ,the Capital conquered.It would have been demonstrated in front of the whole world that their forecastings are superior to the ones of the adversaries ,their organization stronger ,their methods better.In short ,they are the best.Elocvent advertisment to the other beligerant and neutral states!

There was anoter motive,of political order.Hungary and Bulgaria had to be held in the alliance of the Central Powers .The defeat of Romania meant a satisfacion ,special,given to these two states ,their liberation of a permanent threat ,their attachment,unconditioned to the fate of German Empire.So much indispensable was the helping of Hungary and -by this-keeping her in the alliance of the Central Powers such that,for procuring the necessary troops,Germany would have not hesitated even if it would had to evacuate Belgium.Over conquered Romania ,it would have been constituted the uninterrupted block of the Central Powers .The material connection of the central Powers with Bulgaria and Turky was now fully acomplished.

Finally,the economical reason.The Central Powers were living with the threat ,permanent,of hunger and lack of war materials.Romania could satisfy two needs of first order:wheat and petrol,over which were aimed the eyes of the Germans ,since the time of neutrality .

But Germany was also following a demonstration .The political leaders and military ones ,Germans,reached the ideea that they cannot win the War anymore.At 20th of September 1916 ,Wilhelm the II-nd was won for the ideea of a manifest by which he pronounces peace[20].But for this proposition to not give the impression of a weakness ,the Great German Headquarter asked the postponing of it,until the obtaining of a loud success on one of the fields of battle*;after this success the proposition of peace was to make the impression of an act of generosity,of humanitarism ,started from the strong one.Such a success was obtainable only on the Romanian Front ,by the concentration here of all forces available and of the most trialed Generals.At 6th of December has fallen Bucharest ;at 12th ,Wilhelm aas launched ,in the name of the central Powers,the celebre manifest of peace[21],written on an arogant note.

For all these reasons ,the Germans have given to the War with Romania , an importance no one expected at the beginning.The prey was rich and easy:she has been throwed almost without thought in to the hungry claws of the most redutable of the enemies.The Germans have stopped in defence on all Fronts ,where they did not expect any victory whatsoever ,but neither a catastrophe to be afraid of ,and stormed with all forces over the imprudent newcomer.

.........

...has,is November ,since the breakthrough of Jiu until Casin Battle.I hope that thanks to this table it will be established definitive the importance "Oficiului de pompa" exercitated by the Romanian Front over the enemy forces on European Fronts and will be rectified the current errors ,which get in,even in some official publications.

Enemy units on the Romanian frontier in November 1916


Russia's attitude

During the whole time of the 1916 Campaign ,Russia's attitude towards us has been one of bad faith and bad will.Numerous incidents and episodes ,happened during the War,have surprised the world.No doubt that a more numerous participation of the Russians ,more energic and especially made at the oportune moment would have given another course to the War.

The French Generalisim,Joffre ,whithout showing himself sympathetic to the Romanians ,confesses all the time in his Memoirs,the difficulties he met from the High Russian Commandment ,represented in the beginning by Alekseev ,then by Gurko,to bring it to a just understanding of the need to help the Romanians.The hostility of the Russian Commandment was obvious .The measures asked by Joffre were either not executed ,or executed but only partialy ,and this from "the difference for my insistent requests".It seemed that Alekseev wanted more to demonstrate that more need had Romania for Russia ,than this one by her new ally.The Chief of the Russian General Staff expressed himself in this way:"The entering of Romania in to the war is a real calamity".Joffre resumes the situation in these words:"In an atmosphere like this one ,the Russian-Romanian operations could not have been marked but only by a series of delays ,disorders,twists and turns,and finally by desastre".

The unfolding of the operations is filled with examples which ilustrates the oppinion of the French Generalisim.During our offensive in Ardeal,the Russians had a pasive attitude..When ,in the first weeks of the War ,the passes of Carpathians of Moldavia have been forced by our Armies ,leaving free the passing of the Russians ,which could storm into Transilvania as a wave ,unstoppable by anything ,not even a foot of Russian soldier did not yield in Carpathians .Only when our defeats have started ,when the mountaineous frontier has been well locked with Austro-Hungarian troops ,the Russians have begun to give the series of weak attacks of thir celebre "Offensives of ease up" of the Romanans.

.............

In total the enemy had during November 1916 the enemy had on the Romanian Front the following units:

a)Germans:16 Divisions of Infantry ,one Mixt Brigade Germano-Bulgar Infantry,four Cavalry Divisions ,one Brigade of cavalry and one Brigade of Cyclists.

b)Austro -Hungarian 10 Divisions of Infantry ,two Brigades of Infantry ,One Division and One Brigade of Cavalry.

c)Bulgarians:five Divisions of Infantry and one of Cavalry.

d)Turkish:three Divisions of infantry.

The total on weapons:34 Divisions of Infantry and three Brigades ,six Divisions of Cavalry and two Brigades ;one Brigade of Cyclists.

>

In Dobrogea ,the Russian action has been weak :the Russian units have arrived tardive ,successive and weak as effectives.That is why,the Romanian Army has supported alone the Germano-Bulgar attack at Turtucaia and was not able to reestablish the situation in Dobrogea.During the battles ,the Russians have fought bad and have compromised the results,either by their delayed intervention ,or by their intempestive retreat from the fighting line.Zaioncikovski has been an incapable man,but his succesor ,Zaharov ,General with good reputation ,has started in Dobrogea with noise ,for then to do nothing really,although he had under his Command an Army greatly superior(as number) than the enemy has left in front of him.His inaction has lost Dobrogea.Leaving of Dobrogea by the Army of General Zaharov ,greatly superior to the Bulgarian one ,withot fight,is qualified even by the Russian military historiograps ,as a"deplorable manoeuvre",justified by nothing,with grave consequences.

In the epoch of the breakingthrough of our Carpathian mountains Front ,thelegrams ,almost desperate ,were asking to the Russian General Staff to give order to the four Russian Divisions ,which were inactive in Basarabia ,to come to Carpathians ,where they could have obstacled the breaking of the Front.But the Russian General Staff responded invariable that"It is not drew enaugh the action of the enemy ,to know exactly where are more necessary those troops ".During the Arges Battle ,the quicker entering of the Russian Divisions from the Danube and their intervention in the fight ,in time,would have decided maybe,on our part the victory which started to be announced.General Keller has delayed with several days the intervention of the three Divisions of Cavalry he Commanded ,under the pretext that his horses are not shoed,and has provoked thus the abandoning of Cricovului line and the retreat towards Rimnicu Sarat.

.......

The explanation of the unfriendly attitude of the Russians towards Romanians is in light.Abandoning Muntenia and Dobrogea and the retreat on a line behind has been the continuous preoccupation of the RUssians ,even from our first insuccesses.During the German counteroffensive in Transilvania ,when noone could forecast the Romanian desastre ,Alekseev,showing to Berthelot on Romanian map the line of Siret River ,declared:"Here we will resist.At West of this line we will not fight".During the fights for defending the Carpathians of Moldavia -october 1916-presented to General Prezan the Russian General Veliciko-a reputed specialist in fortifications ,which has colaborated in the past at fortifying Port Arthur[22].the Russian General ,arrived in Romania with the mission to study the works in Moldavian Carpathians ,told to his Romanian camarad that in his mission is comprised also the extending of these strongholds through Siret Valley,adding ,in confidential mode,that it was forbidden to him to bring this to the knowledge of the Great Romanian Headquarter(Prezan verbally).


In vain Berthelot seeked to explain to the Russians that there cannot be comparation between the imensity of the Russian territory and the surface of small Romania ;the big retreats in Russia did not perilled the vital conditions of the huge country ,whereas the abandoning of Muntenia meant for Romania a deadly blow.But ,at Berthelot appeals ,which was asking for Romania the support of the available troops of Lecitki and Zaharov ,Gurko was answering :Not a man ,nor a cannon!".

And, as Romanians were giving with desperation at Arges the battle of which depended the Capital and their Country ,Gurko was organizing with no problems whatsoever the new Front Cartpathians-Siret -Black Sea .Sacrificing beforehand the greatest part of the Romanian territiry .In the country,Berthelot noticed that General Beleaev ,the reprezentative of the Great Russian Headquarter near the Romanian Commandment ,has as mission to counterstrike all the measures proposed by the French Mission in Romanian's favour.Beleaev declared:"Whatever big the belly of General Berthelot is ,he will not be able to swallow all the kicks we will administrate him in the back".Storying these things in his memoirs ,Saint-Aulaire ,the French Minister in Romania ,added the comment:"Romania is the only country which has suffered a double occupation ,half of it by the enemy and half by the false ally ,and this one has been much havier".

Not even one Russian historian do not doubt this attitude of Russia,trying to justify it by that for Russia would have been preferable a Romania which would have kept neutrality ,because it would have guaranteed its left flank of its Front,to an ally Romania ,which was badly guarding a frontier of 800 km.Only ,that this attitude taken after our entering in to the war ,is in flagrant contradiction with the attitude during neutrality ,when the big pressures and uninterrupted of Russia to get Romania in to the War were qualified ,by a very high Russian personality ,as a crazy fury.

Russia liked to complain that the new ally is badly equiped,material,to wage a modern war.But,in the same time,she did almost nothing to side this weakness ,not respecting her contractual obligations.In thruth,the War material send by France and England through Russia suffered inexplicable delays or were even retained in Russia.In this way,the machineguns and cannons ,any -aerian have not been given to us,by the Russian;the first ones have been send to Petrograd ,to serve latter against the Russian revolutionaries ,and the second ones have been send to Riga."After a month ,since our entering in the War ,our transports have been stolen;from several automobiles,aeroplanes ,engines ,trucks there were stolen parts to make them unusable at their arrival.The trains with armament,minitions ,heavy artillery ,aeroplanes,insted of being directed to our country,have been directed to Caucaz line,and others destroyed by burning them.On the lines of Caucaz ,in the spring of 1917 ,have been found by officers from the French-British Mission ,send there for finding and bringing the materials ordered by us ,all the trains that had to replenish our country ,hidden and delayed".

The result on the terrain was the acomplishing of the plan at which the Russians were working even from the beginning :a Front almost exclusive Russian was stretched from Baltic Sea to Black Sea ,and the greatest part of Romania ,with all her riches ,were in the hands of the enemy.

All these made that a grave suspicion to be risen against our ally.Its sincerity was very doubtful;it was pronounced even the word of treazon!Which could be the cause of the strange attitude of the Russians towards us?

It was obvious that the Russians did not treat us as real friends.Political and psychological reasons explained this thing.Russians and Romanians could not be sincere friends.The traditional tendency of the Russian politics to unite with the Slave population from South to open up the road for Constantinopol[23] has met always the most serious obstacle in the existence of the Romanian State.The interest of our national conservation ,pushed us in the opposite camp of Russia [24].A bigger and stronger Romania was to become,undoubtfuly,an obstacle even greater in the way of Russian aspirations*.


The antagonism was real.The Mondial War created ,it is true,a community of interests between Romania and Russia,but it was incidental ,passing,born from the wish to take down the commun enemy:Austro-Hungary .Even this alliance with Russia ,become inevitable by the adhession of Romania at the action of the Entente ,was tha black spot of our war politics ;it was thus exploited by the adversaries and showed as imoral and dangerous for the future development of our state.The alliance of Russia with Romania resembled much with one of those conventional marriages ,in which each of the parteners ,husband and wife,makes reserves over the future conduct.Our colaboration with Russia and the reciprocal raports have been impregnated ,from the beginning ,by a sentiment of untrust;it has dominated our log tratatives for our entering in the War and were also the cause for delaying this entering.It was not a brotherly colaboration ,enthusiast ,spontane,started from the heart ,wich connected us with France and Italy ,nor the one started from the deep ideeas as the one with England.In the bottom of or conscience we were afraid of the definitive victory of Russia ,which opened to us frightening perspectives,On her part,Russia had the interest ,for us to not come out too strong.A Russian Military historian ,which had an important function on th Romanian Front 1917-1918 ,confesses with sincerity that there is a serious contradiction between "the Romanian politic objective" and Russian military objectives.

From this situaton ,false,went out all the attitude of Russia.The appreciation of the Romanian aid and its invokation by Russia were changing after the fate of operations on Fronts,and our own necessities when they were pressing ,when abandoned.In the course of these oscillations ,Russia have considered for a long time the concur of Romania as inutile,then,when she considered it necessary ,has opposed a long and stubborn resistance to addmitting of our revendications ,under the pretext of defending the interest of Slavism(Slav nations).She has throwed us in to the War for her interests when and in the direction she wanted.She did not let us to strengthen too much ,stealing our war material ,gave us a very problematic help and did not intervene serious but only when the situation started to become threatening.The impressions in the beginning,became latter a sure thing.Russia did not wanted the victory of Romania .On the contrary ,it seemed that she wanted the dezastre of her ally.

........


It cannot be established with precission because the formal acuzation of treason ,used even by political figures with great responsibility and with ballanced word-that for instance ,A. Tardieu [25]-may be justified.At the Court of Petrograd was a nebular atmosphere ,loaded and suspect.It was attributed to the wife of the Zar ,of German origin [26],also her anturaje ,in which have played tenebrous roles ministers Sturmer and Protopopov,as the odious monk Rasputin[28],the Germanophil feelings and the intention to prepare a separate peace with Germany .The necessary pretext ,to justify this treason faced with the commune cause of the Allies ,had to be a military desastre ,which to not touch directly Russia ,but which to prove in an elocvent way the military superiority of the Central Powers and the inutility of extending the war any further.This pretext ,wellcomed ,was just the collapse of Romania ,indicated to this by her proximity ,by the direct link of the fighting frontiers and by the great hopes put at her entering into action.This is why the conducteurs of this politics were pushing Romanian to desastre.

.........


A secret document published latter by the Bolsevic regime ,brings light over the feelings of the leading circles of the Russian politics and their intentions.It is the celebre "report Polivanov",written either by the former War Minister ,either by a high clerk from the Ministry of Foreign Relations ,Russian,with the same name .Polivanov makes the history of our entering in the War and of the tratatives that followed;he is of oppinion that the territorial extenssions given to Romania "did not corresponded to her participation to the military operations".Continuing with the showing of the phazes of the War ,Polivanov describes in this way the situation created by the events:"From the point of view of the Russian interests ,having in sight the actual situation in Russia ,we have to be lead by the following considerations :if the circumstances would evolve in this way ,such that the military and political convention of 1916 with Romania could be fully realized ,it would be created in the Balkans a very strong state ,composed of Moldavia,Valahia and Dobrogea-the today Romania-,Transilvania ,Banat and Bucovina-the territories conform with treaty of 1916 -with a population of almost 13 millions .It is obvious that it cannot be counted that this state to remain friendly with Russia and that he wil not want to realize his aspirations ,national,over Basarabia.In the Balkans ,he will try to counterballance the Russian influence and,being given the Latine predominant character of his popolation ,he will find under the great political influence of France and Italy.That is why the destroying of Romanian dreams ,pretaining her will to become a great power in the above proportions ,it is not contrar to the Russian political interests.We have to take advantage of this circumstance ,to tighten up for as long as possible the forced connections uniting Russia with Romania".

The conclusions of this report are of a cinism which makes true the worse assumptions towards Russia's attitude:"The events takingplace now in Romania have modified radical the conditions of 1916 treaty.Instead of a military concur ,relatively modest,which was obliged to give in Dobrogea,Russia had to give to her troops almost entirely for the defending of Romania .This military aid of Russia has taken now proportions ,such that the promisses made to Romania by the above treaty ,relativ at territorial compensations in exchange for her entering in the War ,must be,without a doubt ,reviewed.If in the actual circumstances,it would be inoportun the rising of this matter ,it has to be set now to the day order in the closest moment and most favorable one"[29].

.

The methods of the Russian politics are evident from this report;he forms a serious base for the accuzations of unsincerity,or even of treason ,of the military Russian actions and political ones.It is full accord and direct continuity ,with the attitude of Sturmer in the last phaze of the tratatives in the summer of 1916,which led to the closing of the two conventions with Romania:the premeditated decission to not held these engagements written in these conventions.

There were two Russias,which worked against one another.First was the militarist Russia and nationalist ,Russia of Alekseev ,for which Romania has been the indispensable auxiliary but unsympathetic ,of which anihilation ,once the service acomplished ,was wanted by the Zarist Empire ;it was the same old Russia of 1878,of Ignatiev and Suvalov[30].The second one was Underground Russia ,of Sturmer ,Protopopov and Rasputin,the Russia of ocult combinations and treasons,for which Romania was only a tranzaction object ,or traffic.

Whatever would have been of these two the face with which Russia was presenting herself towards us,it cannot be seen the trust we could put in to our great ally and how just appear the precautions ,which Bratianu(Romanian Primeminister) thought to take against Russia ,during our tratatives of alliance.One thing is beyond any discussion:during the 1916 campaign ,attacked by superior forces ,without the real support of the Allies from the West ,we had next to us ,an unsincere and bad will ally*.

........

Lacks in our military preparation

The collaps of our military power has not only outside causes .There are also causes which must be looked in her organization and preparation.We must admit them with sincerity.The chief critic brought to the organization of the Army is her hipertrofiation ;pumping up the effectives to give the impression of a numerous Army.This increasing of effectives was made in the detriment of her solidity.From 15 Divisions ,which had before 1914,the Army has been increased to 23 Divisions.To reach this number ,there have been introduced numerous weak elements ,physically and as training.Nor the officers ,or the trained men,neither the armament ,or munition ,we had,did not permit an incrasing such considerable of the Army.There were no trained reserves either,or capable to be trained ,to fill in the gaps.In short,our power did not excede 15 Divisions.The diluation of the Army,provoked by the increasing too much this number ,had as result the diminishing of her combative value.Instead of an Army less numerous ,buth homogen and full of cohesion ,we presented in the War with an Army pumped up as number ,but carrying in this inflation the signs of weakness.Such lacks were observed during 1916 campaign in the preparation for the fight of the Army.It cannot be said that during the two years of neutrality there haven't been made efforts for material equiping of the Army and for preparation for War;our Army of 1916 did not had anything in common with the one in 1913 in Bulgaria campaign.But the two years of European War made that the tactic ,and the armament ,to realize huge progresses ,as there haven't been done in two decades of peace.Isolated by the two adverse camps,we have learned too less.It is true that we did not had teachers.Our situation of neutral country ,having in the rib the continuous threat of the Germans imposed us reserve.The offer of the French to send us a Military Mission ,under the Command of General Mondesir ,to train the Romanian Army in the spirit of the new methods of fight ,had to be declined by the Romanian Government ,of fraid of the grave complication it would have birth.The Mission of General Berthelot arrived too late ,when we have already started to slip on the slope of defeat He was able to notice that we are"admirable desorganises"[32] and to bring imense services for reorganizing of the Army which would have to fight in the second part of the campaign.


With this total lack of knowing the circumstances of the modern War ,with anacronic tactic manners ,with important Commandments ,occupied by unprepared men ,brought to high positions not by selection ,but by connections of interests or friendship,we have started the War having as enemy ,that nation for which war was a "national industry"-after the word of a French politician and "a biological necessity",after a celebre German General ,with that Army,whose chiefs ,by the probe of two years of fierce War ,were the creators of the most fighting methods .These circumstances made us commit numerous mistakes which cost us thousands of lives and shaken the trust of our soldier.We wil quote some of the most frequent.Our attacks were insuficiently prepared by artillery and many times uncovered.The trenches ,dug by ours,superficial,sheltered badly the fighters.We did not know to hide;in the first night ,even,at the crossing of Carpathians ,a Commander of Regiment has been shot ,because he had an electric lamp on his pocket ,at the centurion.There have been ordered charges of cavalry ,like the times of Murat and Coulaincourt[33],against some enemy positions strongly retrenched with barbed wire fence ;they have melted in the fires of enemy machineguns .Not enaugh measures of protection made painful tactical surprises.Unsufficeient reconnoitrings or superficial ones -due also to the lack of motorcycles and of aeroplanes -put us many times face to face with greatly superior forces,or permitted us the exploitation only of beginning of successes.The lack of cooperation between infantry and artillery was one of the grave downs on conducting the fights.Generally,was put little importance over the firing with the rifle -neglected during peace time-and too much over bayonet attacks ,primitive system ,risky and costing to many lives,face with the strong means of defence at distance of the modern war.

The foreign technicians have noticed that the instruction of the artillery was defectuous:she has stopped at the battery school.Because of this,the firing range of the isolated batteries ,good by themselves ,were not capable of sufficient tactical aplications.The lack of preparation of group firing range was explained also by the poor of means of the artillery:in the beginning ,the batteries had only 2 km of cable ;they could not work with efficiency ,being without connection with the infantry,also.Because of this she could not make use of the advantages of the terrain,being forced to choose uncovered positions ,or to replace the telephone with men of connection.The artillery also did not had sightings aparatus ;it was a pitty to see good units dying because of the lack of elementary technical means.

The inferiority of our armament was one of the decissive causes of the defeat.Heavy artillery we had too few.All over the place we have been dominated by the enemy ,as mouths of fire ,as by calibers and length of firing range:each enemy Division had a strong heavy artillery.Our batteires were all the time framed and smashed by the enemy heavy artillery .The lack of horses or tractors made difficult even more the transport of our cannons ,heavy ones;most of them had to be transported with oxes.That is why our heavy cannons could not be brought and used almost in none of the fights during the 1916 campaign.Against the numerous enemy heavy artillery ,we opposed the "rifles" of 53 mm ,which "spit" their projectiles at 2 km.In a war made on a mountaineous frontier ,we were totally without-because of known causes-by mountain artillery,where as the enemy had special units armed ,equiped and trained for this kind of war.

A foreign technician writes:The infantry was too nervous and inferior to the enemy one as training:she had almost no machineguns at all ,grenades ,scissors for cutting the metal wires and rolling kitchens .Followed from behind by the enemy heavy artillery and weakly supported by the own one ,she went tired in a service without exchanges and could not be sheltered by a certain moral depression".


The summing up of the complex of circumstances in which it was made the entering in to the War of Romania and ofthe attitude of the Allies towards her,has been cristalized by some severe rows ,ofcourse,but very interesting,because they come fom an eminent personality,political and military,English ,General Thompson ,former military attache at Bucharest ,which became latter the Minister of Aeronautics in English Cabinet of Loyd George[31];"The first act of the Romanian tragedy is close to the end.A Latine small country gave up to the baits and threats and entered under Russian auspices in to an European War.Now,here she is ,crushed and smashed ,victim of two invasions :one ,of the enemy at the South,the other one of the Russians at the North.The Western powers were giftful,unmeasurably,in their simpathy -they wouldn't be giftful with something else-and they were the witnessess of the missfortune caused by themselves .In France ,an optimism ignorant,had conceived an egoist plan.England supports this plan,and Russia in the name of the Allied interests ,follows a Russian politics ,traditional,which has been obscure and sinistre. .........

The disproportion of the number of machineguns ,which we had next to the enemy ,had fantastic proportions.Our old Regiments had six machineguns each;the new ones ,only two ,or none.The rifle-machinegun was unknown in our Army.As ,we had 8-24 machineguns for Division-some had none -the germans had 324 machineguns for each Division,from which 108 heavy ones and 216 light ones*.

We had almost no aeroplanes.Our Army was blind ,moved with fear ,sensing with prudence the directions of advance ,as the sky was splintered in long and wide by enemy squadrons of reconissance and bombardment.In some occassions ,the bombarding from enemy aeroplanes made us extraordinary casualties ,as in a battle.The aeroplanes brought to the enemy excelent services of directing the artillery firing range ;we did not know this method ,our artillery was firing blind or made her aiming after old fashioned practices.

Our soldier realized very quickly the imense superiority of the enemy in technical means.He was discovered and killed from distance by the enemy ,which he cannot touch whith his bayonet,and sometimes could not even see him.We must also add the multitude of trucks ,which permitted the provisioning ,qoick ,and even transport of troops;the multitude of telephones connecting even the most adavnced posts with the Commandment ;wireless telegraph ,signalling aparatus and all the modern scientific gear.

There are known the circumstances which did not permit us to prepare the Army during the neutrality time.We have entered the War with the hope ,based on the promises of the Allies,that we will acomplish fast these lacks ,even during the campaign.Hardships of all kind obstacled us to do it.The base of provisioning our Army was outside the country and the link with this base was made by a fantastic going around:through the Ice Ocean by Arhanghelsk and through the pacific ocean by vladivostok!Added to the difficulties by this distance ,was added also the bad will and neglecting of the Russians and an unlucky fate.Two ships of the Romanian Maritime Service ,Bistrita and Jiu which were transporting War materials from France ,expediated from there without escort ,have been sunk by the german submarines in the Ice ocean ,losing in this way imense quantities of war material**.

Face with the crushing technical superiority of the adversary ,were needed qualities of bravery ,legendary,of our soldier ,to keep an inequal fight for four months.All the military critics and war correspondents haste to recocnize it.The Swiss Colonel Elgi,of which Germanofilism is well knownin a very severe critics made to our Army ,writes:"Their peasant soldiers ,which fought with a real despise for death ,were send against the barbed wire nets and trenches ,which have not been hit by artillery fire ,as over them was falling a real rain of bullets".A Russian General,tasked with an important mission on the Romanian Front ,writes :"The Romanian soldier is excelent :brave ,disciplined ,quick to learn,capable to withstand missgivings and hardships ,and when it is well Commanded ,to give violent attacks".

The respect for truth oblige us to admit that not the entire human material of our Army was up to the recocnizing made by the foreigners and sang by us.Increasing the effectives have introduced in the fighting units also a great proportion of weak men,elements eaten by ,deseases,undernourishing or men past the age and former -reformed ,which a wide but tardive revision found them apt for military service.These kind of men ,which could be used behind the front line,without physical strength or spiritual,with not enaugh military training ,throwed in to the fighting line sometimes without even firinga shot in their life with the weapon set for the first time in their hands*,were standing in the way and were compromising the fight ,demoralizing also their camarads.In this way are explained the cases of run away,surrender in mass or automutilation ,which have determined in some parts the most severe measure of repression.

Mistakes of organization contributed to the lowering of the randament of the troop.Among these,to many changes of the Commanders of units of differend orders.The order of battle had been the bigest secret of War preparation.Around the entering into action ,a real avalanche of movings had as effect that the Commanders to not know the troop to which they had to Command ,to not know the value of the elements which they have to use in different missions ,even to have very vague ideeas of the topography of the terrain on which they had to operate.This thing was bad ,especially to the Commanders of big units .It was steped over the base principle of military pedagogy,that who prepares a troop in the eve of war,that is the one who has to Command it in action.

........

Schwarte,Technik der Weltkriege,... Bistrita ship was loaded with material of over 30 000 000 Lei(Romanian currency) She had on board 100 machineguns system Hootchiss,20 mortiers of 58 mm,66 automobiles ,22 truks ,5 sanitary automobiles,7 ambulances with complete sanitary equipment ,2 hangars of aeroplanes ,5 baloons with all accessories ,10 000 rifles ,60 000 steel helmets ,380 000 grenades ,fireheads and cartridges for cannons,few millions cartridges for machinegun,883 tons of steel in bars ,29 tons of nichel,23 tons of pucioasa ,8,5 tons led,62 machines for dynamite.

...And some spiritual downs

More than the simple soldiers are asked outstanding qualities to the chiefs of any rank,which Commands them.A troop values as much as her leaders value.Never a troop showed cowardice ,when her leaders have been up to the cahllenge.That is why ,the solid preparation of the Officer Corps must be made in time and with care.Victories or defeats are prepared during the peace time.The fundament of the professional education of those in which hands are set in difficult moments thousands of lives and the existence of nations,must be an armonious development of the spiritual(soul) qualities-used to make good work,honesty,to be used with the ideea of self sacrifice -together with a careful training ,technical and solid physical one.

The circumstances of our political life and social did not permit us to do always the right thing.It is not the place here to make the critic of different aspects of this life;we can only notice some of the defects.

The physical and spiritual preparation of the masses for a War considered as unavoidable ,fatal,even whished for fullfiling a hystorical process ,has been to many nations the principal preoccupation ,towards which all the energies were polarizing ,for which all the sacrifices were made.In this way was to the Japanese ,Germans and even Bulgarians.It was not the same for us.

It is true that for some decades,the school-specially the secondary one ,inspired by postulates expressed by the great guides of the national conscience -in front with Eminescu(poet),Iorga,Goga-have done a loot to creat a new spirit of the younger generation ,rising her in the national spirit ,which had the supreme expression in the ideal of wholing the nation in a single bundle.Did she succeed in forming up the Romanian soul?The probe of War puts us in the face of a worrying question.The task we took over our shoulders wasn't maybe too hard for our strengths?It is ,ofcourse,firstly about the spiritual forces ,the ones that command to the material powers.We dared to make a great Romania!

A painful suspicion crosses the minds of those used to think,to analize ,to disecate our actions ,their mobiles and the used energies:maybe we wern't prepared for such a great deed.Exited too soon from a slavery wich lasted long time(Ottoman) and left uncleared marks,in haste to do in a short time what others have made in centuries ,mixing the ancestral bread with all kinds of new elements ,not enaugh caught by the land,we took things easy and thought that the great postulates are acomplished with sounding talk and less work ,with improvizations without depth ,with the hope of luck and without serious preparation.It is about,ofcourse,by these qualities seen on the ethnic plane as a property of the hood ,as it is seen in the mass of the nation ,as to the leaders she chooses ,or which she supports in her temple.Over a great chapter of social pedagogy ,of forming of the character ,we have been deficients.We did not had the school of serosity ,of foreseeing ,of tenacity of work for an ideal.In short,we did not had enaugh stregth of character,quality wich sums up and resumes all the gifts of civic spirit-in the lower masses ,and especially in the upper class.Because,ofcourse,not the entire leading class has arrived to be spirited by the national ideal-understood in all its aspects-and ready to sacrifice all that has better in his being-until the most extreme one.The materialism,made by the haste for a comfortable living,and the scepticism which paralizes the elan for higher goals,were propagated by the social ambiance ,lead by the people under the shield of party politics.

In general,this world was dominated by superficial ideeas ,wrong,about the evolution of the circumstance of general politics.

Few decades ,we have considered war as impossible,in the worst case as improbable .Our belief was neutrality,our program ,of state:a peaceful economical evolution.The realization of the national ideals :fanasies of febril heads which gave ,in the years of youth ,circumstance for agitation and quiet down with age .Our foreign politics was inspired by the fraid of Russia and by the need to attache to the Central Powers,which guaranteed our pecefulness and evolution.To this need we have sacrificed entirely the national aspirations whic,alone,could have constituted the engine of an energic action.The prudence of our foreign policy /politics was legendary now.We were proud,when Europe gave us the prize of well behaviour.The alliance with Germany and Austro-Hungary kidnapped any independence of thought ,any veleity of independent action.We were like the hanging plant which cannot live but only supported by her suport.We did not even thought to seek power in ourselves;it was so easy and safe to find it at the neighbour!From this cause we got used to consider the Army as sensless and burden institution .Not only to the masses but even to the Army itself ,missed for a long time the real preparation for the war;the training was superficial,the marchings were made more for parades ,firing to the target neglected -it was a common thing the lack of seriosity of the training officers ,which fired in to the wind for fulfilling the number of cartridges/bullets obligatory.The organization ,filled with birocracy ,which kills the real soldier's virtues.

All of a sudden ,in the middle of this dreaming,a cruel awekening.The cannon was thundering and recalled us to reality.All the national problems ,eliminated from our calculus of official diplomacy ,were set up on the wall with brutality ;their solving could not be made with the help of the Austro-German protector ,but against it,through fight.


The war entered in the calculus of most close probabilities and it was finding us with the ranks of our Army unorganized.Then,the run after officers .For forming up of the active ones ,was populated over the brim the military schools,emptying the superior classes of the highschools ,not always by the most distinguished students ,bu in genere, by those who saw in the military career the means to create quick a budgetary shelter.For the officers in reserve were called up the graduated of the middle schools of all kinds ,comercial ones,censervatory ones ,then the whole learned mass.It has been in this way fabricated in haste an officer corps which gave the ilussion of the ranks of a numerous Army.The compozition and value of this Corps were very unequal;few elite elements ,next to many elements weak.The Army whith which we entered the War did not have omogeneity ;it could be felt the febril character of her organization :a lot of improvization ,a lot of superficiality ,a lot of trust in "Romanian's luck",in inspiration of the moment and in "the protection of our great Allies".

It is true that during the War some nations ,as the English and Americans(Northern) ,have proven that in a few months can be formed from an educated young man ,a good officer.But his training at the troop was given to an experimented instructor and was made with an outstanding method and intensity under direct influence of War itself ,almost under the fire on the enemy.This instruction went over the fundament of a strong moral education and physical one ,earned in the family as in school and was lightened by the flame of a burning patriotism ,streamed rom the proud rase ,from secular warior traditions .We cannot say the same thing about the face in which it has gotten to the point of more than double the effectives of officers of our Army ,in the eve of 1916 campaign.

The cultural and social currents in our country did not allow the evolution of our Army as an unitary organism,with a single colective soul.It could only be the icon of the society ,with its contrasts and lack of solidarity of the two classes composing it.Not enaugh evolved in their economical and cultural evolution,having the weakness of indifferentism of a poor material condition .On one hand ,the great masses of the population ,and such of the Army ,did not know yet well ,or ,in the best case,were not in the situation to be spirited by national ideals,the supreme target for which supreme realization were made our War preparatives.The sentiment on which could be counted more was that one of fulfilling with hollyness of the one's duty ,of the ancestral obedience towards "the great ones".On the other hand ,in some upper blankets of the society ,a state of soul spirited by a fierce egoism/avarism ,by a hasted scepticism ,by the cult of appearances could not help at forming up of that elit corps ,to know to spirit the masses ,by personal example ,the duty of supreme sacrifice for great victories.

........


A great part of our generation grew up with the ideal of ensuring of a better living,with as less efforts as possible.

The most pretious quality was the ability with which you could succeed in life ,going around systematic work .All the admiration was for the slik ones which"now how to spin".The ideals and serious work provoked smiles and despise;it was the indices of naivity propagated by deeds of the family ,the society ,and sometimes even the school.

Armies rose up from the middle of nations ,of which exponent they are.The fights of the Armies are the fights of nations ;these ones pay for mistakes ,with which they made their lives of state and institutions.The souls steel ,characthers strengthens by hard fight of life .We have been the spoiled children of luck and of a rich country .We got used to wait everything from her and not give anything back.We needed ,though ,the bitter lesson of defeat ,to learn what we didn't know to find out earlier,that we also have holly duties ,which may not be payed but only with the light of inteligence ,with the power of the arm and with the sacrifice of blood.

A new school was made thus,without knowing,during the fights and in the midst of sufferings of all kinds of our military desastre .Her result is the new spirit which will soul the nation and the Army during the second part of our War.It will bring us reabilitation and victory.

[1] Cf.E. Ludendorff,Souvenirs de guerre,tome I,Payot,Paris 1921.

[2] On the Southern Front of the Balkanik Peninsula -at Salonic.

[3] See K.A.Jeansen ,Der Kaizer und der General.Die Fuhrungskrise um Bethmann-Hollweg und Felkenhayn(1914-1916),Musterschmidt Verlag,Gottingen ,berlin ,Franfurt,Zurich

[4] Haig ,Sir Douglas (1861-1928) ,British General and then Feldmarshal (since 1917),Commander of the British Expeditionary Corps fighting in France

[5] Luigi Cadorna (1850-1928) ,Italian General ,Chief of of general Staff ,General of Italian Army.

[6] Albert the I-st ,King of Belgium(1909-1933).

[7]Aleksandru I-st Karaghorghvic,inheriter Serb Prince and then King of Iugoslavia (1921-1934).

[8] At 20th of July 1916 ,the Italians unleash an offensive during Battle of Trentino,in Travignolo Valley ,then ,at 6th of August begin the 6th Battle of on Isonzo.In ansamble the results have been far from expectations.

[9]During the brusilov offensive ,the Russians occupy Luck at 6th of June 1916,opening the ways of access at South of Nistru towards Cernauti.

[10] Theatre of Exterior Operations.

[11]Wilson ,Sir Henry ,British General ,Chief of Operational General Staff (1911-1913)-he had great functions during the Great War.

[12]N.M.Castelnau(1850-1916) ,French General.

[13]But where to take them from...?

[14]"Theatre of operations"-Special Service of the French Army.

[15]Horatio Herbert Kitchiner (1850-1916) ,British General,War Minister in the years of the Great War ,disappeared in a naval catastrophe in 1916.

[16]The offensive in Champagne ,on Western Front ,was made by the French during 19-24th of February 1915.Hevy fights took place at Champagne in September 1915 ,October 1915,and January 1916 etc.

[17]War Ministry of Great Britain.

[18] After the military defeat of 1915 campaign ,in the last days of 1915 and beginning of 1916 the Serb troops retreated towards the shore of Adriatic Sea ,from wher Allied ships transported them for remaking in Corfu Island -Greek-under Allied control.

[19]At 5th of August 1916 ,the Bulgarian troops have unleashed an offensive entering on Greek territory ,in Monastir region then,at 19th of August they have advanced in Strumei Valley and in sector Monastir ;at 20th of August the Bulgarians have damed the French-Serb tentative of offensive on Macedonian Front.This front stabilised in sector Lake Ostrov(21st of August).Only at 17 th of September 1916 a new offensive effort ,Allied,on the Macedonian front has trained the conquering of Florina.


[20]About this decission see Fritz Fischer ,Griff nach der Weltmacht,Die Kriegsziel politik des kaiserlichen Deutschland 1914/18 ,Dusseldorf ,Droste Verlag 1967.

[21] See Popa M.N.,Wirst World War 1914-1918 ,Chapter IV ,Peace tentatives ,contradictions and disputes between Allies.

[22]Russian Chinese convention of 27 March 1898,imposed by Russia ,established the leasing by Russia of Chinese city Port Arthur -in Extreme Orient ,on the shore of Pacific Ocean .The Zarism has transformed Port Arthur in to a formidable fortress ,considered inexpungable .But sieged by Japanese during the War with Russia in 1904-1905 ,the fortress has been forced to surrender .

[25]Andre Tardieu (1876-1945),newspaper man and influent politician ;connected with the History of First World War -La paix,paris,Payot ,1921.

[26]Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918),Principess of Hessa ,Zarina of Russia (1894-1917).

[27]See A. Viroubova,Secret Journal (1909-1917) ,Paris,Payot,1928.

[29]See Russian Secret Documents ,1914-1917,Paris ,Payot ,1928.

[30] A.A. Ignatiev ,General and diplomat,Russian;P.Suvalov-Russian diplomat .Ignatiev and Suvalov linked their names by the Russian Zarist politics ,especially by the epoch of Oriental Crisis in years 1877-1878.

[31] Cabinet D.Loyd George was in power in period December 1916-October 1922.

[32] Admirable desorganized.

[33]Close colaborators of Emperor Napoleon Ist ,Joachim Murat (1767-1815),Cavalerist,Marshal of France ,King of Neapoli(since 1808);Louis de Colaincourt (1772-1827),General.Duke of Venice.


(Volunteer Seargent Gheorghe Donici ,who fell on 10/23 November 1916, during the Charge of Robanesti)

photo5.jpg

(Moment during the fights for defending Azuga locality)


(Position of Romanian troops during the fights in Transilvania-September 1916)


(Moment from the fights of Romanian troops supported by civilian population for defending Tirgu-Jiu)

(Scene from Cerna Fights,October -November 1916)

(The Great Romanian-Russian Headquarter at Birlad,from left to right,Col.E.Nicoleanu,King Ferdinand and Generals.Saharov,Bielajev,Berthelot etc)

(The Charge at Prunaru)


(Romanian soldiers in the trenches during the fights for defending Carpathian Mountains line)


(The fight of encountering between Romanian units and German ones in Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) Pass)


(Romanian field battery changing position under enemy fire)

r

(General David Praporgescu,Commander of Lotru Detachment and then of I-st Romanian Army Corps,fell heroic in the Fights on Olt Valley 30 September/13 October 1916)


......after Battle of Ciresoaia,the end of 1917 Romanian Campaign.From Constantin Kiritescu- 1921 ,Gral. Aristide Razu ,translated by Andrei Radu Georgescu 2003:CF:BF29:8606:6454:8553:E442:82A6 (talk) 19:23, 26 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:8606:6454:8553:E442:82A6 (talk) 19:25, 26 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

...But it seems I cannot sign them when logged in .So I signed with Razu not logged in ,instead.I see all nationalized properties and many things in Aristide Razu article ,gone with the wind.Is it because of ssians wanna by bought kings romania or because of Winston Churchill article or just in general last venties ..or so.Thank you.[[User:Aristiderazu|Aristiderazu]] ([[User talk:Aristiderazu#top|talk]]) 19:31, 28 June 2020 (UTC)Aristiderazu

Revision as of 19:31, 28 June 2020

File:32nd Mircea voda regiment of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the truce 1917.jpg

Thank you for uploading this media,

However, it would be nice if you could give some kind of indication as to what license the media is under. That way other people can be confident in making use of it for many varied purposes :)

Adding license information also helps prevent media you've put effort into creating from being deleted :)

You may wish to read Wikipedia:Image_copyright_tags#For_image_creators which will assist you :) Sfan00 IMG (talk) 10:35, 5 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

32nd Mircea Voda Regiment was Commanded by General Aristide Razu,my great grandfather in 1917.The Regiment made a gift to him a small album ,which I posses,With these pictures.Also you may find them all here

http://www.panoramio.com/user/2365578/tags/32MirceaVodaRegiment?photo_page=2

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/24639765.jpg

on this album there is a page with caption in which is written:"The Officers and the Troop of the 32nd "Mircea Voda " Regiment ,offers to Mr.General Razu Aristide this album. As symbol of deep gratitude for the mastering .energy and love with which he led them into battle . Giving them the occassion to earn a place in the history of the hood/nation... The Commander of the Regiment 32"Mircea Voda" Colonel signed -Penescu January 1918"

Andrei Radu GeorgescuAristiderazu (talk) 20:42, 18 June 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

June 2010

Please do not replace Wikipedia pages with blank content, as you did to the page Aristide Razu. Blank pages can confuse readers, and are overall not helpful to the Wikipedia project; furthermore, blanking a page is not the same as deleting it.

If the article you blanked is a duplicate of another article, please redirect it to an appropriate existing page. If the page has been vandalized, please revert it to the last legitimate revision. If you feel that the content of a page is inappropriate, please replace it with appropriate content. If you believe there is no hope for the page, please use the appropriate deletion process. Shannon ♫ (talk) 17:56, 5 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Your recent edits

Hello. In case you didn't know, when you add content to talk pages and Wikipedia pages that have open discussion, you should sign your posts by typing four tildes ( ~~~~ ) at the end of your comment. You may also click on the signature button located above the edit window. This will automatically insert a signature with your username or IP address and the time you posted the comment. This information is useful because other editors will be able to tell who said what, and when. Thank you. --SineBot (talk) 18:05, 5 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Aristride Razu

I moved your new version to Aristride Razu and left the long named one a redirect to it. Aristride Razu is now your new one and, if you need it, here is a copy of the old one below.

Copy Of Old One

Aristide Razu (1868-1950) was a Romanian General and Commander of the 22nd Romanian Infantry Division in 1916 and of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the Great War against the Central Powers.

After his retirement in 1928, the Romanian Government started with nationalization of the underground of the lands (underground resources such as petrol etc. having been declared as belonging to the State in 1932) and in 1946, his land and family properties in general such as Muzeul Nicolae Balcescu (Land Balcesti-Giltofani) belonging to Radu Mandrea, brother of Margareta Razu, born from Zoe Balcescu and Nicolae Mandrea, wife of General Aristide Razu, in Birsanesti, Bacau County, Romania, 99 Ha and Cobadin, Constanta County, Romania, including his house on Vasovia Street, Bucharest have been nationalized and still are today in 2010.

References




~QwerpQwertus ·_Talk_·_Contribs_· The Wiki Puzzle Piece Award

Speedy deletion nomination of Aristide Razu

A tag has been placed on Aristide Razu requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under section A7 of the criteria for speedy deletion, because the article appears to be about a person or group of people, but it does not indicate how or why the subject is important or significant: that is, why an article about that subject should be included in an encyclopedia. Under the criteria for speedy deletion, such articles may be deleted at any time. Please see the guidelines for what is generally accepted as notable, as well as our subject-specific notability guideline for biographies. You may also wish to consider using a Wizard to help you create articles - see the Article Wizard.

If you think that this notice was placed here in error, you may contest the deletion by adding {{hangon}} to the top of the page that has been nominated for deletion (just below the existing speedy deletion or "db" tag - if no such tag exists then the page is no longer a speedy delete candidate and adding a hangon tag is unnecessary), coupled with adding a note on the talk page explaining your position, but be aware that once tagged for speedy deletion, if the page meets the criterion, it may be deleted without delay. Please do not remove the speedy deletion tag yourself, but don't hesitate to add information to the page that would render it more in conformance with Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. Lastly, please note that if the page does get deleted, you can contact one of these admins to request that they userfy the page or have a copy emailed to you. OlYellerTalktome 03:06, 7 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Speedy deletion nomination of Aristide Razu

A tag has been placed on Aristide Razu requesting that it be speedily deleted from Wikipedia. This has been done under section A7 of the criteria for speedy deletion, because the article appears to be about a person or group of people, but it does not indicate how or why the subject is important or significant: that is, why an article about that subject should be included in an encyclopedia. Under the criteria for speedy deletion, such articles may be deleted at any time. Please see the guidelines for what is generally accepted as notable, as well as our subject-specific notability guideline for biographies. You may also wish to consider using a Wizard to help you create articles - see the Article Wizard.

If you think that this notice was placed here in error, you may contest the deletion by adding {{hangon}} to the top of the page that has been nominated for deletion (just below the existing speedy deletion or "db" tag - if no such tag exists then the page is no longer a speedy delete candidate and adding a hangon tag is unnecessary), coupled with adding a note on the talk page explaining your position, but be aware that once tagged for speedy deletion, if the page meets the criterion, it may be deleted without delay. Please do not remove the speedy deletion tag yourself, but don't hesitate to add information to the page that would render it more in conformance with Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. Lastly, please note that if the page does get deleted, you can contact one of these admins to request that they userfy the page or have a copy emailed to you. Goodvac (talk) 18:30, 7 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you for your contributions to Wikipedia. When you make a change to an article, please provide an edit summary, which you forgot to do before saving your recent edit to Aristide Razu. Doing so helps everyone to understand the intention of your edit. It is also helpful to users reading the edit history of the page. Thank you. ukexpat (talk) 03:57, 9 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:32nd Mircea voda regiment of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the truce 1917.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:32nd Mircea voda regiment of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the truce 1917.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

If you have uploaded other files, consider checking that you have specified their license and tagged them, too. You can find a list of files you have created in your upload log.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. ww2censor (talk) 05:26, 11 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:General Aristide Razu ,his wife Margareta Razu and my grandfather Alexandru Razu.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:General Aristide Razu ,his wife Margareta Razu and my grandfather Alexandru Razu.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. ww2censor (talk) 05:29, 11 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:General Aristide Razu 1928.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:General Aristide Razu 1928.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. ww2censor (talk) 05:29, 11 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:General Aristide Razu with the Communication Regiment in 1928.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:General Aristide Razu with the Communication Regiment in 1928.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. ww2censor (talk) 05:47, 11 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Contacting editors who contrbute to a page

It is very nice that you want to thank the person helping you. However, it is highly unlikely that they are reading the help page. I think it is a great thing that you want to thank them, so, if you don’t mind, I’ll show you how. At the article Aristide Razu, click on the "History" tab. There you will see that someone named Eugen Ivan has been editing the page. You will also see the word "talk" next to their name. If you click on it, you will be brought to the talk page of that editor, and you can thank them there. Just in case you aren’t regularly following this page, I’ll also post this at your talk page.SPhilbrickT 22:26, 14 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Regimentul 32 "Mircea Voda"

32nd Mircea Voda Regiment was Commanded by General Aristide Razu,my great grandfather in 1917.The Regiment made a gift to him a small album ,which I posses,With these pictures.Also you may find them all here

http://www.panoramio.com/user/2365578/tags/32MirceaVodaRegiment?photo_page=2

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/24639765.jpg

on this album there is a page with caption in which is written:"The Officers and the Troop of the 32nd "Mircea Voda " Regiment ,offers to Mr.General Razu Aristide this album. As symbol of deep gratitude for the mastering .energy and love with which he led them into battle . Giving them the occassion to earn a place in the history of the hood/nation... The Commander of the Regiment 32"Mircea Voda" Colonel signed -Penescu January 1918"

Andrei Radu GeorgescuAristiderazu (talk) 20:48, 18 June 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu (talk) 20:42, 18 June 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

File:Firstpage32Mircea Voda Regiment.jpg
the above caption
File:OurWar1917.jpg
MARASESTI-32nd "Mircea Voda" Regiment -Our War-1917


File:Colonel Penescu COnstantin Commander of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment.jpg
Colonel Penescu Constantin Commander of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment
File:32nd Mircea voda regiment of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the truce 1917.jpg
During the Truce
File:The Prayer of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment,in the Eve of The Fight.jpg
The Prayer in the Eve of The Fight
File:Defending Negroponte Castle.jpg
....

The same applies for the Communication Regiment.As he was the Commander and Inspector of Geniu(Engineers) Weapon,upon his retirement he received another album which I "inherited" as well with pictures.89.114.127.23 (talk) 23:53, 18 June 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu.[reply]

As for the medals he received I've seen none ,although I'm sure the Military Museum of Bucharest received them ,but they told me they don't know anything about the matter,also on display in the museum they have only a picture(sorry a drawing) of him.Probably they ended up in some communist chieftain house(generals ) over the years,as his nationalized properties.As the communism fell but not the communist leaders ,in Romania ,etc.Andrei Radu Georgescu.89.114.127.23 (talk) 23:53, 18 June 2010 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

File copyright problem with File:Firstpage32Mircea Voda Regiment.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Firstpage32Mircea Voda Regiment.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 13:06, 19 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:OurWar1917.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:OurWar1917.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 13:07, 19 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:Colonel Penescu COnstantin Commander of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Colonel Penescu COnstantin Commander of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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File copyright problem with File:The Prayer of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment,in the Eve of The Fight.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:The Prayer of the 32nd Mircea Voda Regiment,in the Eve of The Fight.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 13:11, 19 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:Defending Negroponte Castle.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Defending Negroponte Castle.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 13:13, 19 June 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Copyright for 32nd "Mircea Voda" Regiment

Would you be so kind as to tell me what exactly do I have to provide(birth certificates) and where to send them in order to prove that these pictures belong to General Aristide Razu ,then to Gabriela Razu ,then to Gabriela Razu Georgescu,then to me Andrei Radu Georgescu.

Thank you .Aristiderazu (talk) 14:44, 19 June 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

File copyright problem with File:Mandrea Chapel in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Mandrea Chapel in Bellu Cemetery Bucharest.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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Aristide Razu

Hi ,my name is Andrei Radu Georgescu.I keep seeing these warnings with deletion of Aristide Razu article,my great grandfather which I wrote.Any ideeas why? Kind regards, Aristiderazu (talk) 18:28, 5 July 2010 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

From what I'm seeing, the deletion warnings are due to some of (or all of) the files you uploaded having some sort of copyright issue. I generally stay away from media on Wikipedia but I'm guessing the copyright was not suitably indicated. In short, it's not clear that you have permission to use the pictures you uploaded. Your best bet is to ask questions at the media copyright questions page. OlYellerTalktome 18:51, 5 July 2010 (UTC

Ok,I understand.Kind regards,Aristiderazu (talk) 19:18, 6 July 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

When you uploaded the image of your great-grandfather, you listed yourself as the creator of the image. That would only apply if you had been the person who held the camera and took the photograph. Do we know when the photographs were taken? DS (talk) 12:20, 7 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

The one with the Communication and Signalling Regiment,has been received by Aristide Razu who was Commander of Geniu Weapon(Engineers) at the time ,as a gift, upon his retirement in 1928 just before they unveild the Geniu Monument(the monument with the Lyon with the foot on Kaiser's helmet,which still exist today in Bucharest) in Bucharest, also if you look here is the entire album ,you may also see H. M. Prince Nicholas,which attended the ceremony ,in white British Navy uniform ,son of H.M.King Ferdinand of Romania.As I am his grreat grand son Andrei Radu Georgescu through my mother Gabriela Razu,married Georgescu Mihai,daughter of Alexandreu Razu and Sandor Etelka ,son of Margareta Laura Zoe Mandrea ,daughter of Zoe Mandrea born Balcescu(daughter of Barbu Balcescu ,brother of Nicolae Balcescu) and Nicolae Mandrea ,son of General Aristide Razu. Hence the album is our,mine property at the moment. http://www.panoramio.com/user/2365578 at tag General Aristide Razu

The one with 32"Mircea Voda " Regiment defending Marasesti Train Station in 1917,the album with the entire Regimentit has been received by Genneral Aristide Razu as a gift from the Regiment in 1917;which makes it i suppose our property as well ,since General Aristide Razu was in Command of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division at the time and 32nd "mircea Voda " Regiment was comprised in this Division,I have the album but it does not mention the photographer's name same as above;uploaded by me here http://www.panoramio.com/user/2365578/tags/32MirceaVodaRegimentAristiderazu (talk) 23:17, 8 July 2010 (UTC) Aristiderau[reply]

File copyright problem with File:Battle of Marasti.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Battle of Marasti.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 00:08, 9 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:At height 100(Marasesti 1917).jpg

Thank you for uploading File:At height 100(Marasesti 1917).jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 00:09, 9 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:Battle of 11th of August 1917(Marasesti).jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Battle of 11th of August 1917(Marasesti).jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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File copyright problem with File:Battle of 6th of August 1917(Marasesti).jpg

Thank you for uploading File:Battle of 6th of August 1917(Marasesti).jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 00:11, 9 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File source and copyright licensing problem with File:Marasesti Battle.jpg

File Copyright problem
File Copyright problem

Thanks for uploading File:Marasesti Battle.jpg. I noticed that the file's description page currently doesn't specify who created the content, so the copyright status is unclear. If you did not create this file yourself, you will need to specify the owner of the copyright. If you obtained it from a website, then a link to the website from which it was taken, together with a restatement of that website's terms of use of its content, is usually sufficient information. However, if the copyright holder is different from the website's publisher, their copyright should also be acknowledged.

As well as adding the source, we also need to know the terms of the license that the copyright holder has published the file under, usually done by adding a licensing tag. If you created/took the picture, audio, or video then the {{GFDL-self}} tag can be used to release it under the GFDL. If you believe the media meets the criteria at Wikipedia:Non-free content, use a tag such as {{non-free fair use in|article name}} or one of the other tags listed at Wikipedia:Image copyright tags#Fair use. See Wikipedia:Image copyright tags for the full list of copyright tags that you can use.

If you have uploaded other files, consider checking that you have specified their source and tagged them, too. You can find a list of files you have created in your upload log. Unsourced and untagged files may be deleted one week after they have been tagged, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If the file is copyrighted under a non-free license (per Wikipedia:Fair use) then the file will be deleted 48 hours after 00:12, 9 July 2010 (UTC). If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you. Sfan00 IMG (talk) 00:12, 9 July 2010 (UTC)[reply]

File copyright problem with File:32nd Mircea voda regiment of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the truce 1917,.jpg

Thank you for uploading File:32nd Mircea voda regiment of the 5th Romanian Infantry Division during the truce 1917,.jpg. However, it currently is missing information on its copyright status. Wikipedia takes copyright very seriously. It may be deleted soon, unless we can determine the license and the source of the file. If you know this information, then you can add a copyright tag to the image description page.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them at the media copyright questions page. Thanks again for your cooperation. Skier Dude (talk 04:08, 11 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Aristide Razu references

There is a major problem regarding some of the references that you have added to Aristide Razu. Please see Talk:Aristide Razu#Secondary sources and ask any questions there, or at Wikipedia:Help desk. Johnuniq (talk) 23:11, 11 August 2010 (UTC)[reply]

about Mandrea Chapel in Bellu cemetery ,Bucharest

Hi, I already send all documentation about this subject,births certifficates,marriage ones ,death ones,succession ones ,property of chapel in Bellu etc. to the following address

[email protected]Aristiderazu (talk) 13:52, 12 August 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

question?

Hi.

How do I use this as a signature for mail or Panoramio or Wikipedia or whatever? <anofollow" class="external free">http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Support_Wikipedia/en"><img border="0" alt="Support Wikipedia" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Fundraising_2009-square-share-en.png" /></a>

Many thanks, AndreiAristiderazu (talk) 21:21, 13 November 2010 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

February 2011

Welcome to Wikipedia. Although everyone is welcome to contribute to Wikipedia, at least one of your recent edits, such as the one you made to Marie of Romania, did not appear to be constructive and has been reverted or removed. Please use the sandbox for any test edits you would like to make, and read the welcome page to learn more about contributing constructively to this encyclopedia. Thank you. Sitush (talk) 05:06, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Sorry I just red this article about H.M.Queen Marie or Romania and my impression ,with which I was left was that she was a woman of low character ,and that H.M.K.Ferdinand was an impotent man.When in fact these people built The Great Romania.Maybe there are some circles of interest trying to diminish that.Hey is just a theoryAristiderazu (talk) 04:23, 28 February 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

Wikipedia is not a blog

HI, I'm not sure what you are doing here on your talk page but thought I'd better let you know that there are guidelines for what you do and say, even on your own talk page. You might want to read them to check whether your "diary" of personal complaints that have nothing to do with Wikipedia are permitted or not. Or just delete them. Thanks. - Sitush (talk) 05:13, 21 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Please refrain from making unconstructive edits to Wikipedia, as you did at Nicolae Bălcescu. Your edits appear to constitute vandalism and have been reverted or removed. If you would like to experiment, please use the sandbox. Thank you. OlYellerTalktome 07:56, 21 February 2011 (UTC) Don t you think I know what happens in my own family?Vandalism against who?Communist authorities of Bucharest?I have all papers to show how our properties were and still are nationalized. You think I don t know that the authorities of Bucharest enter in business with the westerners after 1989 on our nationalized lands?Aristiderazu (talk) 04:27, 28 February 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

So is Wikipedia supposed to be a collection of claims with no references? Should Wikipedia information backed up by the claims of just anyone? If you provide references, you're welcome to add information. I marked it as vandalism because this has been explained to you on several occasions. OlYellerTalktome 08:04, 28 February 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well I understand i make many mistakes of language and using Wikipedia.Sorry.Aristiderazu (talk) 15:30, 7 April 2011 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]


Well it seems my panoramioAndrei Razu or Andrei-Radu Georgescu, site about Mondial War has been deleted.Completely.Any http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Aristiderazu&action=edit&section=32#ideeas?16:10, 8 April 2011 (UTC)16:10, 8 April 2011 (UTC)~~AristiderazuAristiderazu (talk) 16:12, 8 April 2011 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

Can you link the pages, please? I'm not sure which articles you're talking about. If they were deleted, I'm sure there was a good reason. Even with a good reason, we may be able to fix the issue. If you indicated which pages were deleted, I'll do my best to help explain why they were deleted or do my best to help you make them Wikipedia worthy. OlYellerTalktome 17:13, 8 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Well when you go to sources on Aristide Razu ,there were links in with Andrei Razu 's Panoramio site which was completely deleted.There were some 700 pics with comments +the entire translation of Romanian Campaign 1916-1919 after Constantin Kiritescus ;RAZBOIUL PENTRU INTREGIREA ROMANIEI 1916 -1919....etc."I didn t think we were that way"Aristiderazu (talk) 14:30, 12 April 2011 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

Speedy deletion nomination of User:Aristiderazu

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Romanian Campaign

Hi , I have put some more of my translation from Romanian Campaign....and now I have thhis sign :

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Copyright problems with User:Aristiderazu

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However, for textual content, you may simply consider rewriting the content in your own words. While contributions are appreciated, Wikipedia must require all contributors to understand and comply with its copyright policy. Wikipedia takes copyright concerns very seriously, and persistent violators will be blocked from editing. Thank you. Aristiderazu (talk) 13:59, 13 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

well I translated from Constantin Kiritescus "Razboiul Pentru Intregirea Romaniei 1916-1919" in the first place .You may check here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=116307 Aristiderazu (talk) 13:59, 13 April 2011 (UTC)Aristiderazu.[reply]

Please do not clutter your user page with draft material - use User:Aristiderazu/sandbox or any page with a name starting with User:Aristiderazu/ . Even if you fix the copyright issue, note that the page was about 100 times too long for the first version of a Wikipedia bio. By the time it has been cut down to a proper article it may well cease to be a copyvio! — RHaworth (talk · contribs) 21:36, 13 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

April 2011

Welcome to Wikipedia. Please do not replace pages with blank content, as you did with this edit to Aristide Razu, as this is confusing to readers. The page's content has been restored for now. If there is a problem with the page, it should be edited or reverted to a previous version if possible; if you think the page should be removed entirely, see further information. Thank you. ScottSteiner ✍ 11:02, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Please do not remove content or templates from pages on Wikipedia, as you did to Aristide Razu, without giving a valid reason for the removal in the edit summary. Your content removal does not appear constructive, and has been reverted. Please make use of the sandbox if you'd like to experiment with test edits. Thank you. -- roleplayer 11:06, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Remember that this is not your page - it is the Wikipedia page about your ancestor. But if you are not planning to improve it by providing more reliable sources, I agree that it doesn't have much of a future. Would you like me to tag it for deletion? -- John of Reading (talk) 11:28, 18 April 2011 (UTC)[reply]

O.k.Aristiderazu (talk) 15:10, 16 June 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

I have proposed it for deletion. -- John of Reading (talk) 16:20, 16 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]
There was an objection; there will now be a week-long discussion at Wikipedia:Articles for deletion/Aristide Razu. You are welcome to join in there if you wish. -- John of Reading (talk) 19:22, 16 June 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Ok.had somme problems.Aristiderazu (talk) 21:43, 20 October 2011 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

Lots of problems still with this article

I see now I can access my article....Aristiderazu (talk) 22:29, 17 November 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu Kind Regards.[reply]

You always could. That doesn't mean your additions are suitable though. I doubt that any of the links to photos will be able to stay in the article. OlYeller21Talktome 22:40, 17 November 2011 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks,you mean the links to Panoramio?Is it to much pressure over the subject?Well I understand ,is one of those things....also the painting with Zoe Balcescu ,daughter of Barbu Balcescu, my gggrandmother,painted by Costin Petrescu has been stolen in Romania,police although called ,claims they do not know ,can not catch the thieves,which is hard to believe.Well come and invest in Romania as my family did in ,I don t know 1400-1800,maybe you get better luck;as a sad joke Aristiderazu (talk) 23:10, 20 November 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

32nd Mircea Voda Regiment photo(Defending Marasesti Train Station) ,copyright problems

This photo belongs to our family as it has been received by my great grand father Aristide Razu as a gift from the Regiment itself. I don't understand why it has been deleted.If you wish to invite me to show you the album , identification papers mine and his and the birth certificates ...etc

my email is [email protected] my name is Andrei-Radu Georgescu ,I hvae written the article about Aristide Razu, address Iulia Hasdeu 11 Sector 1 Bucharest Romania phone 40 0743936876Aristiderazu (talk) 17:57, 27 December 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

Zoe Balcescu

I wish to modify to this picture I uploaded that the painting is missing along with other paintings since 22nd of August ,reported to the 3rd Police Section Bucharest,Romania and it is not possible.Why(!?)Aristiderazu (talk) 18:03, 27 December 2011 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

Wallachian Revolution of 1848

Hi I've noticed that at the "Wallachian Revolution of 1848" you have written Nicolae Balcescu and Alexandru Ioan Cuza without Nicolae Balcescu and....my gggguncle through my ggggfather Barbu Balcescu,brother of Nicolae Balcescu.

Thank YouAristiderazu (talk) 10:51, 13 June 2012 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

Can't find the forum you have/had for asking questions

Thanks againAristiderazu (talk) 11:16, 13 June 2012 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

What???? Mdann52 (talk) 16:22, 13 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]

What I mean to say is that you forgot to put [[ 


  ]] at Nicolae Balcescu and Alexandru Ioan Cuza so I put them instead at article the Wallachian Revolution of 1848 on several occassions in the article.

Sorry ,but is embarasing.Aristiderazu (talk) 18:49, 13 June 2012 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

Participating on English Wikipedia

Aristiderazu, I have been following your editing habits for over 2 years and attempting to help you when I can. I have come to the conclusion that the language barrier is most likely insurmountable. While I won't ask you to stop editing English Wikipedia, I'd like to point out that almost every edit you have made has been reverted based on your lack of understanding of Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. Perhaps your time would be better spent editing Romanian Wikipedia (I assume you're Romanian). OlYeller21Talktome 12:10, 13 June 2012 (UTC)[reply]


What I mean to say is that you forgot to put [[ 


  ]] at Nicolae Balcescu and Alexandru Ioan Cuza so I put them instead at article the Wallachian Revolution of 1848.

Sorry ,but is embarasing.Aristiderazu (talk) 18:49, 13 June 2012 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply]

Maybe is not such a good time.

Maybe is not such a good time. Kind Regards , Aristiderazu (talk) 19:30, 13 June 2012 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

Modification on the external links at Aristide Razu

Hi I have made some changes for the external links ,but it seems you do not agree.I am not a member of Great War Forum ,But a member of the 'Front Forum'[1],so I changed the external links. Thanks for understanding

The motive is that is a better translation more pictures etc. The way you made it now with the external links on Great War Forum ,is that you have all the pictures in the wrong places and with wrong names.

You may leave the link with GWF as well but this one I would like to come first for it is a better translation ,and Battle of Marasesti is the main battle the West knows about etc.Although I went into a book store , comprehensive book about wars ,heavy as a sack of potatoes ,they never did hear about Marasesti ,Marasti,Oituz,Apuseni Mountains Battles . Aristiderazu (talk) 14:53, 11 September 2012 (UTC) Aristiderazu[reply] 





 Front Forum -Battle of Marasesti 1917- http://frontforum.westernfrontassociation.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2276
Aristiderazu (talk) 14:39, 11 September 2012 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

File:Nicolae Mandrea.jpg missing description details

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I have deleted this file because you are obviously not the original photographer. Creating a copy of an original work is only allowed by permission of the copyright holder. In this case, the copyright has most likely long expired, but to be sure we would need to know when the original photographer died. De728631 (talk) 21:29, 17 July 2013 (UTC)[reply]

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February 2018

Please stop dumping (the same) text on article talk pages, if you have any suggests to improve the article then plase make it but dont copy and paste text without an explanation. If you continue without an explanation it may considered as being disruptive and you may be blocked until you understand how talk pages work, thanks. MilborneOne (talk) 18:29, 11 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

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Warning icon Please stop your disruptive editing. If you continue to use talk pages for inappropriate discussion, as you did at Talk:Carol I of Romania, you may be blocked from editing. Chris Troutman (talk) 04:32, 21 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Stop icon You may be blocked from editing without further warning the next time you use talk pages for inappropriate discussions, as you did at Talk:Aristide Razu. Chris Troutman (talk) 08:22, 21 February 2018 (UTC)[reply]

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Image without license

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Please explain: weird edits

Hi! I have recently undone two edits you ( https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Carol_I_of_Romania&diff=828745014&oldid=828614464&diffmode=source ) have made which were copy-pasted source-code texts from my user-page. I am assuming these were mistakes haha. In any case, the edits have been erased, but I would just want an explanation for that. Thanks! Double Plus Ungood (talk) 14:37, 4 March 2018 (UTC) Double Plus Ungood (talk) 14:37, 4 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

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March 2018

Stop icon You may be blocked from editing without further warning the next time you use talk pages for inappropriate discussions, as you did at Talk:Darkest Hour (film). MPS1992 (talk) 16:44, 10 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I've removed your off-topic discussions. Please do not continue to do this, or you will be blocked. Consider this your final warning. Erik (talk | contrib) (ping me) 16:48, 10 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Stop icon with clock
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You have been warned on this page. An article talk page is a space in which to discuss the editing of an article, not to give opinions about the topic of the article.--Anthony Bradbury"talk" 19:51, 10 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Information icon Please do not add or change content, as you did at Aristide Razu, without citing a reliable source. Please review the guidelines at Wikipedia:Citing sources and take this opportunity to add references to the article. Thank you. Chris Troutman (talk) 11:25, 20 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Warning icon Please stop your disruptive editing. If you continue to use talk pages for inappropriate discussion, as you did at Talk:Aristide Razu, you may be blocked from editing. Chris Troutman (talk) 11:26, 20 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Stop icon You may be blocked from editing without further warning the next time you use talk pages for inappropriate discussions, as you did at Vladimir Putin. Chris Troutman (talk) 11:27, 20 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Stop icon
You have been blocked indefinitely from editing for persistent disruptive editing, including amongst other things persistent and at times extremely extensive use of article talk pages for purposes other than discussions relating to editing the respective articles, and editing articles to promote a point of view, both by adding content aimed at supporting that point of view and by removing content you don't like. Since neither messages from other editors nor a short-term block have had any effect, this block should remain indefinitely unless and until you can persuade an administrator both that you understand what was unacceptable about your past editing and that you will not continue in the same way in the future.
If you think there are good reasons for being unblocked, please read the guide to appealing blocks, then add the following text below the block notice on your talk page: {{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}}.  The editor who uses the pseudonym "JamesBWatson" (talk) 12:37, 20 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Well now ,sorry for my French but where are the pictures I uploaded at Aristide Razu over the years, why at King Carol is no mercy with that hideous painting ,in general all I have done at Aristide Razu, well not all has v is vanishing ?Sorry.Hm , the news travells faster than war.Thank You.And maybe we lucky and save the day with the Sadam and Gallipoli.It seems Mr.Winston did not have time to collect back the Artillery from Herr Stalin and the Spitfire engines and P-51 Mustang.Missuse of these deadly things is not good.In short if Mr Putin does not return his weapons burrowed by Mr.Stalin would get in very big trouble.And we will all melt during this war. ..etc.I don t suppose Mr Trump is able to, no offense.Man this planet will melt away of so much stokpiles of weapons and missuse of them.etcCite error: There are <ref> tags on this page without content in them (see the help page). Aristiderazu (talk) 05:45, 21 March 2018 (UTC)AristiderazuAristiderazu (talk) 05:45, 21 March 2018 (UTC)AristiderazuAristiderazu (talk) 05:45, 21 March 2018 (UTC)AristiderazuCite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).</ref>[reply]

Gallipoli

Well now ,sorry for my French but where are the pictures I uploaded at Aristide Razu over the years, why at King Carol is no mercy with that hideous painting ,in general all I have done at Aristide Razu, well not all has v is vanishing ?Sorry.Hm , the news travells faster than war.Thank You.And maybe we lucky and save the day with the Sadam and Gallipoli.It seems Mr.Winston did not have time to collect back the Artillery from Herr Stalin and the Spitfire engines and P-51 Mustang.Missuse of these deadly things is not good.In short if Mr Putin does not return his weapons burrowed by Mr.Stalin would get in very big trouble.And we will all melt during this war. ..etc.I don t suppose Mr Trump is able to, no offense.Man this planet will melt away of so much stokpiles of weapons and missuse of them.etc Aristiderazu (talk) 05:57, 21 March 2018 (UTC)AristiderazuAristiderazu (talk) 05:57, 21 March 2018 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

This user's unblock request has been reviewed by an administrator, who declined the request. Other administrators may also review this block, but should not override the decision without good reason (see the blocking policy).

Aristiderazu (block log • active blocks • global blocks • contribs • deleted contribs • filter log • creation log • change block settings • unblock • checkuser (log))

Request reason:

Your reason here Aristiderazu (talk) 05:59, 21 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Decline reason:

I am declining your unblock request because it does not address the reason for your block, or because it is inadequate for other reasons. To be unblocked, you must convince the reviewing administrator(s) that

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Please read the guide to appealing blocks for more information. Yamla (talk) 11:25, 21 March 2018 (UTC)[reply]

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Talk:Romanian Campaign (1916) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to navigationJump to search WikiProject Council This article is of interest to the following WikiProjects: WikiProject Romania WikiProject Bulgaria WikiProject Military history (Rated C-Class) WP-TranslationProject TwoFlags.svg This article contains a translation of Participarea României în campania anului 1916 from ro.wikipedia. (868945815 et seq.) 

                     Foreword

In 1848 my family Barbu Balcescu and his brother Nicolae Balcescu , and many other Moldavian, Valahian and Transylvanian families , for a brief time, trying to accomplish the Romanians ideal of unification of all Romanians in one country, before and after , just as Mihai Viteazu did in 1600, unfortunately for a short while, in reality the unification of Moldavia , Valahia and Transilvania into one state .However this ideal has been accomplished by His Majesty King Ferdinand of Romania in 1918, with the great contribution of His Majesty King Carol of Romania in 1877-1878 which made the independence of Romania , 1913 ,the peace in the Balkans , etc.And also, with the great help of Romanian Army and again with some small contribution from historical families of Moldavia , Valahia and Ardeal ,like Aristide Razu, Nicolae Mandrea Zoe Mandrea, and and of course many others before them. Here in his masterpiece ,named -The War for Unification of Romania 1916-1919 -,Constantin Kiritescu captures and stories for the youth generation, as he says himself , with great accuracy these document moments of history making thus with this face as the great historian Nicolae -Balcescu which wrote- Romanians under Mihai Viteazu Voievod- years before ,would have surely named, - The History of Romanians under King Ferdinand of Romania-,Kiritescus work thus . This War of Romanians of 1916-1919 streches on 3 Campaigns in 1916 , Over Charpatians ,Defending the Carpathians , the Campaign in Dobrogea ,the Occupation of the enemy in 1916 ,and then in 1917 the battles in Marasesti sector and lateral sectors ending thus with the 1918-1919 Campaign in Hungary


Contents 1 The Romanian Campaign of 1916 Chapter I Over Carpathian Mountains 1.Romanian Offensive in Transilvania 2 Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians 3 Romanian campaign -Dobrogea Campaign-1916 4 The Invasion-1916 5 The agony of a capital The Romanian Campaign of 1916 Chapter I Over Carpathian Mountains 1.Romanian Offensive in Transilvania The Romanian Campaign of 1916 Chapter I Over Carpathian Mountains 1.Romanian Offensive in Transilvania Romanian Campaign of 1916

[URL=https://s734.photobucket.com/user/rrazu/media/w5.jpg.html][IMG]https://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww345/rrazu/w5.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Chapter I in this image you can see General Aristide Razu midlle , the unmistakeable General Constantin Prezan a bit to the right with mustache and a bit of beard etc. ...at Leu Monument , Bucharest,1928, monument of Romanian army engineers — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2003:CF:BF29:86AC:2593:B473:6AEA:675A (talk) 16:53, 20 June 2020 (UTC)

Over Carpathian Mountains

1.Romanian Offensive in Transylvania

Crossing the mountains

"In the night of 14/27-15/28 of August our troops have attacked the Austro-Hungarian frontier".With this sober sentence the first official communicate of the Great Romanian Headquarter announced the event,epochal of crossing the Carpathian Mountains.The dungeon wall,which closed half of the Romanian nation,was demolished.The Carpathians were no more!Through the valleys ,eighteen centuries ago,passed the legions of great Roman Emperor Traian ,to bring the Latin civilization and Roman order in the country of simple and heroic Daci,through the same valleys were three centuries ago,have crossed the flags of the most heroic and unhappy Romanian voievod-medieval king-,to unite the sons of the same nation under the same scepter ,on the same routes was passing now the army of King Ferdinand,determined to make for eternity what Traian ,Roman emperor wanted,and Mihai the Brave has made only for a brief moment.

The covering Romanian troops occupied for some while the ridges of the mountains and the passes from Virciorova to Dorna.In the day of 27th of August they received the order that at 9 in the evening to cross the frontier and to attack the Austro -Hungarian troops ,which they will meet.In points of bigger circulation,like Predeal,Ghimes,the first detachment which set foot cross the frontier had to begin by cleaning the terrain of the guards at the border,which was accomplished fast and with insignificant losses.In other parts,the advance begun without encountering any resistance;only after a few kilometres ,in the enemy country,the enemy appeared.The surprise have been complete.In this first night of our war ,fell ,as first victims ,among the officers;Lieut-Colonel Poenaru Bordea G.,the Commander of 30th Muscel Regiment,hit by an enemy bullet in Bran mountain Pass and Lieutenant Macarie N.,of 13th Stefan Cel Mare Regiment,in Oituz Pass.

The entering in Transilvania was made through 18 points.The resistance opposed by the Austro-Hungarian troops have been defeated very fast;the Romanian troops were advancing impetuously towards the fixed goals.This resistance was made in the beginning by small detachments,of one battalion at most,mostly they had numerous machine guns,nested in trenches and shelters ,hidden carefully through the most narrow parts of mountains defiles,behind corners,at roads junctions,near the waters and under the mined bridges.Their aim was to make big gaps in the rows of our troops,and slow their advance.But the elan of the Romanian troops knew no obstacles.The cover Austro-Hungarian detachments,more and more numerous,were either crushed,or set to run away,either captured and the advance of Romanians was made without difficulty.


Firsts objectives were quickly met.Tuesday,29th of August,in the afternoon,in less then 48 hours from the beginning of the war,the Romanain troops entered Brasov. In the same time ,on Jiu Valley.they occupied Petrosani,important industrial city,the center of mining industry in this valley.In the angle of Carpathians has been occupied Tirgu Secuiesc,and the whole Sesul Secuilor.Three days after war declaration,we were in front of Orsova and Sibiu,beyond Brasov,close to Miercurea Ciuc.All the mountain passes of Carpathian Mountains were in our hands;their heights were behind our front.We have taken from the enemy over 4000 prisoners.

The hurricane advance of the Romanian Army made a delirious enthusiasm in the Kingdoom and consternation between the Hungarians.The cities neighbor with Carpathians are quickly evacuated by the authorities.The Romanian elite,especially intellectuals,priests and teachers,are arrested as hostages and dragged in the Hungarian prissons. Together with the authorities,runs away the wealthy Hungarian population and Saseasca,of which consciousness had some blame to make ,for itself. Ardeal(name of Transilvania) begins to know the tragedy of exodus of population in front of the entering which,of the most happy provinces of the Central Powers ,under this aspect,than the states of the Entente,only Oriental Prusia and Galitia had known.The roads and driveways are full with the population of Hungarians and Sasi(German minority of Transylvania),which have left their homes,carrying in the carriages the own,loaded in haste,and sending ahead the herds of thousands of animals,running for fear of Romanian advance,which they think vengeful and plundering,when in reality is a silence and respectful one of life and own.*

The Romanian columns advance cheerfully,in a highness of soul easy to understand.It is the day of triumph,of millennia sufferings.And the victory seems easier than hoped for,our boys,handsome in their beautiful new uniforms.Not thoughts of plunder and violence close the minds of these enthusiast and gentle liberators;they are content with the thankfulness of the soul of victory.Because in the Romanian villages they go,people come their way with tears of joy,and the priests rise hot prayers to the sky"four our High King Ferdinand I" and for the victory of his army! 


The War Declaration.

After the famous second Crown Council on the morning of 14/27 August 1916,presided by King Ferdinand, at 4 in the afternoon the decree for the state of siege was on the streets of Bucharest. By evening the pedestrian gendarmes announced the general mobilization(of the army).

At 9 in the evening ,our minister at Viena presented himself at the Palace of Foreign Ministry in Ballplatz,and in the absence of the minister ,he put in the hand of the service-men a document of extreme importance.It was the war declaration which the Kingdoom of Romanian was making to Austro-Hungarian Empire.The declaration made the entire process of connections with the Triple Alliance,numbering the deceptions and vexations endured ,the entering of Italy in war against Austro-Hingary,which implicated the obligations of Romania,talked about the barbar treatment of the Romanians and attempts of breaking the Romanian Nation in the A-H Monarchy,in-spite of the alliance and friendship of the two states...etc"From these motives ,Romania considers herself ,from this moment ,in a state of war with Austro-Hungary"

[URL=https://s734.photobucket.com/user/rrazu/media/w6.jpg.html][IMG]https://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww345/rrazu/w6.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=https://s734.photobucket.com/user/rrazu/media/DSC_0014-1-1.jpg.html][IMG]https://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww345/rrazu/DSC_0014-1-1.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Romanian Arch de Triumph — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2003:CF:BF29:86AC:2593:B473:6AEA:675A (talk) 16:56, 20 June 2020 (UTC) The Romanian army

Getting on foot of war in the night of 27-28 August, 1916,our army mobilized 833 758 men of troops,commanded by 18000 officers.Made out of 378 Infantry battalions,299 Artillery Batteries and 104 Cavalry Escadrons-quadrons-,281 240 Horses.The reserve was made of 416 000 men.So the total was 1083000 men called under the flag,representing 15 pro cents of the population of the Kingdom,the totality of men between 18-45 years of age.All these forces mobilized 23 Infantry Divisions,and two Cavalry Divisions.Divisions 1-10 were old Divisions,with active officers ,strong divisions:made out of three Brigades of two Infantry Regiments each,at which it was added a Hunter Regiment,a Brigade of two Artillery regiments with quick firing ant other troops of services.Divisions 11-15 were new units,made in 1914-1916,by transforming the old territorial commandments.they were made of two Infantry Brigades,made of reserve-men,with a weaker artillery-a Regiment for each Division-and reduced services.Divisions 16-23 made of Regiments taken from old Divisions,from the fourth Battalion of the Infantry Regiment and with some new Units.These Divisions were weaker;Reserve officers mainly,their artillery made out of old cannons of 87 and 75 with slow firing-very reduced services.Divisions 1-10 one machine gun section per battalion,11-15 one section per Regiment,16-23 some of them not at all.

So Divisions 1-10 were very good Divisions

Divisions 11-15 were medium Divisions

Divisions 16-23 were weak Divisions/new divisions

Cavalry -made out of 22 Regiments which made two Independent Divisions,in six Rosiori Regiments each, with mounted artillery,75 mm batteries and cyclists. The Calarasi Regiments which were weaker as combative value have been united two by two,making five Brigades ,one for each Army Corps.

The number of officers was increased in 1916,from 8500 to 20000.

The Artillery

227 batteries(one battery=four cannons) of heavy and light :one Regiment of mounted artillery,25 Regiments of Light Artillery(75mm),Five Regiments of light Shells(105mm),one Regiment of Mountain Artillery 63mm and one division of 75mm;four Regiments of heavy Artillery

The Plan of Military operations.

A.The Carpathians Front

the I-st Romanian Army....134000 men

the II-nd Romanian Army....127000 men +the general Reserve 51000 men

B.Southern Front-the III-rd Romanian Army-Western Group(in Oltenia)-20000 men,Central Group(between Olt and Arges) 50000 men,Eastern Group(Turtucaia Silistra and Dobrogea Detachment) 72000 men The Romanian Front

Entering in the war ,Romania took place in direct elongation of the Russian fighting front.The right side of this front was made of Lecitki Army,Brusilov group,which have occupied Cernauti an almost entire Bucovina,resuming the left flank on Carpathian Mountains ,and Dorna region.The Romanian Army,mobilized ,had to stretch along the our frontier of North-East and South.Because of the curious geographical shape of the Kingdom,this front was occupying along Carpathians from Dorna to Virciorova,then along Danube River,from Virciorova to Turtucaia,and finally,from Turtucaia ,along Dobrogean frontier until the Black Sea.-a length of 750 Miles[148].it was the longest front in Europe,longer even than the Russian Front,from Baltic Sea to Dorna,had only 687 Miles!Face with this fantastic front unfolding and of the weak effective of the armies of the new adversaries ,it was obvious that none of them could occupy it in a continuous line.They had to tend on occupying shorter lines.Our war could not be in the beginning a war of position,as the other fronts,but a War of Movement.

From the stretch of our front,the most important sector was ,without mistake,the Carpathians,which connected directly with the Russian Front.Our entering in the action was determined by the pressure requests of the Russians ;our action had to unfold in tight connection with theirs.On the Southern Front,Danube River,could not become from the beginning a principal war theater ,because of the difficulties imposed by nature which obstacles the military operations ,in the other sectors(Carpathians);then this front was far from the most important line.There is also a sort of a certainty pertaining the Bulgarians intentions.The Russians seemed confident that Bulgarians would not fight them.It was clear that an action could take place only at the Dobrogean frontier,in the beginning of the war,easily to attack both sides.So at our entering in the war there were two fronts:Carpathians Front and Dobrogean Front.

Z Hypothesis

out of the numerous strategical combinations ,created by the Big Romanian Headquarter,the one adopted definitely,to correspond with the political and military situation of the Kingdom,was the one named "Z hypothesis".The hypothesis of a principal action against Bulgarians ,was dismissed. In the end it was adopted the Z Hypothesis of the Romanian Headquarter :The Offensive over Carpathian Mountains ,with direction Budapesta,to conquer the territories lived by Romanians,Defensive on the Southern Front,to ensure the freedom of action of the bulk of the troops ,defending the Kingdom and repulsing the attacks which Bulgarians could enterprise from South.

The plan of Romanian operations.

The operations army has been separated in four groups.On the Southern Front,from Calafat to Ekrene,to Black Sea was the III-rd Army of which Command was given to General M.Aslan. It was comprised of a group of observation,made out of Divisions 16th and 18th of Infantry and !st Cavalry Division,stretched along the Danube River,to the mouth of Argeas River,and of other three Divisions-17th,9th and 19th along Dobrogean frontier.At this came the Russian help ,made out of two infantry divisions and one of cavalry.Over the Bulgarian intentions were made the following hypothesis,from which it had to pour the action of the III-rd Army:the Bulgarian forces concentrated along Danube River,having the aim,of course to attract as much Romanian troops as possible South,to make impossible an action in great style in Transylvania-or Transilvania ,they will bombard the localities on the Romanian shore ,they will also execute demonstrations they will threat to cross the Danube and advance to Bucharest(capital);this thing would be impossible as the Bulgarians to not have the necessary forces to this purpose.The Bulgarian forces within Rusciuk-Sumla-Varna ,will ofcourse have the mission to enterprise a forced offensive in Dobrogea ,to rise the Bulgarian population and obstacle the Russians troops landings.

The operations of Romanian Army against Bulgaria ,not taking into account an aggressive political goal,but only a means of defense ,the Romanian forces concentrated on Danube and Dobrogea were considered sufficient.So it was decided that most of the troops must be concentrated on the North and North West Fronts.Victory here would be decisive,even if the Bulgarians would have some small local successes.They will vanish once the victory was obtained on the principal fronts.

The Offensive Carpathians Front was served by Armies I-st,II-nd and IV-th.The Ist Army ,under the Command of general Culcer was stretched from Calafat to Arges River streams.The II-nd Army,under the Command of General Al.Averescu,occupied the front from Arges streams to Vrancea region.Finally,the IV-th Army or Northern Army,under the Command of General Prezan,occupied Moldavian Carpathian Mountains,making in Dorna region,the junction with the Russians.Each of the three armies was made of three ,four divisions in the first line ,one or two divisions were organizing in the back as reserves.

Around Bucharest ,was made a strategical general reserve ,made out of two divisions:in the same time there was activity to make and form some new divisions.The three armies on the Carpathian front will have to advance in Transilvania and Banat,with the goal of concentration of the army for a decisive battle ,which would be given in region Ciucea (towards north) and Caransebes(South)They will operate in tight connection with the Russian armies ,having as line of separation ,Somes River Valley.The zone of gathering of the three Romanian armies will be in the immediate vicinity of the Carpathians mountainous. The mountain eous massif of Carpathians ,being a serious obstacle ,will be crossed by surprise, at once,through all the points of communication which cross the massif ;in the 12th day of mobilization ,it could be had beyond the mountain 12 columns of one division.the echer form of the mountain frontier is very favorable because,after crossing the frontier,each step forward will gather gradually the occupation front ,by the concentric advance of troops towards Mures Valley.

To avoid enemy incursions on our territory,with the purpose to obstacle the mobilization of the Romanian army,the whole frontier was filled with Covering Groups ,having complete effective .They could be found,dislocated on the frontier sine August 1915,so they knew well the terrain.Even in the night prior to general mobilization,the groups will advance into enemy territory,will seize the dominant positions beyond frontier,to ensure the mountain passes to Transylvanian this face,the thick of the troops will gather behind them,even in the valley were the covering groups are to be found,which will ease the rapid advance into the enemy territory;the moves of the covering groups will be in the beginning directed by the center ,the Big Headquarter .So in this way it will be possible to throw over enemy territory ,even from the beginning ,135000 men.

King Ferdinand had the Supreme Command of the Romanian Army in the war.As Chief of the Big Headquarter was General A.Zottu. Due to illness he could not conduct the operations ,which were conceived and conducted by General D.Iliescu.

Enemy countermeasures

The enemy was watching with unrest the unfolding of the events in Romania.The rapports of their official representatives or spies ,the public opinion and the failure of tratatives-negotiations ,did not leave any doubt over the end.Still,the governments and the headquarters hoped for a delay ,provoked by the territorial offers of Austro-Hungary,in which time a favorable turn on the Eastern Front to change the situation.The Hungarians,the most direct and grave threatened ,took airs of bravado. Count Karoly[151] declared in the Hungarian Chamber that Romanians attacking Hungary,would find in Carpathian Mountains not soldiers,but tigers ,to defend it,and Tisza assured that the Romanians would not put their hands not even on a Hungarian tree.In reality the weakness of the forces-engaged in totality on the fighting fronts-the difficulty to find new forces ,to be opposed to the new enemy,made the rulers of the Central Powers to wait with great fear the threatening decision of Romania;in the case in which it would be unavoidable ,it was expected around the end of September .

When our war declaration arrived,unexpectedly ,in the evening of 27th of August,it has produced a considerable emotion at headquarters of the enemy armies.Especially in the conducting circles of Germany it was thought that "it is impossible that a Hohenzollern to attack another Hohenzollern"."over Emperor Wilhelm-writes General Cramon-this news fell as a lightning strike out of blue sky"*.

The grave turn,which the situation was taking ,critical enough,of The Central Powers,imposed to the German rulers heroic measures.The first one was replacing the the Chief of the Great German Headquarter .Falkenhayn,which came to the Supreme Command of the German Army,in the wake of Marna defeat ,and which have conducted the war for two years ,lost his big post,because of entering of Romania in to the war.He was accused that he has not foreseen our entering in the war,and has not taken all the measures of precaution for this eventuality.In reality a coalition of adversaries risen against the over powerful generalisim. The ruining offensive at Verdun it was imputed to him as a grave personal failure.The strong adverse current asked to bring in the head of the German Army of Marshal Hindenburg[152],which had in front of the German soldier and public something which touched idolatry.The Romanian declaration of war gave the Emperor the awaited occasion .Hindenburg was named chief of the Great German Headquarter in the place of disgratious now Falkenhayn. Ludendorff[153],the inseparable mate of the old Marshal,was attached to him ,in the function of "prim-quartier-maistru.Germany was breathing again;her trust came back.

In the day of 29th of August ,second day after the war declaration made by Romania to Austria,the German Government invoke the Federal Council of the Empire and,in the same day,Germany calls back her Minister at Bucharest,and declares war to Romania.Germany accomplished to Austro-Hungay the role of accomplice.In front of Romania was rising the formidable military power of the Two Central Empires .Our war declaration surprised the Central Powers;it hasn't arrived all by surprise though,and did not find them unprepared.The Austro-German espionage managed to track down the tratatives-negotiations, Romanian-Entente-ist and Count Cezerin could announce in time ,with a small edge of error,the decision of Romania,as well as the approximate date of entering the war.These information were considered,at the headquarters of the enemy,as exaggerate;especially it was believed that Romania will not enter the war before the harvest,meaning end of September.

Still,at 29th of July,exactly a month before our entering in the war,was held at the German Headquarter of Pless(Silezia),a conference between Falkenhayn and Conrad von Hotzendorf,Chief of the Austro-Hungarian Headquarter and Colonel Gancev,Bulgarian military delegate,pertaining of the eventuality of entering of Romania in to the war against Central Powers,and of the measures to be taken in this situation.It has been closed a military convention at which adhered after seven days also,Enver-Pasa,in the name of Turkey.the lines of this plan have also been kept by Hindemburg-Ludendorff.It was foreseen that our offensive will aim the thick of the Romanian Army to Carpathian Mountains.The line of Danube River and Dobrogea will remain uncovered,thus.based on this judicious hypothesis the plan of the enemy was scetched:he will respound by attacking our back in Dobrogea ,and defending in Transilvania,till big forces will be brought there too.So as Makensen was available due to occupying of Serbia,he has been detained at Sofia,announced that he will use all the Bulgarian,German and Turkish forces available in the North-East of Bulgaria.In the same time Austro -Hungarian General Arz von Straussemberg was tasked with defending Transylvania frontier.

Princess Blucher,on of the intimates of the Court in Potsdam,writes:"Someone who happened to be at his Majesty Kaiser Wilhelm,in the moment when Romania declared war and also that when the news of the American war declaration has been known,assured us,that about Romania,the Kaizer came into the room agitated ,white at the face as a piece of paper ,with the knees shaking and said:"Everything is lost,it would be better for me to abdicate immediately" as about America,even the ones around him were joyful"no problem,because America would never be able to transport her troops ,because of the submarines".Princess Blucher,>>An English Wife in Berlin,London,1920.

Reorganizing of the German Army

Face with the big consume of men and the need to have new units ,to post them and oppose them to the new enemies,the Germans have brought an important change in their bigger units organization .They have reduced the number of regiments of a division ,from four to three;with the fourth regiment they made new divisions.The weakening of the effective of a division has been compensated mechanical means.The number of machine guns,firstly,has been increased to considerable numbers.Also the artillery has been increased,especially the heavy one,with which each division has been equiped. With this face,the fighting unit,the division,became much more aerodynamic,more mobile.The brigade,the intermmediary unit ,between the division and the regiment ,has been disband,which simplified the command and supreme a series of complications in sending the orders.Also it was gained a number of commanders for the new divisions created.The Germans succeeded to make ,by this reorganization,a significant economy in both commanders and men,without to diminish the combative power of the army,on the contrary,men have been replaced by machines.With these measures ,helped by a formidable technic apparatus,by the excellent preparation for war of their officers and soldiers ,consolidated by two years of modern warfare,the new commanders of the German Army thought they will be able ,not only to withstand the first blow which the new enemy was preparing to apply them,but once the crisis defeated ,at their turn,a vigorous offensive ,from which they expected important strategical benefits ,political and economical ones.


The Romanian Intervention saves Verdun

Painful sacrifices and of other nature were imposed to the enemy.The offensive against Verdun have been stopped.In this way,the Germans were sealing one of the biggest failures suffered on the Western Front and they were giving up at the battle on which they made so many hopes ,but which gave them after six months of bloody fights,immense piles of dead bodies.

The situation of the immense fortress has become ,lately,critical.

At 17th of August 1916,the French Ambassador at Petrograd,Paleologue,asked the Foreign Russian Ministry that the Russian Government to quicken up the decoration of city of Verdun with St,Gheorghe Cross,because ,"he has received from his government,information which made him consider the fall of the fortress as possible in the actual moment".So the decoration of Verdun with the Legion of Honor and other foreign decorations ,could take place ,finally at 13th of September.And in a few days the French were starting the offensive against the weakened German forces. Mangin[154] reconquered in a great attack ,Daumont[155]."in four hours -says beautifully Joffre-our troops have reconquered a terrain for which the Germans fought four months to take it,from us"

In this time ,though,the ceremony of giving the city the French Legion of Honor ,which was supposed to take place at 31st of August,with a great assistance,by the President of the Republic,with the Ministers and Military Chiefs,was suspended,as to not celebrate the defense of a fortress ,of which fall was probable.

Verdun was saved by the intervention of Romania.The effects of our entering in the war have started to be felt ,even from the second day.The French were relieved by one of the biggest burdens.Romania was stepping in the bloody arena ,giving France ,in a supreme moment a priceless helping hand.It was the first proof of gratitude ,which by our martyr,we were bringing to our noble sister nation.Five German divisions of infantry and a cavalry division,taken from the Western Front and from the Eastern Front,with powerful modern means of fighting-heavy artillery,aviation,a.s.o.-have received the order to embark in trains even on 29th of August,and to start towards the new Front of Ardeal(Transilvania).Germany was starting the role of stalk for her rotten ally(Austro-Hungary).


Constituting of the great commandments

The geographic conformation of our mountainous frontier has imposed the Romanians,from the beginning a strategic dispozitive very disadvantageous and risky.The Romanian Army was spread through all the parallel valleys of the mountains.So it was needed that the gathering of the columns and focusing them in units to be made before the enemy could have gathered sufficient forces as to organise its defensive and -maybe-even offensive.This was the task of the great commandments which,after a few days from entering the campaign,have received the command of their units.The isolated and ,here and there ,columns ,had to advance with energy,get out of the mountainous region in to the field one,defeating the enemy resistance and to focus,establishing connections between them,as well as with the Russian left flank.

In the initial campaign plan,it was established that at the back of the covering curtain,which occupied the passes in Ardeal(Transilvania),the concentration of the thick of the army to be made ,exactly ,in the mountain passes .Face with the weakness of the enemy,the Great Headquarter ,decided at 31st of August to push the covering groups further,such as the concentration of the units to be made even in the enemy terrain.This strategical operation has been tough criticized by General Averescu,which considered a big mistake to combine the cover of the mobilizing with the unfolding of the operations;the result was that,before the strategical operation to be plotted ,our army in the mountains has found herself stretched on a continuous cordon,without availability in the depth.

At 1st of September ,the situation of the Romanian troops on the Carpathian front was as follows;from Virciorova to Arges water flows was stretched the I-st Army(General Culcer) with the Headquarter at Craiova.This army had advance 1st Division in Cernei Valley and she was founding herself in front of Orsova;with the 11th Division on Jiu Valley,were she has occupied Petrosani and Merisor Pass;with the group Lotru-Olt-latter the Divisions 13th and 23rd-has went out of Olt Defile and spread in Sibiu field.As reserves of the I-st Army,were destined Divisions 2nd and 12th.

At the center,the II-nd Army(General Averescu),after occupying Brasov,has prepared to cross Olt River to advance in North -West direction,towards line Fagaras Mountains -Sighisoara.It was the most compact group which,thanks to the terrain,could concentrate in a bundle the divisions in its composition.They were;3rd Division at the left,4th Division at the center ,Divisions 5th and 6th at the right side.As reserves ,formed in the back Divisions 21st and 22nd.

At the right wing of the Romanian front ,was the IV-th Army(Northern Army),General Prezan.Through the transversal valleys of the Carpathians of Moldavia advanced in continuous fights towards the superior valleys of Mures River and Olt River,Divisions 7th,8th and 14th,rejecting continuously the enemy;on the left of the army,was advancing the 2nd Cavalry Division,trying to connect with the II-nd Army.

It hasn't yet been established a connection between the three Romanian armies ,neither between the Romanian front and the Russian one.


The enemy forces

The enemy forces which were trying to opose the Romanians advance,were those which constituted the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army,Commanded by General Arz von Straussemberg,of sas(Germans in Transilvania) origin,from the surroundings of Sibiu.The I-st Army was part of the Group of armies of Archduke inheritor Carol,and was in founding herself along VII-th Army(General Koevess),which occupied the Galitian and Bucovinean Carpathian Mountains.The forces that Arz disposed in the first days were not numerous.In the first line were 30 infantry battalions and Landstrum[1] ,three battalions of militarized miners, 12 battalions of stage,8 escadrons-squadrons- and 18 batteries.The reserve was made of 6 battalions of stage with four and a half batteries ,2 escadrons and 5 batteries concentrated between Alba Iulia and Sebesu Secuiesc,as an atom of the 51st Division,on way of reconstituting herself.Every day,though,Arz was receiving reinforcements,Austro-Hungarian and German ones.Even from the first days the Germans send few commandments,then troops begun to arrive,so it can be said ,that even from the beginning,the commandment of the troops in Transilvania (Ardeal) was in the hands of the Germans.


The greatest resistance has been organized by the enemy from the beginning,towards the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains were it seemed to them the most threatened sector,because the neighboring with the Russian front and of the danger of turning the Galitian front.Here was constituted the North-East Group,under the Prussian General von Morgen,Commander of the I-st Reserve German Group.Morgen was considered a good soldier.He has commanded a division in Tannenberg[2],and then the I-st Reserve German Corps in all the battles given on the Russian front,from 1914 to 1916.After the end of the campaign against Romania ,we find him in France at Lille and Cambrai,in the general un- route of the German armies.From Morgen Group were:the 61st Infantry DIvision Austro-Hungarian in the Norther sector,and the 71st Division a little to the South;between them was a Husar Brigade de Landstrum. Morgen Group stretched in Dorna region ,until the region between Sighisoara and Brasov.

In the Southern part,Morgen Group continued with the Southern Group,Commanded by Prusian General von Staabs,Commander of the XXXIX-th Corps of Reserve.This group was ,in its turn,made out of two parts:at its left wing,stretching to West of Sibiu,was a group made out of 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division,3rd German Cavalry Division,brought from the Russian front,the 143 Austro -Hungarian Brigade and 51st Hanovezi Division.Commander was the German Cavalry ,Count Schmettow.A little to the right,in Hateg land,opposing to the advance of our troops which were coming from Jiu Valley,was the 144 Austro-Hungarian Brigade.Behind this one ,were arriving from Vosgi front[3],even from the first week of the war,the first elements of the 187 German Division.At Orsova was the 210th Brigade ,changed after few days with 145th Brigade of reserve,strengthened with the so called the Danube Group(Grupul Dunarii),made out of 5-6 companies .Important units of help were disembarking every day in Cluj,Deva and Timisoara,from where they were send to the fighting fronts.For Morgen Group,were destined the 37th and 39th Hanovezi Divisions,72nd Austro-Hungarian and 89th Prusian,brought from Lithuania;Morgen remained with the command of the right wing,and the command of the left wing was given to Austrian Feldmarshal Fabini.For Staabs Group were destined:the 76th German Division,called from Curlanda,the Bavarian Alpine Corps,brought from Verdun,and the Mountain Brigades 2nd and 8th Austro-Hungarian,from the Italian front.With this face ,the adversary was strengthening every day that past,such that,after two weeks from entering the war,the Austro-German forces from Ardeal were up to 11 Infantry Divisions*,two and a half Cavalry Divisions,balancing the Romanian forces almost Division by Division.


The 143 Brigade from Sibiu has entered later in the made up of the 72nd Austro-Hungarian Division,which belonged organically A program which cannot be accomplished

As the military situation presented itself at the beginning of the war declaration,the Romanians possessed in Carpathian Mountains the advantage of initial superiority.The greatest part of the Romanian Army was on the front line ,as the enemy needed time to bring the forces from other European fronts .Will the Romanian succeed ,that by an energetic action to profit from this superiority and give the enemy big blows ,disorganize their covering forces and to obstacle him from making necessary concentration of forces,accomplishing in this time the Romanian one?By this depended the success of the first campaign in Ardeal(Transilvania).

Two causes came to make in an unfavorable manner the rapid accomplishing of the Romanian operatios plan.First,the Romanian columns ,flowing through the numerous mountain passes ,were parted one of the other, by mountain massifs ,which were sometimes 100km thick.Fighting with the heavy terrain ,but also with enemy resistance,before he could concentrate its forces,our detachment have to construct resistance positions over the mountain ridge and strengthen within them,until the arrival of the bulk of the army,by the fear of eventual attacks by surprise, with superior forces ,from the enemy.The difficulty of convoys arriving,made tougher by the destroys made by the enemy,have forced the troops to advance with precaution,such that the entering of the Romanians in Transilvania did not had the thunder character ,manifested in the first two days.To this,came the second cause more determining than the first one.The unfortunate events,happened at the Southern border,made their effect quick.Important forces ,destined to the Northern front,have been turned from their way and send South.This causes have paralyzed from the beginning the elan of the Romanian offensive in Ardeal and compromised the entire campaign.


2.The operations of the I-st Army

The isolation of the I-st Army

Of the three Romanians armies on the Carpathian frontier ,the I-st Army was the most isolated.By the II-nd Army ,she was parted by the formidable massif of Fagarasi Mountains,which is the thickest and has the highest peaks from the whole chain of Romanian Carpathian Mountains .The isolation was not only towards the neighbor army,but also the own units were parted themselves by mountain massifs of over 70-80 km thickness.The three groups ,disposed on the mountain frontier,Virciorova,Jiu and Olt could not communicate on the sides and direct;the connection between them could be made only by big going arrounds,on the railways and driveways of the Kingdom.

The fourth group-20th Division-was stretched along Danube River ,from Virciorova to the mouth of Olt River,with the mission of guarding the Bulgarian shore and to reject the eventual crossing attempts over the River.


The Fights of Cerna Group

At the left extremity of the I-st Army and of the entire Carpathian front,was "Cerna Group",made up of the troops of the 1st Division ,Commanded by General Dragalina.From Banat,starting his career as officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army,Dragalina was to Command the army to liberate his birthplace.

The mission of this group was from the beginning limited ,to a local action,because of the pivot role of the great strategic move which had to be accomplished, by the army of operations, in Transilvania,as the operations plan.It was also imposed by its eccentric situation,altogether outside the operations zone,but also because of the very bad terrain,made out of a mountains succession,high,parted between them by steep valleys ,altogether improper for unfolding tactical operations.That is why,the Division has only to occupy solidly the Northern shore of the Danube River and Cerna Valley,were she flows into the Danube.,to make impossible a passing through here of the enemy,which would have threatened the left flank of the I-st Army dispozitive. With this face,it was also completely stopped the traffic on the Danube.This mission have been accomplished with success by the troops of the 1st Division and by her eminent Commander.

The fights in this region will be very difficult because the lack of roads and special equipment for transporting the provisions,food and munition.They were brought from big distances ,by small mountain horses ,mounted with bags ,on narrow and serpent paths,with many rocks.Transporting the cannons constituted a real problem of ingenuity and efforts for both human and animals.Even more penible was the evacuation of the wounded at the sanitary posts and from there to the hospitals ,organised in the first poor small villages(smaller than a village),at the mouths of the valleys,far and away from the operation lines.


The hostilities have begun in this sector even from the first day.The Austrian auxiliary monitor "Almos",coming from Cladova,on Danube,has bombarded the city and the military commandment ,making small damages then retreated to Orsova.The troops of the 1st Division have occupied the heights of the frontier ,giving heavy fights for Tudor,in front of Toplet. The position was conquered by a hurricane assault given by the soldiers of the 57th Mehedinti Regiment,which in the fever of the first attack given by them in this war,were pulling by hand the poles of the barb wire fences,in the middle of the bullet rain of the enemy machine guns.

This operation made possible for the Romanian Commander to notice that the Hungarians have constructed a system ,strong,of strongholds on the heights over the frontier.The central of these strongholds was Alionu Mountain .It is a dear Mountain to the Hungarians .At his feet,in 1848,the partisans of Kossuth[4],after the smashing of the Hungarian Revolution,have hidden the crown of Saint Stefan[5];on this spot have build later,Emperor Franz Joseph a chapel. Alion ,together with the heights that follow towards North,Ozoina and Drenecul,were very heavy strenghtened;concreted trenches and covered disposed on levels,nets of barbwire fence,on metal frames.The reconnaissances and the information of the Romanian Commander ,have priced at three to four battalions the troops occupying the position.In truth,Colonel Fiebich,the Commander of the enemy sector,had four and a half battalions,a cavalry squadron and four batteries of the 210th Brigade.Obviously,after receiving other reinforcements the position would have been very hard to take.And this was indispensable for mastering Cernei River Valley.


The fight for conquering Alion Mountain was given in the day of 1st of September.General Dragalina has send a secondary group to attack North of Padesul hills and Padeglava hills-which was executed without success-keeping under his command the thick -seven battalions-for the principal action.So,as at 5 in the morning,four batteries installed on Duhovna Hill have started the bombardment of enemy positions,the infantry attacked on several columns.In the center of attack,the soldiers of the 1st Hunters Regiment have taken with assault Culmea Ozoinii,the key position.In the middle of the furious bombardment,beaten by the enemy machine guns,the Hunters have to cut with scissors the barbwire fence,row by row and through them,to make space to advance with the bayonet ahead.Many remain hanged between the nails of the wires,many are thundered by the explosions of the underground mines.But one by one heights 287 and 314 fall in to the hands of the Hunters.At 2,30 pm the whole position is conquered.

The column which attacked Drenecul has been held on place by the strongholds of wires ,which our artillery did not break;the hunters ,though ,have surrounded Drenecul by South and managed to occupy it by evening.In the same time ,the soldiers of 17th Mehedinti Regiment,with the help of a Hunters Company,have conquered Alion Mountain.The Romanian troops pursued the enemy without stop up to Cerna Valley,taking him out af all the strong positions and running him away in disorder.The Monitor "Almos " has tried to intervene,bombarding the Romanian troops ,without effect,but was set on the run by the batteries on Duhovna.

The Austro-Hungarian defeat was decisive;they have left in the hands of Romanians 9 officers and 645 soldiers,prisoners,ahead with Major Wolff,the Commander of Alion sector,as well as an immense material:seven cannons,machine guns,horses,a reflector,ammunition and provisions in great quantity.

Pursuing with energy the enemy, beaten,Romanians have occupied at 4th of September Orsova and both shores of Cerna,close to Ieselnita;to North they have occupied the localities on the left shore of Cerna:Coramnic,Toplet,Birza strengthening on positions on the heights which dominates the shore,close to Mehadia.

After occupying Orsova things have quiet on Cerna.At 1st of october,Colonel Szivo,the Commander of 145th Austro-Hungarian Brigade (seven battalions,one escadron-squadron ,six batteries),which occupies now the sector ,thought it is the moment to reconquer Orsova.Well informed that the Romanian troops have been weakened,by sending two Regiments(1st Hunters and 57th Jiu),he has attacked on the whole front from Toplet to Orsova,helped on the right side on Danube River also by three monitors.The enemy attack had in the beginning whatever success;at the left side the enemy has occupied Birza and Toplet,and at the right side he managed to enter the Western part of Orsova.In the afternoon of the same day,the Romanian counterattack,eecuted with troops of the 17th Mehedinti Regiment,has repulsed the enemy back on his starting positions,reconquering Orsova by violent street fights,with hand grenades;have been also taken 165 prisoners.

To take revanche,after three days ,at 4th of Ocober,the 17th Mehedinti Regiment has attacked the enemy position by the front and from behind,surprising the Hungarian soldiers sleeping in the trenches and run them away ,beyond Iesalnita and Orjadin,capturing 4 officers and 216 soldiers.All the enemy position near Danube River have been conquered.The enemy behaved by this unfortunate result of his attempt,has remained quiet from now on.

With all the thinness of the front ,because of lack of units,Cerna Group has acomplished the mission.The Romanian cannon kept under his firing range Danube Valley.The important way to the Orient was thus closed;he will not be a way for the enemy troops to reprovision themselves,anymore,on the Dobrogea border.

Cerna sector will be from now on a relatively quiet secor.Sheltered in their trenches,the two enemies will look eachother in the eye and not enterprise any action of importance.The enemy will give from time to time attacks for fixation,to away the attention of what is going on in the neighbor sectors.In time the effectives of the two adversaries have diminished more,by sending troops in neighbour sectors,mor agitated.


Jiu Sector

Another importance had Jiu sector.After the covering troops,Commanded by Colonel Cocorascu and made up by Gorjeni Regiments 18th and 58th,have occupied Petrosani,it was constituted the 11th DIvision,under the Command of General Muica,hahing 21st and 22nd Brigades,of infantry.The aim of this Division was that,by union with the divisions in Olt Valley,to form up the oak of the entire surrounding move,which the Romanian front was making towards West and North -West.That is why,the advance had to be smaller in this region,and the positions occupied near the frontier to be as much as possible strengthened. The enmy had in this region 144th Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian with six battalions of infantry,with four Husari escadrons and with four batteries (Colonel Berger),at which it was added the three battalions of militarized miners ,from Petrosani and Lupeni mines,commanded by their chiefs and engineers.

The great Romanian Hedquarter has ordered the 11th Division to occupy the defensive positions North of Hateg.General Culcer ,the Commander of the I-st Romanian Army,counting this position as too advanced and risky,because it was leaving behind Hateg-Caransebes Defile,where it could have been turned(the front),taking into account also the enormous distances which separated him by the neighbor sectors,covered by strong mountain massifs and with very difficult communications,has decided to remain on a position less advanced,closer to the frontier.That is why the troops of the Division have occupied firstly Jiu Valley with important mining localities ,Vulcani and Lupeni,cleaning it entirely by the enemy.After this,the Romanians entered towards North-West of Petrosani,occupying solidly Merisor Pass.


In Merisor Pass

Merisor Pass is a long corridor,tightened between Hateg Mountains (Muntii Hategului) ,on the left side and Sebes Mountains(Muntii Sebesului) ,on the right side.Through it,you have to cross Banitei Valley,a -fluent of Jiu River,which flows to South -East,in the valley of Strei River,afluent of Mures,which flows North-West,through Hateg Field.The dividing place of the two flows of water form the culminate point of the defile,of almost 1000 meters high.

At 7th of September ,the troops of the 11th Division,were in the defile,leaning on the near heights;Bran Hill,at South and Baloi Hill ,at North.The enemy made an attempt in the second day,at 8th of September,to take out the Romanians from these positions.With all the strong bombardment of their artillery,he did not succeed and was repulsed by the troops of Regiments 18th and 36th,which took over 300 prisoners,two cannons and other material ,as well.The Austro-Hungarian communicate ,describes this defeat under an euphemistic form:"...Our troops have send back the enemy at 4 km behind his positions;a new and strong enemy attack against the right wing ,of this group,determined us to reoccupy our start positions".The ROmanian line of resistance -almost perpendicular on the direction of the old frontier -was streched cross the pass from North to South,over the heights Angros,Muncel,Oboroca,turning then South-west,on the heights which dominates from North Jiu,up to Fagetel Peak.The line was well strengtened .The Romanian avanguards have passed ,though,over the exit of the pass and have occupied in Streciului Valley ,villages Baru Mare and Baru Mic.The reconnaissance patrols descended to Crivadia and even close to Pui locality.They have come into contact at 10th of September ,with German patrols .There were the first troops of 187th Prusian Division and of the Alpine Bavarian Corps,brought from Verdun front.


Battle of Merisor

The German commander was ,of course,not knowing of the purely defensive Romanian intentions on this front.The advance of the Romanians was ,of course ,considered to be extremely dangerous.It seemed that it threatens with the entering in the Valley of Mures which,in this region,is closere than anywhere by the old frontier.Occupying this valley by the Romanian army meant the cutting of the most important line which goes along Ardeal(Transilvania),obstacling the concentration of enemy forces ,which was accomplished at Sasesc Sebes,and threatened in the back the principal direction of advance of the enemy to Sibiu.In front of this danger,the enemy decided that,before the complete arriving of reinforcements he was expecting,to attack us in the most periled point.Taking out the Romanians from Superior Jiu Valley would also had the great advantage that was giving back to Hungarians the possession of the carboniferous pool of Petrosani,so precious for the neighbor state economy.

For the planned counteroffensive,has formed in Hateg region a group,constituted ,outside 144th Austro-Hungarian Brigade,by adding six battalions of Divisions 187th and three battalions of the Alpine Bavarian Corps,in total eighteen battalions.A powerful artillery,comprising of heavy cannons and mountain cannons ,as well as an airplane squadron ,for bombardment,which were appearing for the first time in our war-and armoured cars ,have been put at the disposal of the said group;the Command was of German General Sunkel,the Commander of the 187th DIvision.Added to the superiority of the weaponry,the German commander had also excellent troops of Alpine Bavarians,especially trained and utilated for mountain warfare.


The Romanian dispozitive-fighting position- front had the misfortune that the troops of the 2nd Division,were stretched in a cordon of 14 Miles,between Fagetel Hill and Baloi Hill,having only two battalions in reserve;was thus a line easy to breakthrough.

Battle of Merisor has started on 14th of September by a violent bombardment of heavy artillery.The Romanian soldiers had immediately the intuition,that they find themselves in front of another enemy than the one they were fighting.The strong bombardment of the ROmanian positions kept till 4 in the afternoon,when infantry attacks have produced.They have been given in front over the principal positions of Bran Hill and Baloi Hill,which dominates the defile.The enemy attack has been repulsed by 18th and 26th Regiments;especially on Bran Hill,the fights have been very violent and made heavy casualties both sides.Romanians had managed not only to repulse the enemy ,but a counterattack made by the troops from the left wing ,had successfully pushed the Germans beyond Baru Mare.

In the attacks given by the enemy the following day,had the same insuccess. Bran Hill,for which ferocious fights have been given,went from one hand to another,remaining in the end in Romanian ones.In the third day of the battle ,after a very violent bombardment,given with all the calibers of the enemy,getting in to the line of fight all his troops,has succeeded to break the Romanian front South of the Pass,between Bran Hill and Angros Hill.Retreating of the troops in here ,attracts also the evacuation of the position in the right side,of Baloi Hill.Merisor Pass was in the hand of the enemy.To protect Petrosani and the enter in Jiu Valley,are occupied positions in the right side and over to the left side of the metal road,on Fata(Girl) Hill and at Cetatea Bolii.The Romanian front executes in its retreat,a conversion to the right .At the beginning of the battle ,the front had a direction almost North-South,mounted on the driveway Pui-Crivadia-Merisor.The driveway making in Petrosani region a n almost right angle,the new front of Banita has almost the West-East direction,parallel with the old frontier,covering Petrosani;the front leans,left, on the height of Tulisa and Oboroca,in the Valley of Jiu Romanesc.


Fight of Banita and the retreat on the old frontier

In the next few days,the enemy continues the ferocious fight for taking the second Romanian line ,which would give him Petrosani.The attacks have been given on six columns,in two directions:one of front,from Banita towards Petrosani,along the driveway and railway;the second one ,in the flank of principal Romanian position,with North -South direction,facing Lupeni and towards Jiu Romanesc line.The columns of the exercised alpiners have succeeded to make a surrounding move of the Romanian flank,on Tusila Mountain.To avoid the surrounding which was threatening,the Romanian Commander have ordered of evacuating Petrosani and retreating on the right side,towards the old positions on the frontier.With all the enemy pressure ,with all the pursuit he was making with his armored cars ,the retreat was made with a lot of patience and with small losses.At 20th of September the German troops entered Petrosani.

By a mistake interpretation of an order given by the Commander of the 11th Division,the retreat of the Romanian troops was made to far behind,towards Bumbesti,leaving the ridges of the frontier weakly occupied.The enemy takes advantage of this situation and takes the more important peaks,occupying them,as well as the mouth of Vulcan Pass(Buliga) and of Jiu(surduc) Defile,together with heights Straja and Obirsia Merisor.Given the importance of these positions ,the Romanian troops had to give very violent fights ,to reconquer them.Especially Obirsia Merisor Peak have been taken and lost three times on 22nd of September until,around four in the afternoon,in the wake of a last attack made with the last available battalion,the peak remained to Romanians.With the help of a detachment arrived by forced marching from Cerna through Baia de Arama ,the situation along the old frontier has been reestablished.

After nine days of continuous and bloody fights ,the battle of Merisor and Petrosani came to an end.One part of the enemy troops were recalled to be used somewhere else.In the same time ,the Commander of the I-st Romanian Army was organizing his troops to begin a counteroffensive which will soon ,put him back in the possession of Petrosani Pool.

The battles of Merisor and Banita,although they were lost by the Romanians,and has brought with it the loss of the terrain conquered,has not been altogether a shameful defeat.The surrounding Manoeuvre,tried by the enemy,did not succeed,and the retreat,executed in time and with clever ,made that the number of prisoners and the pray made by the enemy to be insignificant.For the first time the Romanians were facing ,on the Carpathian front,with the strongest of their adversaries,and this encounter,with all the inferiority of their military prepare,has not altogether been compromising.The adversaries have the ocazion to notice and admit with sincerity their qualities and misgivings."The Romanians have showed themselves courageous and heroic adversaries ,which know how the use the smallest advantage offered by the bad terrain and steep of the mountains",writes K.Rossner."Because the adverse infantry defended bravely almost in all the points,she has suffered great losses ,especially on Bran Hill,where resisted longer.The numerous lively attacks prove the Romanian infantryman it is a brave one",writes Ad.Koester.And the enemy Commander,General Sunkel,tells to General Falkenhayn,which comes to take supreme command,his impressions:"The Romanian soldier ,as an individual,does not put a bad fight.The Romanian troop,however is resisting hard to veiling trials of the flanks and back,or to the concentrated artillery fire,probably,face with the command insufficiency ,feels without defense in such situations".

In the wake of the defeat suffered by the 11th Division,General Muica,a distinguished technician Officer ,but without the qualities and experience of a front commander,has been replaced from Division Command by General Cocorascu.

The Romanian counteroffensive. Re-occupying of Petrosani.

The enemy did not joy to much by the result of his breakthrough.The German battalions ,which belonged to 187th Division,together with their commander,have been called in the neighbour sector,from Olt River,where the new generalisim needed all the available forces ,to give a decisive blow.At Jiu has remained the 144th Austro-Hungarian Brigade,strengthened with two battalions of infantry and two German batteries,and with an Austro-Hungarian battalion,brought from Cerna;the troops were under the Command of Austrian Colonel Berger.

Mastering the defiles in Jiu region and Petrosani Pool,was indispensable to Romanians ,for the solidity of the left flank of the armyThe enemy,installed here,we were under constant threat of a run through toward South.That is why,General Culcer decided to give a counteroffensive,with bigger forces ,to regain the lost terrain Of the troops brought from Cerna,in forced marching,through Baia de Arama and Dobrita,is constituted at Birsesti,Scarlatescu Detachment,with the mission to operate a move in the flank of the enemy,while the troops of the 11th Division will attack frontal.The effective of the group have been lifted to 18 battalions,of which took part in the actual fights 16 battalions,many of them with decreased effective in the wake of battles at Bran and Obirsia-Merisor;the other have been kept in reserve or in the fixed points which had to be supervised.General Cilcer has personally conducted the operations of the group.At 25th of September have started the operations. Scarlatescu Detachment,crossing the mountain at Muncelu,over Scurtu Hill and Coarnele Zanoagei,rejects the Austro-Hungarian and falls ,mounted over Jiu Romanesc Valley,between Oborocea and Barbatenii de Sus(Upper Barbatenii),facing East.The German battalions which were occupying Jiu Defile,attacked in front by the troops of 11th Romanian Division,turned West through Jiu Romanesc Valley ,with the retreat line threatened,are forced to leave the positions and to retreat North of Petrosani.The ROmanian troops have reoccupied the old positions of Cetatea Bolii,and the enemy established on a line leaned over the heights of Tulisa-Oboroca.

The battle of Sibiu,which has started on 26th of September,reclaiming in that direction the attention of the German Commandment,Jiu action have been left on second plane.At the stubborn requests of reinforcements by the Command of the Austro-German troops of Jiu,Colonel Berger,Falkenhayn send him only one battalion of the troops from Cerna.Although the eventual advance of the Romanian troops was threatening the railway in Mures Valley,with all the great loss which represented for the Economy of the Hungarian State ,the loss of the mines of Petrosani,the German Commander thought that no men should leave the principal operation of Sibiu,to be send in the secondary sector of Jiu.The decission was awaited from Sibiu;it could not be periled by passing and secondary as importance failures like the one in Jiu.Same considerations have determined the Romanian Commander to not follow the obtained success and,thankful with reoccupying Petrosani,to stop the fight in the day of 27th of September,remaining on the conquered positions.

The enemy re-occupies Petrosani

Nor the Romanians have joyed for a long time by the victory;the raport of forces had to change again in the favour of the enemy.The 2nd Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian,brought from the Isonzo front[6],disembarked behind the front and has been imediately brought in Jiu sector.The enemy forces ,increased in this way felt,with special troops ,were put under the command of German General von Bussche,the Commander of Headquarter of the 301st Division.

The fights restarted at 30th of September.The Austro-Hungarian Alpiners ,seated at the right wing of the enemy dispozitive-fighting position,attacked left Romanian from the heights Fagetel-Oboroca,pressuring in the Romanian flank the same veiling movement,executed by Romanians few days before,in inverse direction.Ferocious fights are given at this wing.The soldiers of the 1st Hunters Regiment succeed to reject ,by evening of 30th of Sptember,an enemy attack and take 80 prisoners.But at 1st of October the enemy attacks become violent;they are helped by a strong heavy artillery-which takes out of service our small guns-and axfixiant gas.The superiority of the enemy artillery is crushing;she makes behind our lines barrier ,thus making impossible the arrive of the reinforcements.A ferocious fight took place in the night of 1st-2nd of October ,on Oboroca Hill,between Austro-Hungarian Alpiners and the Soldiers of 18th Gorj Regiment.All night, dark as molasses and with thick myst,they were bloody fighting at bayonet.At 2nd of October ,face with the enemy superiority,left Romanian retreated ,in order,on the ridges of the frontier,after both adversaries have suffered heavy losses.For a week,day and night were given unstoppable fights for mastering of every hill and every height and every valley,till the Romanians established along the whole front,on the ridges of heights on the frontier.Especially in the fights for Siglau Mountain and neighbor heights,Cornu Zanoagei and Muntele Negru(Black Mountain),1st Regiment of Hunters had bravely fought and suffered heavy casualties .Petrosani have been,for the second time abandoned in the hands of the enemy,after damages have been made at the installation of the coal mines,as to not be of any use for a while.

For almost a month ,Jiu sector has remained quiet.Violent clashes were permanently taking place for occupying or re-occupying of one or another domination height;many bloody losses have suffered both adversaries on the heights beaten by winds and blown by snowstorms.Actions in great style have not taken place in this time;all the attention of the fighters was concentrated on the other sectors of the fighting front.


Olt Sector

The strongest group of the I-st Army was the one occupying Olt Valley.It was formed,during the mobilization as:"The Group of cover Olt-Lotru"(Both river names),under the Command of General Manolescu;latter it has transformed by adding of a new unit,in "Olt Corps",constituted of 23rd and 13th infantry Divisions and one brigade of Calarasi(horsemen).The mission of this group was to put mastering on Olt River Defile and on the Sibiu Field(Cimpia Sibiului),in which opens up this Defile,and to solidly strengthen the occupied positions,accomplishing ,together with the 11th DIvision the role of pivot of the movements in Ardeal(Transilvania)

From the old frontier,at the fall of Vad River into Olt River,Olt Defile sneaks,like a long corridor of about 6.25 Miles ,narrowed between Cibinului Mountains and Fagaras Mountains(tallest in Romania over 2000meters),until it opens at Boita,in Sibiu Field.A massive tower ,painted in red-with the blood of the Turks,killed in one of their incursions in Ardeal,says the legend-was staying as guard at the Defile entrance,which takes the name from it.Along the defile ,on the dusk(west) shore of Olt River,it is the driveway build on the old Roman road;on the dawn (East) shore ,is the railway.The Defile is easy to put a cap on it and to defend against a frontal attack coming from the South.

The enemy had in this region the 143th Brigade(Commander COlonel Barwik),made out of eight battalions ,with few cavalry and artillery.In reserve ,was gathering ,North of Sibiu,the 51st Hanovezi Division(General Tanarky).

The Romanians have attacked Olt Defile by surrounding moves .In the night of 27th-28th of August a Detachment of the 1st Regiment of Graniceri(borderarmy),under the command of the heartily Lieut-Colonel Cantacuzino,which occupied the ridge of the Coti Mountain,on the frontier,East of the Defile,descended the North inclines of the mountain,attacked a Battalion of Hungarian Hanovezi,between Sebes and Porcesti and occupied both localities.An armored enemy train,which was entering Porcesti train station,was hit and lighted up from the first blow ,by our artillery.The Hungarian Battalion have left almost 100 dead and 100 prisoners in the hands of the Romanians;the rest is thrown beyond Olt River.In the same time ,the troops of Olt Group(Regiments 42nd and 44th),starting from Titesti,were crossing the frontier West of Olt River,to turn the positions at Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) and Boita through Valleys of Lotrioarei and Sadului,and towards the West,Lotru Detachment(Regiments 2nd Vilcea and 5th Hunters)were passing at Voineasa,on the superior course of Lotru River.


At 29th of August the troops of Olt Group have taken after lively fight ,Boita,at the Northern mouth of the Defile.The enemy had strongly strengthen North of Boita,with three battalions and with a strong artillery,having well repered the space between the tower and Olt River,with the driveway,through which the attack troops could pass.By evening,though,the Romanian troops ,fighting without cannons and machine guns,have turned the right wing of the enemy and forced him to leave over the night Boita,with great cassualties.Boita in the hands of Romanians ,meant the pass opened .On the way,now open,passes now the thick of the troops and the long columns of artillery,the mountains,provisions,luggage,flowing in Sibiu Ield .The Red Tower Pass has been forced.

The pursuit continues also in the day of 30th of August for occupying the region Talmaciu-Vestem.Cantacuzino Detachment occupies ,at East of Olt,Racovita and Brad. Olt Detachment attacks the enemy at Talmes.To obstacle the advance of the Romanians,Arz send in to the fight few battalions of the 5th Division,to strengthen the troops of Barwik.Faced with these forces the troops of Olt Group could not advance anymore.

In Cisnadie Field the enemy troops have occupied a line Cisnadie -Vestem,leaned at the East wing on Cibin River.The enemy line have been defeated by the action of Lotru Group.At the left side of the Romanian dispozitive the troops of Lotru Group,operating in the mountain region and forested ,vere accidented(bad terrain),West of Olt River ,climbing ridges and descending valleys ,were advancing along Sadului Valley and occupied Sadu.At 30th of August,Colonel Mosoiu,Commander of Lotru Group,leaving from Sadu with the reserve of the group-three infantry battalions and two batteries for mountain-advanced along road Sadu-Cisnadie and attacked the enemy strengthened South of this locality.After a short fight,but violent ,the small city,an industrial Sasesc center ,but flourishing ,was occupied by Romanians.Has fallen during the fight ,Colonel V. Popescu,the Commander of 2nd Vilcea Regiment,as he was in the first line of shooters ,with the gun in his hands,as well as 60 dead and wounded.The enemy had big casualties ;he has left in our hands one Captain and 104 soldiers,prisoners.The entire enemy dispozitiv,stretched between Cisnadie and Vestem,being now turned by the right wing,had to leave the fighting line and retreat to Sibiu.

The mission of Group Olt-Lotru,beeing considered as finished,the Romanian troops have received in the night of 30th of August the order to remain on positions,strengthening thus ,as to form a bridge head,leaned at the left on the heights of Magura near Sadu,in the right on the heights of Brad-Roscovita,and in the center ,passing North of Vestern,in Olt Valle.This strengthened line,permitted the gathering,behind ,of the troops of 13th Division.


The fights arround Sibiu

In the day of 31st of August presents ahead of Lotru Group a delegation of Sasesc(German population in Transilvania) Magistrat from Sibiu,made out of a Sas ,the great comerciant Borger,the most heavy contribuabil of the city and a Romanian ,lawyer Preda.The dellegation knowledge the Romanians that in the city was no enemy troop,and to avoid the bombardment of the city,have come,in the name of the population,to surrender it to the Romanian Commandment.They declare that they guarantee with their lives that the Romanian troops will not be exposed to any aggression from the part of the enemy.The delegation was presented in front of General Castris,the Commander of the 23rd Division,which took dispositions for occupying the city,intervening at the Great Headquarter ,to obtain the approval of this action,which was not written in the operative orders of Olt Corps.The operation was meant to be made with troops from Lotru Group which,advancing to the West wing ,had to surround the city and to occupy the heights of Sura Mare ,north of Sibiu,and with a Detachment of Graniceri(frontier army) which,advancing from South,had to enter Sibiu at 2nd of September.

In the day of 1st of September the Graniceri patrols,closing in to Sibiu,have been greeted with cannon shots by the Austro-Hungarian artillery,installed on Gusteritei Hill,by gun shots and machine-gun,fired from the Southern edge of the city and by an armoured train.The Romanian Detachment,made out of two battalions of Graniceri,with a little artillery and cavalry,have not advanced to Sibiu,but remained in Selimbar Village,from where an order of the Commander of Olt Group,have called it back,on the line Vestem,"the role of Olt Corps not being offensive,but deffensive".Selimbar is the old historical locality where,317 year before[7],the briliant victory of Mihai the Brave over Andrei Bathory decided,for the first time,the faith of Ardeal(Transilvania).Over the night ,the Romanian soldiers have been attacked by the Sasi(German minority population of Transilvania) inhabitants of the locality wit revolver shots,shooted over the windows of the houses.The attack repeated in the next morning,as the troops left the village.It was noticed ,that in the village have nested enemy patrols and a number of armed villagers.The detachment suffering whatever losses,the Romanian Commander,leaving the village have applied a severe repression.


With all the defensive role which was imposed,the Romanian troops have executed operations meant to better the positions they occupied,especially that the enemy,encouraged by the Romanians inertia and thus interpreting it on a wrong manner ,was indeed very active ,bombarding the Romanian positions and making dear incurssions of patrols.At 4th of September ,Colonel Mosoiu has attacked the troops which were concentrating at the left Romanian wing and occupied Rasinarii,the big Romanian village,Poplaca and Gura Riului,throwing the enemy to Orlat and Cristian.At 9th of September ,Olt Corps has enterprise a general movement on the whole front,to push the line of the advanced posts further to Sibiu. It was ,necessary to occupy the villages ,which remained between the Romanian line and the enemy one and which have become nests,were numerous attacks were always prepared and started .The Romanian troops have occupied villages Selimbar,Bungard,Casolt,Rosia,Nucet,Cornatel widening the occupation zone around Sibiu,fixing on the heights between Olt Valley and Hirtibaciului Valley,East of Sibiu,along the driveway and narrow railway Sibiu-Sighisoara.The enemy retreated altogether on the lines of heights North of Sibiu.The Romanian Cavalry occupies Avrig and Sacadate on Olt.In interval,Olt Corps have become the 23rd Division,under the Command of General Castris;in the back begun to gather the units of the 13th Division,destined to form the East wing of the Corps,of which Command was of General Manolescu.

The enemy activity has manifested continuously by surprise attacks.At 13th of September ,he attacked with numerous artillery the left Romanian wing at Orlat,trying a turning of front at Gura Riului.In the ferocious fight given here,the violent counterattack of 5th Hunters Regiment has produced heavy casualties to the enemy,taking also 130 prisoners of the 305th Infantry Regiment,Austro-Hungarian.A Battalion of 2nd Vilcea Regiment,and a Cavalry Escadron have intervened into the fight and throwed definitely ,back th aggressor.The Hunters occupied Orlat.The Cavalry Escadron has made an incursion until close to Saliste.From the pretor of the region,Romanian by origin,the commander of the Detachment found out that at Miercurea(=wednesday),near Sebes ,disembark and gather German troops .There were prepared serious events.the Commander of the Olt Corps,feeling the need to strengthen its right,withdraw the 5th Hunters Regiment from Lotru Group,which makes Orlat to be reoccupied by the enemy.


During the night of 15th-16th of Septemner,the enemy has executed an attack by surprise from Gusterita -Cornatel direction over Casolt Village,occupied by troops of the 42nd Regiment.The Romanian positions have been bombarded very violently by artillery with the help of reflectors.The enemy soldiers closed in the Romanian trenches ,cheating the guards with shouts"Don't shoot brothers we are Romanians of the Kingdoom!".Once near the position,begins the game of rockets ,machine guns and grenades.Taking advantage,then,of the panic,by the darkness and of the rain which was falling,the enemy sneaked through the Romanian lines and rejected them off Bucatei Hill,which dominates Casoltu.Towards morning ,acquainted with the situation,the Romanians have passed to counterattack,aided also by the troops of neighbour units.The fights,very ferocious,body to body,were given against the enemy,which was away-ed from the positions he has occupied and pursued up to Daia Saseasca.This fight has cost serious losses ;42nd Regiment had two Officers and 72 Soldiers dead,three Officers and 164 soldiers wounded.But the enemy had even bigger losses;only on the terrain he left 5 Officers and 150 dead Soldiers.

Now the circle of fire and metal of Romanians surrounds from dusk(West) from midday and dawn(East) Sibiu.The Romanian front is leaning at left on the heights South of Orlat,in Cibinului Valley,goes parallel with the valley and with the line of the metal road Sibiu-Saliste-Mures,passes South of Sibiu,through the cemetery of the city and the exercises field,surrounding by North, Mihai Viteazu Colina ,then makes an elbow toward Nort-East near Gusterita Hill,solidly occupied by enemy artillery,crosses La Fintina Rece(At the Cold Fountain) Forest,heading then by a large curve in South-East direction,near Daia,Cornatel,Glimboaca and the two Porumbace,to lean with the right flank over Fagaras Mountains.At this wing,the Romanain front was weaker occupied.


Romanian interaction at Sibiu

Sasi(German minorities of Ardeal) metropol,in the same time intelectual center of Romanian life,it is at the Romanians disposition;we only have not manage to take it(Sibiu).The city is deserted;the authorities and all the people contained of Hungarians and Sasi,angry ,they left it.Under the intersected fires of the two artillery has been made the methodical evacuation of the archives and wealth of all kinds ,of the city.Its occupation is waited ,any day now;even the enemy has retreated to the North. Sibiu is situated between two fires ,but remains untouched ,cared by the today master and by the tomorrow one.

The enemy Commander,as well as the foreign war correspondents,are starting to wonder, of why the Romanians have not yet occupied Sibiu.In truth,fixed on their positions which,at South,touched the edge of the city,the Romanian troops have not advanced one step,since 9th of September.The enemy explained this un-action,by the fear which Romanians would have,that the city is occupied by strong enemy forces.We know the real cause of this attitude;it was in the strategic plan of the Romanian campaign.Still,the order of operations of the Great Romanian Headquarter,was to occupy a defensive position North of Sibiu;in this way ,the city would enter in the occupied zone.But General Culcer ,the Commander of the I-st Army,has judged that,by this dispozitive,would have remained behind Olt Corps,the superior valley of Olt River,difficult to observe ,risking an attack by this side and veiling.That is why,he preferred to remain on a position a little behind-as he did in Jiu sector-calculating that in this way the pivot of the general movement will be more solid.Anyway,the Commander of the I-st Romanian Army was embarrassed by his moves and obstacles in the realization of the mission given to him,by the weakening of the forces he has received in the beginning.The painful events which were taking place on Dobrogea front,forced the Great Headquarter to take the whole reserve of the I-st Army ,made out by Divisions 2nd and 12th ,tu use them on the Southern Front.Reduced only to the units engaged on the front,the Commander felt obliged to maintain close to the frontier,ensuring solid the communications line with the Kingdom,by fear of attacks which symptoms made to be foreseen as imminent. In truth,behind the thin curtain of Austro-Hungarian troops,the trains were bringing in ,day and night troops from all European fronts.A strong German army was gathering and organizing ,for a great action.The Romanian inertia ahead of Sibiu,made by reasons purely of prudence ,permitted to the enemy to execute in quiet the troops concentration moves.

The Offensive of the 2nd Romanian Army

Towards Brasov

The II-nd Romanian Army was in the middle of the Romanian dispozitive,in the most inside part of the Carpathian Mountains arch.The importance of this sector came from two circumstances.Her were,on a relative small stretch,most of the mountain passes:Bran,Predeal,Bratocea,Buzaul and these are only the most important.Secondly,this sector dominated the most direct and comfortable route ,which goes from the capital city of the Kingdoom in Transilvania.She had 16 Miles of frontier ,Brasov ,important not only as population and commercial center,but as a communication node of numerous railways and driveways which converge to this point from the whole South-Eastern region of Ardeal(Transilvania) .Because of its central situation,the II-nd Army has to advance quickly,to connect the two armies in the right and in the left,closing an unic and strong front.

The operations have started just in the night of 27th of August.At quarter past eight in the evening,the troops of "Predeal covering Group" have occupied Predeal train station and the slopes which descend towards Timis Vallei.On all the driveways which converge to Brasov,are starting to move the troops of the respective covering groups.On Bran driveway advances 30th Muscel Regiment and 22nd Dimbovita.On Timis Valley descends 6th Hunters Regiment and 6th Mihai Bravu Regiment.From Predeal and Bratocea start,through the valleys of Doftanei and Tarlungu,the troops of "Bratocea Group"(Regiments 7th,9th and 32nd);from Tabla Butii 8th Regiment.On Buzau Valley,the road of Mihai the Brave(Mihai Viteazu) in 1599,are going the soldiers of 10th Putna Regiment and 11th Siret Regiment. Through Putna valley are passing the troops of 24th Tecuci Regiment.

The enemy had in the region Brasov-Oituz the 71th Infantry Division,Commanded by General Goldbach.the defense of Brasov has been especially given to 82nd Regiment,made exclusively of Secui,the local Hungarian population,inner-ed like a feather along the Moldavian Carpathian mountains ,between the masses of Romanians .The Regiment took part at the Austro-Hungarian disaster from Volinia[8],in June 1916 and now,remade,was brought to Carpathian to defend his small "ancestor land"against the "conqueror".Along this regiment,the Division had three battalions of infantry and four battalions taken from the local stage troops.

At 28th of August the resistance have been defeated along the whole line.At left ,Magura Branului ,strongly attacked by Musceleni,have been evacuated by the two Hungarian battalions which occupied it.Bran belonged to Romanians.


At the center the enemy resistance was very live one.

In the evening of 27th of August a short fight,but violent,in custom and train station Predeal,makes the Romanians masters on the entrance in Timis Valley.the Romanian troops advanced without big obstacles.The Hungarians,in their emotion and haste,have deranged the the installations of the cables which lead to the mines set under the tunnels and in different points of the driveway,so they could not make the big destruction planned.Only the bridge at Darste has been blow up.

The first serious resistance has been organized by the enemy a little to the valley,at Hanovezi Monument,between Upper Timis (Timisu de sus) and Lower Timis,few meters ahead of Marienof penssion. It is the most narrow part of the Timis Defile.On a mount in the edge of the railway ,the Hungarians have build a Monument for Hanovezi,which tried at 1848(revollution) to stop the advance of the Russians of General Luders,called in by Austrians and by Saguna.

The Hungarian position at Hanovezi Monument was strong,especially by its natural position.It barrier-ed across the road through the Defile which here was very narrow,like a corridor,leaning in the right and in the left on the rocky walls almost vertical of Postavaru and Pietri Mari(The Big Stone).This position could not be turned ,and could only be attacked frontal.A ferocious assault has been thus ,given in the day of 28th of August against the enemy position by first Romanian troops ,which have crossed the border ,formed by detachments of Regiments 6th and 21st of infantry,6th Hunters and 2nd Graniceri. Sustained also by a battery of obusiere(shells),the Romanians accomplish,after a few hours of battle and with felt losses ,to conquer the strong position and to put on the run the rest of the Hungarians,which escaped alive.By evening ,the Romanian troops were in Timisu de jos(Lower Timis).


....

On the right side ,the enemy is swepd like dirt by storm.A whole Hungarian battalion ,taken out of the trenches on Beldiei height,is surrounded and captured in Buzau Custom,with all its tresures. Groups Predelus,Bratocea and Tabla Butii get out of the Defiles;at 29th of August the 5th Division occupies Sacele.

Threatened at south by the advance of the II-nd Army ,threatened also from East by the advance of the Northern Army through Oituz,Goldbach retreats on the Eastern heights of Persani Mountains.Pursued ,though,by the troops of the Bran Group,after he tries to resist at Zarnesti,retreats more to the North;threatened here ,as well,by a turn of the Northern wing,left entirely Barsei Country and retreated on the stronghold ed positions on North-West shore of Olt,in Homorod sector-Fagaras.At 30th of August,all the exits from the North of the mountain passes were in the Romanian hands .We are mastering Brasov Field.


Occupying Brasov

Even from the night of 27th 28th of August,the news of declaring the war has been known in Brasov.In the morning of 28th of August the city has been taken by panic.The authorities have lost their heads.In waves the Hungarian and Saseasca(German mynority poulation was running in waves towards the train station,with the owning that they could gather in haste ;amongst the first to leave the city were the military and civilian authorities .In the haste of the disorderly running are left in barracks yards convoys of filled up with luggage.Through the deposits of the train station remain great quantities of ammo ,food and other materials.At the train station were taking place terrible scenes amongst the people assaulting the trains.

The Romanian population was taken over by the joy of victory,which was announced by the voice of the Romanian cannon,more and more closely.,but consternation with the arrest of the Romanian intelectuals ,ahead with the Romanian priests from church ST.Nicolae and their families ,taken and dragged by the Hungarians, in their running.

Tuesdey,29th of August the decisive clock has ranged.The las Austro-Hungarians patrols were going quickly through the city,running North.At 3,30 in the afternoon ,a dellegation of the city council,together with the Romanian Medic Dr. Baiulescu,solicited to join the delegation,went out of the city,by foot ahead of the Romanian troops.At the junction of roads which go to Dirste and Harman,the dellegation has been received by Colonel Darvari,the Commander of the 6th Mihai Viteazu Regiment,to which it was made the surrender of the city.At 5 ,the Romanian troops entered the old city,full of historical memories and linked by so many cultural and economic connections with the Kingdom of Romania.Enthusiastic acclamation and flowers have received the victorious troops;the Romanian population was living a moment of the highest rising of the soul.The other nationalities associated at this celebration,out of respect for the armed force which brought order and inspired fear...In the Piata Sfatului(City hall Plaza),facing the Romanian Church in the Fortress ,the troops have listened to the prayer ,with their head uncovered .Then the public buildings were occupied and installed Romanian authorities.Dr. Vecerdea has been named Prefect and Dr. Baiulescu was named Mayor,the firsts Romanians authorities ,taken out by the new purpose of things. Brasov has become Romanian.

Constituting the II-nd Army

At 3rd of September,General Averescu took the Command of the II-nd Army,constituted instead of the covering groups.It was formed by Army Corps II(Divisions 3rd and 4th) and III-th (Divisions 5th and 6th).From the two Corps some units were taken out,with which was constituted Divisions 21st and 22nd.In advanced positions were to be found:at the wing-Persani-Sercaia;at the center was 4th Division at Feldioara;at the right wing was the 6th Division,concentrated at St.Gheorghe. The concentration of the other three divisions was made behind.

The hurricane advancement of the first few days diminished quickly.The misfortune turn of the South front influenced the operations on the Northern Front.The Romanian Army received led in the wings.A sort of unrest and hesitation boiled in the the decisions of the superior Commandment.At 9th of September ,the Great Headquarter announced that because of the serious situation on the Southern Front it is suspended the general offensive in Transilvania;The ii-nd Army will strengthen solidly on the occupied positions.It is the effect of disastrous situation at Turtucaia and Southern Dobrogea.

Under the power of emotion which overwhelmes ,to a certain extent, the conducting circles ,it is made a considerable movement of forces towards South of Bucharest(capital of the Kingdom),which seemed threatened.It is planned the retreat of the unit counted as available of the II-nd Army,to be send on the periled ftont.The 5th Division is taken out of the front and sent to Dobrogea(South-Eastern region of Romania).Even the Commander of the Army,general Averescu is sent to the Command of the III-th Army.His successor is General Crainiceanu,officer with a rich career spend in technical services ,as well as Chief of Staff,and as a War Minister ;for a few years the General has passe into reserve and,during the neutrality,has been one of the most active interventionists,publishing in newspapers headlines of outstanding authority.

Few days,the II-nd Army does not enterprise offensive actions,but only to consolidate positions.But the emotion of from the Big Headquarter disappear ,the Government and Commander get back the cold blood,operations restart.


Battle on Olt River

To meet the army front in Transilvania and to enlarge its defensive power ,the supreme Romanian commander decided to push ahead the front of the II-nd Army.Occupying a shorter line of front ,it was ensured a better connection between the three armies(Ist,II-nd,III-rd Romanian Armies) which were operating in Ardeal(Transilvania).With this aim ,the II-nd Army received at 11th of September the order to enterprise an offensive action for mastering Olt River Valley and Homorod Valley,from Fagaras Mountain up to Homorod-Almasu,strengthening then on the new positions,conquered.This offensive will be sustained at the right side by the Northern Army,which will attack -with the 2nd Division of Cavalry and with the 7th DIvision -in the region of Odorheiu.The action will be given for mastering the middle course of Olt River of Ardeal(Transilvania),with the convexity towards North;it is a real long Defile of 16 Miles,tightened between heights Baraoltului and Harghitei at North and Persani Mountains ,South, at the concavity of the arch.

The principal operation,the hardest one was, crossing the river,under the enemy fire ,which was occupying the opposite shore,which he stronghold-ed in the main point of crossing,with trenches and barb wire nets.All the bridges were destroyed ,except the one at Hoghiz,which was strongly defended.The crossing has to be tried by surprise.General Crainiceanu seats the 3rd Division at the left side ,to attack the front of Fagaras until Highiz ;in the center the 22nd Division,has to attack in Homorod sector.At the right side .the 6th Division,coming from the dawns(East),from St.Gheorghe,has to surround the curve made by Olt River ,through the North,to fall in the flank and back of the positions attacked frontal by the 22nd Division.

The defense was made by the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division.general Goldbach left on Olt,in Fagaras -Homorod sector,only five battalions with artillery and cavalry,and the rest he has retreated a little to the North,at Cirt,to be able to entervene in the space between II-nd Army and Norther Army,Romanians,or against one or the other,as the need will be felt stronger.


....

In the day of 14th of September ,the Romanian troops begin the approaching march,towards the initial fighting positions.In the night of 14th-15th of September,at 3 in the morning,the troops of the 3rd Division, positioned on three columns,have crossed Olt River.The right hand side column,made out of troops of 30th Muscel Regiment and 22nd Dimbovita Regiment ,have croosed through the strait of Crihalma,attacking by the front the enemy very strong strenghtened in this point.At crossing the Olt have died by the death of the braves ,Colonel Baltaretu,Commander of the 22nd Regiment ,hit by a bullet in his forehead.Upset with the death of their beloved Chief,the soldiers have attacked the enemy at bayonet,took him out of his trenches ,and well supported by artillery,run him far and away,occupying Daisoara.

The central column,constituted of troops of Regiments 30th ,29th Infantry and 2nd hunters,have crossed the Olt through Halmeag,without artillery because the steepness of the shores in this part.The croosing of the river in this region was due to the devotion of a young Romanian ,Maria Manciulea,from comuna(bigger village) Parau.From her own initiative,she presented herself to the Romanian Commander ,and showed him a favorable place for crossing undefended by the enemy.Lead by the heroic girl,the troops crossed the river ,falling behind the enemy which,formidable re-trenched and armed with plenty of machine guns,was waiting fir the cross attempt to be made through the only known strait,and dominate by him.For her patriotism and her bravery , Maria Manciulea was decorated in front of the troops with the "Military Virtue"(Virtutea Militara).

The left hand side column,operating in the region of Fagaras,has occupied the city in the morning ,crossing then Olt through Galati.After lively battles ,he away-ed the enemy installed on the heights of Calbor,occupying them.At the left of the Division,the 2nd Calarasi Brigade ,attacked by troops of the 1st Cavalry Division,Austro-Hungarian,could not cross Olt at Voila and remained thus on the Southern shore.

In the evening of 15th of September,the whole 3rd Division was on the right shore of Olt.This success was payed with the loss of 12 Officers and 628 Soldiers,dead or wounded.The difficulty of the fightss came from where the enemy,hearing about the Romanians intention of forcing the crossing of Olt,has taken measures,such that the surprise did not succeed but only in part;the crossing was made mostly everywhere by fight,under the bombardment of cannons and of machine-guns fire.Plus ,the troops did not have telephone connections ,such that the communications were made only by runners .Was missing completely the bridge material;that is why all the Infantry has crossed through the water,and the artillery remained on the Southern shore.Only at 16th of September,has arrived the bridge crews,which throw ed a bridge between Venetia de Jos-Halmeag. The troops of the 22nd Division ,starting from Feldioara,cut the cord of Olt arch through the South,forcing the crossing at Hoghiz,as the 6th Division surrounds the arch of Olt River,to North.The two arms of the cracker has to unite in the region Cohalm-Homorod.the enemy resist in the region of Homorod with a lot of artillery;Regiment 11th Siret,occupies Homorod and especially ,Almasul Homorodului;Regiment 12 Cantemir occupies Cata.in the same time,troops of the 22nd Division have crossed the Olt through straits at Racosul de Jos and Bogata Olteana;32nd Regiment surrounds the enemy position of Ugra ,which force the Hungarian to leave Hoghiz;on this bridge crosses also the artillery.Now,Colham,attacked by Romanians from East and North,is conquered by lively fight .In the same time ,with the defeat on Olt,General Goldbach receives bad news also from his left:the 7th Romanian Division,starting from Miercurea Ciuc,has taken Vlahita and is marching towards Odorhei.The Hungarian General ,retreats the 71st Division towards Archita,retreating in the same time Szabo Brigade ,this side of Odorhei.

With this,the Olt Battle has ended.the II-nd Romanian Army has won the battle in the day of 15th of September ,she has made prisoners 6 officers ,seven Cadets and 750 men of troops.

Even in the evening of the same day,the 22nd Division is taken out from during fight,beeing called on the Southern Front,togeter with the 21st Division;the empty space between Divisions 3rd and 6th is filled with Regiments 2nd Hunters and 30 Muscel,which reestablish the connection.the next day,16th of September,the 4th Division starts marching towards Fagaras,to constitute the extreme left wing of the II-nd Army.Hearing the cannon at North ,towards Calbor,the division stops the march and sends two columns in the aid of the 3rd Division,engaged with the enemy at Calbor.The left column is stopped by the enemy artillery firing range from Cincsor,as she was crossing Olt at Beclean and manages to cross the river in the next day,at 17th of September.

The followed goal by the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army was acomplished;the army receives the order to stop on defensive,strengthening on positions,on the Northern shore of Olt.The army has been ,otherwise,weakened by retreating of three Divisions;the 5th ,the 21st and 22nd;she remained only with the other three ,of which the 4th at left in Fagaras sector,the 3rd in the middle in Halmeag-Daisoara sector,and the 6th at the right side ,in Cohlam-Homorod sector.


4.The Offensive of the Northern Romanian Army(a IV-a)

The IV-th Army and her operations terrain

the IV-th Army Corps ,made up of Divisions 7th and 8th ,strengthened at the right with 14th Division and at the left with 2nd Cavalry Division,formed the IV-th Romanian Army,or Northern Army,destined to cross the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains along the frontier and to advance in Ardeal(Transilvania), from East to West.The lead of this Army was given to general Prezan.The role of the Northern Army was of the most important,and the battle ground(terrain) was one of the most difficult.In the strategical dispozitive of our fighting front ,the IV-th Army was the Advance Wing(l'aile marchante).As at the left ,the I-st Army ,solidly installed in Hateg Land and Sibiu,formed the oak of the movement,at the right ,the IV-th Army had to advance on a considerable depth in the enemy theritory,executing the exercise of moving the front to the left.She was also making the connection with the Russian Front of Bucovina with which,together,had to execute the movement,forcing by their advance the retreat of the VII-th Austro-Hungarian Army(General Kovess) from the Forested Carpathians(Carpatii Padurosi).

Moldavian Carpathians are strolled by a great number of passes ,which allows military operations.The most important are the passes of Bistricioarey Vallei(Prisacani-Tulghes),Bicazului,Trotusului,Ghimes,Uzului and Oituz.These transversal valleys ,which head from East to West,once crossed ,one arrives in a big geographical depression,with direction North-South,through which flows Olt River and Mures River,the first one heading South,and the second one North.The Valleys of Olt and Mures are populated exclusively by Secui(Hungarian minority),which have here the most important places:Gheorgheni,Miercurea-Ciuc,Tirgu-Secuiesc,St.Gheorghe.towards West the valley is edged by the second mountain wall which goes parallel with Moldavian Carpathian Mountains:they are the Mountains of Gurghiu,Harghita and Baraolt.In this way,the valleys of Olt River and Mures River are closed in a sort of long corridor,from which the two rivers escape,surrounding at South and North the Western mountainous wall.The armies which come from dawns(East) through the Carpathians Passes of Moldavia ,have to descend in the valleys of Olt and Mures,then to climb again and to descend the second row of mountains ,to reach the upper Valleys of the two Tirnave.These two valleys are together with Middle Mures(Mures Mijlociu) Valley-north of them-and with Olt Valley-at South-the four big ways of invasion in the heart of Ardeal Field.Through the Moddle Olt Valley was now advancing ,as we know,the II-nd Army;to the IV-th Army was given the mission to master the other three ways.


The first offensive of the Northern Army.

Forcing the passing in to Ardeal(Transilvania)

From the fist day of the war ,the northern Army has started the operations on the whole front of Moldavian Mountains.Long before the beginning of the operations ,the Austro-Hungarian Commandment could not imagine that Romanians will enterprise an action of importance in this mountaineous region,so difficult for military operations.The Austro-Hungarians brought here only the 61st Division of Infantry(General Major Grallert) with two brigades ,of which Brigade 19th-Colonel Szabo-in connection with the troops of the 71st Division,defended the entrance in Ciuc Pool(Uz-oituz) and the 16th Brigade of Mountain-Colonel Bernatzky-occupied Gurghiului Mountains,to close the Valley of Superior Mures River.

The fragile barrier was quickly broken by the push of the Romanian flow. Oituz Group,made up of the troops of the 15th Brigade of 8t Division of Infantry(General Patrascu),passe like a storm through Oituz mountain Pass.In the day of 28th of August,13th Regiment Stefan Cel Mare was master over Sandru Mountain,from which Ardeal was unfolding like a panorama before the eyes of the soldiers ,deeply moved by it.At 31st of August,the small city Tirgu Secuiesc was occupied by Romanians.Through the wide open gate has started in this day the advance of the 2nd Cavalry Division,along the driveway of Oituz.

Groups Uz and Ghimes ,made out of troops of the 7th Division-general Istrati-entered ,at their turn,in Ardeal,over the Mountains of Cincului,throwing Szabo's troops in Olt Valley.The Romanians have stopped then for over a week to organize their positions in the mountains;it was lost in this way precious time ,and was given thus time to the enemy to strengthen.

Further to the north,the 14th Division-General Vasilescu Paraschiv-operating on two columns ,in a very accident-ed region(bad terrain),has crossed the border along the Valleys of Bicaz and Bistricioara,occupying Almasu,Tulghes and Bilbor.All the heights of the Massif Gurghiului,which dominates to the East the superior course of Bistricioara to the mouth of Glodului,are in the Romanian hands.A third group of the Division,Bistrita Group,starting from Brosteni,has occupied Almasu Height and all the heights over Bilboru.Because of the slow move of the Russians ,the connection with them to the right could not be made in time,so from the first days the enemy troops which formed the right extreme of the Austro-German front ,leaned on Dorna Mountains(Muntii Dornei),have entered on Neagra Sarului Valley and Calimanel valley and occupied villages Panci,Saru Dornei and Neagra Sarului,stopping on the heights Paltinis,Calimanel,barnarul,occupied by our troops.the inhabitants of these villages had to know from the beginning the pains of foreign occupation,of which they have been liberated only later.This occupation was also creating a threatening situation for the right side of the 14th Division.between 31st of August and 4th of September ,the Division rejecting the troops of Bernatzky,occupied the whole Massif of Gurghiu,mastering the last height which dominate the superior valley of Mures River,and the Western exits of the defiles.All the Passes of Moldavia in Ardeal(Transilvania),cross the mountain massif have been breached(forced).


The second offensive of the Northern Army

Battle of Miercurea-Ciuc

At 6th of September ,General Prezan retakes the offensive movement of the Northern Army,on the whole stretch of the front, to master the Valleys of Olt and Mures(rivers).For six days ,6th-11th of September ,the Austro-hungarian troops have been dug out of their positions and rejected further.The most important actions took place at the two wings of the Northern Army.

At the left wing the Romanian troops attacked Miercurea -Ciuc,the most important center of Secuimii(Hungarian Minority).The city has been attacked in a veiling mode ,through the north of Ghimes Group,by the front of Uz Group,and at the South by the troops of Oituz Group.,starting from direction Tirgu-Secuiesc,have crossed river Olt and attacked the enemy by the flank and from behind.The fight was lively and the city strongly bombarded.by evening the enemy has left the city;Romanians,though,have not occupied it ,because the enemy artillery was firing over .They have remained at ant-posts ,at the edge of the city lightened by the flames of the fires made by the bombardment of the artillery of the defenders and by the fires of bivouacs on the surrounding hills.The next day(second) the fight restarted.In front of the veiling move at the two wings ,the enemy started to retreat ,after devastating the city and retreating at Vlahita.Miercurea-Ciuc has been occupied by Romanians at 8th of September.At the attack of Miercurea-Ciuc has died of the most pretious death of the braves Captain N.Vulovici.One of the poet raised soldiers,of Koerner and Petoffy,which if he did not equal in poetic genius ,surely he did not stand back as feeling and elan.He fell as he was commanding a company of the Avanguard Battalion of 15th Razboieni Regiment,hit by a bullet in the forehead.He died of the death he wanted to and which he called in his brave lyrics :

"If it would be that I die ,-You God,give me -a brave death

A bullet in the flower of my hat-in fight would hit me!

Don't wanna'die on bed-like all the commoners,

On metal or ground-sleep for eternity the soldiers!

My poor body folded -in the cloth of three colored flag(red yellow blue)

Will tear my trumpeters -no mother,nor sister...

With helmet and weapons dressed-a groom chosen by death-

Not the cemetery men but soldiers carry me!

(...well something like that)

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At the Northern wing,a detachment of troops of the 14th Division,descended the slopes of Gurghiu Mountains ,attacked Toplita,taking out the enemy of all his positions ,very well strongholded-dug in ,without artillery could intervene.At the fall of the evening,the Hungarians arson the timber factories from the city,blow up the bridges and retreat in Calimanel direction.The detachment seized the exit towards East of Mures Defile,repelling the enemy towards interior ,then pursued him step by step,through the Defile,seizing also the ridge which parts the field Miclausului-superior pool of Mures River-by the middle pool.

In the same time ,the troops of Bicaz detachment and the 4th Mixt Brigade ,operating between the two wings ,have entered in Gurghiu Defile and Tirnava Mici,which rove through the second mountain wall,of Gurghiu and Harghita,pushing enemy troops towards East covering thus the concentration of 8th Division which was making behind,in Bicaz region.At 7th of September Gheorgheni city havebeen seized by Romanians.

The enemy troops ,incapable of resistance ,were on the point of being repeled over the second mountainous barrier in field of Mures River.In front of this danger,von Arz sends all available troops which have arrived n the concentration zones,to sustain and stop the confusion of the troops of 61st Division,on all four directions of advance of the Romanians .In Mures Valley he sends 72nd Division,Austro-Hungarian,of Infantry,which occupies positions at Lunca Bradului,stopping the retreat of Bernatzky Group.The column retreating through Gurghiului Valley towards Reghinu Sasesc,have been stopped and strenghtened at Fincel by the 39th Infantry Division.From Praid runs on Tirnava Mici valley a Husar brigade de Lundstrum and a Bosniac Regiment-Csecsi group-and behind Szabo Group ,which retreating from Miercurea Ciuc has stopped at Vlahita,was brought the thick of 71st Division.the mission of this division was to supervise on one hand the advance of the Northern Romanian Army,on the other hand,the II-nd Romanian Army to operate ,after need ,in the flank of one or the other.At 11th of September ,the Northern Army have stopped the advance move ,in which she succeeds to seize completely th superior valleys of olt River and Mures River and to master the entrances from the East of the second row of heights ,which separates this pool from the field of middle Mures River.


The Battles in Calimani Mountains

The advance of the Northern Army opened beautiful perspectives for the neighbor Russian Army.This one,though,did not look to make them useful.The Russians did not advance through the Northern mountain passes of Moldavia which,by forcing them and occupying them by our armies ,stood at their disposition and they could have turned the positions of the Austro-Hungarian armies of Bucovina Mountains,which was in a dangerous situation.The offensive through which Russia obliged-by military convention with Romanai-to begin to cover the mobilization and concentration of the Romanaian troops ,was started only at 31st of August.Brusilov's forces ,weakened by the bloody fights which lasted three months,already,they were not capable to give that strong forcing,needed to break the Austro-German front.Much that ,in Bucovina Mountains,has formed of German divisions ,a new army,under the Command of General von Conta,by which the frontal attacks of the Russians crushed in a futile way.

The advance of the 14th Romanian Division on Mures Valley,to Lunca Bradului started,because the Russian insuccess,to become risky;it exposed the right flank of the Northern Army to enemy attacks;also there were signalls ,in Calimani Mountains,concentrations of enemy troops belonging to to the 37th Austro-Hungarian Division.To prevent this peril,the Commander of the Northern Romanian Army,constituted the "Covering Detachment Bistrita",under the Command of Colonel Colori,with the mission to cover the right flank of the army,in Calimani region.

The operations of this group were executed in very difficult circumstances .the soldiers have to climb in chest the slopes of the mountains towards Mures River Valley.Pietrosu Peak (2102meters) has been occupied by a battalion of the 16th Regiment at 16th of September,after a fight of infantry and artillery;Retitis Peak has been seized by a battalion of the 56th Regiment ,which rejected two companies of Hungarian Geandarms.The Southern part of the principal ridge of the strong bastion which forms the well known triplex confinium,the point of land between Moldavia,Bucovina and Ardeal(Transilvania) was in Romanian hands

Alarmed by the situation,Feldmarshal Habermann,the Commander of Dorna sector,has send numerous troops with machine guns and artillery ,of mountain,to repulse the Romanians,attacking them from Bistricioara Peak.Violent fights have been given in very difficult conditions ,on high plateaus ,on fog and rain,snow and snowstorms.The snowstorms froze the hands and feet of the soldiers ,diminishing the effectives of the fighters.Attacks and counterattacks have been given ,making considerable losses .In the fight given for seizing Vf. Piatra Rosie (Red Stone Peak) a battalion of the 56th Romanian Regiment had 80 dead.The Romanians could not stretch their occupied zone,their attacks over Peaks Timaului and Strumioru have remained undecided but neither the enemy could dislocate us from Pietrosu Peak.The adversaries remained face to face on the high peaks ,beaten by snowstorms ,of Calimani and strengthened their positions

At the right side of Calimani ,Bistrita Detachment ,making the connection with the Russians tried to fall in the back of the positions at Dorna and Calimani,attacked frontal by Russians.The enemy ,though,could not be taken out of his positions ,very strong strenghtened ,because they defended not only the principal position of Vatra Dornei-Iacobeni,but also the mines of mangan(coal) from this latter locality,indispensable for the war economy of the Central Powers.


The third offensive of the Northern Romanian Army. Odorhei Battle

The II-nd Romanian Army ,starting on 15th of September ,a vigorous offensive from Brasov with direcion Fagaras -Colham -Hamorod-which provoked the Olt Battle -the Northern Army received the mission to ease this offensive,attackimg the enemy which was in front of it.the plan of the action was made as follows:the left wing of the army will have the principla action;the 2nd cavalry Division and the 7th Division will operate in Homorod region,in tight connection with the II-nd Romanian Army,attacking the back of the enemy of this region;they will seize the heights which barrier the road Miercurea-Ciuc-odorhei.the 8th Division which in the mean time has concentrated and place d herself at the right side of the 7th Divsion,between this one and the 14th Division,as well as the latter one ,will fix the enemy by attacks ;the 8th Division will push strong detachments towards the exits of the defiles of Harghita mountains and Gurghiu Mountains towards the flat of Mures,and the 14th Division will supervise Calimanii.

The troops of the 7th Division have started the offensive at 15th of September ,having as ax of advance the driveway Miercurea-Ciuc-odorhei ,which rove along the depression between Harghita Mountains at North and Baraoltu at South,it is the passing gate between Olt Valley and Homorod and Tirnavei Mari Vallei.Beyond the ridge ,Vlahita Village ,strongly defended is the principal obstacle .the village,attacked by the front and flank have been conquered bya ferocious fight,in which 4th Hunters Regiment distinguished ,especially.At the right side,troops of the 16th Regiment have occupied Capilnita and at the left,regiment 27th conquered Lueta Village.The 19th Mountain Brigade,Colonel Szabo,beaten has been forced to retreat beyond odorhei,occupying positions one side and the other of Tarnava.The 71st Hungarian Division,situated between Beia,Dirjiu and Archita ,cornered by the offensive of the II-nd Romanian Army,could not come in Szabo's help and had to retreat as well.In 18th of September ,the 4th Hunters Regiment have seized Odorhei,left by 82nd Secui(Hungarians)Regiment;the Mayor of the city have made the solemn surrender.

At the right side of the 7th Division,the troops of the 8th Division have started the offensive move in 18th of September.Advancing on three columns ,they have attacked the enemy troops ,made up of the 16th Mountain Brigade of the 61th Division-Colonel Bernatzky-strenghtened with troops of the 39th Division with a brigade of Husari de Lndstrum and a Bosniac Regiment ,making Gyergyo Group.The enemy have been threown in Tirnavei Mici Valley until Praid,and in Gurghiu Valley until Ibanesti.Alarmed by this situation,von Arz has brought in haste the 37th Division-general Major Haber-of calimani Mountains and placed it at Reghin,behind the 39th Division,to intervine in the fight ,as the Prusian Division ,89th,freshly arrived ,was placed at Tirgu Mures,as general reserve.


The fight of Rastolita

In the region of superior Mures River,in the sector of 14th Division,the Romanian Commander observed ,that the enemy takes forces from Mures Valley and sends them to Calimani and Dorna for strengthening the troops there.Rastolita Valley,affluent which descends from Calimani Mountains on the Northern side of Mures River,constituted the communication road used by the enemy troops for this circulation.The Romanian Commander decides to attack the enemy in this region,to occupy and obstacle the troops transport of the enemy.

The fight from Rastolita was given at 24th-28th of September and was extremely difficult because of the terrain on which it took place:the region very accident-ed (bad terrain) with quick slopes ,covered with forest,becomes mor difficult because of the tree trunks and branches remained after forestier exploatation.The Romanian attack colums ,made out of Regiments 54th,55th an 67th,have fought hard with an enemy well strongholded.An armoured train ,with machineguns and with a reflector,which light up the firing range during the night ,gave the enemy a pretious help.The column of Lieut-Colonel Gherascu have taken with assault at bayonet ,in the day of 26th of September ,the redoubt on Salasel Mountain,very strong fortified.After a fiercly fight ,in the day of 27th of September,he seized the position solidly fortified at Tomoroaga and throw the enemy in disband toward Mures River.The fight of Rastolita ,brought to 14th Division a rich war material,captured and a number of 10 officers and 300soldiers,prisoners;she was mastering now the whole defile of superior Mures River.Bernatzky Group-the 16th Mountain Brigade of the 61st Austro-Hungarian DIvision-was repulsed up to Deda at the exit from West of the defile into the field.


5. The German Counteroffensive in Transilvania

Falkenhayn and the IX-th German Army

It was almost a month now,since the entering of Romania in the war.The Ardeal(Transilvania) campaign was entering a new faze .The situation was presenting with the following face:the Romanian front,in the shape of an arch of circle ,was advancing forward with the right wing(Northern Army),as the left wing(I-st Army) made,in the region of superior Jiu and Olt,the oak of this movement of conversion ,which tended to give the front the shape of a straight line,with the North-East direction -South -West.the forces of the three Romanian armies had to,as we know,concentrate,connected one by the other ,and brought on Mures River Valley.the advance was slow since the armies were thined ,by sending troops in Dobrogea and at danube River.The I-st Army-General Culcer-was made out of Divisions.1st,11th,23rd and 13th;the II-nd Army -General Crainiceanu-of Divisions 4th,3rd and 6th and the Northern Army -general Prezan-by Divisions 7th,8th,14th and 2nd Cavalry Division.The biggest advance was made by the Northern Army which ,at this epoch ,was fighting to cross the heights of Harghitei and Gurghiului.

Eased by the Southern menace,by establishing of the Dobrogean Front,the Big Romanian Headquarter had turned attention to Transilvania.At 25th of September ,General Iliescu addressed to General Joffre-by the intermedy of french attache Desprez-with the request to dispose that Lecitzky[9] to start the offensive move on bistrita line,with Sighet direction,so that the Northern Army ,with the right flank in the air,to be able to continue the advance,making possible same movement for the II-nd Army.It was necessary that before the arrival of rain ,the two armies to occupy the line Reghin-Sighisoara_sibiu,which shortened the front from 150 Miles to 81 Miles.With the troops taken out of this front it could be constituted a general reserve ,of which absence start to feel.It was very important that this action be through before the enemy troops concentration could succeed.Because it was not a secret anymore,that behind the thin enemy line,always rejected,the Hungarian trains were running under the biggest of pressures ,day and night ,bringing everything(troops and war material)which was not absolutely indispensable on other fighting fronts of Europe .The desperate scream for help of Austro-Hungary,badly cornered,has not remained unheard by the Big Friend of Riga ,Divina,from Volinia and on Stohod,from Isonzo,from Vosgi,from Verdun,from the fighting fronts ,as from recovery and rest camps ,Ludendorff was rising German Division and send them to Transilvania .Making use of the fact that the action of Romanians was evolving slow,and the Russians does not move,the enemy went ahead.At 21st of September,three weeks from the war declaration,the concentration of forces of the enemy was enaugh,to pass to offensive.

.....

The Situation of the Romanian armies in Transilvania in the eve of the German counteroffensive

Map Legend:Teren ocupat de romani=terrain occupied by Romanians,Limita ocupatiei romane la 1 octombrie=the limit of Romanian occupation at 1st of October,Corpul olt=Olt Corps,Grupil Jiu=Jiu Group,Grupul Cerna=Cerna Group,D23=23rd Romanian DIvision,DXI=1th Romanian Dvision,DI=1st Romanian Division,A. de Nord=Northern Romanian Army,Armata a II-a=II-nd Romanian Army,Armata a I-a=I-st Romanian Army,Mures=Mures River,DUNAREA=Danube River,Jiu=Jiu River,Arges=Arges River, Ialomita=Ialomita River; Siret,Bistrita=rivers,BUCURESTI=Bucharest,MAREA NEAGRA=The Black Sea


....

General Arz's forces were disposed in three groups,corresponding aproximately to the three Romanian armies.In front of General Prezan was Morgen Group,mad out of Austro-hungarian Divisions 39th,37th,61st,71st,72nd and the Prusian Division 89th,as well as a Husar Brigade ,at the right wing.Morgen Group was stretching the front also in front of some part of II-nd Romanain Army,connecting in Fagaras region ,with Cavalry Group Schmettow,made out of two cavalry divisions.

At the right side,in front of the I-st Romanian Army ,was constituted the strong Staabs Group,made out of a Hungarian Division of Hanovezi=the 51st-three German Divisions :76th,187th and Bavarian Alpine Corps,and three Austro-Hungarian Brigades ,143rd,144th,145th,at Olt River,Jiu and Cerna,strenghtened with other small units,also.Two Alpine Austro-Hungarian -2nd and 8th-disembarked behind the front line.*

The enemy army was continuously retreating in the face of Romanian Army,finishing its concentration of forces.This retreat was maximum at Morgen's army,which although the most numerous,could not withstand the impetuous assaults of Prezan's army.In the region of Oltenia(Romanian region near Olt River),on the contrary,the advance of our troops has been the most reduced,for the pivot role of the conversion movement,but also because the enemy,thinking his communication line to be threatened ,from Mures River Valley,has started at 14th of September,Sunkel offensive ,which has pushed the Romanian troops in Jiu Valley,on the frontier line.in this situation,general Falkenhayn,ex-Chief of the German Headquarter ,arrived at 19th of September at Deva ,assuming the Command of the IX-th Army,which was in its birth.It was constituted ,for the time being,by Staabs groups and Schmettow.The North_east Group ,Commanded by Morgen has remained under direct Command of Arz,as The Austro-Hungarian Army.Both armies entered in the composition group of armies ,Commanded nominal by the inheriter of the AustroHungarian throne,Archduke Carol.


In reality,the Commander of the "Romanian Front" of Carpathian Mountains was Falkenhayn,of which orders-conform with the dispositions of the two headquarters ,or because of spirit of comradery and collaboration well understood -listened also by General von Arz.The new German Commander has a choosen intelligence, good undertanding of facts,energic and methodical.As a military ,he was backed by a brilliant career.He has been Minister of War of Germany and has prepared the army which entered the war.Two months after the breakout of the European War,in the wake of defeat of Marna,Falkenhayn received the inheritance of Moltke[10],as Chief of the Big German Headquarter -in other words the Generalisim of this army,because the supreme Command of the Kaizer was nominal(appointed to a certain person).In this quality,he has lead for two years the operations of the German Army.The failure of the offensive against Verdun and our entering in the war ,makes him to fall and be replaced by the duality of Hindemburg-Ludendorff[11].Touched in his ego,Falkenhayn has propesed himself to prove ,on the terrain,in his new Commandment,his military capacity.For the knowledge ,and his strategical cleaverness,the conduct of the war against the young and inexperienced Romanian Army,seemd an easy game.The mission given to Falkenhayn was to get immediately to offensive.The Dobrogea Campaign(against Romania) has been efective;it has pomped all the available troops and reserves.The Romanian Army in Transilvania(Ardeal),reduced at the thin line of fighting front,was to shake and collapse under the heavy blow which Falkenhayn would apply.

The enemy official publications ,give at 7th of September ,the following effectives:128 Battalions,22 Divisionary Cavalry Escadrons and 117 batteries ,to which one must add the 2 independent Cavalry Divisions ,with 7 Regiments and corresponding artilley,as well as the two Brigades ,Austro-Hungarian Alpiners,which at this date were in transport. .....


The plan of German counteroffensive

The fight plan of the Great German Commandment was determined by the situation of the Rmanaian Army.The concentration of groups could not be realized but only in a small amount.The Romanian Army could not unite but only in a bundle;what it represented beyond Carpathians were just small heads ,sneaked through the breaking of mountains barriers.These isolated groups ,separated between them by thick massifs ,which obstacles their interconnection,represented an easy target for a courageous aggressor and powerful. Falkenhayn decided to concentrate all available forces in a single sector and attack the Romanian group there.Once the Romanian group has been destroyed ,the enemy forces will immediately head for the neighbor groups ,to prepare them the same faith.The action meant to be carried swiftly,the isolated Romanian groups will be,one by one defeated ,which will have as effect the opening of the mountain passes of Carpathians for invasion.Of the Romanian groups of importance ,Olt Group seemed to the German Commander as the most suitable to be attacked.It was the most isolated .it was disposed arround Sibiu City,having as communication line with the Kingdom only the narrow Olt Valley.Towards West ,the mountain massifs of Cibinu and Sebes isolated completely by Jiu Group at over 44 Miles distance ;an intervention for help from this part was excluded.Towards East,the link with the II-nd Romanian Army has not been made.Between Olt Group and the II-nd Army was a big gap,of which the enemy thought to make use.

At 18th of September ,in his Headquarter at Deva ,the new German Commander has taken the definitive decision;he will start the counteroffensive ,by attacking the Romanian group at Sibiu.

The choosing of the attack point ,once fixed,Falkenhayn has taking his measures.He had to concentrate,firstly,a strong army.So he ordere to suspend the offensive ,started at 14th of September,in Jiu Valley,which repulsed the Romanian troops up to the frontier;it was only an operation of secondary importance.Detachments,belonging to the Alpine Corps and to 187th Division,which entered in the constitution of the offensive group from Hateg,have been withdraw and brought to Sibiu.In Jiu region have been left only the troops counted as sufficient to stay in defensive ,keeping the occupyed positions on the frontier.Just the same,on the fronts of the other groups,the commanders have received the order to resist as best as they could ,retreating,if needed,only one step at a time.

The hit ,planned for Sibiu will be given at 26th of September .Till then the troops brought from the neighbouring sectors ,as well as the units brought from the European fronts,freshly disembarked close by,in the train stations ,were concentrating and organising in to an impetuous offensive army.The Battle of Sibiu was announced as the first big battle on the Carpathians Front,of the Romanian war.

.... 

 6Sibiu Battle

Romanian Olt Corps

Even from the last days of August ,around Sibiu was quiet.After the offensive at Selimbar,the Romanian troops have established,as our plan of operations have atributed to the I-st Romanian Army,few Miles South of Sibiu,on a line which leaned at West over the heights of Orlat ,and at East reaches the region of Avrig.Sibiu,completely dominated by the Romanian Army,has been entirely evacuated by the enmy. The Romanian patrols were making incursions up to the exercise field ,at the edge of the city.The city have not yet been occupied by Romanians and was also cleaned of bombardment.

On the interval,Olt Group,was made under the form of an army corps-I-st Corps-constituted of two divisions.On the western part of Olt ,was the 23rd Division,Commanded by General Castris ,and in the Eastern side was the 13th Division ,Commanded by General Sanatescu.A Cavalry Brigade,completed the corps ,which from 16th of September ,went under the Command of General I.Popovici.The Hedquarter of the Commander was at Talmaciu ,at the fall of Sad into Olt,some 9 Miles behind the front.the Romanian troops were,as origin ,a bit mixed.there were elite units ,as 1st Graniceri(frontier army) Regiment, and some good active units.The 23rd Division was a new made unit,which lacked homogeneity,with preponderance of reserve-men and police.The artillery of the corps was insufficient;the heavy and mountain ,artillery were almost non-existent.


The fight of Glimboaca Cornatel

With all the prescribed role,to stay inactive,and only to organize a strong defensive position,still,General Popovici enterprises at 22nd of September an energizer action.The aim was to better his positions at the right wing and to put an end to the unstoppable harasings of the enemy.On the other hand,the Romanian Commander ,wanted to better secure his communication line on Olt Valley towards Fagaras,to the II-nd Army.

The attack,given by troops belonging to the 13th Division,struck with force Schmettow's army,made of troops of infantry and cavalry,German and Austro-Hungarian,stretched from Cornatel to Glimboaca.At Nou Sasesc and in the forest La Fintina Rece(at the Cold Fountain),the Germans with all the resistance they mustered ,are rejected ;188th Hanovezi Regiment has suffered here heavy casualties .The Romanians occupy the bridge head , organised by the Germans at Casol.The troops of the 3rd German Division of cavalry,are forced to retreat over the water Hartibaciu and,with great difficulty they can fix over the heights South of Rosia Saseasca and on the Northern shore of the river.

At the extreme left wing of the enemy was the 1st Austro-Hungarian cavalry Division.The division have been gravely beaten ,and throwed back few Miles .The Romanian troops crossed with manhood Olt River,pursuing the enemy,from which they took couple of hundred of prisoners,rejecting him on the Northern shore of Hirtibaciu.The whole Schmettow front was shaken;he has to organize a new defensive position on the Northern shore of the river ,from Rosia Saseasca untilHosman.The right Romanian wing was now consolidated.A battalion of the 44th Infantry Regiment seized Pahuiului Peak,excelent observation point,which dominated far , Sibiu Field.


The fight at Orlat

As at the right wing of Olt Corps ,this victorious action was taking place ,in the same time ,at the left wing,Mosoiu Brigade enterprized towards Orlat an offensive reconnaissance ,to establish the identity and value of enemy forces.,of which presence and action,in this region,was becoming more and more threatening.The reconnaissance detachment started on two columns:the left column ,made out of two companies of 2nd Vilcea Regiment ,advanced on Cibinu water ,to attack Orlat from South and East,and the second column,also two companies,followed by a battalion ,started from Gura Riului,to attack the village from West;in reserve ,in Gura Riului there were 6 companies of Graniceri(frontier army).The right hand side column has started a violent fight with the Germans ,which were retrenched with many machine-guns ,even at the edge of the village ,they reject them,taking with assault ,house by house fighting fiercely all day and all night;she fell in the middle of an artillery bombardment which made her retreat.The left hand column,after a first success,attacked by superior enemy forces and losing connection with the right side,had also to retreat.The result of this unlucky offensive was-above the big casualties ,in deaths,wounded and prisoners-that it was established ,that the region is filled with important enemy forces ,identifying the presence of 187th German Division.

...

Operations arround Sibiu

Map Legend:small white circles=localities,black triangles=heights in meters,thick black line=German positions,dotted line=Romanian positions,Marsul Corpului Alpin=marching of Bavarian Alpine Corps,Muntii Sebesului=Sebes Mountains,D Gusterita=Gusterita Hill,Vf.Magura=Magura Peak,Saliste=Saliste Stream,Sadu=Sadu Stream,Olt=Olt River,Valea Ciinenilor=Ciineni Valley,D.189 G.=189th German Division,D.51 A.U.=51st Austro-Hungarian Division,D.76.G=76th German Division,D.1Cv.A.U.=1st Austro-Hungarian Gavalry Division,D.23 R=23rd Romanian Division,D.13 R.=13th Romanian Division 28 March , 2009 ....

Constituting of the enemy army

of attack and her fighting plan

The operations of 22nd of September alarmed the German Commander.He estimated the Romanian effectives at almost double their value and this determined him to take measures of strenghtening of his forces ,especially at his Eastern wing.The 76th German Division ,equipped with a division of heavy mortiers-shells,will work together with the cavalry at this wing ,and to shelter from an eventual surprise attack from the II-nd Romanian Army,Falkenhayn asked ,and obtained ,by the direct intervention of the Great German Headquarter ,to be set under his direct orders the 89th German Division,which till then depended by the Group Commanded by general von Arz.So now,Falkenhayn counted that he had in his hand all the cards of the great game which he wanted to play.The Alpine Corps,three infantry divisions,two cavalry divisions,with a strong artillery,made out ,without the division artillery,also by some formations independent;this was the formidable power which would wave over the Romanian group from Sibiu,made out of two infantry divisions and one cavalry brigade.

Falkenhayn conceived the Battle of Sibiu as a fight of destroying:Vernichtunsschlacht.Olt Valley had to be a Canne [12] or a Sedan[13] of the Romanian Army.The Germans had some sort of predilection for this kind of fight for extermination ,of which theoreticians were their grand masters:Moltke and Schlieffen.Veiling through the wings and the complete surrounding of the enemy army-sedanization-has succeeded,in the course of the mondial war to Hindenburg,at Tannenberg,over the Russian Army of Narewului.Gelous over the glory of his rival ,which replaced him at Supreme Command of the German Army,falkenhayn has proposed to take a resounding revanche ,preparing,in his turn,to the Romanian Army a resembling catastrophe.The Army at olt had to be surrounded ,caught like in a trap,with all the retreating lines cut.Tightened in this way in the metal circle of the enemy,it would then be exterminated ;the rests which would have escaped extermination would then be caught.


The operations plan was made as follows:the Germano-Austro-Hungarian Army has been separated in three groups:

a)The Western Group,Commanded by Krafft von Delmensiengen.constituted by the Alpine Bavarian Corps,this group wil execute a large movement of surrounding of the left Romanian wing,to take place in her flank;then,pushing to East her extreme Southern wing,The Alpine Corps had to occupy Turnu Rosu Pass,behind the Romanian Army,cutting completely her replenishment and retreating line.

b)Eastern Group,Commanded by Schmettow,constituted by Divisions 3rd German Cavalry and 1st Austro -Hungarian Cavalry-fighting mostly unmounted-strengthened with infantry units and artillery,and also the heavy artillery of the Alpine Corps,had the mission to defend the left flank (eastern) of the enemy army.He had to conquer the heights North of Avrig ,the to descend to Olt River,towards South,to the ridge of the mountains ,seating like a wall between Olt Corps and the II-nd Army .With this face,any attempt of the II-nd Army to come in the aid of the Olt Corps was obstacled,and was closed the acces of this one towards the passes of Fagaras Mountains,to where might try to retreat.

c)The Central Croup,under the Command of Stabbs,made out of 187th German Division,51st Hanovezi(Austro-Hungarian) and 76th German Division,with a powerful heavy artillery.it was the principal group,which had to attack frontal the Romanian Army,giving her decisive blows.

With this face ,Falkenhayn was throwing at the left side and at the right sid eof Romanians two giant arms which closing,behind the Romanian positions,parted them by the retreating line and isolate them by the aid neighbour armies ,to obstacle the turmoil of the conceived plan,by the eventuality of the aid action enterprised by Jiu Group, or by the II-nd Army. 

The Marching of the Bavarian  Alpine Corps

The preliminary operation,to which hanged the success of the entire enterprise of the enemy,was the one given to the Alpine Corps.It was a daring operation ,with great difficulties ,which could only be executed with an elite troop.And ,truly ,the Alpine Corps ,constituted in the German Army an exceptional formation.The Bavarian Alpine Corps has been established in the spring of 1915,foreseeing the entering in the war of Italy,as a special formation for mountain warfare.It was made out of Bavarians and Prusians ,only carefuly choosen men,all under 30,equipped and trained for mountain war.The corp was comprised of three regiments of three battalions each;the infantry regiment of the Bavarian guard,a regiment of hunters,Prusian,and another one Bavarian;plus,six field batteries,six mountain batteries and a heavy battery,geniu-engineers in army- and train.One battalion had three companies;the soldiers were wearing ash-colored uniform,with knees protections and blazers of leather;they had piolets .The three companies of the battalion were:first one of riflemen,second one of machine-gunmen the third one of artillery-men which also handled small mortiers.In the summer of 1915,the Alpine Corps fought on the Italian Front;then crossed into Serbia,were they took part at the pursiut of Serbians in their memorable retreat in the Albanian mountains.From here,it was send to France,at Verdun,were it is atributed the conquer of Fleaury Village,but has bled in vain ,in front of Souville Fort[16].At the Romanian war declaration ,the Alpine Corps reconstituted with elements from deposits,has been send to the Romanian Front,were it was counted on important mountain battles.After the finish of the first part of the Romanian campaign ,the Alpine Corps has been send to Vosgi then,in summer of 1917,always where there was an important hit to be given,has been retreated in Moldavia ,where it took an important part in Marasesti battle,in Panciu region.In the autumn of the same year,has been transported on the Italian Front,were it had formed the forehead of the columns of Below la Caporreto[17],Tagliamento,till Piave;in the spring of 1918 we found it in front of the famous Monte Grappa[18].The Commander of the Corps was the Bavarian General Krafft von Delmensiengen,who passed as the most distinguished German commandeers.


The Alpine Corps has started the marching in the day of 22nd of September ,four days before the attack day.The starting point has been Jina Village the highest locality of Ardeal(Transilvania)-916 meters -South of Poiana and 22 Miles towards West of Sibiu,on the Northern slopes of Sebes -Cibin Mountains.The march had to be executed perpendicular over Cibin Mountains,very large massif and accident-ed(bad terrain),which rises in a sort of amfitheatre,with the highest point, at Cindrel Peak(2240 meters high).On narrow paths ,in a deserted region,at foot of the mountain through dense forests then,up,in the high regions ,between rocks or plateaus swiped by cold winds,the columns of the Alpiners walked for four days in the rib of our armies ,to occupy their fighting positions .This expedition,executed through such difficult regions ,deserted and without roads,by a numerous corps,carrying artillery and followed by long columns of provisions ,munitions ,formations and sanitary material,and different machines for war ,constitutes,of course, a military performance.

In two stages ,the column passes over Guga Mountains (1390 meters),Strimba(1831 meters),Cindrelu(2240 meters) and Steflesti(2236 meters).After passing Negovanu Peak,the column separated into two groups.The thick ,under the direct Command of General Tuscheck,changed direction,engaging left,goes into forced marching parallel with the frontier line and places in fighting position,on a North-South line ,from Preajba Peak(1748 meters) until Virfu Mare(2073 meters)-this exactly on the frontier.From high,the Alpiners dominate Olt Valley of Transilvania,in to the flank of provisioning line ,and retreat of the Romanian Olt Corps.Near the frontier ,at Lunci,the Bavarians install exactly in the trenche made by the Romanian troops during the time of neutrality.The second Alpiners group,in oblique direction towards right,crosses the frontier into the Kingdom,in Lotru region and installs on Robu Mountains (1905 meters),Vadu and Murgasu,forming the right wing of the Alpine Corps ,which covers them against the eventual attacks that could come from Muntenia(Central -Southern Romania,also known as Wallachia).The detachments of this group ,also had the mission to climb down in Olt Defile and cut,behind the Romanain Army,the railway and driveway,the only lines of connection of the Romanian Army with the Kingdom.In this way at 25th of September,the Alpine Corps was occupying the fighting positions.


How was it possible such an important move to be made ,undisturbed in the flank of the Olt Romanian Corps?This is a very difficult question which was asked and is asking by everybody,from the need to establish the answers of the responsabilities of the grave defeat of Sibiu.How was it possible to let a troop,of over 10000 men,carrying an imense convoy of animals,mounted with heavy burdens ,to advance for four days ,at a distance of arround 7-18 Miles,in the rib of the Romanian Army and its communication lines?A neutral military critic,Colonel Egli of the Swiss Army,says harshly:"That it was possible the closing in of such a powerful column...to not be noticed by security Romanian service,only when it was too late,this can only be explained by condemned neglecting of the most elementary principles of service during campaign ".

It is true ,that the region between Jiu and Olt ,in a wide ness of over 44 Miles in the bird flight,very bad terrain,made out of mountain massifs with deep valleys ,was hard to be watched and offered posibilities for surprise attacks.Still ,what could have been done to prevent them has not been made.The Commandment of the Ist Army has installed a Company of Graniceri(frontier army) on Dobrunu Peak at the crossing from Sadului Valley in Lotru Valley.the situation of this company permited the observation of the two valleys.The crossing of the Alpine columns through Negovanu and Balindru,in the immediate vicinity,could not have escaped unobserved and the Romanian Commandment would have been noticed in due time.General Popovici has taken this company,though,from her place and send it to the battalion ,to increase the effectives.That is why the German columns meet only sheep-men,and only on 25th of September few rare patrols.

Some indices,proved that grave things are taking plaace on this side.One company of Vilcea regiment ,send by Colonel Mosoiu to explore the heights towards Saliste encounterd,few days before,small groups of Bavarian Alpiners and have captured even a Captain,which have made semnificative declarations over the sense of these troops.The Commander of the Romanian group has not given any importance whatsoever,to these observations and also did not give belief to the news which started to be reported by particular individuals or by civilian authorities about the appearance of the enemy in the rib and over the line of communication;that is why he did not take in time the proper measures imposed by the circumstances.He even considered them man-oeuvres of the enemy,to impress and demobilize the fighters.Only at 25th of September he sends up the valleys of Sadu and Lotru two , mixt detachment,made out of a battalion each,of infantry with some cannons;they made contact with the enemy at 26th,when the surprise was made and the battle begun.

...


In the eve of the battle

In the same time,when the Commander of the Romanian Olt Group realized ,finally, the gravity of the situation,alarming news,which came directly and also through locals of the villages,have reached the headquarter of the I-st Army and of the Big Hedquarter of Peris,determining them to take measures.A detachment of five battalions of the 20th Division,which made guard at the Danube River in Southern Oltenia,has been sent by train to Rimnicu Vilcea ,under the personal Command of the Division Commander,General Praporgescu,with the purpose to give help to the Olt Army.On the other hand the II-nd Army,at Brasov,was supposed to start with the 4th Division ,which was in Fagaras region,an offensive action against the left flank of the German Army which operated at Sibiu.Tardive decissions,which still,executed with determination,could not only ease the action of the Olt Group,but also ripp victory.

At 25th of September ,in the evening,all Falkenhayn's preparatives were finished.The two parties were in unequal situations .On the German side,there was the numeric superiority:four infantry divisions with 36 battalions and two cavalry divisions ,with a crushing superiority of weaponry in artillery and machineguns,soldiers equiped and trained for mountain warfare ,with experience earned on all important battlegrounds of Europe,commanded by a General which had one of the illustrious names of the German Army.In front of them,the Romanian Group of Olt,made out of two infantry divisions,of 25 battalions and one cavalry brigade .The Romanian commanders were inexperienced ;they had to begin to make the school of real war ,measuring up with one of the strongest modern of armies.Especially ,Romanians had no preparation,whatsoever for mountain warfare.The foreign policy of Romania,under King Carol the first,has been dominated by the idea of war against Russia.The idea of war against Austro-Hungary was total unthinkable(excluded).So ,the total lack of mountain artillery(because Austro-Hungary is over the mountains and Russia is on this side of the mountains)-with which the actual enemy was such abundantly equiped. Also ,because of the same motive,there has never been military manoeuvre in the mountains-it would have been considered as treason next to the allied Central Powers.The lack of experience in mountain warfare explains the ease with which the Alpine Corps has been able to surprise the Romanian troops.

The clever man-oeuvres of the German Commander assured to his troops an overwhelming tactic superiority.Closed in the narrow Valley of Olt River,surrounded almost in every part by the metal circle of the enemy,superior in number,weapons ,conduct,with the connections cut,to Olt valley and to the Kingdom,the Romanian's situation seemed disperate. Could it be that the strength without pair ,of the peasant soldier ,to make the wonder of escaping total disaster ,and make Sibiu Battle remain a defeat but not a catastrophe?


First day of the battle

In the night of 25th -26th of September ,the 54 batteries of the German attack group,begin a violent bombardment of the Romanian positions ,reaching in the morning of the next day an extraordinary intensity.From the Romanian side it cannot be respounded with the same strenght ;they only have 16 batteries.Next to the great numerical inferiority,adds the inferiority of calibers:Romanians do not have heavy artillery as the enemy had, 42 pieces of heavy artillery,of which 12 mortiers of 21 centimeters.Not even the eight cannons of 120 mm caliber ,arrived to the Romanians in the evening eve of the beginning of battle,coud not be used because of the defectuosity of the shutters and because they were served by reserve officers ,untrained.During the night,after the strong bombardment,position Gusteritei Hill,South-East of Sibiu,the highest position which dominates Sibiu Field,is attacked by the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Brigade Thyl,strenghtened with the German Regiment de Hessa of the 76th Division and is taken with assault.A battalion of the 44th Regiment Romanian has defended it ,body against body fight ,but they had to give it up face with the crushing superiority of the enemy.

The day of 26th of September,the first day of Sibiu battle,is forecast in the morning as a splendid autumn day.From his command post,on a height North of Orlat,Falkenhayn gave the order for general attack(full attack).The principal direction of the attack was towards the positions of the left Romanian wing ,from Gura Riului(River Mouth) to Poplaca.Against this wing ,Falkenhayn throwed the concentrated troops of the entire 187th Division,sustained by a strong arttillery mass ,which engulfed the mounted artillery of the Alpine Corps.The Romanian position was defende by the 3rd Brigade of the 23rd Romanian Division.The unit was uncomplete.to defend a front of almost 12.5 Miles ,against a whole division,Mosoiu had only the four battalions of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment.only in the afternoonand by evening he received also the help of a battalion of Graniceri and one of the 42nd Infantry Regiment .

With all this great inferiority of forces ,the Romanians fought brave and rejected all enemy attacks.Cioara(Crow) Hill has been all day defended by two companies of the 2nd and 42nd Regiments;all the attack waves of the enemy have been throwed back with hand grenades.A last enemy attack,tried with one volunteers detachment ,has been bloody rejected at 4 in the afternoon,after which,the enemy has tried nothing.Ursul(Bear) Hill ,defended by the Graniceri Battalion with an artillery section,has been also attacked in vain ,by two enemy battalions.

At the center and left wing of the attack group(Divisions 51st and 76th),the Germans have installed on all the heights North -East of Sibiu a numerous artillery,which all day bombards the Romanain positions,the infantry attacks do not succeed to take out the Romanians of their positions.Schmettow Group,sustained by heavy artillery -the 10,5 cannons of the Alpine Corps-positioned at Cirta,manages to cross Olt River and to sneak between Avrig and Porumbacu the 3rd German Cavalry Division,positioning it as a falang perpendicular over the road that goes, from Fagaras to Sibiu,to isolate Olt group by the II-nd Romanian Army.of the three Regiments of the Division,Regiment de"Chevaux-Legers"[19] was facing West,towards olt Corps,and the two Husars Regiments facing East,towards Brasov.


On the Souther side,the detachments of the Alpine Corps manage to close in ,to Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) Pass and occupy positions in the imediate edge of the defile at Boita,at Turnu Rosu train station ,at Riul Vadului and at Ciineni.Here was the great danger.Here is focused all attention ,of the attacker and of the defender.Will the enemy succeed to close up the pass ,then Romanians are lost.It is catastrophe.

General Popovici sends a strong detachment -48th Regiment,the reserve of Olt Corps-towards South ,to clean up the defile by the enemy.But in the same time ,without the knowing of the commander ,a more eficient action is organized at ciineni towards north.An Officer of the Headquarter of Olt Corps ,Liet-Colonel Popescu Toma,coming back from Craiova with the secret mail at the headquarter of the corps,has been stopped at Ciineni by German machineguns ,which occupied positions on Vladul hill and at Lunci,as the enemy patrols advanced through the defile towards the bridge over Olt River ,towards Ciinenii of Argesi.Realising the gravity of the situation and of the great danger threatening the Romanian Corps,Popescu summons from the village the only 13 peasants left there-the others had run away-arms them with German rifles fron the village hall,fills their shirts bossom with crtridges ,and framing them between a geandarm sergeant and a pioneers one,which were there by chance,gets them into the trenches of Malu Hill,West of Olt River bridge.

Time of three clocks ,the 13 Peasants -15 with their Commanders-seated rare in the trenches ,have fired with missfortune and great use of bullets(whithout economy),in the German patrols which appeared either on defile,or on the hills in front :Vladului and Chitanet.Misslead by this fire ,thinking they have to deal with a strong position,the German Alpiners have stopped.Making use of this delay,Popescu took,out of his own initiative,more important measures.At Brezoi was a Hunters Battalion and two obusier batteries.Few platoons,sustained by obusiers(shells) have bben send up the valleys ,to make demonstrations to misslead the enemy over about real forces.Two and a half companies have been brought to Ciineni,an a battery of obusiers has arrived in horses gallop on the driveway.At 4 in the afternoon ,the defense of Ciineni has been organized with the help of these troops;the brave peasants have ben taken out of the trenches and put to defend the bridge downslope of Ciineni.the obusiers have opened fire over Vladului Hill and Olt defile,and after some minutes the Romanians could find out from a group of seven prisoners that they have the honor to have in front the Bavarian Guard Regiment ,freshly arrived from Verdun,under the direct Command of Prince Henric of Bavaria,nephew of brother of Bavarian King.


Thanks to this act of initative and of the heroic atitude of a handful of old peasants ,which were defending their lands and village,the narrow corridor could not be closed by the enemy at Ciineni.Still ,in the long of the defile there have been many points exposed to to cannon fires and machine guns installed by the enemy on the western shore of Olt River,and many bloody fights ,sometimes chest to chest,have been given between the Romanian patrols and enemy detachments.That is why,the Romanian Commander send troops to strenghten the detachments in Sadului Valley and on other side valleys ,to try with them to unblock the defile.In this way passed the first day of the battle ,without bringing to the German Commander the quick victory,they expected so sure.He cannot hide his uncontent and concern.He has received unrestful news from the neighbour fronts and knows that those events could well influence the unfolding of Sibiu battle,if he not manages to obtain a quick victory.So,at Jiu the Germans have been away-ed from their positions by the threat of a surrounding move ;the Romanians have re-conquered Petrosani.Towards East,the extending of the battle could bring the intervention of the II-nd Army.Towards South ,the closing of the defile is not complete and,ofcourse,there are other passes as well,not written on the maps,which coud give the Romanians a safe retreat.That is why,Falkenhayn gives orders that in the next day(second day),the action to be restarted with greater violence and takes from the 89th Division,Prusian,to his dispozition by von Arz,a Regiment of Infantry and a section of obusiers,to strenghten even more the army effectives.

At his turn,the Romanian Commander realises the gravity of the situation.The manoeuvre ,with which he wants to respond to the enemy is,to pivot arround his right ,which will stay on place to connect with the left flank of the II-nd Army which comes from Fagaras.The left wing ,west by Olt ,will be retreated a little,not wanting to losse the conquered terrain.That is why,Mosoiu Brigade is retreated from the position which he defended with so much stuborness,on a line a little back ,which passed on the heights North of Cisnadie -Obrejii hill-West of Rasinari.Especially that,the Romanian Commander will sick to clean his back,Olt pass,for the security of the communication line where he awaited helps.


Second day

In the second day of the battle ,27th of September ,te fight is begun with fury on the whole line of battle ,on a stretch of 50 Miles.The central group of Staabs attacks with all the power of his three divisions ,precedenting the attack of a violent prepare of artillery.Popovici keeps the fighting front with 20 battalions belonging to Olt Corps;the rest of five are send towards South ,to face the attack of the Alpine Corps and clear Olt Pass .The principal attack of the enemy is given against the left Romanian wing.The brave troops of the 23rd Division resist vigorous and cannot be taken out of their positions of Valea Rea-Cioara(Bad Valley-Crow),but only when ,by a combined attack of the 187th Division ,German,and of the alpine detachments,the enemy occupyes Onesti Plateau(1774 meters),which dominates fron great height thee Romanian positions from flank and from the back.

In the eve of the evening ,a German battalion ,coming from Rasinari ,surprises the line of Romanian avan-posts,which run and enter Cisnadioara.Arrived in the market of the village ,they are ,all of a sudden attacked by the troops of the Romanian battalion ,which awaits them in hide.Surrounded,the Germans escape by running,after leaving on the terrain over 150 dead and wounded.The Commander of the German sector is forced to admit that"the Romanians have put up quite a fight".

The right side of the 23rd Division,constituted by so called "Combined Brigade"(44th Infantry Regiment and two battalions of Graniceri),which occupy Selimbar,could not mentain because of the violent bombardment of enemy artillery from Gusteritei Hill and the advance of a strong Austro-Hungarian column,which was coming from Sibiu.At 1 in the afternoon ,the 23rd Division,has started retreat to the second position ,South of line Rasinari -Selimbar.Thanks to the strong conduct of the 1st Graniceri Regiment ,the connection between Romanian, 23rd Division(at the left) and 13th Division(at the right) is kept intact.The Romanian troops at the left occupy strong the new positions ,on one side and the other of Cisnadioarei,in front of which the enemy consumes himself till evening in futile attacks.

At the right of the Romanian wing,the 13th Division has been attacked and bombarded with heavy artilley .At Sacadate ,from Glimboaca direction,as at Avrig,from Sarata direction.helped by the formidable bombardment ,a Hanovez Regiment manages to seize Bucatei Hill,leaving the Romanians to evacuate it.but troops of the 13th Division ,coming from Bungard ,reoccupy the hill in violent counterattacks. The Hanovez-ers are forced to evacuate also Selimbar.All the afternoon are given bloody fights in this sector;the Hungarian Regiment escapes the difficult situation in which he finds ,with heavy losses ,only thanks to the intervention of the important reinforcements of the neighbour 76th German Division.


The curtain of German cavalry continues to close the road from Fagaras ,occupying Olt shore between the two villages Porumbacu;an enmy detachment could occupy the heights La Cetate (at the Fortress),seaking to obstacle from there,the circulation of Romanians through Scara(Ladder) Pass..In Olt Defile ,things were not going at all,for the Germans "conform with the plan".Nowhere the Bavarian Alpiners could occupy the driveway,not to mention croosing over it.All over,the Romanian troops ,fighting with despair ,repulse him back,causing significant losses ,espacially to the Bavarian Guard Regiment,at Vadului River and Ciineni. ,The Battalion of Bavarian Guard ,Commanded ,as we know,by the Prince which have seized for a brief moment the train station at Ciineni,has been rejected back into the mountain with heavy losses.From the South ,troops of the 20th Division have started to arrife on the fighting front ,attacking the positions of the Bavarian Alpiners over the Mountains Robu and Murgasu.

Falkenhayn shows very unpleased of the result of the second day of the battle;in his memoirs he is forced to admit again the "braveness of Romanians".The situation of the Alpine Corps seems concerning to him;he is desilusioned by the attack of the principal group.What preocupies him mostly is that there are signs more and more precise ,that he will be attacked in the left flank by the II-nd Army and that he would not be able to opose to this side attack ,enaugh forces,if the already started battle is not finished.With all the uncertainty and fear,the German Commander thinks he must not give up the initial plan of the battle.That is why,in the evening of 27th he gives the order to Staabs that in the next day,early in the morning,to restart the attack on the whole battlefield "without mercy" of men and material,putting also into the battle the units taken from the 89th German Division,freshly arrived;he also sends to the left wing reinforcements ,for more security of this wing ,weak and perilled.Under the threat of dezastre,which he sees as iminent and of the responsibilities which overwhelms him,the Romanian Commander start lossing head.He thinks "he is betrayaled on the whole line",he sees spies everywhere and writes to the Commander of the I-st Army that all the population must be slaughtered;he talks about War Council and hanging...His all hopes goes to the intervention of the II-nd Army,of which set to move has been signalled to him by a cavalry patrool;he connects the faith of the battle by the arriving in time of this troop in the fighting zone.As a precautionary measure ,he takes the dispozition that the trains and columns of the division of Olt Corps to group at the mouth of the defile ,in the ideea of a retreat.


The third day

In the third day of the battle-28th of September-the situation of the Romanian Army has become critical.Exhausted by the losses suffered in the two days of battle ,with an enemy which was attacking her continuously and from all directions ,with crushing superiority,with the downed moral because of the news of closing the defile,which was known by now ,with the usual exagerations ,by the whole army,she supports still,with manhood a frightening bombardment in the morning of the day,on the line Magura-Vestem,disposed in arch arround Talmaciu Village,where there was the Headquarter of the Group.Numerous enemy airplanes were throwing bombs over our convoys,which were sneaking between Talmaciu and Boita ,over the train stations pf Porcesti and Sebes,and over talmaciu Village.The Romanians did not had aeroplanes to counterbeat them.The chief forcing of the enemy was aimed still over the right wing of the 23rd Romanian Division.With all the failures of the last two days,the enemy was pursuing the plan of turning of this wing ,through Sadului Valley for to,by the concorded action of the 187th German Division with the one of the Alpine Corps,the closing over,of Olt Pass and surrounding of Olt Romanian Corps , be complete."The Great plan" of Falkenhayn must be with any price acomplished.

The 3rd Brigade (Colonel Mosoiu),which was forming at all times the left wing of the 23rd Romanian Division must,in its turn,to save the defense situation by stubborn resistance.The rows of the brigade are thinned.The biggest part of 42nd Regiment has been send at the right wing of the 23rd Division ;at the left flank has remained only Balanescu's Detachment,of a power of six companies ,on Magura Peak,with the order to not leave the position under any word.The Brigade resists furiously to the enemy's attacks ,which has an overwhelming superiority.At 2,30 in the afternoon ,the enemy has seized Cisnadie and Cisnadioara.A company and a half,of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment gives a vigorous counterattack through the forest of Cisnadie,and rejects the Germans with bayonets to South of Cisnadie .At the right side of the brigade at the connection point with the Combined Brigade,the resistance wekens.A breach is made in Romanian center,through which powerful German columns ,in attack waves ,are advancing fast towards North of Talmaciu,where there were the havy batteries of the Romanian Division.The advance of the enemy is threatening to turn the two internal wings of the said Romanian Brigades.But a mountain Romanian battery,by a precise firing range ,dams the advance of the enemy.And ,in the same time ,a new Romanian counterattack ,given with troops of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment and 5th Hunters Regiment ,hits the ahead enemy column ,rejects it back to Vestem,as the enemy cannons fire with fury Talmaciu.


Towards evening,the retreat movement of Romanians is pronouncing on the whole battlefield.The hope of arriving of the II-nd Army from Fagaras is getting weaker by the minute.The Commander of Olt Corps has lost contact with the 13th Division ,which is in retreat towards South.The enemy has seized Vestem and Avrig .His artillery is beating now behind the position at Talmaciu,North of Boita.The aeroplanes are throwing bombs over the convoys which are pouring South and over train stations at Porcesti and Sebes.The shrapnels fall in the yard of the headquarter of Olt Corps producing panic in the fighting trains .The Commander of the Corps,convinced that the battle is lost gives the retreat order.

The enmy enters at nine in the evening in Talmaciu.Exhausted as well,and of heavy losses ,has not the power to attack anymore and cease the fight ,without obtaining and today the much awaited result.

The 3rd Brigade had retreated over the heights South of Sadu,where it kept the resistance until 10 in the evening when,after cease of the fight ,the Commander of the brigade also starts the retreat towards Talmaciu,with the goal to make contact with the Romanian troops,wich he thought to still bethere.Numerous enemy troops advance to the Western flank of the Brigade.Balanescu's detachment,remained isolated on the heights of Magura,with the strict order of General Carstris to not leave the position under any circumstance ,is surrounded and captured.In the mountains near the Defile ,same situation as the day before.The Alpiners do not succeed in any place to master the defile.They must stay in defensive .from South,the troops of the 20th Division are advancing ,attacking the positions in the mountains between Lotru and olt.From the North ,a detachment constituted by two battalions of Graniceri,starting from Boita,climb hard the mountain ribs ,forested ,fighting facing South ,attack at bayonet the Alpiners wherever they meet them.,rejects them from Vincei Ridge ,taking them 7 machineguns ,which they destroy.The fight go on till late in through the night when,informed that the thick of Romanian troops retreats ,Graniceri(frontier army) descend again to Boita.through the woods ,through the darkness isolated by any troops,the retreat is made shamelesly.One of the two battalions is surrounded and captured by the enemy.At Ciineni,the Bavarian Alpiners are definitely rejected ,but the driveway in the defile,remains ,in some points,exposed to the enemy fire.


The intervention of the II-nd Army

The unfolding of the battle of Sibiu starts to be influenced from outside.Towards East important events are taking place,which bring rays of hope in the souls of Romanian Olt Corps Commanders ,but unrest the German Commander.

The II-nd Army has engaged the offensive action towards West and its effects start to feel.The 4th Romanian Division ,rejecting the enemy detachments ,arrived in the evening of the day at Arpas;only 7.5 Miles parted her by the left wing of Falkenhayn .Divisions 3rd and 6th were advancing in the empty space between the IX-th Army and I-st Army of Arz,threatening the back of Falkenhayn.Arz was resisting with difficulty to the Northern Romanian Army and was retreating the Southern wing in front of Romanians attacks.Unfortunatelly ,the action of opening,started from the East, it is started to late and with too much slow ,to be able to decisively influence over the unfolding of the battle of Sibiu.Still.the German Commander realises the threat.His eyes remain focused ,with unrest,especially in Fagarasi Mountains direction,at the progress of the 4th Romanian Division.If he cannot continue the resistance to the East,until after the ending of Sibiu battle,he losses not only the battle ,but the whole situation in Transilvania.He takes measures of strenghtening of the resistance in the face of II-nd Romanian Army and Northern Romanian Army,bu he also count on the lack of energy of the Romanian Commandment:"The Romanian Command has proceeded till now,extraordinarily hesitating and unsure.Same were the moves of the Romanian troops.Though it is without doubt that "the Romanian soldier,taken aside,was fighting with heroism,it is obviously for the Romanians very hard to coordinate the isolated troops in an ansamble action".With these ideeas the German Commander remained unmoved in the beliefs which dictated his plan of operations.He takes again dispozitions,that in the next day,29th of September ,to exterminate Olt Corps,to be able to then,turn all his forces towards the enemy threatening from rising sun(East).He asks,in the same time ,his comrade Arz to keep with any price ,the positions in the face of II-ns and IV-th armies ,Romanians.This day will have to decide,not only the faith of the battle of Sibiu,but that of Transilvanian campaign.Falkenhayn confesses:"Very rarely in my life,pretty rich in dramatic culminant points,I have awaited for the result ,with more apprehension that in the morning of 29th of September".


The retreat of Olt Corps.

Unfortunately,Falkenhayn fears have disipated with the dawns of 29th of September.The Romanian army South of Sibiu had break the fight and was in retreat.

The troops of Olt Corps ,exhausted,did not have the power to resist anymore.The saving intervention of the II-nd Army had not produced in the necessary time.General Crainiceanu had not arrived at Olt,same as Grouchy did not arrive at Waterloo.In the evening of 28th of September,the Commander of the Corps have given the order of general retreat.Artillery columns and carriages had to start retreat imediately through Olt Defile,and the infantry of divisions had to start the move the next day,making use of all the paths and places of crossing over the heights of the mountains,one side and the other of the Defile.The 23rd Division had to begin the retreat from Boita position,and the 13th Division from Porcesti direction.The contact with the latter one has been broken,so the order has been sent indirectly ,through the 23rd Division.The retreat through the Defile has started even in the night of 28th-29th of September ;it is executed in very dramatic circumstances.Along Olt River,on 9-15 Miles lenght ,the Defile is so narrow ,that it is hardly room for driveway and railway.From Boita to Vadului River they follow ,one on one shore,the other the oppsite shore,for then,from Vadu River to Ciineni to both be on the Western shore of Olt River.Only here and there a meadow and a grapes growing.On the driveway and on the railway crowded the unfinished columns of men and animals,artillery,carriages,herds,seeking in haste to escape the narrow.There were more than 2000 vehicles of all sorts ;cannons of all calibers ,from the 120 mm one to the 53mm,dragged by oxes ,pears of four or three for a carriage,or the ones with eght,six,four and two horses ;captured carriages in fighting trains ,administrative convoys,ammunition columns ,sanitary carriages ,aviation park.The conductors and acompanies of carriages,armed or unarmed ,ordonances of officers or platoons,climbed in carriages or taking by the hand horses ,cows,dogs,luggages etc...complicated the imense convoy,which moved in to the darkness of the night with difficulty.There were given most severe orders,to walk in absolute quiet,like in a procession,without shouts,without talk.Order and silence were difficult to keep in this mass of men with drowned moral,nervous,anxious to escape the unending Defile,made hard by the long convoys of animals and vehicles.


In the middle of the columns the General Commander,surruonded by its staff,accompanies on foot the convoy.He has left the Headquarter of Talmaciu in the last moment,by nightfall,as the projectiles have started to fall over the quarter.Defended by an Infantry Guard ,the Commander which have lost the battle ,was forcing himself,that by his strenght of character and personal action,to save the retreat.At evry step,teams of policemen and relevation had to intervine to put order in the move of the columns.Many people taken down by exhaust and dizzied by sleep ,were stopping in the driveway trenches felling asleep.In some of the places the driveway narrows ,grasped between Olt River and the stone wall,that only two vehicles side by side could go at once.Closing off,the driveway was producing panic ,overcrowdings,confussions ,felling into the water;the order was reestablished then with difficulty..What was giving,though ,to the retreat the most tragic character ,were enmy's attacks .In some places or lateral valleys ,hidden in terrain crests or behind the stone walls and abrupt of the Defile,nested in Romanians own trenches or others ,dug just then and there,the German shooters were firing in full in to the crowds ,in the valley.The rattelings of the guns or machineguns were mixing with the roars of the water magneticwavelike movements ,with the shouts of people and the screams of animals ,repeated and enhanced by Defile's echos,rising up in to the sky in a frightening woof.The Defile was becoming,in this way,here and there a real hell.In this criticla points had to be organized fighting detachments to attack the enemy,to away him,open up the road and permit the continuation of the retreat movement.


At the mouth of Lotrioara,near Vadului River,in the power of night,the road has been barricaded,at the passing of the driveway onto a wooden small bridge,by the multitude of killed horses or wounded, by the machineguns,fired from close distance,and by the turned upside down carriages.The enemy was firing from underneeth the bridge ,and also from the vecinity of it.It has to be put into position a cannon of 53 mm to away him and reestablish the road.Towards morning,a detachment of the Bavarian Guard,which had occupied with machineguns the cantoon of point Lunci and neighbouring heights,attacks the center of the Romanian column in retreat,producing panic an disorder.A Romanian detachment crossed a bridge ,over Olt River in full enemy fire,going then through the railway tunnel;helped by another detachment ,which have gone arround the enemy ,through the back,through the mountains ,acomplishing to surround the enemy which have been runthrough bayonet,until the last one of them ,together with their officer in command.One mile further South from Lunci cantoon a new enemy attack with machineguns ,it is produced.By the energic action of a Granicer battalion ,coming from South,the enemy was runned away and pursued into the mountains.

In the afternoon of 29th of September ,at 2 o'clock,the firsts of the carriages of the column appeared at the Southern exit Defile and entered in Ciineni;the village was occupied by troops of the 20th Division.Almost entire artillery has been saved .Many wagoons with ammunition and provisions ,crushed ,had to be left on the road,,or pushed in Olt River.Hundreds of free horses rambled for days through the pass and the neighbouring woods,and the rapid waters of Olt have carried in the valley many bodies of men and animals.The infantry retreat has been made as the dispositions taken,on several paths in the mountains .The enemy who did not know this paths ,especially the ones built lately,hve not pursued.That is why,different units,which had the order to retreat"through wherever they can" or"however the God will enlight them" have been able to pass without losses ,saving them entirely.One part of the 13th Division's troops have tried to retreat towards East,on fagaras road;here,though,the road was closed by the troops of General Schmettow.That is why ,they passed through the mountains towards South ,over the high edges of Suru and Scara Peaks.One part of the regimentar trains of the 13th Division and Calarasi Brigade,not being able to reach the Defile ,have been captured by the enemy.Granicerii(frontier army) under the enrgic Command of Colonel Cantacuzino,have covered at Boita the retreat of Olt Corps,then stayed on the position at Coti,on the frontier,on the same places from where they started with hope and elan in the evening of 28th of August.The ridge of the mountains have been strenghtened by them during the summer with systematic build trenches.

From the South,the troops of General Praporgescu have managed to reestablish completely the communication through the Defile,repulsing the enemy ,also, over the heights West of Olt River.Village Ciineni,as the heights of Murgasu and Vladu,were in the hands of Romanians .The troops of Olt Corps,decimated ,with big losses of men and especially material-carriages,automobiles,sanitary trains-were saved and could breath,occupying new positions over the heights in the right side and left side of Olt River,this side of the frontier.At 30th of September,the troops of the 23rd Division were concentrating at Titesti,and those of the 13th Division at Boisoara and the surroundings.At Ciineni was to be found Ciineni Group-5 battalions-and in Lotru Valley and Olt Valley was Praporgescu 's Detachment,made up of the troops of 20th Division.


Defeat The battale of Sibiu was now over.The Olt Corps have been defeated ;together with the battle ,the course of Romanian offensive in Ardeal(Transilvania).Only now,towards East,the advanced troops of the II-nd Romanian Army have finally arrived to fall on the left wing of Schmettow and to give the glorious battle,but of no use now,at Porumbacu...

Falkenhayn is victorious at Sibiu.It was not ,though,the decisive victory,crushing,which the German General intended,prepared with so much strategical science and followed ,for three days,with so much cold blood.trust and tenacity.The German official comunicate ,of 30th of September trumpeted to the world the great victory:"The number of prisoners and the considerable prey","the number of prisoners keeps rising" etc.The next day ,the great victory takes modest proportions:3000 prisoners and 13 cannons!To faten the picture,the comunicate was counting the carriages and wagoons left on the rails ,as well.Moreover,the Romanian comunicate could announce that ,in their retreat towards Ciineni,the Romanian troops have taken the enemy 300 prisoners and 5 machineguns.

Sibiu have not been a Sedan or a Tanneberg of the Romanian Army.The surrounding planned by the enemy did not succeed.Olt Corps,defeated in the great battle given with its powerful adversary,could retreat.The inexperience or neglect of the High Command of this army have exposed the troops,from the beginning ,in a tactical situation,almost disperate.In exchange,though,the initiative of some of Commanders in sub order,which took initiative on their own responsability,and especially the heroism showed by the soldiers,which fought like lyons,individual ,and in groups,have managed to clear the army by the metal circle in which she has been grasped and transformed in to a heroic epode what could have become a shameful desaster.It cannot be brought a more diserved omage to these troops ,but only by giving the word of the enemy.The German war correspondent Koester*,which have watched the fight from the Headquarter of the German Commander,writes:'The Battle of Sibiu was given against a stuborn enemy.The one who would try to shame the heroism of the enemy,to diminish its conduct,would comit the gravest mistake against our own troops.The Romanian(soldier) have prove today that he is better lead than in the last year the Serbs crowds ,that he is in a total different manner supported by the Entente.His tactical countermeasures and strategical ones,as his own operative ideeas ,betrays almost everywhere the spirit and energy of German education.If he was defeated in the great battle of surrounding at Sibiu,the cause is not his incapacity,but the maester command ,in the same time circumspect and bold of our chiefs and the superiority of the German soldier...."**.

The epilogue of the drama followed fatal.General Popovici,the Commander of the Olt group,has been replaced in Command by General Praporgescu David.

Known German writer.After the closing of peace he was part of different ministies of Germany,as Internal and Foreign minister. Not knowing what was going on in Romania ,the German war correspondent gives wrong explanations,which ,the reader wil rectify himself. 

  7.The Battle between Olt and Mures.

28th of September-4th of October.

Helpping the Olt Corps.

The Battle of Sibiu,have painfully impressed the Romanians.Not so much the defeat.In a war is fatal to receive blows ,not only to give.Especially when is the first serious collision with a superior adversary,in number and preparations,as the Germans.What was bittering the Romanians souls and brought over them unrest,were the conditions in which the battle have been given,and which brought the defeat.The surprise at Ciineni was the proof of shallowness and neglect.So,Turtucaia[20] was repeating itself.Truly,in smaller proportions,but in similar circumstances.The moral diminishes of the Commandment ,which showed,were the same.We haven't learned ,yet,nothing.The most important thing to do now,was the damming of the danger.For the time being,it did not seem to great,and the means we had in Ardeal(Transilvania) seemed suficient to the Romanian Commandment .Even,during the unfolding of Sibiu Battle,the Big Headquarter,alarmed by the critical situation of Olt Corps,took the decission which imposed in an imperative mode:the lighting of the position of the attacked army,by an energic offensive action,enterprised by the II-nd Army and by the Northern Army,with the direction from East to West.,to hit into the flank of the IX-th German Army and threaten her back.The order,started in the morning of 27th of September,the second day of Sibiu Battle.The troops of the two armies have to begin their movement even in the same day.The II-nd Romanian Army had to occupy the line Hirtibaciului,indicated by the localities Cornatel-Agnita-Iacobeni-Bradeni.The Northern Army had to arrive on the line Sovata-Praid Chibed-Cristuru Secuiesc-Saschiz(South East of Sighisoara).

The action,if conducted with speed and energy-had to turn the roles and transform Falkenhayn ,from attacker in to attacked one,forcing him to put himself into defensive,liberating Olt Corps of the pressure of the enemy.The Romanian counteroffensive for release,unleashing the two armies ,at the right side of Olt Corps,have gave birth to a gret battle ,stretched on the whole fighting front of Ardeal(Transilvania),of Fagaras Mountains to upper Mures River Valley ,engaging almost in totality the forces of the two enemies.

Unfortunately,the intention with which it was enterprised was not realised.The movement of the II-nd Romanian Army was not made with the speed,promptitude and energy needed,to be able to fall,in due time,in the flank and back of the IX-th German Army of Sibiu.The units of the II-nd Army,wasted and entangeled futile and imprudent in movements of tactical exercises,could not be gathered and aimed towards thheir objective,but only with a delay which gave the enemy necessary time to finish Sibiu Battle and then turn his sword against the new adversary.


The Offensive of the II-nd Army

In the afternoon of 27th of September,the advance dispozitions of the II-nd Army have been communicated to the troops.The army had to set to move with all three divisions and namely,with the 4th Division at the left,the 3rd Division at the center and the 6th Division at the right.The 4th Division,starting from Fagaras,along Olt River at Talmaciu.A little to the North,the 3rd Division had to follow the road Crihalma-Cincu Mare-Agnita.At the right wing the 6th Division,starting from Rupea,will advance through Barcut towards Bradeni.The 2nd Brigade of Calarasi will protect the left flank of the 4th Division and the 3rd Brigade of Calarasi,the right flank of 6th Division establishing the link,through the 2nd Division of Cavalry,in Saschiz region,with the Northern Army.

The 4th Division set to move in the evening of 27th of September,between Fagaras Mountains ,at the left and Hirtibaciu River at the right,having as ax of advance ,Olt Valley.The move was a daring one ,promising of beautiful results,but also full of risks.It elongated far the front of the II-nd Romanian Army,which was easy to incline from North-East_South-West,making a dangerous portrussion(out-ing) towards West and exposing the flank from North to enemy attacks,which occupyed Hirtibaciu line.Other than this,the advance was made on a narrowed corridor,along Olt Valley,having in the left the high wal of Carpathian Fagaras Mountains ,with heights between 2000-2500 meters,without any mountain pass ,and on the right hand side was the enemy line.Another retreat was also only the same route.But in this war,more than any othe enterprise ,fortune favours the brave.And then,at the end of the road was Olt Corps which,caught in turmoil,was beating and reaching his arms,calling to God .

The troops of the 4th Division advance on two columns .One North of Olt,rejects at Calbor four enemy escadrons ,attacks again the enemy at Cincsor,where it aways him and in the evening of 28th of September occupies Rucar ,on Olt.The column which operates South of Olt advances hard in a terrain which is crossed avery step of the way with streams and water torrents,which come from the mountain to fall into Olt River,separated between them by hill edges with quick slopes.The column occupies Vistea de Sus(upper) and Vistea de Jos(lower),repulsing the enemy avanguards.At Ucea de Sus,6th Hunters regiment attacks 18th German Husari Regiment,repulsing it beyond Oprea-Cirtisoara.After a night of heavy marching and collisions through the darkness between patrols,in the morning of 29th of September,the Romanians enter Arpasu de Sus;de Sus(=upper),de Jos(=lower).

At the center of the II-nd Romanian Army,the 3rd Division hits strong the enemy occupying Rodbav with unmounted cavalry,infantry and eight cannons,defeats it,capturing 200 prisoners and pursue it till beyond Cincu Mare,which occupies in the evening of 28th-29th of September.The right wing of the II-nd Army,the 6th Division,starts from Colham,attacks between Steaua and Fiser the enemy-troops of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division-taking as prisoners 2 officers and 100 soldiers;crushing the oposing resistance,occupies in the evening the line Barcut-Moha.The right of 71st Austro-hungarian Division was throwed back towards Bradeni,behind Hirtibaciului.Fearful of the turning of its right wing,von Arz gives the order to 71st Division to retreat behind line Bradeni-Iacobeni.At the right extremity,the 3rd Calarasi Brigade ,have seized through fight Fiser and Bunesti.

The II-nd Army hase made in the day of 28th of September a formidable jump.Spreading away the enemy forces which she met in her way,she was to be found unfolded in the evening of the day on a front of 37 Miles ,drawing an arch of circle which leaned with the left on Fagaras Mountains at Arpas,and with the right touched the region between Homorod and Tirnava Mare.The heads of the columns of 4th Division ,the most advanced ,were at 7 Miles from line Porumbacelor(because we have Upper Porumbacu and Lower Porumbacu),occupied by the Husars of Schmettow ,the left wing of the IX-th German Army.


The Fight of Hundrubechiu(Movile)

The unfolding of the offensive of the II-nd Romanian Army emotions deeply Falkenhayn.He is under the impression that ,he goes through a grave crisis,which can become a catastophe.Between the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division stretched between Olt and Hirtibaciu Valley and 71st Division it has produced an empty space ,of about 12.5 Miles ,where the enemy has no troops whatsoever;through here,General Crainiceanu could sneak through and turn the flank of IX-th German Army,in the culminant moment of Sibiu Battle.That is why,Falkenhayn cunjures Arz, at thlephone,to revoke the order of retreat of the 71st Division;she has to make front on the line Mesendorf-Archita and resist with any price,to permit ,by the back ,to the 89th German Division, to run ,in forced marching,on the front and fill the empty space.So ,by evening,the 89-th Division,made out of Berliners-Commander General Luttwitz-arrives on the front and occupies the heights between Retisdorf (Retis) and Hundrubechiu.The connection was reestablished and the enemy line closed in the face of 6th Romanian Division.

Falkenhayn constitutes ,out of Divisions 89th and 71st a new group,which puts under the Command of General Morgen.His mission is to defend Hirtibaciu line ,in the center of the enemy dispozitive in Ardeal(Transilvania),opposing the biggest resistance at the advance trials of the Romanian Divisions 3rd and 6th towards Sighisoara,which would have caused the break of the center of the enemy and the turnning of his interior flanks.It would have been,firstly,the saving of the Romanian Group of Olt,and secondly,ruining the whole fighting plan of Falkenhayn,the lossing of Transilvania campaign.

The 6th Romanian Division in the morning of 29th of September from Barcut-Moha towards West,on two columns :the 12th Brigade on the right side and 11th Brigade on the left.In its marching,the right hand side column collided with the 89th German Division,which from Retisdorf was going towards Hundrubechiu and Jalisteat(Selistat).

The phalanx-guard of the column , a battalion of 12th Cantemir Regiment,Romanian, going to Iacobeni,is attacked at the edge of the forest Lempes by superior German forces from Retis direction ,rpulsed,and spread, and in part ,captured.The thick of the Column ,advancing towards Hundrubechiu,meets a formidable resistance .The enemy infantry ,occupies trenches ,on the edge of the forest on the hill La Dumbrava,stretching to the right side ,until Dorului Peak(height 631 meters).From the West and South -West of Merghindeal-the enemy artillery ,especially heavy artillery,throws rain of projectiles.Airplanes fly in the air ,driving the artillery firing range which becomes more and more precise.The soldiers of the II-nd Army ar forced to notice ,that today,they have in front of them,another enemy than the one before.

The Romanian infantry advances to attack ,hard,in the bullet rain and of shells.The heavy German artillery has framed the Romanian Divizion of Artillery,which was firing from Mesteacanu Hill and destroys its cannons;the servants ,remained alive are overwhelmed by panic and leave the cannons.From the right side ,the brigade is attacked by troops which have repulsed the Romanian phalanx-guard;the whole 89th German Division falls now over 12th Romanian Brigade.The runaways increase the panic caused by bombing ,the troop,not used with heavy fight (Romanian),enters disband.From the small valley ,near Mesteacanu Hill,eves the 3rd Hunters Regiment,the reserve of the Romanian Division.The Hunters attack with bayonet,seize back three cannons from the divizion and aways the enemy,sending him back to its positions.The brigade is thus ,saved;she can retreat now,with losses,which are serious especially to Cantemir Regiment .During the night ,the spread platoons have gathered and reconstituted themselves .The Germans announce,that they 've taken as prisoners 11 officers and 591 soldiers and captured 7 cannons.

The left hand side column,the 11th Brigade,advancing towards Agnita,has rejected the enemy and occupied positions on Sulumberg Hill and Merghindeal Hill,strenghtening them.Because of the failure of the 12th Brigade ,with the right flank in the air,had to retreat on Cincului Hill,after the 12th Brigade.


Stopping the offensive of the II-nd Army The calculus for the day of 29th of September was unsatisfying for Romanians.The 4th Romanian Division,fighting hard with the accident-ed(bad) terrain ,dug out by rain fwhich was falling continously,more than with the enemy itself,has hardly advanced few miles .The 3rd Romanian Division ,at North of Olt,has attacked the troops of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division ,strenghtened with "Chevaux-legeres" Regiment ,brought from South of Olt and by the 8th Infantry Regiment de Landwehr,the reserve of the IX-th German Army,brought by aotomobiles on to the battle field and a detachment of easy shells(obuse),have inched them and touched the line Chirpar-Ilimbav-Sasaus.

What use though!The Olt Battle was over;the to late help of the II-nd Romanian Army could not produce any effect.Olt Corps have retreated on the mountaineous frontier ,the continuation of the II-nd Army's offnsive was of no tactical use.On the contrary,she risked to put herself,again in a dangerous situation .The failure of the 6th Romanian Division ,left the right side of the army,uncovered .Only the speed of intervention of the 3rd Hunters Regiment(Romanians) ,escaped the Division of total desaster.The threat remained,though,on its feet and it had to be conjured.

After the proposal of General Crainiceanu ,The Big Headquarter dicided the suspension of the offensive of II-nd Romanian Army,and a ne regrouping of her forces ,to move the offensive to the right ,where the new group of Morgen cunstituted the threat.The 3rd Romanian Division has received the order to retreat and,in forced marching,to move towards the right side of 6th Romanian DIvision.The 4th Romanian Division to retreat,to constitute the reserve of the II-nd Army.The 2nd Cavalry Division has been attached to the II-nd Army.The saviour role of the II-nd Army has finished with a failure;she had now to fight for her own safety.


The Fight at Porumbacu The 4th Romanain Division advanced faster than the 3rd and the 6th.If Feldioara Brigade ,which was advancing North of Olt,repulsing the Cavalry troops ,unmounted of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Division,was ahead just a bit from the 3rd Romanian Division,the other brigade,which was advancing South of Olt,in close fighting contact with the Husars of the 3rd Cavalry ,German Division,has advanced much further than the pair brigade.Face with this threatening advance,Falkenhayn has send troops of the 78 Ifantry German Division ,to strenghten the resistance of Husars.Still.Romanians,beaten by the heavy German artillery,installed on Chicera Hill,have repulsed again at 29th of September the enemy in Oprea-Cirtisoara and they were preparing to attack at 30th of September the principal enemy line ,which was leaning with the left on to Olt River,and with the right side on to the mountains ,passing through Porumbacu de Jos(lower),Sarata and Porumbacu de Sus(upper).

In this time though,the Romanian Commander has decided the cease of the offensive;the 4th Division had to stop and retreat,to cunstitute in the reserve of the II-nd Romanian Army.The retreat order could be handed ,in the course of 29th-30th of September,to General Boureanu,the Commander of Feldioara Brigade.It dose not come in time to Colonel Paianu,the Commander of the Southern Brigade.From this cause,the brigade,starts in the eves of the morning of 30th of September ,the attack,as the Northern Brigade has started the retreat.The Romanians,are giving,in this way,the fight at Porumbacu,South of Olt River,without any goal,whatsoever,and having the Northern flank completely uncovered.The Romanian attack is given with elan.The enemy is repulsed from Oprea-Cirtisoara,then it is attacked at bayonet and rejected from villages Sarata and the two Porombacs,which are occupied by Romanians;they capture an entire battery of obusiere(shells) of 105 mm,which they turn imediately,aimed over to the enemy,continuing to repulse this one to the West.The losses of dead and wounded of the enemy are very big,especially at 18th Husars Regiment and 263rd Infantry Regiment of the 76th Division,send in haste to help;Kuhl Battalion of this regiment is destroyed.The Romanians have taken 200 prisoners .The enemy stops for a moment on the wooden ridges West of the two Porumbacs(the two villages);he is attacked then again,though, and repulsed towards Olt and Racovita,where he is received by troops of the 76th German Division,which are running in haste to save the situation.


It has distinguished during these fights,6th Hunters Regiment and 21st Infantry Regiment,which have fought with a courage and devotion,worthy of the good name of the Romanian warrior.Ahead of the soldiers,the officers have given the good example,giving with heroism their lives..Colonel Iacobini,the Chief of Staff of the Division,has fallen as he conducted the assault of 6th Hunters Regiment ,with his hat in his right hand risen,ten steps ahed the line of shooters .Major Porumbaru has fallen,as well,in the rain of fires of machinegun,as he advanced in row with the shooters ,elbow to elbow ,with them.

Unfortunately,the heroism of the troops was of no use .The retreat order has finally reached the Commander.From full victory,the brave soldiers had to be withdraw.The column in the left side of Olt,remained uncovered,by the retreat of the column;from North ,did in time,starts at its turn ,the retreat on the same road on which it came ;during the night it stops on the line Vistea de Sus-Dragus.Because of the speed with which the retreat has to be made,the troops could not take with them the captured battery.The following day,the 4th Romanian Division was occupying the line Cincu Mare-Fagaras,facing West.The Romanian victory at Porumbacu,with all its shine,has benn null as strategical importance .It came to late to have a say over the faith of Sibiu battle.It could not even stop the regrouping of the IX-th German Army,which sotpped at the back of cavalry curtain.At 1st of October ,this regrouping was finished.Falkenhayn could now start the offensive over the II-nd Romanian Army.


The Fight at Barcut-Moha The days of 30th of September and 1st of October,are tireing days.The sky is cloudy,and a thin and cold rain fells continuously .The soldiers have to ferment the muds of roads and paths ,making long and exhausting marches in executing the moves of regrouping of the II-nd Romanian Army.And this regrouping ,oh well,means retreat.Turmoiled is also the state of mind at the Headquarter,sadness is also in the officers souls and of soldiers ,deception.

The troops of the 3rd Romanian Division had to make a day and a night forced marchings,retreating through Radbav and Cincu Mare,then to go round through the back of 6th Romanian Division,to assume positions at the right side of this division,between Jalisteat and Barcut.At the right wing of the army of the 2nd Cavalry Division,Romanian,to which is attached the 3rd Calarasi Brigade,is operatively attached to the II-nd Army.She has to attack towards Mesendorf ,South of Cristur,to fall behind the enemy.The Division Avanguard is attacked in the wooden defile of Roades ,by the enemy with artillery and infantry.The thick of the Division has to change direction ,and goes through Homorod and Cata la Rupea.The Brigade,not being able to connect with the Division,remains at Fiser.

The Great Hedquarter communicates to the II-nd Army tha any offensive action is from now on forbidden;no reinforcement can ,now,be send to the Northern Front.The whole attention is now focused on the Southern Front,where the blow of Flaminda is preparing.

The retreat of the Cavalry Division has produced a big gap between the II-nd Army and Northern Army.No troops to fill it.The enemy could well sneak through here, and threaten the principal line of communication with Brasov,line which goes through Rupea and Hoghiz.So,the retreat is,unavoidable.For to days she(the retreat) tempter the spirit more and more as an obsession.In the face of unsuccess of the offensive,it has to be occupied a strong defensive position,in which the army to await a favourable occasion.The actual positions,to much spread and to exposed,with the right in the air,with the left insufficient protected ,were not safe.The Great Headquarter ,addmited the proposal of General Crainiceanu to reterat the II-nd Army on the left shore of Olt River,occupying solid all the communication lines which go towards Brasov.The retreat movement,was supposed, to start in the morning of 2nd of October;the 3rd Division,in Barcut region,will protect the retreat.

At the enemy,the preparations for restarting of the offensive movement, were almost over.At 2nd of October,Falkenhyan has to start towards Brasov with Staabs Army.Though,the situation at his left is making him concerned.Arz could not face the blows given by Prezan and was continuously retreating.That this retreat was made in the Valley of Northern Mures or of Gurghiului ,the thing did not alarm much the Commander of the IX-th Army.The retreat of the right wing of Arz ,in Tirnavei region,presents a grave danger,though;it could make difficult the movement to the East.To obstacle these fatal retreats ,which seemd to him to be more the effect of some weakness of command,than ,dictated by a tactical necessity,Falkenhayn asked,and obtained in the day of 1st of October from the Great Austro-Hungarian Headquarter from Teschen,the concentration of all the troops in Transilvania under unique command.In this way,Arz Army ,goes under the Command of Falkenhayn,"in the perspective of a concentration of troops for the decissive attack".It has to be said that until now,the colaboration of Arz with Falkenhayn ,was a very tight one and the Austrian General received and executed all the suggestions of his authoritarian camarad.Falkenhayn dispozitions,for the day of 2nd of October ,were:at the left side ,Arz would resist with any price in Sighisoara region,against the Romanian push at the center,Morgen to start the offensive with the 89th Division and,if possible ,also with the 71st Division;he will make possible ,by doing this,the principal action of Staabs which,at the right side,will start the offensive marching of Sibiu ,with direction Fagaras-Brasov.The offensive movement of Morgen in South-East direction provokes a violent collision with the troops of 3rd and 6th Romanian Divisions in Barcut region.The soldiers of the 3rd Romanian Division,marching with difficulty on muddy and dug out roads,with the small wooden bridges broken,through cold and rain ,have occupied in the morning of 2nd of October with the 5th Brigade ,at the right side,Moha,and with the 6th Brigade ,at the left side,Barcut.The avanposts of the brigades occupied the Hills of La Furci,La Ciresi and La Dumbrava.In elongation,of the last one,the 12th Brigade of the 6th Division,occupyes the Hills Hula-Cincului towards North-East,in direction Cincu Mare.


.....

In the morning ,the enmy has aimed a strong heavy artillery,and field one, bombardment ,over Romanian positions on the hills.At 11,30 thinking the Romanian position destroyed,the infantry starts to attack.But the 6th Romanain Brigade unfolded in mass,jumped over to the enemy,and in body fight ,repulsed him back,in the start positions.The soldiers of the 5th Brigade ,attacked at North-West of Moha,rejecting here as well the adversary.The enemy has restarted then the artillery bombardment ,which fired till 8 in the evening,interrupting from time to time to give attacks.The soldiers of the 3rd Division,which for the first time ,met the heavy artillery,have taken the bombardment with manhood,and repulsed bloody all attacks,making couple of hundreds of prisoners.

At the left wing,the soldiers of the 12th Brigade ,in position on Morii de Vint Hill,have been violently bombarded by the heavy artillery,from 7,30 in the morning until 2.30 in the afternoon,when the Berliners of General Luttwitz have started to attack.His job,though,went badly.The soldiers of Cantemir Regiment and Siret Regiment, together with the 3d Hunters regiment ,wait in quiet the closing in of the enemy columns.At once,they jump up of their improvised shelters and in a frightening speed ,in the sounds of trumpets and shouts of Urra! they throw to attack with bayonet ,without preparing the attack by fire shots .The determination of Romanians is big;the soldiers of Cantemir Regiment have to duel over the one of 29th of September.The enemy is oscillating,gets back,and start to run in disband.The German Commander sees the situation and sends new troops from Mesteacan direction;but the Romanian artillery of the neghbour brigade is reeled,and takes , under her violent firing range, and spreads them away.The Romanians begin the pursiut on the whole line.The enemy tries to maintain on the domminant height of the region,la Dumbrava,height 706 meters,but is throwed away,from there as well .He has to retreat a few Miles,until the Hirtibaciu line ,from Iacobeni to Bradeni,abandoning in Romanian hands hundreds of prisoners,piles of weapons and munitions.With difficulty,the Romanians who have ventured to far in the pursiut,are recalled by signalls of gathering up.From Schmettow Army is send to the German Division ,which is drifting,the 8th Regiment de Landwehr,which trials a turn of the left Romanian wing,through Meghindeal and Toarcla;the trial is stopped by the cannons of the 4th Romanian Division Artillery ,which was at Cincu Mare.At the right side of Romanians,the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division,of Morgen's Group,detained by other Romanian troops,could not intervene in the aid of her camarad;she never reached the fighting front,but only late in the night.


The Marching of the Bavarian Alpine Corps The preliminary operation,to which hanged the success of the entire enterprise of the enemy,was the one given to the Alpine Corps.It was a daring operation ,with great difficulties ,which could only be executed with an elite troop.And ,truly ,the Alpine Corps ,constituted in the German Army an exceptional formation.The Bavarian Alpine Corps has been established in the spring of 1915,forseeing the entering in the war of Italy,as a special formation for mountain warfare.It was made out of Bavarians and Prusians ,only carefuly choosen men,all under 30,equiped and trained for mountain war.The corp was comprised of three regiments of three battalions each;the infantry regiment of the Bavarian guard,a regiment of hunters,Prusian,and another one Bavarian;plus,six field batteries,six mountain batteries and a heavy battery,geniu and train.One battalion had three companies;the soldiers were wearing ash-coloured uniform,with knees protections and blazers of leather;they had piolets .The three companies of the battalion were:first one of riflemen,second one of machinegunmen the third one of artillery-men which also handeled small mortiers.In the summer of 1915,the Alpine Corps fought on the Italian Front;then croosed into Serbia,were they took part at the pursiut of Serbians in their memorable retreat in the Albanian mountains.From here,it was send to France,at Verdun,were it is atributed the conquer of Fleaury Village,but has bleeded in vain ,in front of Souville Fort[16].At the Romanian war declaration ,the Alpine Corps reconstituted with elements from deposits,has been send to the Romanian Front,were it was counted on important mountain battles.After the finish of the first part of the Romanian campaign ,the Alpine Corps has been send to Vosgi then,in summer of 1917,always where there was an important hit to be given,has been retreated in Moldavia ,where it took an important part in Marasesti battle,in Panciu region.In the autumn of the same year,has been transported on the Italian Front,were it had formed the forehead of the columns of Below la Caporreto[17],Tagliamento,till Piave;in the spring of 1918 we found it in front of the famous Monte Grappa[18].The Commander of the Corps was the Bavarian General Krafft von Delmensiengen,who passed as the most distinguished German commaders.


The Alpine Corps has started the marching in the day of 22nd of September ,four days before the attack day.The starting point has been Jina Village the highest locality of Ardeal(Transilvania)-916 meters -South of Poiana and 22 Miles towards West of Sibiu,on the Northern slopes of Sebes -Cibin Mountains.The march had to be executed perpendicular over Cibin Mountains,very large massif and accident-ed(bad terrain),which rises in a sort of amfitheatre,with the highest point, at Cindrel Peak(2240 meters high).On narrow paths ,in a deserted region,at foot of the mountain through dense forests then,up,in the high regions ,between rocks or plateaus sweeped by cold winds,the columns of the Alpiners walked for four days in the rib of our armies ,to occupy their fighting positions .This expedition,executed through such difficult regions ,deserted and without roads,by a numerous corps,carrying artillery and followed by long columns of provisions ,munitions ,formations and sanitary material,and different machines for war ,constitutes,of course, a military performance.

In two stages ,the column passes over Guga Mountains (1390 meters),Strimba(1831 meters),Cindrelu(2240 meters) and Steflesti(2236 meters).After passing Negovanu Peak,the column separated into two groups.The thick ,under the direct Command of General Tuscheck,changed direction,engaging left,goes into forced marching parallel with the frontier line and places in fighting position,on a North-South line ,from Preajba Peak(1748 meters) until Virfu Mare(2073 meters)-this exactly on the frontier.From high,the Alpiners dominate Olt Valley of Transilvania,in to the flank of provisioning line ,and retreat of the Romanian Olt Corps.Near the frontier ,at Lunci,the Bavarians install exactly in the trenche made by the Romanian troops during the time of neutrality.The second Alpiners group,in oblique direction towards right,crosses the frontier into the Kingdom,in Lotru region and installs on Robu Mountains (1905 meters),Vadu and Murgasu,forming the right wing of the Alpine Corps ,which covers them against the eventual attacks that could come from Muntenia(Central -Southern Romania,also known as Wallachia).The detachments of this group ,also had the mission to climb down in Olt Defile and cut,behind the Romanain Army,the railway and driveway,the only lines of connection of the Romanian Army with the Kingdom.In this way at 25th of September,the Alpine Corps was occupying the fighting positions.


How was it possible such an important move to be made ,undisturbed in the flank of the Olt Romanian Corps?This is a very difficult question which was asked and is asking by everybody,from the need to establish the answers of the responsabilities of the grave defeat of Sibiu.How was it possible to let a troop,of over 10000 men,carrying an imense convoy of animals,mounted with heavy burdens ,to advance for four days ,at a distance of arround 7-18 Miles,in the rib of the Romanian Army and its communication lines?A neutral military critic,Colonel Egli of the Swiss Army,says harshly:"That it was possible the closing in of such a powerful column...to not be noticed by security Romanian service,only when it was too late,this can only be explained by condamned neglecting of the most elementary principles of service during campaign ".

It is true ,that the region between Jiu and Olt ,in a wide ness of over 44 Miles in the bird flight,very bad terrain,made out of mountain massifs with deep valleys ,was hard to be watched and offered posibilities for surprise attacks.Still ,what could have been done to prevent them has not been made.The Commandment of the Ist Army has installed a Company of Graniceri(frontier army) on Dobrunu Peak at the crossing from Sadului Valley in Lotru Valley.the situation of this company permited the observation of the two valleys.The crossing of the Alpine columns through Negovanu and Balindru,in the immediate vecinity,could not have escaped unobserved and the Romanian Commandment would have been noticed in due time.General Popovici has taken this company,though,from her place and send it to the battalion ,to increase the effectives.That is why the German columns meet only sheep-men,and only on 25th of September few rare patrols.

Some indices,proved that grave things are taking plaace on this side.One company of Vilcea regiment ,send by Colonel Mosoiu to explore the heights towards Saliste encounterd,few days before,small groups of Bavarian Alpiners and have captured even a Captain,which have made semnificative declarations over the sense of these troops.The Commander of the Romanian group has not given any importance whatsoever,to these observations and also did not give beliefe to the news which started to be reported by particular individuals or by civilian authorities about the appearance of the enemy in the rib and over the line of communication;that is why he did not take in time the proper measures imposed by the circumstances.He even considered them manoeuvres of the enemy,to impress and demobilise the fighters.Only at 25th of September he sends up the valleys of Sadu and Lotru two , mixt detachment,made out of a battalion each,of infantry with some cannons;they made contact with the enemy at 26th,when the surprise was made and the battle begun.


In the eve of the battle In the same time,when the Commander of the Romanian Olt Group realized ,finally, the gravity of the situation,alarming news,which came directly and also through locals of the villages,have reached the headquarter of the I-st Army and of the Big Hedquarter of Peris,determining them to take measures.A detachment of five battalions of the 20th Division,which made guard at the Danube River in Southern Oltenia,has been sent by train to Rimnicu Vilcea ,under the personal Command of the Division Commander,General Praporgescu,with the purpose to give help to the Olt Army.On the other hand the II-nd Army,at Brasov,was supposed to start with the 4th Division ,which was in Fagaras region,an offensive action against the left flank of the German Army which operated at Sibiu.Tardive decissions,which still,executed with determination,could not only ease the action of the Olt Group,but also ripp victory.

At 25th of September ,in the evening,all Falkenhayn's preparatives were finished.The two parties were in unequal situations .On the German side,there was the numeric superiority:four infantry divisions with 36 battalions and two cavalry divisions ,with a crushing superiority of weaponry in artillery and machineguns,soldiers equiped and trained for mountain warfare ,with experience earned on all important battlegrounds of Europe,commanded by a General which had one of the ilustrous names of the German Army.In front of them,the Romanian Group of Olt,made out of two infantry divisions,of 25 battalions and one cavalry brigade .The Romanian commanders were inexperienced ;they had to begin to make the school of real war ,measuring up with one of the strongest modern of armies.Especially ,Romanians had no preparation,whatsoever for mountain warfare.The foreign policy of Romania,under King Carol the first,has been dominated by the ideea of war against Russia.The ideea of war against Austro-Hungary was totaly unthinkable(excluded).So ,the total lack of mountain artillery(because Austro-Hungary is over the mountains and Russia is on this side of the mountains)-with which the actual enemy was such abundently equiped.Also ,because of the same motive,there has never been military manoeuvre in the mountains-it would have been considered as treason next to the allied Central Powers.The lack of experience in mountain warfare explains the ease with which the Alpine Corps has been able to surprise the Romanian troops.

The clever manoeuvres of the German Commander assured to his troops an overwhelming tactic superiority.Closed in the narrow Valley of Olt River,surrounded almost in every part by the metal circle of the enemy,superior in number,weapons ,conduct,with the connections cut,to Olt valley and to the Kingdom,the Romanian's situation seemed disperate.Could it be that the strenght without pair ,of the peasant soldier ,to make the wonder of escaping total desaster ,and make tha Sibiu Battle remain a defeat but not a catastrophe?


First day of the battle In the night of 25th -26th of September ,the 54 batteries of the German attack group,begin a violent bombardment of the Romanian positions ,reaching in the morning of the next day an extraordinary intensity.From the Romanian side it cannot be respounded with the same strenght ;they only have 16 batteries.Next to the great numerical inferiority,adds the inferiority of calibers:Romanians do not have heavy artillery as the enemy had, 42 pieces of hevy artillery,of which 12 mortiers of 21 centimeters.Not even the eight cannons of 120 mm caliber ,arrived to the Romanians in the evening eve of the beginning of battle,coud not be used because of the defectuosity of the shutters and because they were served by reserve officers ,untrained.During the night,after the strong bombardment,position Gusteritei Hill,South-East of Sibiu,the highest position which dominates Sibiu Field,is attacked by the troops of the Austro-Hungarian Brigade Thyl,strenghtened with the German Regiment de Hessa of the 76th Division and is taken with assault.A battalion of the 44th Regiment Romanian has defended it ,body against body fight ,but they had to give it up face with the crushing superiority of the enemy.

The day of 26th of September,the first day of Sibiu battle,is forecast in the morning as a splendid autumn day.From his command post,on a height North of Orlat,Falkenhayn gave the order for general attack(full attack).The principal direction of the attack was towards the positions of the left Romanian wing ,from Gura Riului(River Mouth) to Poplaca.Against this wing ,Falkenhayn throwed the concentrated troops of the entire 187th Division,sustained by a strong arttillery mass ,which engulfed the mounted artillery of the Alpine Corps.The Romanian position was defende by the 3rd Brigade of the 23rd Romanian Division.The unit was uncomplete.to defend a front of almost 12.5 Miles ,against a whole division,Mosoiu had only the four battalions of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment.only in the afternoonand by evening he received also the help of a battalion of Graniceri and one of the 42nd Infantry Regiment .

With all this great inferiority of forces ,the Romanians fought brave and rejected all enemy attacks.Cioara(Crow) Hill has been all day defended by two companies of the 2nd and 42nd Regiments;all the attack waves of the enemy have been throwed back with hand grenades.A last enemy attack,tried with one volunteers detachment ,has been bloody rejected at 4 in the afternoon,after which,the enemy has tried nothing.Ursul(Bear) Hill ,defended by the Graniceri Battalion with an artillery section,has been also attacked in vain ,by two enemy battalions.

At the center and left wing of the attack group(Divisions 51st and 76th),the Germans have installed on all the heights North -East of Sibiu a numerous artillery,which all day bombards the Romanain positions,the infantry attacks do not succeed to take out the Romanians of their positions.Schmettow Group,sustained by heavy artillery -the 10,5 cannons of the Alpine Corps-positioned at Cirta,manages to cross Olt River and to sneak between Avrig and Porumbacu the 3rd German Cavalry Division,positioning it as a falang perpendicular over the road that goes, from Fagaras to Sibiu,to isolate Olt group by the II-nd Romanian Army.of the three Regiments of the Division,Regiment de"Chevaux-Legers"[19] was facing West,towards olt Corps,and the two Husars Regiments facing East,towards Brasov.

... On the Souther side,the detachments of the Alpine Corps manage to close in ,to Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) Pass and occupy positions in the imediate edge of the defile at Boita,at Turnu Rosu train station ,at Riul Vadului and at Ciineni.Here was the great danger.Here is focused all attention ,of the attacker and of the defender.Will the enemy succeed to close up the pass ,then Romanians are lost.It is catastrophe.

General Popovici sends a strong detachment -48th Regiment,the reserve of Olt Corps-towards South ,to clean up the defile by the enemy.But in the same time ,without the knowing of the commander ,a more eficient action is organized at ciineni towards north.An Officer of the Headquarter of Olt Corps ,Liet-Colonel Popescu Toma,coming back from Craiova with the secret mail at the headquarter of the corps,has been stopped at Ciineni by German machineguns ,which occupied positions on Vladul hill and at Lunci,as the enemy patrols advanced through the defile towards the bridge over Olt River ,towards Ciinenii of Argesi.Realising the gravity of the situation and of the great danger threatening the Romanian Corps,Popescu summons from the village the only 13 peasants left there-the others had run away-arms them with German rifles fron the village hall,fills their shirts bossom with crtridges ,and framing them between a geandarm sergeant and a pioneers one,which were there by chance,gets them into the trenches of Malu Hill,West of Olt River bridge.

Time of three clocks ,the 13 Peasants -15 with their Commanders-seated rare in the trenches ,have fired with misfortune and great use of bullets(whithout economy),in the German patrols which appeared either on defile,or on the hills in front :Vladului and Chitanet. Misslead by this fire ,thinking they have to deal with a strong position,the German Alpiners have stopped.Making use of this delay,Popescu took,out of his own initiative,more important measures.At Brezoi was a Hunters Battalion and two obusier-shell batteries.Few platoons,sustained by obusiers(shells) have been send up the valleys ,to make demonstrations to mislead the enemy over about real forces.Two and a half companies have been brought to Caineni,an a battery of obusiers has arrived in horses gallop on the driveway.At 4 in the afternoon ,the defense of Caineni has been organized with the help of these troops;the brave peasants have been taken out of the trenches and put to defend the bridge downslope of Ciineni.the obusiers have opened fire over Vladului Hill and Olt defile,and after some minutes the Romanians could find out from a group of seven prisoners that they have the honor to have in front the Bavarian Guard Regiment ,freshly arrived from Verdun,under the direct Command of Prince Henric of Bavaria,nephew of brother of Bavarian King.


Thanks to this act of initative and of the heroic atitude of a handful of old peasants ,which were defending their lands and village,the narrow corridor could not be closed by the enemy at Ciineni.Still ,in the long of the defile there have been many points exposed to to cannon fires and machine guns installed by the enemy on the western shore of Olt River,and many bloody fights ,sometimes chest to chest,have been given between the Romanian patrols and enemy detachments.That is why,the Romanian Commander send troops to strenghten the detachments in Sadului Valley and on other side valleys ,to try with them to unblock the defile.In this way passed the first day of the battle ,without bringing to the German Commander the quick victory,they expected so sure.He cannot hide his uncontent and concern.He has received unrestful news from the neighbour fronts and knows that those events could well influence the unfolding of Sibiu battle,if he not manages to obtain a quick victory.So,at Jiu the Germans have been away-ed from their positions by the threat of a surrounding move ;the Romanians have re-conquered Petrosani.Towards East,the extending of the battle could bring the intervention of the II-nd Army.Towards South ,the closing of the defile is not complete and,ofcourse,there are other passes as well,not written on the maps,which coud give the Romanians a safe retreat.That is why,Falkenhayn gives orders that in the next day(second day),the action to be restarted with greater violence and takes from the 89th Division,Prusian,to his dispozition by von Arz,a Regiment of Infantry and a section of obusiers,to strenghten even more the army effectives.

At his turn,the Romanian Commander realises the gravity of the situation.The manoeuvre ,with which he wants to respond to the enemy is,to pivot arround his right ,which will stay on place to connect with the left flank of the II-nd Army which comes from Fagaras.The left wing ,west by Olt ,will be retreated a little,not wanting to losse the conquered terrain.That is why,Mosoiu Brigade is retreated from the position which he defended with so much stuborness,on a line a little back ,which passed on the heights North of Cisnadie -Obrejii hill-West of Rasinari.Especially that,the Romanian Commander will sick to clean his back,Olt pass,for the security of the communication line where he awaited helps.


Second day In the second day of the battle ,27th of September ,te fight is begun with fury on the whole line of battle ,on a stretch of 50 Miles.The central group of Staabs attacks with all the power of his three divisions ,precedenting the attack of a violent prepare of artillery.Popovici keeps the fighting front with 20 battalions belonging to Olt Corps;the rest of five are send towards South ,to face the attack of the Alpine Corps and clear Olt Pass .The principal attack of the enemy is given against the left Romanian wing.The brave troops of the 23rd Division resist vigorous and cannot be taken out of their positions of Valea Rea-Cioara(Bad Valley-Crow),but only when ,by a combined attack of the 187th Division ,German,and of the alpine detachments,the enemy occupyes Onesti Plateau(1774 meters),which dominates fron great height thee Romanian positions from flank and from the back.

In the eve of the evening ,a German battalion ,coming from Rasinari ,surprises the line of Romanian avan-posts,which run and enter Cisnadioara.Arrived in the market of the village ,they are ,all of a sudden attacked by the troops of the Romanian battalion ,which awaits them in hide.Surrounded,the Germans escape by running,after leaving on the terrain over 150 dead and wounded.The Commander of the German sector is forced to admit that"the Romanians have put up quite a fight".

The right side of the 23rd Division,constituted by so called "Combined Brigade"(44th Infantry Regiment and two battalions of Graniceri),which occupy Selimbar,could not mentain because of the violent bombardment of enemy artillery from Gusteritei Hill and the advance of a strong Austro-Hungarian column,which was coming from Sibiu.At 1 in the afternoon ,the 23rd Division,has started retreat to the second position ,South of line Rasinari -Selimbar.Thanks to the strong conduct of the 1st Graniceri Regiment ,the connection between Romanian, 23rd Division(at the left) and 13th Division(at the right) is kept intact.The Romanian troops at the left occupy strong the new positions ,on one side and the other of Cisnadioarei,in front of which the enemy consumes himself till evening in futile attacks.

At the right of the Romanian wing,the 13th Division has been attacked and bombarded with heavy artilley .At Sacadate ,from Glimboaca direction,as at Avrig,from Sarata direction.helped by the formidable bombardment ,a Hanovez Regiment manages to seize Bucatei Hill,leaving the Romanians to evacuate it.but troops of the 13th Division ,coming from Bungard ,reoccupy the hill in violent counterattacks. The Hanovez-ers are forced to evacuate also Selimbar.All the afternoon are given bloody fights in this sector;the Hungarian Regiment escapes the difficult situation in which he finds ,with heavy losses ,only thanks to the intervention of the important reinforcements of the neighbour 76th German Division.


The curtain of German cavalry continues to close the road from Fagaras ,occupying Olt shore between the two villages Porumbacu;an enmy detachment could occupy the heights La Cetate (at the Fortress),seaking to obstacle from there,the circulation of Romanians through Scara(Ladder) Pass..In Olt Defile ,things were not going at all,for the Germans "conform with the plan".Nowhere the Bavarian Alpiners could occupy the driveway,not to mention croosing over it.All over,the Romanian troops ,fighting with despair ,repulse him back,causing significant losses ,espacially to the Bavarian Guard Regiment,at Vadului River and Ciineni. ,The Battalion of Bavarian Guard ,Commanded ,as we know,by the Prince which have seized for a brief moment the train station at Ciineni,has been rejected back into the mountain with heavy losses.From the South ,troops of the 20th Division have started to arrife on the fighting front ,attacking the positions of the Bavarian Alpiners over the Mountains Robu and Murgasu.

Falkenhayn shows very unpleased of the result of the second day of the battle;in his memoirs he is forced to admit again the "braveness of Romanians".The situation of the Alpine Corps seems concerning to him;he is desilusioned by the attack of the principal group.What preocupies him mostly is that there are signs more and more precise ,that he will be attacked in the left flank by the II-nd Army and that he would not be able to opose to this side attack ,enaugh forces,if the already started battle is not finished.With all the uncertainty and fear,the German Commander thinks he must not give up the initial plan of the battle.That is why,in the evening of 27th he gives the order to Staabs that in the next day,early in the morning,to restart the attack on the whole battlefield "without mercy" of men and material,putting also into the battle the units taken from the 89th German Division,freshly arrived;he also sends to the left wing reinforcements ,for more security of this wing ,weak and perilled.Under the threat of dezastre,which he sees as iminent and of the responsibilities which overwhelms him,the Romanian Commander start lossing head.He thinks "he is betrayaled on the whole line",he sees spies everywhere and writes to the Commander of the I-st Army that all the population must be slaughtered;he talks about War Council and hanging...His all hopes goes to the intervention of the II-nd Army,of which set to move has been signalled to him by a cavalry patrool;he connects the faith of the battle by the arriving in time of this troop in the fighting zone.As a precautionary measure ,he takes the dispozition that the trains and columns of the division of Olt Corps to group at the mouth of the defile ,in the ideea of a retreat.


The third day In the third day of the battle-28th of September-the situation of the Romanian Army has become critical.Exhausted by the losses suffered in the two days of battle ,with an enemy which was attacking her continuously and from all directions ,with crushing superiority,with the downed moral because of the news of closing the defile,which was known by now ,with the usual exagerations ,by the whole army,she supports still,with manhood a frightening bombardment in the morning of the day,on the line Magura-Vestem,disposed in arch arround Talmaciu Village,where there was the Headquarter of the Group.Numerous enemy airplanes were throwing bombs over our convoys,which were sneaking between Talmaciu and Boita ,over the train stations pf Porcesti and Sebes,and over talmaciu Village.The Romanians did not had aeroplanes to counterbeat them.The chief forcing of the enemy was aimed still over the right wing of the 23rd Romanian Division.With all the failures of the last two days,the enemy was pursuing the plan of turning of this wing ,through Sadului Valley for to,by the concorded action of the 187th German Division with the one of the Alpine Corps,the closing over,of Olt Pass and surrounding of Olt Romanian Corps , be complete."The Great plan" of Falkenhayn must be with any price acomplished.

The 3rd Brigade (Colonel Mosoiu),which was forming at all times the left wing of the 23rd Romanian Division must,in its turn,to save the defense situation by stubborn resistance.The rows of the brigade are thinned.The biggest part of 42nd Regiment has been send at the right wing of the 23rd Division ;at the left flank has remained only Balanescu's Detachment,of a power of six companies ,on Magura Peak,with the order to not leave the position under any word.The Brigade resists furiously to the enemy's attacks ,which has an overwhelming superiority.At 2,30 in the afternoon ,the enemy has seized Cisnadie and Cisnadioara.A company and a half,of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment gives a vigorous counterattack through the forest of Cisnadie,and rejects the Germans with bayonets to South of Cisnadie .At the right side of the brigade at the connection point with the Combined Brigade,the resistance wekens.A breach is made in Romanian center,through which powerful German columns ,in attack waves ,are advancing fast towards North of Talmaciu,where there were the havy batteries of the Romanian Division.The advance of the enemy is threatening to turn the two internal wings of the said Romanian Brigades.But a mountain Romanian battery,by a precise firing range ,dams the advance of the enemy.And ,in the same time ,a new Romanian counterattack ,given with troops of the 2nd Vilcea Regiment and 5th Hunters Regiment ,hits the ahead enemy column ,rejects it back to Vestem,as the enemy cannons fire with fury Talmaciu.


Towards evening,the retreat movement of Romanians is pronouncing on the whole battlefield.The hope of arriving of the II-nd Army from Fagaras is getting weaker by the minute.The Commander of Olt Corps has lost contact with the 13th Division ,which is in retreat towards South.The enemy has seized Vestem and Avrig .His artillery is beating now behind the position at Talmaciu,North of Boita.The aeroplanes are throwing bombs over the convoys which are pouring South and over train stations at Porcesti and Sebes.The shrapnels fall in the yard of the headquarter of Olt Corps producing panic in the fighting trains .The Commander of the Corps,convinced that the battle is lost gives the retreat order.

The enmy enters at nine in the evening in Talmaciu.Exhausted as well,and of heavy losses ,has not the power to attack anymore and cease the fight ,without obtaining and today the much awaited result.

The 3rd Brigade had retreated over the heights South of Sadu,where it kept the resistance until 10 in the evening when,after cease of the fight ,the Commander of the brigade also starts the retreat towards Talmaciu,with the goal to make contact with the Romanian troops,wich he thought to still bethere.Numerous enemy troops advance to the Western flank of the Brigade.Balanescu's detachment,remained isolated on the heights of Magura,with the strict order of General Carstris to not leave the position under any circumstance ,is surrounded and captured.In the mountains near the Defile ,same situation as the day before.The Alpiners do not succeed in any place to master the defile.They must stay in defensive .from South,the troops of the 20th Division are advancing ,attacking the positions in the mountains between Lotru and olt.From the North ,a detachment constituted by two battalions of Graniceri,starting from Boita,climb hard the mountain ribs ,forested ,fighting facing South ,attack at bayonet the Alpiners wherever they meet them.,rejects them from Vincei Ridge ,taking them 7 machineguns ,which they destroy.The fight go on till late in through the night when,informed that the thick of Romanian troops retreats ,Graniceri(frontier army) descend again to Boita.through the woods ,through the darkness isolated by any troops,the retreat is made shamelesly.One of the two battalions is surrounded and captured by the enemy.At Ciineni,the Bavarian Alpiners are definitely rejected ,but the driveway in the defile,remains ,in some points,exposed to the enemy fire.

The intervention of the II-nd Army The unfolding of the battle of Sibiu starts to be influenced from outside.Towards East important events are taking place,which bring rays of hope in the souls of Romanian Olt Corps Commanders ,but unrest the German Commander.

The II-nd Army has engaged the offensive action towards West and its effects start to feel.The 4th Romanian Division ,rejecting the enemy detachments ,arrived in the evening of the day at Arpas;only 7.5 Miles parted her by the left wing of Falkenhayn .Divisions 3rd and 6th were advancing in the empty space between the IX-th Army and I-st Army of Arz,threatening the back of Falkenhayn.Arz was resisting with difficulty to the Northern Romanian Army and was retreating the Southern wing in front of Romanians attacks.Unfortunatelly ,the action of opening,started from the East, it is started to late and with too much slow ,to be able to decisively influence over the unfolding of the battle of Sibiu.Still.the German Commander realises the threat.His eyes remain focused ,with unrest,especially in Fagarasi Mountains direction,at the progress of the 4th Romanian Division.If he cannot continue the resistance to the East,until after the ending of Sibiu battle,he losses not only the battle ,but the whole situation in Transilvania.He takes measures of strenghtening of the resistance in the face of II-nd Romanian Army and Northern Romanian Army,bu he also count on the lack of energy of the Romanian Commandment:"The Romanian Command has proceeded till now,extraordinarily hesitating and unsure.Same were the moves of the Romanian troops.Though it is without doubt that "the Romanian soldier,taken aside,was fighting with heroism,it is obviously for the Romanians very hard to coordinate the isolated troops in an ansamble action".With these ideeas the German Commander remained unmoved in the beliefs which dictated his plan of operations.He takes again dispozitions,that in the next day,29th of September ,to exterminate Olt Corps,to be able to then,turn all his forces towards the enemy threatening from rising sun(East).He asks,in the same time ,his comrade Arz to keep with any price ,the positions in the face of II-ns and IV-th armies ,Romanians.This day will have to decide,not only the faith of the battle of Sibiu,but that of Transilvanian campaign.Falkenhayn confesses:"Very rarely in my life,pretty rich in dramatic culminant points,I have awaited for the result ,with more apprehension that in the morning of 29th of September".


The retreat of Olt Corps.

Unfortunately,Falkenhayn fears have disipated with the dawns of 29th of September.The Romanian army South of Sibiu had break the fight and was in retreat.

The troops of Olt Corps ,exhausted,did not have the power to resist anymore.The saving intervention of the II-nd Army had not produced in the necessary time.General Crainiceanu had not arrived at Olt,same as Grouchy did not arrive at Waterloo.In the evening of 28th of September,the Commander of the Corps have given the order of general retreat.Artillery columns and carriages had to start retreat imediately through Olt Defile,and the infantry of divisions had to start the move the next day,making use of all the paths and places of crossing over the heights of the mountains,one side and the other of the Defile.The 23rd Division had to begin the retreat from Boita position,and the 13th Division from Porcesti direction.The contact with the latter one has been broken,so the order has been sent indirectly ,through the 23rd Division.The retreat through the Defile has started even in the night of 28th-29th of September ;it is executed in very dramatic circumstances.Along Olt River,on 9-15 Miles lenght ,the Defile is so narrow ,that it is hardly room for driveway and railway.From Boita to Vadului River they follow ,one on one shore,the other the oppsite shore,for then,from Vadu River to Ciineni to both be on the Western shore of Olt River.Only here and there a meadow and a grapes growing.On the driveway and on the railway crowded the unfinished columns of men and animals,artillery,carriages,herds,seeking in haste to escape the narrow.There were more than 2000 vehicles of all sorts ;cannons of all calibers ,from the 120 mm one to the 53mm,dragged by oxes ,pears of four or three for a carriage,or the ones with eght,six,four and two horses ;captured carriages in fighting trains ,administrative convoys,ammunition columns ,sanitary carriages ,aviation park.The conductors and acompanies of carriages,armed or unarmed ,ordonances of officers or platoons,climbed in carriages or taking by the hand horses ,cows,dogs,luggages etc...complicated the imense convoy,which moved in to the darkness of the night with difficulty.There were given most severe orders,to walk in absolute quiet,like in a procession,without shouts,without talk.Order and silence were difficult to keep in this mass of men with drowned moral,nervous,anxious to escape the unending Defile,made hard by the long convoys of animals and vehicles.

......


In the middle of the columns the General Commander,surruonded by its staff,accompanies on foot the convoy.He has left the Headquarter of Talmaciu in the last moment,by nightfall,as the projectiles have started to fall over the quarter.Defended by an Infantry Guard ,the Commander which have lost the battle ,was forcing himself,that by his strenght of character and personal action,to save the retreat.At evry step,teams of policemen and relevation had to intervine to put order in the move of the columns.Many people taken down by exhaust and dizzied by sleep ,were stopping in the driveway trenches felling asleep.In some of the places the driveway narrows ,grasped between Olt River and the stone wall,that only two vehicles side by side could go at once.Closing off,the driveway was producing panic ,overcrowdings,confussions ,felling into the water;the order was reestablished then with difficulty..What was giving,though ,to the retreat the most tragic character ,were enmy's attacks .In some places or lateral valleys ,hidden in terrain crests or behind the stone walls and abrupt of the Defile,nested in Romanians own trenches or others ,dug just then and there,the German shooters were firing in full in to the crowds ,in the valley.The rattelings of the guns or machineguns were mixing with the roars of the water magneticwavelike movements ,with the shouts of people and the screams of animals ,repeated and enhanced by Defile's echos,rising up in to the sky in a frightening woof.The Defile was becoming,in this way,here and there a real hell.In this criticla points had to be organized fighting detachments to attack the enemy,to away him,open up the road and permit the continuation of the retreat movement.


At the mouth of Lotrioara,near Vadului River,in the power of night,the road has been barricaded,at the passing of the driveway onto a wooden small bridge,by the multitude of killed horses or wounded, by the machineguns,fired from close distance,and by the turned upside down carriages.The enemy was firing from underneeth the bridge ,and also from the vecinity of it.It has to be put into position a cannon of 53 mm to away him and reestablish the road.Towards morning,a detachment of the Bavarian Guard,which had occupied with machineguns the cantoon of point Lunci and neighbouring heights,attacks the center of the Romanian column in retreat,producing panic an disorder.A Romanian detachment crossed a bridge ,over Olt River in full enemy fire,going then through the railway tunnel;helped by another detachment ,which have gone arround the enemy ,through the back,through the mountains ,acomplishing to surround the enemy which have been runthrough bayonet,until the last one of them ,together with their officer in command.One mile further South from Lunci cantoon a new enemy attack with machineguns ,it is produced.By the energic action of a Granicer battalion ,coming from South,the enemy was runned away and pursued into the mountains.

In the afternoon of 29th of September ,at 2 o'clock,the firsts of the carriages of the column appeared at the Southern exit Defile and entered in Ciineni;the village was occupied by troops of the 20th Division.Almost entire artillery has been saved .Many wagoons with ammunition and provisions ,crushed ,had to be left on the road,,or pushed in Olt River.Hundreds of free horses rambled for days through the pass and the neighbouring woods,and the rapid waters of Olt have carried in the valley many bodies of men and animals.The infantry retreat has been made as the dispositions taken,on several paths in the mountains .The enemy who did not know this paths ,especially the ones built lately,hve not pursued.That is why,different units,which had the order to retreat"through wherever they can" or"however the God will enlight them" have been able to pass without losses ,saving them entirely.One part of the 13th Division's troops have tried to retreat towards East,on fagaras road;here,though,the road was closed by the troops of General Schmettow.That is why ,they passed through the mountains towards South ,over the high edges of Suru and Scara Peaks.One part of the regimentar trains of the 13th Division and Calarasi Brigade,not being able to reach the Defile ,have been captured by the enemy.Granicerii(frontier army) under the enrgic Command of Colonel Cantacuzino,have covered at Boita the retreat of Olt Corps,then stayed on the position at Coti,on the frontier,on the same places from where they started with hope and elan in the evening of 28th of August.The ridge of the mountains have been strenghtened by them during the summer with systematic build trenches.

From the South,the troops of General Praporgescu have managed to reestablish completely the communication through the Defile,repulsing the enemy ,also, over the heights West of Olt River.Village Ciineni,as the heights of Murgasu and Vladu,were in the hands of Romanians .The troops of Olt Corps,decimated ,with big losses of men and especially material-carriages,automobiles,sanitary trains-were saved and could breath,occupying new positions over the heights in the right side and left side of Olt River,this side of the frontier.At 30th of September,the troops of the 23rd Division were concentrating at Titesti,and those of the 13th Division at Boisoara and the surroundings.At Ciineni was to be found Ciineni Group-5 battalions-and in Lotru Valley and Olt Valley was Praporgescu 's Detachment,made up of the troops of 20th Division.

....


The defeat The battale of Sibiu was now over.The Olt Corps have been defeated ;together with the battle ,the course of Romanian offensive in Ardeal(Transilvania).Only now,towards East,the advanced troops of the II-nd Romanian Army have finally arrived to fall on the left wing of Schmettow and to give the glorious battle,but of no use now,at Porumbacu...

Falkenhayn is victorious at Sibiu.It was not ,though,the decisive victory,crushing,which the German General intended,prepared with so much strategical science and followed ,for three days,with so much cold blood.trust and tenacity.The German official comunicate ,of 30th of September trumpeted to the world the great victory:"The number of prisoners and the considerable prey","the number of prisoners keeps rising" etc.The next day ,the great victory takes modest proportions:3000 prisoners and 13 cannons!To faten the picture,the comunicate was counting the carriages and wagoons left on the rails ,as well.Moreover,the Romanian comunicate could announce that ,in their retreat towards Ciineni,the Romanian troops have taken the enemy 300 prisoners and 5 machineguns.

Sibiu have not been a Sedan or a Tanneberg of the Romanian Army.The surrounding planned by the enemy did not succeed.Olt Corps,defeated in the great battle given with its powerful adversary,could retreat.The inexperience or neglect of the High Command of this army have exposed the troops,from the beginning ,in a tactical situation,almost disperate.In exchange,though,the initiative of some of Commanders in sub order,which took initiative on their own responsability,and especially the heroism showed by the soldiers,which fought like lyons,individual ,and in groups,have managed to clear the army by the metal circle in which she has been grasped and transformed in to a heroic epode what could have become a shameful desaster.It cannot be brought a more diserved omage to these troops ,but only by giving the word of the enemy.The German war correspondent Koester*,which have watched the fight from the Headquarter of the German Commander,writes:'The Battle of Sibiu was given against a stuborn enemy.The one who would try to shame the heroism of the enemy,to diminish its conduct,would comit the gravest mistake against our own troops.The Romanian(soldier) have prove today that he is better lead than in the last year the Serbs crowds ,that he is in a total different manner supported by the Entente.His tactical countermeasures and strategical ones,as his own operative ideeas ,betrays almost everywhere the spirit and energy of German education.If he was defeated in the great battle of surrounding at Sibiu,the cause is not his incapacity,but the maester command ,in the same time circumspect and bold of our chiefs and the superiority of the German soldier...."**.

The epilogue of the drama followed fatal.General Popovici,the Commander of the Olt group,has been replaced in Command by General Praporgescu David.

Known German writer.After the closing of peace he was part of different ministies of Germany,as Internal and Foreign minister. Not knowing what was going on in Romania ,the German war correspondent gives wrong explanations,which ,the reader wil rectify himself. 

7.The Battle between Olt and Mures.

28th of September-4th of October.

Helpping the Olt Corps. The Battle of Sibiu,have painfully impressed the Romanians.Not so much the defeat.In a war is fatal to receive blows ,not only to give.Especially when is the first serious collision with a superior adversary,in number and preparations,as the Germans.What was bittering the Romanians souls and brought over them unrest,were the conditions in which the battle have been given,and which brought the defeat.The surprise at Ciineni was the proof of shallowness and neglect.So,Turtucaia[20] was repeating itself.Truly,in smaller proportions,but in similar circumstances.The moral diminishes of the Commandment ,which showed,were the same.We haven't learned ,yet,nothing.The most important thing to do now,was the damming of the danger.For the time being,it did not seem to great,and the means we had in Ardeal(Transilvania) seemed suficient to the Romanian Commandment .Even,during the unfolding of Sibiu Battle,the Big Headquarter,alarmed by the critical situation of Olt Corps,took the decission which imposed in an imperative mode:the lighting of the position of the attacked army,by an energic offensive action,enterprised by the II-nd Army and by the Northern Army,with the direction from East to West.,to hit into the flank of the IX-th German Army and threaten her back.The order,started in the morning of 27th of September,the second day of Sibiu Battle.The troops of the two armies have to begin their movement even in the same day.The II-nd Romanian Army had to occupy the line Hirtibaciului,indicated by the localities Cornatel-Agnita-Iacobeni-Bradeni.The Northern Army had to arrive on the line Sovata-Praid Chibed-Cristuru Secuiesc-Saschiz(South East of Sighisoara).

The action,if conducted with speed and energy-had to turn the roles and transform Falkenhayn ,from attacker in to attacked one,forcing him to put himself into defensive,liberating Olt Corps of the pressure of the enemy.The Romanian counteroffensive for release,unleashing the two armies ,at the right side of Olt Corps,have gave birth to a gret battle ,stretched on the whole fighting front of Ardeal(Transilvania),of Fagaras Mountains to upper Mures River Valley ,engaging almost in totality the forces of the two enemies.

Unfortunately,the intention with which it was enterprised was not realised.The movement of the II-nd Romanian Army was not made with the speed,promptitude and energy needed,to be able to fall,in due time,in the flank and back of the IX-th German Army of Sibiu.The units of the II-nd Army,wasted and entangeled futile and imprudent in movements of tactical exercises,could not be gathered and aimed towards thheir objective,but only with a delay which gave the enemy necessary time to finish Sibiu Battle and then turn his sword against the new adversary.


The Offensive of the II-nd Army In the afternoon of 27th of September,the advance dispozitions of the II-nd Army have been communicated to the troops.The army had to set to move with all three divisions and namely,with the 4th Division at the left,the 3rd Division at the center and the 6th Division at the right.The 4th Division,starting from Fagaras,along Olt River at Talmaciu.A little to the North,the 3rd Division had to follow the road Crihalma-Cincu Mare-Agnita.At the right wing the 6th Division,starting from Rupea,will advance through Barcut towards Bradeni.The 2nd Brigade of Calarasi will protect the left flank of the 4th Division and the 3rd Brigade of Calarasi,the right flank of 6th Division establishing the link,through the 2nd Division of Cavalry,in Saschiz region,with the Northern Army.

The 4th Division set to move in the evening of 27th of September,between Fagaras Mountains ,at the left and Hirtibaciu River at the right,having as ax of advance ,Olt Valley.The move was a daring one ,promising of beautiful results,but also full of risks.It elongated far the front of the II-nd Romanian Army,which was easy to incline from North-East_South-West,making a dangerous portrussion(out-ing) towards West and exposing the flank from North to enemy attacks,which occupyed Hirtibaciu line.Other than this,the advance was made on a narrowed corridor,along Olt Valley,having in the left the high wal of Carpathian Fagaras Mountains ,with heights between 2000-2500 meters,without any mountain pass ,and on the right hand side was the enemy line.Another retreat was also only the same route.But in this war,more than any othe enterprise ,fortune favours the brave.And then,at the end of the road was Olt Corps which,caught in turmoil,was beating and reaching his arms,calling to God .

The troops of the 4th Division advance on two columns .One North of Olt,rejects at Calbor four enemy escadrons ,attacks again the enemy at Cincsor,where it aways him and in the evening of 28th of September occupies Rucar ,on Olt.The column which operates South of Olt advances hard in a terrain which is crossed avery step of the way with streams and water torrents,which come from the mountain to fall into Olt River,separated between them by hill edges with quick slopes.The column occupies Vistea de Sus(upper) and Vistea de Jos(lower),repulsing the enemy avanguards.At Ucea de Sus,6th Hunters regiment attacks 18th German Husari Regiment,repulsing it beyond Oprea-Cirtisoara.After a night of heavy marching and collisions through the darkness between patrols,in the morning of 29th of September,the Romanians enter Arpasu de Sus;de Sus(=upper),de Jos(=lower).

At the center of the II-nd Romanian Army,the 3rd Division hits strong the enemy occupying Rodbav with unmounted cavalry,infantry and eight cannons,defeats it,capturing 200 prisoners and pursue it till beyond Cincu Mare,which occupies in the evening of 28th-29th of September.The right wing of the II-nd Army,the 6th Division,starts from Colham,attacks between Steaua and Fiser the enemy-troops of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division-taking as prisoners 2 officers and 100 soldiers;crushing the oposing resistance,occupies in the evening the line Barcut-Moha.The right of 71st Austro-hungarian Division was throwed back towards Bradeni,behind Hirtibaciului.Fearful of the turning of its right wing,von Arz gives the order to 71st Division to retreat behind line Bradeni-Iacobeni.At the right extremity,the 3rd Calarasi Brigade ,have seized through fight Fiser and Bunesti.

The II-nd Army hase made in the day of 28th of September a formidable jump.Spreading away the enemy forces which she met in her way,she was to be found unfolded in the evening of the day on a front of 37 Miles ,drawing an arch of circle which leaned with the left on Fagaras Mountains at Arpas,and with the right touched the region between Homorod and Tirnava Mare.The heads of the columns of 4th Division ,the most advanced ,were at 7 Miles from line Porumbacelor(because we have Upper Porumbacu and Lower Porumbacu),occupied by the Husars of Schmettow ,the left wing of the IX-th German Army.


The Fight of Hundrubechiu(Movile) The unfolding of the offensive of the II-nd Romanian Army emotions deeply Falkenhayn.He is under the impression that ,he goes through a grave crisis,which can become a catastophe.Between the Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division stretched between Olt and Hirtibaciu Valley and 71st Division it has produced an empty space ,of about 12.5 Miles ,where the enemy has no troops whatsoever;through here,General Crainiceanu could sneak through and turn the flank of IX-th German Army,in the culminant moment of Sibiu Battle.That is why,Falkenhayn cunjures Arz, at thlephone,to revoke the order of retreat of the 71st Division;she has to make front on the line Mesendorf-Archita and resist with any price,to permit ,by the back ,to the 89th German Division, to run ,in forced marching,on the front and fill the empty space.So ,by evening,the 89-th Division,made out of Berliners-Commander General Luttwitz-arrives on the front and occupies the heights between Retisdorf (Retis) and Hundrubechiu.The connection was reestablished and the enemy line closed in the face of 6th Romanian Division.

Falkenhayn constitutes ,out of Divisions 89th and 71st a new group,which puts under the Command of General Morgen.His mission is to defend Hirtibaciu line ,in the center of the enemy dispozitive in Ardeal(Transilvania),opposing the biggest resistance at the advance trials of the Romanian Divisions 3rd and 6th towards Sighisoara,which would have caused the break of the center of the enemy and the turnning of his interior flanks.It would have been,firstly,the saving of the Romanian Group of Olt,and secondly,ruining the whole fighting plan of Falkenhayn,the lossing of Transilvania campaign.

The 6th Romanian Division in the morning of 29th of September from Barcut-Moha towards West,on two columns :the 12th Brigade on the right side and 11th Brigade on the left.In its marching,the right hand side column collided with the 89th German Division,which from Retisdorf was going towards Hundrubechiu and Jalisteat(Selistat).

The phalanx-guard of the column , a battalion of 12th Cantemir Regiment,Romanian, going to Iacobeni,is attacked at the edge of the forest Lempes by superior German forces from Retis direction ,rpulsed,and spread, and in part ,captured.The thick of the Column ,advancing towards Hundrubechiu,meets a formidable resistance .The enemy infantry ,occupies trenches ,on the edge of the forest on the hill La Dumbrava,stretching to the right side ,until Dorului Peak(height 631 meters).From the West and South -West of Merghindeal-the enemy artillery ,especially heavy artillery,throws rain of projectiles.Airplanes fly in the air ,driving the artillery firing range which becomes more and more precise.The soldiers of the II-nd Army ar forced to notice ,that today,they have in front of them,another enemy than the one before.

The Romanian infantry advances to attack ,hard,in the bullet rain and of shells.The heavy German artillery has framed the Romanian Divizion of Artillery,which was firing from Mesteacanu Hill and destroys its cannons;the servants ,remained alive are overwhelmed by panic and leave the cannons.From the right side ,the brigade is attacked by troops which have repulsed the Romanian phalanx-guard;the whole 89th German Division falls now over 12th Romanian Brigade.The runaways increase the panic caused by bombing ,the troop,not used with heavy fight (Romanian),enters disband.From the small valley ,near Mesteacanu Hill,eves the 3rd Hunters Regiment,the reserve of the Romanian Division.The Hunters attack with bayonet,seize back three cannons from the divizion and aways the enemy,sending him back to its positions.The brigade is thus ,saved;she can retreat now,with losses,which are serious especially to Cantemir Regiment .During the night ,the spread platoons have gathered and reconstituted themselves .The Germans announce,that they 've taken as prisoners 11 officers and 591 soldiers and captured 7 cannons.

The left hand side column,the 11th Brigade,advancing towards Agnita,has rejected the enemy and occupied positions on Sulumberg Hill and Merghindeal Hill,strenghtening them.Because of the failure of the 12th Brigade ,with the right flank in the air,had to retreat on Cincului Hill,after the 12th Brigade.

....


Stopping the offensive of the II-nd Army The calculus for the day of 29th of September was unsatisfying for Romanians.The 4th Romanian Division,fighting hard with the accident-ed(bad) terrain ,dug out by rain fwhich was falling continously,more than with the enemy itself,has hardly advanced few miles .The 3rd Romanian Division ,at North of Olt,has attacked the troops of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division ,strenghtened with "Chevaux-legeres" Regiment ,brought from South of Olt and by the 8th Infantry Regiment de Landwehr,the reserve of the IX-th German Army,brought by aotomobiles on to the battle field and a detachment of easy shells(obuse),have inched them and touched the line Chirpar-Ilimbav-Sasaus.

What use though!The Olt Battle was over;the to late help of the II-nd Romanian Army could not produce any effect.Olt Corps have retreated on the mountaineous frontier ,the continuation of the II-nd Army's offnsive was of no tactical use.On the contrary,she risked to put herself,again in a dangerous situation .The failure of the 6th Romanian Division ,left the right side of the army,uncovered .Only the speed of intervention of the 3rd Hunters Regiment(Romanians) ,escaped the Division of total desaster.The threat remained,though,on its feet and it had to be conjured.

After the proposal of General Crainiceanu ,The Big Headquarter dicided the suspension of the offensive of II-nd Romanian Army,and a ne regrouping of her forces ,to move the offensive to the right ,where the new group of Morgen cunstituted the threat.The 3rd Romanian Division has received the order to retreat and,in forced marching,to move towards the right side of 6th Romanian DIvision.The 4th Romanian Division to retreat,to constitute the reserve of the II-nd Army.The 2nd Cavalry Division has been attached to the II-nd Army.The saviour role of the II-nd Army has finished with a failure;she had now to fight for her own safety.


The Fight at Porumbacu The 4th Romanain Division advanced faster than the 3rd and the 6th.If Feldioara Brigade ,which was advancing North of Olt,repulsing the Cavalry troops ,unmounted of the 1st Austro-Hungarian Division,was ahead just a bit from the 3rd Romanian Division,the other brigade,which was advancing South of Olt,in close fighting contact with the Husars of the 3rd Cavalry ,German Division,has advanced much further than the pair brigade.Face with this threatening advance,Falkenhayn has send troops of the 78 Ifantry German Division ,to strenghten the resistance of Husars.Still.Romanians,beaten by the heavy German artillery,installed on Chicera Hill,have repulsed again at 29th of September the enemy in Oprea-Cirtisoara and they were preparing to attack at 30th of September the principal enemy line ,which was leaning with the left on to Olt River,and with the right side on to the mountains ,passing through Porumbacu de Jos(lower),Sarata and Porumbacu de Sus(upper).

In this time though,the Romanian Commander has decided the cease of the offensive;the 4th Division had to stop and retreat,to cunstitute in the reserve of the II-nd Romanian Army.The retreat order could be handed ,in the course of 29th-30th of September,to General Boureanu,the Commander of Feldioara Brigade.It dose not come in time to Colonel Paianu,the Commander of the Southern Brigade.From this cause,the brigade,starts in the eves of the morning of 30th of September ,the attack,as the Northern Brigade has started the retreat.The Romanians,are giving,in this way,the fight at Porumbacu,South of Olt River,without any goal,whatsoever,and having the Northern flank completely uncovered.The Romanian attack is given with elan.The enemy is repulsed from Oprea-Cirtisoara,then it is attacked at bayonet and rejected from villages Sarata and the two Porombacs,which are occupied by Romanians;they capture an entire battery of obusiere(shells) of 105 mm,which they turn imediately,aimed over to the enemy,continuing to repulse this one to the West.The losses of dead and wounded of the enemy are very big,especially at 18th Husars Regiment and 263rd Infantry Regiment of the 76th Division,send in haste to help;Kuhl Battalion of this regiment is destroyed.The Romanians have taken 200 prisoners .The enemy stops for a moment on the wooden ridges West of the two Porumbacs(the two villages);he is attacked then again,though, and repulsed towards Olt and Racovita,where he is received by troops of the 76th German Division,which are running in haste to save the situation.


It has distinguished during these fights,6th Hunters Regiment and 21st Infantry Regiment,which have fought with a courage and devotion,worthy of the good name of the Romanian warrior.Ahead of the soldiers,the officers have given the good example,giving with heroism their lives..Colonel Iacobini,the Chief of Staff of the Division,has fallen as he conducted the assault of 6th Hunters Regiment ,with his hat in his right hand risen,ten steps ahed the line of shooters .Major Porumbaru has fallen,as well,in the rain of fires of machinegun,as he advanced in row with the shooters ,elbow to elbow ,with them.

Unfortunately,the heroism of the troops was of no use .The retreat order has finally reached the Commander.From full victory,the brave soldiers had to be withdraw.The column in the left side of Olt,remained uncovered,by the retreat of the column;from North ,did in time,starts at its turn ,the retreat on the same road on which it came ;during the night it stops on the line Vistea de Sus-Dragus.Because of the speed with which the retreat has to be made,the troops could not take with them the captured battery.The following day,the 4th Romanian Division was occupying the line Cincu Mare-Fagaras,facing West.The Romanian victory at Porumbacu,with all its shine,has benn null as strategical importance .It came to late to have a say over the faith of Sibiu battle.It could not even stop the regrouping of the IX-th German Army,which sotpped at the back of cavalry curtain.At 1st of October ,this regrouping was finished.Falkenhayn could now start the offensive over the II-nd Romanian Army.


The Fight at Barcut-Moha The days of 30th of September and 1st of October,are tireing days.The sky is cloudy,and a thin and cold rain fells continuously .The soldiers have to ferment the muds of roads and paths ,making long and exhausting marches in executing the moves of regrouping of the II-nd Romanian Army.And this regrouping ,oh well,means retreat.Turmoiled is also the state of mind at the Headquarter,sadness is also in the officers souls and of soldiers ,deception.

The troops of the 3rd Romanian Division had to make a day and a night forced marchings,retreating through Radbav and Cincu Mare,then to go round through the back of 6th Romanian Division,to assume positions at the right side of this division,between Jalisteat and Barcut.At the right wing of the army of the 2nd Cavalry Division,Romanian,to which is attached the 3rd Calarasi Brigade,is operatively attached to the II-nd Army.She has to attack towards Mesendorf ,South of Cristur,to fall behind the enemy.The Division Avanguard is attacked in the wooden defile of Roades ,by the enemy with artillery and infantry.The thick of the Division has to change direction ,and goes through Homorod and Cata la Rupea.The Brigade,not being able to connect with the Division,remains at Fiser.

The Great Hedquarter communicates to the II-nd Army tha any offensive action is from now on forbidden;no reinforcement can ,now,be send to the Northern Front.The whole attention is now focused on the Southern Front,where the blow of Flaminda is preparing.

The retreat of the Cavalry Division has produced a big gap between the II-nd Army and Northern Army.No troops to fill it.The enemy could well sneak through here, and threaten the principal line of communication with Brasov,line which goes through Rupea and Hoghiz.So,the retreat is,unavoidable.For to days she(the retreat) tempter the spirit more and more as an obsession.In the face of unsuccess of the offensive,it has to be occupied a strong defensive position,in which the army to await a favourable occasion.The actual positions,to much spread and to exposed,with the right in the air,with the left insufficient protected ,were not safe.The Great Headquarter ,addmited the proposal of General Crainiceanu to reterat the II-nd Army on the left shore of Olt River,occupying solid all the communication lines which go towards Brasov.The retreat movement,was supposed, to start in the morning of 2nd of October;the 3rd Division,in Barcut region,will protect the retreat.

.....


At the enemy,the preparations for restarting of the offensive movement, were almost over.At 2nd of October,Falkenhyan has to start towards Brasov with Staabs Army.Though,the situation at his left is making him concerned.Arz could not face the blows given by Prezan and was continuously retreating.That this retreat was made in the Valley of Northern Mures or of Gurghiului ,the thing did not alarm much the Commander of the IX-th Army.The retreat of the right wing of Arz ,in Tirnavei region,presents a grave danger,though;it could make difficult the movement to the East.To obstacle these fatal retreats ,which seemd to him to be more the effect of some weakness of command,than ,dictated by a tactical necessity,Falkenhayn asked,and obtained in the day of 1st of October from the Great Austro-Hungarian Headquarter from Teschen,the concentration of all the troops in Transilvania under unique command.In this way,Arz Army ,goes under the Command of Falkenhayn,"in the perspective of a concentration of troops for the decissive attack".It has to be said that until now,the colaboration of Arz with Falkenhayn ,was a very tight one and the Austrian General received and executed all the suggestions of his authoritarian camarad.Falkenhayn dispozitions,for the day of 2nd of October ,were:at the left side ,Arz would resist with any price in Sighisoara region,against the Romanian push at the center,Morgen to start the offensive with the 89th Division and,if possible ,also with the 71st Division;he will make possible ,by doing this,the principal action of Staabs which,at the right side,will start the offensive marching of Sibiu ,with direction Fagaras-Brasov.The offensive movement of Morgen in South-East direction provokes a violent collision with the troops of 3rd and 6th Romanian Divisions in Barcut region.The soldiers of the 3rd Romanian Division,marching with difficulty on muddy and dug out roads,with the small wooden bridges broken,through cold and rain ,have occupied in the morning of 2nd of October with the 5th Brigade ,at the right side,Moha,and with the 6th Brigade ,at the left side,Barcut.The avanposts of the brigades occupied the Hills of La Furci,La Ciresi and La Dumbrava.In elongation,of the last one,the 12th Brigade of the 6th Division,occupyes the Hills Hula-Cincului towards North-East,in direction Cincu Mare.


In the morning ,the enmy has aimed a strong heavy artillery,and field one, bombardment ,over Romanian positions on the hills.At 11,30 thinking the Romanian position destroyed,the infantry starts to attack.But the 6th Romanain Brigade unfolded in mass,jumped over to the enemy,and in body fight ,repulsed him back,in the start positions.The soldiers of the 5th Brigade ,attacked at North-West of Moha,rejecting here as well the adversary.The enemy has restarted then the artillery bombardment ,which fired till 8 in the evening,interrupting from time to time to give attacks.The soldiers of the 3rd Division,which for the first time ,met the heavy artillery,have taken the bombardment with manhood,and repulsed bloody all attacks,making couple of hundreds of prisoners.

At the left wing,the soldiers of the 12th Brigade ,in position on Morii de Vint Hill,have been violently bombarded by the heavy artillery,from 7,30 in the morning until 2.30 in the afternoon,when the Berliners of General Luttwitz have started to attack.His job,though,went badly.The soldiers of Cantemir Regiment and Siret Regiment, together with the 3d Hunters regiment ,wait in quiet the closing in of the enemy columns.At once,they jump up of their improvised shelters and in a frightening speed ,in the sounds of trumpets and shouts of Urra! they throw to attack with bayonet ,without preparing the attack by fire shots .The determination of Romanians is big;the soldiers of Cantemir Regiment have to duel over the one of 29th of September.The enemy is oscillating,gets back,and start to run in disband.The German Commander sees the situation and sends new troops from Mesteacan direction;but the Romanian artillery of the neghbour brigade is reeled,and takes , under her violent firing range, and spreads them away.The Romanians begin the pursiut on the whole line.The enemy tries to maintain on the domminant height of the region,la Dumbrava,height 706 meters,but is throwed away,from there as well .He has to retreat a few Miles,until the Hirtibaciu line ,from Iacobeni to Bradeni,abandoning in Romanian hands hundreds of prisoners,piles of weapons and munitions.With difficulty,the Romanians who have ventured to far in the pursiut,are recalled by signalls of gathering up.From Schmettow Army is send to the German Division ,which is drifting,the 8th Regiment de Landwehr,which trials a turn of the left Romanian wing,through Meghindeal and Toarcla;the trial is stopped by the cannons of the 4th Romanian Division Artillery ,which was at Cincu Mare.At the right side of Romanians,the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division,of Morgen's Group,detained by other Romanian troops,could not intervene in the aid of her camarad;she never reached the fighting front,but only late in the night.


On the sky the clouds gather more and more ,the rain becomese denser ,the night falls quickly.The fight stops;Romanians dose not pursue anymore.

Falkenhayn and Morgen admit,one and the other,that the situation of the group is critical:"If the Romanians would continue the pressure further,the group could not maintain on positions,and would have to retreat in the mountaineous region,very difficult and without roads,between Hirtibaciu and Tirnava Mare".It would be a desaster:this would mean the ruining of the offensive plan of Falkenhayn.Fortunately,for the enemy in the evening,at 6 o'clock,the Romanian Army have received the order to break up the fight and to begin the retreat towards Olt River.The breaking off from the enemy,could not be done without loss.The wounded spread all over the field could not all be collected;the patrols and flank detachments could not be found in the dark and told about,or could not find in time their units.That is why,the enemy could find them on the battlefield and make a number of prisoners of the 3rd Romanian Division.In this way,a sad fatality made us at Barcut ,as at Prumbacu,to not be able to make use of our victories."the Romanian never pursue his victories until the decissive"-writes a German historian.The German Commanders breath esily now;they have the sincerity to admit that not their reinforcements,but the retreat of Romanian Army have saved their situation,almost desperate in which the Romanian victory threw them. 

 The fourth offensive of the Northern Romanian Army

Battle of Praid-Sovata In the same time with the II-nd Romanian Army begins the offensive movement of the Northern Army,with West direction with the same mission;thereatening to fall in the back of the IX-th German Army,to ease the situation of Olt Romanian Corps,caught in Sibiu battle.For the Northern Army,this offensive had other importance as well.In the wake of the last three victorious offensives,General Prezan(Romanian),masterd the row of heights -Gurghiului Mountains and Harghita Mountains -which separate the superior valleys of Olt and Mures(rivers),by the flat of Tirnavelor and middle Mures River.One more forcing and the last one of natural obstacles ,which favoured the enemy,being in this way aside,the army could unfold the plenty of her forces in a battle,given in a flat field.

The Northern Army had to start the move in the day of 27th of September,on her entire front,of Tirnavei Mari Valley until Mures Valley.At the left wing,the 2nd Romanian Division of Cavalry will make the connection with the II-nd Army,advancing towards Sighisoara;at the right wing ,the 14th Division will form the pivot of the manoeuvre ,keeping solid occupied the Mures River Valley in Rastolita Region.The principal action will be given at the center,by the 7th Romanian Division,between Tirnava Mare and stream Corund and by the 8th Romanian DIvision,between Corund Stream and Gurghiului Valley.

The Commandment of the enemy army realises as well as our Hedquarter, the importance of the game which was starting now.Falkenhayn had to be free in his movements;by no means he had to be troubeled by the action of the two Romanian armies.Arz received the order to resist by any means to any trials of the Northern Romanian Army.He has met here ,under the Command of Feldmarshal von Fabini,brought from the Italian front ,all the forces he could summon ,up to now:Divisions 61st,39th,72nd ,a Brigade of 37th Infantry and 1st Brigade of Husars de Lundstrum,to oppose them to the Northern Romanian Army,as the new group,made out of thr 89th German Division and 71st Austro-hungarian,under the Command of General von Moyen,has been moved towards right in Sighisoara region,between armies Ist and Ix-th ,to oppose to an eventual advance of the II-nd Romanian Army.


The battle between the Northern Romanian Army ,under the Command of General Prezan and the group of Austro-Hungarian Divisions,Commanded by Feldmarshal Fabini,will be ,thus,given between 27th of September -4th of October;she carries the name Battle of Praid-Sovata,after the name of the small town with the old salt mines and beautiful localities for baths,on the Tirnavei Mici(Small Tirnava),in the center of the fighting front.The troops of the 7th Romanian Division begin the offensive advance of Odorheu towards Cristur,on two columns ,along Tirnava Mare(Big Tirnava).After hevy fights,in which most of the times,the last word is of the bayonet ,the northern column occupies ,at 28th of September ,Villages Forteni,tarcesti,heights Bisericani and Mihaileni,strongholded,with heavy losses ,but taking numerous prisoners.Criseni locality has been taken ,after a hard fight,by the combined action of the two Romanian columns ;the enemy troops of Szabo 's brigade had very heavy casualties.

The Southern column operates in tight connection with the 2nd Cavalry Division which,advancing to left,veils from the South the enemy positions of Ulies,which troops of the 7th Romanian Division attacks them by the front .The Village of Dirjiu is attacked in the day of 29th of September by a column of the 27th Regiment with machineguns and artillery,coming from North,from Nicolesti,and by a cavalry brigade with a mounted (of cavalry) battery and a Cyclists Company,coming from the East,from Daia.The fight goes on till evening;the enemy ,defeated,rretreats ,pursued by Romanians ,which occupy at 30th of September the heights which dominates Villages Alunis and Lutita.

In the wake of these successes,the last heights between Odorhei and Cristuru Secuiesc and the whole defile Tirnava Mare are in Romanian hands,in front of which is closing now the flat field of Transilvania.The 2nd Cavalry Division is attached now to the II-nd Romanian Army,to begin the operations against Morgen.

Szabo's troops ,dug out of their strenghtened positions,are throwed towards Cristur.In their pursiut, begin the Romanians the marching of advance in the 1st of October.In the afternoon of 1st of october though,the 7th Romanian Division receives the order to stop;the right side of the II-nd Army has been attacked and was in a difficult situation.

....


At the right side of the 7th Division the troops of the 8th Division hit hard the enemy,along Valleys of Tirnava Mici and Gurghiului.The 8th Romanian Division is a strong unit:six infantry regiments,two of hunters,three of artillery and one calarasi(horsemen) brigade.The fight is given at the right flank by 37th Brigade and at the left one,by 16th Brigade;the 15th Brigade is kept like a general reserve of the Northern Army.

At the right wing of the division,the Romanian troops attacks Hettinger Group in the defile of Gurghiu River,which flows from East towards West and falls into Mures River at Reghin.The enemy troops resist strong,in positions strenghtened solidly with nets of barb wire fence defended by numerous artillery.The impetous attacks of Romanians manage to take them out of their positions;at 30th of September the troops of 77th Regiment have taken with assault the Nicolii Hill,the key to the enemy positions.Vilages Ibanesti,Hodac,Casava,train station Orsova are conquered one by one.In the next few days the fights continue ,with ferocity,supported both sides by artillery.A cold and dense rain makes the operations difficult.The Romanian troops counquer at bayonet the strong fortified hills and repulse towards West the enemy.Units of 72nd Division and 37th Division are added day by day to the enemy,defeated and his resistance is afirmed more and more stuborn.The Romanian troops have to seize trench by trench,to cut the nets of wires one by one,fighting with bayonet under the rain of machinegun bursts and grenades.A Battalion of the 69th Regiment(Dorohoi) has heavy casualties ,but makes numerous prisoners ;another one advances West of Gurghiu and cuts over the rail way.Romanians are 6 miles of Reghin.

At the left wing of the Division fights the 16th Brigade ,in the region of streams of Tirnava Mica,against Csecsi Group,strenghtened with the 39th Austro-Hungarian Division.At 29th of September ,the 8th Hunters Regiment takes in vigorous assaults with bayonet,Villages Corund and Atid,defended by a strong artillery,which has everywhere observers and telephone lines.The next day,the fight carries on with vigor,the 29th Regiment seizes Atid,and the 8th Hunters Regiment occupies in heavy fight Siclod.At 1st and 2nd of October ,ferocious fights are given for occupying the formidable position of heights Bichesu-height 1079m-by the 37th Infantry Regimentand 8th Hunters Regiment.At 3rd of October is brought to in to the fighting line,also,the 4th Hunters Regiment.The enemy positions were dominant,with concrete strongholds and with 5-6 rows of barb wire fence.Under the rain of projectiles of artillery and bomb throwers,by machinegun fires and weapons ,the Hunters have given violent attacks ;the enemy trenches go from one hand to another.At 3rd of October,in the evening,Romanians are masters on one part of positions on Bichesu.

In full fight with an enemy which becomes stronger ,more and more,incapable,though,to resist to the 8th Division 's soldiers attacks,the Romanian troops receive at 4th of october the order to cease fight.The 8th Division has to close the count on the battle of Praid-Sovata with the loss of 10 officers and 320 soldiers,dead,33 officers and 1300 soldiers wounded.But the seven officers and 1205 enemy soldiers,prisoners and forcing the barrier of Gurghiului Mountains ,is the undoubtful confess of victory.An important strategic result have,thus ,been obtained by the victorious action of the Northern Army.She has crossed,finally,the last barrier of the mountaineous region in which she operates and descended in to the Transilvanian Field.Liberated from the narrow and isolated mountain passes,the brave army of General Prezan seemed now to be obstacled by nothing to focus and proceed to decissive manoeuvres.In 35 days of continuous heavy fights,against an enemy which was strenghtening all the time and on a terrain which was becoming more difficult ,the front of this army had advanced on a depth of 50-63 Miles in to the heart of Ardeal(Transilvania).She has reached at 20th of September on the line (aproximativ) Ibanesti-Magherus-Cristur,at 6-12 Miles of Reghin and Sighisoara.


The retreat of the Romanian armies The offensive of the II-nd Army and Northern Army ,Romanians,have pushed the Romanian occupation on the most advanced line they touched in Ardeal(Transilvania).This line ,the cord of Carpathian Mountains arch,drew an easy curved line ,leaning with the left on Carpathians,in the region between Fagaras and Sibiu,with the right on Calimani Mountains ,closing in ,few Miles to Sighisoara,Cristur and Reghin .The occupied territory by the Romanian armies represented one third of the total surface of Ardeal.But this line of maximum advance was only for a brief moment;the moevment of reflux of the Romanian wave it has produced faster than the one of flux(tide).

The II-nd Army has started in the night of 2nd-3rd of October the retreat on this side of Olt.This move had to determine ,automatically,an analogue move of the Northern Army.Because the war has its inexorable laws.It ties the faith of the armies not only by their successes or failures,but also of those of the neighbour armies with which colaborates.

Surprised in the midst of its successes by missfortuned events,which took place on the other fronts,just in the moment when,with the price of great efforts and of some beautiful victories ,has managed to acomplish a great deal of its mission,the Northern Army has been forced to bow her head in front of the unforgiving faith and to martyr herself on the war felloship altar.At 4th of October,in full victory,she has to suspend her advance and begin retreat.Confused by this retreat,which followed after a campaign in which they reputed victory after victory,with the hearts overwhelmed by sadness,silenced and grimaced,have started the soldiers of the Northern Army to walk again,this time in opposite direction,the mountains and valleys which witnessed of their bravery.Praid,Barcut,Porumbacu,brilliand victories but without effect....So much heroism unfolded,how many efforts wasted without use,so much spilled blood with plenty!To defeat the formidable enemy,and instead of seting the flowers of victory on your forehead and step forward with pride and trust,instead ,turn back humiliated on the undeserved way of defeat,this is the greatest hit which can endure the spirit of an army.The soldiers of the II-nd Army and Northern Army,Romanians,victorious with the arm,were broken inthe spirit.Turtucaia and Sibiu were giving their crops.

The retreat was made in painful circumstances.Through the Romanian villages ,which saluted with enthusiasm the advance of the liberating army the population,afraid of the perspective of the Hungarians might come back,greeted with distrust the retreating army.The priests,teachers and the elites take the road of exile,leaving their houses and own.With vengeance for the brotherly behaviour of the locals towards the Romanian Army the Hungarians,when reoccupying the Romanian villages ,set fires to the Romanian houses ,hang on spot ,without trial, those guilty of brotherly behaviour towards Romanians.

Along the columns of the Romanian Army in retreat,is aligning the sad column of the refugees.Pain and silence can be read on the faces of the refugees ,shame on the soldier's faces,which feel responsible-without their will-by the missfortune they brought upon the heads of their brothers.

The retreat of the two Romanian armies is going in two divergent directions .The link,between them,which was made in the region of Odorheiu Secuiesc,must break.Between the two Romanian armies and behind ,the 2nd Cvalry Division makes the connection and covers the retreat.As Prezan's Army is going over Harghita Mountains and Gurghiu Mountains towards Moldavian Carphatians,General Crainiceanu starts the regrouping of the troops of the II-nd Army on the heights which guard Brasov geographical pool. 


8.The Offensive Marching of the Germans from Sibiu to Brasov

Falkenhayn organizes the offensive against the II-nd Romanian Army Falkenhayn was a Commander with to much military experience as to not try to profit to maxim of the victory at Sibiu.Exploiting the situation created by this battle ,he sets to apply to Romanians a decissive blow,which was supposed to take them out of Ardeal(Transilvania).The situation of the enemy was now,as advantageous as possible.The Romanian Olt Corps was taken out of the fight,now,and throwed over the mountains.Its remains did not concern now the German Commander ;he leaves the Alpine Corps in the mountains ,arround the mountain pass Turnu Rosu(Red Tower),with the mission to defend the conquered positions ,meintaining for the time being ,into defensive.Later on,when it will receive the reinforcements,which were on their way,will begin here as well, the offensive.To safe his back ,from an attack which could surprise him from Jiu Valley,he proceeds,with the help of the troops ,freshly arrived of the 2nd Alpine Brigade,Austro-Hungarian,to offensive move which ends at 2nd of October,with the rejection of Romanians on to the mountaineous ridge.

The principal attention of the German Generalisim ,aims towards the II-nd Romanian Army,in his face.In the following days after the Battle of Sibiu,Falkenhayn had two goals:on one hand to barrier as muchas possible the blows of the armies of General Prezan and General Crainiceanu,which were threatening his left and back.This was the mission given to General Arz and General Morgen.In the same time,in Sibiu region,behind the cavalry curtain of General Schmettow,the German Commander proceeds at the regrouping of the thick of the IX-th Army.The three divisions which were forming Staabs Group were concentrating,exchanging front with the face to the East,to make up the army which will take the offensive against the II-nd Romanian Army,in Fagaras -Brasov direction.

In Falkenhayn conception this action,threatening the Southern flank of the Romanian Army,will determine the retreat of the advanced elements of this army from Sighisoara direction and with this face will ease the situation of Morgen Group and of the Austro-Hungarian Army of Arz,which were forced to retreat all the time under the pressure of the two Romanian armies.The advance of the IX-th German Army,on Olt River line and threatening of the communication line of Predeal,will intimidate the Romanian Commandment "which did not had the nerves ironed enaugh of war".Threatened with lossing his principal line of communication-because the second communication line ,Ghimesul,because of the damages made by Hungarians,had not the value of the first one-the Romanian Commandment will be forced to retreat both armies from Ardeal(Transilvania).The German Commander had now assured also the numerical superiority.Against the II-nd Romanian Army,made up of three divisions of infantry and one cavalry brigade ,Falkenhayn sends the three divisions of Stabbs,the two divisions of Morgen and also two cavalry divisions of Schmettow.


Sinca Battle At 2nd of October,Staabs Group,finishing his regrouping ,facing East,starts to move.It is made out of the three divisions which have given the frontal attack in the Sibiu Battle.At the right is the 76th German Division,between Olt River and Fagaras Mountains;at the center is 51st Austro-Hungarian Division,and at the left the 187th German Division.The two cavalry divisions of General Schmettow begin the marching behind Morgen Group,to go between this one and the army of Arz.The Group is advancing fast,with West -East direction,along Olt Valley,towards Fagaras and Brasov,on the tracks of Romanians,which are retreating now.All the roads are full by the crowds of troops and convoys of the enemy.It is an imposant military force;armies trialed in big battles on all the fronts of European War,veterans of Somme and from Ancre[21],from Flandra and Verdun,from Narew[22] and Isonzo,and they were lead by expeienced generals ,big specialists in the art of war.Behind the army are coming huge convoys of formidable weaponry.A numerous artillery ,from easy cannons for mountain,carried on mules back,to the heavy cannons of 210 mm,unpieced in four pieces each,dragged by huge Pomeranian horses,trucks ,automobiles heavy loaded with munitions ,provisions,ambulances ,aviation parks.The rains have ended,now and the beautiful autumn days favorized the advance of the formidable phallanx.At 4th of october ,Fagaras,evacuated by the Romanian troops in the eve,has been occupied by the enemy.At 5th of october Staabs was in front of positions from Sinca-Persani,occupied by Romanians.

Even from the time of our advance in Ardeal ,has been taken the decission to strenghten some positions,to be able in case of need ,to be used as defensive lines.Such a line was the one at Persani-Sinca,on the Western versant(side) of Persani Mountains.It is a mountain massiff with peaks over 1000 meters (Magura Codlei 1300 meters),very forested ,stretched in a direction almost North-South,separating Fagaras Country of Birsei Country.


Two main roads ramble the mountain masiff as two defiles:one,followed by the driveway,leaves from Persani,going in large serpentines through the huge forest,for then to ,through Vladeni and Tintaru ,open up,at Codlea ,in Birsei Country.The other one,a bit to the South,starts from Sinca Veche and climbs up the defile Sinca towards the high region of Bran and in the Southern part of Birsei Country,through Poiana Marului(Apple Clearing) and Zarnesti.The two roads are dominated completely by Persani-Sinca position,this being in this way an excelent strategic line.The defend works could not yet be completed ;they were in course of execution.Still ,General Crainiceanu took the necessary dispozitions for defending the line which,worse case scenario,permited him to cover,behind it ,the flow of the thick of the troops and occupying the mountain passes.

The Romanian positions of Persani-Sinca are occupied by the troops of the 4th Romanian Division,in retreat from Porumbacu.They are attacked by the whole army of Staabs.The German Commander distributes his troops in the following manner:the 76th Division ,sustained by a powerful heavy artillery,to which he ads also the heavy artillery of the 187th Division,attacks the Romanian left wing,towards Sinca Veche,with the aim to make his way up to Sinca Valley,to go inside Bran region.The aim of this division is forcing Bran Pass.The Romanian position,South of Sercaita to Plesului Hill,is defended by 2nd Hunters Regiment with two artillery batteries.The 51st Austro-Hungarian Division attacks the center ,which comprises the positions on Plesului Hill(height 550m) and Ulmilor,defended by 6th Infantry Regiment with two batteries.The 187th Division is send north,to go round the right wing of the Romanian dispozitive ;the position on Bataturii Hill(height 563m) is defended by 21st Infantry Regiment and a battalion of 6th Hunters Regiment with one battery.The 2nd Brigade of the 6th Division was retreating on Persani-Vladeni driveway;units of infantry and artillery of this brigade took part in the battle.The Battle of Sinca-Persani is given with great fury by one side and the other.The heavy German artillery,installed at Vad,aims with precission.The line of hills on which Romanian positions find,constitute a perfect target.The projectiles are making considerable ravages.In the crystal clear atmosphere of this beautiful autumn day the rays of sun,which fall directly from West,reliefs out ,all the ridges and terrain crests.The Romanian positions are seen like ina panorama.The works of redoubt,undone,are easily destroyed.The superiority of enemy artillery is overwhelming as number of mouths of fire,calibers,richness of munitions and lenght of firing range.The enemy grenades and shrapnels beat from great distances,falling also behind the Romanian front,producing panic ,killing horses and servants of Romanian cannons,disorganizing the services.It is an unequal fight,in which the powerful mens of destruction of the Germans crush from distance the weak means of defence .The field of battle has the aspect of a section of dug out terrain by artillery,of the fight theatre of the Western Front.


The enemy infantry occupies the Romanian trenches ,which are pulverized and filled with cavalry,but the Romanian counterattacks manage to away the attacker.Violent fights are given,especially for mastering Plesului Hill,the key of the region,which dominates both roads.The hill has been occupied by the enemy.Violent counterattacks given by Feldioara Regiment(Romanian) through the South and by troops of Regiments 24th and 6th Hunters through the East,are destroyed in the concentrated fire of the heavy artillery.*One of the attack waves have reached 50 meters from enemy line.Romanians manage to seize and keep only Poiana Tilharilor(Robbers Clearing),behind Plesului.The bravery with which ROmanians fight attracts the atention of the enemy:"the Romanian proves yet again in this fight that he is not a weaker man",confesses a german correspondent,witness to the battle.

But all of a sudden begins to thunder the cannon at the right.The troops of the 187th german Division have managed to acomplish their go arround move,from Parau,through Grid.They have turned from the north the Romanian front and attack facing South,in the flank and the back of our right wing.A panic is produced within the Romanian troops at this wing.Excited by the fires of the heavy artillery,to which they are not able to respond,the soldiers leave Bataturii Hill.The 16th Artillery Regiment(Commandr Colonel Gorgos) leaves his cannons on position,and runs with the horses .The panic propagates from the right to the left and back,behind,at the trains and civilian population,were the projectiles of enemy artillery begin to fall.

The resistance is defeated .The Romanians have to begin a hard retreat through Defile Persani-Vladeni with the group of Division 4th and with the Brigade of the 6th Division,as the left-fractions of the 4th Division-retreats through Sinca Defile,towards Poiana Marului.A great number of dead remains on the terrain ,searched by the German shells,witness of Romanian martyr,in fight with the crushing power of mechanical means of the adversary.We lost a big number of cannons ,too.Only a couple of hundreds of prisoners remained in the hands of the enemy.The Gerrmans,infuriated by the stuborn resistance of Romanians,and deceptioned by the small number of prisoners they could make,retaliate,slaughtering the prisoners,defenceless.Falkenhayn himsel confess with cinism:"Our soldiers don't like much to take many prisoners"

Chevalier y of civilized people,with glorious warrior traditions!


Posted 5 April , 2009

The attack is described by one of the officers of the Quarter of 76th German Division:"This last one attack is also the biggest.With a surprising elan,without counting the losses ,attack the Romanians,not in rare lines of shooters,but in crowds are descending the slopes of the hill 620.But,as at the other two attacks,is this one as well rejected in the fires of heavy and light artillery;especially the projectiles of big mortiers make frightening ravages in the compact masses of the attackers"

The fight of Tintaru The pursiut of the Romanian troops,by the enemy, in retreat-towards Brasov-is made in the day of 6th of October,through Codlei Forest,which is rove through from West to East ,in large serpentines,by the driveway Persani-Vladeni-Tintaru,along Homorod Defile.Near the exit of the defile,towards East,in Brasov Field,the Romanian troops have stopped ,to delay the enemy,giving in this way time to the bulk of the II-nd Romanian Army to concentrate in Birsei Country.There are remains of Feldioara Regiments,26th,4th and 21st Infantry,2nd and 6th Hunters;alltogether 4000 men,very tired ,having also four artillery batteries.Around 4,the enemy attacks the troops of arierguard at Vladeni with the mass of the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division ,forcing them to retreat in disband to Tantaru(Mosquito).It is asked for the intervention of the 3rd Division,which is in Birsei Country,but the division is to far away and the only Regiment,30th which is close by,is to tired by marchings and fightings,to be of any use.After rejecting the arierguard at Vladeni,the enemy attacks the principal position ,between Vladeni and Tintaru,by a bombardment ,which holds from 5 to 7 in the evening;Vladeni village is in flames .At 7 begins the attack of the infantry,on whole front ,especially at the left wing of the position,wanting to turn this one.A strong Romanian counterattack ,given over the right of the enemy ,with troops of the 6th Hunters and 24th Infantry Regiments,has throwed this one in disorder into the interior of the defile.

The Germans get ,then, to the usual tactic of surrounding move:the left wing of the 187th Division stretches to the North;it occupyes Crizbav,North of Tintaru.The Romanian troops of Tintaru has to be retreated.At 9 in the evening the Romanians begin the retreat in order.By night fall,a Hungarian cavalry column ,thinking that the Romanians have completely evacuated the position ,advance with ambition and enter the village,to open up the road towards Codlea and Brasov.They are surprised and attacked by Romanians whith shots and bayonet.One part of the cavalrymen are exterminated ;the others run in disband,followed by Romanians to Vladeni.

Falkenhayn think himself victorious.he thinks he has in front of him only demoralized arierguards seeking escape into the mountains.He prepares,for the next day,7th of October the enter into Brasov and his only preocupation is to capure as many running columns as possible by daring and clever manoeuvres,made through the transversal valleys ,which cut perpendicular the retreating directions of Romanians.

The day of 7th of october reserves ,though,a big surprise.A big battle ,which engages the totality of forces of the two adverse armies ,will be given for Brasov posession,in the days of 7th and 8th of October ,new style(referes to the calendar). 


9.Battle of Brasov,7th-8th of October

In retreat The victory of Sinca and the retreat in a hurry ,of Romanians on the whole front of the II-nd Romanian Army and of the Northern Romanian Army ,gives Falkenhayn tempting illusions.He thinks that the Romanian Army,completely demoralized ,is not able to oppose any resistance whatsoever and so he conceives the daring plan of prsuing with vigor the Romanian troops in retreat,to track them down and to cross the Carpathians mountain passes,in the same time with them.The orders are given in consequence.

In the morning of 7th of October,Staabs Army is all in Birsei Country.The 76th German Division,following the few units of the 4th Romanian Division,along Sinca Valley,has reached Poiana Marului and prepares to cross Birsei Valley in Zarnesti region,to climb the road of Bran,towards Cimpulung.At its left ,the 51st Hungarian DIvision,kept for a day and a night ,by the retreat of Romanian troops,to retake the advancing towards Codlea.At North,the 187th German Division which has bypassed at Crizbav,advances through Satu Nou and Halchiu towards Bod and Sinpetru.Further to the North,still,Morgen Group,back to its senses after the defeat at 2nd of October,has also started the advance on two directions ,coverd in the back by the 3rd German Cavalry Division.As the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division is going towards South-East,bypassing North the elbow of Olt River,the Division of berliners 89th,cuts in length the cord of the elbow of olt River with direction Feldioara to compete with Staabs Army at conquering Basov.The troops of this division,coming from Rupea and homorod,are detained all day of 6th of October in front of Olt,by the 28th Regiment ,in a fight of sacrifice,until the bulk of the 3rd Romanian Division flowed onto the bridges of Hoghiz and Comana,after which the regiment has broke the contact with the enemy from full battle,burning up the bridges.The Germans have succeeded in puting out the fire,though,and cross without fight;in the morning of 7th of October,they begin to gather at Feldioara.in this way Falkenhayn divisions descended ,concentric into Birsei Field,with Brasov as point of concentration.Nothing seemd to stand now in the way of the conquerer.Even in the morning of the day,the German Commander has send the avanguard detachment of the 187th German Division,made out of three battalions of infantry with artillery,cavalry and pioneers (Colonel Gundell),to seize the city counted as evacuated by Romanians.The detachment arrives in the afternoon in the Northern edge of the city and is received by lively shots:Brasov was defended.


Retaking the offensive The Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army,disencouraged by the defeat at Sinca and convinced he can no longer resist in Birsei Field,intends to evacuate Brasov without fight,to organize resistance on the slopes of the mountains,which have been fortified in the time of neutrality of Romania.That is why the Romanian troops countinue their retreat.During the night of 6th-7th of october they reach,broken down by exhaust and with mixed up units, the enterance in to the defiles:The 3rd Romanian Division was on the line Sacele-Tarlungeni,and parts of the Divisions 4th and 6th were at Timisu de Jos.The retreat of the troops was ,however,stopped .The orders arrived from the Big Headquarter changed the going of things.

The counteroffensive given by Romanians on Southern Front has finished with a failure at Flaminda and a local success at Amzacea.The Romanian Commandment,considering the enemy to be fixed on Dobrogea Front and having available a few divisions,by giving up operations at Flaminda,decided to retake the initial plan of operations in Transilvania(Ardeal).With this goal,all the available units had to concentrate into Olt Valley and Mures Valley,constituting there a mass of manoeuvre to strike the adversary.The offensive was supposed to be made in connection with the Russian troops which the Russian generalisim Alekseev engaged to send in elongation of the right Romanian wing,in Toplita-Praid region,replacing there the troops of the Northern Romanian Army.

The aim of the offensive was to push the Romanian-Russian line in Reghin-Sighisoara-Sibiu line ,for shortening the front at 75 Miles and fixing on to positions before the arrival of winter.General Iliescu,noticing the tendency of the enemy to attack and defeat one by one the Romanian armies,have send in help to the II-nd Romanian Army,gravely threatened ,the Divisions 21st and 22nd ,withdrew from Flaminda;at 6th of October they begun to disembark at Predeal and Cimpulung,train stations.In the same time,General Crainiceanu have received in the evening of 6th of October the order to suspend the retreat of the II-nd Army,the troops to return back from the way, and to assume the new fighting positions,from which to stop the advance of the enemy and to push the front of the II-nd Army on Persani Mountains,to connect to the right with the northern Army.For this,at the left,bits of Divisions 4th and 6th have to occupy the Brasov-Sinpetru front,covering Brasov with the artillery of the 21st Division,up to the heights over Risnov.In the center mthe 3rd Division has to occupy the front Simpetru-Olt.At the right,a brigade of the 6th Division was at Sfintu-gheorghe.The Romanian units,advancing to occupy the indicated sectors by the orders of operations,have found these occupied by the enemy ,which took them ahead.In this way the battle from Brasov -Field was biginning in the afternoon of 7th of October.


First day The South_western corner of Birsei Country,in Zarnesti region has constituted,in Brasov Battle a sector somehow isolated,by the principal theatre of the battle arround Brasov City itself.All day of 7th the fight has been tough in this sector.The troops of the 76th German Division ,pursuing the few units broken from the 4th Romanian Division after the defeat at Sinca,with the intention and hope to get their hands,by a daring hit,on Bran Pass(mountain pass) ,has found themselves stopped North of Birsa River.At the South of the river,Muncelu Hill which dominates Birsei Valley at the opening of the defile ,has been occupied by the firsts elements arrived from the aid Division ,the 22nd(General Aristide Razu),and this one has rose the moral of the Romanian troops,retreated from Sinca.The two adversaries were finding themselves,one side and the other of the Valley of Birsa River,rove through by the driveway and railway;the Germans to the North,Romanians to the South.

All day the Germans,from their position at Poiana Marului(Apple Clearing),bombard the Romanian lines ,then give in vain assaults;the Romanians counterattacks reject them back ,with heavy casualties ,in to the woods.The trials of veiling of the wings dose not succeed.German detachments are trying to go around the left wing of the Romanian position,through Zarnesti;the Romanians,though,elongate the front and the trial of the enemy fails.By evening,the Germans are trying the same manoeuvre,only this time by the right side of Romanians wing,with the aid of a lateral detachment which have descended from the mountains by Vulcan and attacks Risnov.The same countermanoeuvre from the part of Romanians,throws them back,from here,as well,by elongating the right wing it is established a continuous front with Brasov sector,namely.In the evening the situation is the same;the fight follows ferocious till 11 in the night,and the Germans have not been able to advance not one step in Zarnesti-Risnov sector.

At north,the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division ,coming finaly out from the defile of Tintaru,begins the advance in Birsei flat and occupies Codlea.The beautiful and rich village,which makes to the german war correspondents the impression of a village taken from Thuringia and transported to the foot of Carpathian Mountains ,it is again in the hands of the enemy.The poulation of Sasi(German minority) wellcomes the Germans with voices:the girls throw them flowers.

A death hate against Romanians masters the souls of these practical and well fed inhabitants of Birsei Country.Because they are,above all ,men of privileges .Ever since Andrei the II-nd ,King of Hungarians [23] has brought in the century XIII-th ,the Sasi, colonialists from the Rhine region of Germany,together with Teutons Cavalries,founder of the seven Burgs,and established them on the lands of Ilonti Wallachians,they have used to masteter undisturbed by anyone,all the riches of the beautiful Country.Codlea is the type of fluorishing village in which the contrast between the priviledged Sasi and greedy and the drifted and unclothed Romanian appears more evident than anywhere .To the Sasi belong the big and productive properties ,and the big forests,and fat meadows with beautiful herds.But up ,in ravines ,steeps and sockets,the poor Romanian village ,like a fatal foresight,are haired the houses more and more ,towards the valley.Soon the faith of neighbour Risnov,pecefuly conquerd by Romanians,will threaten the proud inhabitants of the village born around the fortress of Scwarzburg.Zeiden will become Codlea.,as Rosenau has been swallowed by Risnov.


That is why the Sasi girls are throwing flowers on the way of "liberating brothers" and give looks of despy,drunk with the joy of success,towards the village on the hill,where the tears are hidden and the fist tighten in silence.Will ring in a short while the clook of forever victory.Then the Sasi wil wear friendly grimaces towards the despiced Wallachian....etc.

In the afternoon,the Hungarian division occupies positions around Ghimbav,with a lateral detachment at Cristian,were it connects with German troops at Risnov.The troops being tired,are left there in the evening and night for rest.

The principal attack over Brasov has been given in the afternoon of the day by the 187th German Division.With a detachment which occupied on the left Sinpetru and harman,and with another detachment on the right,has reached the edge of Brasov.But the Romanian troops returned from full retreat,although tore with exhaust by the marching and countermarchings which they have been executing for a week,attack the Germans on the whole line.Violent fight go on late in the evening and through the night.At North troops of the 3rd Romanian Division seize Harman ,Sinpetru-which they evacuated in the morning of free will-and Sinpetru Hill(height 704meters) which dominates from the North Brasov Field,with an elongated peak.The German detachment,which occupyed them,is throwed beyond Ghimbaselului Water,over the railway which takes from Brasov to Feldioara through Bod.At South,troops of the 4th Romanian Division have met the troops of the German detachment Gundell in the Northern edge of Brasov,along the railway which unites the big train station of the city with the small one(Bartolomeu),in the edge of old Brasov.Furious fights are going all evening especially around the instalations from the train station and in the vecinity of the Infantry Barraks .All through the night there were shots and bayonet fights between adverse patrols,which stumbled upon eachother.the Germans have been stopped and they coud not advance not one step further;they have retrenched in the edge of the city;at their right wing,they set foot on Sprenghi Hill,near Bartolomeu train station.

By evening have arrived on the battle field the first detachments of the 21st Romanian Division;they have been intercalated between Divisions 3rd and 4th North of Brasov.In the same time ,in Bran region have also arrived elements of the 22nd Romanian Division ,forming up a mixed brigade ,which have occupyed the mountaineous region Bran-Predeal-Magura.On enemy part,Morgen Corps was arriving ,as well,in the fighting zone;the heads of columns of 89th German Division entered in the evening in Feldioara,as the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division started to descend from Baraolt towards South.

The day of 8th of October will be the decissive day of the great battle;it will meet face to face the totality of forces of the two adversaries.


Posted 7 April , 2009 

The second day

The day of sunday,8th of October,is forcasted as a splendid autumn day.Erly in the morning the fight is ironing from one extremity to the other of the large field of battle.

At the Southern wing ,in Zarnesti -Brasov,the 76th German DIvision retakes the attacks against the Romanian positions.This time,a strong heavy artillery bombards the position of Muscelu Hill.Behind the German Front,a new enemy unit begins to arrive;it is the 8th Austro-hungarian Alpine Brigade,brought from Isonzo Front;the brigade has a numerous mountain artillery.It sets to move ,in Zarnesti region,executing a large go around in the left flank of Romanians.The Romanians find themselves forced to leave the position,so fiercely defended;they have retreated to Bran,then on to the heights South of Bran.

The German Commander occupies Risnov thinking he has found here the key of victory.He wanted to repeat the clever manoeuvre which gave him the victory at Sibiu.A detachmet of two battalions ,with mountain artillery and machineguns ,has been send through the Valley Risnoavei,to go around Postavaru through South and to get out into the Valley of Timis,behind the Romanian Army,and cut this one the retreat posibility through the narrow and steep Defile.But the lesson of Sibiu ,has come in handy for the Romanians ;the Valley of Timis was now much more well guarded than it has been Olt River Valley.From the troops of the 21st Division ,disembarked in the eve in Predeal train station,have beeen send seven companies to guard the Valley of Risnoavei.They have discovered and attacked convergent the enemy detachment,which was repulsed with big casualties;one of the two battalions have been ,nearly ,completely destroied.The turning of the Romanian left flank did not work out for the enemy.

In the center of the field of battle ,the 51st Hungarian Division unfolds at Ghimbav and starts in at dawns to the assault of the positions West of Brasov.Sprenghi Hill,occupied in the eve by the Germans ,helps them as a support point.The defence of the Hill is made with ferocity by troops of the 21st Division.they have been withdrew from Danube River,where they took part at Flaminda Offensive,and transported by train to Predeal.Disembarked at Predeal,they walked all through the night and,arrived at Brasov,they have been send onto the hills of Brasov,to defend the strongholds in the city,helping the retreat and withdrawal from fight the tired troops and decimated of the II-nd Army.At 2nd of October they were at Rahova ,in Bulgaria;at 8th ,they fight onto Brasov hills.

The 21st Division dose not opearate as a compact unit;arrived in the middle of the fights,its troops are throwed into the fire ,pakage by pakage.In the morning,only two battalions of the 45th Regiment with artillery have taken part into the right side of the 4th Division,making the connection with the 3rd Division.ferocious fights are given in the afternoon of the day for mastering Stejeris (Warthe) Hill.The Hill dominates the city,going in like a feather between old Brasov and Schei,inhabited by Romanians;the possesion of the Hill secures the mastering of the city.The 61st Regiment fights with fury against the masses of the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division,which overwhelmes the Romanians from all sides.The stubbornes of Romanians cannot overcome the advance of the enemy.The Romanians retreat step by step,fighting with bayonet.The Hungarians dominate the city from the height of the Hill and installs machineguns on the slopes and streets of Secheiu,in which they begin to descend.


The heroic fight of Sinpetrului Field The decissive action was taking place in the North of the city,in the field between Brasov and Sinpetru Village.The Germans are retaking the offensive at the left wing of the 187th Division,with Simpetru direction,to gain the terrain lost in the preceeding evening .The 3rd Romanian Division,attacked between Bod and Sinpetru,withdraws a little her right wing.

At once,the German becomes ,from the attacker -attacked.Troops belonging to the 12th Brigade ,of the 6th Romanian Division,advance towards Harman in Bod direction,taking place at the right of the 3rd Romanian DIvision,sustained by artillery,attack the left flank of the 187th German Division,repulsing it back over the railway.The attack movement propagates in the whole lenght of the Romanian Front;the 3rd Division attacks with vigor the enemy.The attack of the 3rd Division dugs out the enemy from the positions on the Northern and Eastern mounds of Cetatii(to the Fortress) Hill,throwing him back.The fight spreads to the edge of Brasov.Gundell Detachment,which have nested there,and which fought all through the night,is taken out of its positions and repulsed.The Romanians are in progress on to the whole line;the enmy is repulsed alltogether over Ghimbaselu Water and over the railway towards Bod;the German infantry and artillery have felt losses.Two counterattacks given by the Germans are rejected,General Sunkel,Commander of the 187th German Division,is forced to appeal to the neighbour division,Hungarian,to gather all forces in Sinpetru region,where the situation is critical.

Towards midday,the Romanians attack ,over the German divisions lines, rises more and more ain power.The sector in which the fight takes place,is comprised between Brasov,at South,the metal road towards Harman at East,Bod at North and the water of Gimbaselu at West.The ax of the field of battle is formed by the railway and driveway which go together from Brasov towards Bod.In the right,towards Sinpetru and Harman are the Romanians,at the left,from Ghimbav through Stupini towards Bod,are the Germans.The German Commander has been able to gather behind his front an enormous mass of artillery of all calibers ,especially heavy artillery;there are also six pieces of 210 mm.A crushing duel begins between the Romanain troops ,souled by an extraordinary elan,but weakly sustained by a mediocre artillery and the formidable German arillery ,ahead of them.The German infantry is taking part ,a little,to the fight;this fight is given almost exclusivelly between Romanian Infantry and German Artillery.From the tower of the church in Codlea,and from the terras of the inn from Birsei bridge,in the intersection of the driveways with Birsa River,North of Stupini,the German hedquarters and the German war correspondents are watching the picture.


The aspect of the field of battle depicts,an impressive panorama of war.It is a splendid autumn day with sun.All around ,clouds of black smoke ,rove by toungues of fire ,make a dark decor to the tableau.Burns the petrol raffinery at Risnov ,burn the buildings and sheds of Brasov Train Station,the carriages on the rails, the factories in the vicinity of the Train Station.From South of Sinpetru with the direction towards Stupini and towards Steriu Villa,from the corn fields ,in large rows ,are Romanians hasteing to attack.There are infantry battalions ,unfolded on fronts of half a Mile.Behind them,other long columns of troops are going in search of their new fighting positions.Artillery batteries are brought in horses gallop near the infantry line ,to sustain it.The enemy infantry cannot face up the thundering attack;it is set to run away and leaves the fight.The Romanians are not able to pursue the defeated enemy,their artillery is too weak.And as much as it is ,completely disorganized by the powerful enemy artillery.Half of the cannons are out of service.And now the German artillery falls into the rows of Romanians a storm of metal and fire.The rows are breaking,thinned,but they are remade and the assault waves advance carelessly.Exclamations of surprise goes out from the moths of enemy chieftains which are looking at the scene.Then,shouts of admiration.With all the fury of the fight,the spectacle is so grandios in its dramatism,the Romanian heroism impose so much that,for a brief moment ,the fury of the enemy disappears,leaving room only to admiration of the pros:"The heavy artillery is executing a barrier firing range which,with a sinister precission breaks in the rows of Romanians.The line of attack is entangeled ,breaks ,hesitates.Retreats!No! The machineguns are filling thousands of times with death in their rows,but they gather ,attack again,dearing,brave.Bravo Romanian!The German knows to read heroism.But still,war is war!Faster are rorring the cannons,more lively sound the sheels over our heads to enemy.The grenades of mortiers explode now even in to the attack rows of the Romanians.clouds of smoke and smell of gunpwder rises allover to the sky.The firing range of the German artillery takes them now with power from all sides;the grenades seeding death,hit into the their rows .Then the assault stops,they throw themselves into the corn fields,stumble,fell.How many can escape unharmed beyond the mighty line?.Another two times,the Romanian ifantry starts to assault with an heroism worthy of admiration,both times in vain"

.

The enemy concentrates the attack in the Northern edge of Brasov and on the city itself;troops of the 4th and 21st Divisions loose more and more terrain;the 4th Division looses 8 cannons as well;the 3rd Division changes position ,makes the conversion towards left;she fights now facing South-East.Of the 12th Romanian Brigade ,only 11th Siret Regiment continues the fight with the right wing towards Bod;the 12th Cantemir Regiment runs towards left,crosses the empty field and uncovered ,between driveway Prejmer-Brasov and Simpetru-Brasov,swept by the fire bursts of the enemy artillery.A divizion of obusiere (shells) acompany it.The soldiers of the regiment,fighting in the left of the 3rd Division,get close to Brasov train station,reject the enemy ,adavnced to the edge of Brasov,and reconquer the lost cannons by the 4th Division.

Ferocious fights are going on in the city itself.The enemy descends the slopes of Stejeris Hill,advancing along Sechelu.The machineguns installed on the heights,hidden through attics and roofs of houses ,in churches towers,are spreading death in the rows of Romanian soldiers,which fight with fury,but have to retreat step by step.Towards evening ,which was not possible to be made by the straight fight ,,with all the extraordinary unfoding of artillery,manages to acomplish the manoeuvre of surrounding.Morgen Group arrives ,in the end,on the field of battle and falls in to the flank and behind the Northern Romanian wing.The 89th German Division,advancing from Feldioara through Bod,attacks North of Simpetru in flank the troops of 11th Siret Regiment ,as,behind,the avanguards of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division were arriving at Araci.Face to the veiling move of the enemy,the retreat of Romanians is imposed.The glorious phallanx of heroes ,have made their duty with plenty.

The 21st Regiment occupies the position of Dirste and covers the retreat of the rests of the 4th Division ,towards Predeal-Busteni.Divisions 3rd and 6th retreat through Valleys Tarlungului and Buzaului.The field in the edge of North of Brasov it is an old witness of Romanian bravery.More than three centuries ago,at 7th of July 1603,right at the edge of old Brasov,the Romanian Army,lead by Radu Serban Voievod crushed,to the last man,the Hungarian Army of Moise Szkely.The head of Moise,rambled in the spear head on the streets of Brasov,have then been nailed on the gates of Fagaras,as a sign of revenge for the murder of Mihai Viteazul(Mihai the Brave,first Voievod to unite Wallachia,Transilvania and Moldavia),which took place two years before.Eight years after this,in July 1611,Radu Serban beats again the proud Hungarian Army of Gabriel Bathory,between Sinpetru and Brasov,exactly on the same spot where,with 305 years later,the followers of warriors of Basarabu will rip the admiration of the enemy.

The Romanian blood of many generations have redden the land of Transilvania(Ardeal).


Death trench at Bartolomeu During the eforts made by the Germans to enter the city by the North-West part,it took place one of the most dramatic episodes of the war.All the visitators of Brasov know Bartolomeu Train Station,the small station of old Brasov-North West neighbourhood of the city-from which the train for Codlea is taken,Fagaras and Sibiu,for Risnov and Zarnesti and for the beautiful places for vacantion of Bran.From the end of the Long Street,near the old Church St. Bartolomeu.

At the right side of the station,a company of the 24th Tecuci Regiment had occupied the railway embankment,which has transformed it into an entrench ,defending the driveway in front and the street behind against the enemy attacks which were coming from the North,from Stupini,falling almost perpendicular on the railway.There were 168 men with a machinegun,stretched on a lenght of aproximatively 200 meters.The enemy kept to respect ,from distance could not close in all day of 7th and the next day 8th of October.In the fire of fighting ,completely absorbed of what was going on in front of them,the men did not realise that the left, had remained uncovered,that no friendly troop was defending them from this part.Enemy patrols discovered this weak spot.And a little after this,a German detachment with two machineguns sneaked in silence,into a ruined shed ,and abandoned of the train station,near the Romanian trench ,and set the machineguns on the windows of this one.The pipes of the machineguns had in front of them,at 5 meters the rows of Romanian shooters.Other enemy soldiers,with hand grenades took place behind the Romanians position.The Romanians did not feel a thing.The noise of the fighting and the darkness of the falling evening covered all the enemy preparations.At once,a short commnd.The machine guns start their sinister clicking.On the entrench a shout of fear.The men are are put to the ground like ear of wheat when harvested.The ones who manage to escape the unmerciful fires of machineguns are taken down by the grenades of those behind.Everything kept for two or three minutes.And the total silence of death went over the 168 dead bodies which covered the entrench."The dead company lays now in the ground of the road edge .Man near man sit now there as they have went down in the day of fight ,under the crushing fire of machineguns,with the expression of the formidable fear on their yellow wax faces and with the stretched hands as if they wanted to defend themselves by the missfortune which longed its claw towards them"The German correspondend ends the story of his impressions with the asumption:"Maybe even tomorrow it will be seen a wooden cross on this place ,with the inscription<<here rests a Romanian company>>.The foreign correspondent was half wrong.Not a poor cross of wood,timely and shy will hallow thy names of defeated and humiliated people,will be the sign of honoring the martyrs of German villainy.Because is villainy to kill a sourrounded troop which,after all laws of war,has to be taken prisoner.But the pious gratitude of a victorious people has made the trench of Bartolomeu one of the most impressives forever holly places of heroes.Between rows of flowers and well taken care paths ,an aligning of stone toombs and an imposant monument shows the passer by the place where has given up the soul and where rests forever,the bones of the company martired.In the same place with them have been set the remains of the heroes fallen of Simpetru Field.The martyr has not been in vain.It is the heavy price with which we bought back the land enslaved for centuries of our brothers.Souls of Mucenici(the 40 Martyrs) of the fallen soldiers at Simpetru and Bartolomeu will forever guard around Brasov,Romanian Brasov.


The fall of Brasov During the night ,Brasov is completely evacuated by the Romanian Army.General Crainiceanu is replaced at the Command of the II-nd Romanian Army by General Averescu,which in this way,comes again ahead of this army,with the mission to defend the Northern strongholds of the defiles.The General finds,though,the troops disorganized and demoralized,and the positions he must occupy are under the firing range of the heavy enemy artillery;he orders the retreat into the defiles ,on a line Giuvala-Postavaru-Piatra Mare-Buzau Valley .But the line cannot be maintained.Even in the morning of 9th of October,Falkenhayn sends his divisions in the pursiut of the Romanian troops,on all directions of their retreat.One column is advancing on Ghimbaselu Valley,with the intention to go around Postavaru;the heavy artillery bombards Predeal from Risnov.The Romanians have to continue their retreat towards the frontier positions.The arierguards bring to full stop the enemy.His frontal attacks ,as the surrounding attempts ,did not succeed.The assuming of Romanians ,of the frontier positions is made in good order.All that the German Generalisim can afford is the luxury of a triumphal enter in the evacuated city ,by the Romanians during the night.There are 40 days since the enterance of Romanians .And the history repeats itself,but with exchanged roles.The Hungarians and Sasi make"the liberators" of today the same triumphal wellcome,as the Romanians made at 29th of August to their brothers.But also the procedures are changed.The today liberators are the representatives of great nations;they want to prove to the barbarian enemy the superiority of their civilization.From all parts of the city screams of revenges are rising against the wallachian,whch had the nerve ,to be for 40 days master in his country.Under the shelter of the German soldier ,begins the vengeful acts."Already some wallachians hang at the gallows,others are taken between bayonets.".As-adds the German correspondent ,to underline more the distinction between the procedures of the civilised German and the barbarian Wallach-"at a street corner can be read a Romanian ordonance,which orders the bringing to death punishment,of those who steal things".

The German Generalisim is triumphant.He has to confess that he has not been able to surround and exterminate the Romanian Army.Because not so much the conquering of Brasov,neither the liberation of Ardeal(Transilvania) has not been the goal of the clever manoeuvres of the German Commander,but seizing the mountain passes,behind the fighters and capturing the II-nd Army.More than Olt Romanian Corps has been capable,the II-nd Army,thanks to the quick manoeuvres and of the heroism with which her troops fought ,has escaped from the surrounding circle of the enemy and will give him hell from the new and strong positions occupied in the mountains,on the ridges.

The Generalisim hides his envy,celebrating his triumph in a lying day order and impertinent.He affirms that"he defeated and exterminated the two enmy armies which were,each one,superior to his army!The shameful conqueror which enterd the heart of Transilvania,has been swept from our holly land".But in his recent memoires more objective and more sincere,he has to confess the deception for the poor tableau of prey :1175 prisoners and 25 cannons crushed."these figures did not correspond to my expectations;the delay of Morgen Corps intervention has caused it".Falkenhayn consolates with the ideea "of the bloody losses of the Romanians,which had to be extraordinarily big;our own losses ,without those of 187th Division and some units of the 76th Division(what happened with those?),was maintained within good limits.".The implacable enemy brings,whithout his intention,the most beautiful omage to the virtues of Romanian soldier.the Battle of Brasov,given under circumstances of tactical inferiority,numerical and especially technicaly,it is for our young army a glorious defeat.


10.The End of Ardeal(Transilvania) Campaign The retreat of the Northern Romanian Army

At 5th of October,the Austro-Hungarian General Arz noticed that he has in front of him only the Romanian arierguard.The bulk of the Northern Army have started in the previous night ,the retreat.Liberated by the pressuring Romanian offensive,which had tormented him for 36 days,the Austrian General breath now eased and starts,at once,against the Romanian arierguards ,a "victorious counteroffensive",on the whole line from Atid to Calimani!The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army was made,at this epoch,of three army corpses.At the right wing ,the VI-th Corps(Fabini),made out of Divisions 39th and 61st,gathered in Odorhei region,have started the pursiut of the troops of 7th Romanian Division,through Cicuiu region,in Uz and Ghimes direction.The Husar Brigade de Landstrum-Colonel Csecsi-preceeds the Austro-hungarian Corps.On the Romanian part,the retreat of the 7th Division was covered by ,towards South,the 2nd Cavalry Division,which was making the connection with the II-nd Romanian Army.At Petcu,the Division had to re trench and keep the resistance,in a very difficult region ,having as line of communication a road through the defile,until it has flowed ,North of it,the 7th Division.By the retreat of the II-nd Army and of the northern Army in divergent directions,the connection between them is,thus ,broken.The Cavalry Division,attached now to the Northern Army,has continued a hard retreat in direction Tirgu-Secuiesc-Oituz Pass.

At the center of Arz Army,the XXI-th Corps ,Austro-Hungarian-Lutgendorff-constituted of Divissions 72nd and 37th,has begun the advance on to the tracks of the 14th Romanian Division,along Valleys of Gurghiu and Mures River,in direction Bicaz and Tulghes-Prisacani.The retreat of the 14th RomanianDIvision was made in complete order,step by step,covering the retreat of the bulk of the 8th Romanian Division.The troops of the XXI-th Austro-Hungarian Corps,meet with great difficulties,the advance being permitted to it by the measure with which the Romanians evacuated the localities.More to the North,the XI-th Austro-Hungarian Corps, the left wing of Arz Army,stopping in Calimani region,was making the connection with the VII-th Austro-German Army.The change of the Romanian campaign plan ,and the ideea of retaking offensive in Transilvania ,after Flaminda,have stopped for a moment the troops of the Northern Army on to the heights West of the superior valleys of Olt River and Mures River.The Russian offensive,which was supposed to be produced on the same time ,have not given any result whatsoever,,and the Brasov Battle ended in total failure,swallowing ,in the same time,a part of the forces counted for the offensive action.The Romanian Army ,Norther,isolated ,pursiued and attacked strong by Arz Army,cannot maintain on the planned line,but has to start retreat,crossing the valleys of Olt River and Mures River,towards East.Miercurea Ciuc is evacuated at 9th of october .the Romanian troops are following the retreat along valleys Tulghes ,Bicaz and Trotus,to occupy the passes in Moldavian Carpathian Mountains.

Falkenhayn,which has taken now,as we know,also the Command of Ist Austro-Hungarian Army,has set to take all the possible uses from this retreat,so well comed. He orders Arz to attack and harras the Romanian troops in retreat and to try to close the way ,to these,towards Ghimes and Oituz,seizing the mountain passes.For this purpose,he puts to Arz dispozition,one by one,the 1st Austro-hungarian cavalry Division of Schmettow Corps,then the 3rd German Cavalry Division of the same Corps,and finally,the 71st Austro-hungarian Infantry Division.

The trials of von Arz to veil the Southern wing of the Norther Army,in direction Palos-Homorod-baraolt,are futile.The Romanian retreat is made in excelent conditions and the nemy blows only in the air.That is why,the enemy cavalry is happy only to flank the ROmanian Army in retreat,to obstacle it to send aids towards South,towards the II-nd Army,engaged in heavy fight at Brasov.At the Romanian left wing ,the 2nd Cavalry Division retreats in direction Oituz valley.The enemy thinks he has discovered here the weak part of the Romanian dispozitive .He forms,thus,a strong group of an infantry division and two cavalry ones,which then throws onto the tracks of Romanian cavalry,to seize the pass.An important strategig goal is given to this army.But the thing will not go easy here ,either.The guarding of Oituz Pass has been given to a brave troop.You shall not pass.


Causes of Ardeal defeat

The Romanian campaign in Ardeal was over;it went on ,for 40 days.It has started in the last days of August,with the crossing of Carpathian Mountains ,in the delirant enthusiasm of the nation and ended in the first week of October,with the painful march of retreat of the Romanian troops over the same ridges of Carpathians,which become now,the barrier that had to defend the Kingdom from the enemy conquest.

The Romanian Offensive in Ardeal,the most important part of the war plan ,has been paralized from the beginning by the counterstrike received on the Southern Front.The defending of Dobrogea and the trial of Flaminda ,have summoned there,not only the general reserves ,but even units of first line,indispensable for the offensive in Ardeal.Weakened ,this army had to slow her pace,to diminish her action,to advance-as Ludendorff says-with steps of snail.So ,before touching the line of Mures River,first objective of our offensive,the enemy has gathered the available forces ,organized an offensive army and started the strikes.The Battle of Sibiu has been the first,and has been decissive.The initiative has passed into the hand of the enemy,in Ardeal as in Dobrogea.The retaking of the offensive in Ardeal has been decided when the situation was already compromised.It could not overcome the throwing of the Romanian armies,back,towards the mountains.

A moment of recollection is imposed ,thus,to resume and realize the circumstances which caused this crisis.

Our defeat in Ardeal is explicable by a complex of circumstances of psichologicaly and military order.Our Commandment,not used with the hardships of the war on two fronts,with a strong and experienced enemy,has been faced with,from the first moments,an extraordinary test.The first defeats in Southern Dobrogea,brought unrest in the spirits.The unexpected blows received at Turtucaia,Bazargic and in Southern Dobrogea,has affected taking countermeasures ,to barrier the menace from this part.The strong forces send to Dobrogea and at the Danube River has reestablished here the equilibrium between the two adversary armies.The front has been fixed and it has started to be counted on some sort of numerical superiority,which permitted to us,even to take up the offensive,South.

But the preocupation for the Southern Front,made our Commanders to deviate,slowly, from the initial plan of campaign.Seven divisions have been taken from the operation army in Ardeal,from the reserve of this one and from the general reserve,to be transported in Dobrogea and at Danube,with the intention of an offensive.Soon,though,after this under the pressure of the events from Ardeal,six of these division have been again retaken from the Southern Front and send to the Northern Front.With this face,these divisions have been missing in Ardeal in decissive moments,when Falkenhayn was giving here the big strikes .It is obvious,that the oscillations produced in the actions of our armies proove to some extent , indecissiveness and lack of cold blood.However painful were the blows received on the Southern Front ,it must have not been lost of sight ,the fact that this one was only a Secondary Front.On this premises has been made our campaign plan,in the first place.The strenghtening of the Southern Front had to have a purely defensive role.The principal action had to be continued ,further in Ardeal and,for realising the strategical objective pursued here-occupying the line Mures RIver and turning the Austro-Hungarian positions of the Northern Carpathians.-nothing had to be taken from the indispensable forces for this action.Not taking into account this fact,the Romanian armies from Ardeal have been weakened and their offensive power considerably diminished,just when the enemy prepeared its strikes.Even the moral courage of these troops was diminishing ,as the thin line of the fighting front,lacking depth,was going away from the operational base.From here,the hesitation,slowlyness,paralising of our movements,which let the enemy,slowly to go ahead us.

Not only that,but between the Romanian groups which operated in Ardeal,did not exist that unity of Command,that cohesion which makes the power of an army.This permitted to the German Commandment to attack,one by one ,our armies and beat them,without its neighbour amies to intervene.The II-nd Army did not intervene in time to help the Olt Corps ,in peril,and the Northen Army could not jump in the aid of the II-nd Army.At the enemy,this cohesion was perfectly ensured.The German units and the Austro-Hungarian ones,from Orsova to Dorna,were tightly grasped in the hand of the supreme commander,which dislocated them or regrouped them,function of the target he was after .So ,in this way the enemy,inferior numericaly to us,managed to have in the point where he was striking,superior forces,detaining our other forces by small secondary actions.The failures suffered by the enemy in such actions ,like the one at Porumbacu,at Barcut and on the whole front of the Northern Army didn't impress the seel nerves of the German Commandment,did not make him away not for one moment from the established plan,and to spread its forces.The history of the Great War show us episodes in which an abil and dearin Commander,knows how to exploit the lack of cohesion of the adverse armies.In the autumn of 1914 Hindenburg attacks and defeats ,one after the other the two Russian armies ,which have invaded Oriental Prusia .At tannenberg,the Army of Narewu,Commanded by Samsonov,it is the first one to be attacked ,surrounded and destroyed,without Nimen Army commanded by Rennenkampf,which was at 38 Miles distance,to intervene.One week later ,Rennenkampf is attacked and defeated ,in its turn.

Our young army was starting to learn the school of war ,in fight, with the most clever and experimented masters.In this way,the oscillation of thoughts and impressionability of the Romanian Commanders was showing the effects.As the Romanian divisions were in the train,transported from North ,South and then,South,North the strikes were flowing over our weakened army from Ardeal.Sibiu,Sinca,Brasov are the three stages of our defeat.the evacuation of Ardeal follow fataly. And the dream of liberating Ardeal, seesawed by secular longings,made for a brief moment,has suddenly broken .The awakening had been painful.Drifted from the holly land,were we have entered as liberators,we were pursued by a furious enemy,which was growing its powers.The storm came now threatening to the gates of our house.


Strange Russian conceptions.

The advices of General Alekseev

In the wake of evacuation of Ardeal,we were pushed on to the frontier line.It was not about liberating now the enslaved provinces ;it was about defending with the last of energies ,the Carpathians barrier,to escape the rest of the territory by enemy invasion,by war horrors,plunders ,violence and humiliation.Tragic turning of things!

Energic and fast measures were thus imposed.The first thought was to the allies help.In our imediate vecinity was the powerful Russian ally,with his neverending resources of men and material.The inaction of the Russians was not to be understood,in the first epoch of the war,when suspicion did not started to grow in our souls,yet.It could not be comprehended the slowlyness with which the Russians were working for a cause which identified with theirs.As in Dobrogea and at the Danube River,the involvement of the Russian Army was so weak,as we were forced to send there one third of our army,imobilising her on a secondary front,as importance,on the Norther Front ,the Russian army did not haste at all to profit by the crated situation of our entering in the war.Instead of sending important forces through the Moldavian Northern Passes ,opened up by Romanians,to turn the right Austrian flank,the Russian stubborned to give to this army frontal attacks ,moistured and sterile.From this cause,the right of the Romanian Army of North,was as even obstacled in her advance ,and forced to hang on to the left flank of the Russian Army,in Calimani Mountains.

The Government and the Romanian Commandment have addressed then,to the Big Russian Headquarter,asking for a more vigorous participation of the Russian Army at the action on our fronts.It would have wheeled a concentration of the Romanian Army with the aim,firstly ,of a better defence and then of an offensive.General Alekseev,the Chief of the Great Russian Staff ,answers by a long telegram which brings to the light, over the sentiments and intentions of the Russians politicians and military chiefs,towards us.


In his telegram,4th of October,General Alekseev propose the abandoning of Oltenia and Western Muntenia and retreat on a defensive line, which would go from Dorna through Miercurea Ciuc and Brasov towards Bucuresti and so forth,along Danube River towards Constanta.This sacrifice of territory of the Kingdom,with the voluntary abandoning of the two objectives purued by the enemy-the Wheat Area(also known as the Wheat of Europe) of Muntenia(Wallachia) and Danube River Harbours-when the battles of Sinca and Brasov ,have not yet taken place,when the situation did not appear so grave,as to straighting up of the situation to not be bossible in other way,must have been acompanied by the necessary destroys.Alekseev consiliates strongly as to how the grouping of the Romanian Army to be made,for defending of this line :the strongest mass(200 battalions) must be concentrated in the region between Miercura Ciuc and Brasov,to obstacle the runthrough of the enemy at Ghimes-Oituz in the Kingdom and turning of the left Russian flank;a second mass,concentrated in Northern Dobrogea,would have to obstacle the runthrough(entering) of the enemy on direction Galati-Reni.About this grouping,Alekseev takes upon himself the task of strenghtening the left wing of the Russian Army in region Toplita-Praid,with two army corpses,to give strikes to the enemy towards Bistrita and Sasi Reghin(Reghinu Sasesc) and to tempt there ,its forces.

These Russian troops would replace the Northern Romanian Army,which could withdraw to occupy positions to the South.

Alekseev telegram is revealing:it makes the test of the strange conception the Russians were making about the colaboration of the two armies.Romania and the Romanian Army did not exist and it does not add to the count,only when they were necessary for the protection of the Russian Army.If this goal,when it was the single preocupation of the Russian Commander,was obtained easily with the sacrificeing and ruin of Romania,this didi not emotion at all the Russian Government and Commandment.Maybe ,on the contrary,as the ulterior unfolding of the events will show.The retreating line proposed by Alekseev represented,still,a concesion made by the Russian Commandment to the puplic Romanian feelings,which could not bear to be proposed to abandon the capital of Romania(Bucharest or Bucuresti),because the ideal Russian defence line was Moldavian Carpathians line,in elongation with valleys of Trotus River,Siret River and Danube River,to the Black Sea.This has been the fixed ideea which obsessed the Russians during the whole 1916* campaign;any patch of territory beyond this line ,which alone answered the needs of defence of the Russian Front,was an occasion of entanglement ,of weakness and wasting of their forces.Not even the promissed aid in the region of Suceava Mountains and of Neamt was not given,although it served the strategical situation of the Russians,as much as,as little,the Romanian one.That is why,few days later,General Prezan,unsustained by Russians,has to retreat on the line of frontier,leaving without fight the whole conquered territory at the left Russian wing.

The Romanian Commandment thought that it could follow the advices well intended of the Russian General.The Kingdom terrain could not be considered as manoeuvre terrain and left as prey to the destroing plough of the enemy armies and its ally.All that have become available ,in the wake of giving up the offensive in the South,have been send to the perilled points of the Carpathians barrier at Bran,at Predeal and at Oituz,to strenghten or replace the weakened divisions,by weeks of hevy fightsA Romanian comunique released at1/14 October,showed the final calculus of the operatons at the end of the Ardeal Campaign.The total of taken prisoners,by the Romanian troops on all fronts,and interned in the camps in the Kingdom,was of 103 officers and almost 15 000 men of troops[24].


[1]Landstrum-militia,reserve of territorial army

[2]Battle on the Oriental Theatre of the Great War,in Oriental Prusia,at which Germa troops took part and Russians(26th-30th of August 1914).The Zar's Army suffered a great defeat.It is the first big victory of the War obtained by by Feldmarshal Paul von Hindemburg

[3]On France War Theatre.Mountaineous region in Eastern France,at the frontier with Germany,where on the course of the Great War have been given heavy battles.

[4]Kossuth Lajos(1802-1894),Maghiar(Hungarian) politician,the leader of the 1848 Maghiar Revolution.

[5]Stefan The Saint,King of Hungary(997-1083), Arpadian Dinasty.

[6]On Isonzo,on the Italian Theater of Operations,where between Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies ,have been give a long stream of battles,in 1915-1918.At 13th of March 1916 it started the fifth Battle of Isonzo,as a result of general offensive of the Italian troops.

[7]Battle of Selimbar,18/28 October 1599

[8]On the Oriental Theatre of War,on the Russian-Austro-Hungarian Front.Referring to the Austro-Hungarian desaster provoked by Brusilov Offensive.

[9]Lecitzky-talentated General from Zar's Army,which acted on the South-West Russian Front.

[10]Helmuth von Moltke(1848-1916) the nephew of the brilliant Prusian General Helmuth von Moltke from the epoch of wars for uniting of Germania,German General,Chief of the Great Staff,General of Wilhelmian Reich(1906-1914)

[11]About replacing of E. von Falkenhayn with P.von Hindemburg-seconded by Ludendorff

[12]Battle of Canae between Romans and Cartaginers(216B.C.),model of military art which aims and realizes the surrounding and crushing of the adversary

[13] Sedan Battle(1-2 September 1870) between French and Prusian -German armies;French Army lead by King Napoleon the IIIrd has been forced to capitulate.The Prusian-German Army was Commanded by Prusian General Helmuth von Moltke

[14]Helmut von Moltke(1800-1891),Feldmarshal,briliant Prusian Strategist

[15]Alfred von Schlieffen(1833-1914) German Feldmarshal,the author of German stretegic plan,applyed in 1914

[16]Fort Souville constituted a base element of the French system of fortifications at Verdun.At 11th of July 1916 took place the last German action at Verdun ,especially in Souville sector ,ended in a bloody failure.

[17]At 24th of October,the Italian Front has been broken at Caporetto by Austro-Germans.The attack spear was the Bavarian Alpine Corps,which had a brilliant success.The Italian Army had known a desaster of big proportions,beeing forced to retreat in disband.Still,although Italy was wagged,almost to collapse,she has found the resources to come back,block the Austro-Hungarian Offensive on Piave and continued the war.

[18]On the Italian Front;in May 1917 in this sector as in Gorizia,have been heavy fights(at some of the operations there were also French troops,taking part)

[19]Light Cavalry,in French Language

[20]At 19th of August/1st of September had taken place Turtucaia Battle-South of Danube River-which the Romanians have lost in front of the Bulgaro-Germans armies

[21]On French War Theatre.At 3rd of September 1916 have taken place a general attack of the French-British allies on the Somme Front,from Ancre to Chilly

[22]On the Russian-Austro-German Front.

[23]Andrei the II-nd of Hungary of Arpadian Dinasty

[24]Pretaining to the Romanian Army campaign in Transilvania etc.

Also,

[151]C.M.Karoly(1875-1955),Hungarian politician

[152] Hindenburg und Beckendorff,Paul von-(1847-1934),German feldmarshal(1914) Chief of the High Commandment of the army starting in August 1916,President of the Republic between wars.At the beginning of the War he Commanded German armies on Oriental Front,against Russia,obtaining tactical resounding victories."The Brain" ,strategical and tactical of the German Army of East,and from 1916,on whole fronts was ,though,Erich Ludendorff.In the high political circles and military ones of Germany,the old Feldmarshal Hindenburg was ,most of the times,considered "a respected zero"

[153]Erich Ludendorff(1865-1937),German General and politician,author of works-including memoirs-pertaining WW1,in which he played a proeminent role...etc

[154]Charles M. Mangin(1866-1925),French General,the initiator of military reforms in France antebelic

[155]Douaumont-Fort of the system of fortifications at Verdun.It has been reconquered by the French at 24th of October 1916 razu

Posted 4 April , 2009 .... from Constantin Kiritescu ,1921, translated by Andrei- Radu Georgescu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:3C04:DF70:B449:1767 (talk) 22:13, 15 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:3C04:DF70:B449:1767 (talk) 22:32, 15 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:399E:3876:89E:5809 (talk) 08:01, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

Categories: B-Class Romania articles2003:CF:BF29:86E1:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 20:07, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86E1:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 20:43, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 20:38, 17 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians

Chapter III

1.The Germans Prepare the Invasion of Romania

Northern front crisis

The Romanian offensive over Carpathian Mountains has been the prologue of the War .The enemy has answered with the maneuver in Dobrogea .Its success had as effect the weakening of the Romanian action in Transilvania .Taking advantage of the new situation created ,the enemy has taken a powerful counteroffensive on the Northern Front, rejected the Romanian Army which invaded Transilvania and threw it into the Carpathian Mountains .It was obvious that this was only a first stage of the German campaign plan ,after which it had to follow the second one: the trial of the enemy to breakthrough the Carpathians barrier and occupy Romania.

The experience of the war until now ,has proven to the Great Romanian Commandment ,the misfortunes of our Army and showed the path to follow. The great peril was in the Carpathian Mountains .In Dobrogea ,the front has been somewhat stabilized; although the Romanian counteroffensive failed ,it did not seem probable a great threat from this part. What had to be conjured with any price was the eminent attack from the direction of the mountains. All the efforts of the Romanian Commandment will tend to ,strengthening of the resistance until the arriving of the winter .The big snows ,which will fall on the mountains ,will stop the operations .The interruption caused by the winter will give us the needed time for tending to our wounds and learn the war. It will be possible to select commandments ,there will be brought cannons ,machineguns ,airplanes ,the whole equipment which was missing and set us to inferiority ,there will be prepared men from deposits ,preparing a new army ,with another spirit and another value.

The difficult times , which we were living ,were tormenting the spirits. There were systems accused ,persons were found guilty, solutions were being proposed. Out of the initiative of the King, it has been held at the Royal Palace, at 10th of October ,a Council of ministers at which participated also the chiefs of the opposing parties ,with the purpose of a national government. The trial did not reach any result ,because some of the ones consulted have declared that they cannot assume the responsibility of a situation which they did not created. The chiefs of the parties in opposition have, however, asked for the replacement of General Iliescu from the real Command of the Army, by General Averescu, maybe even General Culcer. The idea was sided such that ,not to be going on the road of political Generals.

The attention focused over the organization of the defense of the Mountainous Frontier. There were 500 Miles to be defended ,with a heavy trialed army. The I-st Army was greatly exhausted in the wake of the fights at Jiu and of the defeat at Sibiu; the II-nd Army almost completely disorganized; the IV-th Army was the best kept ,as physical and moral strenght ,but has remained isolated.The Sector Oituz-Buzau, held between the armies II-nd and Northern, was empty, unoccupied by any troops ;it has thus become the most vulnerable point from the whole dispositive of the frontier defence, uncovering thus the internal wings of the two armies. The situation was more grave ,as wee did not had strategical reserves .Broken in one point of the front ,wee did not had with what to fill this empty space These two questions primed in front of all the others: filling the empty space in region Oituz-Buzau and forming up a Strategical Reserve .And for finding the necessary forces ,the question of the Russian aid imposed as a necessity without question. General Alekseev communicated at 11th of October to the Great Romanian Headquarter that, after his informations, the Germans are planning a run-through action in Galati direction. Considering the Oriental Front as unique ,he decided to sent significant aids to the North of Moldavia ,to conjure the danger of turning of the right flank ,Russian.At 17th of October ,the Russian Generalisim returns ,saying that he decided the sending of Four Army Corps in region Falticeni-Piatra-Roman, for to enterprise a Russian offensive towards Bistrita, conform with the military convention with Romania at our entering in the War. Late decission ,which the events happened till now made it almost inutile! Because will now be able the Romanian troops ,exhausted already, demoralized ,to make the huge forcing of crossing again the Carpathians ?In any case the arriving of the Russian aids will have the effect of permitting us to take out from the Carpathian Front of the two Divisions of Northern Moldavia ,the 14th and 8th ,to form up the Strategic Reserve ,so much indispensable. Until the arriving of the Russian aid, which will not happen before 15-20 days , Alekseev asks to the Romanian Commandment to hold well the Front. The hope of this resistance is based on to the Northern Army, the one scratched the least ,and with the most rose up moral ,of them all, Romanian armies .

For filling the gap between Oituz and Buzau, it is lifted from Dobrogea the 15th Division ,it is send the 7th Mixt Brigade ,Colonel Sturza and is constituted ,behind the Northern Army, in the region Bacau-Ti argu Ocna ,a mobile reseve, made out of the 8th Division, which is taken out of the Front.The II-nd Army will alaso be consolidated by the 12th Division from Dobrogea and the 16th Division at the Danube River.

In foreseeing of any eventualities ,the Great Headquarter disposed the evacuation of the sedentary parts of Oltenia and Muntenia toward Moldavia,as well as beginning the military evacuation of Bucharests.


General Berthelot and the creation of strategic reserves

General Berthelot, the Chief of the French Mission, has arrived at 16th of October .In the atmosphere of moral depression, provoked by the defeats of the Army and of the dark perspectives of the future ,the arriving of the eminent soldier of France was bringing a reinvigorating ray of sun. Receiving him in Peris Train Station ,Bratianu(Romanian Prime minister) saluted him with these words:"Welcome Sir General. I salute in your eminence the Chief of Staff of Romanian Army,if you accept it".

Out of delicacy, Berthelot has declined this offer, keeping the role of military adviser ,which has been given to him from the beginning.

Being acquainted with the situation of the Fronts, the Chief of the French Mission has presented to King Ferdinand ,after few days ,a plan of action ,in which it was foreseen ,firstly throwing out of the enemy from the Kingdom and and secondly ,to ensure the mastering of the Carpathian Mountain Passes .After this it will follow ,the passing to offensive ,with the concur of the Russians ,to push the II-nd Romanian Army and Northern Romanian Army on the line Olt-Homorod-Superior Mures ,and form up ,then, strong reserves in Barsei Country. Bertherlot thinks also necessary to be started a great offensive against Bulgarians ,with the help of a powerful mass of Russian troops ,which will become available by the arriving of winter and interruption of operations on the Russian Front. In any case, the Fernch General insists that the chief of preoccupations of the Romanian Commandment may not be other than forming up a strong Strategic Reserve ,by taking out from the fronts of several divisions .All the plans which are elaborated are function of our resistance ,until the arriving of long expected Russian reinforcements. But this Russian aid was problematic .General Berhelot ,passing towards Romania on his way ,had a meeting with Russian Primeminister Sturmer and with General Alekseev. Both saw with bad eyes the French Mission and her role in Romania. Alekseev did not want to know anything about an offensive in Bulgaria; his all preoccupation was to obtain war material from the Allies. As about Romania, Alekseev,in a very bad disposition, answered to General Berthelot :"As Romania keeps on having you, to bee in good luck; But make Romanians understand that Romania is not defended in Carpathians ,but on Siret River!"In other words ,in the time when Romanians were defending with vigor in Carpathian Mountains passes ,the Russian Generalisim advice the retreat and abandoning of the greatest and richest parts of the Kingdom, together with its capital city(Bucharest).

General Berthelot has seen things just .The organizing of resistance to defend the passes was made heavily by the fact that the entire Romanian military Commandments have engaged on to the fighting fronts the totality of the Romanian Army.The urgent necessity was forming up of reserves behind the front ,by taking units from the armies on the Front.But taking out troops in the middle of the fights ,and from units already weakened ,was a very delicate operation. Still,it was very necessary and reclaimed time, forcing and the good heart of the Russians.

Will we be able to maintain this resistance? This was the unrestingly question, which tormented the souls of the Commanders and Chiefs of the Kingdom. Because in this time ,the enemy was in full offensive ;he was attacking on the whole line of the Front ,with strength ,not giving the slightest moment to breath ,and this was the proof of his decisiveness to exploit the tactical advantages ,given by until now victories ,to destroy us and end as soon a possible the campaign ,with a resounding success.


The Romanian front becomes the principal front of the European War

Romanians had all the rights to be concerned by the turning that the War has taken.The Big German Hedquarter decided an offensive in great style against Romania.Germania had absolute need of the Romanian wheat and petrol,to be able to go on living and to continue the War.The enemy felt here easy prey and rich and was focusing in this part all its attention and efforts.The Campaign against Romania was looked now as rentable enterprise ;the expedition of punishment (Straffexpedition) was becoming a campaign of prey(Beutefeldzung).There was also for the Germans the need to shorten their fighting front ,which Romanians felt ,as well.The defense of the Line of Carpathians and of the Danube River ,making a Front which strapped Romania on a length of 750 Miles was a strategic impossibility .It mobilized numerous troops ,which were reclaimed by the decisive fights on the other fronts. It was thus indispensable to to replace the long and sinuous Line of the Political Frontiers of Romania, by a short natural Line.T his could have been ,for the time being, the Line of Siret River or of Prut River. The Mountain Passes has ,thus to be forced and Romania occupied before the winter -which was closing in-to make difficult and obstacle the operations.

The relative calm which dominated the whole European Fronts gave the Germans the possibility to focus over Romania.

On the Western Front ,the big actions ceased; there were only small offensives with limited objective ,without veleities of breaking of fronts. The Italians have obtained the victory of Gorizia[1],after which, then,the fights entered a period of stagnation .The same was on the Russian Front ,after the last bloody convulsion ,which ended with the failure from Kovel[2].Operations in Macedonia had a local character ,at the left wing, around Monastirului ;the Army of General Sarrail was not capable of an offensive in great style to threaten the enemy front ,so that it wouldn't incommode with this face the Romanian one .Not being seriously threatened nowhere, the enemy was in the situation to be able to draw considerable forces from all fronts ,to send them against Romania. The Romanian Front was becoming ,at this epoch, the principal front of the Great European War.

...........


The German operation plan

The strategic plan conceived by the German Staff,resulted from the geographical configuration of our Kingdom:the first glance over the map ,imposed it .Muntenia was making a big prominence towards West, giving an unfolding of frontier of almost 500 Miles.It was strangled between Carpathians and Danube ,like a stretch of land of 219 Miles in length and 63 Miles wide. The operation necessary to obtain the shortening of the Front ,was by cutting of this proeminence .An action started by Falkenhayn at North and by Mackensen at South ,was imposed as the most elementary strategic operation.

Choosing the region were it had to be operated the cutting of Muntenia ,have given the occasion of discussions in the Big German Headquarter.It was obvious that, as much as it would have been done towards East, the cutting, the more advantageous it would have been ,because it would have isolated a bigger surface of land in West ,separating in this way the Romanians by the Russians and making prisoner the Romanian Army, cut in this way by the supporting base. hat is why, the first plan conceived by the Big German Headquarter ,was the most daring one.The Group of Armies in Transilvania had to enter by Southern Carpathians of Moldavia on the line of Siret River ,to shake hand with Mackensen which,on his part ,had to cross the Danube River in Dobrogea at Galati.The final result of this daring operation would have been the destroying of the principal part of the Romanian Army from Muntenia and taking in mastering ,at once,of all its rich territory .This plan"so beautiful" as Ludendorff names it, seemed to the Big Hedquarter , too risky;it was even inexecutable at that epoch ,because the Romanian -Russian Front from Dobrogea was maintaining intact on the line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla.That is why,it has been abandoned" with regret" .It has been agreed over another plan ,of which disposition were communicated by Hindemburg to General Falkenhayn ,even in the day of 8th of October ,in the decisive day of the Battle of Brasov. This strategic plan was made out of three opeations: the first operation was exploiting as fast as possible the success in Transilvania ,to obstacle the arriving of the Russian reinforcements .A strong troop had to occupy the Passes in Southern Moldavia.This troop ,made out of Infantry and Cavalry ,belonging to the IX-th German Army ,was to touch in the shortest time possible Tirgu-Ocna ,then to advance in Moldavia with direction South-East ,along Valleys of Trotus River and Siret River ,destroying the communication lines and the telegraph. The second operation was to be executed in the same time .Under the protection of the fallanguard in Trotus River Valley,the mass of the IX-th Army was to open up the road over the mountains ,towards Bucharest ,on the shortest way, such "that the whole Western territory of Muntenia to be cut as by a knife."

If this operation succeeded ,was to begin the third stage .Mackensen was supposed to cross the Danube River in a point which had to be determined by circumstances ,to shake hand with Falkenhayn,and complete the Romanian desastre.

A new separation of the enemy troops begins.The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army was taken from under the orders of Falkenhayn, which remained only Commander of the IX-th German Army.The two armies ,together with the VII-th Army (von Koevess), in Bucovina Carpathian Mountains ,and with the III-rd Army(von Bonthrrer) from Southern Galitia,have been united in a Group of Armies under the Command of Archduke inheritor of Austria ,Carol of Habsburg. For the purpose of the offensive ,which had to begin ,the Big German Headquarter has set to Falkenhayn disposition new units and namely: four Bavarian Divisions ,two Alpine Brigades Austro-Hungarian and two Cavalry Divisions. Of the four Bavarian Division ,two hasve been assigned under Command of von Arz Army,remaining the other two ,to the IX-th German Army. These measures have scored a mark ,on the surface of the ego of the German Generalisim(Falkenhayn) and determined a state of permanent tension between him and the Commander of the Group,to which he was subordinated.


The attack of the Mountain Passes will be given by surprise

In the evening of 9th of October Falkenhayn gave the order for attacking the mountain passes .The operation has to be executed by surprise. Without giving a minute rest to Romanian troops which were retreating ,the enemy wanted to stalk them ,and taking advantage of the desorganization in which he thought they find themselves,-like any army in retreat-to attack them,to obstacle them of establishing on positions on the mountainous ridges ,and to cross the frontier in the same time with them Consecvent to the dispositions of the Big German Headquarter ,and to his own thoughts the principal attack will be given in the direction of the Mountain Passes which open the shortest way towards Bucharest:Bran ,Predeal,Bratocea,Buzau.In the same time there were also attacked all the other mountain passes .Falkenhayn was expecting important results especially from the operations in Olt Valley.

The German General looks to ,as a mistake ,the ordered action against Oituz.It takes forces from him ,which would have been more utile in the decisive attack ,and cannot see the use of an attack in a excentric direction ,which separates him by a mountaineous region of over 63 Miles wide.But an order is order it has to be executed .Especially that the Austrian Commandment of the Group of Armies of Archduke Carol had his visions ,entirely different of those of Falkenhayn, pretaining the importance of the Moldavian Front.So as Falkenhayn was making preparations for forcing the Passes of Muntenia(the mountain passes),von Arz was making ,on his part, preparations for forcing of the Moldavian Mountains .At 12th of October ,the offensive for crossing the mountains by surprise was unleashed along the entire frontier. The Great Battle of the Passes has begun.


Posted 11 May , 2009 A little military geography

Defending the Carpathians was made in conditions of great strategic inferiority,for us.All the advantages drew from the geographical form of the Romanian frontier ,have passed on the enemy side;all the disadvantages were now on the Romanian side.The enemy was finding himself now inside the Carpathians Arch,enjoying the advantage of manoeuvre on interior lines.Three railways ,streching like cords of the arch ,one along the Olt Valley, another one along in Tarnavei Valley and the third one in Mures Valley,were making direct lines of communication ,which permitted quick movement of troops from one point to the other of the Carpathian Front.Another line was going parallel with the Mountains of Moldavia ,at 19-25 Miles distance from the frontier.

The Romanians were on the exterior line of the Carpathians Arch,having at disposition only one railway ,with a trajectory made out of zigzags ,which was increasing the distance between the points of the frontier ,at fantastic figures .In this way, for example ,the distance between points Turnu Rosu and Predeal was, through Ardeal, of a length of 88 Miles on the direct line of Fagaras (Fagaras Mountain Massif).The same journey ,made by Romanian train ,had to pass through Piatra Olt ,Pitesti,Chitila, Ploiest on a distance of over 250 Miles.The same thing for all the other points.

In a war of movement ,like this one ,when the line of border could not be occupied on the whole stretch by an uninterrupted cordon of troops ,was obvious ,a great advantage to be able to move the troops with greater haste than the adversary, either for defence,or ,especially,to give surprise attacks.

The lack of preparation of Romania for the eventuality of a war against Austro-Hungary was manifested again by an enormous strategical inferiority .It will prove fatal in the unfolding of defending the Carpathians.

......


In the eve of tragic moments

The curtain has not fallen at the end of the Dobrogean act of Romanian tragedy .A new tragic spectacle begins now on an other stage .Along the Carpathian Mountains ,a giant was leaping over the midget which jumped into the fight ,only with the power given by the conscience of the justice of the cause and the trust in the Ally.The drama has been played one year before on the Serbian Theatre of War, with tragic ending.

The fate and honesty of the Kingdom are put into the hands of the Romanian soldier .To him addresses the King of the country in a moving appeal:

"Soldiers.

After seven weeks of War ,as long as you held your chest against the enemy with manhood ,today begins the tough fight at the border of the Kingdom against the enemy armies ,which seek to invade us In these moments ,I feel as a duty to remind you that the holly land of our country has been always defended with honesty and bravery under our Great Voievozi -medieval kings,and watered with the blood of our ancestors ,which have beaten the invaders.

I expect from all ranks ,to make their duty now again with holiness ,defending with any price ,until the last breath ,the threatened Kingdom. No unit to held back, but to keep with any means the fighting positions ;wherever the enemy is weak ,to be attacked and repulsed. A lost position ,to be immediately attacked and reconquered.

Our mountains ,which thousands of years have been the cradle and guard of our kind ,to be the un -seizable wall where the steel waves of the enemy to crush before the bravery of the defenders. The virtue of the army and saving the Kingdom ask for it.

Ahead ,thus , with God and the victory will be yours.".

To the Allies , King Ferdinand explains ,by an interview published in a big English newspaper ,the circumstances which made Romania enter the War, the sacrifices made by her ,the endured sufferings ,and ends asking for their help by words inspired by the most noble sentiments: "Romanians will remain tide by the Allies cause. The enemy will not be able to kidnap their faith in just Anglia ,in France ,the Latine fate and in Russia, their close neighbour. But the Romanians ask the Skies that ,with all their actual preoccupations and problems they have to solve, the Allies to not let to pass, even the slightest ,in second row in their minds the matters of Romania".

Unfortunately the circumstances wanted otherwise. They have imposed to the Ally powers the role of helpless spectator .No one has turmoiled the tragic spectacle which was unfolding before the compassionate eyes of the public which filled the stairs of the European amphitheater.


2.First Battle of the Passes

a)Attacking the Moldavian Gates

I-st Austro-Hungarian Army against Northern Romanian Army

The Austro-Hungarian Commandment did not want to content with the role of Second of Falkenhayn. The War against Romania was first of all Austro-Hungarian's. Her fate played now ,as well, when it seemed that the difficult times have passed and success begins to show face, the Austro-Hungarians wanted their share at the victorious revanche .That is why, Archduke Carol ,the Commander of the Group of Armies to which it belonged the Army of Falkenhayn ,decided that the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army -under Command of von Arz -to participate at the offensive against the Mountain Passes. The goal of the Austro-Hungarian offensive will not be only to occupy the mountain passes of Moldavia ,to receive an eventual advance of the Romanians ,which would have threatened Falkenhayn back.The ambition of the august son went far:the Austro-Hungarian Army was supposed to push the whole front of the I-st Romanian Army and go in depth in Moldavia Country.The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army was made now of three corps of army ,of two divisions each.The mission given to this Army was ;occupying the passes and advancing on the Moldavian territory with the left ,until Bistrita ,and with the center until Bacau.At the right wing ,Southern ,of the Army of Arz ,in the region of Oituz ,was formed a group of troops constituted essentially by the 71-st Austro-Hungarian Division ,which although it belonged to the IX-th German Army of Falkenhayn ,still his operations would have to unfold in tight connection and and with the same direction with the Ist Austro-Hungarian Army.The role of this Group ,to which it had been attached also the two Divisions of Cavalry of Schmettow, and as reserve, the 8th Bavarian Division ,was to occupy Targu -Ocna in Trotus Valley ,making thus easier for the VI-th Corps to occupy Bacau ,then to advance along Siret River ,to separate the Romanian Army from Muntenia(central-Southern part of Romania) ,by the Russian Army ,which was gathering in Moldavia(Eastern part of Romania).A new Bavarian Division-the 10th -was expected to increase the size of the general reserve of the Army.


.........

The plan of the simultaneous double offensive ,of the IX-th German Army towards Bucharest and of theI-st Austro-Hungarian Army in Moldavia ,unhappiest deeply Falkenhayn.The German General considers "unfortunate" the idea of this attack given in two divergent directions ,one towards South and the other towards East ;it will bring a scattering of the forces and compromise the success.* To the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army ,of a strength of nine Divisions of Infantry and two of Cavalry ,would have to held chest the Northern Romanian Army, Commanded by General Prezan, defending thus the Gates of Moldavia against the invasion.

The Northern Army ,Romanian was finishing her retreat in complete order and was occupying the ridges of the Moldavian Mountains and its passes.

Of the units constituting this Army ,the one further to the North was the 14th Division, General Vasilescu Paraschiv. This Division was occupying the region of Bicaz and of Bistricioara ,making the connection with the left wing Russian;she has remained beyond the line of the frontier in Ardeal territory with the center at Tulghes.

At South ,the 7th Division ,General Istrat ,was occupying the positions which dominate the Trotus River Valley, neighbour with Gimes-Palanca Pass ,until Uzului Valley,including.

A little to the South,the important Valley of Oituz had to be occupied by the 2nd Romanian Division of Cavalry, in retreat from Transilvania and by the 15th Division which was arriving from the Dobrogea Front.At the Southern extremity of the Moldavian Front ,was constituting a new unit ,the 7th Mixt Brigade,Romanian ,Colonel Sturdza, made out of three Regiments of Infantry-(Horea ,Closca and Crisan-the ex-fortress troops , and the remains of the 2nd Graniceri Regiment, destroyed at Turtucaia),six artillery batteries and a Company of Cyclists ,which would have to defend the Vrancea Region,with the center at Soveja.

The 8th Romanian Division,General Patrascu ,has been retreated from Bistricioara and taken at Piatra-Neamt;it constituted the Reserve of the Northern Army.In total,thus ,the Northern Army had to defend the passes of Moldavia with four Infantry Divisions , a Mixt Brigade and a Cavalry Division.At 14th of October ,almost all units of the Northern Army were on their position, on the frontier; the enemy ,kept to respect by strong arierguards ,most of the times counterattacked ,was left behind. The contact have been broken and the troops of von Arz were climbing with difficulty the roads by the mountains ,with the bridges destroyed by Romanians. Only at the Southern extremity ,the 2nd Cavalry Romanian Division ,covering he retreat of the thick of the 7th Romanian Division ,was keeping tight contact with the enemy Cavalry ,as well as with the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division. That is why the Battle for the Moldavian mountain Passes will begin at this wing in the day of 12th of October ,and then it will propagate on the whole stretch of the mountainous frontier ,to Dorna.


........

The offensive operations would have to follow with the next face :at the Northern Extremity ,in Dorna Region ,the XI-th Austro Hungarian Corps ,which has been part until then from the VII-th Army ,neighbor, -Commander Feldmarshal von Habermann-was supposed to attack in the mountaineous region Saru Dornei-Brosteni,having to fight with the Russian troops from the left flank of Lecitki Army and with the troops of Bistrita Group-Colonel Colori-of the 14th Division .The XVI-th Corps ,Austrian made out of Divisions 74th and 72nd -Commander Feldmarshal Fabini -made out of Divisions 61st and 39th -was supposed to attack passes Ghimes and Uz, defended by the 7th Romanian Division. Finally ,Oituz Group, ommanded by German General Schmettow having also the 71st Division, Austro-Hungarian and the 1st Austro-Hungarian Division and the 3d of Cavalry, German,had to force Oituz Pass ,defended by the 2nd Cavalry Division, supported on the left side by the 7th Mixt Brigade ,which was forming up ,and behind of the 15th Division,which was arriving from Dobrogea .The reserve of Arz Army was made of Divisions 8th and 10th Bavarian, kept at Targu Secuiesc and at Miercurea -Ciuc ,to be introduced in the point where the breaking will occur.

The Germans explain the intention of Archduke Carol to attack in Moldavian Mountains ,by the care of the inheriter of the Austro-Hungarian Throne to put to safe shelter Transilvania against a Romanian-Russian occupation. That is why the preoccupation of this one was more for the defensive towards East ,than for the offensive towards South.

In Suceava Mountains

At the Northern extremity of the Romanian Front ,the Austrian offensive has not given any result whatsoever ,that is why the XI-th Austro-Hungarian Corps has been passed again to the neighbor army ,the VII-th ,from which it has been taken in the first place The Romanian Group of Bistrita,which was occupying Paltinis Sector -Piscu Stejaru(Oak Peak) was also passed under direct orders of the IX-th Russian Army-General Lecitki -for a better coordination of operations .Besides,at 18th of October ,the whole 14th Romanian Division which front was stretching towards South till superior Valley of Tarcaului ,has been attached operatively to the IX-th Russian Army .On the stretch of this front ,the Carpathian Mountains are rove through in two points by the lateral valleys dug by the affluent of Bistrita River ,making thus ,two passes ,the points for entering in the Kingdom.The northern one is Bistricioara Valley ,which enters the Kingdom at point Prisacani;on the Ardeal side of the frontier is Tulghes Village. The Southern one is Bicaz Valley ,which passes in Ardeal through the big Romanian Village of Bicaz and enters the Kingdom through the steep canion/defile of Bicaz.Tall mountains surround the two passes.This side of the old frontier ,the two valleys surround ,one by North the other by South ,the majestic Massif of Ceahlau .The positions are of a charming beauty.But in the romantic valleys ,made like on purpose to be able to hear only the sound of the waters and the whistle of shepherds ,will thunder now cannons ,and the crystalline waters will be dirty with blood.

All the attempts made by the Austro-Hungarian troops to close in to our positions have been either stopped at distance by the precise firing range of the artillery ,or repulsed with heavy casualties by the infantry fires.At 17th of October ,an Austro-Hungarian detachment has been surprised at Bolovanis Picket and entirely destroyed, taking off also 2 officers and 65 soldiers prisoners .The Commander of the 74th Brigade of Hanovezi was glad that he is able to keep the positions at Bilbor and Corbu,on the Ardeal side of Bistricioara Valley,evacuated by Romanians during the retreat. To participate ,however, at the general offensive ,Feldmarshal Bandini ,the Commander of the 72nd Division,has received the order to force Bicaz Pass.


.........Battle at the Moldavian Gates, Sectors of Trotus River and Oituz


The attack of Tipches Mountain

In the right side of Bicaz Pass ,and towards East of the Ardeal ,Village of Damuc,Mount Tipches rises his snowed peak at 1359 meters ,dominating the entire Bicaz Valley. In the day of 19th of October an enemy column ,made out of three battalions of infantry with machineguns and with a battery of cannons ,under the Command of Colonel Sander ,attacks by surprise the Mountain -occupied only by a Company of the 54th Infantry Regiment-and rejects the Romanians .From here, the enemy descends towards Croiesti ,trying to turn the Romanian position, and to enter in Bicaz Valley ,on the communication line and of retreat of Romanian Bicaz Group. Tarcau Valley is also threatened to be occupied by the enemy .Faced with this danger ,the Commander of the 14th Romanian Division constitutes the Detachment Colonel Gherascu,of three battalions which, united with the two Companies of the Sector and supported by a Section of cannons of 87 mm of the 24th Rimanian Artillery Regiment,to counterattack and reconquer the Mountain .Even in the evening of the day, the enemy ,lighting the field of battle with projectors and with flares ,restarted a violent fire ,over the position of Croiesti and attacks it with a battalion ,three times consecutively.But the two companies of 1877 Commanded by the old Major Rogobete ,were on watch; they have received with fires the attacks and repulsed them vigorously .In the same time ,the enemy was organizing the position ,strengthening it with entrenches.

At once, after midnight, late,sounds behind the position, from Ata Picket ,trumpets and shouts of Urra!Left at 12 o clock from their positions ,the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion of the 86th Romanian Regiment have climbed hard the steep ribs and forested of Tipches at 4 in the morning, flamed by the words said by Chiefs and trumpets, which were sounding the attack, ave fall over the enemy position.Overwhelmed by panic ,after a short resistance ,the Austrians start to run away, leaving two mountain cannons and three machineguns .The elan of the soldiers is so big ,that even those who had assignements ,outside the battle ,are dragged into the fight .Platooneer Balmischi Petru ,which was leading the food convoy of the Battalion ,has left his big pots and pans and the wagons with meals and haste in the spin of the skirmish ,capturing the enemy cannons .Attracted by the noise of Urra! and of shots ,Rogobete starts in his turn on to the slopes of the Mountain ,taking a multitude of prisoners.

Waking up from the panic which overwhelmed him ,the enemy recollects ,gathers his ranks and start a counterattack against the adversary ,much inferior ,in front of him. Efstaide Battalion resists for two hours of heavy fight then, arround 8 in the morning ,begins to hit in retreat ,taking with him the prisoners ,throwing into the abyss(ravine) the canons and machineguns captured .But the principal column of the Romanian Detachment ,made out of two battalions of Regiments 27th and 54th,coming from the East ,from Tarcau,on the path Fundului-Smida Floare-Tipches Hill ,have started the bombardment of the enemy poition. Almost the whole mountain has been reconquered by the enemy. In savage shouts and sounds of trumpet mas the enemy is surprised, dizzied and terrified. The cannons have to stop their fire ,the rifles shoot no more,because no one has time to reload and aim.It is only a total stir, a savage body fight .The enemy soldiers lose ground ,are taken out of the entrenches and throwed beyond the ridge .The whole terrain is covered with dead bodies ,between them the Commander of the Detachment ,Colonel Sanders ,heavily wounded.T he long column of the prisoners is brought to the Romanian lines ;the Austrian soldiers are very joyful that they escaped the War and haste with greed to the bread offered by Romanians.

Two days before,the position on which Sanders Column retreated ,is also taken with assault by Romanians.

The disastrous defeat at Tipches had a depressing influence over the Commandment of XXI-st Austro-Hungarian Corps. The action ,offensive ,which he has planned ends here.No other important attack took place aganst the Front of the 14th Romanian Division ,but only bombardments of artillery and patrol actions .After a month the 14th Division is withdrew in reserve and then moved on Olt Front ,and her place was taken by the Russians.


The attack of Trotus Valley

Trotus Valley is one of the most important lines of communication and strategic of the Kingdom. She is the gate most circulated for crossing from Ardeal Country in to Moldavia Country.It is well populated with villages wich chain themselves ,one after the other.It is rich ,with numerous industrial exploitations ,mining, forests ,mineral waters. It is roved through on the whole lenght by a driveway and a railway which, at Ghimes Pass ,connect with the railways of Transilvania Country .She also has a very interesting particularity from the strategical point of view .On a stretch of almost 32 Miles ,she goes almost parallel with the frontier ,from which it distance away only slowly ;in general this distance maintains between 4-10 Miles.Numerous lateraly valleys cross the mountains and give access in Trotus Valley.In this way,enumerates at South of Ghimes Pass:Sulta Valley,Ciobanus Valley,Uz Valley,Dofteana Valley,Slanic Valley,Oituz Valley and Casin Valley.Some of them are foreseen with good driveways or more mediocre roads ,others have even particular railways ,for forest exploitation.

Von Arz handed to VI-th Corps Austro-Hungarian ,the mission of attacking Trotus Valley by the superior valleys ;through the inferior valleys will attack Schmettow .

Feldmarshal Fabini gives up to the direct entering through Gimes pass ,which seemd too well defended and which extended to much the line of entering.That is why ,he has given the attack through the lateral valleys.In the day of 16th of October ,Fabini took the offensive with both Divisins of VI-th Corps .At the left ,the 61st Division -Commander Genreal Gallert -separated in to two columns ,have gone with one column the short road on Sultei Valley and descended in Trotus Valley,where he occpied Agas Village, station of railways. The other column has followed Ciobanasului Valley and close in to Goioasa,in Trotus Valley.In the same time at the right side and at the South ,the 39th Division-Commander General Molnar-has begun the advance through Uzului Valley.

The Commander of the 7th Romanian Division,General Istrati ,decided ,in his turn,to defend himself counterattacking.He took advantage by the lack of connection of the enemy columns ,which followed separated valleys ,by rows of mountains ,to attack and beat everyone, in part.With this goal,Uz Group have received the order as ,for the time being,to resist with strength on positions ,not giving up the terrain but ,only step by step.The first offensive will be taken by Trotus Group,against the enemy which have already entered at Agas and Goioasa .Against this group,the Romanian Commander organized two detachments: Detachment Lieut-Colonel Ioan will attack the enemy by the front towards Goioasa ,and Detachment Colonel Boian will attack him behind,at Agas.


Boian Detachment,made out of three battalions of Regiments 14th and 16th Infantry,leave at evening of 16th of October on Asau Valley and walks the whole night ,passing in Agastinului Vallei,then in Agasului Valley until the confluence of this one with Trotus River.Here he stumble,in the morning of 17th of October ,over the regimentary trains of the enemy column.The Romanians attack violently with bayonet ;the enemy troop is scattered and all the war material is captured.The Romanian Detachment continues the advance along Trotus Valley ,towards Agas ,captures six howitzers of 150 mm,attacks and spreads out three escadrons of Cavalry of the enemy.Drunk with success,Colonel Boian advances imprudent,without taking precautionary measures ;the Detachment reaches Agas Village ,where it is received with machinegun fires and of cannon.The enemy,which was advancing towards Goioasa ,finding out about the danger threatening from behind ,has returned and occupied our own trenches around Agasului,in this region.Boian Detachment is now in a very difficult position,being attacked from all parts :by infantry with machineguns from Beleghetului Hill,at North;by the Austro-Hungarian artillery from Cotumbelor Hill,at South;by another column coming from Palanca ,from West .The Romanians begin a desastreous retreat towards Asau Valley.Beaten by the artillery of the enemy,surrounded,they suffer heavy casualties.The Commander of the Detachment ,Colonel Boian,falls himself prisoner together with some hundreds men.The rest of the Detachment have brought back 320 prisoners.

In the same time ,the Detachment Lieut-Colonel Ioan attacks the enemy by the front ,with the rest of Regiments 14th and 16th ,starting from Asau towards West.At Poiana Edera(Edera Clearing),the enemy is violently attacked at bayonet and,although was superior in number,is repulsed towards Goioasa with heavy losses.Romanians capture 200 prisoners ,machineguns ,horses and pursuing the enemy which was retreating ,they occupy Goioasa ,advancing towards West.Piles of dead bodies of the enemy showed the size of the defeat.Unfortunately,the disaster of Boian Detachment has changed the situation.The enemy reconstitutes himself, gathers great strengths and comes again to attack. Ioan Detachment,in inferiority, has to retreat at at Asau.

The result of the fights at Agas-Goioasa is,with all the failure of Boian Detachment,that we have made prisoners three officers ,two cadets and 680 soldiers, but especially that the 60th Division Austro-Hungarian, made out of 16 battalions ,has been disorganized because of the big losses and was ,thus, forced to retreat on its positions.


The fight in Uzului Valley

In Uzului(or Uz) Valley ,General Molnar has attacked with the entire 39th Austro-Hungarian Division .The Romanians had in this region the 27th Regiment of Infantry with a battery of the 8th Artillery Regiment.At 14th and 15th of October ,the enemy cannot make big progresses;he is repulsed from the frontier by artillery firing shots .An entire battalion of infantry ,Hungarian,massed in a ravine and prepared for attack ,has been destroyed by our fire ;between the dead was also the Commanding Major of the Battalion.But the enemy puts in the line the entire forces of the Division and gives violent attacks ;he succeeds and occupies at 20th of October Poiana Uzului(Uzului Clearing),from where Romanian troops retreat towards Salatruc.

With the arrived aids ,the Romanians begin the counteroffensive ,attacking by the front ,along the Valley ,and also by the flanks ,on the elevations. The enemy resists with determination;the center of his resistance is a strong redoubt ,build before by Romanians ,perpendicular on Uzului Valley,West of the Village Poiana Uzului. By strong assaults ,the village is reconquered by the Romanian central group;the lateral columns cannot however advance.Encouraged by this beginning of success ,Fabini sends again the 61st Division to attack ,towards Gimes ,as the enemy artillery was attacking Goioasa .The attacks are ,though ,stopped by the Romanians and are not able to evolve.Grallert waits that the success on Uzului valley to open up the road.

In this time however,Istrati has build at Comanesti a detachment of three battalions ,Lieut-Colonel Catanescu,which starts in march towards Poiana Lapos,to fall behind the enemy position of Poiana Uzului;the action will unfold in the same time with a frontal attack.As the Detachment advances with difficulty, with numerous resistances the frontal attack advances more to the left ,where it occupies Nemira Mountain.

At 27th of October,the 4th Hunters Regiment under the Command of his worthy Chief -Colonel Gherculescu-attacks frontal the strong position of the enemy. Companies 1 and 2 advance singing "To arms!".In repeated assaults ,the brave hunters succeed by evening to take out the enemy from the advanced positions. During the night they accomplish the victory ,Companies 3rd and 4th occupy all the works at Poiana Uzului,conquer the formidable redoubt and captures the entire garrison.T he enemy,beaten, retreats in disorder on the whole front ;he leaves on the terrain a great number of dead ,numerous prisoners and big quantities of war material.Only in this day have been captured 4 officers and 650 soldiers prisoners.The Hunters push the beaten enemy until Poiana Lapos.The 39th Austro-Hungarian Division has suffered a felt defeat.Although Catanescu Detachment ,mobilized by the resistance of the enemy,could not enter in Uzului Valley,the enemy has to retreat on the frontier line.

The entire 39th Division seals the definitive defeat of the VI-th Corps.The plan of Forcing Trotus Valley through the lateral passes had fell,thanks to the troops of the 7th Romanian Division,she has payed the victory with four officers and 1463 soldiers missing.The enemy ,exhausted by the losses suffered and with both Divisions disorganized remains quiet on Trotus River Front and gives only small local attacks ,which are easy to be rejected by our artillery.

All hopes of Arz remain hanged by Oituz Pass,were it unfolds a life and death fight.


b)the Battle at Oituz

Oituz Valley

Of all the lateral valleys ,which open up Trotus River Valley,the most wide and accessible is Oituz Valley.A good driveway roves it in lenght ,uniting Targu Secuiesc with Onesti,on Trotus River,6.25 Miles towards East from Tirgu Ocna ;the driveway crosses the frontier at Poiana Sarata(Salt Clearing) and passes through Villages Hirja,Fierastrau,Grozesti and Bogdanesti.This Valley has been chosen as ax of advance by Schmettow Group.It has been set a great importance on the action of this Group .And by all means.Because occupying of Onest Village would have turned the entire Romanian Line of Trotus River ,cutting it from her base and opened to the enemy the access immediate in Siret River Valley.It was the principal ideea of plan of the Group of Armies of Archduke Carol.Schmettow Group was constituted bythe 71st Division,Austro-hungarian-General Goldbach-,at the left the 1st Division of Cavalry Austro-Hungarian ,general von Ruiz,was making the connection with the Group of Buzau Pass.Behind the Group,has been brought as reserve the 8th Bavarian Division at Tirgu Secuiesc and was directed towards there also the 6th Cavalry Division German.This massing of forces ,especcialy of Cavalry,corresponded to the important strategic goal of the blow which was planned at Oituz.The operations of Schmettow Group for conquering of Oituz Pass ,carries the name the Battle from Oituz,a glorious page in the history of our War.


The fight at Magherus

The 2nd Romanian Cavalry Division ,Commanded firstly by General Basarabescu,then by General Sinescu making the Flank Guard of South of the Northern Romanian Army,was retreating on Oituz Valley.She has avacuated Tirgu Secuiesc at 9th of October and was finding at 10th of October occupying the position at Magherus Mountain,between Villages Bretcu and Oituz,making resistance to the enemy ,which was stalking her close by.In the same day were beginning to disembark at Onesti ,the first elemnts of the 15th Romanian Division,which was supposed to form up with the 2nd Romanian Division of Cavalry ,the defense Army at Oituz.The mission of the Cavalry Division was to keep on hold the advance of the enemy,until the troops of the 15th Division would occupy the positions from Oituz Pass.The Command of the Army of Oituz was handed to the Commander of the 15th Division ,General Eremia Grigorescu[3];he wiil become one of the glorious names of our War.The 15th Division has been,at the beginning of the War sacrificed whiteout any calculus ,at Turtucaia.After the desaster ,has been partially remade; it was in truth a Brigade ,the 30th -made out of Regiments 53rd and 65th-strenghtened with a Battalion of the 80th Regiment and with the 25th Artillery Regiment .After this remaking it was send to Dobrogea ,where it fought with success at Arabagi.From full fight ,she has been taken from the Dobrogea Front and send to stop the enemy advance at Oituz. Commander and troop will prove at the height of the hard situation .The first detachments arrived at Onesti are send not only in Oituz Valley but also in the two lateral valleys with this one;Casin Valley at the left and Slanic Valey at the right side,to support the Cavalry Division ,strongholded-dug in on the positions of Magherus .

.....


In the evening of 11th of October ,the two adversaries made fighting contact .A Group of Cavalry with mounted artillery -Colonel Rusescu-occupies the advanced position on the elevation on which is the monument build by Hungarians to the former Empress Elisabeta[4],North-East of Bretcu.The rest of the troops of the Division -under the Command of General Greceanu -is on a line a little behind and occupies the heights from North and from South of driveway Oituz.The unmounted troops are installed in the entrenches .The two artilleries bombard eachother with ferocity till evening falls,when the enemy artillery ,forced to cease the fire ,our cavalry men get out from the trenches and haste over the enemy in counterattack ,charging violently ,with the lance at the waste .The sight is of a pitoresque archaism :it is the fight of the old Romans Legionaries .The enemy is repulsed and throwed to Bretcu.At 8,30 in the evening,the enemy strenghtened with new forces ,comes again to attack and forces Rusescu Group to retreat from the monument on Magherus,passing in the reserve of Greceanu Group.All night of 11th -12th of October ,the enemy gave numerous attacks in both sectors ,to North ,as well as South of the driveway ,without any success whatsoever.With the arriving of dawns of the day,the attacks intensify,sustained by a strong artillery and numerous machineguns.The batteries of mounted artillery of the Division of Cavalry fire splendid;they surprise the 3rd enemy Cavalry Division,which was forming up for attack and scatters it away in disorder on to the field between Bretcu and Lemina.In their trenches the cavalry men ,with all the unusuality of fighting pedestrian,sustain the enemy attacks and,lacking the rifles with bayonet ,they counterattack with lance.Troops of Regiments 65th and 53rd begin to arrive on position.General Grigorescu leads personally the fight .The Commander of the Northern Army ,General Prezan has arrived himself on to the Front too.

In the afternoon ,the entire enemy heavy artillery has been installed on position and its fire ,unobstacled by our cannons of 75mm,with shorter firing range ,beat violently from front and flanks the Romanian positions.The Cavalry troops,tired by the heavy marchings executed for a week now and by the fight,new to her,resist with great difficulty.Besides,she acomplishes her mission .General Prezan gave the order as the Cavalry Division to be retreated at Hirja,from where then has been send towards the left wing ,to establish the connection with the detachments on Casin Valley.The infantry of the 15th Division occupies the Front at Poiana Sarata ,on the frontier.The mounted artillery of the 2nd cavalry Division ,which roused to the occasion ,is kept on the fighting front ;she will sustain the infantry at preserving the Passes.

In the Fight at Magherus has fallen Captain Petre Carp,the son of the old politician bearing the same name ,which was bringing in this way the blood sacrifice in the War which he did not wanted and to the accomplishment of the ideal in which he did not believe.

The next day ,13th of October ,the enemy continues the advance and occupies Poiana Sarata.An impetuous counterattack of our troops reject him ,after a bloody fight on to the streets of the village .By evening fall ,the troops of the 65th Regiment reoccupy the village.


The fight at Harja

The attack in the day of 13th of October has been only the prelude of a violent offensive ,which has unleashed in the following days with strong forces .From the Romanian part it is send in the aid of the 15th Division ,too weak ,faced with the power of the enemy ,the 15th Brigade of the 8th Division (Regiments 13th ,25th Infantry and 8th Hunters) which was held at Piatra -Neamt ,as reserve of the Army.The enemy has attacked in the beginning only in the center rof the sector .Seven enemy battalions ,sustained by a numerous artillery in which,ech day ,could be determined bigger calibers ,have hasten against the Romanian positions, defended by three battalions sustained by a divizion of artillery ,mounted .Harja Village burst into flames and burned entirely under the fire of the enemy artillery. A surrounding movement on both flanks of our position at Hirja ,has been discovered in time ;the enemy flanks have been attacked by our lateral detachments in Slanicului Valley and Casinului Valley.After a ferocious fight ,which went on the afternoon of the 15th of October till late in the night ,the enemy has been throwed back and pursued with bayonet till Poiana Sarata.

However, over the night and in the morning of the next day ,strengthened with fresh reinforcements the enemy attacks furiously five times our battalions ,exhausted by powers and reduced at some 200-300 men. The fight becomes almost general ,by advancing into the fire of all available forces .The enemy ,attacking on three columns ,without suspending the attacks during the night ,manages to take out of position our wekened troops and pushes them on a line back. Fortunately ,the reserves of Division ,arrived in running from Grozesti ,arrive in time,reject the attack columns ;the enemy maintains only on a height North of Hirja, Staneica Mane ,on which he manages to fix himself.It is noticed that the enemy is foreseen with a wealthy mountain artillery and that he has set in position four howitzers of 150 mm and two of 210 mm.

The fights continued with the same stubbornness in the day of 17th of October. The Commander of the enemy wanted by any means to make the breach.The enemy succeeds one moment to reoccupy Hirja and sends a detachment between valleys Slanic and Oituz,to go around the Romanian position,falling behind it.The things go exactly upside down.The Romanian Commander reaches the news and sends ,in his turn,1st Battalion of the 13th Regiment wich falls ,itself,behind and in the flank of the enemy detachment which he destroys;what has escaped alive,three officers and 100 men,has been taken prisoners.

With all the ferocious rain of shells and grenades ,the Romanian soldiers ,spirited by the personal example of the energic Commander ,General Grigorescu,which all the time conducts the fight from the midst of the troops ,maintain their position and succeed in reocupying Hirja.Together with the Commander of the Group ,Colonel Rujinschi the Commander of the 38th Brigade ,distinguish himself by the fermity and cold blood he knows to spirit the troop with.The report of a Commander of Company from Regiment 65th ,send to the Commander of the Division,in the midst of fight ,it is a document of the circumstances in which the fight was given :"It is impossible to sit on one place. The cannons beat us even in the valley in which we are .We are left with 20 men,t he rest dead or wounded .The Forest went on fire in two parts .The smoke chokes us .It is inferno .We do not have the strength to carry on. Please ,order the retreat". The Commander did not order retreat ,the troop stayed on position ,fought and conquered.

The great attack of 18th of October

The intentions of the enemy were now very clear for the Romanian Commandment ;it was not about local skirmishes ,but about a big battle ,given for an important strategic goal. The gathering of the Bavarian Division at Tirgu Secuiesc -known by Romanians from the prisoners depositions -and the transport of troops of aid with trucks from reserve on to the front ,whenever it was needed ,setting into position of numerous cannons of great caliber ,were indices that did not let a shadow of a doubt over the intentions of the enemy.

The horrifying fight had lessen and weaken the strengths of the Romanian troops ;the companies have been reduced at 40-80 men.That is why the Commander of the Army has send in the aid of the heroic 15th Romanian Division another Brigade from the 8th Romanian Division;the 37th (Regiments 69th and 77th),together with a divizion of howitzers and one of field.This Brigade has especially the mission to prepare a resistance line between Onesti and Targu Ocna on which,eventually,to be made the retreat.

The day of 18th of October was one of the hardest for the defenders of Oituz .The dicissive assault for conquering Oituz was given in this day in the presence of Archduke inheriter Carol and of the Hungarian Primminister Tisza.The enemy artillery have executed all night and all day a bombardment of an intensity not known till then.All kinds of projectiles ;shells of all calibers ,shrapnel ,grenades ,maginegunnings were coming over th Romanian positions.The bombardment was interrupted only so they could give assaults at which the Hungarian troops ,drunk and fantezist, were throwing ahead in the sound of the musics, shouting patriotic songs.The troops of four enemy regiments have started in waves to assault ,starting with 8 in the morning until midday and restarting at 1,30 ,to repeat the attacks ,with a unsurmonted fury ,till 10 in the night.But the heroic Romanian Group has formed a rock ,by which the attacks collapsed, crushing.Exterminaded almost, by the fires of the enemy artillery and overwhelmed by the number of the attackers ,the rests of the troops had to leave one ridge for to occupy another further back,invigorated ,they hastened at attack with bayonet, and regained the position back.And this game of death repeated itself till late in the evening on the Manes of Manoila and Staneica ,on Peaks Sarosa and Bolovan ,on Ridges Feschii ,Lusentului and Vrinceanului .Especially on the Hill and Forest Vranceanu,defended by two Battalions of the 13th Stefan cel Mare Regiment ,are the theatre of a furious fights.The forest is a graveyard .The tree tore and thrown to the ground ,or ripped all together from their roots .On the ground only holes ,in which are dead bodies horrible mutiladed .The bullets of machineguns have tore the young branches of the trees ,which fell,covering the bodies with a blanket of old leaves.The Romanian soldiers have counterattacked at bayonet ;the Forest Vrinceanu has remained in their hands .The savage offensive of the enemy has been rejected on the entire line.By evening,only some edges of hills have been abandoned by Romanians ,to occupy others ,immediate ,behind the first ones.A night attack ,made by Romanian troops with success,has fixed up the Front again on the line elevation 1120 meters -Feschii Peak,Lesuntului Peak-towards Staneica Mane.

. Posted 15 May , 2009 The Romanian counteroffensive

During this time the Romanian Aid Brigade ,37th has arrived at Onesti and is set in reserve.General Grigorescu dispose now of aproximately 20 battalions with the divizionar artillery strengthened with four sections of howitzers of 103 mm and a battery of mountain of 63 mm.The Romanian forces are separated between two sectors ,parted by Oituz Valley and of Slanic ;the one in the left ,between Oituz Valley and Casin Valley.The terrain is very bad and forested ,proper for surprise movements.

The Romanian Commander ,which has resisted splendid in defence ,thinks he can pass now to offensive .This will start at 19th of October and it will unfold for four days under the eyes of Prince Carol,the inheritor of Romanian throne .For four days General Grigorescu manoeuvres in the mixed up terrain with wit ,using one by one the troops at his dispozition ,giving them by rotation ,the necessary rest.In general,12 battalions were on the attack line ,and eight were held in reserve. The principal Fighting Detachments have been Commanded by Colonel Rujinschi,Colonel Piperescu and Colonel Gorski.

On their part,the Austro-Hungarians do not want to let from hand the initiative of the fight .Their numeric superiority is incomtestable.Thirty battalions take part into the fight and the refreshing of the troops is much more active than at Romanians. At 20th of October ,in the middle of the fight ,the enemy brings with automobiles two Battalions of Bavarians of the 8th Division from Bretcu.In the numerous fights in the days of 19th-22nd of October,the Austro-Hungarians manage to obtain at night advantages of terrain ,thanks to the strong bombardmnt of their strong artillery and of throwing into the fight of fresh forces ;during the day ,however ,the Romanians attack at bayonet and,repulse the invasioneers ,reconquering the positions.

In the day of 22nd of October th Romanian offensive ceases ,because of the extreme exhaust of the troops .The enemy ,gives some more attacks in the right sector -Slanic Valley;they are rejected on the whole line .In the evening of the day,the enemy finds himself on the frontier line close to the same positions were he was at 13th of October.The hills and valleis are filled with the dead bodies of his soldiers.Discouraged and weak,he ceases the attacks as well.

In the eve,in the evening of 21st of October Falkenhayn ,who was the Commander of Oituz Group,reports to the Big German Headquarter ,at Pless"The power of attack of the 71st Division ,after 14 days of unstopped fights ,it is so weak ,that a short break is absolutely necessary, and only if it would be strengthened with new forces ,would be capable to obtain decissive successes".In his memoirs Falkenhayn ,somewhat satisfied by the failure of the plan of the Big German Headquarter and of the Austrian camarads ,which he has foresaw,adds the comentary:"The gentlemen of Pless must be warned that the hope of opening up the road through Oituz Pass ,or by the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army is completely unfounded".


(Ambulance section on Oituz Front)

Retaking the fight .The enemy is throwed over the border.

Suspending the Battle at Oituz ,in the day of 22nd of October ,was very short as duration .In truth ,the fights did not stop completely.The Romanian Commander has stopped any offensive action because of the great tiredness of the troops ,in the morning of the day.But the enemy ,attacking all through the day ,the Romanian troops have stayed in defence. Only in the evening ,the enemy troops ,tired ,have interrupted the action ,such that in the evening of 22nd -23rd of October has been the first quiet night after 12 days of continuous fights.

Short rest,forecasting of new storms .In the day of 23rd of October unleashes again the Romanian offensive .Its aim is throwing definitively over the border of the enemy ,which has succeeded to infiltrate with small detachments and to fix through the twists of the terrain of this accident-ed region(bad terrain).With the reinforcements received from the 8th Division ,General Grigorescu has now some 26 Battalions of Infantry ,sustained by eight field batteries ,four batteries of howitzers and a battery of mountain cannons.The 2nd Cavalry Division with her Divizion of Mounted Artillery ,continues to be part of this Group .The sector occupied by General Grigorescu stretches in Slanic Valley ,at North,where it connects with the troops of the 7th Division ,which occupies from Dofteana Valley ,until Casin Valley ,including,at South,where it connects with 7th Mixt Brigade .

The offensive of General Grigorescu is given with willingness in the days of 23rd-27th of October.The enemy is taken out everywhere from its strongholded positions and rejected far.The central detachment reoccupies ,in the day of 24th of October ,Hirja Village and the greatly disputet Staneica Mane,pursuing the enemy till Poiana Sarata.At the right wing Cernica Peak,the key of Oituz ,is occupied by an assault ,impetuous .It is also occupied the Dobului and Paltinis Ribs in the region of Slanic,Lesuntului Valley and Fata Moarta in Casin sector.The enemy is throwed all together over the border ,in his old positions from the North and South of Poiana Sarata .Romanians have taken 11 officers and 600 soldiers prisoners ,as well as a great number of machineguns .

At 27th of October the action stops and quiet reestablishes at Oituz.The victory of the Romanian troops is here complete .Not only the enemy could not acomplish his important strategic goal ,for which he did bleed for more than two weeks ,but he has been throwed back behind over the frontier .The defeat at Oituz is sincerely confessed by the enemy in his official publications*.

We have payed dearly the victory.The soldiers of the Moldavian Regiments ,which have defended Oituz ,have spilled streams of blood.Especially the Ieseni(men from Iasi) of Regiments 13th and 53rd and Vaslueni (men from Vaslui) of Regiments 25th and 65th.The tradition of Penes Curcanu** had to be honored .By the ambulance of the Division ,installed at Onesti ,have passed over in these frightening days ,only from the regiments of Vaslui 729 wounded .Some other hundreds have remained to stiffen forever the Gates of Moldavia so dear to them,in the face of invasioneers ,together with their brothers from Counties Iasi,Botosani and Dorohoi.

The Battle at Oituz was over .The enemy has suffered a painful and bloody defeat .The invasion plan through the Pass of Oituz has collapsed.The 15th Romanian Division -strengthened with aid brigades of the 8th Romanian Division -have won the glorious name of "The Iron Division" and have written ,with letters of fire and blood ,on the heights which dominates the Gate of Oituz,the proud inscription:"Thou shall not pass through here!"


"At the extreme left wing of the IX-th German Army ,the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division pursues without rest the adversary which is retreating on Oituz driveway and forces the pass over the frontier .At 20th of October it has reached 8 Miles to Tirgu Ocna .In the wake of the forcings and of the fiercely fights ,the heavy trialed troops needed urgent few days rest. The perspective that the Division to occupy alone Tirgu Ocna ,for then to,the two Divisions of Cavalry of General Count Schmettow ,which were waiting stretched in the Eastern edge of Tirgu Secuiesc Pool,to be throwed as to flow in to the flats of Moldavia ,has dissappeared.That is why ,General Falkenhayn withdrew the 8th Cavalry Division ,as a reserve army in the region of Brasov, because he hopes to be able to open more surely the mountain Passes in another place.At 23rd of October ,a Romanian attack ,brilliantly prepared and executed on a large front ,has hit the troops of 71st Division.Again have the troops of General Goldbach did their entire duty;the superior attacker has to bleed tragicly.However ,the Division has been retreated during the night on the elevations from the frontier ,because the adversary has managed to breakthrough at South of Oituz Valley ,and from here he threatened to advance behind the defender". Penes Curcanu(Feather the Turkey,as curcan=the turkey bird;no connection with Turkey the Country),on his real name Constantin Turcanu from Vaslui is the name off a hero of the Independence War of 1877,former Seargent in 13th Dorobanti Regiment.Also he volunteered in Second Balkan War and WW1 at 62 of age,to inspire the troops of Vaslui County.This Dorobanti Regiment had a lot of turkey feathers at the hat;hence feather the turkey


The end of the Battle for Moldavian Passes

At 27th of October von Arz ended the battle in the Moldavian Mountains with a decisive and complete defeat. General Prezan and the brave Northern Romanian Army showed themselves very hard working ,as well in the defensive, as they did in offensive. The gates of Moldavia were well guarded .Falkenhayn used this failure of the Battle at Oituz ,to liquidate this enterprise, for which he manifested from the beginning aversion. The 3rd German Cavalry Division has been retreated at Brasov as Reserve of the IX-th Army. The 6th German Cavalry Division ,newly arrived at Targu Secuiesc ,has been turned back from its way and send towards Petrosani ,where the German Generalisim was planning a decisive hit.Also there has been send General Schmettow ,the defeated of Oituz ,and General Kuhne with the Staff of LIV-th Corps ,which has been brought here with the purpose of a retaking of the offensive. The 71st Division has been passed to the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army.And for a while, along the mountainous frontier of Moldavia ,established relative silence ,interrupted only by the rare beat of the cannons and by the hiss of the wind ,which was setting piles of snow over the graves of the warriors.


c)The Battle For"The Shortest Road " Towards Bucharest

The six passes

If the attacking of the Passes of Moldavia -the conception of the Austro-Hungarian Commandments -was for Falkenhayn a"missfortuned ideea",in exchange ,the attacking of the Passes which constitute the shortest way to Bucharest ,was the favorite idea of the German Commander. It has made roots in the same time in the minds of Commanders of the Big German Headquarter and in to that of the Commander of the IX-th German Army. This conception has to be realized by a daring operation .Following the Romanians which were retreating after the defeat at Brasov ,the Armies of the enemy had to keep close contact with them and cross the mountains in the same time ,with them. The Mountain Passes will be ,in this way,forced by surprise .The battle will be given for conquering of the Passes at South ,like a handful of sun rays,six roads which cross over the impozant mountain massif towards Romania; they are the most direct roads towards Bucharest ,being disposed in to three groups :towards South-West it is the Road of Bran(Pass),which leads to Campulung;towards South is Predeal Mountain Pass ,which goes to Ploiesti,having close by the passes less important of Predelusului and Bratocei;towards South-East is Buzau Mountain Pass,which goes to Buzau,having near the pass of Tabla Butii.

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Falkenhayn made a new regrouping of the troops which fought at Brasov,and even in the second day after winning the battle ,at 9th of October,threw them in the pursuit of Romanians,on all directions. IN this way to the three groups of mountain passes corresponded three groups of armies , each: towards South-West ,at Bran Pass ,has been send Morgen Corps ,made out of the 76th German Division and by the 8th Brigade of Austro-Hungarian Alpiners ,brought from the Front of Isonzo.Towards South ,against Passes Predeal ,Predelus and Bratocea ,has been send the bulk of the XXIX-th Corps-General von Staabs-made out of Divisions 51st Austro-Hungarian and 187th German.Towards South-East ,against Passes Buzau and Tabla Butii,has been directed the 89th Prusian Division-von Luttwitz .A new Division ,freshly arrived ,the 12th Bavarian ,was retained at Brasov,to be directed in the direction in which operations will announce more favorable ,to haste there and widen the breach.

The Romanian Commander was conscious of the gravity of the situation .The region attacked by the Germans was the most vulnerable ,because of the immediate vicinity with the capital city of the Kingdom, Bucharest,and of the numerous roads roving it. She had to be held with any price. Fortunately,abandoning the plan of the hit at Flamanda set to the disposition of the Great Romanian Headquarter some divisions and a capable Commander. Troop and Commander has been send in the greatest haste to the endangered point, to ease the Kingdom of being invaded at one month and a half after our entering in the War. Of the former troops of the II-nd Army ,in retreat from Brasov ,the 4th Division was not capable to fight ;her remains ,which were retreating ,one part through Predeal and another through Bran, have been brought to Baicoi,for rest.The troops of the 6th Division ,always harassed by the enemy ,have occupied the mountainous positions of Buzau Pass and Tabla Butii Pass;the 3rd Division the ones at Bratocea Pass and Predelus Pass.The 21st Division has occupied Predeal Pass;for strengthening of this important point has been send also the 10th Division. In Bran Pass was also send the 22nd Division; the 12th Division ,taken out from the Front of Dobrogea will soon follow.In this way,four of the Divisions which were supposed to defend the Kingdom on the Southern Front ,at the Danube and in Dobrogea ,were now send to defend the Kingdom and the Capital ,against the invasion which was threatening from the North .The Command of the II-nd Army ,reconstituted with this face,with five divisions ,was given again to General Averescu.The Country could wait with trust the unleashing of the storm:the guard of "the shortest way" towards Capital City was in safe hands ,just as it was the one at Moldavia Gates.

General Averescu ,arrived in the evening of 8th-9th of October at Busteni,to take the Command of the II-nd Army ,has found a very difficult situation ,consequence of disorganizing of the desaster produced at Brasov defeat and the retreat in to the mountains.His energy managed to put order in the units. To realize a coordination in the action ,it is handed to General Averescu the mission to ensure the collaboration of the II-nd Army, Romanian,with the Northern Army, Romanian ,making together a Group of Armies. The plan of operations of General Averescu is made out from a first phase ,defensive ,in which time the troops to be able to position in depth,such that they could constitute a reserve of six Divisions;the General also hopes to be able to count on the aid of four Russian Divisions .With these forces ,he thinks of retaking the offensive in direction Targu Secuiesc .But until then the things are pressuring in Bran Sector ,where there are signs that the enemy has taken the initiative of attack.


First Battle of Campulung

Bran Mountain Pass

The driveway of Bran was one of the oldest roads which linked Romanian Country(Valahia and Moldavia) with Ardeal. It is the way of legendary unmounting of Basarabs .Through here have passed in the 13th century the Teutons Chevaliers with the thought of establishing a durable Germanic mastering .Also,through here ,further back, two times ,the proud armies of the Hungarians lead by the ambitious King Carol Robert [5],or by the strong Sigismund [6],the German Emperor ,have been attacked ,beaten and helped to find their country quicker ,by the simple soldiers of Basarabs ,which were defending their "land ,needs and people" .Through here, especially ,for centuries ,guests more peaceful ,the traders Sasi ,then brothers of ours ,handicraftsmen or simple shepherds ,have climbed and descended ,on horse back ,in wagons ,or behind the sheep herds ,making tight connections ,which only the times and roads ,new,have directed them in the wrong way,on the road of Predeal.

The Road of Bran is today a well build driveway ,masterpiece of engineering ,which roves through a land of complete pitoresque.Leaving Birsei Field and the Fortress of Bran with its old memories ,placed on an elevation from where it dominates the whole field ,the driveway climbs in large serpentines between rocks ,by valleys with ravines ,until it arrives on to the ridge of the mountains ,on the line of old frontier ,at Giuvala Frontier point .All the time the rows of Piatra Craiului Mountain Massif accompanies us on the right hand side ,with a rocky wall ,vertical ,steep, and baldish. From Giuvala the driveway begins to descend near dizzying steeps .On the left side Posada pot ,reminds of the far away day [7] ,lost in the dawns of our national history ,a "day of shining shepherds victory over the Great boiards -aristocracy,of the conquering foreigners"*.Large valleys begin to show here and there ,in which are placed big and beautiful villages :Dimbovitei Bridge ,Rucar and Dragoslave .On the right side ,the Canion of Dambovicioarei opens like a dark breech between the vertical walls and leads to the celebre cave .At Rucar ,the driveway meets Dimbovitei Valley ,which will follow from now on .At Dragoslave ,the driveway separates in two .On the left, she follows Dambovitei Valley and straigthens up through Stoenesti towards Targoviste and Bucuresti .On the right ,she passes forward,climbs into tight serpentines Mateias Hill-from where appear like in a feeric panorama Dimbovitei Valley and Campulung with its numerous churches-,then descends ,passing by Village and Monastery Namaesti ,to enter in Targului River Valley and with it,in,Cimpulung.


The attacking and conquering of Bran Pass offered to the German Commander two perspectives :after the first one, it could open up the road through Dragoslavele-Stoenesti towards Targoviste ;in this case ,were turned the positions of Romanians from Predeal and then ,in collaboration with Staabs ,it would force the shortest way towards Bucharest, conform with the order of operations of the Big German Hedquarter.The second perspective was to occupy Campulung and opening up the road towards Pitesti ;in this latter case ,the action of Morgen Group went hand in hand with that of Krafft Group, which operated on Olt Valley, holding Pitesti ,through Curtea de Arges .The course of the events would decide which of the two directions would be followed.In anay case ,the mission given to Morgen Group was of an overwhelming importance for the operations of the enemy. So ,the task of the Romanian Army for defending would be made, such, more difficult and full of responsibilities. 

The surprise at Rucar

At 10th of October ,Morgen begins the advance with the 76th Division ,to force the Bran Mountain Pass.The German Commander thinks he has in front of him only the remains of the defeated Division. But ,already ,for three days now ,the troops of the 22nd Romanian Division -Commander General Aristide Razu-disembarked at Campulung and were replacing at Giuvala the troops of the 4th Romanian Division; at 10th of October ,the advanced elements of the 22nd Division collide with the enemy at Moieciu ,small locality of Bran,between Giuvala and Bran,on Ardelenesc territory. The enemy is repulsed; its advanced is thus delayed and the thick of the Romanian troops use this time ,to unfold on to the mountainous ridge of the frontier, occupying the stronghold positions ,during the time of neutrality. In the next days ,the troops of the 76th German Division were able to occupy all localities on the Transilvanian versant of the mountains around Bran Pass and to set in position a strong artillery Behind the Division ,at Zarnesti ,the 8th Alpine Austro-Hungaria Brigade ends its preparative to execute a surprise hit in to the flank and back of our Army.

Against the Romanian positions on the elevations at Giuval ,the German attacks prove very soon ,hopless.At West of the Pass ,on the heights of Sirnea ,as well as to the East ,the bad terrain between frontier and Dimbovitei Bridge -Posada-were fortified with wit. The strongholds did not correspond ,certainly ,to the necessities created by the Great War;amongst others ,the lack of materials made that the barbed wire fence to be replaced by thin wood fences and weeds. The small domes of 53 mm taken out of the fortified positions of Bucharests and Siret,could not resist to the German mortiers .Still,the reports of German aviators brought to thinking the German Commander ;he has reached the conclussion that the Romanian position cannot be attacked frontal.The Germans appealed again to the classic maneuver of veiling ;the operation at Sibiu repeats itself. The 8th Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade ,brought from Isonzo Front ,was a suitable unit for this purpose.It was made out of Stiriens and Bosniacs ,mountain populations ,equiped and trained for mountain warfare .The brigade had also a numerous special material-mountain cannons -mounted on over 3000 donkeys. At 8th of October the Brigade was at Zarnesti.From here it was send to surround West the Chain of Mountains Piatra Craiului,at 10 miles in the flank of the Romanian positions for to fall in their back. The march of the Brigade is executed through the superior valley of Barsei,then crossed the ridge of Tamasel Mountains and descended in to Dimbovitei Valley.Through very steep valleys ,through secular woods ,paths and tracks known only by the locals ,the enemy,lead by German spyes ,which during peace times have lived in Rucar ,unobserved -and under the pretext of hunting they rove through the mountains and valleys -managed to sneak behind the Romanian positions .In the day of 13th of October ,the enemy appeared on the line Rucar-Podu Dimbovitei(Dimbovitei Bridge).The surprise was complete. Attacked with strength in front by the troops of the 76th German Division ,which were supported by a strong artillery, attacked by surprise-in the back and in flank by the Alpine Brigade ,which had numerous mountain batteries ,General Razu saw himself forced to order general retreat ,with the leaving of the positions at Sirnea and Posada. This has been executed quick ,without any loss of prisoners or of war material. Even the small canons ,mounted in the fortifications of Posada ,have been taken out of the strongholds and took by the Romanian troops in retreat. At 14th of October ,Rucar has been occupied by the enemy after a violent fight .Bran Pass was forced!


Posted 18 May , 2009 The Front at Dragoslave-Mateias

The unexpected,quick success ,of the hit at Rucar ,filled with hopes the German Commander. Falkenhayn thought that he is on the brink of making the breakthrough and decided to apply the blows with maximum of strength in the weak uncovered spot.It was time and occasion to use the 12th Bavarian Division ,kept in reserve at Brasov. The division has been set to the disposition of Morgen and received the order that,by forced marchings ,to enter the fighting front .In truth ,at 16th of October ,she was already at Podu Dimbovtei.

Without losing time the enemy ,taking advantage by the confusion in which the surprise at Rucar and the precipitated retreat ,have thrown the Romanian troops ,intensified the blows. At 15th and 16th of October ,violent fights take place at Dragoslave ;the position is lost by Romanians .At 16th of October ,the Germans attack Capitanu Mountain ,defended by 50th Putna Regiment .Their strong artillery bombards from Dragoslave the Romanian positions ,smashing the trenches and mutilating the troops of the defenders. By evening ,the defence cedes ;the Romanian troops retreat in Arges Valley .In the same day ,the Germans attack with power at Mateiasi and succeed to master the slopes from the North of the Hill. hey are 5 Miles from Campulung .A beginning of panic produces through the Romanian troops. A break is made in the front ;the 50th Romanian Regiment leaves the position and retreats in disorder at Campulung ,where they give to unorders .But the Romanian Commander did not lose his head; in this difficult moments he rose up to the situation. The breech is filled up with troops of reserve .The soldiers recollect, the defense is organized. Romanians attack with the fury of desperation .At 17 th ,18th and 19th of October ,the enemy is repulsed with great losses from Mateias ;Mateias Peak (elevation 1242 meters) remains solid in the hands of Romanians .The entrench is dug on to the slopes of the hill transforming it in to a strong position ,by which the attacker will crush helplessly. IN his turn ,the enemy organizes his positions, this side of Dragoslave ,which are in his hands. The Front Dragoslave -Mateiasi,goes -from West to East -from Arges Valley-at North of Namaesti-in Pravatului Valley ,then bends towards South over the Magura Peak and on the slopes of Mateiasi, descends in the valley ,crossing Dimbovita Valley and the national driveway ,then climbs again on Mountain Prisaca .The pressure of the enemy is big, especially at the two flanks ;Prisaca Mountain is conquered by the enemy and reconquered by Romanians.In the critical time ,of the retreat from Rucar,and of the fights at Dragoslave and Mateiasi,the local population has brought great services to the troops.Especially the women ,the proud Muscel-ence ,have ensured the provisioning of the troops ,leading entire convoys ,many times until under the fire of the enemy.


General Averescu intends to take the counteroffensive with the aid of a Russian Division-the 3rd of Tiraliori Siberian,which has been retreated from Dobrogea ,were it had just arrived -to form the general reserve .A Brigade of the Division is directed to Pietrosita ,the other one at Busteni.But only as they disembarked ,the Great Russian Headquarter telegraphs that they did not approve this use of the Division and orders resending it back to Dobrogea.Averescu executes the order pretaining the Brigade at Busteni ;the one at Pietrosita is in course of executing of the disposition for the offensive at Namaesti and cannot be withdrew.Still,the telephon orders are pressuring and the Brigade has to be taken out of the Front and expediated. Besides,the Brigade found out of these orders and was already in Pietrosita Train Station,ready for embarking ,putting on the retreat a haste so great as the slowliness with which it arrived.The recalling of the Russian Division makes no use in Dobrogea either ;she does not arrive there in time to take part in to the Great Battle ,which had as result the breaking of the Romanian-Russian Front .As in other circumstances ,in the most dangerous moments ,the necessary troops for obtaining a result were in terrain. The help could only come within ourselves.At 18th of October disembark in Campulung Train Station also the first units of the 12th Romanian Division,which was supposed to take part next to the 22nd Romanian Division ,at the defense of Cimpulung. She was coming from Dobrogea ,where ,she took part in the Fight at Cocargea.The Division took position on a line which stretched towards East the front of the 22nd Division ;she had in the first line the 70th Regiment ,made out of men from Muscel,which were enetering the fight even in the day of arrival ,to defend their villages ,mountains and valleys. The arriving of the Division was made in time:in the same time the fight begun ,on the part of the enemy, also the 12th Bavarian Division. The Commander of the Division ,12th Romanian was General Gaiseanu,to which it was handed the Command of the Group of the two Divisions from Campulung;they will held chest at two Divisions and one Brigade of the enemy.

During the night of 18th of October the snow fell in abundance on to the mountains .The War will go on now in a fairy landscape of winter ,but on snow storms and freezing.

The second battle of Campulung

The fights in Campulung region have taken the aspect of war of position ,which exhaust the forces ,tired and enervates them. The Germans have brought a very powerful artillery ;have climbed with ropes cannons with long gun on to the dominant heights ,have installed in Dragoslave Valley two batteries of 210 mm ,have seeded the trenches in the entire length with trench mortiers and projectors .The Rumanian positions are subjected the whole day to a continuous and violent bombardment .But this does not advance the Germans one step, and their mission is not a defensive one ,but offensive. And because the frontal attack has not given any result, he combines it this time with an offensive turn. The successes at Sibiu and Rucar were surrounding.

mortier-shell artillery

For executing the new offensive ,while the 12th Bavarian Division and the 76th German were harassing by the front the position at Mateias by continuous attacks ,the Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade has been send to go around the left wing Romanian through Raului-Tirgului Valley.At 20th of October ,the enemy appeared at Leresti ,in the flank of Romanian position ;two days later ,he attacks with more powerful forces a little to the West,at Albesti ;Magura Hill,between these two villages ,has been occupied by Bavarians. The trial did not catch ;the alpiners have been throwed back with heavy casualties. Enervated by the resistance encountered, the enemy troops stretch further the front towards West; in the day of 23rd of October they attack Candesti Village ,also without success. Heavy fights are given for mastering of Hills Bughei and Gresiei. The panic caught some units of Regiments 10th and 50th;it propagates to some of the Commandments ,at civilian authorities and population. Fortunately,General Averescu arrives at the scene ,stimulates the Commanders of Divisions ;the counterattacks made ,close the breech and sides completely the danger ,repulsing the enemy of threatened Campulung.


The Romanian troops have remade their moral and better their positions. When,at the center, the enemy retakes the attack and gives,in the day of 26th of October ,an extraordinary violent attack against the Romanian position on Mateias ,prepared by a long and strong artillery bombardment ,and the infantry columns of the 12th Bavarian Division have started through the valleys of Clabucet,Arges and Pravatului;they have been received in the fires of our artillery and then attacked at bayonet. The enemy has enormous casualties .All the attack columns must retreat in the starting points. Pravatului Valley is scattered with the enemy's dead bodies.

But the Romanian troops do not content with this victorious defensive ;they prepare for offensive. At 27th of October the right wing of the enemy is attacked in force at Leresti. The enemy is throwed beyond the Northern edge of the Village;he has to leave the entire line which he conquered and to leave in the hands of Romanians 300 prisoners ,two trench mortiers and five machineguns. The defeat of the Germans is now complete .Amongst many felt losses ,they have to mourn the death of General Pecht ,the Commander of one of the Brigades of the 12th Bavarian Division, killed by the explosion of a Romanian grenade ,during a reconnaissance ;the General has been buried temporarily at Dragoslave.

The trial of breakthrough at Campulung ,started in such a lucky way, has failed completely; the enemy himself is forced to admit the bravery with which the Romanian fight: "They defend without hope ;for each squared meter of their precious fields ,fight with a surprising stubborness. Since they have been pushed back from Bran Pass by a brilliant surrounding move, they protect very well their flanks. They are clever men and compensate they insufficient military education by fast intellectual and a faculty of adapting miraculous ".

Falkenhayn records the defeat of Morgen, noticing that his army is not able to take the position of Mateias he declares himself content ,that at least he was able to hold on the principal position occupied. The enemy has learned -at the school of defeat-to be modest .One moment ,Falkenhayn thinks to cease the offensive in Campulung direction and to use a part of the troops from here ,to attack the back of the Romanian troops in Prahovei Valley, croosing over Leaota Massif. Not trustfully in the success of this ideea ,he leaves it; he will wait the victory from somewhere else.


Posted 19 May , 2009 Predeal Battle

Predeal mountain pass

As the German troops of General Morgen were trying hard to open up at Campulung the road towards Pitesti and towards Tirgoviste,the bulk of the XXXIX -th Corps ,of General Staabs,was attacking Predeal Pass and the neighbor roads with it. The communication line ,direct of Brasov with Bucharest ,goes through Predeal Pass, the most comode and frequented of the five passes. A beautiful railway and a driveway climbs in tight serpentines towards Predeal Pass ,along Timis Valley through a splendide fir tree forest.The region of a beauty without pair ,is well known. There is no one from Bucharest to not have made at least a trip with the "pleasure train" on Prahovei Valley and to have not admired ,from the heights of Predeal the fairy panorama of Timis Valley ,with the serpentine line of the driveway and of the railways, going around the rocky walls losing in the depth of the fir forests. Towards East of Predeal road ,at the exit of Satu Lung of Sacele, another driveway goes South ,along the Valley of Talungu.At Santu Vechi,she separates into two branches :one enters the country through Predelus Pass in Dofteana Valley,and the furthest one towards East,goes through Bratocea Pass in Teleajen Valley .There are two roads of secondary importance ,with primitive driveways and without railway.

The German Generalisim set to General Staabs disposition the 51st Division Austro-Hungarian, together with parts of 187th German Division ,with the mission to attack and conquer Predeal Pass ;the rest of the 187th Division will give attacks for fixation ,in regions Predelus and Bratocea, such that it would not permit to the troops of the 3rd Division to intervene in the principal attacked sector .What made more the real power of the Army of Staabs was an enormous mass of artillery, which comprised of a great number of cannons and mortiers-howitzers of big calibers.

The defense of Predeal was given to Predeal Group of the II-nd Romanian Army. On the ridges of Predeal was the 21st Division ,and in the left ,of Rasnoavei Valley until Piatra Arsa(Burned Rock),above Sinaia ,with the face towards West ,was the 10th Division .Both divisions have been in the Army of Flamanda .The 21st Division was a new unit ,constituted in the greatest part of Bucharest reservists, from Ilfov County and Dambovita County. It was Commanded by General Lambru ,pensioner soldier which, at the outbreak of the War ,re-entered in the ranks with the joy and energy of a young. he Division has been transported from Flamanda to Brasov and suffered felt casualties at the defense of Stejeris Hill. The 10th Division ,Commanded by General Arthur Vaitoianu made out in the greatest part of men from Dobrogea County and Vlasca County. The rests of the 4th Division heavily trialed, have been retreated to Baicoi, for remaking.


The attack of Predeal

In the days of 9th-11th of October, the arierguards of the 21st Division have sustained continuous fights with the enemy; at 12th of October ,the Romanians were solid established on the line of the old frontier .The enemy climbs in pursuit Timis Valley ,sheltering his formidable artillery in lateral valleys ;he had the unpleasantness to notice that the road is closed and that he has to begin a difficult fight ,to be able to force the passing through. The surprise planned by Falkenhayn did not work here either.I n the day of 12th of October started the attack of the first line of strongholds, which stretched along the frontier. Having the impression that is difficult to attack Predeal frontal,the enemy concentrated its fires over one of the lateral sectors, and namely over Susai Mountain (height 1483 meters),at East of Predeal on the frontier line.Once this position taken ,the Romanian line of strongholds, West of Predeal, could be attacked by flank. In the days of 12-13th of October an infernal bombardment with cannons of all calibers came over the ridges, deforested of Susai.The Romanian fortifications have been dug out ;our weak artillery did not help the defenders .In the afternoon of 13th of October ,the enemy gave a general attack and managed to occupy Peak Pristocolului(height 1159 meters),of Susai Massif ,in front of the train station .The next day, however,troops of the 21st Romanian Division have attacked the enemy from Polistoaca Valley and Limbaselului valley and have reconquered the lost position. But at 17th of October the enemy opened again formidably from heavy artillery ,which destroys all the improvized works ,by the defenders. The two Companies of the 5th Vlasca Regiment ,defending the position on Susai ,have been decimated and crazed. When the attack of the enemy infantry produces ,the remains of the two Companies have been scattered through the woods, art of them captured.


Susai is in the hands of the enemy; he wants to advance for to turn the defence of Azuga.He is ,though,stopped by 10th Hunters Regiment ,which barriers the road, taking position on Limbaselului Valley and throws him back .The Romanian troops maintain on the belly of Susai Mountain ,towards South and West,covering the rail ways and Predeal Train Station.Against the train station and Village of Predeal ,especially against the neighborhood of villas from the North side of the village the enemy enterprise a bombardment of an extraordinary violence. Ten days in a row have blasted fire and metal over poor Predeal. It was the fury of destruction in the most barbarian primitivity. The heroes of Louvain and Ypres ,from Reims and Arras [8] were again at work. The were spirited by an immense thirst of vengeance over the beautiful group of villas: "the sumptuous summer residences of the Patrician Bucharest-ers ,which wanted and fired the War".Up the top,exactly on the frontier line , a small villa ,hanged on a peak of a mountain and almost hidden between fir trees ,excited mostly the fury of the enemy.It was the villa of Primeminister Bratianu,"The principal culprit" for the entering of Romania in the War. Bursts of shells have transformed the villa in to a pile of rubble and briks ,for the great satisfaction of the enemy. Two years later, the man of state could say: "I had a house ,and next to it a frontier. The house went down ,but the frontier went too !".Nothing justified the ferocity against Predeal :the fortification line was beyond the village, on the frontier ;the Village itself was not fortified .It was needed though that the thirst of destruction of the enemy -German virtue eminamente-to be completely satisfied,at the first step on Romanian soil .A German correspondent visiting later Predeal writes: "During the War ,I have seen in Galitia and Poland many cities which have suffered enormously in the wake of the War, but those have only suffered as Predeal has been smashed"*.

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Theatre of Fights from Predeal ,Clabucet and Bucegi

dotted line=successive lines of the Romanian Front

arrows =principal directions of the enemy attack


(improvised shelter for Telephone Post)


(Predeal Train Station after the battle)

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Time of ten days ,from 13th to 23rd of October ,with all the destroying flood ,of heavy artillery, thrown from the mouths of the monstrous mortiers, Predeal could not have been seize.In the day of 23rd of October it is given a great attack with big forces ,after a powerful prepare of artillery .The trenches on the hills covered with orchards of Pristocolului, the last height of Susai in front of the train station ,are crushed by shells ;they are abandoned only after any resistance has become impossible and after the positions have been surrounded and attacked in flanks and behind T he bayonet and hand grenades of Romanians cut down the enemy which ,hoever, makes the decisive with the artillery and great number of troops. Columns of Hungarians ,in the North part and Germans towards South ,attack Predeal from East ,going for the train station and the railways .A Hungarian column, coming from the North, breaks the front between Reegiments 45th and 46th ;another column of Germans descends from the East ,breaks it in the place occupied by a Battalion of 5th Vlasca Regiment .Through the breeches made the crowd storms inside ,turning the uncovered flanks .A handful of men with a machinegun ,defend Predeal Train Station till the last bullet and life .A German correspondent witness of the fight describes the adventures of this heroic episode :"In the afternoon at 3 ,the railway has been touched .The building of the train station was occupied with machineguns .From the window of the restaurant of the station a machinegun was firing ,such that closing in on to the wide of the platform was impossible .Again the artillery has to be brought in .Guided by observers ,hidden at a distance of 200 meters of the said building ,our cannons ,placed far down in the valley ,were firing over the train station and over anything that moved in its surroundings. This fire ,well directed, killed many Romanians ;the rest have been bewildered .By evening ,our line advanced ,and took the station with assault.The servants of the machineguns are defending it until the last momen t".The history could not record for the posterity the names of the unknown heroes which gave their life at the windows of the train station Predeal, once the machineguns bullets were finished.

.....


Another German correspondent visits the next day Predeal train Station and stories his impression:".....I don't really think to be someone left of those who have fought on the East side of Predeal, as brave soldiers, till the dreadful end ,to be able to tell about this last part of the fight .And bravely hve behaved Romanians on Mountain Pristocol and in Predeal Train Station. I have visited firstly the Station. As point of departure of the Romanian railways ,had an imposing and spacious building .A long row of buildings ,one near the other ,in which were the Chief 's bureau ,with the staff ,the Customs, the waiting rooms and the restaurants .The blows of our cannons ,in full ,have produced terrible ravages in this row of buildings .The entire content of the different rooms is in disorder and destroyed by the earthquake produced by the projectiles explosions. The Romanian soldiers have installed themselves in here seeking of shelter ;when we aimed our fires over the Train Station they have left it, going back in the chaos of rubbles and ruins ,when the whole Predeal was only a hell, in which everywhere exploded shells. In the old restaurant ,in which the vilige atourists of other times were gathering during the evening to small celebrations ,they lay now between ruins and between glass ;in the room with Offices of the clerks ,their rigid bodies and cold stay clenched. The hand gredaes and riffle beds have said here the last word. A pile of train tickets multicolored finds here in this chaos indescriptible :Predeal-Brasov(written on the tickets);red blood have been spilled over this small green tickets and two cold and ash like hands are thrust in them. On the other side ,another dead body in the middle of the suitcases of the travelers .Death have put them down ,laying them in unnumbered tableaus of a terrifying grotesque. It seems, in the face of this might,that nothing is real and that I only see horrible wax figures of a panorama of a Sunday feast. ".

Traveler ,who from the windows of the carriage look the new walls of Predeal Train Station and enjoy that you got rid of the bore from other times ,of passport visa and luggage ,think about that for buying this cheap pleasure ,lives of young men have finished in torments between these walls ,that blood have smeared the walls and flowed streams on the stones of the platform where people walk now in a hurry , carelessly. Recollect yourself and raise a prayer in penitent Predeal Train Station is not a border anymore ;it is for Romanians a temple of the most clean martyrs**.

Dr.Bassel,in "Neue Freie Presse" from 20th December 1916.

Romanian Cavalry-1905-3rd Rosiori Regiment,took part in the Independence War against Otoman Empire 1877


Not a monument, not a commemorative plaque ,not even a simple inscription on the walls of Predeal Train Station ,dose not call today the memory of the traveler ,indifferent over the holiness of this temple. Those who have defended Predeal

After occupying the train station ,all evening till late in through the night have continued the fights ,the most ferocious ,for to occupy the Village of Predeal .Under the Command of the unfearful and full of heart Colonel Stefanescu Stefan, the soldiers of the 61st Regiment ,formed of rezervists from Ilfov County and Dimbovita County ,have worked under the formidable fire of the enemy ,building trenches between houses and through the empty spaces in the city. The enemy ,stopped in front of the train station ,restarted the bombardament. House by house had to be assaulted .The ruins of the villas destroyed in the bombardment of the Northern Neighborhood of Predeal ,firstly ,and the peasant houses from Southern Predeal ,latter ,have been defended with a stubbornness which made the enemy to pay very dearly each step he made on Romanian soil. The Romanian positions in the North-West edge of Predeal have been searched by the terrible fire of heavy shells .The dug out terrain ,filled with deep holes ,reminds of the terrifying battle fields in the West .The soldiers of the 61st Regiment did their duty with an incomparable heroism. And the confessions do not miss.Foreign war correspondents which accompanied the enemy armies with the sense of hate and despise ,cannot stop themselves of giving to the Romanian bravery the certify ,most precious and sincere ,because it is of the enemy. "Romanians make a duty to use for defense all the advantages of the mountainous region ,gather all their bravery, all the stubbornness and despise for death ,to keep the gates of their houses".

"The Romanian positions of Predeal shows how the soldier can fight brave even for a politics which is stupid and murderous (in German opinion)...From the trenches ,leveled by bombardment ,from within the ruins ,appear the dead bodies of the defenders ,smashed between Earth and the wooden roof .They have fought like braves days after days, with the face turned towards Ardeal".


Ardeal-or Transilvania trences-dug in positions


"In the Western part is the great ground stronghold ,which could be considered as the most powerful fortification of there enemy, like a key of Predeal. It has been completely crushed by heavy sheels.T he result of the precision firing range at which we assisted for days now,up on the elevation of the artillery observer ,is now in front of me. I go through this maze of entrences and -shelter-trenches ,destroyed. This terrain filled with misfortune ,is preserved by dead men ,which only with their man powers ,have fought against storms of fire and which had to die in this hell.. I see one with his chest torn ,and with the stretched hand holding a ticket ,in such a way that it seems as his last wish ,to be acknowledged the words written on it .I lean down and read it :the dead was named Iancu Ion and was from the 61st Regiment .A name of a woman ,hard to read, is written on the edge of it: Niculina...Another one seats laying down with the rigid look towards that world of the mountains .He is pale ,although no wound can be seen .He has his temples sullen, like he is thinking trying to grasp with his mind of peasant ,in the last moments ,the immensity of madness which has taken over the World .Another one is lying a little further .He has tried to tend to his wound. He had looked for the small package with the dressing in his pack ,of which content together with the dressing has went in to the mud, but he did not had the power to reach with his hand to take it ,and died with his eyes fixed at these objects without value .I want to pas forward when I see something shining ,through these objects, something strange :a toy ...a pair of white long socks ,with the colors of the national flag of Romania ,each with half a dozen of small bells of the size of a nut ..."


The correspondent does not tell us if near ,in the pile of dead bodies ,the stiff fist of Iancu Ion did not clenched stronger the note written to his Niculina. It is sure that the peasant with sullen temples and the calusar(Calusari - a Romanian folk dancer troop),which will not sing his bells and all the unknowns ,dead facing Ardeal ,were judging with their simple peasant mind differently than Mr.Segal .But the clenched mouths cannot shout their protests and the stiff arms cannot make the gesture of tragedy anymore. But their glass-like eyes are looking ,without understanding ,why passes joyfully the Romanian convoy" which speaks in German", happy that even for them, the War was over now.

The rest of the 61st Regiment have retreated on positions on the ribs of the valleys Joita and Polistoaca ,which flows into Prahovei Valley ,in the interior of the village .Late in the night ,after the fight ends ,from the order of the II-nd Army Commander ,the regiment has been withdrew from positions and directed towards Sinaia.

After Predeal battle

The Battle of Predeal has exhausted the strengths of the 21st Romanian Division;the Division has remained bearly with 3000 warriors .The total of troops defending Prahova Valley ,after Predeal Battle did not exceed 7000 bayonets.Under the protection of few detachments of the 4th Division the decimated and tired troops of the 21st Division are withdrew towards , for remaking , Baicoi.They are replaced by the 4th Romanian Division ,which was better now and has reconstituted in part the units.Divisions 4th and 10th to which it has been handed the defense of Prahovei Valley are united in a Group under the Command of General Vaitoianu.

The Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army ,intends the retreating of the Predeal Group on the line Busteni -Zamora,the only one which seems to him good for an effective defence.The intervention of the Supreme Commander(King) changes the plan;the resistance line will be much higher ,on the elevations North of Azuga ,between this locality and Predeal.It is the line of Clabucet ,which streches transversal , perpendicular on the Valley of Prahovei,maintaining in the middle of around 1500 meters high;three peaks ,higher, rose from Clabucet Massif :at West of Prahovey Valley is Clabucetul Baiului ;at East is Taurului Clabucet and of Azuga,placed in the middle of a square -like ,formed up by the straight angle described by Azuga Stream with Prahova River ,acompanied by the national driveway and the railway.

So, the result of the battle at Prdeal has been that the enemy, putting into the game big forces and an artillery formidable , has managed to push the defense line by ,after 12 days of fights with felt casualties,2.5 Miles to the South, on to a new position ,very strong ,by itsself and also of the elevation by which it was flanked .The breakthrough did not succeed. Against the new positions, the German Army will have to begin the work of Sisif.


(Romanian soldiers -Oituz Front,1917)

The fights in Passes ,Bratocea and Buzau

The efforts of Staabs Group were applied at East of Predeal,over the Passes of Bratocea and Buzau.Towards East of road of Predeal ,at the exit of Satu Lung and of Sacelelor,a driveway goes towards South ,along Tarlungului Valley.At Santu Vechi ,she separates in two branches :one goes in the Kingdom through small Pass Predelus in Dofteana Valley ,and the furtest one ,towards East ,goes through Bratocea Pass in Teleajenului Valley.Further to the East still,Buzau Valley opens a large and important road for the entering in to the Kingdom;between it and Bratocea ,a less important pass ,Tatarului Pass,goes over Tabla Butii Plateau and takes in the superior valley of a mountain stream :Bisca Chiojdului.The strategic importance of Passes Predelus ,Bratocea and Tabla Butii is inferior to the one of Predeal .The roads leading towards them are made with big surroundings ,through uninhabited regions ;they lack railways ,and the roads are not so good or even very primitive .Falkenhayn decided to give through here only secondary hits,to ease the principal action from Predeal,putting mastering over the Passes.A more important action will be the one for conquering of Buzau Valley:it can open beautiful perspectives.The offensive against the four Passes will be given with the 89th Division ,German, strengthened with parts of the 187th Division.To the German troops were opposed from our side ,at Predelus and Bratocea ,the 3rd Romanian Division, and at Tabla Butii and in Buzaului Pass ,the 6th Romanian Division.Both divisions were greatly weakened in the wake of the losses suffered at Brasov .The 6th Division was reduced only at the 12th Brigade ,strengthened with the 3rd Hunters Regiment;the effectives were greatly reduced :the 11th Siret Regiment numbered bearly 400 men.The artillery had lost more than a half of the mouths of fire .At the right side ,the 6th Division was connected by rare and weak posts ,by the 7th Mixt Brigade ,in the region of Vrancea .The 3rd Division has executed the retreat in good conditions ,not bothered by the pursuit of the enemy and ,at 12th of October,could establish solid on the heights of Bratocea ,with a lateral Detachment at Predelus ,occupying the elevation between the two Dofteanas.The 12th Brigade of the 6th Division, followed close by the 89th German Division ,had to give a lively fight at Teliu,at the passing from Tarlungului Defile in Buzau Defile.Stopped on Seciului Hill ,the Brigade is on the point of being cought from behind and captured by the 89th German Division;the 3rd Hunters Regiment takes position at Sita Buzaului ,sustains with bravery the German attack and covers the retreat of the bulk of the Brigade ,which arrives at the middle of the night at Crasna.The retreat has continued in close contact with the pursuer ,such that at 12th of October the 6th Division was occupying positions this side of the frontier ,with a lateral Detachment at Tabla Butii,and with the Bulk ,between Cheia and Gura Siriului.

At 15th of October ,the 89th German Division -Commanded now by General von Below ,which has replaced von Luttwitz ,recalled in the fatherland -begins the attack against the Romanian positions,to force the entering in Buzau Valley.At the Eastern wing ,enemy fractions have repulsed the rare line of the Romanian posts and entered Biscei Valley .The 7th Mixt Brigade ,from the neighbour region ,being only in the making ,could not intervene .At the center the position , our position at Gura Siriului is attacked in front ,after a strong bombardment of artilley ,as well as from flank trying a go around by Piciooru Monteorului.The conterattacks of the Romanian troops ruin the trials of the enemy ,which is rejected back in his positions and it is captured ,at 15th and 16th of October ,218 prisoners.


For paralyzing the attacks of the enemy ,a Detachment of the 28th Infantry Regiment leaves from Tabla Butii ,adavancing towards Buzau Customs ,in the rib of the enemy. But two Battalions of enemy troops cut the retreat of the Romanian Detachment which,in the night of 15th -16th of October ,remains isolated;the enemy posts enter the national territory and spread panic in Slon Village.The next day in the morning ,the Romanian Detachment attacks from from North the enemy , closing the way, rejects him, smash the barrier and reoccupies the old positions.

Face with the important action offensive enterprised by the enemy and of the weakening of the troops of the 6th Romanian Division,the Commander of the II-nd Army decides to send reinforcements.At Tabla Butii are send two Battalions with a battery from the Division ,the 4th Romanian ,held for remaking at Baicoi,and in Biscei Valley it is send the 12th Brigade of the 16th Division ,with a divizion of artillery.

Violent fights are given at the both wings of the Romanian Front.The Germans want to turn the position on Buzau Valley .The height Golul Teheraelor, from Biscei Valley ,is conquered by the Germans ,then reconquered by Romanians.At 20th of October ,occupies it again ,forcing the Romanians to retreat on Bortei Peak.The counterattacks given in the following days ,have not given any result ;the Germans had strengthened solid the position and the weather was very bad. Both sides have given up to the advance and,at 28th of October ,the enemy consolidated on GoluTeheraelor.Romanians on Bortei Peak.At the left wing unfolds at 20th of October violent fights .The fire of artillery and machineguns of the enemy stop the advance of Romanians.Casualties are big both sides .Towards evening Romanians have retreated towards right side of Sirioului Mare and the Germans have seized Siriu Mountain.the Romanian Front strengthened with the reinforcements which begin to arrive ,is now copletely consolidated and the enemy has to give up to a new attempt.The breakthrough did not succeed on valley Buzaului.The failure for opening the shortest way to Capital ,Bucharest, was obvious.The offensive of Falkenhayn ,after small beginnings of success ,has been paralised.Morgen was stiff in front of Mateias ,Staabs has taken Predeal after 12 days of efforts and was finding now in front of the strong line of Clabucet ,and Below could not move beyond Gura Siriului.the barrier of stone and metal ,which the Romanians opposed in their mountains ,was intact .Falkenhayn turned the eyes more to the right.Violent fights were going on also on Olt Valley .Maybe in this direction the German General could sight the glimpse of the invigorating ray of the awaited success.


(Romanian military planes)


d)The Battle on Olt Valley

Death of General Praporgescu

After Sibiu Battle ,the Romanian Corps at Olt ,defeated and wakened ,but not destroyed ,managed to occupy positions one side and the other of Olt Valley,on this side of the frontier line.At West the Romanian troops were occupying in Caineni region ,a line with oblique direction ,from South-West to North-East ;they connected at West with the troops of Jiu Group at Turcinu Mountain. At the Eastern of the valley ,our troops were just on the frontier occupying and supervising the elevations until Arges Valley.They were elements of Divisions 23rd and 13th ,which has been disorganized because of the great losses suffered in Battle of Sibiu and in the desastrous retreat through Olt Defile and over the mountains ,strengthened with few Battalions of the 20th Division;this one ,a new formation ,formed up after the war declaration , with reduced effectives and mediocre weaponry. At 10th of October ,the 20th Division has been unestablished ,her units being assigned to the other two Divisions. The Commander of the Group was General Praporgescu ,an elite soldier, with beautiful spiritual and professional character The General has inherited from his predecessor a difficult situation ,almost desperate ;he has made great efforts to organize the defensive positions of his Army ,to set order in the units of the Romanian Corps ,which were very mixed up ,to prepare the troops again for fight and rise her moral.

In front of the Olt Group ,Falkenhayn has left only the Alpine Corps ,strengthened with two more Regiments of the Divisions 76th and 187th,which he counted for the time being ,enough to hares our troops in this region ,while he was preparing and executing the great hit against the II-nd Romanian Army .The mission of the Alpine Corps was ,only the preservation of the won front line .By the result of the offensive against Brasov hanged the further decisions .Till then, Falkenhayn wanted only not to be disturbed in this region.

For almost two weeks, from 30th of September to 14th of October ,the Romanian troops ,badly equipped and armed, because of the great losses of material suffered in SIbiu Battle ,has been continuously harassed by the enemy which, although inferior in number ,had the superiority of the moral and artillery. Attacks and counterattacks have fixed the positions of the enemy and those of Romanians on Pietrosu ,Veverita ,Riglou, Gorganu and Chitianetu Mountains.

A grave misfortune takes place in the day of 13th of October .General Praporgescu [9] has inspected the position on Coti elevation,on the frontier,and was heading now towards elevation Plesu. Although the General and his acompanies walked through the bottom of the valley of Ciineni Stream ,on a hidden path ,a shell came down by coincidence near the group of the officers and hit deadly the General. The fatality wanted in this point ,which could not have been seen from anywhere ,to fall this isolated hit ,of course aimed to nowhere and deviated fronm its destination.The death of the brave warrior ,from which was expected so much, produced a sadness without borders in the ranks of the soldiers ,and of the nation*.It was coming in sad circumstances ,when the failure of the trial at Flaminda and the rejection of our armies on to the mountainous line ,brought a general depression in the spirits.The Command of the Olt Group has been handed to General Petala, which has Commanded the 9th Romanian Division in Dobrogea.A hard task and a great responsibility awaited the new Commander ;the Germans were on the point of beginning at Olt an offensive of the most violent.

Taking the last good bye from the officers surrounding his dying bed ,Praporgescu addressed the words:"Don't weak the faith ,the victory is ours".Few days before he has written to his wife the simple words:"I am healthy and good where I am. Concern not to me, but to our entire Army ,for which victory pray to Good God". Constituting of Krafft Group.

Its mission

General Falkenhayn ,victorious at Brasov,has given at 9th of October the order for the offensive which had to force the advance in Romania by surprise and on the shortest way. he success of the blow at Rucar has given him the confidence in victory. The success of Morgen Group ,had to be exploited .The Romanian forces in the neighbor regions had to be fixed by strong threatening ,to not be send in the aid of the Romanian Army of Campulung .This action of aid of morgen will accomplish in Olt Valley. A strong group will form up ,there ,with the mission to put mastering on the important road of Olt Valley and breakthrough the Romanian defense ,opening thus the road towards Curtea de Arges and Pitesti. This action had to evolve ,also from the strategical point of view in connection with Morgen's action against Cimpulung. Pitesti was threatened by the convergent action of the two armies ,one through Campulung and the other one through Curtea de Arges .The success of this blow ,on either of the two ways ,produced ,it would have been decisive for the success of the principal action, hich was given on the shortest line. In any case ,it retained important forces and, even in the case of failure ,it eased felt, the action of the other groups ,especially of the neighbor Group,f rom Campulung.For the German Commander it was obvious that Pitesti ,by the geographical position ,close by Bucharest, could be well defended .The Group which will operate on Olt Valley ,had to be ,as such, strong.The Bavarian Alpine Corps ,which was already on position ,elit unit ,formed a solid seed for the new arrangement ,and its Commander ,,General Kraftt von Delmensiengen ,was one of the most appreciated chiefs of the German Army. To him was given the Command of the new Group. The Alpine Corps gave back to the Divisions 76th and 187th the Regiments belonging to these ones. In exchange, it was attached to it ;the 10th Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian, disembarked at 9th of October at Sibiu ,the 2nd Alpine Brigade Austro-Hungarian ,withdraw from Petrosani Front, where the German Commander was intending to give a hit no more, the point being considered as to far away: the 36th Regiment of Infantry ,Prusian, taken by the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army, two Regiments taken from from Divisions 11th and 8th Bavarian ,which were beginning to arrive on Transilvania Front ,as well as a Section of two armored automobiles .Two Staffs of two Divisions have been attached to the Group; during the fights ,Krafft wil also receive the 216th Prussian Division. The artillery has ben increased considerable ,especially with big caliber pieces ;amongst others have been send batteries of 210 mm and 305 mm.With this the superiority of Krafft Group was a sure thing for the importance of the given mission.


Olt Valley

Olt Valley ,normally ,is difficult to be attacked .From the Red Tower to Calimanesti the valley is very narrow ;a closed defile by both sides ,by roky walls ,here and there very steep .Olt River occupies it from shore to shore ,turning its waves like a savage water torrent.It is barely room ,near it ,for the driveway and railway which in some points have to enter through tunnels .From distance to distance opens up in Olt Valley ,lateral valleys leaving, at confluence ,more opened places ;there have established the villages .On the Eastern shore ,the most important are: Ciineni de Arges and Greblesti, from where it starts a driveway through Boisoara,Titesti and Perisani,to arrive at Salatruc,in Topolog Valley ,and from here ,through Suici goes in Arges Valley ,at Curtea de Arges.The three valleys ,of Olt ,Topologului and Argesului, they go parallel ,with direction North-South ,at 6-13 Miles one from the other .On the right shore ,Western,of Olt River, the transversal Valley of Lotru River,opens up in Olt ,after it has passed at Brezoi .It is ,with the driveway which accompanies it ,a wonderful way of entering in the mountains of the region .More to the South, after exiting Coziei Defile ,near the celebre Monastery of Mircea cel Mare(Mircea the Great,Wallachian Voievod),we have Calimanestii on the right side and Jiblea on the left .A driveway begins here going towards East ,to open at Suici ,in the driveway on Topolog Valley ,described above.The whole region at East of Olt ,in Arges County ,is mountainous ,rove through by the rows which descend from Fagaras Mountains ;they have peaks which keep around heights of 1500 meters (Cozia,Miglele,Sule,Mormintu,Frunti).Near the frontier and on its line ,the ridge of Fagaras Mountains has brave peaks with 2000-2500 meters high:Suru,Negoiu a.s.o. The same thing on the right shore of Olt, where the heights do not drops under 1500 meters.

Taking the consequences indicated by the configuration of the terrain ,the German Commander decided that the offensive to not take place on the driveway of Olt Valley, easy to defend ,but straight ,over the mountains and valleys on the right side and especially in its left .For this kind of difficult operations ,which must be executed in very accident ed(rough) terrain ,the enemy had special alpine troops ,and the terrain was just suited for surrounding(going around) moves ,of flanks ,so familiar to the German tactic.

The plan of the double going around

At 15th of October ,Morgen Group have obtained the unexpected success from Rucar .The order for beginning of the offensive in Olt region has been given for the morning of 16th of October. The first target was occupying of the driveway Ciineni-Titesti-Salatruc,to open the way towards Curtea de Arges ,and in the same time ,to provoke also the evacuation of the driveway on Olt Valley,on the the portion Ciineni-Lotru.The action will consist of a double move of going around the Romanian flanks ;it reproduces the offensive move at Sibiu.The dispozitive of the enemy forces was fixed in this way:at the left wing (East of Olt) the 2nd Alpine Brigade had to execute a march of going around in the right flank of Romanian positions, through Valleys Topologu and Arges ,and to advance direct to Curtea de Arges.At the right side (West) of Olt River,an analogue movement will be executed by the 10th Alpine Brigade ,with the direction on Lotru Valley.At the center between the two valleys ,the Alpine Corps will take advantage by the effects of the veiling of the two flanks of the Romanian Army,advancing as the Romanian Front ,threatened ,will retreat ,abandoning Olt Valley with her roads so indispensable for convoys transport .

The fight at Pietrosu and Veverita

The troops of the 13th Romanian Division -Commander General Sanatescu-have occupied ,at West of olt Valley ,an oblique line ,perpendicular to the mountain massif between the frontier ,Olt and Lotru.At the right side ,the Front was crossing Olt River,the driveway and railway ,lower than Lunci Cantoon,covering Ciinenii;then it went towards South-East on the slopes of the heights Vladului,Uria and Robu,of which peaks were mastered by the enemy. The heights Chitianetu ,Gorganu ,Veverita and Pietrosu were in Romanian hands.During the fights given, all the time, for almost two weeks ,the Romanian troops with all the exhaust suffered and their sufferings ,could strengthen the positions on the mountains ,forming a defensive system and to establish lateral communication links ,towards Robesti and Saracinesti,with Olt Valley,as well on South direction towards Lotru Valley.

The 10th Alpine Brigade -Commander General Tinczos -have started at 16th of October the offensive against the Romanian Front ,to push it and open up the road in Lotru V alley.The attack of the enemy is given against our left wing .On Pietrosu Mountain was only one Battalion of the 57th Regiment ;this one cannot resist and retreats through Vasilatului Valley,some 3-4 Miles until Larga .The Detachment on Veverita resist bravely; the enemy occupies only Stina Gligomanului and the line of the avanpost.Veverita Peak remains in the hands of Romanians .the Romanian Commander answers the next day, counterattacking at both wings. The counterattack at the right wing is given in the region of Vadu Mountain.Badly sustained by a very weak artillery and with low ammunition ,taken in the rib by the enemy fire from Lunci and by an armoured car from Ciineni driveway ,the Romanian troops gain a little terrain and have to stop on the occupied line .On the contrary ,the attack directed to the left wing ,in the day of 18th ,has full success. IN front of Veveritei ,the enemy has occupied Sasa Mountain .After bombarding with artillery ,troops from 5th Hunters Regiment have succeeded to go around the enemy right ,and hasting to attack with bayonet ,have occupied the trenches of the conquerer ,running this one a great distance during the night For reoccupying Pietrosu ,Colonel Mosoiu has made a veiling attack .With the help of the railways ,funicular(suspended carriages) in Valleys Vasilatului and Pascoaei,which edge at West and East Pietrosu Mountain ,have been climbed on each side two howitzers ,installed on carriages platform. Firing in a curved line ,over the edges ,the four howitzers have bombarded the positions, which the enemy has organized on Pietrosu Peak,working intense all night. The infantry attack has been given by the front with three Companies of the 5th Hunters Regiment and 40th Infantry Regiment,as a fourth company sneaked through the ravine and appeared in the back of the enemy position. At four in the afternoon ,the enemy,taken by panic ,has left the position ,end run away in disband towards North. Romanians have captured two cannons abandoned on position, ten machineguns and an enormous quantity of munition ;other two cannons have been thrown by the enemy in a ravine ,during his retreat .Almost 300 prisoners Austro-Hungarians have been taken in the fights on Veverita and Pietrosu.

The enemy has tried at 19-20th of October to regain by counterattacks the lost terrain, but have been definitely rejected back with heavy casualties ,on Mountains Robu and Murgasu, from where it has left in the first place; the field of battle is scattered with the deeds of the enemy.

The 10th Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian has suffered a felt defeat. Threatened in its own position ,there are send reinforcements from the neighbor Alpine Corps and from other units and is put under the Command of Feldmarshal Goiginger ,Commander of the Staff of the 73rd Division of Infantry ,a reputed specialist in mountain warfare .A Battalion from the Bavarian Guard Regiment ,sustained by the heavy bombardment of the heavy German artillery from Lunci ,which provokes panic through Romanian troops by the big shells they are firing ,sneaks through Robestilor Valley,on Gorganu .At 20th of October ,our troops from the right wing attack the enemy ;there are very bloody fights given in which Romanians have big casualties. The enemy cannot be budged and the right Romanian wing has to evacuate the slopes of South of Vladului and Uriei ,as well as Chitianetu. The defeat at Vladului Hill does not allow to the 13th Division to exploit the success from the left wing ,but the enemy is fixed on the terrain and happy he escaped only with that.

The fight in Topologului Valley

The principal action of Krafft 's offensive will unleash in the left side of Olt River,in the sector of the 23rd Romanian Division.the 2nd Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade will execute its large going around move in the right flank of the Romanian position ,to open up the road for the Bavarian Alpine Corps .Daring enterprise ,not only from the military p.o.v.,but also by the great physical effort asked from the men.It has to be escaladed in force the row of Mountains of Fagaras,the strongest Massif of the Muntenia (Valahia) Mountains ,which rise up to 2000-2500 meters high. The excellent alpine troops ,German and Austro-Hungar ,with man trained for mountain and with special equipment ,were a guarantee of the success of the enterprise.At 17th of October ,the enemy started a violent bombardment with artillery of all calibers ,of the mountaineous ridge from Olt until Arges.He managed to install also batteries of mortieres-howitzers of 210 mm ,of which mine shells produced destroys and panic in the Romanian ranks ,forcing them to leave the position of the line and retreat furter back.The strong infantry attacks ,given by the Bavarian Hunters over the elevations at Coti and Plesu,have been repulsed .Further to the East,however,the Alpiners managed to occupy Budislavu and Suru Mountains. In the same time ,the troops of the 2nd Alpine Brigade ,starting from Avrig ,have climbed the mountains and crossed the frontier at point Izvoru Scarii,between Suru and Negoiu,at over 2000 meters high, separating then in to two columns .A lateral column attacked Mizgavu Mountain(2143 meters) ,occupied by a weak Romanian Detachment ,which they reject,forcing it to retreat on Mountain Fata ST.Ilie ,to the South. The thick of the column adavanced through Comarnic,following the row of elevations between Valleys Topologului and Argesului. The provisioning of the column is made by taking the Romanian population in Fagaras Land ,transformed under the bayonet of the conquerer in heavy working horse.The mountainous region, raw,uninhabited by no one ,was occupied by rare troops ,in small and isolated detachments ,with weak connections between them. Even the provisioning and relievings-reinforcments bringing, were made very hard, through this bad terrain ,made by mountains with deep ravines ,covered with secular woods ,lacking practicable roads. In some principal points ,were detachments ,in the power of mostly one Battalion ;the large empty spaces ,were rove through only by patrols .The lack of communication made ,on the other hand ,news to arrive late at the Commandment. Still,the advancement of the Alpiners column along Topologului was signaled to the Commander of Olt Corps and followed step by step. The defense measures are taken in great haste. Until being able to gather the necessary troops ,the column continued its advance toward South.In two days it had travelled almost 20 Miles.in the evening of 18th of October ,its avanguards entered in Salatruc ,on Topolog Valley, at the junction with Ciineni driveway-Curtea de Arges ,rejecting a Pioneer Company which were making works North of the village .A lateral Detachment occupies Arefu,on Arges Valley .On the right side, another Detachment goes around by West ,drawing a movement in the back of our front ;the Alpiner occupy Sule Mountain ,in front of Poiena Spinului.

The move of the enemy, very daring one ,even adventurous ,was as much as dangerous for us ,as it was risky for himself .He presented uncovered flanks which could be attacked and runthrough. The Commander of the I-st Army Corps ,constituted in the first place ,a small Detachment in the power of 2- 3 Battalions ,with a battery of cannons of 53rd mm and few escadrons of Calarasi, unmounted,with very reduced effectives ,under the Command of Colonel M.Olteanu.The Detachment attacks at 19th of October the enemy which was on Mizgavu Mountain reconquers it ,rejecting the troop occupying it ,and Graniceri reoccupy Budislavu and Suru ,taking also prisoners. n this time ,the preparation for the principal column of attack -of which bulk was North of Saratuc-are finished.With the reserve of the 23rd Division ,strengthened with aids brought from Cerna and Campulung ,the Romanian Commander has made two Detachments:Cihoski Detachment, which was supposed to have eight Battalions with three batteries and to attack from South ,from Suici direction ;Mosoiu Detachment ,Mosoiu Detachment ,which has also the Command of the Group,had to have seven Battalions with two batteries and to attack from flank ,from Titesti.The veiling offensive of Group Mosoiu-Cihoski had to begin at 20th of October;the units making the two Detachments could not be gathered in time, such that the action was given with much less troops .At South ,Cihoski could not gather at 20th of October but only some small units ,with an effective of 1200 infantry -men and three cannons ;with this handful of men he attacks at 20th of October the enemy avanguards, placed in positions at South of the village ,takes 200 prisoners ,with 4 officers and repulse them in Northern Salatruc.

Mosoiu Detachment ,made out of five battalions with five batteres ,coming on Titesti-Salatruc driveway ,attacked by the flank the position ,which the enemy organized on the ridge of the mountain Clocoticiu, West of Salatruc.In the same time ,Cihoski continued from South the attack, and another detachment have attacked from the East ,from Oesti and Barasti.The artillery of Mosoiu Group have bombarded for two hours the lines from Clocoticiu,where the enemy had only mountain cannons ,then around nine in the morning ,a veiling attack over the position has been surrounded by success.The enemy ,repulsed with heavy casualties had to evacuate Salatruc ,where the Romanians entered at 11 in the morning.

In the pursuit of the Alpiners ,starts now Mosoiu Detachment as well as Cihosky Detachment.T he enemy retreats 4-5 Miles until Frunti Mountain ,where concentrates the entire Alpine Brigade and tries to reinforce.Mosoiu Detachment has to interrupt the pursuit ,being send to Stina Zanoaga in the aid of Olteanu Detachment, which has been attacked by superior Bavarian forces .At 23rd ,Cihosky attacks the position on Frunti Mountain .Without mountain artillery ,and the field one not being able to escalade the steep ravines ribs,the Romanians are in inferiority next to the enemy; the eight cannons of this one produce big casualties in Romanian ranks.At 24-25th of October ,Romanians attack again.The frontal attack is sustained ,with artillery ,by only one field cannon-which has been climbed with great difficulty and pulled with the ropes over abyssal ravines -and by four small cannons of 53 mm. Another lateral attack is given on Arges Valley ,towards Cumpana train Station.A Detachment executes a turning in the left flank of the enemy, falls on to its communication line and captures a provisioning column with 36 horses with samars-horsebags filled with ammunition and food and with 50 guides. The enemy is taken by panic ;he begins a disorderly retreat towards North ,followed by Romanians, losing 300 prisoners ,three smashed cannons ,munition, quipment.The dark, the snow and the wind blowing the snow, make the pursuers to lose contact with the enemy, beaten; this one may stop on Poiana Lunga ,and gather the scattered troops and to try reorganizing of a new defensive position.


During this time, the situation of the enemy column becomes critical. She was stretched on a very long distance ,having behind a hard communication line and for provissionings, crossing over ridges of high mountains with over 2000 meters (6000 feet?),and in front and in flank tight up by the Romanian troops of pursuing. IN the night of 19-20th of October ,the weather went bad .On high mountains was falling an abundant snow, with tremendous blizzard; through the valleys ,cold rain and rain with snow. The vertigos of snow were blinding the eye ,covering the paths ,mixing up the roads. The thermometer went below

-10 Celsius. The Brigade had no more replenishments and munitions ,and from behind ,through deep snow paths and the slopes transformed in ice covered roads ,could not come reinforcements but only with great difficulties .A catastrophe of the Brigade seemed now eminent.But the pursuers could not continue the effort till the end. The Alpiners were fighting in superior conditions to the Romanians.They had special equipment for mountain, as the Romanian reservists and militia ,most of them from field counties ,were coming to the mountain for the first time.

In the face of danger ,the enemy Commander made a diversion. The Bavarian Alpine Corps ,which were waiting to make use of the success of the Austrian Alpiners ,to advance on the way opened up by them ,has been send to intervene to save their mates and prevent the catastrophe. At 20th of October ,through fog and terrific blizzard ,two Battalions of the Bavarian Guard Regiment attacks from the North Mizgavu, which has been reconquered by Olteanu Group,as an Austrian Battalion attacks it by East .The Romanian soldiers of Olteanu Group,stiff with cold and unrest, cannot resist and retreat on Fata Sf. Ilie .Attacked again ,they fight till late in the evening .With all the considerable losses ,the soldiers of 1st Calarasi Regiment fight with heroism ;they counterattack many times and obstacle the enemy to break the front .The enemy attacks again during the night ;in the morning of the next day, the Romanian Detachment leaves the position losing also two cannons of 53mm,and retreats on the elevation behind :Calugaru Mountain.


At 22nd ,the enemy, supported by a strong artillery ,installed on Fata Sf.Ilie(Face of Saint Ilie),attacks again Calugaru ,by the front,as well by a surrounding move through Boei Valley.The reserve of the Romanian Detachment does not make its duty ,but shelters in the wood on Topolnicelului Valley;here ,it is surrounded by the enemy and made prisoner. The Alpiners seize Calugaru(the Monk) and the Romanians retreat on Stina Zanoaga.The intervention of the Alpine Corps made its effect.The back and right flank of the bulk of the Austro-Hungarian Column in Topolog Valley is covered, and the line of the Romanian Front is threatened to be breakthrough at Stina Zanoagei(Zanoaga Sheep Stable).Mosoiu Detachment is recalled from Frunti, occupies strong Stina Zanoagei and attacks ,from the South and by flank Calugaru,which retakes ,after violent fight ,in which is destroyed the 4th Battalion of the 18th Gorj Regiment and fell Captain Bradiceanu from the 5th Hunters Regiment.The conquering of Calugaru ensures the principal position on Zanoaga ,strengthening with this face the right Romanian flank. But the Austro-Hungarian Brigade has been saved ;after a shameful retreat of 13 Miles ,which could have become catastrophe ,she could breath momentarily on Poiana Lunga(Long Clearing).

To the great surprise of the enemy*,the Romanians cease the pursuit. Krafft takes advantage of this unexpected bargain to set order in the units of the Brigade and, at 24th ,a retreat on to

Clabucet(Lather).The fatality ,which followed the Romanians from the beginning of the campaign, repeats here again. As at Porumbacu(Pigeon-er),or Barcut(Boat-er),they had to suspend the operations in full victorious unfolding ,on their part.

In a surprising manner, they(Romanians) begin to give up. If this is because of the pressure of the Austrian Alpine Brigade ,or the fact that at 20th of October the 1st Battalion of the Bavarian Guard entered the position on Vladu Hill,remains to be established at a latter date". The retreat of the Romanian Olt Front

The trial of Krafft Group to force the Pass of Olt has ended with a failure .The Front has not been breeched in any place,and the two columns of Austro Hungarian Alpiners ,which were supposed to open up the road for the Bavarian Alpiners ,has been forced to retreat -under the protection of this one ,on the same road they have come.The High German Commandment records with sincerity this failure.Ludendorff writes :"A trial of crossing by the IX-th Army ,through the highest Defile and most wide from the whole mountain rows ,having in front ,an enemy like this one ,strong, which could not be surprised ,had to fail ,as it has failed in October the analogue attack South of Brasov.So,although it did not convey with us,we had to move the invasion point more to the West..."

With all the victory, of the Romanian troops ,however ,the Commander of the Ist Army appreciated that the Front line,with all the sinuosities provoked by the advance of the enemy in some of the points ,it dose not present the necessary strength anymore; specially the center ,in Ciineni(Dog) region -Coti(Elbows)-Plesu ,has remained too advanced next to the two wings. That is why ,even in the night of 21st of October ,has been given the order of retreat of the Front on to a line parallel with the mountainous ridge of the frontier and distanced by it with apro. 6 Miles. At West of Olt was covered by the heights Veverita(Squirrel) and Riglou ,with the Front to the North of Robestilor Valley .She crossed Olt River at South of Caineni and continued at the left of Olt River on the elevations Carbunaru(Coal-er)-Mormintu(the Grave)-Omu de Piatra(Stone Man)-Stina Zanoaga,having Calugaru Mountain as advanced post .The retreat has been made in quiet on the front of the 13th Romanian Division,after blowing up the metal bridge at Caineni and the driveway has been destroyed. The most regretfull consequence of the retreat was ,though, giving up at the pursuit and exploiting of the victory in Topologului Valley.


On the longest way

The Battle for Carpathian Mountains Passes was going on for ten days ,already ,without the Germans to put a hold on one of them.In Trotus and Oituz Valleys ,in Buzau Valley ,in Predeal Pass ,on Bran Road ,one side and the other of Caineni Pass,everywhere the enemy troops were making great efforts to conquer at least one of the gates for entering in Valahia(Wallachia or the Romanian Country).In some of the points,the enemy managed to obtain a small initial success ;the head of the column for advance was quickly stopped and the invasion dammed.In most of the parts ,the enemy struggled still in front of the ridge from the frontier or disputed it with the defenders. The shortest way to Bucharest could not have been forced ,and there was no big hope for it ,too.

In the evening of 21st of October ,Falkenhayn has to notice ,in his report addressed to the Big German Headquarter ,that the Austro-Hungarian offensive evolves unfavorable and the matter has to be well thought ,if against the strong resistance opposed by the adversary and faced with the winter's difficulties ,which started to show in the mountains ,the continuation of the operation is still recommended. He admits that in the last days were made very slow progresses ;still the tactical situation he does not sees as unfavorable. The German Commander does not lose hope that ,before the hard winter comes in, to obstacle the operations ,to succeed and put his hand ,by surprise ,at least on one of the mountain passes. The time was getting short now,the winter was knocking at the door If the bad weather, the snow, dvance until the spring .And in this interval ,the Romanians will recollect themselves ,organize and regroup forces ,to barricade solid the passes of the mountains such that ,at the retaking of fights in the spring ,the situation to be entirely other than now. With any price ,so,it must have been forced the entering through somewhere ,as long as there was time left. And because the trials ,which were in course from Oituz to Olt ,seemed to fail,the German Commander had to throw his eyes even further. The Jiu Pass ,remained till now, outside the plan of the German Commander ,because it seemed too far away from the principal fighting zone .Forced by the circumstances Falkenhayn hangs by this only hope left to him .Breakthrough on the "shortest way" did not succeed; he will try now on the "longest way"*.


Hindenburg writes:"We have established that the tactical successes obtained until now ,will be used from strategical point of view ,such that,from Brasov to be able to go directly to Bucharest. Even if the savage mountainous region and the enemy superiority will impose a difficult task to the few and weak divisions of ours, still,the advantages of this operation , direct ,were to big ,to be permitted to us to side them .We did not manage to force the rocky block ,no matter how heroic our troops have fought for every peak and every ridge .Our movements have stopped completely ,when at 18th of October,a harsh winter covered with snow the mountains and transformed the roads into ice .Under tormenting sufferings and misgivings, ,our troops contented to keep prepared the conquered mountain parts ,to begin the fight when the weather and occasion will permit it again. The experiences until now show that other roads must be found ,than the ones which go from Brasov over the wide part of the Mountains of Transilvania. General Falkenhayn proposed the breakthrough at Jiu Pass".

More detailed the official publication of the German General Staff explains .It notices as well that: The intention of the supreme Commander and of the Groups Commanders ,to occupy the mountain passes by a quick action did not succeed"; then continues "After it has been established that truly the Romanian Supreme Commander have thrown in time enough reinforcements on the heights at the frontier ,South of Turnu Rosu (Red Tower) Pass ,as well as Bran Pass, Predeal Pass, and Bratocea Pass and in this way closed the shortest ways to Bucharest ,it must be tried to go around the enemy, breakthrough the Front in another place".


Jiu Sector

Jiu Sector has been one of the most agitated during our War, although its eccentric position seemed to give it a more modest role. The closing in of the railway from Mures Valley and the mining pool from Petrosani had made out of this region the theatre of almost continuous fights .The Romanian armies and enemy ones have taken one by one offensives and counteroffensives ,have advanced and have been repulsed alternatively .The first Romanian offensive has lead the Romanian troops ,of the Covering Jiu Group ,until beyond Merisor Defile .The offensive of General Sunkel ,from 14-23rd of September ,have rejected the Romanians up until the ridges of the old frontier. Then,it has followed the counteroffensive of General Culcer ,which has put us, again ,at 25th of September ,in the possession of Petrosani Pool(coal mines pool),for that,in the end ,the enemy action ,enterprise under the leadership of General von Busse, at 1st of October ,to retake us back on the frontier line.In the wake of this operation ,the action was brought to a stand still in Jiu Sector ,on the whole line of mountains ridges ,from Oslea to Paring. The Romanians ,as well as the Germans have taken from here important forces ,which they have send in the neighbor sector ,of Olt Valley, to take part in the decisive action unfolding there. In this way,on the part of the enemy ,has been send there the 2nd Alpine Austro-Hungarian Brigade ,which has executed the move of going around on Topologulu Valley. In Jiu Sector have been given only local fights for the possession of this or that mountain, which was going from one hand to the other ,without modifying essentially the positions of the two adversaries.Jiu Sector ,seemed entirely neglected ,because of his lateral situation ,as violent fights were given for forcing the passes going on shorter ways towards the heart of the country. Then,at once ,in the second half of October ,the cannon started to thunder with fury in Jiu Valley. The decision of Falkenhayn has brought Jiu Sector on the first plane of our War.


Organizing the German offensive at Jiu

The decision to try the breakthrough ,also at Jiu ,was supported by several considerations .Firstly ,it was the able of surprise. Romanians,completely absorbed by the defense of the principal mountain passes ,could not imagine that the enemy will try to hit ,again, also in such a far region .At the cover of this surprise ,the enemy could concentrate unobserved ,strong forces.Secondly,the chain of Carpathian Mountains ,has in this region ,the smallest elevation. A single row of principal heights stake the frontier ;if these ones are crossed ,the breakthrough is done. The passing is enabled also by numerous transversal paths ,which the troops could use. Finally,the flanks are ensured; the neighbor groups are at big distances and separated by strong massifs of mountains ,and in the interior of the country ,the communication lines ,very few ,in this region, o not permit a rapid transport of reinforcements.

It is true that there is also a disadvantage: distance.Once the breakthrough succeeded must ,that the invasion army to take the road on the long way towards the capital city.The disadvantage had ,in its turn,an advantage :by this enter there were turned all the Romanian position from the passes which, threatened by the advance of the enemy in their back, had to be evacuated one by one. The breakthrough of Carpathians had to determine then,the place and the epoch of the passing of the Danube by the Army of Mackensen.For the important operation of breaking the Romanian Front at Jiu,the German Commander organized a special army of fresh troops ,arrived from the reserves of the armies of the Central Powers.It was constituted by 2nd Bavarian Division,General Kneussl, brought from Volinia,and the newly formed Division,301st,General von Busse,in which making were the troops of the 144th Brigade Austro-Hungarian and some elements of strengthening ;then two Battalions of Cyclists ,a Battalion of Alpiners Wurtenbergers ,heavy artillery and mountain one.


A strong mass of Cavalry was attached to the two Divisions of Infantry.She has to pour over the Romanian field ,like a water which has broken the dams ,as soon as the infantry would have broke the the resistance of the Romanian Front. There were two Divisions of Cavalry :the 6th Konigin Marie Luise,General Saenger ,and the 7th Division ,General Mutius ,each one of them made out of three Brigades .The Command of the Cavalry was of General count von Schmettow,one of the most representatives figures of the German Army ,the descendant of an old noble family ,in which the military tradition is inherited from father to son .The General has been Second of the famous Marshal Schlieffen,the successor of Moltke and the creator of the actual German military doctrine .He has taken part in the Battle of Sibiu and has suffered a decisive defeat at Oituz.The Command of the Group was handed to Bavarian General von Kneussl ,the Commander of the 2nd Division.

The beginning of the offensive has been fixed for the day of 23rd of October .It will be made,for the time being,with the troops of Divisions 2nd and 301st Infantry and 6th Cavalry; the rest ,the 7th Division of Cavalry and the Alpine Battalion Wurtemberger ,disembarked at Pui and were in marching towards Petrosani. They will intervene to widen the awaited success.


Regrouping of the forces of the I-st Romanian Army

The German attack at Jiu has coincided ,on the Romanian part, with the operation of regrouping of the forces of the I-st Army ,as the decission taken by the Great Romanian Headquarter to form reserves behind the fighting army, on the actual front.Of all the armies,the I-st Army had the most unfavorable and dangerous disposition of troops. The troops were stretched in a cordon along the frontier. The line to be defended ,being very long ,and the troops of this army not enough for such an unfolding ,the cordon was very thin and easy to runthrough in the course of an attack ,given by the enemy with forces concentrated in a point chosen by him. The reinforcements could not be send ,but only by taking them from a point of the front -more quiet-to be send in another ,more threatened; given the configuration of the terrain ,with ridges and elevations perpendicular on to the front line and with very few lateral ways of communication ,these aids could have only arrive too late.That is why, the Great Romanian Headquarter ,decided to make a new grouping ,which will ensure a greater mobility of the troops of the army.In the three principal Sectors of the army: Cerna ,Jiu,Olt, there will be only indispensable troops to occupy positions and held the enemy on stop,at the firsts attacks. The rest of the troops will be grouped in reserve placed at roads junction or railways ;from there they would be easily dashed to the threatened points ,being thus able to help with success on two ore moere fronts.The regrouping,ordered by the Great Headquarter,had to be made with the next face:at Cerna and Jiu will remain only a Brigade(2 brigades),each, of six Battalions of the 1st Romanian Division,having the same reserve of four Battalions-for both sectors-at Filiasi.At Olt will remain a Brigade(2 brigades) for each side of Olt River,having a third Brigade as reserve of Olt Corps ,at Jiblea.A reserve of the I-st Army ,of a power of four battalions will gather at Piatra Olt,to be send,after the need,in any of the three directions ,threatened.Finally,all the units remained available ,after this regrouping ,will be taken out of the fighting fronts and brought to Pitesti ,where thy will reconstitute the 2nd Division,made out of nine Battalions .It will be the General Reserve,to the disposition of the Great Romanian Headquarter.

The new grouping was very judicious .It acomplished the principle of forces -economy and permitted the maneuver on interior lines. It had ,however ,the disadvantage that it kept reserves too far from the threatened points, which could bring fatal delays, and ungarnishes the defense positions ,leaving them occupied by not enough forces. It also coincided, unfortunately,with the moment when the enemy prepared to give a capital blow. When Falkenhayn was starting the attack of Jiu Sector with two Divisions, the Romanians were on the point of letting the guard of that Sector on the hands of six Battalions!

. The German offensive

The German offensive would have to follow not Jiu Defile which ,narrow like a corridor,did not permit unfolding of troops ,but the numerous lateral roads and paths which, from Romanian Jiu Valley ,cross over the heights from t he frontier of Vilcan Mountains,a t West of Jiu Valley and parallel with her,going towards South.From these roads,the most important is Buliga driveway,said also Drumu Neamtului, the old road of passing from Ardeal into Valahia;she goes through the pass also known as Vilcan Pass and descends through Schela and Valari in Tirgu Jiu Pool;this road this road is today in decay,as the new driveway in Jiu Valley was opened through Surduc Pass,Paius Pass and Lainici Pass.More to the West of Buliga ,another road goes near Virfu Negru(Black Peak) and descends at Dobrita; still more to the West ,a road passes over Rostovanu,Arcanului Hill towards Bilta and ,finally,the most Western one, follows Bistritei Valley,t hrough Brosteni.Together with the roads at Eatst of Jiu ,are all toghether seven roads ,between Rostovanu and Paring ;they follow the ridges of heights which lean to the South from the peaks of the frontier and are separated by very deep valleys ,which obstacles the lateral communication between roads .All the roads open in the transversal driveway ,which comes from Baia de Arama and follows direction West -East ,passing by Tismana to go at Tirgu Jiu and from here further ,towards East.

The plan of the German offensive was this ;a frontal attack made with infantry troops in Passes Jiului and Buliga,to fix there the Romanians and,in the same time ,a maneuver of going around of the wings .The 6th Cavalry Division will advance by Rostovanu ,Piva and Arcanu, in the flank of the Romanian Front ,without taking into account the fights given in the mountains ,will arrive at Cimpia Tirgu Jiu, behind the Romanians ,forcing them to retreat from the mountain passes and to leave these open .For the Romanians to not be able to bring troops from Cerna ,Szivo was invited to start ,himself as well ,an attack over Orsova.

In the morning of 2rnd of October ,the enemy begun the attack on the whole line .The snow fell over the night and a thick fogg went over the heights. Because of this and for to increase the surprise ,he renounced in some of the points at the artillery preparing. The German infantery men were dressed in white long coats ,to be better hide from the sight ,had mountain sticks(piolets?) and metal teeth at the boots. Our observation posts on the frontier were very weak .A Romanian Company was attacked by two or three enemy Battalions ,with numerous machineguns .At points Rostovanu ,Varfu Negru,Muncelu, Arcanu Hill, the soldiers of 18th Gorj Regiment have fought fiercely ,defending till evening the plateaus of their county .All through the night the fight followed furiously.


The next day in the morning ,all the peaks from the ridge of the frontier were in the hands of the enemy ,together with Vilcan Pass .Muncel Mountain has been taken by the enemy at 24th.Our few troops were retreating from height to height ,resisting with stubborness to the assaults which were given uninterrupted by the enemy,drunk with success and sure by his immense superiority

An unfortunate episode happens in the morning of 24th of October.At Vama Veche(Old Border),on Buliga driveway ,at North of Schela ,Homoriceanu Detachment ,made out of two Battalions of Infantry ,a Cyclists Company and an Escadron of Calarasi(Cavalry),is surprised by the enemy ,on a thick fog and a dense rain ,and it is captured entirely ,without firing a shot.By the empty space produced ,teh Bavarians advance and pour over the Romanian batteries of artillery from the left wing of the position.Romanians fight with despair ;the servants fire the cannons from the mouth of the guns ,as the Commander of a battery gathers the soldiers in retreat and throws them into the fight with bayonets.The two adversaries bring in great haste all the reserves of the sector.A big and very bloody fight coocks up on Poiana lui Mihai Viteazu(The Clearing of Michael the Brave).The Romanians have here only the 41st Infantry Regiment ,and the Germans have eight Battalions with a superior artillery .The Romanian Regiment ,attacks by the front and by the flank ,overwhelmed by greatly superior forces ,suffers very grave casualties and is forced to retreat towards Schela ,saving ,however,the whole artillery without the two batteries invaded by the enemy.


(The box in which was preserved the head of Prince Michael the Brave,1558-1601, of Wallachia,at Dealu Monastery,Dimbovita County)


The Romanian Commander is making great efforts to dam the pouring of the invasioneers and to organize the retreat.At Horezu,is improvised a defense of gendarmes and peasants ,with a few mountain cannons ;it keeps the enemy to a stand still making possible to evacuate the services and the entire aparatus of the Commandment of Jiu Group which otherwise would have fell in the hands of the enemy .The advance of this one was now favorized by the terrain ,which was descending in floors from the mountain to the field.The Romanians were continuously dominated by the enemy ;their moves were seen by this one. The howitzers and field cannons of him were pouring ceacessly rain of fire over our groups .At 25th of October ,at the Western wing ,the Austrian vanguards were occupying Brostenilor Peak ,from which the sight in the Romanian field stretched unobstacled by nothing .On the road which takes along Bistrita Valley ,the first columns of the 6th German Cavalry Division started ,at 26th,the marching to the fields.

At the Eastern wing ,in Surduc Pass (Jiu Valley) and at East of her,the advance was slower.The enemy held only the Western shore of Jiu River and some few positions on the Eastern one;the driveway was clear.On the right side ,though ,have considerable advanced ;the heads of his columns descended the last of the heights fron North-West of Targu Jiu and,in the evening of 26th of October, they were at Vadeni,few Miles from Tirgu Jiu!


Difficult days

The situation looked extremely critical.It was now evident that the enemy is searching ,by a strong blow,to break our front in this region and that he is on the brink to succeed .Alarmed by the telegrams which he was receiving from the Commander of the 2nd Romanian Division -General Cocorascu-knowing that the weak forces at his disposal are powerless to stop the waves of the invasioneers ,General Culcer,Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army ,proposed to the High Commandment a radical measure:the retreat of Jiu Group from Jiu and Cerna behind the line of Olt River,and evacuating Oltenia(region).The ideea of abandoning Oltenia has entered a couple of times in the calculus of the Great Romanian Headquarter ,in moments of crisis of the unfolding of the War.General Culcer has studied and prepared this plan ,being convinced that,by organizing a strong defence line on the Eastern shore of Olt River ,our resistance ,being thus made on a shorter line and well strengthened will be more effective.Our Supreme Commandment did not admit the way of seeing things of General Culcer considering that ,in the actual circumstances ,abandoning Oltenia would have been a too painful sacrifice and which was not indispensable.In consecuence,it has been taken from General Culcer the Command of the II-nd Army ,which have been given to General Dragalina,the Commander of the Division at Cerna.

.

The new Commander of the Ist Romanian Army was one of the most valuable officers of Romanian Army.He was from Banat(region),and has served at the beginning of his career in Austro-Hungarian Army.Thrust in the highest grade of the sense of duty,he knew to make himself respected ,by a conduct full of kindness and friendship.The Officers adore him:"Father Dragalina " has been Commander of military school of most of the young generation.The soldier did not had in him a Chief but a kind parent .The Division at Cerna,which he Commanded to this moment,had become an elite corps by the trust the Commander knew to inspire to the soldiers .He was the man indicated to face danger.And he has made it with the price of his life.Unfortunately,Dragalina did not had the chance to demonstrate his beautiful qualities in this difficult moment.Taking the Commandment of the I-st Army ,he barely had time to have an exchange of opinions with his predecessor ,relativ, about the ripost which had to be given to the adversary.The fundamental ideea of this plan was:a vigorous counteroffensive with the available troops of the 2nd Romanian Division,which to hit by the front the enemy,and in the same time ,an attack in the right flank ,uncovered ,of the enemy,with the aid of a Mixt Detachment ,which had to arrive from Cerna through Baia de Arama.After expediting the necessary orders ,General Dragalina left for Horezu,where he has gave the Command of the troops of Jiu Group to Colonel Anastasiu,because General Cocorascu ,the Commander of the 2nd Division ,has left in the same day to Pitesti,where it was organised the 2nd Division as General Strategic Reserve.

Although tired ,after a night of work ,in the morning of 25th of October General Dragalina leaves in Jiu Defile ,to fully realize the situation ,and to manhood the demoralized fighters .Arrived in to the heart of the Defile ,at Lainici,he is newsed that enemy patrools have appeared in his wake into the Defile,between Bumbesti and Lainici and have opened fire over the groups of men and wagoons in retreat.Going back on the driveway in the narrow Defile ,the General automobile have started with maximum of speed to rove quick the dangerous place.The enemy patrols ,firing over the automobile ,the General is hit at the right arm.Evacuated ,and operated too late ,he dies in the Hospital of the Royal Pallace in Bucharest,in the day of 9th of November.He was ,after General Praporgescu,the second General fallen on the honour field.Death was kidnapping the most capable sons of the Kingdom,when they were most needed.

The Defence Army at Jiu received a painful blow,which was shaking more the moral.The situation was very serious and threatening.In the afternoon of 12th of October ,the roads taking from North towards Tirgu Jiu ,as the city itself ,were filled with the crowds of convoys in retreat.The civil population,soldiers and even officers did not see other solution but the retreat.The death of General Ion Dragalina heve left the I-st Army ,and the Division at Cerna without a Chief.The Group of Jiu has changed the chief even in the same day and a great move of troops had to begin for regrouping imposed by the Supreme Commandment.The 1st Division,incorporates in her battle order the Jiu Group as well.Between the Commander of the 1st Division and that of Jiu Group cannot be established a unity of seeing things ;the dispozitions taken,independent one of the other ,are not concordant.Susceptibilities and frictions obstacle and threaten the success of the action.Still,the grouping of the Romanian troops for counteroffensive is operated.And as the groups assume the positions decided for fight,the trust comes back and the stubborness and determination increases in the souls of Romanians.


The enemy continues its advance .In the evening of 26th the bulk of his infantry was exiting the mountain paths ;the heads of the columns were getting close to Tirgu Jiu.Kneussl reports to Falkenhayn that"the situation is extremely favorable ".The orders of operations for the day of 27th foresee ,amongst others,ocuupying of Tirgu Jiu City by a Battalion of the 12th Hunters Regiment and advancing of the 6th Cavalry Division on the roads of West of driveway Buliga ,with direction Filiasi-Strehaia.The reserves of Kneussl Group had,in their turn ,to enter in action:the 7th Cavalry Division had to begin the advance from Petrosani on the driveway of Jiu Defile ,opened by the movement of going around executed by Germans towards West ,and the Battalion of Alpiners Wurtemberger puts in to marching from Pui towards Petrosani.

But around the enemy,which believed in the superiority of his forces and Command,the Romanian troops have gathered ,making a semy -circle ,in which concavity was finding now the enemy.In the center of Romanian dispozitive ,in Turcinesti region,one side and the other of Jiu River,is the 22nd Mixt Brigade -Colonel Obogeanu-of which mission is to attack the enemy front in direction Tetila-Simbotin-Schela.At the right wing ,on the Eastern shore of Jiu,untill Bumbesti,are the troops of 21st Mixt Brigade ,Colonel Jipa,of which mission is to attack the left flank of the enemy,fighting facing West.At the left wing ,a Battalion ,Major Trusculescu ,had to cover the city Tirgu Jiu and to make the connection with Dejoianu Detachment -four Battalions ,an Escadron and two batteries -which were arriving in forced marchings from Cerna through Baia de Arama(Copper Bath),with the mission of falling in the right flank and back of the enemy.

The composition of the Romanian Group at Jiu was very mixed.It has been suspended the move of regrouping of the 2nd Romanian Division and it has been brought all it could be gathered from the neighbor groups ;mostly troops of second hand ,Battalions and Companies of Militia and from the sedentary parts.Some companies arrived without weapons, centurions and cartridges .The total of troops of Jiu Group rose up to aproximatelly 14th Battalions ;it was also forming up a general reserve of about three Battalions ,which have arrived in the night of 26-27th and during the day of 27th,in Capacioasa Train Station.As artillery ,Jiu Group had eight batteries ,of which most of them were old cannons of 87 mm -with smoke powder -and small cannons of 53 mm.The Command of Jiu Group was in the hands of Colonel Anastasiu ,installed at Copacioasa ,and the operations directives of Dejoianu Detachment were given by the interimary Commander of the 1st Romanian Division,General Christu,installed at Bradiceni.


The victory at Jiu

The day of 27th of October has to decide not only the fate of a battle and of a city ,but the fate of the War and Kingdom.The two adversaries are face to face,redy to fight.The German is sure of victory .For four days now ,ever since he wiped out the wick defense line on the mountains ridges ,he went from one success to another.He only met Detachments which could not resist,he has taken prisoners ,captured cannons .Has made 19 Miles into the Kingdom of the adversary,across the mountains,climbing hills and descending valleys ,through cold ,wind and fog.Now he is at the edge of the field .Wide roads opens up in front of him and enticing villages for shelter.It has ended with the War over ridges and through sockets of mountains. How could the Romanian resist in open field ,when he was unable to do it in mountains?Souled by success and confident in definitive victory ,full of despice for the enemy which they learned to overlook,the Germans advance now in groups ,without tight connections between them. The artillery climbs hard the quick slopes ,descends slow the dangerous inclines and has been left behind. The soldiers of the patrols enter through the wine-yards and through the mansions of the lands and start to plunder and drink.

In this time,Romanians have occupied their fighting positions .They are from Gorj County filled with grief at the sight of their fields and homes plundered,they are from Olt County which put their chests as barrier against the invasion which threatens their villages and lands.They are few and the enemy is numerous; they are badly equiped ,armed and the enemy has numerous machineguns and strong cannons ;their Commanders are young and unexperimented ,and of the enemies are old and trialed maisters of war.But the love of the peasant-soldier for the land of his Kingdom ,the impetuosity of the Chiefs and the blind arrogance of the enemy will unite their effects ,such that ,together ,to place the day of 27th of October amongst the great days of our history.


Early in the morning ,the enemy begins the advance .On the right shore of Jiu ,where he has entered more deeply into the Romanian positions ,the advance is made on to a larger front.On the left side of Jiu ,he has occupied few points of crossing over Tetila,Ciineni and Vladeni and turned,forming up bridge heads.The Romanian troops retreat a little more ,to Vladeni and towards Birsesti.The morning fog disipates and,at 10 in the morning ,begins at once ,the counterattack by the front and by the flanks ,as well.The Romanian artillery installed on the hills East of jiu ,opens over the enemy flank at Vladeni and Turcinesti.The precission of the Romanian cannon provokes the congratulations of French Colonel Fain ,which finds himself at the Commander Headquarter.From Preajba Hill,the infantry dashes into an impetuous attack.Surprised,the enemy is looking to resist. he assault of Oltean-ers is ,though ,so fiercely ,as the Bavarians have to back off.From the East ,over Jiu and from South, along the rive ,the Romanian soldiers attack with rage.At 4 in the afternoon ,the mansion and the mill of Turcimnesti are occupied by Romanians .By evening ,the village itself is conquered The Bavarians are running away towards Simbotin and Schela, abandoning in the hands of Romanians numerous prisoners and machineguns.

The same way ,things happen a little to the North.The artillery of Jiu Group has bombarded the driveway on Jiu Valley ,and the infantry has attacked and repulsed over the river the enemy Detachments .Following tight, the Romanian soldiers have occupied on the right shore Simbotinul and Porcenii,driving away the enemy towards the mountains.


At his right wing ,the enemy has received another decisive blow .Dejoianu has arrived in the eve at Pestisani,after a marching of 63 Miles ,made in two nights and a day ,unfolded in fighting formation between Pestisani and Bradiceni.The next day in the morning ,he begins the advance in direction Arcani-Dobrita ,attacking the troops of the 301st Austro-Hungarian Division ,which formed the right wing of the Invasion Army,opening up the road to the Cavalry.Under the violence of this unexpected blow ,the enemy begins the retreat.The Detachments ,which have occupied the villages ,are one by one attacked ,repulsed,captured.A Romanian Battalion attacks Dobrita ,throwing the enemy in the mountains ,in Muncelului direction.Another one ,occupies at South-East Stroiestii,pursuing the enemy which has entered the village.Valari Village is attacked and occupied by a Company of Romanians.A Battalion attacks the position at Rasovita-Ursatei,which is attacked from the South by Trusculescu Detachment ,of Jiu Group.The position is defended by strong Bavarian forces ;an enemy column manages to sneak through the empty space between the two Detachments ,Romanian, and advances towards Targu Jiu.The enemy position is seized in heavy fight by Romanians ,which also take couple of hundreds of prisoners and capture machinguns. Ahead of one of the Companies of attack has fallen Captain Lepri ,which was leading his soldier in to the spin of death rested, with the cigaret in his mouth.

The enemy has been defeated on the whole line of the Front .His columns have lost contact one with the other ,and the isolated detachments have lost the connection with the bulk and with the Commandment .By evening has started thick and cold rain. The roads transforms in mudbanks tracks. Through the rain which wipes the chicks and through the darkness which begins to fall ,the enemy detachments retreat on the whole line ,back, towards the mountains, abandoning the material of War, which makes heavy his retreat .Here and there ,small groups have lost the way and try to resist with despair ,fighting all night ,retrenched through a village or over an elevation.


The Batteries at Arsuri

In other parts the pursuit is made without rest. A reservist Sub-Lieutenant of 18th Gorj Regiment ,Patrascoiu V.Nicolae,asked permission from the Commander to try to capture the enemy artillery ,which was bombarding the Romanian troops from direction of Arsuri(Burns) Village,just the birth place of the young Ofiicer .He constitutes a small troop by a handful of men,courageous and decided as himself and starts ,through darkness and rain ,sneaking by the waterside of Jiu. Through Simbotin Village ,still filled with Bavarians in retreat ,on the paths so well known to him. Small groups of enemies met in the way ,are terrified by the shouts and attacked with fires.The Bavarians,demoralized by the defeat, not being able to realize the force of the attacker ,run in all parts .In Arsuri, oor hamlet, with houses scattered on marshes ,the daring Romanians discover a battery of howitzers of 105 ,placed in firing position in the middle of the village ,and a second battery is formed up on the lane .An enemy Officer is downed just in front of the parents house gate of Patrascoiu; the other officers and soldiers storm in to the houses and barns where they sheltered their horses and run in grate haste.

The capture of the two batteries ,all with their ammunition wagons, was of a great importance ;the cannons had though to be put in safety.Patrascoiu had around him only a few soldiers ;the rest of them have been left as guards and alarms in different point of the walked road.One of the cannons have been just turned towards the enemy and few shots fired in the dark of the night, newesed the deed of Romanians.The cannons are left in the guard of few men ,and Patrascoiu turns back to the Commandment of the Battalion .Roving again through enemy lines through riversides through the place of the river ,in darkness ,wind and rain. After twelve hours of marching and adventures ,Patrascoiu comes back the next day in the morning in Arsuri with artillerists and horses ,with which he transports the eight howitzers captured and surrenders them, with receipt ,to the Artillery Commander of Jiu Group.


The fight at Jiului bridge

A Bavarian column of a power of about a Company and a half ,has sneaked between the Romanian troops along the driveway Rasovita-Tirgu Jiu and appeared at once ,in the morning of 27th of October ,before the metal bridge over Jiu River,in the Western edge of the city.The Germans were after the accomplishing of the plan made in the eve :without considering the slowness of the fight ,by a daring blow,they had to size the city ,behind the Romanian Front The city is almost deserted ;the greatest part of the inhabitants have run away before the danger ,and all that was troop capable of fight ,is on the Front. There was only a handful of old Militia ,scattered through the city to make guard at authorities and hospitals ;they run in the edge of the city and assume position on the bank on the shore of the river ,near the Public Garden ,in the right side of the bridge. But the news made quick the surrounding of the "village".The few inhabitants ,which have remained behind ,in the city, gather quickly and discuss feverishly the threatening event .Indignation and revolt increases more and more .A single thought and a single shout masters everyone :"To the bridge, to the bridge,to not let the enemy in!" .A Subcomisar of Police gathers some ten gurdyists ,puts himself ahead of them and starts for the bridge The students scouts of the highschool ,which made the service of messengers for the authorities ,take the guns of the wounded in hospitals and run ,they too,at the perilled place.Traders women,children ,abandon the cohorts ,or leave the churches in which was officiated the service of ST.Paraschiva and,in an elan of enthusiasm ,start for the bridge. Everybody which remained still in the town is now at the bridge ;on the empty streets are only the dogs shouting of death...From far away ,from Turcinesti and from Preajba ,the wind blows the echoes of the cannons ,announcing the fight of armies.And at Jiu bridge cooks another fight :the fight of the citizens defending their homes and pride of their town. The defenders,s tretched along the river bank like in trenches, fire with misfortune but without any rule towards the shore over the water ,where have appeared the enemy soldiers.The weapons ,old model s,of the militia rattle without the slightest of rest and their noise ,repeated by the echo ,fills the valley and the river bed.The scouts,climbed into the trees ,stake out and signal the moves of the enemy .Hearted women carry munitions to the shooters ,which make great waste of bullets.Their shouts(of the women) boil up the shooters and increase the noise of the fight: "Don't give up you Gheorghita!fire good you Mielule!hang tight children!".


(Heavy field cannon, system Skoda,105 mm,quick firing,model 1914,equipping the German Army during the Great War,captured by Romanian Army in 1916)


The Bavarians are surprised by these unexpected resistance ,dizzied by the rattles of the shootings ,which gave the impression of a serious defense .Pinned dow n,they have to wiat the reinforcements which are late .For a few hours the fight had slowed ,the two adversaries shooting at echother ,across the river trial of the Germans to cross the river a little downstream ,towards Balanescu Mill ,at the cover of riversides have been received with fires by the men who stood hidden through the bushes on the other shore. Enervated ,the enemy soldiers try to storm the bridge ,with a machinegun .But Romanians are on watch.In the moment when the Bavarians appear in the opposite head of the bridge ,the Romanians start a defening rattle of rifles ,mixed up with the shouts of the defenders ,with the scrams of the women and of the children A group of militia ,scouts and gurdyists ,ahead with police Sub-Commissary Popilian ,dash on to the bridge in front of the enemy ,in shouts of urra! and repulse this one ,back .The wounded are carried on bran cards by the brave women ,which come into the fighting line ,to lift them up;one of the women is badly wounded by a bullet ,which smashes her shoulder .A Captain ,wounded to the leg ,gets out of the hospital and takes the Command of the "defense troop" .He organizes with a group of 20-30 militia men a turn of the enemy position ,crossing Jiu water at Balanescu Mill.But around four in the afternoon ,the reinforcements send by the Commander of Jiu Group have arrived .A company of the 59th Regiment runs to the bridge ,attacks the enemy ,rejects him and chase him towards East.In retreat ,the Bavarians are received by a small group of Cavalry of Dejoianu Detachment ,which was arriving from Birsesti. The German column is scattered ;most of them are made prisoners .An important number of Bavarian soldiers ,from the troop awaited as reinforcement ,have been found and captured in the cellars of the wine yards from the vecinity. So ,in this way ,as the army, fighting on the field of battle after the rules of war ,was winning the victory at Jiu ,in the same time the inhabitants of Targu Jiu ,peaceful citizens and old militia men ,women and children ,were winning a victory just as shining. Because ,if the fight at Jiu Bridge will not be recorded in the books of military art ,as an example of high strategic conception or of clever tactical execution ,it will remain in the souls of Romanians ,as a confession of the power which could be given by the love for the ancestral home and Oltenian pride.

. The second day and the third day of the battle. Accomplishing the victory

The Romanian troops have continued with vigor the offensive in the following days. The enemy have stopped in his retreat on to the line Valari-Rugi-Simbotin,on which he made powerful efforts to resist. It was though ,impossible .The combined action of the three Romanians Groups ,well supported by artillery ,have taken him out of this line and threw him back .At the right side ,the Romanians occupy Sambotin ,Porceni si Arsuri .The most violent fights have been sustained by the Central Group on the elevation South of Horezu. The Bavarian Regiment ,installed on this position, has suffered very heavy casualties ;he has been chased away by evening ,being forced to abandon his entire artillery ,which he has installed here.Eight cannons together with the nine Romanian cannons captured at 24th of Octobe r,on Poiana Mihai Viteazu(Mihai the Brave Clearing),have remained in Romanian hands.

The enemy then, hangs himself with desperation by a second line ,which corresponded with the Southern edge of the last forested elevations of Carpathians ;he is looking to maintain with any price in the day of 29th of October on to this line. During this time, however,at the left wing was taking place one of the most important episodes of the battle.In the day of 28th of October had to take place the attack of the German Cavalry.The three Brigades of the 6th German Cacalry Division ,acompanied by two mounted artillery batteries ,forming up a lateral column ,at the right side of the German dispositive ,have descended Bistrita Valley and were ready to enter the fight ,going around towards South -East to fall in the flank of Romanian lines .But the defeat in the eve and the retreat of the German center has changed the situation of the Detachments ,which did not correspond anymore to the initial plan,German.The Corps of the Cavalry Column ,advancing from Brosteni towards Frincesti ,found the locality occupied by Romanians.The troops of Dejoianu Detachment interrupted any connection between the Lateral Column of Cavalry and the thick of the Germans .Before the Germans could realize the situation a Romanian Detachment, made out of and Infantry Battalion and an artillery battery ,advanced towards Bilta and hit ,above Frincestilor ,the flank and back of the Enemy Column.The resistance of the enemy was short; he is beaten and throwed back .Romanians pursue with vigor the German Cavalry ,which is forced to retreat back in to the mountains ,with great casualties.

At the center ,the German could not maintain not even the second line ,in the day of 29th of October ,at 2 pm,the restless Romanian troops have taken with assault in an irresistible élan all the enemy's positions on the elevations :Lesului Hill-height 1191 meters -Piva Hill ,Grindului Peak ,chasing him away towards Drumu Neamtului(Neamt Road).

The Battle was definitively lost by the Germans.The enemy have started a precipitated retreat through bad terrain places with very steep ravines ,on muds ,wiped by a cold rain and chased away from behind by victorious Romanian. The retreat transforms in a general confusion.The clavierists shoot their horses to be able to better sneak through the narrow paths. Cannons and automobiles roll over in to the abyssal ravines .Carriages with munition ,food deposits ,sanitary coaches ,intact automobiles or burned, kitchens, tents ,weapons ,stake the road of retreat and fall prey to the victorious .A whole week ,until 4th of November ,have continued the pursuit of the beaten enemy, gathering prisoners and war material. The tableau of the prey is an imposing one:1600 prisoners ,25 cannons ,together with the 17 cannons the enemy has taken in the first part of the battle and which have been taken back ,55 machineguns .The number of dead of the enemy buried by Romanians soldiers, goes over over 1500.


The Romanian Victory described by the enemy

The Romanian victory is complete .The enemy tries to diminish it in his official communicates: "At South-West of Surduc Pass ,the enemy has pushed back with a few Miles one of our fighting Groups".Nothing more.The General is serious in his words when is forced to confess a defeat.It is true that the German pride has been hit hard.The goal aimed by the Battle of Jiu was of the most important and the troops, which have been beaten ,belonged to the elite of the German Army.It was the famous 2nd Bavarian Division*,which has given the assault at Przemysl,which advanced, ahead of phallanx of Mackensen on the Russian Front,until the ponds of Pripetului[10] and which has been ,next to the Alpine Corps ,the seed of the German Army in the Campaign against the Serbs. From here ,the envy which sweats in the reports of their istoriographs .One of them writes: "Romanians congratulate themselves with the success in Jiu Valley over the Bavarian troops and trumpet this success in the whole World .The reality probes only that the Bavarian troops have advanced without prudence and with fury ,careless about the enemy counteroffensive .In such enterprises it happens very easy ,in mountainous regions ,that the heads of the invasion columns to collide by an enemy greatly superior and-and if this one realizes the situation and attacks -naturally (!) suffers a momentarily failure .The official publicity of the German General Staff is more sincere in exposing the battle and of the result. It entangles ,however in long explanations and twisted over the bad weather and of the pretended numerical superiority of Romanians .The description of the German retreat is picturesque and interesting one:"Under unusual great difficulties made the German troops the retreat on torential rain.Horses ,cannons and vehicles sliped and fel lin to the ravines.Torents of rain changed the snow cover on the mountains and valleys in mud .The horses,exhausted ,could not go on ,nor to move the cannons.They have been destroyed.At 30th of October in the evening ,the troops of Kneusll Group could finally maintain on the last line of retreat ,but how difficult!Fron 23rd of October it has rained and snowed continuously ,during the day.At night the temperature went below freezing.On the heights, a cold wind like ice was blowing strong;nor a bungalow to shelter the troops ,neither a fire to heat up them and dry .We also have to remind that the troops were broken by exhaust ,because of the efforts, over the human endurance made in marchings and fights between these difficult regions of mountains ,that they had to give numerous safety posts and because of the cold they could not even sleep .So,we can explain how they could be defeated by the strong superiority of Romanians ,which were helped also by a thick fog ,and had guides ,which knew well the roads. The justifications of the enemy could be taken into account ,with the rectification that ,the bad weather ,was the same for Germans as for Romanians ,which fought together on the same Earth and under the same Sky.The only difference was that the Germans were equipped for mountain warfare ,as the Romanian troops have been gathered from the mountains but also from the valley and equipped however they could. The affirmation that the Romanians were superior in number ,it is an untruth .In fact,R omanians have started the fight with nine Battalions and,o nly at 28th of October ,they could summon 20 Battalions ,the effective of almost a Division and a half-of which a good part troops were of gathering-the Germans had two Infantry Divisions -most of them carefully chosen troops -and two Cavalry Divisions ,having also a superior artillery.

By a curious coincidence ,Jiu Battle has been given between 11th Bavarian Division and 11th Romanian Division ;at the enemy 21st Artillery Regiment ,and at us the heroic Artillery Regiment with the same number.


The causes and follow-up of the German defeat

The causes of the Romanian victory at Jiu are other than the ones showed by the Germans.F irstly,to much confidence of the Germans, in their superiority and the depreciation of the fighting strength of Romanians.This mistake of appreciation made them to execute an offensive with a misjudged daring -in columns lacking connection between them -and commit many imprudence ,counting on the intimidation of Romanians.

On the part of these ones ,the plan of the counteroffensive well thought and energically executed ,knew to take advantage of the adventurous situation of the German columns and to attack them in the most weak points.The proverbial resistance of the Romanian soldier at tiering marchings and misgivings of all kinds ,as well as the elan with which they fought ,defending-most of them-their lands ,hills and villages ,have ensured the victory.

The Battle of Jiu is after the one at Oituz ,the second big victory of Romanians against the mighty adversary ,from the start of the offensive of Falkenhayn .It forms a title of legitim pride :for the heroic troops ,but also for the young Commanders which lead them.

With all the beauty of success,the victory at Jiu could not be exploited for strategic goals .The physical tiredness of the troops ,obstacle them to continue the pursuit of the adversary. Alarmed by the result of the fight ,this one made use of quick and strong reinforcements.Even at 29th of October ,as the 6th Cavalry Division, German,begun the desastruous retreat ,has been brought in great haste the Alpine Battalion Wurtemberger and the 7th Cavalry Division ,German,to fill the empty space formed up by the breaking of the German Front at South of Virfu Negru(Black Peak).Two new Divisions disembarked behind the front they could not be put in to the fight because ,with all the efforts made,the German Front could not maintain until their entering into the line. So,the fight ceased without the enemy to be chased beyond the frontier; especially Jiu Defile remained, in the greatest part,in his mastering .He installed here a battery of heavy howitzers ,with which started to bombard the Romanian positions ,pushing even his own line towards South ,in Surduc Pass ,until close to Bumbesti and on to the elevations East of the pass.

On the Romanian part ,the increasing pressure of the enemy attacks in the other sectors necessitated the sending of reinforcements in thoughtless directions The Jiu Group disorganized itself in this way ,and the unit incorporated in it have been send back to the groups they belonged ,in the first place.


f)The End Of The First Battle Of the Passes.

The effects of the battle

The defeat at Jiu ends the row of the firs efforts made by the enemy to put his hands on the passes.The offensive started by Falkenhayn and by Arz at 11th of October ,ends at 28th of October with a total fiasco.The German Generalisim ,is forced to admit it without any doubt :"So the trial to cross over the mountains in the same time with the enemy ,did not succeed" .The causes of this insuccess ,after the German Generalisim opinion, was:the bad weather which came in to the mountains at 18th of October ,the insufficient equipment of the troops for mountain warfare ,the impossibility of the Hungarian railways to ensure a quick service of transports and especially "the damn" ideea ideea of the Commandment of the Group of Armies of Archduke Carol to enterprize in the same time an offensive in an excentric direction ,at Oituz,which has smashed the forces and wakened the ones with which it was supposed to give the principal blow. Falkenhayn revenges. afirming in bad temper ,but also with probable rightness ,that" anyone who knows the Is tAustro-Hungarian Army, must say to himself that no decisive success can be expected from this Army".

A closer examination of the situation has to show ,though that, if the enemy did not succeed to break the Romanian Front or to master one of the passes ,still,it have obtained important advantages .On the whole stretch of Carpathian Mountains of Muntenia ,from Jiu Valley to Buzau Valley ,the Romanian Front has been pushed on a depth which reached here and there 6 Miles away from the mountain ridges on the frontier .In the vecinity of the most important passes ,the peaks edging the entrances in these passes were in the enemy hands The defence of Carpathians had to be made now on to a second line of elevations .All over ,the enemy held the Northern entrances of the Defiles ;the Romanians mastered only the Southern ones.

Another effect of the bloody battle given for 17 days was that the Romanian troops ,fighting hard ,with the enemy better equiped than them,and with the weather more and more deteriorating, were shortened as effectives ,tired,demoralized.Their power of resistance was weaker and weaker. No powere of refreshing the troops could not be seen from nowhere. Almost the totality of the Army has been engaged from the beginning on the whole fronts and the soldiers have been,for two months now,in continuous fights with the enemy, without that in this whole time to be exchanged, for rest The perspective of the future fights with an enemy which ,from his part,was strengthening all the time with new troops ,send from other fighting fronts ,concerned more and more the High Romanian Commandment. How long will it last this weakened and harrased soldier?

Regroupings of Romanian-Russian troops

Worn out ,and need of rest of ,the Romanian troops ,have become the most urgent matters. The plan of General Berthelot to take out from the Front the most tired Divisions and bring them in the interior to rest them and ,in the same time ,to form up from them Strategical Reserves ,has been adopted by the Great Headquarter and put in to practice after long and tiring discussions with the allies ,especially with the Russians .These onse, consented to be concentrated in to Dobrogea ,three Corps of Army and to be brought to Moldavia . four Army Corps ,under the Command of General Lecitki ,with the intention to enterprise an offensive in Moldavian Carpathian Mountains towards Transilvania ,to push the Fighting Front on to the line of the Mountains of Harghita and Baraoltului. This action ease in the same time ,the Romanian Front and permittet taking out of few Divisions from the first line.The Sector which will be occupied by the Russians will stretch from Calimani until Trotus River region.The replacement movement will begin in the last days of October;it will be made with much activity at the Armies in Moldavia and Dobrogea.The 14th Romanian Division ,goes out the Front ,to constitute in general reserve in region Bucharest-Ciulnita;a Brigade of the 2nd Cavalry Division is brought at South of Bucharest in Budesti-Curcani region;the 8th Romanian Division gathers at Adjud ,from where it would have to be transported towards Ploiesti.Divisions 2/5 and 9/19 ,very tired, retreated from Dobrogea wil rest in Buzau-Braila region taking in to their composition the sedentary parts of of the V-th Braila Corps.It is also reconstituted the 18th Romanian Division the one destroyed at Turtucaia,from the 4th Mixt Brigade of the 14th Romanian Division ,completed with other units, especially of taking the 4th battalion from different regiments.With all these troops retreated from Moldavia and Dobrogea ,it will be constituted at East of Bucharest also a strong Strategic Reserve at the dispozition of the Great Headquarter ,to be used as maneuver mass in defense or offense ,where it will be needed.

On a reduced scale ,it is started the making of strategical reserves in the other two armies. The II-nd Romanian Army will have to take out from Front two Divisions: the 16th Romanian and 10th Romanian ,the last one having the need to be completed ,the I-st Romanian Army was constituting at Pitesti the 11th Romanian Division, this one also very tired, as a reserve unit.

At 5th of November ,the Great Headquarter will succeed to gather around Bucharest a Strategic Reserve ,at its dispozition ,made out of seven Divisions ,of which only one good Division,the 14th Romanian ;the others very tired and weakened because of the continuous fights they conducted(Divisions :2nd/5th,9th/19th,11th,21st,7th) needed rest and remaking.

An offensive of General Sarrail towards Monastir has to contribute at taking the burden of Romanian Front over which was visible now that the enemy centers all his interest and all strengths which he can make available from all European Fronts.

The operations of constituting of the reserves go hard because of the slow with which the Russians were arriving .Alekseev changes terms after terms ,postponing all the time the beginning of the offensive and asking to Romanian Commandment to hold the Front until the calculated dates ,considered safe for the advancing of the Russians on to the fighting line .But the Russians move hard, and the capacity of transport of the railways in Basarabia and Moldavia is weak .Frictions are produced ,upsets and incriminations by both sides. And during this tme, the enemy dose not give us a break, not one moment .He has brought new and important forces ,with which he begins a new offensive.


3.The Second Battle Of The Passes

a)Preparing Of The New Offensive

The first battle for conquering of the defiles has brought to the German Commander a defeat on the whole line of the fighting front ,but also the gain of a stretch of land along this front.It has brought though a more important gain:a useful experience.Falkenhayn has given blows of drill in all the points of passing ;if the drill did not break through in either place,it showed very clearly where is the weak spot of resistance and the greatest chance of victory.Although at Jiu has been the greatest failure ,still there was the biggest oportunity to succeed. There the mountain was most narrow than anywhere else;there ,were most of the lateral roads and paths,parallel with the principal driveway in the defile(Jiu Defile) ,and this was now, almost entirely in the hands of the enemy.The new trial has to be made in the same place,trying to avoid the mistakes at the first one.F irstly,the Command will be more circumspect .the German Commander started to admit that the opinions he has made over the rapport of forces between the ally armies and their adversaries ,were too optimist .Impressed by the speed with which they took out the Romanians from Ardeal,they underapreciated the value of the Romanian troops. From here,t he confidence that the passes could be forced only in a few days and that the barrier of the mountains will be crossed by surprise in the same time with the Romanians.In reality,there has been surprise,but for the German Commandment.The heroism of the Romanian soldier was so great ,his love for his Kingdoom has multiplied his forces so much ,that with all the technical superiority of the enemy ,he(the enemy) has been throw back almost enywhere.The German official communique has to notice* that"the Romanian troops defend with dtermination the enterances of their Kingdom".

The new offensive will be prepared and executed with the most of care.The German give up to surprise.Secondly there will be used superior forces.What could not have been obtained by surprise ,must be looked to be obtained by"making use of forces ,regardless of any economy".writes Falkenhayn.the Big German Headquarter newsed the Commander of the IX-th Army that there will be send three German Divisions ;he will use them all at Jiu .The new attack will be given,thus,in the same place,but with seven Divisions.It must,by any price,to be forced the entering in the Field from the Mountain,before the winter to force the enemy to cease operations.

When the preparatives of the new offensive to be over,Falkenhayn gave the order that the fights to follow their course in Valleys of Olt River and Prahova.In these two sectors was not about a breakthrough anymore ,much less of a surprise action,but a slow action and continuous which,supported by the big masses of artillery which the enemy had in these sectors ,to harass the Romanians ,weaken their forces and conquer the terrain step by step.When the preparations of Jiu will be over ,the offensive will be retaken at all the passes(or mountain passes),to mask the principal strike.The masses of men and cannons ,as the method,will have to bring the victory,which could not be brought by surprise and presumption.

Communicate from 22nd of October.

The Russians take over a part of the Carpathian Moldavian front

The repeated interventions of the allies in the West over the Russians have become more and more pressing ,up to the point when these ones ,with all the repulssion they manifested for such an operation ,decided ,finally ,to take over a part of the fighting sector which comprised the Moldavian Carpathian Mountains.Decissive, was not the wish to come in the aid of Romanians ,but their own safety in the left flank of the Russian Front of Bucovina.So,Russian units will replace in this region the Romanian ones ,exhausted in a fight without break ,which laste for a few months already ,against an enemy refreshing his forces all the time .That is why,during November ,the Russian Front in Bucovina Mountains started a slip movement to the South ;the Army of General Lecitki stretched the left wing in to the Mountains of Neamt and of Bacau,until Ghimes Pass ,replacing the Romanian troops taken out from the fighting line ,to constitute reserves .In the same time ,the Russians have send to Dobrogea important forces-almost four Corps of Army -under the Command of General Zaharov ,to reject the enemy and free Dobrogea .At least this was the goal announced by the High Russian Commandment .How the Russians aquited by this mission and what was the real action ,of this important force ,will remain to be seen latter.

Tightening the colaboration on to the fighting field necessitated realities more tight of Commandment.General Beleaev-latter War Minister of Russia-has been named representative of the high Commandment of the Russian Army attached to the Romanian Commandment.A mission of superior officers ,artillery technicians ,lead by General Vinogradski arrived in Romania at 3rd of November ,as a technical advisers to help the Romanians, with their experience earned during two years of War;the mission has been separated in to three groups ,attached to the three armies of operations .These measure had the defect that they came too late ,to straighten a situation which started to slide on to a dangerous slope ,and the participation of the Russian Armies to the operations has not been,in any way,up to the expectations of the mission they headlined when they have been send ,in the first place.

The second battle at Oituz

The defeat suffered by Austro-Hungarians in the Battle for the Passes of Moldavia put a stop for a while to the warior veleities of Archduke Carol .The I-st Austro-Hungarian Army had given up at any new trial.The cold rains transformed in to snow and blizzards.That is why,for 14 days ,it has been on the Moldavian Front a kind of silent truce ,interrupted only by small local attacks for occupying of some more proeminent elevation ,which the next day was counterattacked and retaken by the adversary which had lost it.

An important change took place at the right wing of the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army.The 71st Division ,together with the 1st Cavalry Division Austro-Hungarian and with the 8th Bavarian Division ,formed up in the region of Oituz a new Group,of which Commnd had been given to German General von Gerock,the former defender of Kovelului[11],brought from the Front of Podolia Galitian.In the Reserve of the group,gathers a new Austro-Hungarian Division ,the 24th ,at Tirgu Secuiesc,and the 3d Division of Cavalry ,German is at Brasov.The group had received the order to maintain ready for a new offensive ,which had to unleash together with the great blow planned at Jiu.In waiting of this offensive ,the Northern wing of rhe Army of von Arz had to defend itself against the attacks of the Russian troops ,which have replaced the Romanians in Sector of Bistricioarei and of Bicaz .The fights had not given any important result ;they went around some few elevations.

At 10th of November ,in the eve of the new attack of Jiu,has started the offensive of Gerock in Oituz Pass.The fight is given on both sides of the Pass by troops of the 8th Bavarian Division (Regiment 225th Infantry and 10th Hunter)and of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division.In the first day the bombardment of the strong enemy artillery has been of an unsaid violence;its infantry attacks went on till 1 in the night and had been all repulsed with great casualties on both sides.The second and the third day ,the attacks continued without losing nothing of their energy ;only in the Sector between Slanic and Oituz ,the enemy has made in the day of 12th of November eight attacks in direction Cernica Peak;all bloody repulsed*.

But the simple defensive it is not in the character of the brave General Eremia Grigorescu and of the heroic 15th Romanian Division,which he Commands .Romanians pass to counteroffensive .Fierce fights have took place especially on heights Cernica and Fata Moarta(Dead Girl),in which Regiments 8th Romanian Hunters and 13th Stefan cel Mare ,had considerable losses .Cernica Peak had went from one hand to another in the days of 13th,14th,15th of November.Protected by a very effective artillery firing range,the Romanians have attacked and seized Bradului(Fir Tree) Peak,Piatra Runcului(Runcu Stone) and elevation 1175 meters on Plaiu Fata Moarta ,on which they strongholded.The most fierce conterattacks were made by the enemy in the night 13-14th of November ,for reconquering of the lost positions.On Plaiu Fata Moarta(Dead Girl Field),Bavarian and Hungarian troops attacked with frenzy ,arriving at savage body fights.The 8th Romanian Hunters regiment hd lost four Commanders and 400 men and had to retreat a little.But in the evening of 14th ,the Rmanians attacked again in Oituz valley and succeeded in throwing back the enemy deffinitive over the border.250 prisoners and 12 machineguns were the trophies of the new victory at Oituz.The bad weather ,which set in at 18th of November ,the snow ,blizzard have put an end to operations.Besides ,the full attention of the enemy was now at Jiu,where it was given the decissive blow with the help of an imposant unfolding of troops .The second trial of the enemy at Oituz had collapsed just like the first one .It had no other result,but to devote the glory of Oituz and to ad new flowers in the crown of the 13th Stefan cel Mare** Regiment,which showed himself worthy of the great inherritance left by his ancestors,the turkeys(bird) of Plevna.(the soldiers had turkey feathers at uniforms and hat,Penes Curcanu=Feather the Turkey)

Of the notes of a German medic officer of the 8th Bavarian Division ,over the fight of 11th of November on Lespezi Hill,near Cernica:"Ours talk with admiration about the despice for death with which Romanians fight ;they lack ,though ,circumspection and experience.Whenever they prepare an attack ,you can hear the voice of a Commander which keeps a speech ,then unleashes a savage march ,in the sounds of which the soldiers dash like crazy" Stefan cel Mare (Prince Stephen III of Moldavia,1432-1504)

(Battles of Stefan cel Mare /Prince Stephen the III-rd of Moldavia;left-Battle of Baia 1467;middleBattle of Vaslui 1475;right -Battle of Cosmin Forest 1497)


Sector Bratocea-Buzau

At 28th of October ceased the fights in the region of Buzau Pass;the enemy ,dissatisfied by insuccess,gave up to the offensive .No warior veleity spirited anymore the troops of the Divisions 89th and 187th,Germans.The sector will be quiet in awaiting of the important events from wherever.

The initiative of the attacks crossed on the part of Romanians .At 30th of October a Detachment of the 22nd Regiment ,made out of Battalion with four machineguns and two small cannons of 53 mm ,attack Rosca Mountain ,which rise up its ridge to 1425 meters high,above the streams of Tarlungului,and to the West of Bratocei Pass .The attack,made by surprise in the morning ,on fog ,was a complete success.The enemy Company occupying the position has been destroied;in only one trench has been found the dead bodies of two officers and 70 soldiers.The reserve Company could not get out of their shelters in time ,to come in the aid and has been scattered.The mountain has been lost the next day ,by a veiling move ,executed by the enemy on both flanks ,supported also by a strong bombardment of artillery.

At 31st of October ,the enemy has attacked on Prahovei Valley,the position on Clabucet.During the fights it has been noticed that have participated also troops brought from the 187th Division from Bratocea,weakening this front.That is why,the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army decided to use this moment ,and to attack the enemy on the whole Front of Bratocea-buzau.

At 2nd of November ,the offensive action ,started by Romanians ,along three passes and on to the mountains in their vecinity .At the left wing ,in Bratocea Sector ,the troops of the 3rd Romanian Division attack Rosca Mountain ,from South-Est.The fights continue with violence also in the next day ,when the 22nd Regiment conquers Rosca Mountain ,taking 114 prisoners ,after which,sets foot also on Beldiei Mountain.At the center and in Tabla Butii Sector ,the attack of the Romanians is given in direction Tataru Mare which is conquered in the day of 4th of November .At the right side ,the troops of the 6th Division attack Siriu Massif ;but the soldiers of a Battalion of the 34th Regiment ,made out of Turks and Bulgarians from Dobrogea ,surrender without fight ,and the action does not succeed.

Alarmed by this offensive,the enemy brings reinforcements and counterattcks on the whole front.After a violent bombardment ,he reoccupies at 4 Rosca Mountain.Because of the lack of connections between the different Detachments ,scattered through this mountaineous region ,the reserves intervene too late ;Beldiei Mountain is also abandoned.Violent fights are given in the following days .The 6th Romanian Division attacks on the whole front,rips from the enemy several elevations ,but cannot conquer Soimului Hill(Hawk Hill),which is formidable fortified .At 9th of November,the Romanian battalion occupying Tataru Mare is counterattacked and leaves the elevation.With these,the whole gain of the offensive of 2-4th of November is lost ,again,but also the Germans are exhausted .Both sides are happy to give up a fight which cannot bring any advantage to either one of them,to worth the losses.Falkenhayn begins to be convinced that his troops on this front may not make any deed so that is why he recommends "to suspend any attack and to cross to defensive ".He is afraid that these troops "might epuisate in a grave mode ,without having any perspective to gain ,by this,any success".The 187th Division ,is weak and lost any strngth whatsoever for fight;she is taken out of the front and brought in reserve at Brasov,to rest and remake ,being replaced with a new unit ,the 2nd Austro-Hungarian Division.


Posted 31 May , 2009 The fights in Prahova Valley.

The attack of Clabucets line

After evacuating Predeal,the troops of Predeal Group,made out of Divisions 4th Romanian and 10th Romanian,under the Command of General Vaitoianu ,have occupied the line of heights Clabucetelor,which dominate from one side and the other Prahova Valley.the enemy have given up to the ideea of of a breakthrough ,through Prahova Valley ;the offensive action in this region tended to conquer in a methodical way, mountain by mountain ,position by position ,to prepare the exit from the Defile ,when the breakthrough will succeed, in whichever place possible.The position of Clabucets was the first obstacle ,which had to be sided ,to open up the road through Prahova Valley.It was not an easy thing though .Defended in flanks by big elevations -at West Bucegi Mountains,at East Paltinu ,Rusu(the Russian), Unghia Mare(the Big Claw)-strengthened by works of all kinds ,the position could not be attacked ,but only frontal.The hope of the enemy could be only in the crushing superiority of his artillery ,in front of which our primitive works of defence collapsed like toys.

At 26th of October ,has been occupied the peak in the middle of the massif:Clabucetul Taurului,by a triple attack ,frontal and on to the flanks ,through the valleys of the funicular(suspended transport)which goes towards Retivoiu.From this peak is aimed the next day ,a strong bombardment towards the neighbour peak,Clabucetul Azugai,which has been occupied as well.With this face,the superior valley of Azuga Stream was in the hand of the enemy.Azuga Village itself,dominated by elevations,could not be held by Romanians anymore.It has been evacuated ,without being occupied by the enemy.Emptied and desserted ,remained the fluorishing industrial center between the two adverse fronts,receiving blows from friends and foes.The buildings and instalations of the factories collapsed .The beautiful stone Church ,build by King Carol the I-st,took the looks of the glorious ruins of the French cathedrals of North-East.The school nearby the church,new ,as well "the effects of the cultural propaganda of the great German people".The houses collapsed one by one .Azuga was in ruins.

Towards West of Clabucetul Taurului the enemy managed ,with hard work,to occupy the entire Predeal Village ,assaulting house by house ,and to master the driveway until North of Azuga.Beyond the valley though,towards West,Clabucetul Baiului (height 1441 meters) was allways in the hands of our troops ,which defended it with stubborness.Few attacks have been bloody repulsed.The enemy decided to attack it methodically,from North-East,along a valley which opens up in front of Predeal Monastery ,with increased forces ,brought from 187th German Division from Predelus and Bratocea .Clabucetul Baiului has been attacked in the day of 31st of October by a fierce bombardment of the heavy Austro-German artillery ,which have turned upside down and pulverized all the works of defence and buried under rubble the cannons of the two poor batteries of light howitzers ,which Romanians had on Clabucet.Waves of axfixiant and tear gas have covered then with the thick myst the Romanian positions ravaged,preceeding the attack given by the soldiers of 188th German Regiment from Thuringia ,at the left side and the Hanovezi of the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division at the right side .The defence was made in a heroic manner by the soldiers of the 5th Vlasca Regiment and 33rd Tulcea regiment .Overwhelmed by the superiority of the means of attack of the enemy ,the defenders remained alive had ,after bloody fights,to back off ,leaving numerous dead bodies buried under the searched Earth ,through the pits dug by the shells.


Amongst the acts of heroism done in the course of this fight ,worth to not be forgotten the conduct of major Munteanu Ion of 18th Howitzers Regiment .In the midst of the fight spin ,as one of the batteries of his divizion has been framed and buried under the rubble ,the infantry has been taken by panic and threatened with surrounding.To give time to the soldier to retreat in order,Major Munteanu pushes the other battery on the uncovered ridge and starts to shoot at the enemy ,which he brings to a stand still.The battery concentrates over itself,the fires of the enemy ,is framed and an enemy projectile tear both legs of the Major .Still ,he refuses to let to be evacuated and stays on spot to supervise personally ,the taking off the extenders from the cannons ,which buried ,could not be saved anymore,as well as the retreat of their personel.The last one ,remained in the battery,the Major ,remains there for eternity ,because a second shell smashes his head.

The next day,the Commander of Predeal Group enterprized a counteroffensive on the whole front.At the right wing ,troops of the 4th Division ,reject the enemy beyond Azuga Valley.At the left ,troops of the 10th Division reconquer Clabucetul Baiului ,together with all the heights above Azuga;the Romanians manage to ungrave one of the batteries, and save ,lost in yesterday battle.But the superiority of the enemy maintains;he rebrings new forces and uses a superior artillery.the Romanians are able to maintain on the position till 10 in the evening ,when they have to leave it again.

The attacks of the enemy stretches towards South-East along the frontier .Diham Mountain rises his backs like a saddle ,closing the bottom of Cerbului Valley(Deer Valley);the enemy wants to enter through this valley at Busteni ,to turn by South the entire defence of Prahova Valley.Terrible fights take place on Diham and Capatina Porcului(the Head of the Pig) in the days of 2nd ,3rd and 4th of November ,the heavy enemy artillery ,hidden in Ghimbaselului Valley ,sweeps in vertigos of fire the back uncovered of Diham .The soldiers of Regiments 33rd and 37th are scattered after bloody fights ;of the first regiment have remained eight oficers and 234 men;the second one has been reduced at six officers and 280 men.The Regiments ,originary from Tulcea ,have mixed population:Bulgarians,Germans and Turks are not men to count on ;almost all of them have surrended to the enemy.The Commander of the Brigade ,Colonel Popovat ,an elite Officer ,which is all the time on the line of fire ,with despite for danger ,has been killed by the splinters of a grenade .The 6th Hunters Regiment and Feldioara Regiment ,which intervene in to the fight are one by one decimated by the formidable heavy artillery of the enemy and scattered .Romanians are force to give up to the defence of Diham.With this ,the entire line of the Clabucets is lost.

The Romanian troops occupy the third line of defence in Prahova Valley ,which leans over ,in the left side ,on to the proud Peaks of Bucegi Mountains ,Costila and Caraimanu defending Cerbului Valley,goes over Clabucet Hill,then crosses Prahova Valley between Busteni and Azuga and continues on the elevations East of Prahova Valley.The remains of Popovat Brigade are retreated from fight,bringing reinforcements from the right wing ,and the Commanders of Divisions 4th and 10th are replaced ,for lack of energy in conducting the operations of their units.


On Bucegi Massif and in Cerbului(of the Deer) Valley

The greatest danger for the third Romanian line of defence ,threatened from the transversal Valley of Cerbului,is that the positions could be turned by West.The Valley was exposed to the artillery fires and machineguns of the enemy from Clabucetul Baiului and from Diham ,such that the replenishment services of the Romanian troops were made very hard ,with many risks and many losses in men.The Romanian soldiers had to make their shelters in the steep ribs of Bucegi Massif. Cannons had to be lifted by ropes on Peaks of Costila and Caraiman ,at over 2000 m(60000 feet) high. Ceaseless fights had to be given on excellent blizzards ,in fight with the snow piles covering the trenches ,with the snow storms which threw spins in the eye ,with the savage enemy in front which knock down any careless ,appearing on the ribs of Cerbului Valley.At the center ,along Prahova Valley ,the enemy could not make a step on this side of Azuga ;two long cannons ,mounted on platform carriages dragged by a locomotive ,were sheltered in the railway tunnel at Busteni,from which they went out only to fire very well aimed bursts in the enemy positions,after which they entered again in their excelent shelter ,where they could not be discovered by airplanes. Greatly troubled ,the German artillery fired over Busteni ,of which destroyed entirely the neighbourhood around the paper factory ,of which high chimney they used as reference point.At the right side ,the elevations East of Prahova had been well defended and could not permit to the enemy any move of advance and veiling of the said wing .On the Mountain Unghia Mare(Big Claw) has given the end Colonel Lolescu,the Commander of 10th Hunters Regiment ,Romanian,hit by a bluet in the forehead ,as he was on the look out,as always from the most perilled spot.

The Romanian troops are lessened because of the heavy casualties of the fights ,especially because of the artillery fires ,by the heavy weather ,exhaust and sufferings of all kinds.Units of the 16th Division are brought to the Front ,to replace those of the 10th Division and 4th Division ,which have been destroyed or which cannot fight anymore .The troops of Predeal Group start an offensive in the day of 8th of November in region of Costila Clearing ,Cerbului Valley and Clabucetului,against the enemy which ,by occupying Omu(Men) Mountain ,have increased its circle around the end of Cerbului Valley.


The 10th Romanian Division is strengthened with troops of the 14th Romanian Division ,which are brought from Sinaia,during the night ,by under the ribs of Jepi,by West of Poiana Tapului(Goat Clearing) and Busteni(Logs),avoiding the driveway ,which was perfectly seen and beaten by the enemy artillery from Clabucet(the Lather) .

At 9th and 10th of November are given,day and night ,extremely violent fights .The enemy ,using a crushing superior artillery ,executes exterminating barrages of fire which produce disorder in our batteries occupying the fighting positions ,or are on the way to gather ,and demoralize the infantry soldiers He takes the counteroffensive and manages to reject the infantry troops of the 55th Regiment at our left wing ,and enters in the position of Feldioara Regiment.With great difficulty the reserves run ,cover the breeches and reestablish the situation.It is again noticed that the means of Romanian troops are too weak ,to ensure the success of the frontal action .The 10th Division ,completely tired out of powers,reduced to humiliating effectives ,is retreated as well from the Front ,to remaking ;at the 33rd Regiment ,Commander is a Lieutenant.In the fighting line remain troops of Divisions 4th and 16th.

General Averescu plans to attack the enemy Front by a maneouvre of flank ,from which he hopes to obtain the success which he may not obtain by frontal attacks.The 21st Division ,which has been retreated from fight after Predeal Battle and has been remade at Baicoi ,received the order to set to marching towards Predelus Pass,between Predeal and Bratocea,to fall in to the flank and back of the enemy position in Prahova Valley.The transport of waggons and cannons of the Division on the slopes covered with deep snow piles or ice ,in the mountaineous region,is made very difficult.The operation is though suspended.Faced with the agravation of situation on other fronts ,a great sacrifice is asked to the II-nd Romanian Army:she has to cede to the Great Romanian Headquarter two Divisions .The 21st Division is turn from her way and ,together with the 10th Division ,send to Bucharest,to take part in defending the capital of the Kingdom,Bucuresti(Bucharest),in the battle on Arges.

The whole month of November,the two adversaries have wasted their strengths in attacks and counterattacks ,which coud not bring any important change in the position occupied,by both of them.The enemy remains fixed in the upper part of Cerbului Valley and on to the Southern edge of Azuga Village ,not being able to make any step forward .Exhausted as well,the enemy,by the great losses ,suffered ,convinced by the sterility of his efforts ,has retreated at Brasov the 187th Division and left only the 51st Austro-Hungarian Division ,to harass the Romanians ,keeping them in eternal tension by artillery bombardment.The great decissive offensive ,given by the Germans at 28th of November for forcing the crossing of Carpathian Mountains ,did not had any episode on Prahova Valley,which has been voluntarily evacuated by Romanians ,in the first days of December ,under the pressure of whichever events.


The third battle of Campulung

In the sector of Campulung ,two weeks of relative quiet have past.From the 27th of October ,when Morgen suffered a second defeat ,which closed its way towards Campulung ,the enemy did not attack.He contented with strengthening its positions occupied in the mountains ,protecting especially the wings.

At 10th of November,together with the great attack at Jiu ,Morgen received the order to take a determined offensive ,by which to conquer "finally" the pool of Campulung.The terms of the order betrayed the deception and irritation of the German Generalisim for the defeats suffered just by the Group which at the beginning gave the highest of hopes..Morgen started the great ordered attack ,in the day of 11th of November ,over our left flank from Leresti until Cindesti ;the attack was sustained by a strong heavy artillery and by axfixiant projectiles.The troops of the 22nd Division resisted for five days with energy ;the fights have been very fierce through this region of mountains, hills and valleys,covered with woods;most of the time reaching attacks with bayonet.A column of Bavarians,made out of chosen men,foreseen with the most perfected means ,started from Rucar over Zanoaga on narrow paths ,in night marchings ,to strengthen the Alpine Brigade at the right enemy wing .At 11th of November Reitzenstein Detachment,made out of a Bavarian Battalion and a Bosniac one ,attacks the Romanian Detachment by the flank ,at Cindesti.The Romanians fight with disperation ,but overwhelmed by superior forces ,had to leave Cindesti Hamlet.The next day,the Bavarians and the Austrian Alpiners attack Albestii(the Whites),which they succeed to occupy after a ferocious fight ,which lasted for nine hours.The casualties are big ,on both sides ,especially at the enemy.More to the East,the elevation of Toaca has been attacked by two Battalions of Bavarians and taken after heavy fight, together with the remains of the small Romanian Detachment which defended it ,without ceding not a palm of Earth .At the center ,the enemy has entered in the day of 15th of November in Leresti,in Riul Tirgului Valley ,on a depth of 1500 meters.


With these successes the enemy lost his breath.His victorious advance has ended.It was now the turn of Romanians.With all the suffered losses,the Romanian troops did not content to seat in defence.Namaesti Group ,made out of the 22nd Romanian Infantry Division,General Razu ,strengthened with some elements taken from the neighbor Division -the 12th -and with two Brigades of Calarasi,Cavalry,passed to counteroffensive ,attacking in the day of 17th of November the whole Front of the enemy ,between Argesel and Bratia .The 12th Division supported the action by demonstrative attacks .Full of elan ,with rose up moral because of the pressence on the Front of General Averescu ,the Commander of the II-nd Army ,the Romanian troops attack ,take out all over the enemy out of his positions ,make this one felt casualties ,and repulse him back. The terrain is covered by hundreds of dead bodies .Albestii and Cindesti have been reconquered by the troops of the 22nd Division .400 prisoners ,two officers ,cannons ,machineguns ,have remained in the hands of the victorious trops.The brave troops continued the fight in the following days attacking the enemy on the whole line ;away him successively from the elevations ,by which he serch to hang on ,and conquered his positions ,placed on high peaks .In these new positions ,they have repelled all the trials made by the enemy to reconquer them.

Falkenhayn admits in his memoirs the complete defeat of Morgen 's Corps.The 8th Austro-Hungarian Alpine Brigade ,which was at the extreme right German ,and the 12th Bavarian Division ,which was at the left of the first one ,have been beaten ,lossing whatever power of attack they had and have disorganized the services .General Morgen ,admiting his grave defeat ,asked to his chief in the evening of 4th of November the permission not only to suspend the hostilities and retreat his troops on Bran driveway ,beyond the frontier ,but also expressed his opinion that any try to continue the fight in this sector is in vain and it is better that the troops to be used on other Front.

"Only with great difficulty -writes Falkenhayn-I could convince him that such a measure could have had grave consequences ". The Supreme Commander realizes that as soon as his pressure would cease here ,the Romanians would aim immediately their forces ,become available ,to the neighbor sector ,Olt Sector ,intervening there "with great effectiveness".


(Romanian helmet of the Great War)


(Howitzer of great power,380 mm, System Skoda model 1916,quick firing, weight 81700kg,projectile 740kg,firing distance 9,3 Miles,named Gudrun,belonging to the Austro-Hungarian Army captured by Romanian Army during the Great War; presented in marching with four carriages, pieced in port gun,port afet ,port postament,has also rubber tyres as well for off-track usage)


The retreat from Campulung

The third victory of the Romanian troops from Campulung region coud not had ,though ,repercussions over the general situation.The fate of the War was decided somewhere else.The enemy succeeded to breackthrough with considerable forces the Romanian Front at Jiu ;he has crossed Olt River and the Danube River and followed his marchings towards East ,threatening from back the troops which defended with heroism the strengthenings in the mountains .Faced with this situation,quick decissions and painful were undoubtedly necessary.

At 23rd of November ,the German artillery bombarded Campulung(Longfield) ,adding a new murder to the daily savages commited by the bombs of aeroplanes.It was the sign of impotent malice.

At 28th of November ,the Group at Campulung received the order to retreat .The undefeated Army had been forced to leave the positions and to start the retreat in Targoviste direction.The next day ,29th of November ,the enemy entered ,without fight and without glory in Cimpulung ,evacuated. Campulung was not seized by the enemy .He was abandoned to him because of the events happened on to the other fronts of fight.Time of 45th days a strong enemy ,well armed and with special equipment ,has exhaust himself in sterile efforts ,without succeeding to break the wall of rock opposed by Romanian chests.The troops of the 22nd Romanian and 12th Romanian ,Divisions ,as their dignified and competent Commanders ,General Razu and General Gaiseanu ,have made with honor the duty to the Kingdom.


The second German offensive in Olt Valley

The first offensive of Krafft Group ended with two felt defeats ,on both shores of Olt River ,one on the right shore at Pietrosu -Veverita(Stonemade-Squirrel) ,and another one by left at Topolog.Still,the circumstances asked for Romanians ,although victorious,to retreat on the second line :Riglou-Mormintu(the Grave)-Zanoaga.

In this time,Kraftt Group strengthened considerable by the reinforcements arrived from Division 8th and 11th ,Bavarian,as the Romanian Front of the 23rd Division,Colonel Mosoiu,which has stretched to East until Arges Valley,has greatly thinned.Leaned over this superiority of effectives ,having excelent troops as the Bavarian and Austrian Alpiners ,perfect prepared for mountain warfare ,with a formidable artillery ,receiving also armoured automobiles and two Austrians mortiers of 305 mm ,placed in Olt Valley at Ciineni,Kraftt von Delmensiengen restarted the offensive against the new Romanian line .The principal action is given now on to the left side of olt River ,between Olt River and Arges River,where are concentrated all the newly arrived troops.The fights in this sector are of the most ferocious fights ever to be given on the entire Carpathian Mountains Front.The disproportion between effectives and of the weaponry ,formidable of the adversary and those of Romanians ,the difficulties of the accident-ed terrain ,on which the fights were taking place ,the bad weather -snowing and freezing-were giving to the War her,the aspect of tragedy ,which has not been touched anywhere else on the Carpathians Front.

At 24th of October ,the advanced posts on Calugaru(the Monk) and Carabunaru(the Coal-er) are violently bombarded by the enemy artillery and occupied by the Bavarian Alpiners ,by going around moves.In these two elevations,the enemy has now two points for support ,very solid for attacking of the principal position from Mormintu(the Grave)-Omu de Piatra(Stoneman)-Zanoaga.The heavy German artillery bombbards time of three days ,with the greatest of violence ,the Romanian positions.Numerous assaults are given in the days of 24th-27th of October;they are repulsed with bloody casualties by troops of 44th Arges Regiment,2nd Vilcea Regiment and 1st Graniceri(BorderArmy),-the Combined Brigade-which defended the position.The night ,of 25-26th of October ,when the enemy attacked by the front and also by the flanks ,from Olt and from Arges ,has been the hardest.In the day of 28th an attack of 2nd Vilcea Regiment ,given on a thick fog ,fells in to the concentrated fires of machineguns and grenades of the enemy and is surprised by the counterattack of superior forces.In the center of the fight,Major Ghermanescu is hit in full by an artillery projectile of the enemy,which smash him and throws his body into the valley.The soldiers are perplexed and demoralized by the death of their emminent Chief.It follows a bloody fight on the whole fighting line ,in which Romanians ,before they could regroup their units ,are rejected and forced to leave the position from Mormintu until Zanoaga.The Commander of the Olt Corps gives the order for evacuation of poll Greblesti-Titesti,which was occupied by the enemy;the Romanians have retreated on to a new line ,which is supported in the left on Olt River at Copaceni(Tree..),going to East on Magura elevation.Spinului Hills ,Miglele,Sule,until Topolog ,mounted on to the driveway Titesti -Salatruc.The key of the position is Poiana Spinului Massif(Thorn Clearing Massif) .The Commander of the 23rd Romanian Division,Colonel Mosoiu,is installed at Perisani.


The enemy had made a felt progress;the piece of driveway ,which from Ciineni goes towards South-East through Greblesti-Gaujani-Boisoara-Titesti,together with these localities ,are in his hands(enemy).It will serve him for attacking Petrisani Pool,dominated at East by Miglele si Sule Mountains .The fights have taken a character altogether special.The fighting terrain,very bad ,scattered with elevations in rows with different directions ,crossed by valleys ,covered with woods ,offered advantages for surprise to the enemy,which had a very accentuated superiority pretaining the prepare for this kind of war and of the foreseeing with the needed material.He could send his isolated Detachments ,going around by great distances our ,here and there, groups of defence,to threaten them in the back,as other Detachments attacked them in front .The operations resemble much like the Chess Game ,in which the attack is given when in front,when diagonal ,when behind.The defender,much weaker ,with means of reconnoitering insufficient,with weak artillery ,reduced numericaly,having to fight with the thick fog which was good for surprises ,with the big snow,which was making hard the movements,was thus forced to seek behind other positions for safety ,after fighting hoplessly on to the attacked position.The enemy brings to the bravery of the Romanian troops the well deserved omage.In an official report to the German General Staff he expresses in this way:"Generally,these fights,made in the mountains ,have been extraordinary ferocious.Untill the last moment of the assault,the adversary did not abandon the fight defending his ancestral land.At Perisani had to be slaughtered an entire Company of which escaped only two men.But also ,us, have great martyrs,in such fights made on covered with old woods regions.Many brave Germans ,Austrians and Hungarians sleep the eternal sleep in the beautiful mountains there".

The fight for occupying Perisani Pool was given with unsaid violence.A Brigade of the Alpine Corps ,operating on Topologului Valley ,managed to occupy at 31st of October Miglele Mountain.The Commander of the 1st Romanian Army Corps has tried then ,an action in the left enemy flank ,to turn this flank and force the enemy to retreat in Titesti Pool.Sule Detachment,Romanian,under the Command of Colonel Badescu ,made out of four five Battalions ,in haste organized,with inssuficient ammunition ,had advanced in the day of 1st of November through Topolog Valley ,on a very difficult terrain.Attacked by the enemy from dominant positions,the Detachment has been rejected.

Aggressive fights went on for several days against Sule Mountain,defended by 5th Hunters Regiment,Romanian.From Miglele,the enemy turned with his face towards West,attacking with a Brigade the principal position of Romanians at Spin-Perisani in flank,as another Brigade ,German,helped by a very strong artillery bombardment ,attacks frontal ,along driveway Titesti-Salatruc and through Baiesti.the fight was given in the days 6-8th of November .The monstrous Austrian batteries with engine ,of 305 mm,blasted from Titesti big shells ,which crushed whatever power of resistance in Romanian positions.Time of three days ,the Romanian troops have fought with an heroism and spirit of martyr ,beyond any praise.At Mlaceni,North of Poiana Spanului ,a Company of 18th Gorj Regiment ,from the troops brought from Jiu,held chest to the enemy and sacrificied itself,awaiting for the reinforcements,to the last man.By Mamurile Mountain ,two German Battalions threaten to fall behind Romanians.A Company of the 1st Hunters Regiment ,Commanded by Lieutenant Leonte ,fights the entire night with the enemy,which he repulse;the Commander ,freshly out of the hospital,is again badly wounded.The casualties of the enemy have been also very painful.Two German Commanders of Regiments have found-amongst others-the death in this fight;on Magura fell Major Veith,and on Sule Mountain ,a Royal,Prince Henric of Bavaria ,the Commander of the Bavarian Guard Regiment of the Alpine Corps .This latter loss,have greatly pained the Germans .The Prince was considered as a militar of value and a chevalier spirit ;he would have gave his soul exclaiming:"Noblesse oblige!".

The Romanians have to leave Magura ,the massif between Titestilor Stream and Baestilor Stream and to fortify on line Cozia -Surdoiu-Poiana Spinului,with the right on Sule Mountain.The defence is made harder and harder ;the effectives of the units are weaker and weaker,and the reinforcements brought from the other fronts were soon exterminated.For the defence of the important Cozia Massif ,it could only be send few Companies of 2nd Graniceri Regiment and from the troops brought from Jiu.


Poiana Spinului is attacked at 8th of November and occupied by the Germans .Theh Commander of the Division ,Colonel Mosoiu ,sends from the Command post ,two Companies from Mehedinti,Commanded by Captain Cernaianu and Lieutenant Nadolu,which counterattack the Germans during the night singing"Wake up Romanian".The Germans are repulsed few Miles back.Cernaianu is killed ,and Nadolu gravely wounded At 9th of November ,the center of the Romanian position at Surdoiu is abandoned by the Battalion of Russu V. from 72nd Regiment*.The Romanian defence line is shaken .Cozia falls in the same day ,and after three more dyas of aggressive fights fells also the principal position at Poiana Spinului ,so heroicly defended.The new position of resistance of the 23rd Romanian Division is now on the line Daganesti-Radacinesti-North of Suici-South of Salatruc.In the aid of Olt Group ,decimated by these heavy fights ,has been send the 14th Romanian Division,withdrew from Moldavian Mountains ,where it has been replaced by Russians.The Division has been placed at the right wing of Olt Corps ,between Valleys of Topolog and Arges.It was ,in reality, a Brigade -Colonel Colori-made out of 67th Regiment ,two Battalions of the 54th Regiment and one Battalion from 77th Regiment.The arriving of this aid did not made a change in Romanian favour ofthe ballance of forces ,because ,in the same time ,the enemy,received himself,as well as reinforcement the 216th German Division;in the evening of 10th of November ,she entered in the fight one side and the other of the driveway Titesti-Perisani-Salatruc-Suici.The superiority of the enemy maintained unscratched.


A heroic agony

At 10th of November ,the battle at Olt Valley as increasing in violence.Together with the offensive which Morgen restarted in Cimpulung (Longfield) the fights at Olt have to react over the decissive battle,which started at Jiu.The Fighting Front has streched long ,across the mountains ;at East it leans now over Arges River,at Arefu;at West ,goes beyond Olt River.The fights are given,without the smallest break,grinding day by day the decreasing strengths of Romanian troops.A grave peril pressures from this part the fate of the War.The Great Romanian Hedquarter has asked to Olt Corps to continue the resistance.He plans to bring up here ,troops available from Dobrogea and from Moldavian Mountains ,to gather at Curtea de Arges (Arges Court) and,replacing the tired troops of the Ist Army Corps ,which had to pass in remaking,to attack and turn over the enemy.But the fate wanted otherwise,The enemy,sur e of his crushing superiority attacks with fury ,supported all the time by his formidable artillery ,by his numerous machineguns ,by armoured trains and automobiles.In the snow filling the valleys ,through the frozen wind which whipes the chicks and stiffens the hands ,the Romanian soldiers wage the sacrifice fight ,ceding the terrain step by step ,giving numerous counterattacks and making the adversary to pay dearly each patch of land conquered.Some Battalion of a hundred men has to resist to attacks of Regiments ;some Company of 30-40 men is attacked by Battalions.And there are always the same people ,unchanged for weeks ,but fewer more and more ,which fight without any hope ,torn out of exhaust ,looking like beggars with the snow to their knees.Sometimes,entire groups ,ended with tired and surrounded are made prisoners;other times they give to the adversary painful strokes.A German Company,which descended from Cozia Mountain and occupied Stinisoara Hill,has been surrounded by Graniceri(Border Army) and destroyed till the last man.Falkenhayn writes about these fights:"Our progresses has to be made in very difficult fights .Romanians resist with disperation.Each mountain has to be taken with assault.And if we managed to take pray in men and material,we had,on our part to pay with grave martyrs".

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The Romanian troops are assigned in the following way:at the left wing ,on the Western shore of Olt ,is a remain of the 13th Division ;at the center ,between Olt and Topologului Valley ,are the remains of the 23rd Division ;at the right wing ,between Topolog and Arges ,is the 14th Division.

On the right side of Olt ,the Romanian troops of the 13th Division have enjoyed a relative calm for more than two weeks ,fixed on Riglou-Saracinesti Front.The greatest part of the troops of the Division have been crossed on to the left side of Olt River ,and has been smashed in the fights there.Of the 25th Brigade ,have remained only two Battalions of the 47th Regiment ,with diminished effectives and troops of the 57th Regiment (26th Brigade).The Front has remained much behind of the one on the left shore ,which has been pushed by the enemy until line of Cozia .At 10th of November ,the troops of the 10th Austro-Hungarian Brigade ,strengthened with the 36th de Landstrum Regiment ,German and with a Battalion of the 216th German Division ,under the Command of Feldmarshal Goiginger ,started the attack by a strong bombardment by the front.From the railway of Olt Valley ,an armoured train was firing bursts in to the flank of Romanian position.The Romanian Front,attacked by greatly superior forces ,is broke in the middle.There are no reserves to fill the break,so the next day the enemy enters ,turning the wings.Few Companies of the 47th Regiment are destroyed;the Commander himself is made prisoner.The position is lost.The rests retreat pursued by the enemy,which did not give them the chance to fix themselves solid on to new positions.Time of 12 days,the soldiers of the 13th Division,forming mixed units ,with very small effectives ,resist on to successive positions ,counterattacking all the time ;at 23rd of November they are at Rimnicu Vilcea .

At the right wing ,troops of the 14th Division manage at 10th of November to reoccupy Frunti(Foreheads) Mountain,but because of the lack of support on to the flanks they may not either widen ,nor maintain the success.Morover,because of the dezaster threatening the neighbour Group at Jiu,the Romanian Commander has to take some of the troops away from Olt and send them over the mountains ,towards Tirgu Jiu,to attack the left wing of the enemy ,which was exiting Jiu Defile.The enemy is installed on Poiana Spinului with numerous mortiers of 210 mm with which beats ,especially during the night ,Romanian positions,covering them with a curtain of light of grenades and rockets.The spectacle is impressive.At 17th of November ,troops of the 216 th Division ,brought with trucks automobiles until Salatruc ,give an attack in Topologului Valley ,with several Battalions,disposed in waves.Counterattacked by two Battalions of the 1st and 5th Hunters Regiments ,with a lively fire ,the Germans have retreated in to the woods.The resistance is more and more harder.The troops of the 23rd Division are completely extenuated.With difficulty gathers the soldiers from the scattered units and constitute Companies of 80-100 men which are send to counterattck the lost positions ,under barrages of machineguns and artillery.The line Calimanesti-Scaueni-Suici ,defended with ferocity ,has been abandoned in the hands of the enemy,only at 20th of November ,when the break made in Jiu Front,brought the invasion of Oltenia.Again the official German communicate has to record:"The Romanian have defended with stubbornes the land of his Kingdom on to the driveways going through Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) and Surduc"*.At 20th of November ,the remains ,desorganized and demoralized of the 23rd Division ,which have no combative value whatsoever are withdraw from the fighting line and brought to Pitesti,to rest and remake.They are replaced with troops of the 8th Division ,brought from Moldavia .In fact ,it is only the 37th Brigade -Regiments 66th and 77th-completed with a new Brigade ,made out of Regiments "Closca" and "Crisan"-former fortress troops.


General Berthelot,Counceler of the Great Romanian Headquarter ,which has put great hopes onto preserving and using of this good Division ,as General Reserve,for a great strategic plan ,addmited "with death in his heart" to put her in to the Front,asking ,at least,to be retreated the remains of Divisions 11th and 23rd.

The 8th Division assumed position between Olt and Topolog ,on an oblique Front ,facing North-West ,in region Runcu-Valea Babei(Old Woman Valley),opposing to the advance of enemy towards Tigveni .The troops of the Division,only installed on position,are imediately attacked by the enemy with a formidable unfolding of artillery**.But the soldiers from Oituz have to keep their fame ,which is their title of pride.They have the conscience of the importance of the task given to them,and looking with pitty the remains of forsaken 23rd Division ,which they replaced,they are confident that they will know to save from invasion Country of Muntenia of the brothers,as they saved their Moldavia.

Three days, the fight follows with excellence on both sides.The enemy has noticed that he hasn't have in front of him the demoralized remains ,which had no more power of resistance ,but a fresh troop and brave.But also the Moldavians noticed ,in they turn,that they don't have to deal anymore with the Hungarians from Moldavian Mountains but with an elite troop ,excellent armed,which fights vigorous and methodically.

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German communicate of 16th of November. The attack in direction Babei Valley-Tigveni is made by 122nd Infantry ,supported by the 54th Artillery Regiment of the 21th German Division.

On an edge of a hill ,in the outskirts of Valea Babei Village,under the crushing fire of the enemy ,Colonel Piperescu Nicolae ,the Commander of the 37th Brigade ,falls hit deadly by a bullet in the forehead ,when he was in the first line of shooters .The Colonel finds enaugh strengths to address words of spirit to their terrified soldiers ,then he asks and is brought the flag ,which he kisses with holly ,of the 69th Regiment ,which he drove with honour from Dorohoi to the heart of Ardeal and on the ridges filled with blood of Oituz.After few days ,he gives his soul in Pitesti Hospital ,leaving the memory of a soldier of breed ,harsh and unforgiving at duty ,heroic in the face of death .But the War is decided on other fronts .The invasion spread also from West and from South.It threatened the back of the troops fighting at Olt.The resistance has become now unuseful and also dangerous .Olt Corps had to break the fight and to start the retreat towards Pitesti.

At 25th of November ,Rimnicu Vilcea ,evacuated in the eve by Romanians ,is occupied by the enemy ,and the next day ,Topologul was crossed and the Alpine Corps was making the entrance into Curtea de Arges(Arges Court).


Olt Valley is now ,finally,in the hands of the Germans .There are two months from the day in which Falkenhayn has started the battle of Sibiu ,which was supposed to open immediately Turnu Rosu Pass and the road of Olt.He needed ,however,two months of heavy fights ,for the German Kaiser 's soldiers to be able to pass in a free will on to the old road ,on which many invasion armies have been.And Olt River ,which along the centuries have rejected in his water waves,one by one ,the Roman Aquila, Hungarian tufts ,Turk iatagans(Turkish curved-swords) and mirrors now the hat with spear of the German ,hits stronger than ever the "old wall of Cozia Monastery" and stories to the holly shadow the sad history of the hood which prepares the rising to the Sky by martyr and pain.Curious and characteristic twist of times!After more than five centuries ,were passing in front of the voievod(medieval King) the soldiers of the hood of those who fought as camarads of arms ,together with the Roman soldiers.The Chevaliers of Frederic de Zolern ,dressed in armours and with the cross on the chest ,have come at 1396 in an elan of sacrifices ,to defend the Christianity at Nicopolis(Battle of Nicopolis) ,together with the flower of French Nobility and by the wariors of Mircea cel Batrin(Mircea the Elder),against the Semy-moon which rose up invadatory.Today,their descendands ,smelling the rich prey ,were coming ,greedy ,to strangle the nephews of their former mates of arms,which were defending their Kingdom.Time changes the souls of nations.,as those of individuals.

Entering in the old Capital(Arges Court) of the first Basarabs ,the German Commander ,from the Kaizer order ,puts a crown of flowers on the grave of King Carol of Romania,in Arges Cathedral .This act meant,less an injure brought to the old and wise King ,by the trial of showing that a crowned head could have had other interests and feelings than those of his people ,as it was more a demonstration against the nephew and successor of the King.The Germans could not forgive to King Ferdinand of Romania his Romanian attitude ,worthy of chevaliery traditions of his ilustruous nation.

Three days behind,the avanguards of Kraftt Group enterd Pitesti.The official German communicates pretends that in the fights on Olt Valley ,Kraftt Group has made a total of 14 451 prisoners,of which 101 officers and have taken 14 cannons.

The Romanian Group at Olt has been eaten slowly and slowly and defeated in the inequal fight which he sustained against the formidable adversary ,but his resistance of almost two months remains one of the most evocative evidence of the heroism and martyr of Romanian soldier.


b)The Breakthrough At Jiu

Preparing the great German offensive

The new endeavor made by the German Commandment at Jiu ,was the last card played on the Romanian War Theatre .If it would fail,the winter campaign would have to be considered as ended and the troops put to shelter for winter ,with all the incalculable consequences of such a measure .That is why ,the Big German Headquarter ,made yet another effort and send to Falkenhayn few more Divisions .A new Group has been cretated for the new battle ,decisseve.It was made,firstly,of the two German Division ,the 2nd Bavarian and the 301st ,of the dissolved Group Kneussl ,beaten at 27-30th of October ,at which it has been added two new Divisions of Infantry brought from Riga Front ,where it was now quiet.It was the 41st Division of Infantry Prusian ,one of the best German units ,Commanded by General Schmidt von Knobelsdorff,former Chief of Staff of Kronnprinz ,at Verdun and the 109th Division ,under the Command of General von Oettinger.The Command of the Cavalry Corps ,made out of the two Cavalry Divisions ,6th and 7th ,strengthend with four armoured cars, remained handed to General von Schmettow.The Reseve of the Group was made by a new Division ,the 115th ,General von Kleist and a Brigade of Cyclists.The Command of the entire Group -with a total of over 800 000 men and 30 000 horses -the most imposant force to operate till now on the Carpathians front ,has been handed to General Kuhne ,the Commander of the General Staff without troops of LIV-th Corps,which has been send on Transilvania some time ago,with the intention to take an offensive on Oituz Front ,to wich it gave up,eventually.The day of the attack has been set for 11th of November.


The new offensive has been prepared in great style,with a method and detail characteristic for Germans.Numerous troops of Pioneers and big masses of population raised from the neighbor regions ,have been used at roads mending through the mountains and for the bridges of driveway Jiu.The cover material of the driveway has been strengthened to be able to support heavy cannons ,moved with tractors ,armoured cars and trucks.The deposits of food and ammunitions have been established through the mountains ,through different points of the pass.The troops have been provided with mountain dressings and equipment . Unended files of trains disembarked in train stations troops ,munnition,animals for hard work,provissions and all kind of material of war.The driveway in Jiu Defile which,unfortunately,was in the German's hands until the middle of the distance between Lainici and Bumbesti,has been used for the transport of the heavy artillery and light one and of some part of the troops.The railway Decauville,installed during the neutrality to serve for the transport of grains ,was also of great help to the Germans,as well.

When ,at 10th of November ,the masses of enemy troops have set in move ,the most rigorous measure of police ensured the order of the transports.Each detachment ,each vehicle ,each horse ,had the well established place in the columns of marching,but also for the stationary points.Lights instalations and of signaling ,telephone posts ,officers for special assignements,geandarmery posts.served at maintaining the discipline with a steel energy ,after special regullations.At the slightest of deviation of one's duty ,the punishment followed with severity;when a waggon went out of the marching column ,was mercylessly thrown in to the river.The exempar Germanic order made its effect;in the morning of the fatal day of 11th of November ,all the enemy forces were in attack position ,assigned.The desaster was redy to be unleashed over our heads.


The surprise

During this time ,the Romanian positions were maintained by the troops of the Jiu Group constituted by a single Brigade of the 1st Division;the other Brigade of the Division was at Cerna.The reinforcements received from the neighbour sectors ,during the first Battle of Jiu,have been send back ,at their units.At our Commandment ,by a missjudgement,nobody was expecting for the enemy to repeat the strike in the same place where he has been defeated ,and the concentration of the formidable Army of Kuhne was made so descrete ,such that, ours ,did not notice anything.With cleverness,the German Commander was looking to distract the attention of Romanians over the preparatives made at Jiu.Falkenhayn installed himself ostentatively at Brasov ,were he kept a noisy activity ;he received guests,he organized military parades ,was making frequent visits to Predeal Front,making everything that, all these to get to the ears of our Commanders.Convinced thus ,that on Jiu Front it has been reestablished calm,the attention of the Romanian Commander went again over the other points of the Carpathian Front where the enemy ,looking always to mask his decissive strike prepared at Jiu ,gave violent attacks.Especially towards Arges were fixed our unrested eyes.To dam here the strong pressure of Krafft Group ,our Supreme Commander has taken measures to concentrate at Pitesti the Strategic Reserve,made up of the Divisions withdrew from Dobrogea Front and Moldavia ,and remade with the aid of deposit elements.This manoeuvre mass was supposed to take up the offensive simultaneously with the Russian offensive ,planned for so long, on Moldavian Mountains Front.In the midst of these preparatives ,unexpectedly,the lightninstrike fell at Jiu.


Posted 4 June , 2009 The enemy attacks at 11th of November with four Divisions

As an introduction of the great battle ,even since the day of 10th of November ,Detachments of Kuhne Army attack the elevations in the left side of Jiu Valley.After fierce fights ,they managed to occupy Peaks Muncelu,Molidvisu and Urma Boului(the Trace of the Ox),making on this side ,in this way , a strong phallanx-guard.

In the morning of 11th of November ,a hurricane of fire unleashes from the mouths of over 250 cannons ,of all calibers ,over the Romanian positions .Under their protection ,started the atack of the four Divisions pf Infantry of the enemy.Unlike in the first Battle of Jiu ,the ax of the direction of the attack was not driveway Buliga anymore ,but even Jiu driveway itself.One side and the other of Jiu Valley have been placed the two Divisions ,fresh,of Kuhne Army ,which were supposed to force up the entering.On the West part of Jiu was the 41st Division ;on the Eastern part was the 109th Division.Behind the two Divisions,on Jiu driveway,were formed up for advance Divisions 11th and 301st.the Cavalry Corps was massed at the entering of North of Jiu Defile,waiting for the signall that the road is open,to begin the advance ,for invading the fields.At Petrosani was, in reserve the 115th Division .the attack was given on to a Front of 19 Miles ,from Molidvisului Peak -at East-until West of Buliga driveway.


With all the pressure of this enormous mass ,the advance of the enemy was not so big in the first day.The brave resistance of Romanians brought to a stand still the elan of the enemy.At the right wing of 41st Division ,the Alpine Battalion Wurtemberger ,helped also by other enemy troops,fights all day to occupy Lesului(dead body) Hill ,height 1191 m,defended with bravery by two Companies of Gorj Regiment ,and only by evening they could seize it.The 41st German Division reaches in the evening Schela(scaffolding).From an elevation,North of Bumbesti ,from where he watched personally the fight,Falkenhayn notices that the advance at the wings was only about 1-2 Miles,as in the center the attack was obstacled by our position at Bumbesti and was almost on a full stop.A violent action of artillery had to be enterprized against Bumbestilor.At 11-12th of November ,during the wohole course of the days,the German mortiers throwed their enormous shells over the Romanian position,pulverizing the shelters and smashing the domes of the small 55 mm canons ,taken out from our declassed fortifications ,with which it was garnished the position.Only in the afternoon of 13th Romanians,exhausted and overwhelmed from all parts ,cedes to the enemy the ruins of Bumbesti.

On all roads and paths ,the unfinished columns of enemy descend and attack from all parts our few troops,which resist with superhuman efforts and do not leave the positions but only to occupy others immediate behind ,from where they start heroic counterattacks.The enemy himself confess to the bravery of our troops:"It is no doubt that Romanian Infantry fights bravely ;she shows daring and clever in defending her position in the mountains ,well organized ;ofcourse,she attacks with decisiveness in counteroffensive ;but it prooves very sensible to the artillery fire ,especially faced with the heavy calibers and not used with defence against the surrounding attacks , to which their artillery touching unsure ,cannot ensure in time the defence".

At 13th of November the troops of Jiu Corps have retreated on recollection line Valari-Rugi-Simbotin-barcaciu,mounted on Jiu.The Wutemberger Alpiners fight all day with a Romanian Detachment ,till they can master Valari.The two Romanian Companies ,defending Valari, have counterattacked the Alpiners Battalion Wutemberger three times and set him on the run;at the fourth attack ,the killing fire of the heavy artillery of the enemy forced the brave defenders to leave the position.For conquering Simbotinului,the Germans had to give seven consecutive attacks.

With the evacuation of Bumbesti and lossing line Valari-Simbotin-Barcaciu the principal driveway in the Defile of Jiu is all in to the hands of the enemy;by it, poured without interruption the artilley mass and the Infantry of Divisions 11th and 301st.Schmettow Cavalry begins the march to cross the Defile and enters the field North of Tirgu Jiu.The armoured automobiles ,with machineguns ,were running ,blasting the flanks of the Romanian columns.

Once out of the mountainous region ,not a serious obstacle did not oppose anymore to the advance of the enemy.At 14th of November ,he is detained for a short time on stop,on line Turcinesti-Curtisoara,to cover the concentrations made by Romanians South of Tirgu Jiu.The enemy enters the City of Tirgu Jiu at 15th of November ,without fight ,as the groups at the wings have arrived in to the lateral valleys of Gilortului.


(Aerian photographic camera,made by Romanian Industry 1916-1918;binoculars which belonged to Brigadier General Alexandru Stoenescu ...etc)


(Mortier of great strength used by Austro -Hungarian Army ,for destroying concrete shelters,system Skoda ,model 1916,caliber 210 mm,prejectile 120 kg,range 500 m,quick firing;captured by Romanian Army during the Great War)


(Cannon ,quick firing,System Skoda ,150 mm,model 1915,used by Austro-Hungarian Army, for fire of interdiction at long distance ,firing range 11,4 Miles,weight 11500kg;the piece has been captured by the Romanian Army in 1918)


(German military captured during the fights at Jiu -November 1916)

The breaking of Romanian front

With the formidable mass of four Divisions of Infantry,Falkenhayn broke the Romanian Front line ,in a place where the guard was made by a Brigade !The breakthrough of the Romanian Front was made.The dam,which held for two months the might of the enemy ,broke and over it ,the furious wave went to the valley to drawn our fields.In unterminable columns ,Schmettow 's Cavalry started the march at the right wing of Kuhne's Army.Already ,Falkenhayn thought the game won.He took dispozitions for exploiting the success.The 11th Infantry Division was placed at the left wing of LIV-th Corps ;she will advance South-East ,to open up the road on Olt Valley in direction Dragasani,behind the Romanian Corps fighting at Olt River.The 301st Division will follow this one,as safety eshalon towards left,against some eventual attacks from Olt ,the LIV-th Corps -Divisions 109th and 41st -will continue the advance directly towards South,in Craiova direction.Ahead of them have been send the two Divisions of Cavalry which,in quick marchings ,will precede the marching of the Infantry ,in direction Filiasi-Strehaia.The role of the Cavalry is to cut the connections behind Romanian Cerna Group with the Kingdom and to clean the terrain,making thus easier the operations for the German Infantry.


c)The Battle At Tirgu Jiu ,16-17th of November

The Romanian plan for Tirgu Jiu battle

The Battle of Tirgu Jiu has been concepted by the Romanian Commandment ,after a plan resembling much with the one of the first battle of Jiu.The place chosen for fight was the edge of elevations,which stretch South of Tirgu Jiu ,with general direction West-East,closing from South the bucket -the sub-Carpathians geographical depression -in which is placed the city(Tirgu-Jiu).The position is well chosen ;she follows on the Southern shore -a bit higher-of Armadiei Mici ,the line Capacioasa-Danesti-Cirbesti.At the left ,she leans over Jiu River;at the right ,on Gilort.If ,however,the positions were well chosen,the forces that General Vasilescu Paraschiv ,the Commander of the Ist Romanian Army,had at Jiu ,were not enaugh to dam the enemy wave.In complete ignorance ,about the formidable enemy he had in front,was made the plan for fight.At the center,the troops of Jiu Group will resist to the frontal attacks which the enemy will give against line Capacioasa -Danesti-Cirbesti,stretching towards West ,over Jiu River ,until Soimanesti.In the same time ,at the left wing ,a Mixt Detachment ,coming from Cerna through Baia de Arama (Copper Bath),will fall behind the enemy ,on his communication line .The principal manoeuvre will take place at our right wing ,on Gilortului Valley.A new Division ,the 17th Romanian*,brought from the remaking zone by trian,will advance in the flank and back of the enemy ,in Bumbesti direction ,towards the South mouth of the Defile ;a small Detachment ,coming from East ,from Olt Front,on driveway Babeni-Novaci ,will help the action of the 17th Division ,falling behind the enemy on this side.The plan was very good made and the situation adventurous ,in which the enemy placed himself,was well exploited .The success of the plan would have brought the complete destruction of the surrounding army and with the retreat line in this way cut.Only that,the raport of the forces ,situated face to face ,it was in absolute disadvantage for Romanians.Such a manoeuvre of surrounding on both flanks ,analogue with the one used by Falkenhayn at Sibiu ,asks from Romanians a strength ,at least equal with the one of the adversary,as ,in reality ,we had less than one third of his number:we had two uncomplete Divisions faced with seven enemy Divisions.And on top of this ,we had no luck at all.


The Battle of Tirgu Jiu

Muntele Negru=Black Mountain ;Paring=Paring Mountain Massiff;Pasul Surduc=Surduc Pass;D. Piva=Piva Hill;so Pasul=Pass;;Germani=Germans;Romani=Romanians;Jiu=Jiu River;1606=1606 meters(aprox 4800 feet)

Front German=German Front

arrows=directions of enemy attacks

Tirgu Jiu=Tirgu Jiu Town


The battle cooks up in conditions of great inferiority

The Detachment(Romanian) coming from Cerna was made out of three Battalions of Infantry,with artillery ,put under the Command of Colonel Taut.The Detachment could not reach in time the theatre of foght.He had to turn from his way and fight for its own safety.Such a fate had also the Detachment coming from Olt.This one was even weaker;only a single Battalion with three Escadrons and a Section of Artillery.the Olt Corps,caucht itself,in very heavy fights ,could not send more.The Detachment,strengthened with too fewer troops of the Jiu Corps,was also stopped between Cerna and Aninisu,at West of Novaci by the troops of 301st Division ,which were strengthening the right wing of the enemy.

To the highest lack of luck,one of the train transporting towards Jiu the troops of the 17th Romanian Division ,derailed at Filfani Village ,near Stolnici ,between Pitest and Slatina .It have stopped and delayed the transport of the aid troops,which were so much needed.Because of this ,the troops arrived with great delay on to the fighting front and during the fight .In the morning of 16th arrived five Battalions and a field battery ;till the evening of the day disembarked,in all 6000 men.Because of this ,the Romanian offensive planned for 16th of November ,has been postponed for the next day,after the arriving of the whole Division.The delay was fatal.The enemy,in complete possession of his fighting means,started the offensive towards Carbunesti ,surprizing the troops in course of disembarking ,whithout finishing the concentration.The Romanian troops ,arrived in the second day had to be thrown in to fight package by package ,imediately as they were disembarked in Train Stations Barbatesti and Carbunesti.The rest arrived after the end of the battle ,when it was too late.


The unfolding of the battle

The battle at South of Tirgu Jiu took place in the two days of 16-17th of November.It was a tremendeous snowing with big and dense snowflakes , wich melted as they reached the Earth ,in to a cold ice water.The wind was blowing strong and was throwing vertigos of snow in the eyes of the fighters.Rarely was a battle given in such conditions of unequality between adversary forces ,like the one engaged at South of Tirgu Jiu.

The mass of the three German Division has exited the Defile of Jiu and was at 16th of November on a line West-East ,from Tirgu -Jiu to Gilort;the 301at Division was a little behind ,making the phallanx-guard of Kuhne's Army.The German Cavalry ,ahead of the Infantry ,attacks the positions occupied by the troops of Jiu Group.At our left wing,the 7th Division of Cavalry,German attacks between Tismana and Jiu on the line Somanesti-Cirbesti and is repulsed.At the center ,the 6th German Cavalry attacks the center of Romanian position ,but cannot advance either,as little as possible;the fight unfolds very lively around Danesti Village.At our right wing ,in Carbunesti region ,the 4th Ulans Regiment and parts of the 11th Bavarian Division attacks the troops of Jipa Group ,which are covering the disembarking of the 17th Romanian Division;in violent fight ,the enemy is repelled towards Stefanesti.The enemy Commander realizes the failure of the try made with Cavalry ;it is ,though ,a passing one because the mass of his Infantry ,fighting with the dense snowing and with the water mixed with snow on the roads,has reached by evening the fighting terrain;it will ghange the face of things.Kuhne retreats the 6th Division of Cavalry from the Front ,brings it at Tirgu Jiu and sends it to the Western wing ,in Tismana Valley.There,is concentrated now the whole mass of Cavalry,of which mission is fixed now at executing of a marching around in left Romanian flank.

In the place of Cavalry,takes place the Infantry of the enemy.The blizzard have completely masked the move.It is the only success with which Kuhne can brag for the day of 16th of November.

At the right side ,in Gilort Valley ,the concentration of the 17th Romanian Division may not be made at Albeni anymore ,as planned.The troops have to disembark at Barbatesti and follow the driveway Rogojeni-Boia,climbing towards North.

The day of 17th of November will be decissive in the battle at Tirgu Jiu .All night has snowed.In the morning,the snow of two palms ,covers the hills and valleys.The concentration of the enemy on to the fighting line is today acomplished.The Attack Group is made out of the mass of the three Divisions:Division 41st it is at the right side,mounted on Jiu;the 11th Bavarian Division is at the left side ,on Gilort ;between them at the center is the 109th Division ,with the Wurtemberger Alpiners ,with the 4th Ulans Regiment ,with the Cavalry Detachments of the three Divisions of the Group and with all the artillery ,heavy,of the 109th Division.

In front of the strong enemy left wing ,the 17th Romanian Division begins the offensive move ,along Gilortului with direction Bumbesti ;she has only five Battalions ,of which two of them had barely the time to jump down from the carriages ,to haste in to the fight ;four Battalions gather at Vidin,to form up the Reserve.With all the massing of the enemy forces at this wing,the Romanian attack is progressing.The troops of the 17th Division ,placed on three columns ,fight bravely;at 10 ,the right has reached Licurici ,the center at Carbunesti ,the left has occupied Curmatura Hill.The enemy sends four columns of attack against the Romanians .The fight is outstandingly violent,especially at our right flank ,which the enemy is looking to veil,but in vain.Patrols of Cavalry are signalled on Amaradiei Valley;a Romanian Battalion occupies Rogoci and brings to a stand still the enemy Cavalry.


The enemy unfoldsthe totality of his forces summoned by him,at the Eastern wing and overwhelms with number,artillery power and multitude of machineguns ,the Romanians,which fight hoplessly.

The fourth Battalion of 15th Razboieni Regiment,Romanian,which has occupied Curmatura Hill ,has been attacked by a whole Bavarian Regiment.All day and evening ,till late in through the night ,the soldiers of the Battalion,which have received the order to resist till the last man,have fought with fury ,not giving up a palm of terrain.At 2 in the night ,the Battalion was completely destroyed.Three quarters of it ,remained dead on the terrain and wounded ;the rest,besides some prisoners ,have retreated crossing Gilortul through the frozen water.Towards Boia Stream and Carbunesti ,the 4th Battalion of 27th Bacau Regiment,Romanian,have sustained all day the fighting and has left on the terrain more than a half of his officers and soldiers,as dead and wounded.It was the Battalion which at 20th of October took part at Tipchesului assault ,near Bicaz.At their right side,the 4th Battalion of the 75th Regiment,Romanian,poor militia men and dispensed from Ialomita County ,which have learned to use the trigger and weapon in terrain,from Urziceni to Jiu,have entered directly in to the magineguns fires and have been cut down to the ground.Only by evening,the enemy occupies Boia and Tupsa .He has advanced ,after a day of fights a little.The night finds him 2 Miles South of line Petresti -Carbunesti,across Gilortului,held in harness by the line of the 17th Romanian Division.

Unfortunately,at the Western wing and at the center ,the battle has taken a grave twist for Romanians.The troops of Jiu Group form a defence line very thin,stretched from Somanesti ,over Jiu River,until Copacioasa having in front the masses of Infantry Divisions 41st and 109th Germans,and in the left flank Divisions 6th and 7th of Cavalry,Germans.The masses of enemy Cavalry advance by West of Jiu ,along and across Valleys of Bistricioarei and Tismana,going around or rejecting the weak Romanian Detachments and arrive in Motrului Valley ,at Brosteni and Rosia ,executing thus in the left Romanian flank a large move of going around.The wing of the principal Romanian position ,leaned over by Jiu at Cirbesti ,was completely turned . German Detachments of Cavalry were in the evening of 17th of November at Farcasesti,on the right shore of Jiu River,9 Miles behind Romanian position at Cirbesti.


In the same time ,the troops of the German Divisions 41st and 109th attack by front the Romanian position at Cirbesti -Danesti-Copacioasa.The Romanian troops fight with a heroism which defies any description.The enemy suffers heavy casualties,but strong by its numbers ,advances impetuous over the handful of defenders.The elevations on the Eastern shore of Jiu ,between Cirbesti and Poiana -especially Bran Hill -are the theatre of very bloody fights ,given by both sides with savagery.Villages Danesti and Urechesti ,East of Cirbesti ,are defended without hope by soldiers from Regiments 18th and 58th Gorj,43rd and 59th.Five times are occupied by the Germans and as many times taken back by our undefeated soldiers.What remains in the hands of the enemy ,are broken pieces of units ,decimated ,overwhelmed by the invasioneers which pour in now from all directions.

In the afternoon ,the Romanian Front has been broken in the middle on a large length;the 41st Division advances in direction Vacarea-Pesteana ,the 109th Division on direction Sasa-Bratuia .The remains of the Romanian center retreat through Cioiana Valley ,in direction Rasina -Tunsi.The heads of the enemy columns have occupied on the left shore of Jiu,Pesteana ;they shake hand with the avanguards of Cavalry columns which descend on the right shore of the river.The enemy circle closes thus behind our positions at Cirbesti ,where Colonel Obogeanu,the Commander of the Sector ,wages disperate fight against the attacking columns from the North ,from Draganesti ,from East ,from Urechesti,and from West fro over Jiu River,by an enemy column which descended from Bistritei Valley.With all the dug out road by rains and snows ,the artillery manoeuvres precisely and keeps at respect the attacker.By evening,though,the retreat line is occupied by the enemy ;officers send in reconnoitring are received by enemy with fires .The situation is extremely critical;a catastrophe seems now eminent.


Obogeanu evacuates the back of the hill at Cirbesti and starts the retreat towards South,placing his artillery in the middle ,framed by infantry;some small Detachments are left to retain the enemy ,sacrificing for saving the thick.The column ,advancing towards South ,finds Vladuleni Village ,at the half way of the road between Rovinari and Pesteana ,occupied by enemy forces .A ferocious fight begins at 7 in the evening ,Romanians attacking the enemy with energy of disperation,to make way.But the enemy positions are dominant and strengthened with numerous machinegun nests and strong artillery.From behind ,three armoured automobiles and infantry troops of the enemy pursue and attack the Romanian column ,and from over Jiu ,beggins to receive fires of heavy artillery;at Farcasesti ,in front of Vladulenilor ,have arrived a Brigade of Infantry and one of Cavalry ,Germans.So,surrounded from all parts!Hours of tightness of nerves are passing by.The Romanians do not succeed to force the way over.There is no hope of escape.On the right side of Jiu though,the Germans in safety of victory and of the eminent capture,do not take to much precaution measures.A ruined bridge over Jiu is unoccupied by them.Under the protection of a Battalion ,which makes face to the enemy towards Farcasesti ,Obogeanu saves the entire artillery ,crossing it over the bridge ,as the infantry crosses part on the bridge ,part through fords ,through the freezing water.It is a tremendeous frost ,the night is foggy.The crossing of the river is made in a complete silence ;not even a horse opened his mouth.All through the night the enemy fired and throwed with rockets .The next day,in the morning ,his metal circle tightened around the empty space ;on the theatre of drama was only the Battalion of sacrifice ,left there,gathered around his boxes of cartridges!The thick of the column of Obogeanu ,with intact artillery ,was at 11 miles away South ,on Filiasi road.

The fate of the battle was now decided.With all the heroic defence of the right Romanian wing,the situation was threatened because of the retreat of the left wing on line Pesteana-Rasina-Tunis,from where the enemy threatens to take in flank the positions at South of Petresti-Carbunesti.Overwhelmed by the imense superiority of the enemy ,which was pouring from all parts in unfinished masses ,the Romanians found themselves forced to break the fight also at the right wing and to retreat during the night on to the Eastern shore of Gilortului ,towards South.The fields ,hills and woods covered in snow ,were scattered with dead bodies of the heroic defenders and by the multitude of wounded ,which have been left by the unhuman enemy to die ,after days of torments and carelessness.


The overflowing of the invasioneers

The Battle at Jiu was ended.We have been defeated by the great numerical superiority and technical one of the adversary.Tha last barrier and which we thought we can held at South of Tirgu Jiu ,in our ignorrance of the forces with which presented himself ,this time, the adversary,has been wiped out.Nothing opposed now to the invasion of the Kongdom.

At West of Jiu ,by Motrului Valley and on the neighbouring roads ,the unnumbered masses of German Cavalry and his armoured automobiles were pouring down like an arson over the Romanian villages.Along Jiu Valley ,the remains of Jiu Group ,reduced at 1800 men of infantry ,tired and with lowered moral ,were retreating towards Filiasi ,resisting with artillery on to positions ,successively.Along Armadiei was retreating the 17th Division ,which numbered barely 2000 fighters.

At 18th of November ,the heads of the German columns and the armoured automobiles ,touched the railway Turnu-Severin-Craiova ,at Prunisor and Strehaia.The rail has been damaged in several points .The connection with Turnu Severin and with the Division from Cerna was cut.At 19th of November ,the resistance tried by the Romanian troops at Filiasi with the intention to cover the advancement of the reinforcements which the Great Romanian Headquarter wanted to send in Oltenia ,has been defeated by the overwhelming number of the enemy,which was pursuing close,drunk with the obtained success.

The enemy was descending with the thick of Khune Army -Divisions 41st,109th and 11th -Valleys of Jiu ,Gilortului and Amaradiei;at the Eastern wing ,the 301st Division which during the Jiu Battle remained stuck at Novaci,in front of the Rmanian Detachment send from Olt,was passing now ,as well,the Valley of Oltet and then in Cerna Valley with direction Dragasani.The 115th Division was exiting Jiu Defile and followed ,as reserve of the bulk of the Army.

A last and in vain resistance is tried at the crossing of Amaradiei,of which bridges have been destroyed.The lowered waters of the rivers favorized the advance of the enemy.

At 21st of November in the morning,an Escadron of armoured automobiles ,under the Command of Major Borke ,entered Craiova by West ,as by North were entering the avanguards of the 41st Infantry Division.

The land of Oltenia ,the region of the oldest Romanian-ism ,one of the most clean and proud places of Romanian energies ,was receiving first the insult of the German hoofs.The Romanian catastrophe begun[12].


[1]Ever since the offensive in March,the Italians followed to conquer Grozia,but without success.During the 6th offensive on Isonzo,the Italians cross Isonzo and conquer Gorizia at 8th of August.The Austro-Hungarian Army executes an operation of general retreat on Carso(Kars),at 10th of August 1916.

[2] Brusilov Army has retaken the offensive on the Russian Front of South-West in direction Kovel at 28th of July 1916,continuing the advance towards this center and at South of Nistru till the end of the month,for then his offensive capacity to be epuisated.

[3]Eremia Grigorescu(1864-1919).

[4]Austrian Empress ,assasinated by anarchists in 1898.

[5]Carol Ist Robert,King of Hungary(1308-1342).

[6]Sigismund de Luxemburg,King of Hungary (1387-1437).

[7]Batlle of Posada between the Army of Romanian Country(Wallachia) and the Hungarian one ,took place at 9-12th of November 1330.

[8]Localities of Belgium and France of North-East occupied ,plundered and partially destroyed by German troops during 1914 campaign.

[10]During 1915 campaign ,on Russian German Front.

[11] In July August 1916,on Oriental Front _Russian Front of South-West).

[12] Fr this stage of military operations ,see A" page of our War.The Fight at Jiu 14/27 October ",Atanasiu I,,Bucuresti 1936.

from Constantin Kiritescu translated by Andrei Radu Georgescu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 21:06, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 21:18, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:861D:A183:1C5B:2239:8BDC (talk) 17:20, 19 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86AC:8D64:F47D:A2F9:AA2 (talk) 02:29, 20 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

Romanian campaign -Dobrogea Campaign-1916 Chapter II

Dobrogea Campaign

1.Bulgaria Against Romania

Bulgaria is leaving the old friends

In the wake of the Balkan War and of the Peace of Bucharest,Bulgaria threw herself,entirely, in the arms of Austro-Hungary.She has thus broken the friendship connections with Russia ,to which she was linked bythe most holly duties of gratitude.Plevna,Sipka and San Stefano have been forgoten(Russo-Turkish War, 1877–78).And against Romania,it has been unleashed in the political circles ,intelectual and military of Bulgaria,the most blind hatered.This savage hatered against Romania it was not justified,at all.The action of Romania in 1913 was not either a "treson ",neither a"villainy attack from behind",as the Bulgarians like to call it.Romania had no obligation towards Bulgarians;all the obligations were on their part.Romania did not obstacle Bulgaria to declare and wage war agains Turkey for liberating her conationals;it even followed with simpathy her action and received officialy from her part the most warm thanks"for the brilliand atitude and for the new proves of good and amicable feelings towards Bulgaria"*.

As open ,though,Romania declared that it will keep strict neutrality,as long as it isn't about territorial exchanges,and when the considerable increase of territory of Bulgaria become a sure thing,Romania has asked for legitime compensation,which they owed.At the Bulgarian roundabouts,Romania declared to Bulgaria ,without any hesitation,that she will stand her rights-if needed with the weapon in hand.But Bulgaria did not want to consider the modesty and the bases of Romanian demands.It was asked ,in this way,to a state which,after 35 years of national life,who had the unhoped luck to fulfill almost entirely,ethnic unity,to give up to those that helped it continuously to acomplishe this grandious thing,a thin piece of land from the most not Bulgarian part of their Kingdom.It was needed for all stuborness of men of state of Sofia,their total lack of political sense,all the patologic megalomany of ther King,as well as all the ingratitude,for this modest and rightful pretention to be"refused",and to unleash a national conflict between two states which had same interests.

The foreign policy of Bulgaria was lead by Tzar Ferdinand in the sentiment of hatered and thirst of revenge.The Tzar personallity did not sweet,but on the contrary,hurshed this vengeful atitude by his own resentments.A diplomat and historian makes the Zar this portrait ,very little complimentary:"an enigmatic character to which his power of hypocrisy,his revengefull refinements,his will to mistaken national missfortunes of his people with the particular wounds of his personal ego,had made him to be compared with an Italia tirant from the times of Renaissance,with a contemporary of Borgia lost in XX-th century".

The breakout of the European War ,reflammed in the souls of Bulgarians ,near to the thirst ove revenge for the defeat of 1913,and of the most extravagant hopes.The confessed program of their demands comprised territories which had to be razed from all neighbours:from the Greeks-territories Kavalla,Drama and Seres;from the Turks-Adrianopol to line Enez-Midie;from Romanians-Dobrogea Noua(New Dobroge).The unconfessed ideal by the government,but agitated by Bulgarian propaganda,was going way further:South of Albania to which they can reach Adriatic Sea,Serbia to Morava,to come into contact wit Austro-Hungary,Old Dobrogea(Dobrogea Veche) to the mouths of Danube River to come into contact with the Bulgarian colonialists of Southern Basarabia!


Under the influence of Tzar Ferdinand ,the Bulgarian politics enters openly in spheres of influence of Austro-Hungary,implicit of the Central Powers.From these,Bulgaria hoped to repair"The Unjust of Bucharest" and to acomplish her national ideal.Speculating this hope ,the political chiefs of Austro-Hungary ,and especially Tisza,were making use of Bulgaria to exercise a blackmail agaist Romania.Still,in the first days of the European War,Bulgaria leaves to be understood that it would give her concur.The position of Bulgaria in the middle of Balkans Peninsula,had a great significance for the War in this sector;by this sector could be kept in chess ,Turkey.The Entente precipitated to win Bulgaria with the promise of territories on the expense of its Balkanic neighbours.Giving course to a suggestion of Venizelos,Sazonov thought he could revive the Balkanic Alliance.With this aim,he asked the balkanik neighbours ,of Bulgaria,to make to this ,concesions of territories which they earned by"Peace of Bucharest".These pretentions rose a paynful protest from Serbia,caught in desperate fight against Austro-Hungary,as Venizelos,sensing the double-game of Bulgaria,has pronounced for using "the manner forte".The Russian victory of Lemberg tempered the zel of Sazonov:the Bulgarian concur was not so urgent.On the other hand,the Bulgarian pretentions were so exagerated and unjust,as it would have been utterly impossibele to reach an understanding.The greed of Bulgaria could not stay at side but only with the lack of scrupuls of the Central Powers.

Next to Romania,Bulgaria understood tu use dissimulative behaviour,hypocrisy:even at 4th of August,Radev declares to Bratianu that Bulgaria is faithful to Austria and wishes the friendship of Romania;she will advance in Macedonia but will respect the new frontier with Romania.

.....

Bulgaria treaties

As Bulgaria received to have offers made,by both sides and bargained hard,she closed with Austro-Hungary ,at 6th of September 1914,a secret treaty of"Amicable politics" and of"mutual support".The two contracting states obliged themselves to put into action all military forces against the state which might attack one of the two fellows.This state could only be ,none other than Romania;the aggressive politics of Ballplatz was beginning to realise itself.

The negociations of Bulgaria with the Entente continued,somehow.The obstacle was the Bulgarian pretention to imediately take in possesion Macedonian territories reclamed by Serbia.This ,seemed ,even to the Bulgarofil Sazonov,excessively outrageous:it would have been cruel and unmoral to ask the Serbs ,these faithful and heroic allies ,to agree to an amputation of their territory,even when they were engaged in to decissive fight against the commune enemy.That is why,a second intervention of the Entente made in November 1914,after the entering of the Turks next to the Central Powers,has remained without any result,whatsoever;same with the third intervention in December,as a result of the Austrian offensive in Serbia.Fighting heroic,Serbia managed by herself to defeat the Austrians and to take them out of the country[1];the intervention of Bulgaria was now,not so pressing as to be bought with a price which not even Greece,neither Romania were not willing to pay.Besides,it was not asked anymore to Bulgaria the entering in the War,but a simple good will neutrality.

In January 1915,by the initiative of Sir Grey,the Entente made the fourth trial,made possible by the fact that it was promissed to the Greeks territorial compensations in Asia Minor,as well as the cede of the Island of Ciprus.The French tasked with tratatives in Sofia,Duke Guise,Chief of the Legitimeers in France,cousin of Zar Ferdinand.This one,under different pretextes,would not take any engagement towards Entente;in the same time he was receiving from Berlin a loan of 75 millions of marks.

The Anglo-French Expedition in Dardanelles, and the weakening of military power of Russia ,brought to evidence by Mackensen offensive ,came to change deeply the elements of Balkans problem.They showed that the assistance given by the small Balkanic powers it was not only desired,as until now,but indispensable.Dardanelles not being possible to be forced by sea,it only remained the possibility be turned ,by armed landings(General Sir Ian Hamilton).And here,the concur of Bulgarians was the most pretious.That is why,in the summer months ,under the impulse and direct conduct of Delcasse,it have been retaken new and minutious tratatives with the Bulgarians.The Bulgarians showed,this time,the program of their pretentions:Macedonia,Kavalla,Southern Dobrogea.But the negotiations ,made more heavy by the lack of trust inspired by Bulgarians ,have not reached other result but to indispose the friend countries to which painful sacrifices were imposed for the advantage of a government reckless and unsafe.The Entente addmited in principle the Bulgarian revendications,taking the obligation to ensure the countries asked by these sacrifices,gully compensations .But the Bulgarians hesitated in making formal declarations,entangling in delatory formulaes,asking all kinds of precissions over the stretch of the said territories,the dates of surrendering them,asking for this to anticipate the date of their entering in the War,then they dived in to total silence.The reason was that Zar Ferdinand ,following is double-game,was on the step to cross evident on the side of Austro-Hungary.At the end of August,Austro-Hungarian troops start to mass in Banat,in vecinity of Serbia,as Bulgarian troops were gathering towards the Eastern border of Serbia.


The Duke of Mecklenburg,send by Emperor Wilhelm,arrived at SOfia in an ostentative visit and managed to dismiss the last hesitations of Zar Ferdinand of Bulgaria.At 4th of September 1914,Bulgaria closed an acord with the Central Powers known only by the King and the primeminister.Bulgaria was obliging herself to enter in War against Serbia and against the Entente,in 35 days.By the political conditions of the treaty,it was set the unclothing of Serbia not only of Macedonian territories ,but also by her old territories until Morava,for the profit of Bulgaria,as a price of military colaboration ,of this one.The paragraph 2 of the convention , developed the old understanding pretaining the works against Romania:"In the case in which Romania,during the present conflict,without any provokation from the Bulgarian Government ,would attack Bulgaria,her allies or Turkey,Austro-Hungary will agree to give to Bulgaria the territories ceded to Romania by Bucharest Treaty,as well as rectifying the Bulgaro-Romanian frontier draw by Berlin Treaty".

The representatives of Entente have started to have serious suspicions ,which have confirmed when they saw that,by good understanding,Turkey gave Bulgaria an important stretch of land along the right shore of Maritia together with Karagas,the socket neighbourhood over the river of Adrianopole,necessary to posses the railway which unites Adrianopole with Dedeagaci,It was obvious was payed the price of military colaboration with Turkey and the frontpay of territorial obligations taken by the central Powers.Still,Delcasse have not given up;judging more with logic than with the knowing of the Bulgarian psychology,he kept his firm convincing that Bulgaria will pass to the Entente,of which all intrests connected her.

Although the passing of Bulgaria in the opposite camp,was obvious,Radoslavov continued to lie the representatives of Entente,even after , at 24th September they declared general mobilization of the army.He tried to explain that"the mobilization of the army is nothing else than passing from unarmed neutrality to armed neutrality".Playing the comedy,he protested with tears in his eyes and tremble in his voice of the purity of his intentions,that he has no aggresive veleity against Serbia,whatsoever,that in Sofia are no German officers,that his heart is aking with pain to the thought that his efforts, would be perilled, to keep the brotherly relations with Russia.Faced with this shamelessness,the Entente ministers broke relations with Bulgaria,at 5th of October .In the same day disembarked at Salonic the firsts of the British-French military contingents,with the purpose of bringing different arguments in the controversy of Balkans Peninsula.They came unfortunately too late,not only to intimidate the Bulgarians,but to effectively take part in the fight.

Bulgaria throws away the mask.As Mackensen was forcing the crossing of Danube River,making thus the invasion of Serbia from North to South,Bulgaria attacked this one from behind.The failed tratatives had also a political epilogue :Delcasse,the French Foreign Minister,payed with his portfolio and with his political creer the ilussion in which he has been entangeled.

Cornered from three parts by powerful enemies,Serbia died heroicly.The help of the allies was tardive,and not enaugh.In the Valley of Vardar[3],the plebian hand of the Bulgar rose up,hitting hard the few British and French troops.Ceding in the face of the overwhelming numerical superiority ,the French-British Army of General Sarrail retreated at Salonic,which he transformed in a strong camp,well strenghtened.To the stuborness of Briand,the French Prime Minister,it is owed the maintenance of this seed of army at Salonic;he would play an important role in the unfolding of the events in Balkans.

As about Romania ,the unfavorable situation of the European fighting fronts,have obstacled her to give help to her neighbour.By maintaining neutrality,Romanian did not give to the Central Powers the necessary pretext for the premeditated aggression,as was written in the paragraph 2 of the convention with Bulgaria.


Preparing the Bulgarian attack against Romania

The campaign plan against Romania and the role given to Bulgaria in this aggression has been established in the war council,held at the German Headquarter of Pless,at 29th July 1916.

The fundamental conception of this plan was the following:as on the Carpathians frontier will be made operations with demonstrative character,aimed to delay the advance of the principal Romanian forces which will attack this front,the Bulgarian-German-Turkish,concentrated on the Dobrogean frontier,will have the principal mission.They will attack the strenghtened position on Danube River shore,Turtucaia and Silistra and will advance in Dobrogea to the middle of it,in the most narrowed part ,between Danube River and the Black Sea.After touching this line,the bulk of the forces will be withdraw from Dobrogea and,strengtened with new troops and strong material,will be throwed cross the Danube River,at Sistov,in Bucharest direction.The Austro-Hungarian Generalisim Conrad von Hotzendorf sustains the ideea of an imediate offensive against Bucuresti(Bucharest) as being the safest of means to ligthten the situation in Ardeal.This ideea has not been accepted by the German Commandment,which found it too risky.The Danube could not be crossed ,while the right flank of the Bulgarian Army was threatened by Romanian Troops,and Russians,which were concentrating in Dobrogea.The Bulgarian Commanders were backing up the iddea of offensive in Dobrogea ,which would give them mastering over the territory wanted by them,as an acomplishment of the so called ideal,"PanBulgar".That is why ,at the installation of the Hindenburg duality-Ludendorff ahead of the German Commandment,Mackensen have received the order to attack the Dobrogean forehead(frontier) and,only after he would have consolidated here his positions,to attempt crossing Danube River,at an epoch which would be indicated by the progress of operations on Transilvanian Front.

Pretaining this operation,the fleet of Austrians monitors have descended the Danube River and anchored at Rasciuk,and the park of heavy pontoons of Austro-Hungarian Geniu,destined to throw a bridge over Danube,has been brought in total secrecy and hidden in Belene Channel,at the back of Persina Islet(ostrov).


The operations against General Sarrail(Salonic Army)

A great importance had the unfolding of the operations at South of Danube River,the Salonic Front.General Sarrail Army,symbol of the same cause defended by the allies,because it was made out of French,British under the Command of General Sir Ian Hamilton,Serbs,Russians,Italians[4],had, here, to acomplish not only a military role,but also a political one.Her presence at Salonic played an important role in the decission of Romanian to join the War.The military actions of the Salonic Army had a great signifficance over the unfolding of actions at Danube River.

In the case of a strong Russian-Romanian offensive,started from the Dobrogen frontier towards South,a simultaneously and convergent action of General Sarrail Army,from South towards North,would have brought very important results.Unfortunately,the corps of 200 000 men promised by Sazonov and Alekseev to Nicolae Filipescu,with the occasion of a visit made by this one on the Russian Front in the spring of 1916,has been reduced at less than one quarter.The Protocol signed by Briand and Loyd George[5] at Paris,at 11th of August 1916,by wich it was decided the rising of the effectives of the Russian help in Dobrogea ,from 50 000 ,as was in the military convention,to 200 000,as it has been calculated to be nesessary for a real effect and to help the action of the Salonic Army,has been totaly refused by Alekseev.There was no question ,now,about a decissive action in this part.Neither General Sarrail Army,would have not been capable of an action in great style.She was tasked to enterprize against the Bulgarian Front only demonstrative actions,to fix here as many Bulgarian forces as possible.

In the same time,though,the enemy,well aware by the peril ,menacing him from this part and wanting to have free hands in the action planned against Romania,decided to take offensive against the group of armies of the Entente at Salonic.With this face,the Bulgarians went ahead:General Sarrail has been surprised in the midst of his preparatives ,by the Bulgarian offensive.At 17th of August 1916,the Bulgarians attack West of the left wing of Orient Army,made out of Serbs troops and seize Florina,and the second day ,Banica.At the East wing ,they cross Mesta in Greece and Struma,and seize Drama,Seres and Kavalla.The Greeks,on the territory where the fight was taking place,do not oppose any resistance ,whatsoever[6],they leave their forts in the hands of Bulgarians and let to be disarmed.They are send to Germany,wehere they are interned.The filo-German politics of King Constantin exposed the Greek army to the supreme humilliation ,to be disarmed,without fight,by the enemy defeated three years before;it constituted in the same time ,a grave threat for the back of General Sarrail Army.

At 23rd of August,the front of General Sarrail Army,is bent in the form of an arch of circle;both wings are pushed inside.With difficulty,the front can equilibrated;the resistance is organized;the Bulgarian offensive is stopped.But the result is,that the planned offensive of General Sarril,which supposed to ease the Romanian action,could not take place anymore.On the contrary,the roles are exchanged.The breakout of Romanian War and the beginning of the campaign on the Dobrogean frontier is wellcomed by General Sarrail;he can breath now,and work to consolidate his positions.


Bulgaria declares war to Romania

Even since July 1916,news from diferent streams signalled to the Romanian government that Bulgaria woud have tired by the war which was longer than her expectations and that the belief in the triumph of the Cental Powers begun to shake.In this sense,Radoslavov[7] made to the Romanian Minister at Sofia,Derussi,the direct question if Romanian would eventually want to serve as middle near the Entente for a separate peace,which would give Bulgaria guarantees for the possesion of a part of Macedonia and keep Zar Ferdinand on the throne of Bulgaria.The Romanian Minister send to its government these suggestions,adding that,face with the Bulgarian duplicity and of the overpowerful German influence,it could not put to much trust on these proposals.Besides,the Romanian Minister at Sofia kept the Romanian Government informed by the vengeful dispozition of the conducting spheres of Bulgaria and of the public opinion of Bulgaria towards Romanians,as well as the intensive preparatives made for a war with Romanian.

To produce confussions in the political circles watching his activity,Radoslavov,with a lack of scrupuls ,deconcentrated even for an oriental diplomat,was lying left and right,to mask his real intentions.

In the day before entering of Romania in the War against Austro-Hungary,the Ministers of Entente at Bucharest-Blondel,Barklay and Poklevski-have given to Bratianu(Romanian Prime Minister) a note by which they announce to him that"the president of the Bulgarian council,declaring,in the most official way,to the Minister of His British Majesty at Sofia,that Bulgaria will keep a strict neutrality and will not attack Romania,if this one will participate to an action against Austria,the representatives of the Entente have notified Radloslavov tht they take into account this declaration".In the same time ,he declared to an Hungarian journalist from "Az Est",which interwied him:"Our relations with Romania are more than corect,loyal and of good vecinity:they are safe.No missunderstanding separates us".Two months and a half after this in Sobraniei Bulgarian meeting[8] of 12th of November 1916,the same Radoslavov declared with cinism:"As I was negociating with the Romanian rpresentative and I was sleeping him with my words,i was taking all the dispozitions,and once the moment has come ,I threw myself over aginst Romanians"


In fact,Radoslavov goes through a cisis of undecissiveness and his declarations carry not only the seal of cinism and felony but also the mask of his hesitations which he seeks to present to the allies as a diplomatic stratagem.

In the day of War Declaration made to Austro-Hungary,the Romanian Minister at Sofia,presented the Bulgarian Government a note,by which the Romanian Government assured Bulgaria of no aggressive intention,but stated in the same time ,on a very determinate tone,by the danger it threatened Bulgaria,in the case in which she woud enterprize hostilities against Romania.The eventuality of an understanding with Bulgaria was so problematic,though,as all the measures have already been taken for the forseen breaking:the protection of the Romanians in Bulgaria was given to Spain Minister and the archives of Romanian Legation in Sofia have been burned.

Bulgaria did not imediately mansifested her intentions.As Germany and Turkey have declared War to Romania,even the second day,after our War Declaration towards Austro-Hungary,at Sofia was quiet.This atitude ,not understood ,was unresting the Bulgarian allies.At General German Headquarters and Austro-Hungarians was a clear temperamentation.The German and Austrian press had begun to attack Bulgaria,accusing her of felony.The German Minister at Sofia did not hide his despy,and the German officers and their families begun to pack up,making insults and threats to their suspicious ally.

It was obvious that the Bulgarian Government was going through a serious spiritual crisis and hesitates in taking a decission.The military circles were lokking with unrest to an eventuality of an advance through Dobrogea of Romanians and Rusians-of which force,even the Romanian official communicate ,has fixed it at 200 000 men-and,in the same time that of the Greeks and of the armies of Entente through Macedonia.The ideea of war against Russia,was ,on the other hand,disliked by a great part of the public opinion in Bulgaria.The opposition parties :Ghesovists,Rusofil Democrats,the majority of the Agrarians,were partizans for Separate Peace,with Russia as intermediator.It was ,then,felt within the army a sort of tireness:the Bulgarian peasant cannot be kept to long campaigning,his instinct of landworker calls him back to the field.Even in the most intimate circles of his partizans,Radoslavov was adviced to think to Separate peace.

The death of Radosavov,the ex-Prime-Minister,by the name of which the Bulgarian desaster is connected in the general War,has brought to actuality an old problem,which pretains directly the diplomatic preparations of Bratianu Government(Romanian) about entering in to action of Romania.

It was said after Turtucaia,and it has been cuntinued to be debated,making accusations,that our entering in the War has not been preceeded by the necessary guarantees,to shelter us against an eventual attack from South of Bulgaria as our armies were crossing Carpathian Mountains to acomplishe the national ideal.This was one of the blames which has been exploited for years against Romanian Government which prepared the War.Today the affair does not seem clarified for everybody,within us.The memory of the defeats in the first part of the War,which ended,after all-with the victory of Marasesti,where the Romanian armies were coverd by ancestors glory-with wholing of Great Romania,makes to resist still a legend which must be destroyed.Today generation,especially because it has suffered more,has the right to know,she firstly,the historical truth over the diplomatic preparation of Romania,at wich she contributed with painful sacrifices.But as historical truth can only be reestablished by documents ,we will reproduce in the followings one of those diplomatic documents wich will make disappear even the last shadow of doubt which could have remained in Romanian public opinion over the conditions in which Romania prepared the offensive against Austro-Hungary.


The Government presided by I.C. Bratianu ,stopping at the solution of the offensive in Carpathian Mountains,it was natural to preoccupy firstly by the attitude of Bulgaria ,for the case of our entering in action.It was an elementary duty that the Romanian Army to be sheltered by an eventual attack from South.In this aim,Bratianu Government wanted to have in this context not only the assurances of Bulgaria but in the same time for more security also to have the guarantees of our great allies.

It has been given under the form of a written note ,carrying the signiatures of the Ministers of England,France and Russia at Bucharest.This is the content of this note given to Bratianu Government by the three ally ministers:

"The President of the Bulgarian Council declaring,in the most official way,to the Minister of His British Majesty at Sofia,that Bulgaria will keep strict neutrality and will not attack Romania if this one will take part in an action against Austria,the representatives of Entente have notified to Mr. Radoslavov that they take act of this declaration.

According to the instructions addressed to us by our Governments,we have the honor to bring to your knowledge of your Excelency the declaration of Mr. Radoslavov and the actions of the representatives of the Entente which sets the intentions of Bulgaria and leaves,as such,to the Government of His majesty total freedom of action for to take the necessary decissions to ensure His triumph of national ideal.


S.Poklevski-Koziel

The document is concludent.Romania was assured by this point of view.Bratianu Government,of a prudence and precaution which put to great test the patience of our allies,made,thus,everything in his power to put Romania to the shelter of an eventual surprize attack from Bulgaria part.If,however,Radoslavov Government did not respect its engagements,not the Romanian Government is to be blamed.The death of the Ex-Prime Minister of Bulgaria,have reset the question,giving thus the chance to clarify a page of history.

But the Bulgarian politics was not lead by Zar Ferdinand personally,and this was the tool of the Central Powers.They summon the Bulgarian Prime Minister at his summer residence of Sitniakovo,isolating him for a few days by any contact and refuses to see Malinov which,as a delegat of the opposing parties ,wanted to ask the King for a Crown Council.The turmoil of some political circles did not impress the Bulgarian Zar,which knew well the pshycology of his people.the oppsing parties had no passing at him.The Bulgarian Rusofilism was just a parade;it will completely evaporate in the day of War Declaration.The Bulgarian ,is esentially realistic;the feeling which dominates him is imediate profit,which he sees by participation with the Germans.

The hesitation of the Bulgarian Government had also the effect that,wakening fears on one side and hopes on the other,has begun to provoke offers of overlicitation from the two camps.The Entente left to be understood the posibility of any concessions in the Kavalla affair and Dobrogean frontier;the Central Powers were willing to promise Bulgarians the whole Dobrogea.And in the same time,Mackensen could operate the offensive group of the Bulgarian-German-Turkish Forces at the border of Dobrogea.


At 30th of August the Bulgarian Minister at Bucharest,Radev,asked the Romanian Government for their passports,declaring that Bulgaria accomplices with Germany and breaks relations with Romania.In the same day the Romanian Government had send through telegraph to Romanian Legation at Sofia the news that Bulgaria has broken relations with Romania and the order to ask from the Bulgarian Government the Romanian passports.This messaje,caught by the German air post,in Sofia,has been transmited in great haste to Minister Derussi.The diplomatic relations have been broken,and the Romanian mission has been seized in the building of the Romanian Legation.In the morning of 1st of September,a clerk of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry presented to the Romanian Legation of Sofia and handed to the Romanian Minister the war declaration of Bulgaria.To make use of the point of aggression,by Romania,in the declaration ,it was founded on the alleged arestation of Dr.Radev at Bucharest,on the Romanian attack at Rusciuk over the Austro-Hungarian fllet and to an attempt of Romanians to throw a bridge over Danube River at Kladovo ,in the night of 30th-31st of August!It is known that the war declaration of Germany against France was motived by some inexistent attacks of aeroplanes over the city of Nurenberg.Bulgarians was good pupil of Germany.

In the same day,the war leaflet,filled with hatred at the address of Romania,announced the Bulgarians that"the hour of revenge has come",and the Bulgarian press saluted with ferocious joy the beginning of the national War against the hereditary enemy.This were the Bulgarian people ![9]Before the war declaration to be handed to Romanian Minister,Bulgarian detachments crossed ,even during the night,on to Romanian soil,slaughtering the frontier posts.In this way,Romania was founding herself in war on two fronts and with four states:Germania,Austro-Hungaria,Bulgaria and Turkey.She only had at her side the doubtful Russian help.


The III-rd Bulgarian Army

The third Bulgarian Army-Commandant General Tosev-was at 1st of October 1915 in fighting position along the line Rusciuk-Varna,in waiting facing Romania and in defensive from Russia-on the Black Sea Front.In this time by almost a year the Bulgarian troops had build fortification works and completed their armament.Especially , that the Commandment wanted to prepare the "moral" of the troops,bringing to paroxism the hatred of Bulgarian soldier against Romania,"the creditar enemy","the stealer of Bulgarian territory".

At the entering of Romania in the War,the III-rd Bulgarian Army,was made out of two complete Divisions-1st Sofia and 4th Preslav-of three brigades each,one brigade of the VI-th Division Vidin,one cavalry division,a mixt detachment German-Bulgarian and the garrisons of the fortified points Rusciuk and Varna,these last thre of the force of a strenghtened brigade.In total 62 battalions of infantry,55 artillery batteries ,23 escadrons of cavalry,three battalions of geniu and one battalion of mines thrower.Two Turkish divisions were marching from Adrianopol towards the fighting front.besides the III-rd Army,which had the principal role of carrying the operations on Southern Dobrogea Front,was finding towards West of Rusciuk a division of Bulgarian militia(police)-the 12th Division-german troops undivisioned of Regiments 21st,115th,45th of infantry,6 ulani and few batteries German and Austrian.Over these troops of which mission was for the time being the guarding of the shore of Danube,has taken the Command,starting with 3rd of September,German General Kosch,of which Headquarter was at Plevna.

The III-rd Bulgarian Army was very well armed ,equiped with all modern equipment of a modern army and with a rich munition provission.A good part of the war material has been carried along Danube River in barges from Germany and Austria.If the number of Germans in this army was reduced,as fighting troops,in exchange their help was very important as officers and specialists troops:heavy artillery,aerostation,aviation,automobiles cuirast etc.What was making the most the power of this army and rising its moral was the German Commandment and especially the supreme chief.At 28th of August,the Supreme Command of the Bulgarian-German troops of North-West Bulgaria,has been handed to Marshal Mackensen.The Marshal was one of the glories of German Army.Commander of an Army Corps at Tannenberg,then Commander of an Army ay Lodz[10],he had linked his name especially by the famous breaking of Russian Front at Dunajec and Gorlice,in May 1915 and by the strangling of Serbia,in the autumn of the same year.he was the man of dearing initiatives,of brutal strikes ,of battles given without any spearing of human lives.Giving the Command of the operational army to a man like this showed the importance which Germans gave to the Action of Dobrogean Frontier.

.....


The III-rd Romanian Army and the Russian Aid Corps

From the Romanian part,Danube River and the Dobroge Frontier were defended by III-rd Romanian Army,Commanded by General M.Aslan.Along the Danube River ,from the mouth of Olt River until Oltenita,were spread troops of infantry and cavalry,with purpose of observation and of defence;they were Divisions 16th and 18th of Romanian Infantry,weak formations,made by regiments of gathering;together with 1st Cavalry Division,the effectives of the III-rd Army was rising,on Danube, to 50 000 men.At West of Olt River was the 20th Romanian Division which belonged to General Culcer Army. The principal forces of the III-rd Army were placed along Dobrogean frontier:at Turtucaia was the 17th Romanian Division,at Silistra the 9th Romanian Division and Bazargic the 19th Romanian Division,in total 72 000 men.

The Russian Corps was made out of two divisions of infantry with weak effectives and one of cavalry:28 nattalions,12 batteries of field,two heavy batteries,24 cavalry escadrons and two mounted batteries(cavalry)-in total less than 42 000 men.The military value of the Russian Corps follows clearly by even the comments and apreciations of its Commanders.Asking to be assigned one of his Generals to his Command post of the new corps,General Brusilov choose General Zaioncikovsky.Brusilov confesses that,unfortunately,Alekseev did not give sufficient importance to the troops in Dobrogea ,where there must have been send not two weak divisions,but first hand army.That is why,General Zaioncikovski refuzes totaly the given task,asking to be given at least four good divisions."I understand-explains him-your efforts to not send any troop to Romania,but with this kind of army,we risk giving the Bulgarians cheep satisfaction by defeating the Russian Army".Zaioncikovski left and went to the General Headquarter at Moghilev to sustain verbaly his demand,but here Aleckseev rejects his resignation with the affirmation that"He will not encounter in Dobrogea any serious ressiatance".Upset,Zaioncicovski telegraphed the Zar,qualifying the army given to him as "some bones throwed to Romania to tempt her to enter the War",ending by:"Let there be put a cross over these bones and clean them out from the Russian Army".This was the help send by Russia to its allies

About the personality of General Zaioncikovski,General Averescu describes him as a man of clear mind with field experience,but with an extreme suscebility,which made the colaboration with him difficult.The ulterior unfolding of the operations in Dobrogea showed was not at all up to the situation given to him.

The Russian have crossed into Dobrogea -the cavalry at Isaccea and the infantry through Cernavoda-and they were advancing hard towards Cobadin,South of Medgidia.For the wheeling of the operations,the 19th Romanian Division at Bazargic has been set under the Command of the Russian General,constituting together with the Russian units the Eastern Corps.Divisions 9th and 17th,Romanians ,having to defend the bridgeheads at Silistra and Turtucaia,remained under the direct Command of General Aslan,the Commander of the III-rd Army.The total of forces Romanian-Russian from Dobrogea was:83 battalions of infantry,40 mobile batteries and 34 cavalry escadrons.Comparing the Romanian -Russian forces with the enemy ones ,at Southern Dobrogea frontier,it is noticed that the Russians and Romanians had superiority in infantry,but in exchange,Bulgarians had a crushing superiority of artillery and specialities.The great Bulgarian superiority was especially of strategy;Bulgarians could have in hand in one day marching any of the points of the concentration zone,ready to fight.The Romanians were spread in isolated groups ,and the Russians were just arriving;distances of 37- 100 Miles were between the Romanian groups and the Russian ones.

The Romanian battle plan flowed from this situation of inferiority.The operations of the III-rd Army will go through two phases :defensive in the beginning and offensive at the end.In the first phase the groups from the Northern shore of Danube wil have the mission to obstacle the trials of the enemy to cross the river ,and the troops on the right shore will resist to enemy attacks ,to cover in this way the disembarking ,the advance and concentration of the Russian troops in the region South of Cernavoda-Megidia-Constanta.in the second phase,offensive one,which was supposed to start towards the 10th day from general mobilization of the army,the allied Romanian-Russian troops would have to start an offensive action to destroy the enemy forces from Eastern Bulgaria and to occupy line Rusciuk-Sumla-Varna,to give,by the succes of this operation ,the freedom of movement to the Romanian troops which will operate in Transilvania.A very important mission,linked by a great responsibility,was handed to the General Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army:defending the frontier South of Dobrogea against a stronger army and commanded by one of the famous generals of the time.The safety and the honor of the Kingdom were engaged here.


Attacking the Austro-Hungarian fleet at Rusciuk

In the evening of 27th of August,half an hour after handing the war declaration of Romania towards Austro-Hungaria,three torpedo boats of the Romanian Military Navy(Marina Militara Romana) have attacked the Austro-Hungarian fleet anchored at Rusciuk,made out of 5 monitors and 4 sppedboats.Because of the primitive material of the attacker and of the inexperience of the commanders ,the attack was not a complete success.The torpedoes were launched from to great distance;only one hit a barge with munitions of the enemy fleet.The barge blew up with a formidable explosion.The Austrian officers ,which at the moment of the attack were at a party on the admiral ship-"Bodrog" monitor-retaking the command of the ships have managed to sink one of the Romanian boats.The Austro-Hungarian fleet closed in to the Romanian shore ,with the ships,and bombarded the buildings ,deposits and reservoirs of Ramadan Harbour(Ramadan Port) and Giurgiu Harbour;then they went up the Danube and hide behind Persina Islet.There she stood hidden for the rest of the campaign,knowing only to attack our harbours on Danube River,to which they made big destroys by bombardments.


Mackensen attacks

At 28th of August ,surprised by the war declaration of Romania towards Austro-Hungary,Falkenhayn can only give to Mackensen the vague order of operations:"Urgent attack,as soon as possible .Direction and objective remain to the apreciations of Feldmarshal".It was the song of the swan for the great Generalisim which,the next day,will fall in disgration.the new Commandment Hindenburg-Ludendorff are fixing more precise the mission of the army groups of Mackensen,Forcing the crossing of Danube River is postponed,for later.For the time being the Marshal will defend the line of Danube and seek,"by entering in Dobrogea ,to atract the enemy forces towards himself and defeat them,to ease the ghatering of forces in Transilvania,until the second half of September".

The strategic advantage was on the side of the enemy.His army was concentrated at the frontier,ready to action towards the set goals.The Russian-Romanian Army,on the contrary was spread all over and only on the way of concentrating(of the troops).Mackensen will profit by this adavantage.The III-rd Bulgarian Army is separated into two groups:an Eastern Group in Varna region-Bazargic,with the mission for defence,for now,and a Western Group with the offensive mission;between them,the connection will be made by cavalry.With the Western Group Mackensen has started imediately the offensive,giving an attack with superiority of forces and violence,a bit forced,over Turtucaia,the most extreme point of the Dobrogean frontier.With any price,it was needed for the Romanian troops to be defeated and obstacled to concentrate,before the arriving of the Russian reinforcements.

The sights of Romanians, looking with aprehension and heart towards Transilvania,have to turn at once ,with unrest,towards South.In the tragedy of our War,the curtain has went up here,over one of the most bloody and painful acts.


2.Turtucaia

A tough lesson

Page of pain and shame,sad will echo forever in the ears of every Romanian,its title,written with letters of blood in the history of our people!It is linked with the first big defeat of our holly War.Desastrous defeat,humiliating...[11].She fell like a lightning in the first days of the War over the dizzied heads ,by the enthusiasm of crossing the Carpathian Mountains,boiled up by the firsts easy victories.She bleed our hearts,but opened our eyes and made us to be able to read deep in the woonds of all kinds,of our lives.How many shortcomings were surfacing now!Lack of foresight,negligence,superficiality,ease,lack of strenght of character....It seems that all the defects of our people have been concentrated in one point and moment,to prepare a catastrophe to serve us even from the beginning as severe warning.

Turtucaia was a tough lesson for us.The lesson must be read carefully on all faces and udrstood entirely.It would not be of any use hiding the truth,or consolation,partly true,that the defeat was caused to the weak ressistance opposed by a new troop,unused with war,which is all of a sudden faced with an experimented enemy,which made war for few years,now.We cannot misslead the strangers with judgement-crackers and it would be of no use.As about ourselves ,in vain would had been the martyr of our national pride and of so many Romanian lives at Turtucaia,if we would not even had the manhood to look in the face the cruel truth,In sincere and brave confess,without any meant attenuation ,of the mistakes we made,we will find the strength to aside them in the future and make a healthier life.


What was Turtucaia?

In organizing the defence on our territory,Turtucaia was a head of bridge,or a bridgehead ,meaning a fortification established ahead of a passing point,for to defend it against enemy attacks.

In fact there was no bridge over the Danube River at Turtucaia and there was no necessity of its existence,for acomplishing the defensive role atributed to the fortress.It is true that,after the primitive conception of the Romanian Headquarter,it must have,imediately after the war declaration, been throwed a bridge of boats over Danube,to link Turtucaia by Oltenita.This bridge,together with the fortress which would serve to,it was thus called to play an important role in an eventual offensive action against Bulgaria,Turtucaia being by its advanced position ,a nail hammered into the heart of Bulgarian territory.But,our war plan,adopted in the eve of entering in action,foresee,for the time being,offensive to the North and defensive to the South,it was renaunced at building the bridge at Turtucaia.It was transported to Isaccea,to serve to the crossing of the Russian cavalry division,from Basarabia to Dobrogea.Besides,building a bridge at Turtucaia would have been risky.It would have constituted a fix target for the artillery ,planes and the mines of the enemy and would ,thus have been destroyed,as were been destroyed the depozits and reservoirs of Oltenita.It would have also made difficult the manoeuvre of or vessels on the Danube RIver.The role of bridgehead Turtucaia was clear:not having to defend a road of crossing over the danube,inexistent,it had to defend the road of communication towards Silistra and together with this one coveredthe concentration of the Russian Army behind.Moreover,the colaboration of the two fortresses was imposed with inexorable necessity.

Turtucaia was ,thus,in a dangerous situation.Isolated in a corner of Romanian territory,with a wide river behind,without safe communications with the other shore,she had to guard to keep a permanent connection with neighbour Fortress Silistra,to opose resistance as long a spossible ,to give time, to the Romanian-Russian concentration troops, of movement ,from behind to end,and when the resistance would not be possible anymore ,the garrison to retreat to Silistra.That is how the instructions of the Staff foreseen,for the eventuality "when the resistance on the last fortified line could not be kept in any way".The most dangerous threat was the isolation of Turtucaia,by cutting communications with Silistra and so the surrounding of the fortress.Would the Romanian Commanders have the intuition of this peril and the inspiration fast of the countermeasures to be taken?Unfortunately,the prompt understanding of the situation escaped to the wit of these Commanders.It doesen't escaped to the enemy Commander however,which was one of the most reputed Generals of the Great War.Mackensen discovered first the weak spot,of which the isolation of Turtucaia was forming in the line of Romanian defence and saw cleaarly the gain which he coud drag.He decided to apply here the strike fast and violent*.


Posted 14 April , 2009

The plan of attacking Turtucaia would have been elaborated ,after a version given by General Tosev with this face:Marshal Makensen,badly informed over the value of the works of fortification and of the garrisons of Turtucaia and Silistra,which he evaluated much weaker than in reality,disposed the simultaneous attack of the two fortresses,first by the 4th Preslav Division,and the second one by the 1st Sofia Division.Tosev,more exactly,informed by Bulgarian spies ,who were swarming on Romanian territory and even within the Romanaian Army and,so making his apreciations more conform with the reality,even with some exagerations,proposed to attakc first Turtucaia with great forces ,to be able to seize it by a powerful strike,before the eventuality of arriving of Russian reinforcements;Silistra had to be masked by a brigade of Sofia Division and attacked the following.Makensen would have ralied to Tosev proposal which,ofcourse,as it was exposed by the Bulgarian General,was conform with the military principles and justified by the circumstances. .....


Organizing of the Turtucaia bridgehead

The bridgehead Turtucaia was organized with the next face:arround the city on a circumference of 5 Miles,having the Danube River as diameter,was a principal line of defence ,in a length of 19 Miles ,made out by a succession of 15 "resistance centrals" ,separated between them with 0.5-1 Mile ,or even more;the centrals were numbered from West to East.

One central had the form of a redoubt,closed to the neck,in which were concentrated "means of defence of infantry".They were not build in permanent fortification-meaning with brick lay or concrete ,and without visible reliefs but,conform with the knowledge of modern war,by passager works , with deep trenches and with shelters for reserves ,armoured with metal beams or wooden ones.In front of the and on the flanks ,the central had barb wire nets on a few meters wide,abatize,woolf holes etc.,and they were masked with leaves and ground.At about 50-100 meters behind the centrals was a "recollecting line ",made out of entrenches for shooters ;the role of this line was that the troop,rejected from the line of centrals ,to summon there,to reorganize and oppose,thus, resistance until the arriving of reinforcements(reserve troops).In the gaps ,too big ,between some of the centrals ,were build ulterior some anexes(other smaller centrals) named "subcentrals",having ahead of them entrenches for shooters.Also,it has been added in the Western part-considered the most periled-on the dominant heights of plateau Satu Vechi-Siahlar,some uvrages which formed an outing in the form of an angle ,before the line of centrals.

As weaponry,the line of centrals was foreseen with machineguns-French type-and with small cannons taken out from the old fortifications of Bucharest(Bucuresti).There were 41 turrets of 53 mm,some in transportable domes,some on small frames ,built within the country,and 14 of 37 mm,in transportable domes .These small cannons ,with a very short firing range (2000-2500 meters) could not take part in the fight against the enemy artillery,they served only for covering fire of the infantry,and defending the intervals between the centrals.The line of the centrals was,in this way,a "fighting position for infantry",because the artillery defence,the fixed batteries and semi -mobile ones ,were at the back of the centrals line.Normaly,the line of the centrals was also named the "principal line of resistance",or the II-nd line of "defence".The name of "first line of resistance" was reserved for the advanced works,with stretched to the frontier piquets(posts).This so called first line of defencu,or the advanced line, was made in its turn,by three series of works:the line of the small posts ,the line of big guards and the line of equiped avanposts,here and there,with ground works and sheltering entrenches.The troops inhabiting them-platoons and companies -had only observation roles and reconnoitre ones;in case of attack by superior forces ,they would have to retreat ,gradualy on a series of "points of stop",organized beforehand,to force the enemy to stop unfold and uncover his forces and intentions.Like these points of stop were considered especially the points in which big guards were installed:villages Mese-Mahle,Denizler,Vischioi,Sarighiol;reserves of avanposts were in Dajdir,Antimova etc.Inside the fortified belt was ,another circular line of defence,at 1,5 Mile from the city;it was called "the III-rd line of defence" ,or "the II-nd line of resistance".This line was much weaker,made out of simple entrenches for shooterswithout shelters and without communication trenches ;it was left in ruin so im many places the trenches were destroyed.

The space between the principal of the centrals and the III-rd line was covered in the center portion and the West ,by a forest.The big corn fields were stretching outside the defence lines and inside them,obstacing the firings and favorising surprisings.


The "artillery",which was supposed to defend the bridge head of Turtucaia,was not enaugh,as number and did not correspond to the actual means and progresses technical of battle.It was very mixed up:Turtucaia was some sort of artillery museum in which were represented all kinds of firing mouths(cannons) from the Kingdom.Different from this fact,the war has cought the Fortress in course of organization,with works unfinished,with uncompleted replenishments.The bridgehead Turtucaia had,at the beginnings of fights ,the following number of firing mouths(cannons):28 fix firing mouths(24 heavy and 4 light);59 semimobiles-harnassed with oxes-(31 heavy and 28 light);23 mobiles-harnassed with horses-(15 heavy and 8 light).In total-70 firing mouths heavy and 40 light=110.From this total must be subtracted 17 firing mouths which,not being installed or not having munitions,could not function,remaining thus 93 mouths of fire which could be used.At this must also be added the 55 small cannons of 37 mm and 53 mm,in turrets,or mounted on afets,seated -as we know-on to the line of the centrals.The weakness of the defence of artillery was coming mostly from the small numbers of cannons with fast shooting-only 40 of the total number-and by the spreading of the of the firing mouths on a defence line of 19 Miles.These circumstances made impossible the barrier firing ranges ,the storms of artilley fire,indispensable for stopping the attack columns in the distance and forbid their advance.At this it will also add -as we will see-the bad menteinance of this artillery.

The distribution of the artillery of the bridgehead was the following :as fixed cannons the most serious were four Krupp cannons,disembarked from the armoured Ship ,Cruiser "Elisabeta",and placed on concrete platforms ,on the hill West of Turtucaia.They had a firing range of 6.25 Miles and semi-fast firing;their ammunition was 150 fires for each cannon-has been wasted in the first two days of fights,so in the dicissive days of the battle they could only burst rare shots.There were then 24 cannons said"for siege",of 105 mm,taken from Bucharest Fortress,installed in batteries of ground;these cannons were considered as "semi-mobile" artillery,being able to be moved by oxes and bivoli(another kind of oxes) harnesses,with Turkish and Bulgarian locals.In fact they could not be moved,off their place.There were another 8 cannons of 87 mm and 8 of 85 mm,from the cannons of our field artillery-use to be,old cannons with slow firing and short range.Also as cannons of position were also used 12 cannons of 75 mm,the ones taken from Bulgarians in 1913,at Ferdinandovo.


In the spring of 1916 it was send to Turtucaia six cannons of 120 mm and six mortiers of 120 mm,pieced together on domes,which belonged to the strongholded region Focsani.The instalation of the platforms and of the domes was not yet finished at the declaration of war-only the diggings were made-;because of this ,from this series only one cannon fired.It was also been brought an howitzer of 210 mm from Bucharest Fortress and six howitzers of 120 mm from Focsani,seated on afet(frames);not these last ones could fire because of a confusion of expediting ,they did not had the proper ammunition.As mobile artillery it was a divizion of howitzers,eight pieces of 120 mm,with slow firing,a divizion of light howitzers of 105 mm and one of cannons of 75mm;these last 16 mouths of fire were the only mobile cannons with fast firing.

The course of the Danube River was defended by barriers of mines and chains of wire,stretched to a few Miles up from Turtucaia,between Cirniciu Islet and Romanian shore.One side and the other of the Danube,in front of Calimoc Islet,has been installed four obusiers(howitzer) of 120 mm Skoda,taken from river monitors,four cannons St.Chamond of 120 mm and four of 75mm St.Chamond,all good pieces , with fast firing,ensuring an effective defence against an attack which would have come from up the Danube River,as weel as from the West sector of Turtucaia.

On the Danube,Turtucaia was also defended by the Danube Division of the Fleet,made out of four monitors cruisers and eight vedette boats under the Command of Rear-Admiral Negrescu. With this double defence ,the circulation of enemy boats on Danube River and their intervention at Turtucaia was completely imped,and the communication between the two shores ensured(as Turtucaia which today is Turtakan ,and Oltenita are one side and the other on Danube River).

The garrison of Turtucaia Fortress was made out of the troops of the 17th Division,new division,organized just few months before the beginning of the War.In her constitution it was only one active regiment,36th Vasile-Lupu Regiment.There were then two regiments of reservists;76th Regiment,with men recruited in South of Ilfov County,from around Oltenita;79th Regiment with men from Ialomita County(recruiting center of Slobozia);three battalions of new formation-4th Battalion-taken from Regiments 40th,75th,and 80th.In total 15 battalions.At the request of the Commander to have troops send to him,to form a mobile reserve,there were send in the eve of the fights four battalions of police-men with the effective of 600-800 men,not assigned;these were not fighters but men for guard and work.With this face,Turtucaia was defended by an army of 20 000 men,from which some 15 000 infantry making thus,for a front unfolding of over 19 Miles ,a very thin defence line.


The troops were separated in three Sectors:I-st Sector,Old Village,at West,comprising Centrals 1-5 and the outing of Siahlar,was defended by 36th Regiment and 4th Battalion of the 40th Regiment;II-nd Sector Daidir,at South,comprising Centrals 6-9,was defended by 79th Regiment ;III-rd Sector Antimova,at East,comprising Centrals 10-15,was defended by 76th Regiment.The General Reserve was made of 4 battalions of Regiments 75th and 80th ,and from the battalions of policemen,two were on the left shore of Danube River ,at Oltenita.

The great importance atributed to sector Satu Vechi,where it was supposed that the principal attack will produce , yielding especially by the artillery distribution.The most numerous and the best mouths of fire,51 in number ,were distributed to I-st Sector;19 to II-nd Sector 24 and to the III-rd Sector ;16 mouths of fire were atributed especially to the defence of Danube River.Also,the great majority of the turrets of 53 mm were massed also in I-st Sector;the 37 in the sector defending Danube River.

Besides,with all the downs and missings of its organization,the Bridgehead from Turtucaia was pretty strong and capable to oppose resistance for some duration,but under the condition to be well defended.The Commander of the Bridghead Turtucaia was General C.Teodorescu.He was under direct orders of General M.Aslan,the Commander of the III-rd Army of which Headquarter was in Bucharest.

...

The attacking army

The enemy army which attacked Turtucaia was the left wing of the III-rd Bulgarian Army,Commanded by General Tosev.It was under the direct Command of General Kisselov and was made out of :4th Division of Preslav-17 battalions ,-I-st Brigade of 1st Division of Sofia-8 battalions -and the mixt detachment of Major Von Hammerstein,of the power of one brigade -three Bulgarian battalions and one German,in total 28th battalions .The artillery which this army had ,was a very powerful one:there were in total 128 mouths of fire of which 7 cannons of 75 mm,with fast firing and 56 pieces of heavy artillery,all mobile ;of these there were 8 long cannons of 150 mm,24 long cannons of 120 mm and 24 howitzers of 120 mm.It also adds 5 cavalry escadrons,three companies of machineguns and five companies of geniu.The comparison between the Romanian forces and the Enemy ones is entirely in the favor of the last one.In quantity as in quality,the attacker was superior to the attacked one;28 battalions against 19 Romanian battalios.Then Bulgarian troops belonged to the best active divisions,as the Romanian troops ,belonging to a division newly formed,was made up from rezervists and even policemen,with weak training,few officers,a big proportion of reserve.The enemy artillery,numerous than the Romanian one ,especially in modern cannons ,af big caliber,with fast firing and long range,was rich provisioned.The enemy also had a captiv baloon and numerous airplanes,which made possible the reconnoitring and served to the adjustments of the artillery firing range,as the Bridgehead was completely poor of these indispensable auxiliaries of modern war.There were no reconnoitring cavalry troops to the defender,as the offender had five escadrons.It also has to be considered the superiority which the attacker has.He chooses the attack point and concentrates there the mass of its forces ,as the attacked ,not knowing the attack place choosen by the enemy,has to keep,as precaution,all its forces spread on the whole defence front.The Battle of Turtucaia presents itself thus,under not much favorable circumstances,for the Romanians.What makes,though,the strenght of the fortresses is not only the material strenght,under less favorable circumstances,of the strenghtenings and of the cannons ,but especially the moral force of the defenders.It is needed ,in this way,a forcing of the Commanders,to be able to inspire the troops that heroic elan,which multiplies ten times the forces and makes of weak troops ,uncroossable barriers.

Unfortunately,with few exceptions,the Commanders of different steps from Turtucaia did not correspond to their difficult mission.The Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army could exclaim in Bucharest ,speaking about Turtucaia:"It is our Verdun[12]".But the moral force of the Commanders from Vaux and Thionville[13] missed the Romanian Commanders of Turtucaia.

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the map;Battle of Turtucaia

Linii intarite romane=Strenghtened Romanian lines;Directii de atac dusmane=Enemy attack direcions;DUNAREA=Danube River;Oltenita=Oltenita,city and Fortress;Turtucaia=Turtucaia City and Fortress;Baterii=batteries;Ostrovu Cirneci=Cirneci Islet;Ostrovu Cusui=Cusui Islet;Reduta=redoubt;Atacul Det. Hammerstein=the attack of Hammerstein detachment;Soseaua spre Silistra=driveway to Silistra;Linia III-a=the III-rd line ;Padurea Daidir-turtucaia=Daidir-turtucaia forest;Atacul D.4Preslav=the attack of the 4th Preslav Bulgarian Division;1to 15=the Centrals;Balta Satu Vechi=Small lake/Pond Satu Vechi

p First operations

At 31st of August,during the night,in darkness,without War Declaration,the Bulgarians have attacked the Romanian frontier posts,between Razgard driveway and Danube River.The guarding troops,Granicerii(frontier army) and policemen,have given the alarm and then retreated on the line of smaller posts,on the Eastern edge of villages Turcsmil and Senova.The War Declaration was to be handed only the next day,Friday 1st of September ,at 10 in the morning.In this day ,the Bulgarians have not given attacks,they just closed in, their attack columns and have installed the artillery in positions.The Romanian trops in the Western secor have reocupyed the posts of frontier ,attacking and drifting the Bulgarians reoccupying them ;by evening the Romanian troops have again been retreated on the position of Siahlar,leving only one platoon for each post.in the evening of the day,the preparatives of the enemy were ended and the attack plan definitley established.

The enemy will give against Turtucaia a forced attack.The attack troops will advance in concentric mode .From the West,from Rusciuck direction,will advance the mixt column Hammerstein(constituted in the biginning by a German battalion,theree Bulgarian battalions ,seven platoons of machineguns ,three escadrons and two artillery batteries)against sector Satu Vechi(Old Village),especially against the Central 3 .From South,from direction Balbunar -belica will advance the 4th Preslav Division,attacking Daidir ,especially the line of forts 6-8.From South-East,from Kemanlar,will advance the Ist Brigade of the 1st Sofia Division,attacking Central 2 in direction Antimova*.

The enemy has started the operations,effectively in the night of Friday 1st-Saturday 2nd of September,attacking on the whole line of the frontier and on the whole fighting front of the bridgehead Turtucaia.The attack was produced in the darkness ,by surprise.Not knowing the value of the attacking forces ,the Romanian frontier posts have retreated ,after a short encounter,on the line of big guards,at 1-2 Miles ahead the line of Centrals ,as instructed.In the dawns of the day,the Bulgaran colunns have begun the advance ,sustained by the strong fire of their artillery.Soon it is noticed the superiority of the enemy artillery,especially of the batteries of heavy artillery,brought with tractors ,which beat with eficacity the Romanian batteries,finding themselves outside the firing range of the latter ones.A Romanian battery of 105 mm ,installed North-West from Satu Vechi,is framed by heavy artillery of the enemy and receives shots which take her out of service;in the following night it is withdraw with oxes and moved on another position ,less advanced.In sector Satu Vechi the Romanian trops have resisted on the line of big guards ,helped also by the artillery on the left shore of Danube and river monitors,which produced felt casualties to the enemy.In the afternoon the troops have retreated in the principal fighting position-the second line.

.. In Daidir sector the artillery fight is very violent ,both sides.Villages Denizler and Mese-Mahle are in flames.The enemy columns were advancing hiding through the terrain crests.The Romanian troops -one battalion from Regiment 79th-,attacked by much superior forces ,have retreated in Daidir Village,from where they tried an unsuccesful attack over Denizler Village;then they retreated on the second line.Same happened in Antimova sector where the resistance was ,though weaker and the advanced lines have been left,almost without fight.In the evening all Romanian troops were on the principal line of resistance-the line of the Centrals ,said also "the second line";the link with Silistra has been cut;the fortress has been invested.

In the evening of Saturday towards Sunday,2-3 September passed without attacks from the enemy.The men,who were receiving for the first time the baptize of fire,were nervous and tired.Because of the false alarms were fired in to the wind ,shots of rifle,machinegun and from the turrets,wasting an enormous quantity of ammunition.

Against the Western Front of Sector Satu Vechi have unleashed in the day of 3rd of September the attacks of the enemy.By its form of out angle,the position formed thus a dangerous obstacle for the columns arriving from the West and South;the strenghtenings here could take into flank the attacks aimed for the neighbour sector Daidir.It was the first obstacle which had to be overcome.The Heavy batteries and of field of the enemy,installed West of Turcsmil and over the hills at Senova-Siahlar,were bombarding with unsaid violence,but with weak effect.The Romanian artillery,especially coast batteries ,on the shore of Danube and from the river monitors,were answering with equal strenght.Starting with 10,30,the enemy infantry gives violent attacks from Turcsmil and from Senova,until late in the evening.All attacks are stoped at the nets of barb wire fence,and rejected with heavy losses.In the evening,Romanians were masters on the position;the losses of the troops which fought here ,of Regiments 36th,40th and 75th were not important.Unfortunately,though,a panic within the Commandment had produce,with grave consequences.the Commander of the sector,Colonel Nicolescu,thinking he is attacked and with the entire line turned by the enemy by North,orders evacuation of the whole position-the out angle of the Village Vechi-Siahlar-and the retreat of the defenders on the line of the old centrals.The Commander of the fortress aproves the move and does not order re-occuption of them.The evacuation,unjustified,is executed during the night,in disorder and demoralizes the enervated troops.

On the front of the other two sectors the day went without too imortant events.the enemy searched to stronghold on the ridges in the face of Roanian positions,at 1500-2000 meters in fron of our barb wire nets.The artillery of the bridge head ,tried to spread ,with its fires ,the concentrations of the colums,which were made in its ray and to stop the installation of enemy batteries.

All night and the next day,Monday 4th of September ,the enemy has not tried any attack.the troops of the 2nd Battalion of the 36th Regiment ,by initiative of the Commanders of companies ,have reoccupied Siahlar sector,wich the enemy,not knowing what is going on on our part,did not occupy.By evening the Commander repeats the precise order as the sector to be evacuated again,which is executed in disorder ,leaving behind the machineguns and munitions.The Bulgarians did not occupy it till the next day at 12 o'clock.It was ,nevertheless,obvious that preparation for a big action are made.A captive baloon rose to the South ,numerous reconnoitre aeroplanes flew above the Romanian positions ,infantry columns were moving in different directions ,artillery was taking positions for firing.The defence ,kept in a continuous passivity.Without one weak beginning of attack,made in the II-rd Sector Antimova,over the villages Sarighiol and Antimova,by the initiative of companies Commanders ,but which was quickly given up by the order of Sector Commander,not even a serious attempt was made by the Commander to obstacle or delay the complete investment of the fortress.Morover,the Commander of the bridgehead has retreated the troops of the advanced lines from within all sectors on the principal line of resistance,the line of Centrals.


Reinforcements send to Turtucaia

The initial fights,given bu Bulgarians in the days of 2nd and 3rd of September against the advanced lines from Turtucaia had not a grave character.The losses of the garrison were :200 dead and wounded.And the war material was intact.They ,however have influenced the nerves of the Commanders and of the men,unused with fight,such that,if the material losses were without importance, the moral was shaken.The tiresome and enervating of the troops,the lack of cold blood of the Commaners ,were giving the situation an alarmant character ,absolutely unsiuted with the real situation ,which were manifested in the pessimist raports which the Commander of the fortress was making to its superior,the Commander of the III-rd Army.In the day of 4th of September ,in the afternoon General Teodorescu asks for imediate reinforcements "otherwise he cannot take any responsibility,the troops being extenuated by the fights ".To the Chief of Staff of the III-rd Romanian Army,arrived at Turtucaia,Teodorescu explains the "gravity of the situation by the extenuation of the troops and total lack of reserves" which had all benn used in Satu Vechi.

Some unrest starts to be manifested also at the Hedquarter of the III-rd Army.Still the situation is seen,in general , with optimism.General Aslan assures everybody that it is no peril:"Turtucaia is our Verdun.Those who provoke,those who attack(themselves).For the strenghtening of the resistance it was ordered to the troops of the Strategic General Reserve,cantooned around Bucharest,to move towards South.The 10th Romanian Division was send to Giurgiu,for guarding Danube,and the 15th Romanian Division was send to Oltenita to cross the Danube to Turtucaia.It was an imposant force of 16 battalions of infantry,to which it was also added two batteries of howitzers of 105mm,12 canons ,small of 53mm,on afets(frames)and two batteries ,old,of field ,75 mm.

To quicken up the arriving of the troops ,the 80th Regiment has been transported to Oltenita ,with trucks ,automobiles,with sanitary automobiles,individuals automobiles,taxies,taken by police from the streets of Bucharest.All the troops have crossed from one shore to the other with the help of ferries and rafts,dragged by motor boats.Tehir arriving has been received by Turtucaia Garrison with explosions of joy.The moral was very high.On the bridge of the ferries ,poet Goga talked to the soldiers ,showing them by vibrant words what this War means today and how pricless has to be the martyr of all.Unfortunately this important help which comprised also elit units ,as Granicerii,could not be used as a complete formation,with its own Commander.The troops have arrived to late and at intervals.Only five battalions and the howitzer divizion has arrived during the night to Tuesday morning ,so they could be used Tuesdey ,5th of September.Seven battalions have arrived during Tuesday,and four have arrived in the evening and during the night of Tuesdey to Wednesday.

The forces raport,between the two adversaries ,till now unfavorable to Romanians,had to change now.Until now they could not oppose to the 28 battalions Bulgaro-German,with 128 cannons ,but only the 15 battalions ,Romanians of the 17th Division;with the received helps ,their number will increase to 31,without counting the four battalions of policemen,which had no combative value.The number of cannons ,together with the ones arrived ,rose up to 176,of which 67 were the small cannons of 37 mm and 53 mm.It also must be added the cannons of the Danube Escadron,which contributed to the defence of the fortress ,32 mouths of fire ,heavy and light ,although these cannons ,as the ones on the left shore of Danube and from the islets ,had a limited zone of action.The numerical superiority of the troops of infantry,Romanians was only at the surface.Because the arriving in turns ,of these troops and,as a result,the unpossibility to use them in simultaneous attcks and at the rightful moment,has diminished much the value of the received help.And still,...an energic Commander,with cold blood ,as military skill and strong will,would heve known to make more use ,of the fresh troops at his disposal and to acomplish the mission ,thus given to him.This mission was the same:strnghtening the resistance and keeping on hold of the enemy,untill the Russians could concentrate,as to,together with the Romanian troops from Silistra and Bazargic, start the offensive march towards West.In this moment,the un-surrounding of Turtucaia would have been produced directly.


The bloody day of 5th of September

The quiet day of Monday,4th of September,was used by Bulgarians to occupy the attack positions and set the heavy artillery in the best firing position.The concentration of the enemy around the bridgehead Turtucaia was now fulfiled:Hammerstein Detachment at the left,the 4th Preslav Division at the center and the 1st Brigade Sofia at the right side.The other two brigades of Sofia Division,together with one cavalry brigade ,were placed towards South-East,as observation posts facing Silistra.They had to obstacle,either the flow of the Romanian troops from Turtucaia towards Silistra,or ,especially,an eventual trial of the Romanian garrison in Silistra to come in the aid of Turtucaia.Very judicious measures ,as it has been proven later.

The day of Tuesday,5th of September,had to be the day of the great attack for forcing the principal line of defense of the bridgehead ;the fortified belt.It has been a tremendously bloody day.

At 6,30 in the morning ,the enemy artillery started the bombarding of the Romanian positions.At 7 all Bulgarian batteires were in action.The intention of the enemy was evident,for an atent observer.The mass of the Bulgarian artilley was concentrated against the middle sector ,Daidir.Centrals 6-9 were being bombed by 21 batteries with 84 mouths of fire,from which 40 cannons and heavy howitzers.A captive baloon ,dragged by an automobile ,floated over Covangilar Village,South of Daidir,conducting the firing range.The Central number 8 is,especially tremendously bombarded,as the anexe in its right side,between Centrals 7 and 8.The response of the Romanian cannons ,within the attacked sector was greatly inferior.It was an enormous artillery disproportion .The attacked sector -the weakest of the three Sectors,-had only three cannons of 105 mm and seven howitzers of 120 mm;there were four turrets of 53 mm.The bombardment of the enemy artillery,concentrated over this small space ,is frightening.The air vibrates under the effect of the powerful explosions.From the fortified line ,from the center and the trenches ,are rising spins of ground and thick clouds of smoke.The Centrals on the line of Satu Vechi,are perfectly visible by the enemy and they can be striked in full.


At 8,10.the Bulgarian Commandment considers the artillery prepare as sufficient.The heavy artillery elongated its firing range ,striking the back line of the Romanian Centrals ,and the enemy infantry begin to attack .In reality,the action of the Bulgarian artillery,with all its violence ,has not been destroing alltogether.It has been to short as duration ;the diggings made by it ,in the fortified line ,were not big;the Centrals had not suffered so much.The defence against the enemy infantry attack could have been made with eficacity;it reclamed,firstly,the strenghtening of the fighting line of the attacked sector.The Romanian Commander had not ,though,realised the situation.Although the enemy had unmask its intentions ,the Romanian Commander sends the arrived reinforcements also in the I-st Sector.The attacked sector has been left to its own strenghts.And they were infime next to the overwhwlming power of the attack.

The Bulgarians give a principal attack with four regiments-16 battalions -of the Preslav Division,against Centrals 6,7 ,8 which are occupied by troops of the 78th Slobozia Regiment,and a secondary attack with two regiments-eight battalions-of the 1st Sofia Brigade,against Central 11,defended by two companies of the 76th Romanian Regiment .Wave after wave ,throws the Bulgarian infantry over to the Romanian lines ;the field cannons follow the waves in their advance.The imense corn fields ,uncut in the face of Romanian lines,favour the advance of Bulgarians.

The Bulgarian bombardment has taken out of the fight some of the cannons of the Romanian batteries of the sector;the other have harnassed and retreated.A Romanian divizion of howitzers of 105 mm,arrived in the eve ,is send by the commander in Daidir sector.Arrived in the midst of the fight ,he has started imediately a thundering bombardment over the waves of Bulgarians attackers.They are the only Romanian cannons firing in the attacked sector,but their precise and quick firing range makes ravages in the rows of the enemy.The Bulgarian Supreme Commander describes the fight in this way:"The Romanian heavy field artillery throws hurricanes of fires,as our batteries cover the space with a stonerain of shrapnels.Our men fall by the dozens.The field is full of dead bodies.The wounded fell without a moan,pursuing the enemy with threats.The officers dissapear one after the other,dead or wounded;sub-officers the same".But the disproportion of forces is crushing.The Central No.8 and its anexes from the right and left,to the 9th Central,are attacked by Bulgarian Regiments 7th Preslav and 31st Varna.The Central 7 is attacked by 19th Sumla Regiment;the 6th Central is attacked by 48th Regiment(Bulgarian) Infantry.In thhe General Rezerve at Denizler is kept Regiment 47th(Bulgarian).


The Romanian Centrals are defended by a single company,each,and the intermediary spaces ,between centrals also by one company.

The fight is furious in front of 8th Central,where the Bulgarians give the principal attack.The fires of infantry and machineguns of the defenders in the center and of the howitzers in the back,keep to respect the attackers.Wave after wave falls into the field of woolf-holes in the ground ,in front of the barb wire nets;other waves follow after the destroyed ones .But the Romanian Howitzers Divizion,which sustains the fight,has finished the munition provissions.The service of replenishment has not been organized;the cannon servants have to harness the horses and retreat from the battle.The Central remains to resist without support of artillery against the troops of two entire regiments ,which attack with fury,without carring about losses.The 6th Company of the 79th Regiment,which defends the Central,decimated by bombardment have remained with only one officer,reservist,the teacher Lixeanu Nedelcu*.Completely isolated by the fire barrier of the enemy,without any communication with the neighbouring centrals or with the back,overwhelmed by the crushing superiority of the enemy,Lixeanu conducts heroicaly the fight,manhoods the troops and dies,hit by a bullet,on the Central's edge-wall.Only now ,going over his body the enemy mass enters inside the Central,between the ruins were there were left only 25 fighters ,alive.The anexes in the right and left ,as Centrals 7 and 6 attacked in front and menaced from flank ,had to be evacuated and the defenders retreated towards the recolecting lines,behind.An attempt of counterattack,starting from the recollection lines towards Central 8th ,with the reserves of 79th Regiment ,does not succeeds.Lieut-Colonel Popescu,which conducts the counterattack ,falls dead,hit by a bullet,and the Romanian troops retreat through the woods.

At 12,the line of the Centrals ,has been broken in its middle .The enemy payed dearly the victory:in front of 8th Central ,dead and wounded were laying dozens.Between them was the Commander of Varna Regiment and all his Commanders of Battalions.The Command of the Bulgarian Regiment is taken by a captain.

The secondary attack is given by Bulgarians with the whole Brigade of Sofia-eight battalions-against Central 11 in front of Antimova Village.The masses of Bulgarian infantry sustained by the artillery which followed them,sneak by right and left of the Central 11 .The 11th central resist heroic for five hours ,the soul of the resistance is the Commander of the Central ,the reservist Lieutenant Titus Axente.At 1,30 in the afternoon ,hit deadly,Axente falls.the enemy invades the central and falls in the fires of the 80th Romanian Battalion,which was coming from behind in aid.

The intermediary Centrals 9th and 10th ,threatened in flank and by the back by enemy columns ,which eneterd through the seized Centrals ,are evacuated by defenders.In the anexes in the left of the 9th central ,Sub-Lieutenants Rotaru Ion and Vasilescu Cristodor,although surrounded ,continue to fight until the powerful enemy gets into the trenches and kills them with bayonet.

At 2,30 in the afternoon ,an enormous breach has been made in the fortified belt of Turtucaia.The whole central part of the fortified position ,from centrals 5-11 ,is in the hand of the enemy.The remains of the defending troops were retreating disorganized ,through the forest in the back;the entire fix and semimobile artillery went in to the hand of the enemy.This one,exhausted, by the losses suffered,with disorganized units,could not advance further;the units of 4th Preslav Division had to stop in the South edge of the forest where they remained all day.

At this hour ,the tactical situation of the bridgehead was,without a doubt,grave,not disperate,though.The enemy was itself in a very risky situation.between the right wing of the Division of Preslav(Centrals 8-9) and the left wing of the Sofia Brigade(Central 11) was a big gap,where there were no Bulgarian troops.The enemy Commander had no reserves with which to fill the gap,and the troops of Preslav Division ,diorganized ,were imobilized at the forest edge.The Romanian Commander has,on the contrary, five battalions ,freshly arrived from over the Danube River ,unengaged in the fight.A powerful counterattack ,made with big force in the right wing of Preslav Division,coud have radicaly changed the situation,and the Commanders of sectors ,by the inertia or their bad moves ,have contributed more to the agravation of the situation.

In this way ,Leut-Colonel Marinescu Al.,the Commander of the East sector Antimova,impressed by the fall of Central 11,apreciates that "the situation is lost" and gives the order to the troops to occupy the rest of the line of Centrals 12-15,until the Danube River and which have not at all been engaged into the fight,to leave the position and to retreat on III-rd line of defence.The retreat is made in disorder and degenerates into panic.Men throw their weapons .The crowd of runaways changes direction of retreat and goes to Cuzgunlac Valley towards the Danube,towards the embarking pontoons.Some cross the river on the other shore ;others are brought with difficulty into the fighting zone,or gather on the plateau of barracks of Turtucaia.Antimova sector of the fortified belt has remained without any defence ,whatsoever;the enemy-the troops of Sofia Brigade -advance here,not stopped by anybody. and close in to the III-rd line ,the only barrier wich separates the enemy by Turtucaia.A battalion of 84th Romanian Regiment runs to reconstitue the line of the front .


While the Southern sector ,Daidir-defended by 79th Regiment-sucombs under the principal effort of the enemy,executed by the entire Division of Preslav,while the Eastern sector,Antimova,runthrough at Central 11 under the central attack of the Sofia Brigade ,was then left by the disbanded troops of the 76th Regiment,The Western sector,Satu Vechi,where the Commander of the bridge head massed the most important forces of infantry and artillery,has not been attacked.The strong firing range of artillery kept to respect ,at distance the Hammerstein column,destined by the enmy Commander to attack this sector;the Romanian cannons have even contributed,by their oblique firing,to make big losses to the enemy ,which has attacked the neighbour sector.For ease the situation of Daidir sector, the troops of sector Satu Vechi have started a counterattack between Centrals 4 and 6,with South direction,to hit in flank the enemy columns which were going from Siahlar towards Daidir,going through the front of Centrals 5,6,7.The operation was very badly conducted.the attack troops -two battalions and two companies of machineguns of Regiments 36th and 75th -have started in disband ,in groups without connection,without having the precise knowledge of the goal of the action and of their objectives and some,without having ahead of them,their Commanders.the trial had no result and was rejected.

The troops of the Germano-Bulgarian column Hammerstein have started in the afternoon the attack of Central 3,prepared with heavy artillery and of field,from direction Satu Vechi.the attack is weak,counterstriked with efficacity by Romanian artillery and repulsed.But the troops which defend I-st sector are threatened from left ,by where the enemy had broken the fortified belt.By the order of the Romanian Commander,they evacuate line of Centrals 4,3 and 2 and retreat towards the III-rd line.Has remained occupid only Central 1,to which the artillery on the shores of Danube ,islets and fleet,ensured an effective defence.The Centrals have been occupied much later by the enemy;a Romanian Company has reoccupied by evening Central 2;two platoons have remained over the night inside of it,even.

Encouraged by the easy success obtained in the attack against Antimova sector ,the enemy troops of the Sofia Brigade have started the advance against the III-rd Romanian line.The advance is made possible,more ,by the imense corn fields from the South-East part of Turtucaia.With what could be gathered from the Romanian troops retreated on from the front of the sector and with the fresh ones,arrived in the morning of the day,the Romanian Commander organizes the defence of the III-rd line and in the afternoon of the day,he prepares to give counterstrikes in the periled directions ,to dam the advance of the enemyand try the reconquer of the Centrals.the Romanian counterattack was made in two directions .One with South direction ,along driveway Turtucaia-Daidir ,with the troops of 74th Regiment and with 75th Regiment;the second one towards South -East ,along driveway Turtucaia-Silistra ,with troops of Regiments 34th,80th and 84th.The counterattacks have been given weak.the detachments,without an unitary Command ,had rared and lost contact.Send into the fire,imediately as they arrived on the disembarking dock,sometimes without Commanders,without precise indication of the line they had to occupy,neither the objective they had to attack ,without the knowledge of the terrain ,without support connections ,the troops advanced in blind ,falling in the midst of grenades storms and of shrapnels ,received from the front or from flank ,mixing with other troops demoralised and taken by panic.In vain were the heroism acts of some officers which,with cold blood and rest,advanced on horses in front of the troops or standingin the line of shooters,to rise the moral of the fighters;in vain was the action of some detachments ,isolated,which advanced in regulated formation ,under the fires of enemy artillery.The heroism of some ,the elan of others had only as result multiplying the martyr,unuseful of these such badly lead fights.*


....

At the extreme right wing the Commander of the Village Satu Vechi,gives a counterattack with trops from the Central 1 towards the abandoned positions from Satu Vechi pond;the offensive ,unprepared ,crazy,it is received in a lively fire of machineguns and rejected with big losses.At the extreme left wing,North of Silistra Driveway,enemy troops of the 9th Regiment Tirnovo,advancing fast over Cuzngunlac valley,close in to the III-rd line.A battalion of Graniceri ,freshly arrived from over the Danube ,is send in haste there.With an extraordinary elan,in running pace,superb,agitating the rifle in one hand and the hat(capela) in the other,have jumped like a storm the Granicerii(frontier troops) against the line of Bulgarian shooters ,which were advancing through the cornfield.Bundels of bullets of rifle and machinegun receive them and cut them ,but Granicerii attack with bayonet and with the rifle bed.The enemy lines are broken and pushed back .The Bulgarians have big losses especially in officers;terrified by this frightening attack ,they run and hide in Cuzgunlac Forest.Aids from the neighbour Sofia Regiment arrive in running;a divizion of artillery takes position and opens a violent fire .Unsupported by nobody,remained isolated in the fight with the superior enemy,exposed to the concentric fire,the heroic Graniceri are forced to retreat towards the entrenches of the III-rd line,seeding the ground with numerous dead and wounded their triumphal way.The Romanian counterattack had given no result.But also the situation of the enemy,which has suffered enormous losses and disorganized with the units ,alltogether,it is a very dangerous one.A great forcing may change the face of things now.But who is to take the initiative,organize it and lead it?The Romanian Commander is dishoriented and depressed.the Commander thinks to give a new counterattack by evening,sending into the fire also the new units arrived into the afternoon of the day.It is reported to him that it would be hard to gather the men,spread through cornfields and forest,and the Commanders of the troops are not to be found.The attack is postponed for the next day.

The army of Turtucaia has been gravely touched in her moral.The Commander has lost faith in itself and in the troop,and the troop has lost the faith in victory and her Gommander.All the orders,preparations and moves are made without tidiness,precipitated,under the impression of the moment.Lack of tidiness brings bewilderment and crowding.By nothing ,panic births and panic is the presign of defeat.Without visible motives,smaller or larger units leave the positions ,hide or run away,dragging in their spin other officers or troops in their way.The untidiness and panic are alimented and propagated by numerous Bulgarian locals,or soldiers in some fighting regiments,recruited in Dobrogea.At the attacks given by their units,the Bulgarian trumpeteers sound the retreat, in the moment of collision with the enemy.Liaison agents,real or improvised ,from the same hood,communicated the orders upsidedown and all,as they saw Bulgarian heads ,twrow the weapons and run to surrender,cursing us.At the attack of 74th Regiment,on Daidir driveway,liaison of this kind has asked in big mouth,that the artillery to elongate its range,when on the contrary,it has to be shortened;such that the Romanian projectiles fall behind the Bulgarian lines ,without obstacling their advance.An officer,who was Commanding a platoon of Bulgarians from Dobrogea,has been left by his soldiers and,wanting to bring them to listen,firing with the revolver,has been shot by his own men,wounded and made prisoner.The semimobile artillery could not be saved,after leaving the Centrals,because the local Bulgarians and Turks have dissappeared with the oxes harnesses ,alltogether,which they were driving.The wagoons with munition and provisions,drove by Bulgarians from Dobrogea,have been turned upside down into the road and abandoned.Groups of soldier were taking run into the city,lamentating in big mouth and demoralizing the new troops ,arriving,by their exagerated stories.A very well organized espionaje ,was reeling the Bulgarians about the movement of the Romanain troops.

The evening came to stop the fight ;both adversaries ,exhausted by fights,needed rest and time to tidy up their troops.the tomorrow had to bring the decissive fight.

......

At counterattack was also send one of the three battalions of Militieni(Policemen) of the bridgehead.The soldierly value of these troops -old men ,badly equiped ,armed with old weapons and weak assigned -was absolut zero.There are storied many pathetic episodes of the fights in which they took part these miserables.In this way,in the face of the advancing enemy,they were crossing themselves(making the sign of the cross) through shelters,praying to God with the words:"Stop them God!".In one place they have been foun out by Captain D. of 74th Regiment in a entrenche,hidden at the bottom of the ditch and firing from time to time in the air;being asked what are they doing there ,they answere:"Heh ,we fire to scare them ,God blast 'em!" Trials of aid from outside

In the general Headquarter of the III-rd Romanian Army,the Commander receives in the course of the day alarming reports.At 11,30,Teodorescu reports that the situation is very critical,centrals 7,8,9 lost;part of the troops fight badly.At 12,50 he comes back,communicating that the "situation is disperate".The Commander of the Army communicates this situation to the Great Headqarter.Because the arriving of help was in course,at Turtucaia ,where five battalions had arrived and by evening it was supposed to arrive the rest of 11,the Great Headquarter communicates to the Commander of the bridgehead:"Turtucaia must not fall:the garrison has to resist until the last man.Fresh reinforcements will come in aid".In the same time ,the Commander of the III-rd Army wants to intervene in other way,too.Until now,General Aslan,Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army,has done nothing else but to throw battalions ,inside the invested(conquered) fortress, of the 15th Division.It seems now that the General realizes that an invested fortress cannot be saved but only by an exterior manoeuvre.Only in the day of 5th of September ,when the situation is compromised and the possibilities of success greatly diminished,he thinks to execute a great offensive to unblock Turtucaia,with all the Romanian and Russian forces of the III-rd Army,which were in the South of Dobrogea.Especially at Silistra ,at a distance of only 38 Miles ,was the 9th Romanian Division,a good division,made out of active troops ,which was staying in an inexplicable unactivity,by the strategical insuficiency of the Commander of the III-rd Army,but also by the lack of initiative of Commander of Division,General Basarabescu.the Division ,had only edged herself, to retreat its forces in the inside of the fortress,letting to be invested.the orders of the great offensive move have been transmitted to the troops of the III-rd Army,Tuesday ,at 12.General Basarabescu had to execute imediately ,whith the Division,a vigorous offensive ,advancing in forced marching towards Turtucaia.In the same time,general Zaioncikovski,which Commanded the East group,had to support with the Russian Corps ,the action of General Basarabescu,sending the Russian Cvalry Division to cover the left flank of the 9th Romanian Division,in her move towards Turtucaia,and with the other two divisions of infantry to pronounce an offensive move in direction Cartbunar Acadinlar.The Commander of the III-rd Army hoped that this attack of flank will influence the operations at Turtucaia,forcing the threatened enemy to unlock the fortress.It seemed though as a fatality planed over our armies at Danube River.

Either by bad will,or by tecnical impossibilities to execute the order,by neglecting the factors "time " and "space" or from other reasons ,the intervention did not succeed.general Zaioncikovski did not attack in the direction prescribed,but has started in opposite direction,towards Bazargic.And general basarabescu has executed the prescribed move with delay and lack of energy.his intervention takes place only the next day,Wednesday 6th; it is obstacled by Bulgarian resistance at Sarsinlar ,at 9 Miles East of Turtucaia.After a short fight ,badly engaged,General Basarabescu returns to Silistra as he left.His action not only was of no help for Turtucaia,but has brought a new shame ,unexcuseable by anything,for our army.


The day of 6th of September.

Turtucaia fall

The night has been used by Romanians to reconstitute their disorganized troops .The operation was difficult,and it succeeded not entirely.The men were spread through the forest and through cornfields,the units were very mixed up,many officers were missing ,lost from the troop,or left over the Danube.With the rests ,that could be gathered and group into units,together with the all the battalions arrived in the evening and of night-some without their Commanders-it was occupied and put in a state of defence the third line around Turtucaia.It was as we know ,a weak line ,made by elements of trenches,forseen only in some of the sectors with barbed wire fence,without any cannon on position.All the position artillery has been lost ,as the principal line of resistance was lost;it has been saved only a baterry of 150 mm and one of 105 mm.Further,only mobile artillery.Some of the cannons did not have ammunition.

The Bulgarians occupy the entire fortified belt,without Central 1 which ,under the protection of batteries of coast and of the fleet,is kept still by Romanians.They have regrouped their units for attacking the III-rd line and they have closed in the artillery towards South and West.The troops of the 4th Division Preslav and of Detachment Hammerstein are finding on the Southern edge of the forest Turtucaia.Towards South-East the troops of Sofia Brigade are more advanced;they are in front of the III-rd Romanian line.

The Romanian Commander of the bridgehead sees the situation with optimism.He has now numerical superiority in infantry.Considers the Bulgarians repulsed ,in the wake of the vigorous counterattacks from the eve,and on the other hand ,he waits,from one moment to another,the apparition on the fighting theatre of the troops of 9th Romanian Division from Silistra,to fall behind the attacker.Based on these illusions,he takes fighting dispozition .The troops occupying the III-rd line ,divided into four sectors ,will push straight forward in the pursiut of the enemy and will reoccupy the line of the centrals.In the same time it will be constituted ,in the Eastern part,a manoeuvre group,made out of mixed troops from Regiments 34th,80th ,84th and Graniceri,which would attack in the direction of driveway Silistra,to shake hands with the aid troops supposed to arrive from Silistra.Unfortunately,not one of the intentions and foresaw things,of the Commander could not be realized.The 9th Division from Silistra did not arrive through were it shold have been;she did not got but,only to Sarsinlar,to far as her effect to be felt in the back of the enemy.The manoeuvre group could not constitute;the elements which shoud made it were untidy and could not be gathered .And the advance of the troops from the III-rd line ,which was supposed to be made in the empty space left by the enemy in retreat,has stumbled on troops full of elan and well organized for attack.

The most violent fights have been in the South,along the Driveway Daidir and at East,along Silistra driveway.Few units of Regiments 34th and 74th gathered by Lieut-Colonel Petrescu,start the advance in the eve of the day,at 4,30 am ,on the left side of Daidir driveway.Hidden in an imense cornfield ,the Bulgarians receive them with salves of fires of rifles or machinegun.the Romanian attack is accelerates.A battalion of Graniceri(frontier troops) enters the fight,as well.Bulgarians are getting backwards and the Romanians follow them through the cornfield ,on a depth of almost 1 Mile.Romanians fall,though,over a strong enemy line,which opens a crushing fire;the Bulgarian artillery enters ,at its turn,into action and its precise firing range makes ravages.The rows of fighters are thinned and spread.Pieces of troops retreat,under a violent barrier fire.A braveman,Lieutenant Popescu Nita,which was finding himself with a company of 80th Regiment at the right,in the neighbour sector,unattacked ,runs from own initiative in the direction from where he sounds the noise of fight and throws himself into the turmoil on the driveway Daidir.The company is spread by the storm of fires ;the Commander gathers her again for the second time against the enemy.This time the company is wipe out,Commander killed ,but her heroic intervention gives chances to the bits and pieces of troops of Graniceri to retreat ,behind the III-rd line.


The same thing happened to the left ,along the driveway Turtucaia-Antimova-Silistra.The troops of Sofia Brigade have started the attack on the whole stretch of front of the two Bulgarian regiments .Around 6,30 the Romanians started the counterattack with the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Graniceri Regiment and with some units of the 34th Regiment.Although,without artillery support,the Romanians attack strong and advance in the rain of bullets which flows from the cornfields.In violent body fights,the right wing of 6th Tirnovo Regiment is turned by the Graniceri and the second company of the regiment is runthrough bayonet together with its Commander.A retreat move is announced on the Bulgarian Front .But the units if Sofia neighbour Regiment run ,the Bulgarian batteries over the hills in the back and machineguns hidden in the cornfields throws fires over the attackers ,which are not sustained by nowhere.Disorganized and dizzied,the Romanian troops have begun a precipitated retreat;some have occupyed the trenches of the III-rd line ,others have continued the retreat..Small groups of fighters,reconstituted by the run aways gathered and brought back to the fight,meet the troops in retreat and form a resistance line behind a small valley which descend the driveway towards pontoon 2.At 9 in the morning ,the Romanian attack given in the sector between the driveways Daidir and Silistra ,was completely repulsed.The fight cease for a moment.Bulgarians,which have suffered heavy losses ,as well,do not pursue with infantry.They only intensify the artillery fire,elongating the firing range with which they follow now the Romanian batteries artillery,forcing them to retreat towards Turtucaia;the enemy bombardment aims ,as well,the works around Turtucaia,the city itself and Danube River.

In the same time ,as in the South East sector are taking place these violent fights ,in the South-West sector and West was relatively calm.The Bulgarian troops of Preslav Division and of Hammerstein Detachment ,entangled at the edge of the forest ,do not dear to advance ,and the order of attack of the Romanian Commander did not reach the Romanian troops of this sector.

The investment of the fortress is complete;the Bulgarians know that about a strong resistance it cannot be the word now.They dispose the troops all around for a methodical progression ,perpendicular to the forest and close in their artillery.

At around hours 9,30,the Romanian Commander receives two good news.Two Romanian airplanes,arrived in the eve of evening and sent to reconnoitre in the surroundings of Turtucaia ,reports that on the South -East driveways can be seen columns of troops marching towards the city.Obssesed by the thought of the aid he waits from Silistra and taking his wishes as reality,the Commander thinks that it cannot be something else but the long awaited 9th Division ,from Silistra,or Russian troops which come to unblock him.Based on this hypothesis ,the Commander builds imediately a new attack plan.He orders a general attack in the Western sector;this attack ,in the intention of the Commander ,was supposed to bring towards West a great part of the enemy troops from between driveways Daidir and Silistra and with this face to open up the the Eastern Front,making possible the junction of defence troops with aid troops coming from Silistra.In the same time ,the monitors on Danube receive the order to cease the fight in that part ,and the troops on the Eastern Front are notified to strenghten their resistance ,because the salvation troops are closing in and will yield in short time.


The Romanian attack ,started in the Western sector from within the III-rd line and from within Central 1,is given without cohezion:the units are lossing touch one with the other and go through the forest in disband ,harrasing with the enemy in local skirmishes.The artillery of the sector sustains with energy the attack; some batteries are discovered by the enemy and bombarded with violence.The attack does not succeed and the Romanian troops have to return into start position ,fewed and disbanded.Gravely go things in the Eastern sector .As the Romanian troops ,wait full of joy the apparition of the liberating brothers in the back of the enemy,they see themselves all of a sudden with Bulgarians going out of the corn and beginning a furious attack.The Commander was wrong ;the troops observed by the aviators were not friendly troops,but ememy's.The desillusion of the defenders ,misslead in their assumptions puts a head to the depressing state of mind,of exhausted and discouraged minds.A crazy panic overwhelms the troops in the trenches .Groups of fighters throw their weapons and munitions and start to run away to the Danube.The panic spreads over the neighbour sector,of South.The front starts to disorganize there as well.The men feeling isolated ,make connections to the right and to the left ,not seeing their leaders anymore,start to descend the valley,crowded,filling the roads and streets of the city,with the only thought to get as fast as possible to the shore of the Danube,to find the saving boat or pntoon,to get them across.In running ,they meet troops which have not enterd the fight,they give to them their fears and disgust for fight and drag them as well in the general turmoil.The panic is ampplified by the aparition of an armoured car of the enemy which,coming from Daidir driveway,roves through the Romanian lines,filthing the troops with their machine guns and disbanding the troops which tried to keep a position and organize resistance.From within the houses of the city ,shots begin to unload in the ,here and there ,groups of runaway soldiers and the tired faces of Bulgarian inhabitants start to grimace in smiles of joy.At around 12 ,the Bulgarians,after they cleaned the forest and the terrain in front of the III-rd line,have begun the attack of the line itself by the Southern sector.The line was hard to defend,because very weak organized,being between cornfields and ,receiving macinegun fires fron front and flanks.The biggest part of defenders have left it before .The rest of the troops,which have remained in place ,have left it ,in their turn,without any resistance ,retreating gradualy towards Turtucaia.the Bulgarians advance with precaution through the cornfield on the track of Romanians Small groups,thin lines of shooters with machineguns,acompany in short advances the firing range of the field artillery,which elongates step by step.No attack in great masses does not produce,anymore;only short collisions of patrols or rare groups.The Bulgarians are aware of the ruining of the Romanian front,they wait to gather the goods,without exposing themselves to great losses.


At noon the Romanian desaster is announced in all its cruel reality.In the Western sector and in some parts of the Southern sector,groups of Romanian soldiers continue the fight with disperation.The Central 1 resists vigorous and the enemy attacks are rejected ,one by one.The cannons of the ships on the Danube are beating the ridges of the hills and the cornfields;they manage to obstacle the positioning of enemy cannons and machineguns ,in the zones within their firing range.Further than that ,there isna't an organized army anymore,lead by the will of a Chief,fighting for a realisable goal.There are-mostly-groups of runaways who have given up any pride,ambition and ideal and which,taken over by the contageousness of dicourage and of fear,they have only the thought of escaping with life.And Chief, the army has no more.The Chief has disappeared from its post.Not taken down by bullet,in the spin of fght,but runthrough fear, of death, and of responsibility of those he had to take to victory,but instead has taken them to defeat and captivity.At twelve a big automobile passes in speed through the rows of runaways,aiming for the shore of Danube.It is the Commander of the Fortress of Turtucaia,General Teodorescu,which is abandoning his Army and Fortress.A Navy Lieutenant embarks him onboard the vedette no 7,"Lt.Calinescu".A roar of curses rises threatening from the flock of runaway soldiers ,crowded onto the shore.A rattle of machinegun responds from the deck of the Vedette.And the boat starts in great speed towards the other shore of Danube.the Commander has saved his body;he can now look from the Romanian shore the tragic ending of the Fortress and Army,abandoned to the will of faith,without leader.


Tragedy

The shore of the Danube(Turtucaia Shore) is filled more and more by the crowds of soldiers which have left their positions and seek here escape.There are scenes of a shearing dramatism.

A sea of heads is stretching on the shore,as far as the eye can see.One thought is souling evryone:run.The other side is the Romanian shore:there is the escape .But the wide river is in between.There is no bridge over the Danube,and the few pontoons or rafts ,which serve for the transport of reserves,have croosed to the other shore,filled with wounded and the firsts who have been on this shore.Dizzied,the men are watching the shine of the water surface,and are fermenting their brains of how to cross on to the other side.Some,more curageously,jump in to the water ,with clothes or without clothes.The flags of Regiments 36th and 74th are saved by two devoted platooneers,in this way.A savage fight is given around the few boats ,many broken or holed,until the boat ,badly patched ,starts heavily,filled with men and water.The Danube shows an unusual panorama ,full of boats of all kinds and of men fighting hard with the waves ,alone or supported by a wood,by a box,or a door.Taken over by the current of the water ,turned over ,hit by the shrapnels which explode over the water ,how many can make it to the saving shore in front!A multitude of barges and pntoons were at this other shore but the lack of dragging boats ,made impossible to use those.The Commander of the III-rd Army have send 16 battalions in the aid of a fortress which situation seemed disperate to him,and dose not think of organizing means of retreat ,in case of failure.The army was in a mouse trap!Still,the navy vessels have done everything they could to escape from death and bring on to the other shore many soldiers ;the fleet has paied a great tribute of blood,loosing many officers and inferior grades.


On the shore,the impossibility of saving,stunned the crowd.A deep derail,hoplessness without boundaries is following after the before surrescitation.A new thought puts master over the souls and the scream of resignation,of cowerdness,was getting out now from everyone's chest."We surrender!","throw your weapons"."we surrender"-can be heared from everywhere.Pieces of white cloth,handkachiefs are agitated everywhere ,over the mass of heads.In awaiting of the conquerer,begins the plunder of the wagoons ,carriages with provissions and munitions.

The Bulgarians and Turks within the city ,begin to descend ,with looks and moves of hyenes,at the unexpected fed in the valley.Fights in small groups continue,especially on the western front ,untill 4,30p.m.At this hour ,the officer corps of the garrison gathered at the military circle ,decided to surrender to the enemy the Fortress and the City.Colonel Marasescu the Commander of this sector which,after the run away of General Teodorescu,has taken the command of theTurtucaia Fortress,executes the sad decission of capitulation.

Enemy patrols are roving now the streets of the city,firing shots or taking down with rifle's beds or bayonets Romanian soldiers and officers on their way.The Bulgarian population accomplices with these soldiers,to give themselves to bestial crimes unshameful plunderings.The Romanian officers and soldiers were mugged to the skin,undressed ,boots taken,machinegunned or killed at the smallest veleity of revolt.Major Dervescu Ioan,Commander of a battalion of the 36th Regiment ,is summoned by a Bulgarian platooneer to give his watch,which Ioan was carrying;the Major refuses,pointing out that on the back of the cap of it has the picture of his children and imediately falls runthrough bayonet,and with his head smashed by a rifle's bed.


The Commander of the 84th Infantry Regiment,Lieut-Colonel Popovici Gheorghe,has gathered and taken under his command a certain number of fighters with which he started towards East,ner the shore of Danube,to force the passing towards Silistra.On horse and with his Regiment's flag unfolded,he has found his death ahead of his soldiers he Commanded.A vedette of the fleet,No.6,"Nicolae Ioan" sneaks through ,near the head of Cusui Islet and opens fire with cannon and machinegun over the enemy's nest of machineguns which, near the shore , was cutting the retreat road.The vedette concentrates over her the enemy fires,both officers and half of the sailors fall,but the enemy is set on the run.Part of the Romanian column flows towards Silistra,and the vedette ,pierced by projectiles,can retreat down stream.

Some artillery officers have refused to surrender their batteries ,and gathered their cannons ,escaped from the occupied positions by the Bulgarians,in the West edge of the city.Here,Colonel Grigorescu Atanasie the Commander of 5th Howitzers Regiment,has organized the last resistance,under the form of a redoubt,supported on the right side by Sermer Barracks,and in the left,by Danube ,facing South and East.Sustained also by some weak units of infantry,especially the remains of 80th Infantry Battalion,the last defenders of Turtucaia have fired until they finished all the munition.Colonel Grigorescu,badly wounded ,has fallen prisoner into the hands of Bulgarians and died in a hospital in Sofia.Captain Feraru,the Commander of a heavy battery,fires the cannons until the emey storms in to the battery,fires then with his revolver, and the last bullet he unloads in his temple,falling dead on one of his cannons.Other Officers,Lieutenants Ioachimescu,Curtovici ,do the same thing.Lieutenant Constantinescu Toma,the son of the General ,with the same name,sustains the defence of Central No.1,with his battery,until,framed and violently bombarded by enemy heavy artillery,which destroyed two of his cannons ,he remained thus ,only with the other two.These ones he escapes from the fire spin,with difficulty and brings them into redoubt(reduit).Helped by a plutoneer and by some soldiers with a machine gun,Constantinescu fires ,untill the Bulgarians close in few meters to the cannons.Summoned to surrender,he refuse,fires from the mouth of his cannon into the enemy stormers and,finally,falls masacred by byonets.


A national catastrophe

The Battle of Turtucaia was over.A real military catastrophe mand the Kingdom bleed,one week after our enter in the War.The fortified city Turtucaia has fallen into the hands of the enemy after five days of fight.480 officers and 28 000 soldiers were made prisoners;100 canons ,62 machineguns and an imense prey,were the trophies of the enemy.From the entire Garrison ,escaped some 2000 men,over the Danube,swimming or on boats and another 3500 in scattered groups,towards Silistra.From the armament ,escaped only the cannons of the batteries in the islets and shores,which have been evacuated by the bravery of their sailor personel.It is true,that also the losses of the enemy were grave.The official figures given by them are :199 officers and 7 773 soldiers,Bulgarian,dead or wounded.The great majority of losses was in Daidir sector.In this way,the losses of the enemy rose up to almost 25% of his effectives.The bloody losses of Romanians have been of 1600 officers and 6000 soldiers,dead or wounded.

Like after all catastrophes,the spirit tries to find the causes which may expalain the producing of the desastre .Professional rivalries or political ones,personal matters come to complicate and make difficult the objective search for the cruel truth.The first cause would have been the primitive conception of closing a numerous troop in an isolated fortress,having behind a wide river which separates it from the base,without even a bridge,or a service of transports ,well organized ,to ensure the retreat.The reality is this one:renauncing,for the time being ,by the operational plan ,at the role of offensive "bridgehead",the role of Turtucaia was nothing other than the one of an advanced position which,supported by Danube,to defend the right flank of Dobrogean frontier and cover the concentration of Romanian-Russian troops on this frontier.From the moment when it has been obvious that the enemy is attacking with superior forces ,which cannot be resisted ,the garrison would had to leave the position and get over the bulk -retreating towards Silistra to make possible this concentration on aline,backwards-and not to remain on place,making thus possible the acomplish of enemy plan,of isolating our forces scattered ,and away them ,one by one.The instructions for defending the bridgehead Turtucaia forseen that ,in the case in which the resistance on a second line cannot be kept longer,under any circumstance ,the troops of the bridghead had "to execute an outing towards East and retreat methodicaly towards the bridgehead Silistra " wher together with the troops of the 9th Division to prolongue the resistance.unfortunately these wise prescriptions have remained dead letter.None of the Commandments of different ierarchies ,which had word to say in the defence of Turtucaia ,did not remind of them and did not put them nto practice.With the hallucination of the romantic formulae of "resistance until the last men",or with the tire of concentration of Romanian-Russian forces ,which had to operate on Dobrogea frontier ,in offensive purpose,at the shelter of just the resistance of Turtucaia ,it has been persisted in defending with stuborness a dangerous position and with no decissive importance ,for the ulterior unfolding of the action .Not even in the last moment,when keeping the fortress was not possible anymore,it has not been taken by anyone the initiative of a retreat towards SIlistra which,realized with decessiveness and big effectives ,it could,thanks to the exhaustion of the enemy,have saved a great deal of men and material.Keeping the contact with Silistra ,by supervising the excelent road of communication which passed under the Danube River shore ,was one of the chieftain duties of the Romanian Commndment.He neglect it entirely.

.....

It was,ofcourse ,a mistake sending up a whole division in the interior of the fortress ,package by package ,in the middle of some demoralised troops ,instead of sending it outside the fortress ,to enterprise ,in colabaration with the division at Silistra ,an action for unblocking , in the rib of the enemy.None of these mistakes canoot,however,justifie the fastness and proportion of the catastrophe.The enemy,itself,shows surprise for such good fortune,on its part and so much weakness on our part.*"With the means of defence he had-writes with cruelty the Bulgarian Commander-even women culd have sustained the attack for some good days"

The principal cause of the catastrophe-the sure cause,which is beyond any discussion -,is the extraordinar weakness,uncomprehensive,of defence.The Commanding Generals throws from one to the other the responsibility of the defeat.What is very clear,is that not the Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army,nor the Commander of Turtucaia Fortress have not been up to the expectations.The first one,dived into a fragile optimism,did not move from Bucharest,as to realise the gravity of the situation,and contempted himself to take measures from distance ,badly conceived or uneffective.The second one,the Commander of the fortress ,prooved himself totaly missed by the indispensable qualities, of a commander in difficult circumstances.Lacking initiative,shy,without the faculty of understanding clearly of the situations and of that of promptidude of resolutions,he did not know how ,even to distribute his troops,which he Commanded directly.From the beginning of the enemy attack,until the last moment,he kept himself in passivity,receiving the blows of the enemy,without to react by energic counteroffensives.Even when he begun to have superior forces ,his offensive initiatives have been weak and tardive.Even to the last moment,he did not understood the dispozitive of the enemy attack and did not know to see and exploit the critical situations ,in which this one has put itself into.The obssesion of the principal attack from West has made him to mass the principal forces of artillery in this sector,attacked only demonstartive ,neglecting the Southern sector and the Sout-West one ,where the decissive attacks were taking place.

"The defence has been entirely unconnected :the connection from high to bottom ,between the Commanders of sectors and the Commander of defence zero;the connection between the sectors Commanders ,which,in the absence of the first one,could have ensured some sort of connection on action,did not exist.The action of the Commander over the action and operations did not manifes at all.Measures of precaution have not been taken and,which makes the tip of it all,when tha fatal end was closing, no measure have been taken to ,either to try an exit towards the Eastern sector of Silistra Fortress,or to regulate the faith of so many thousands of fighters ,which were falling in to the hands of the victorious.The Commander of the defence,leaving the field of battle ,when the battle was not finished ,without at least passing the Command to someoneelse ,have left the defence troops to make it,each on its own,forgetting that duty forced him to take the same faith as the ones he Commanded ,but which,unfortunatelly,and in a big part from his fault,could not lead them to victory.Why ,in that moment,he did not reminded himselfr of the heroic conduct of General Lemanthe defender of Liege Fortress?,or of the Austrian General Kusmanek,the defender of Przemysl Fortress?[15].

At this weakness of Commandment,coresponded as it has been expected ,a weakness of the troops.Turtucaia presented a curious case of collective psychosis.Weakly commanded ,a great part by officers which neither at previous trainings ,nor during the fight ,did not know to have close contact with the troops,to rise the moral and to communicate them an elan by which just themselves were missed ,the units have demoralised from the first collisions.While,in some points of the front ,officers and troop,fighting together ,were making acts of the highest heroism,between others,they gave themselves at acts of cowerdness.There,where the officer was ahead ,or in the middle of the troops,the soldier has fought bravely and died heroicly;there, where the officer had hide from duty,the troops have weak and disband.And ,as the contageousness of weakness is stronger than that of virtue,the demoralisation propagated quickly,paralising the commandment and the troops.the weakness of Commanders of different ierarchies and the one of the troops has brought us to the shame of seeing us,at less than 10 days of our voluntary enter into the War,captured intirely like a flock without defence.

The admirable Romanian soldier which latter gave us the victories of Jiu ,Marasti,Marasesti,the one who stood uninched like a rock under the storm at Cimpulung,at Predeal and Oituz,the one which showed himself great and heroic in the glorious defeats of Sinpetru ,of Topraisar and in the retreat at Cerna deserves ofcourse another faith than the one of being lead to masacre and shame of Turtucaia.The fall of Turtucaia had made an enormous impression ,in material loss,as by its moral effect.It made us of the mock of the enemy and compromised us in front of our friends.For us,it came,in the first days of War,to show us with brutality the numerous missgivings of our military prepare,in its material part and also in the moral part.Unfortunately in history ,mistakes are never overlooked;they revenge considerable.And the shame of Turtucaia not only that slaped us,and bleed or hearts ,but has deeply influenced the ulterior unfolding of the War.It is the initial cause of the desasters and missfortunes that followed .

.

The Austrian Staff Major N.Frantz,liaison officer with General Makckensen Army visiting,from the order of the Great Austrian Headquarter,the fortification works from Turtucaia,one week after her fall,finds that the works are very well conceived and executed and resums:"It is almost unbelievable that this strong position ,defended by two Romanian Divisions (the 15th and 17th of reserve) was badly occupied ;one part of the infantry of the first lines of defence ran away imediately after the biginning of effective firing range;the reserves were too far behind.... From the above description results that if better defended,the bridgehead Turtucaia would have influenced in a decissive manner over the speed of the operations of he III-rd Bulgarian Army and that taking with assault represents a remarkable deed of arms.It permits us,howerver ,to draw a joyful conclusion over the weak resistance of the Romanian Army against the energic attacks sustained sustained by artillery"(Inedite Documents from Kriegsarchiw,Viena)


3.Silistra and Bzargic

Attacking Southern Dobrogea

In the same time with the attack against Turtucaia ,Mackensen throws also the other troops of the III-rd Bulgarian Army over the frontier,in SIlistra direction and of Bazargic.The isolation in which were finding the three cities of Southern Dobrogea has been exploited with success by the abile German strategist.Powerful columns have been send in the intermediary spaces ,to separate the three cities and obstacle the respectives garrisons to aid eachother.The fortresses had to be attacked one by one and taken before the Russian troops ,which arrived with difficulty,to have reached the fighting zone ,to be able to work with the Romanian Army.With this,the road to the heart of Dobrogea opened up in front of the stormers and the line Cernavoda-Constanta,was falling into its hands.The strategical consequences of this blow would have been incalculable ;it was the entire Romanian Front turned and the warrior intervention of Romanians blocked before it could begun.

Executed with speed and vigor,Mackensen plan ,seemed in the beginning to succeed.The success has been edge ,though,only at the first blows .It will,then,need huge forcings and heavy casualties ,as to occuping Dobrogea to become fact.

The first battle dispozitive of the III-rd Bulgarian-German Army was the following:the extreme left of the army ,made out by the 4th Preslav Division with the 1st Sofia Brigade and the mixt Detachment Hammerstein,constituted the attack army against Turtucaia.The "Left" was made out of :3rd Brigade of the 1st Sofia Division,made out of six battalions and three batteries ,having to intercept the communication between Turtucaia and Silistra ;its role was to make impossible a flank attack,which the troops in Silistra would have trialed over the army investing(seizing) Turtucaia.Another brigade (the second of the same division) made out of 8 battalions with 3 batteries ,taken the Silistra direction ,along the driveway Acadinlar-Alfatar.Between the two brigades of infantry it was intercalated a brigade of cavalry,which made them connection and had the mission to supervise Silistra from West.

The "Center" of the III-rd Bulgarian Army was made out of the Cavalry Division Kolev-20 escadrons -strenghtened with artillery,cyclists and numerous companies of machineguns mounted also by foot.The mission of this divission ,to which also has been attached two companies of infantry,was to defend the left flank of Bulgarian Army,which operated on the Front Turtucaia-Silistra and,separating the Romanian forces which occupied these two localities ,from those of Bazargic ,to prepare ,by occupying Curbunarului,operations against Bazargic and Eastern Dobrogea.

The "Right" of the III-rd Army,was made of the so called "mobile reserve" of strenghtened point Varna-of the power of a strenghtened brigade -under the Command of General Kantargiev,military writter with reputation,author of propaganda puplications agains Romania.The mission of this group was defensive -offensive;to oppose to a disembarkation attempt at Varna and,by operation made in Bazargic region ,to obstacle the trials of Romanians and Russians to advance in direction of Balcic and Bazargic.

Behind the Cavalry Division-at Sumla -it was a brigade of the 6th Bulgarian Division de Vidin,as general reserve at the disposition of Feldmarshal Mackensen ,following to move,as needed to be associated either to the center ,or right Bulgarian.The Turk Corps was few days of marching away;its first elements could join the fight in four days.


Bulgarian offensive along Dobrogean frontier

Before even,the Bulgarians have officially declared war to Romania,General Kantarciev has attacked with small detachments the Romanian frontier posts and advanced on Romanian territory,occupying some of the villages.In this way,at 29th of August,Bulgarians have attacked the posts in the vecinity of driveway Balcic-Varna ,occupying Villages Vinatori and Ecrene.At 30th of August ,a company of frontiermen and two companies of Bulgarian cyclists have occupyed the bridge of railway from Novo-Botevo,frontier station on the line Varna-Bazargic,and at 31st ,have stretched the attack along the frontier up until Vladimirovo.The aim of these attacks was that,by surprise,Bulgarians to create a base of operations ,favorable,against Bazargic;the attacks were made possible by the fact that,Romanians in the thought of avoiding premature collisions ,kept the guard posts far from the frontier.

Alarmed by these attacks the civilian authorities of Bazargic have left ,without order the city,throwing panic in to the Romanian population from within,which have run towards Caraomer.The Bulgarians in the city have profited by this panic and devastated the train station and the barracks.The authors of the plunders ,caught in fragrant by the Romanian Army have been trialed on spot and executed.This just punishment have given the Bulgarians motives of complaints and accusations of cruelties at the address of Romanians.The 19th Romanian Division ha reestablished the situation in the city and at the frontier ,and the authorities came back in the city.

At 1st of September ,the day of war declaration by Bulgarians ,it could be found as covering troops in Bazargic sector ,the 19th Romanian Division,having in the city and on the frontier the 17th Brigade -9th Hunters Regiment and 40th Infantry Regiment;the 5th Mixt Brigade was at Ghelengic ,North of Bazargic,and the 6th Mixt Brigade South of Caraomer.The 19th Romanian Division has a pretty much mixed composition;without the 9th Hunters Regimnt and 39th and 40th of Infantry;was constituted by the fourth battalion takenfrom 10 diverse regiments,in total 18 battalions.The artillery of the Division was weak ,six batteries of old cannons of 87mm and only one of 75mm.Commander was General Arghirescu.A brigade -the 5th-of Calarasi(horsemen)made out of seven escadrons ,was attached next to the Division and dislocated on to the frontier.

At Silistra was the 9th Romanian Division-Commander General Basarabescu-made out of five infantry regiments and one of hunters ,grouped in three brigades ,with a total of 16 battalions and 13 batteries.Silistra,being fortified as a "bridgehead",disposed of some fix artillery,made out of three batteries of 105,120 and 150 mm,and of some turrets of 53 mm.The Divisions had four battalions dislocated at Alfatar,Acadinlar ,Beibunar and Curtbunar,covering Silistra from South.


Behind the Romanian line,was very slowly arriving and constituting at Medgidia Russian Corps,under the Command of General Zaioncikovski,formed up by the 61st Russian Division,Serb-Croat Division and the 3rd Cavalry Division.The Russian Corps was far behind the Romanian divisions which,in their turn were,separated between them by distances of 38-57 Miles.So in the day of declaring War ,as the Bulgarians had all their troops in hand ,ready to start to fulfil their precise mission ,Romanian-Russians were separated into three groups,placed at big distances and with isolated detachments ,spread all over the frontier.There was ,also ,no unity in Commandment:the 9th Romanian Division depended directly of the Commandement of the III-rd Romanian Army,which was at Bucharest,and the Russian General worked independently.

At the quick and clever manoeuvre of the enemy Commandment ,the three Commanders Romanian-Russian will respound with slow moves ,lacking by initiative and coordination,which will compromise from the beginning the whole campaign.In the night of 1st-2nd of September,the Bulgarians cross the frontier on the whole line.The 2nd Brigade of Sofia attacked Acadinlar,which was occupied by a Romanian battalion,the Bulgarian Cavalry Division has attacked Curtbunar,occupied as well by a Romanian battalion ,and the troops ov Varna Group have attacked Balagea ,on the driveway Varna-BazargicIn the sector of the 9th Division the Romanian battalions ,attacked at Acadinlar and Curtbunar by forces considerable superior,have left the localities and retreated towards Silistra General Basarabescu has retreated also the other two battalions from Alfatar and Beibunar ,isolated himself by the neighbour sectors and closed himself inside Silistra Fortress,without enterprising any action with the powerful unit at his disposal ,neither to South or South -East where,by occupying Curtbunar by Bulgarians ,he was cut from Bazargic,nor to South -West ,where he has been cut of Turtucaia Fortress.Especially towards the latter one,he was obliged,not only by comrading duties and the understanding of the strategical situation ,but the precise foreseeings of the directives of operations of the III-rd Romanian Army.Only at 5th of September ,in the wake of the order received in the eve ,from the Commandement of the III-rd Army,to enterprise"local actions" at small distances ,to gain the necessary air around the "bridgehead" and open up the driveway Turtucaia -Silistra,General Basarabescu executes and sends two detachments ,of two,three battalions ,with artillery,in two directions.The two detachments threw themselves in sterile fights with weak Bulgarian detachments ,have thus lost pretious time and lost also the contact with the Division.


The troops of Varna Group ,crossing the frontier along driveway Varna Bazargic ,at 2nd of September ,have occupied Balagea .The aim of this action was not the offensive against Bazargic ,but to come in the aid of General Kolev,which was attacking Curtbunar,attracting Romanian forces in this sector.The Commander of the 19th Romanian Division attacks the Bulgarians with troops of 40th Calugareni Regiment and with the 5th Mixt Brigade ,retakes Balagea Village and rejects the Bulgarians towards South in disband.General Kantargiev has to run personally to the scene to stop the disband.The Bulgarian inhabitants of the village have attacked the Romanians with weapons of fire,with axes and forks ,which determined the Romanians at severe repression.An order of the 19th Division retreats again the Romanian line on a stationary position South of Bazargic.For the following day ,3rd of September ,Arghirescu projects an attack over Curtbunar ,which has been occupied by the Bulgarian Cavalry Division.For this operation is destined the 6th Mixt Brigade which,from South of Caraomer ,has been brought at West of Bazargic.In the evening of 2nd of September the Brigade is at Carapelit ,on the road towards Curtbunar.

In the morning of 3rd of September ,the 19th Division has two fights.At West of Bazargic ,the 6th Mixt Brigade starts from Carapelit ,to attack in direction Curtbunar ,and at South of Bazargic ,the 40th Calugareni Regiment attacks the troops of Varna Group,which advance again from Balagea and Opancea.The 5th Mixt Brigade is kept in reserve near Bazargic.The action of the two corps starts to unfold favorable.The 6th Brigade unfolded, mounted on horses on to the driveway Carapelit-Curtbunar.Two battalions advance along the driveway,occupies Villages Conac and Cocimar .The avanguard has reached South of Curtbunar,threatening the back of Bulgarian Cavalry Division .The action at South of Bazargic is also in victorious progress;Bulgarians have been repulsed South of line Opancea-Balagea.

But the Commander of the 19th DIvision is an impressionabil character and inconstant.Although he receives favorable news from South and West ,he is concerned by the isolation he thinks he is in to.The Russian Cavalry Division,which he expected from the North,does not arrive,and from South -East itis sigannaled to him the aparition of columns of 6th Bulgarian Division at Vladimirovo.Afraid of not being surrounded ,Arghirescu is taken by panic and makes ,all of a sudden , the fatal decission :breaking of the two fights ,evacuation of Bazargic,retreat.

At Cocimar,the entire Bulgarian Division of Cavalry,started from Curtbunar,strenghtened with infantry and artillery,engages the fight with the two battalions from the Romanian avanguard which,receiving the order of the Commander of Division,begin to execute the retreat.Bulgarians ,astouned by this unexpected attitude ,think that the retreat of Romanians is the result of panic produced by their attack.The retreat is dezastrous;surrounded by Bulgarians ,one of the two battalions is destroyed;the other one is spread .The lateral battalions execute the retreat in order and reject with bloody losses the Bulgarian cavalry.

In the evening of the day the entire Division is at 13 Miles north of Bazargic .It is the result of inertia ,lack of initiative and understanding between Russian General and General Commander of the 19th Romanian Division.Time of five days ,this one has spread it units and exhausted them by marchings -only the 5th Brigade made 76 Miles in some 55 hours ,in which time has given also the Fight of Cocimar-and attacks,unjustified interrupted ,worning them out ,of material and morally against an inferior enemy.

In not knowing about the voluntary evacuation of Bazargic,Bulgarians start the next day in the morning ,4th of Sptember ,a convergent offensive against the city,with Varna Group from the South,and with the 6th Division from Vladimirovo and with the Cavalry Division from Curtbunar .At 4 p.m. they can "conquer" without fight the city,evacuated in the eve,as small units ,disembarked by boats ,occupy Balcic and Cavarna .The few Romanian clerks ,which did not had the time to retreat with the troops ,have been masacred by the most classic methods .At the post office ,one sentinel,forgotten there without retreat order,has stayed in place ,example of one's duty and died defending with the rifle the post.


Fight of Sarsinlar

Faced with the situation of Turtucaia,which became almost disperate,General Aslan gives order to General Basarabescu,at 5th of September ,12 o'clock,to take the "vigorous offensive" towards Turtucaia ,to unblock the bridgehead.In SIlistra ,had to be left only four battalions ,for the guard of the fortress;the whole rest of the Division had to take part into the offensive action.At the left flank,the Russian Corps had to take part at the offensive with the same direction.

The offensive action executed,from order,by General Basarabescu ,is made with insufficient forces .Out of the 16 battalions of the Division ,the General is leaving only with six.The others are spread :five have formed the Detachments Condeescu and Paulian,five are left in Silistra.Seven batteries of artillery acompany the infantry.Detachments Condeescu and Paulian -too strong for the actions of secondary importance given to them-are missing now from the principal action.The Commander of the Division wants to unite them with the bulk,but cannot find them anymore.Condeescu Detachment has collisioned with a thin curtain of Bulgarian cavalry,panic , and was finding in retreat towards Silistra,even in the evening of 5th of Sptember .Paulian Detachment have occupied Alfatar at 5th;the next day went towards West ,but not finding Condeescu Detachment,has imobilized in the day of 6th of September in front of the same Bulgarian cover.None of these detachment could.thus ,take part into the fight.

The organizing of the aid expedition is Commanded from the beginning to failure,because it is made with ignoring the most elementary rules of campaign service ,of the guard service and reconnoitre in marches.The troops of the expedition are stretching in a column,very long in which,between fighting units ,are intercalated rows of wagoons of ammunition and provisions ,carriages and luggage.Even the archive of the Division ,the treasury and the etuve join the long caravan.Counting ,imprudent,on the presence of the two detachments ,which they thought to be on their left flank,the Commander does note take measures of precaution.That is why,no flanking detachment covers the column from the South ,from where the enemy may yield,from one moment to another.It is lost pretious time ,until the elements of the column are gathered and are also lost few clocks during the night marghing.The next day in the morning,the avanguard-two battalions with two batteries -is attacked between Arabagilar and Sarsinlar ,by the enemy which occupied positions at Sarsinlar ,11 Miles from Turtucaia .It was the 3rd Brigade from the 1st Sofia Division -Colonel Zafirov-strenght of five battalions of infantry with three batteries of artillery.The infantry of the Romanian avanguard starts to attack with elan but,even from the first moment,it is foreseen a complete unconnection between weapons(arms).The Romanian soldiers are hit in the back by their own artillery which have not elongated her firing range.The avanguard is attacked frontal by a Bulgarian regiment,with Sarsinlar direction and forced to retreat in disorder to the bulk of the column ,at avanguard,the three battalions of the bulk find themselves attacked also in the left flank by other Bulgarian troops .Threatened to find herself pushed toward Danube River ,and with the retreat cut,the troops receives the order for general retreat In the beginning the retreat is made in good order,but only as it passes Arabagilar ,and the aparition of some Bulgarian cavalry detachments produces panic in the intermediary columns .The divizion of munitions and the divisionary ambulance starts to run back,producing crowding,deorganize and drag with them troops.The retreat is transformed in disband .The artillery almost has the time to harness and retreat ,loosing some few cannons .One battalion of hunters from the arierguard arrives on the fighting theatre ,unfolds West and South of Arabagilar ,attacks and stops the Bulgarians ,giving in this way time to Romanian units to retreat and aways thus the peril of complete desastre.

In this way it has been lost the fight after a short skirmish.The Commander ,which has given the proove of his complete incapacity to lead a fight ,makes no attempt to stop the shameful disband and/or retaking the fighting.With the conscience of fulfilling one's duty,he starts back towards Silistra.

10 Miles to the West ,Turtucaia Fortress ,was playing the last card .With all the grave situation ,the game could have been easily won by Romanians.In the Eastern sector of the bridgehead ,Nedelkov Brigade was in a very critical situation .Three times,General Draganov ,the Commander of Sofia Division,have received desperate appeals from General Kiselov ,which has Commanded the attack against Turtucaia ,to have send at least one regiment of the Bulgarian troops from Sarsinlar,because Nedelkov was keeping hard against the Romanian counterattack from that part.It is easy to imagine the effect would have had the apparition of the aid troops from Silistra,behind Nedelkov Brigade!But,for this it was needed other men....

Left drifting,to the will of faith,with the last of the glimpse of hope out,Turtucaia was giving her soul.And ,exactly in the hour when General Teodorescu ,the Commander of the Fortress was crossing the Danube on a vedette,leaving his Command Post,the Fortress and the Army,to put his own person in safety-on the driveway Turtucaia -Silistra ,the automobile of General Basarabescu was running with the fastest speed to put to shelter of the forts the Commander of the 9th Division.Behind him,the Army was coming back humiliated and in disorder on the road of defeat.


Battle of Bazargic*

After occupying Bazargic,the Bulgarians have placed themselves into defensive ,deepening the trenches of the old Turkish strongholds ,from the time of the Russian -Turk War 1877-1878,situated on the hills North of the city.For the defence of the city of Kantargiev it has only,for the time,four battalions with three batteries ,but close by,at Carapelit ,it is in reserve the Brigade of the 6th Varna DIvision,and at Curtbunar it is the Cavalry Division.From the South are closing in the Turks.

In the evening of 4th of September ,the Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army,misslead by the wrong informations communicated by the Commander of Turtucaia -"that the situation is getting better"-turns his eyes towards Bazargic and orders to General Zaioncikovski to reoccupy the city.The situation of the Romanain -Russian troops from th Eastern Dobrogea Group was not favorable.The concentration has not been made.The Russian Headquarter was at Medgidia ,Serbs-Croat Division was at Cocargea ,the 61st Russian Division was close to the old frontier .The Russian Cavalry Division was towards Cartbunar ,excentric of Bazargic.The three brigades of the 10th Romanian Division ,retreated at Bazargic were South of Caraomer .No strategical necessity did not reclame the possesion of Bazargic Because ,if in the Romanian plan of operations,Turtucaia and Silistra had to " resist with any price" to cover the Romanian -Russian concentration for the next offensive of Bazargic ,very isolated ,could have been abandoned ,in the case of a strong attack,as it already happened.

Still,in the wake of the received order ,the Russian General decides to take the offensive against Bazargic ,without to wait for the arriving and concentration of his troops.After his own request,General Arghirescu was tasked to execute the operation.He started in march,in the night of 4th-5th of September ,only with the 17th Brigade from the 19th Romanian Division,having the 5th Calarasi Brigade at left ,and on the right side a Regiment of Rissian Lancers .Apreciating the Bulgarian forces ,defending the city,at about two companies ,General Arghirescu was sure he will occupy Bazargic,without fight.The ease and unprecaution of the ally Commandments had this time ,as well,engaged troops in an inutile ,bloody and especially ,badly conducted battle.

The Battle of Bazargic was an event of great historical importance .For the first time ,the Bulgarians were in front of the Russians ,as enemies .Ingratitude it is not a too rare phenomenon in the history of people,but never it has manifested in a uglier way,as at Bazargic.At almost 40 years after Plevna ,where the Russian and Romanian blood had flow in streams for liberating Bulgarians from the Turks slavery ,reappear on the blood arena of history ,the same people.But what astonishing changes of roles !The Bulgarian ,liberated ,seats now at the side of its ex-executioner,the Turk,rising the killing weapon against his yesterday liberator!


Some uncertainty and fear mastered for some time the souls of the Commanders Bulgaro-German,pretaining the attitude the Bulgarian soldiers would have ,when they will find themselves with the rifle in hand in front of their liberators(the russians and romanians);many hopes where building the Russians on this attitude.The probe was made though quickly.The Bulgarian psychology was not well entered.The weapon rose with fury against those which with their own blood unslaved the Bulgar people,and the Bulgarian press has hedlined the gesture with equal savagery:"The Bulgarian has never been more proud than when he saw kneeled in front of him (!?) the orgolios and coward protector of yesterday,the murderer and enemy neighbour ,hereditary.",wrote the nationalist Bulgarian newspaper "Kambana".

After a night march,the 17th Romanian Brigade arrives in the dawns of the day of 5th of September ,in front of Bazargic strongholds.To the surprise of Romanian Commander,Bazargic is not occupied by only two enemy companies ,but by numerous troops ,well retrenched ,which receive the Romanians with lively fire .Romanians start to attack,under the protection of the two batteries acompanying the Brigade.At the Eastern Romanian wing ,the soldiers of 9th Hunters Regiment away the Bulgarians at bayonet and occupy Gelengic Train Station.,as at the center ,a battalion of 40th Regiment ,attacking towards Caralez ,have occupied the first ridge of heights at North of the city.But the resistance of Bulgarians ,covered in the entrenches and well sustained by artillery,is stuborn.The attackers begin to hesitate.

At the right wing ,the Russian Cavalry starts in to an impetous storm at assault against Bulgarians ,hidden in the trenches.The, not well thought , charge is smashed by the fires of the rifles and machimeguns of the enemy.The horses ,scared ,could not be hold by the horsemen.Part of them spread on the field ;few of them together with the Commander of the Regiment ,have jumped ,in their crazy gallop over the Bulgarian entrenches and reached the midst of the Bulgarian batteries ,where they have been made prisoners.

At North of Bazargic ,the fight with Romanians is violent around 10 o 'clock in the morning ;arriving at attacks and counterattacks at bayonet ,the Bulgarians have to put into the fight all their reserves ,even the service soldiers and from intendence as well.For the provissions services ,have been confiscated civilians inhabitants from the city .General Kantargiev,very tightened,asks for reinforcements from the 6th Division,neighbour;it is send a battalion and a battery.

The Commander of the 19th Romanian Division ,General Arghirescu,arriving at around 11 on to the field of battle ,notice that the enemy is much stronger than he had thought;thinking he is not permitted to engage a fight of fond ,has given the order for retreat to the North,until Caraomer.As the bulk of the Brigade begun the retreat ,appears at the West wing the 5th Romanian Mixt Brigade ,of the same Division,which prepares to enter the fight ,to help the mates,but receives as well the order for retreat .A little to the West,the 6th Mixt Brigade ,does the same.With this face,the 19th Division,which would have had a crushing superiority ove rthe enemy,is turned around ,after only one brigade begun the fight and forced to renaunce at a battle,where there was certain victory.At East of Bazargic ,the 9th Hunters Regiment tries a new attack over the city;without support to the right ,where the 40th Romanian Regiment has begun the retreat ,the attack did not succeed,and the hunters have to,at their turn,to fallow the general retreat.Although the retreat has to be made until Caraomer ,still ,by evening,the order has been revoked and the troops brought to a stand still on line Nebi Cuius-Cerchezchioi-Cioban Cuius.The 61st Russian Division has arrived at Musu Bei and general Zaioncikovsky counted that-with this important aid-to retake the offensive.


The day of 5th of September has brought to Romanians ,in this way,in front of Bazargic an unjustified defeat by nothing ,made possible only by the bad conduct of the Commandment.The troops of the 19th Division were demoralized and tired ;they had made marches and countermarches of 25-38 Miles.

As ,in front of Bazargic ,General Arghirescu was giving the inutile fight,so undeserved lost,General Zaioncikovski was receiving the well known telegram from Bucharest(se the preceeding chapter),Turtucaia was attacked by superior forces and in danger.An offensive to take off the burden,started by the III-rd Army ,in this direction was indispensable.The Garrison in Silistra has been ordered to start towards Turtucaia-it was the march which lead to the shame of Sarsinlar.Zaioncikovski received the order to occupy Bazargic with the strictly necessary of forces,and with the rest of the troops of the Eastern Group to go on forced march to Turtucaia.The Cazacs Division had to cover the left flank of Basarabescu's column ,in its way towards Turtucaia.

But Zaioncikovsky sees things diferently.Turtucaia is too far away;an action in that direction he considers inoportune.As Bazargic is close by,and in this direction seems to him that the victory is a sure thing,it will also rise the moral of the 19th Romanian Division,shaken by the adventures happened until now.So for the day of 6th of September the Russian General,which has at his disposal all the troops of the Eastern Group of the III-rd Romanian Army,does not want to carry on with the order of his superior,the Commander of the IIII-rd Romanian Army,and takes dispozitions for operations against Bazargic.One brigade from the 61st Russian Division and one from the Serb-Croat Division,will advance on the right side ,and two brigades from the 19th Romanian DIvision on the left of driveway Caraomer-Bazargic;the rest of the troops are kept as reserve at the disposal of the Russian General,which will personally conduct the fight.

On their part,Bulgarians have strenghtened themselves by the arriving of a regiment and two Bulgarian battalions and of a Turk regiment.In this way ,Kantargiev has at his disposal in this day of 12 battalions and three batteries ,under his direct order,and close by,of another six battalions and four batteries of the 6th Bulgarian Division,at which he can make appeal,in case of need.Again are set troops in march towards South.The two Romanian brigades -the 5th and the 6th Mixt-have to slow their peace to give time to the Russians and to the Serbs ,from the right side,to arrive on the same line.Only about five in the afternoon the Romanians and Russians arrive,tired by marching,in front of the Bulgarians lines and unfold in fighting formation ;at 7 in the evening ,in the sound of trumpets and with the flags unfolded begins the attack.The unwellthought retreat in the eve has given the Bulgarians the Village Gelengic ,for which recuperation ,the Romanian troops had to blead again.Ahead of he IV-th Battalion of the 51st Regiment ,falls killed the Officer of Staff Major Kiriacescu Paul,a treasure of the Officer Corps.With all the strong defence,the Bulgarians are taken out of their strenghtened positions and fom the village and rejected towards Bazargic.Gelengic is for the second time occupied by Romanians.All of a sudden the fatality wich follows the 19th Romanian Division appears again.In full victorious fight the troops receive again the order of retreat !At 4 in the afternoon has fallen Turtucaia and,as a result,the Commander of the III-rd Romanian Army has send to General Zaioncikovski ,by telegraph,the order of braking the fight of Bazargic and retreat,on the strenghtened line South of the railway Medgidia-Constanta.General Zaioncikovski,which untill now has showed himself so rebell to the orders from the III-rd Army,this time,without aknowledging the situation he was in to,with a victorious fight begun which,at least as moral effect ,could have couterbalanced the effect of the fall of Turtucaia,gives imediately to the troops the order to retreat.Astouned ,at first,concerned and then demoralized ,the soldiers begin again the march of retreat,which becomes more and more disorganized.During the night ,the Bulgarians have attacked with the whole 8th Regiment ,Gelengic Village ,in which has remained only a small Romanian detachment and reoccupy it.In fight ,falls killed the Commander of the Bulgarian Regiment ,Colonel Minkov.

.

A new and very important turning of things appears now in the unfolding of events.Deeply impressed by the fall of Turtucaia ,the Big Romanian Hedquarter ,dose not count,however ,the game lost enntirely,at the Southern frontier of Turtucia .With all the loss,of almost two divisions ,the Romanian and Russians have numerical superiority over the enemy.All troops on the right shore of Danube River and namely:four Infantry Divisions (9th and 19th Romanians ,61st Russian and Serb Division) and one and a half Cavalry Division(the 3rd Russian Division and the 5th Calarasi Brigade,Romanian) are constituted in a single corps ,which is taken from under the Command of General Aslanand and set under the Command of General Zaioncikovski,with the mission of"Attaack the enemy as soon as possible towards Turtucaia,covering towards Bazargic by a detachment destined to delay the enemy,if this one would seek to gain terrain towards North".Zaioncikovski countermandates imediately the order of retreat of the troops in front of Bazargic .But his order does not arrive in time to the Commander of the 19th Romanian Division.such that the retreat of the Romanian troops begun at 11 in the evening ,is continued the whole night and the next day in to the morning,when the entire Romanian Division ,tired and completely disorganized ,has reached Caraomer.A military mission send with a special train by the Big Hedquarter at Medgidia ,communicates in the night of 6-7 of October to General Zaioncikovski the dispozitions of the Big Headquarter .She had to notice that ,the situation on the terrain was different than the one supposed at the Big Romanian Headquarter.The Russian Corps was not in a central position between Silistra and Bazargic .Tempted by the perspective of an easy victory he sliped to South -East and was now 11 Miles from Bazargic,very far from Silistra and in fighting contact with the enemy.Following this situation ,it was decided firstly to continue ,with all strenghts of the Eastern Corps ,the fight already begun,to occupy Bazargic and then to turn back with the bulk of these forces towards Silistara-Turtucaia.

So , the day of 7th of September has to bring a victory at Bazargic ,which had to repair the moral effect of Turtucaia .The superiority of the Romanian -Russian effectives over those of the enemy made to be considered victory a certainty.With the foresight of it,General Zaioncikovski gave this single order :"Today being the first day ,since 1877 (Russian-Turk War),when the Russian -Romanian and Serbs troops fight together ,in order to not atribute the victory to only one of them,I have decided to attack with equal forces taken from each"

And,truly,Zaioncikovski sends a Russian Brigade ,to attack at the center ,towards Bazargic ;at the right of her,a Serb Brigade will attack towards Osman-Fachi;at the left ,a Romanian Brigade from 19 th Division has to attack towards Gelengic.With this,the Russian Commander acomplishes the strange conception of the attack with three brigades of the three ally armies ,wich will separate between them in a friendly way the flowers of victory!In reserve ,the Russian Commander has a Russian Brigade and a Serb one.With all the curiosity of the manner of action of General Zaioncikovski,the Russian -Romanian attack has perspecives of success.Because the Bulgarians are completely disoriented and proceed without an unitary plan.General Kantargiev place himself into defenssive ,retreating his troops tired ,by two days of fights, in to the entrenches in front of Bazargic .At his left ,Popov,the Commander of Vidin Brigade ,starts to offensive towards Arabagi.A little to the left ,Kolev ,the Commander of the Cavalry Division from Curtbunar prepares to leave to Beibunar ,in Silistra direction.But things went differently.The fight engages very lively at the West wing of the fighting front.


Bulgarians advance towards North ,thinking they have to face forcess less important,but they collision with the Serb Brigade ,which attacks them with violence.The casualties of Bulgarians are very big.The 36th Kozlodui Regiment losses more than half of its effectives ;the remains retreat few Miles ,behind the line Arabagi-Osman-Fachi.Vraca Regiment has also very grave csualties.At the center ,Kantargiev is in fight with the Russians ;the Russians attacks are not so violent ,though,and the Bulgarian General can send to his comrad on the left aids of infantry and especially of artillery,to dam the advance of Serbs,This especially that at the Eastern wing is quiet;the 19th Romanian Division is at Caraomer,at 19 miles distance ,and the Brigade destined to take part into the action is not acquainted with attributed role,but only in the afternoon of the day!

As the left Bulgarian wing is threatened by a desaster ,it is produced an important event towards West .Announced by this grave situation the Bulgarian Cavalry Division ,which was preparing to leave towards Beibunar ,changes direction ,turns towards East ,and strenghtened with two battalions of infantry and with many machineguns starts in the aid of Vidin Brigade.At 4 in the afternoon ,the Bulgarian cavalry falls in the back of the Serbs,caught in fight with the Bulgarians.The intervention of this mass of cavalry is decissive.The situation of the Serbs is critical.They don't receive aid from nowhere.The Russian Cavalry Division ,which had contact with the Bulgarian cavalry ,could not observe the move of this one and stands on still.The Russian center is too occupied with its own situation ,and the two brigades Ruso-Serb from reserve did not move .Serbs resist with manhood until Zaioncikovski,reminding himself that ,in the eve ,he has received from the Big Romanian Headquarter the order to leave with the army in direction Silistra-Turtucaia,gives the order of breaking of the fight and of general retreat to Caraomer!Bulgarians ,happy that they escaped cheap,dose not pursue.The Battle of Bazargic was now defenitely lost for the allies.Not because they would have been beaten by Bulgarians ,to which they kept permanentlly superiority,but because of the sufficency of Commandemnt .Zaioncikovski did not now to use this superiority and,hesitating from one day to another has tired the Romanian troops in marches and countermarches ,exhausting,he has always presented himself in the face of the enemy with not enaugh forces and have never continued the fight until the decissive,which would have to come undoubtfully.The Battle of Bazargic is a model of indecissiveness,of inconsecvence and incoherence .The Russian -Romanian colaboration has presented from the beginning under less encouraging perspectives.The weakness of the Russian Commander at Bazargic had two results .First,has used important forces which were placed under his Command ,in another direction than the one which was most utile and which was indicated leaving,by this attitude of him,to be acomplished the reparable dezaster of Turtucaia-Silistra.Second,he did not know to obtain moral success even at Bazargic,for which he had in hand all the necessary elements.


A hisoric fortress

The fall of Turtucaia made available enemy troops which had occupied against her.They have been very quickly send to Silistra Fortress.The situation of this fortress has become desperate.

Silistra has been organized as a bridgehead ,as well.Happier than Turtucaia ,she was connected with Calarasi by a bridge of pontoons,throwed over the Danube .The topographical situation of the city ,surrounded by heights ,was more favorable for organizing defence than it was Turtucaia.

Silistra has been,because of the way it was placed ,from very old times ,one of the most famous bastions of defence in the numerous wars which have bleed the ground of Dobrogea.The enemy which was coming from the North crossing over the Balkan Peninsula ,as the enemy coming from the South,advancing on this classic road of invasions ,had to stumble on to the walls of the fortress ,which guarded the enter in to the narrow corridor between Danube River and Black Sea.In "Durostorum" has seated the Roman Emperor Traian the Legion XI-th Claudia ,brought from Superior Germania for the guard of Inferior Moesia,against the babarians incursions from the North .The military center of a flourishing region and fully Romanized.Durstorul resists like a rock in the middle of the barbarian waves ,until the weakening of the Roman power make him to suffer the faith of other fortresses.Goths,Alans,Huns have been its plundering masters .With Justitian[16],passes again under the mastering of the Romans,to be then drowned ,unfelt,in the Slav current .A new conqueror appears;it is the most "cruel and menacing hood" of the Bizantin chronicles:the savage Bulgars(Bulgarians) .They place themselves in Moesia Inferior and thrust in to Dirstaor.Here,their Zar Simeon,seats locked,as other plundering barbarians ,of the same hood with them,Hungurs(Hungarians) send by the Emperor in Bizant,plunder and steal the country.

Twenty years before the Pecenegs,allied with the Romanian inhabitants of Dirstor ,under the leadership of Tatul,siege the city.Dirstor has seen the attack of the Russians of Sveatoslav[17] over the Bulgarians then,the big and celebre siege of the Bizantins ,Commanded personally by Basileu Tzimiskes,which retakes Dirstor from the hands of the Russians.At the year 973,Dirstor has become Bizantin metropola.

But the turmoiled times begin again.Dirstor changed one master after the other ;again Bulgarians ,then Pecenegi,Cumans-the ancestors of today Gagauzs,Romanian-Bulgarian.By XIV-century we find it mastered by Dobrotici[18] then it is part of the crown countries of Mircea cel Mare(Mircea the Old).With Baiazid[19] we arrive at Turkish Silistra.Five centuries the semy-moon will master the Lower Danube River Valley from the height of Turk swords .Silistra is well connected to our history.Wallachians,Moldavians ,Polish,Russians, have found themselves under the walls or inside the walls of the strong fortress,and in the numerous wars Russian-Turk,the siege of Silistra Fortress makes an inevitable episode.There are famous,the Siege of 1828-1829 of General Diebici,super-named "Zabalkanski" and the one of 1854 of Princip Paskevici[20].The Berlin Congress of 1878 made the unjustice of giving us Dobroge without the key of its gate,Silistra.Our armed intervention in 1913 has put us again in the legitime possesion of Silistra,the old Dirstor of Mircea,Dutostorum the base of the Romanian hood,Emperor Traian.

Our great war for wholing the nation has not brought a new flower in the crown of historic celebrity of Silistra.A war council,kept at Silistra in the night of 7th -8th of September ,has thought that,in the wake of the events that took place,the defence of Silistra has become inutile,and dangerous.The resistance against the enemy had to be organized with more chances of breakthrough,to the North,with the aid troops send from the Kingdom.So,Silistra has been evacuated by the authorities and by the Romanian population ,in the day of 8th of September .The bridge over the Danube has been rise the same day and the 9th Romanian Division has been retreated at Cuzgun.After two days the Bulgarian-German entered the abandoned Silistra.


The Pursiut

On the track of Romanian-Russian troops ,Germano-Bulgaro-Turk forces ,master now on all strenghtened positions of New Dobrogea,are concentrating by reestablishing the connection between the groups that fought separately and by shortening of the front between Danube River and Black Sea.In the region of Silistra the front is only of about 63 Miles ,as at Turtucaia it was of over 78 Miles .Mackensen is in a hurry .He realizes that Romanians have noticed their dangerous situation taht,day and night the military trains pass continuously over the big bridge of Cernavoda ,throwing into Dobrogea big masses of troops .Soon they will unite into a strong army.That is why,the German Generalisim wants to go ahead, because profitting by his actual superiority,to crush the enemy army before she can strenghten and enter into the heart of Dobrogea.He has to put his hands on to the vital artery of Dobrogea :the line Cernavoda-Constanta,with the first bridge and the last harbour.(the Cernavoda Bridge and Constanta Harbour)

.....

Cernavoda Bridge over Danube River(before flowing in to the Black Sea) with 6th Romanian Hunters Battalion after Ruso-Turk War(1905)[photos by Al.Antoniu and Lt.Eliad]

4.The Battle on the Old Dobrogea Frontier

The fight in Oltina defile

If Mackensen was in a hurry to give the decissive strike to the adverse armies ,Romanians and Russians on the contrary had all the interest to gain time ,to operate the concentration of the forces retreated from the South and of those brought from the Kingdom,on the principal line of resistance.This had to turn the equilibrium of forces and give the Romanian -Russians the superiority that now the Bulgarians had.The advance of the enemy had ,thus to be delayed.That is why the available forces of the armies in Dobrogea has been brought on to a line which corresponded apoximatively with the old Dibrogean frontier.At the two wings were the Romanians and namely:at the Western wing ,supported by the Danube River ,in the region of Lake Oltina,the troops of the 9th Romanian Division,retreated from Silistra ,were occupying the heights of Caraomar -Parachioi-Dobromir.They were,in this way,barriering the drive way which,coming from Silistra ,rove through a long forested defile ,to aim towards Cusgun and Adamclisi.At the Eastern wing ,the 19th Romanian Division,retreated from Bazargic ,was occupying the strenghtened position of Caraomer.The two divisions have changed their Commanders .The Commander of the 9th Division,General Basarabescu,has been replaced by General N.Petala,and the Commander of the 19th Division ,General Arghirescu has been moved on to the Transilvanian Front;in his stead was now Colonel C.Scarisoreanu.the center was occupied by Russians ;from East to West were:first,the Cavalry Division,then the 61st Russian Division and after her,the Serb Division in contact with 9th Romanian Division.

The Ruso-Romanian Front was bend towards South ,the Russian Division having the most advanced position.The Commander of the entire army in Dobrogea was given to Russian General Zaioncikovski.Two brigades of the 5th Romanian Division ,taken from the Carpathian Front ,disembarked in Dobrogea and were send in forced marchings to strenghten the front line.

The enemy forces ,which fought isolated in Turtucaia and Bazargic,have reconstituted on an unique line ,bulking also the new troops arrived from interior.At the left,Mackensen have constituted with German troops ,newly arrived ,Bode Group,of the strength of a brigade*,which he pushed with power ahead ,along Danube River ,towards Cernavoda.in close contact with him was the 1st Sofia Division,in front of the 9th Romanian Division;at the right of it ,the 4th Preslav Division,which have made a long march and delaying ,was a little behind.Followed then the 6th Vidin Division(a brigade),dobricean Brigade ,entered with the first Turk regiments arrived,finally,the Cavalry Bulgarian Division,which had occupied the right enemy flank ,in front of the 19th Romanian Division.The interval to Black Sea was occupied ,at both adversaries ,only by small detachments.

Bode Brigade was made out of 45th German Regiment of reserve,a battalion of the 25th German Regiment ,an Ulan Regiment ,two heavy batteries and a long range Austrian battery.

The arched dispozitive of the fighting front was very avantageous for the enemy:it caught the adversaries between the two arms of a right angle ,being thus able to attack by the flank at our right wing (Western).Against this wing ,along Danube ,decided Mackensen to apply the principal strike.

Mackensen plan was dearing.He makes the principal attack with German-Bulgar troops over the right Romanian wing ,with the intention to detach her of Danube River ,pushing her towards East ,to throw her behind the Russians and of the left Romanian wing ,detained on to a stand still by the Bulgarian attacks .With this face ,the entire Romanian-Russian army would have been turned and rejected with the back towards the Black Sea ,between the marshes of the sea shore ,cut by the base and condemned to a rapid and complete extermination.But the things did not went according to the wish of the old Marshal.In the day of 13th of September ,on the whole length of the front ,the enemy was stopped in its advance by cannon shots and forced to assume positions at few Miles in front of the Romanian-Russian lines.The principal action unfolded at the Western wing.The German Bode Brigade has attacked with outstanding violence the troops of the 9th Romanian Division.In the long and twisted defile,tightened between Oltina Lake on the left and the forested heights on the right ,between Lipnita and Ghiuvegea ,the Germans have tried during the night, an attack(12th-13th of September),against the Romanian troops ,with Ulans troops ,unmounted ,but have been rejected back,with very heavy losses ;during the fight has fallen a German Prince :Friedrich Wilhelm de Hessa,nephew of sister of Emperor Wilhelm.

The next day,13th of September ,the enemy came back to the attack.This time the fight is given by the troops of the 1st Bulgarian Division and by Bode Brigade ,with infantry, artillery and cavalry.After a ferocious fight ,which lasted until midday,the enemy is rejected with bloody losses.unfortunatelly our Commander do not realise the success and do not seek to exploit it,attacking the beaten enemy.This one remakes himself,receives strong reinforcements ,brings heavy artillery and attacks the whole front of the 9th Division from Caraorman-Ghiuvegea,as well as the right wing of the Serb troops ,which assumed position at the left of the 9th Romanian Division.The enemy bombardment is strong ;it brings panic into the Romanian troops of infantry,unused with the fight and manages to reject them,with all the beautiful defence of the 3rd Artillery Regiment.A brigade of the 5th Romanian Division,arrived just then from the Carpathians Front,being tired,attacks weak and cannot change the situation.This esay success was counted by the enemy as enaugh to evolve the next day 14th of September ,the decissive attack,which supposed to push the Romanian-Russian Army from West towards East ,to throw her into the sea.


The day of 14th of September

The plan of the dicissive battle from this day was made by Mackensen and Tosev as follows:at the two wings ,the enemy units will give against Romanians, veiling attacks ,to fall in to their flanks and back,and in this time the units in the center will atack forward.

At his turn,Zaioncikovski wants to go to offensive.With the 9th Romanian Division ,which yesterday did not fight badly,he wants to keep the enemy at his right .At the left ,to attack with the 19th Romanian Division and with a brigade of the 1st Division ,towards Bazargic.The principal attack he will give with the center -Russian Corps-with the direction towards Danube River .At the Eastern wing ,the Bulgarian Cavalry Division,strenghtened with two infantry battalions ,with seven unmounted escadrons with machineguns and with two companies of cyclists ,advancing from Ciufut Cuius ,has attacked the Romanian positions from the South of Caraomer,occupied by troops from 19th Division.Received with heavy artillery fires,the cavalry detachments,which were advancing in manoeuvre formation are dispersed and they have to search their escape ,hiding in to gulleys.A second attack given by infantry with cavalry ,unmounted ,in the Western sector of the Division has the same faith.Followed by the fires of Romanian artillery the Bulgarian cavalry troops have to retreat;counterattacked by Romanians the infantry troops retreat as well,by evening.The entire Bulgarian right wing is forced to retreat with heavy losses ,at Cernaoc and Rogojina ,more than 7 Miles South of Caraomer.

The principal action was given at the center.A ferocious fight took place betwee Russians and Bulgarians at Aptaat,where a large valley separated the two adversaries .Going ahead of the Bulgarians ,the Russians attack with violence ,sustained on the right side by the Serbs ;they reject the Bulgarian troops of Divisions Sofia and Preslav ,between Dobromir and Aptaat,and separate the two divisions.Pushing with strenght towards Granovo through the breach in the front line,they managed tu turn the internal flanks of the Bulgarian divisions.The Bulgarian Commander has put into the fight all his reserves managing to,with the price of big losses , stop the advance of the Russians and to occupy by evening Apaat.the Russians have retreated at Saragea.To ease the situation of Preslav Division,the troops of the Brigades of Vidin and Dobrici,strenghtened with Turk troops ,disposed at the right of the Bulgarian center ,have received the order to attack strong ahead of them.At Musu Bei,the Rusian Cavalry Division,which has fought unmounted,together with the Romanian troop of the 19th Romanian Division,have resisted with energy to greatly superior forces ,producing heavy losses to the enemy;between the Bulgarian wounded was also the Commander,General Kantargiev.


Against the Vidin Brigade ,has been send the 36th Romanian Brigade ,made out of the 51st Galati Regiment and 52nd Birlad,under the Command of Colonel Georgescu Christodulu.The brigade ,only arrived on the theatre of fight,after three days of marchings ,in which,in the eve has made 34 Miles in a day and a night ,it is engaged in a violent fight on the hills with grape growings near Carali Village.Biladenii(men from Birlad) fight with manhood and succeed in occupying the village ,rejecting the Bulgarians ,but the strong enemy artillery catches Romanian troops ,placed on uncovered hills,in a crushing barrier fire and produces them heavy losses ,destroing all of their machineguns and a part of the cannons.The Romanian counterattacks ,made with energy and heavy losses ,have brought to a stand still the enemy,the whole day.The blood sacrifice of the 36th Romanian Brigade could not be made of use by the Russians at the right ,which did not manage to conquer Aptaat and to develope their initial success.In the wake of the retreat of the Russians ,the brigade had,at her turn ,to start ,with the fall of the evening ,the retreat towards Cobadin.The Bulgarian Brigade of Vidin had two officers and 168 soldiers dead ,5 officers and 368 soldiers wounded*.

At the Western wing ,the veiling attack which had to be executed by Bode Brigade and Sofia Division,has failed.The right wing of Sofia Division,made out of Lovcea Regiment ,has been smashed by the Serbs attack at Dobromir ;with great difficulty ,the Bulgarians could remake the threatening situation.This occurence,though,did not permit to the enemy to trial and advance with the left wing German-Bulgarian.He edged himself only to a bombardment very violent with heavy artillery,directed by aeroplanes ,which throwed panic within the Romanian troops of the 9th Division,as well of those of Regiments 8th and 9th of the 5th Romanian Division,arrived in the eve and placed in the elongation of the left wing of the 9th Romanian Division,on the line Caranlic-Parachioi-Calaici.Because of this disorganizing ,produced by this panic and unsuccessfulness of the attack given by the center, Russian-Serb,the troops of the 9th Division begun the retreat on successive positions through Cuzgun,Cogeacoru towards Adamclisi,mixed with the convoys of refugees of the villages in the South of Dobrogea ,which have left their homes.Troops of the 9th Division have tried to stop and resist on to the forested heights of Cogeacoru.But the heavy enemy artillery has bombarded the forest with violence ,tearing the old trees or ripping them off their roots ,an the Romanian troop,unused wth the fire of fight and unawoken by the panic ,has left the positions here.The retreat has not been obstacled by the enemy.

The following day ,in the morning ,Germano-Bulgarians have been forced to notice that there was nobody in front of them.The Romanian -Russian troops were executing a retreat in good order towards line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla.


A "decissive" victory which is not decissive

Mackensen thought that he has to celebrate.The general Russian-Romanian retreat gave him the impression of a great and decissive victory.The German official comminicate was annauncing:"A decissive victory have crowned the operations lead with ability and energy in Dobrogea.The German troops ,Bulgarian and Turkish are pursuing the Romanian forces and Russian ones,beaten"(16th of September).The whole rigor program of great German victories has been set in to execution:telegram of well done from the Kaizer towards the victorious Marshal and towards the Empress ,guardian of public edifices in Berlin etc.The deception came quickly.There was no victory,especially a decissive one .The flags are descended,and the text of telegrams is not reproduced anymore by any of the war publications.The German public,which was expecting a new "Sedan",to bring an end to the war ,begins to read desillusioned at the official press."When we talk about decissive victory-writes one of the most important German newspaper-we understand a victory which would stop the enemy to follow the operations planned, and which have modified ,in a decissive mode,the situation on some of the war theatres"*.

The German military critic Fr.Endres writes:"(...)The attack intended by Mackensen on the left wing was given,from motives which cannot be yet established,lacking the needed energy,such that the battle,conceived as decissive battle ,has not been a complete decission.The enemy managed to sneak out from extermination and to retreat on general line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla,where he,which was of most importance for his defence,could support his left flank on Black Sea.This position can only be attacked frontal."A lively polemic begun between the German Commanders and Bulgarians ,the first accuzing the last,and the last that they have compromised the success by the delay with which they advanced and attacked ,and the last ones ridiculizing the combative importance of the German detachments ,presented by these ones in an exagerated light.

In fact the battle on Oltina-Caraomer was only an episode ,intermediary in the big duel begun between the two adverse armies.The goal pursued by the Commanders of the Russian-Romanian Army,postponing the big battle which had to be given for the possesion of Southern Dobrogea and of her principal artery of communications ,was acomplished.It will be given in the next few days in the positions and conditions which the Russian -Romanian Commandment will choose as best.

"Kolnische Volkszeitrung",19th of September 1916,qouted in Andre Hallys,L'opinion allemande pedant la guerre("Revue de deux Mondes",1918)

5.First Crisis.Changing the Plan of Operations

Days of emotion and thinking

The missfortunate events which took place in Southern Dobrogea have surprised and emotionated -as it is easy to understand-the leading circles of the army.The first reaction against the threatening situation which drew in this part ,was a considerable moving of troops ,to face the danger.During the first emotion in the wake of Turtucaia desaster ,some believed that the enemy would try a crossing of Danube River and a straight attack over Bucharest.The enemy has bombarded,in truth,the left shore of Danube and especially Oltenita,arsoning the deposits on the shore and the petrol reservoirs.The local population has been taken by panic and started to retreat towards Bucharest,filling the trains ,together with the wounded evacuated from Turtucaia,with the run aways and with those escaped from catastrophe,spreading all kinds of alarming news.

In truth,the temptation was great for the enemy which obtained the victory so easy.Bucharest was at 38 Miles away from the place of desaster ,which swallowed two Romanian divisions.Soon ,though,the leaders of our armies have regained their cold blood,when they could notice that,faced with the forces that the enemy had and of their dispozitive ,a trial like this would have been madness.Still,three Romanian divisions were send South of Bucharest,to be ready for any eventuality.The unfolding of the events shows soon that Mackensen was not the man for risky enterprises ,and mad.He has opposed categorically ,before our entering in the War to the plan of Conrad von Hotzendorf,which forseen the crossing of Danube and of fast attack over Bucharest.The real danger for us was the methodical and energic invasion of Dobrogea and with this,the threat of the entire flank of Romanian dispozitive.

Quick decission has to be made.


The ally help and our help

Faced with the bad turn of the events,it was obvious that the initial campaign plan could not be maintained entirely.Thr repartition of units on sectors had to be modified ,to strenghten the Southern Front ,threatened.At 7th of September ,the Great Romanian Headquarter suspends the offensive action of the three armies which operated on the Transilvanian frontier.General Alekseev was asked by telegrapf to strenghten the Russian troops in Dobrogea with two divisions more.General Joffre was asked to give the go to the beginning of the offensive of General Sarail,conform with the convention.A council of generals is met at the General Headquarter at Peris;took part also two old Generals ,without Commandment,General Iarca and General Crainiceanu.General Averescu opinions to stop the offensive at North and to be grouped a strong army for the offensive in Dobrogea.General Iarca proposes to be retreated two divisions from Oltenia ,to be formed reserves for the troops fighting at North,to be sent in to Dobrogea four divisions ,of those concentrated at South of Bucharest;the principal and urgent thing is that to to obtain in Dobrogea a fast and decissive victory .

The painful sacrifice of reducing the offensive army in Transilvania ,to strenghten the devensive front in Dobrogea ,is fulfiled .South of Bucharest is constituted under a new form ,the III-rd Army of Divisions 16th,18th,12th(taken from the I-st Romanian Army),half of the 10th Division,half of the 15th Division,Bucharest Detachment (Colonel Sturza and Alexandria Detachment.It is taken the Command of General Aslan and it is handed the Command of the III-rd Romanian Army to General Averescu;instead of General Averescu is named at the Command of the II-nd Romanian Army General Crainiceanu.The Command of the Russian-Romanian troops of Dobrogea is handed to General Zaioncikovski;all troops in Dobrogea receive the order to retreat,concentrating on the line Cuzgun-Caraomer which corresponded aproximatively with the old Dobrogean frontier.For strenghtening of the army in Dobrogea ,it is send the 2nd Division from Oltenia and the 5th Division from Brasov.Because Alekseev communicated that he cannot send anything to Dobrogea ,the decissive front being the one in Galitia ,it is decided to be sent to Dobrogea also the 12th Division from South of Bucharest,as well as the 15th Division which,in reality ,was a Brigade.It is renaunced at the ideea of sending the 16th Division and of a Brigade from the 1st Division of Cavalry,because it would have left Bucharest not enaugh defended from the South.The 8th Division which was intended to be brought to Bucharest,was engaged towards Miercurea Ciuc and could not be moved anymore.The transport of the troops in Dobrogea is done in order and fast.The spirits start to calm down.The Great Headquarter decides at 11th of September ,to begin in part,the offensive in Transilvania ,pushing forward the front of the II-nd Army,such that to connect the Olt Group with the Northern Romanian Army on a shorter line.Still,grave preocupation are linked with the Dobrogea matter.The eventuality of losing Dobrogea and the plan of evacuation of Oltenia begin to enter in the calculus of the High Romanian Commandment.Keeping the communication line with Rusia ,by strenghtening of the Northern Army is the principal concern.


In the French Council of Defence of 1th of September ,Mr.Briand reminded that ,by the protocol Briand-Loyd George of 11th of August 1916-which forseen the rising of the Russian aid in Dobrogea from 50 000 to 200 0000 men-,it is the moment to ask Russia for suplementary forces .General Jofrre replied that it seems difficult to ask Russia for this,when France needed troops on the French Front.Besides,the principal objective of the Romanian-Russian forces,consigned in their military convention ,remained Austro-Hungary;it could have not been prepared an offensive against Bulgaria before finishing with Austria.

Few days after this intervines the defeat of Turtucaia.At the telegram of the high Romanian Commandment ,General Joffre respounds at 11th of September .The French Generalisim admits the movement of the center of the action of our War over the Danube and the threat menacing in Dobrogea.First ,he thinks that "it must be strenghtened the troops in Dobrogea to obtain there a incontestable numeric superiority".General Joffre shows also that he has given the order to General Sarrail to take offensive on Macedonian Front ,to fix there Bulgarian forces on Grece territory and announces that will also ask General Alekseev to examine the possibility of sending new troops in Dobrogea.The French Generalisim admits that strenghtening the troops in Dobrogea will have as effect burden of the offensive in Transilvania ,but is of opinion that later ,when the situation would have reestablished in Dobrogea ,the initial plan-offensive in Transilvania-would have to be retaken with all strenght.

Towards General Janin,the military attache near Stavka[21],General Joffre ,exprims with more sincerity his opinion.Without taking into account of the Russian inaction on Moldavian Carpathians Front ,General Joffre thinks that the Romanian manoeuvre against the Austro-Hungarian has fallen because the advance of Romanians was not executed neither in time ,nor with the necessary energy.It has ,then,to be suspended this offensive ,with the solid instalation on most favorable positions of an economically offensive ,to assure the gained territory,and the Romanian forces which become available will have to be transported at the South where,together with the Russians ,to attack the Bulgarians in combination with the Orient Army.Because General Alekseev shows Romania an hostility which he doesen't even try to conceal,General Janin,has to make use of all his ascendent to determine the Russian Generalisim to have a more conciliant attitute towards his ally.To enable the Russians sending the necessary aid in Dobrogea,General Joffre declares through General Janian that he renaunces of the four brigades taht has to be send to France *,asking in exchange that they are send without delay in to Dobrogea.

In the same time ,the British attache ,Mr. Thompson communicates to the Great Romanian Headquarter the views of General Robertson,the Chief of the Great Staff of British Army.The decission on the Oriental Front cannot be obtained neither at Lamberg,nor at Przemysl,but at Budapest.That is why ,Russians have to send big forces into Dobrogea ,which-together with Romanians-beat the Bulgarians ;then to retake vigorous offensive to the North(Transilvania).

The measures of aid ,indicated by the French and by the British,have been realised in a very small measure.The Army of General Sarrail did not have the necessary strenght to enterprise an action in great style.She begun an offensive in an excentric point of the front ,whch have culminated finally with conquering of Monastirului[22]; then it has ceased entirely,without constituting for a moment a serious threat,as to necesitate the retreat of Bulgarian troops from the Dobrogean Front.As about the Russian aid,General Alekseev edged to send a new Division-the 115th Division-which has arrived when the big battle of Dobrogea was near the end.In exchange ,the Zar has telegraphied ,in His turn,to General Joffre,asking him to prescribe to General Sarail a more energic action.All these showed that the only salvation could only come from our own strenghts.

Russia has obliged to send to France 6 brigades of infantry.One of them has already arrived and has been pass to reviste at Mouilly by General Joffre.At 20th of August 1916,at point of embarkation at Marseille,to be send on Salonic Front ,the soldiers of one regiment mutiny and murder their Colonel.

General Averescu's criticism

The unsuccess of the battle on the old Dobrogean frontier brings again unrests.Some Romanian units ,unused with the fire ,have resisted weak and been overwhelmed by panic.

A new War Council is held on 15th of September .Takes part the King,Prime Minister Bratianu and Generals ,Iliescu,Culcer,Averescu and Prezan.General Averescu has sustained the ideas which he has written few days before in a report and a memoir,addressed to the King;they contain a harsh criticism of organizing of the army and of the plan of operations.After Averescu,the plan of operations which foresaw the offensive on two fronts ,is unrealisable and dangerous .It has to be given up to this plan and adopt defensive on one front and offensive on the other.As defensive front is imposing the one at the North,because it has limited vulnerable points ,the nature of the terrain makes possible the resistance with less forces ,defending the terrain step by step,and the adversary dose not dispose ,for the time being,of forces ,his concentration of forces could easily be threatened from flank by the Russian offensive.The offensive has to be taken from South,because on this front the enemy finds himself in strenght and threatening ;the terrain is favorable ,and the Capital of the Kingdoom is very close to the frontier .A victory on this front would have favorable repercussions over the operations enterprised on the allied front of Salonic.

Stretching his criticism over the matters of organization ,Averescu notices that a vigorous action is obstacled by the mixture of the units grouping-almost no division has not maintained the old fromation-of introducing of battalions of gathering-even of police with old weapons-of modifying of the battle order ,such that rare are the units which kept their Commanders that prepared them in the first place and have with the troop soul connections.Because of the strange and unstopped multiplying of the units,the assigning has weakened ,introducing at the bossom of the troop corps ,real elements of weakness.There are very weak units ,with updated weapons,without training ,real elements of panic,The experience of wars shows that the value of a troop is not measured by her strong elements ,but by the weak ones.


Pretaining the startegic conduct,it has been made the error that it has been mixed covering of mobilization with strategic unfolding,pushing the gathering of the troops beyond the border as,already,the covering troops were numerous enaugh.Because of this we have found ourselves with the Army stretched in a continuous cordon ,from Bucovina frontier to the Black sea ,without other disponibilities in depth ,but only the two divisions of "general reserve",the 10th and the 16th,the latter one being a very weak unit.

General Averescu propeses as a solution;a rectifying of the strategical dispozitive of the forces ,keeping on the Carpathians Front of only the strict necessary of troops for defence;to destine all availability into mobile troops to take an offensive in depth against Bulgaria.Apart from this he proposes a series of measures for organization ,especially taking out the formantions of gathering from the operational armies,to be taken into instruction camps,concentration of the units and commandments a.s.o.

General Prezan maintains of,on the contrary, the pursuing with energy of the initial plan,by increasing the forces of the IV-th Army(Northern),to threaten with veiling of the enemy front and oblige him to retreat behind the line of Mures .This solution not only broadened the neutral zone and of the operations and sided the danger of a strangling from Ardeal,on one side and from Dobrogea on the other side,but ensured in Moldavia an utile solid base of operations and a shelter towards Russian Army ,in case of defeat.


Reviewing the operation plan

The admitted solution was an intermediary one.It has been admitted the proposal of General Averescu to try a strong offensive on the Southern Front .To mask this principal operation ,it has been decided to continue also the offensive in Transilvania with our shortened forces.So,offensive on two fronts!The Romanian Army would had to operate on interior lines ,in two divergent directions ,with the forces stretched on an imense front.Daring decission,when in Dobrogea the phallanx of Mackensen was strenghtening more and more by new and strong units ,when in Transilvania heve started to appear the avanguards of German forces which were constituting under the Command of General Falkenhayn ,and our own army was missed of a strong reserve and,so,forced to lend forces from one front to the other ,in case of need.

For the new offensive it has been established a new group,under the name of "the Group of Southern armies".The Command of the group has been given to General Averescu.The group comprised of two formations :the Army from Dobrogea,made out of Romanian and Russian divisions,under the Command of Russian General Zaioncikovski.At the Danube ,South of Bucharest ,the III-rd Army has constituted ,under the direct Command of General Averescu,as a Danube Army,made out of six Romanian divisions ,with the aim of a daring offensive.In the distribution of troops on Dobrogean Front has been taken into calculus of the observations made during the first fights.The Russian troops ,being in continuous fights with the enemy for two years now,were less impressionable under the enemy fire,proceeded more methodically at building strongholds and were giving a better importance to the connections between units of all kinds and commandments,as did the Romanian troops,which were seeing for the first time the fire,and were made ,for a good part ,by elements with a military instruction, very modest.That is why,the Commandment has disposed for,on Dobrogean Front ,the troops to be mixed,intercalating Russian units between the Romanian ones .It will be seen later on, how the result of this measure has been the contrary of the one expected.


6.The Battle On Line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla

16th-21st of September

Concentration on to the fighting line

Mackensen continues with speed the advance towards North,on the tracks of the enemy which he thought defeated decissively.The pursiut has been made in the land of Southern Old Dobrogea.The terrain is of hills and gulleys, towards the ground sandy ,on a fundament of calcareous rocks ,on which the eye losses itself in the distance,without to meet even one tree.From distance to distance a terrain ondulation;a transversal valley,in which dose not flow no water on the surface but can be found at a small depth :there have been established the rare villages.Here and ther a conical ground mound,the old Sciti(Sciti or Sceti-population of Iranian origin established in the Northern Pontic Tundra in century 8th B.C.,according to Herodot) tumuls(graves wihich have a mound of ground over them).In the midst of this desolant plateau ,on the edge of a hill,is the ruin of Adamclisi,rising majestic,afirming the ancient right of the Latin people to the mastering of the land.And a little to the North,Roman Emperor Traian's Wave,the Roman Bank ,by which for centuries the barbarian hoardes have been brought to a stand still,it is a symbol and an encouragement.

The Romanian -Russians troops in retreat ,have been received by the units arrived from over the Danube River, and occupied a line of defence ,prepared beforehand,stretched acroos Dobrogea,perpendicular,from the Danube to the Black Sea.On this line ,General Averescu has decided to receive the battle.The line begins at the shore of Danube ,at Rasova,passes near villages Arabagi,Mulciova,Enigea,Cocargea,Cobadin,Topraisar,Tuzla until it meets the Black Seea .She follows ridges of hills and is made up of several rows of trenches.Some of the points as:Cobadin and Topraisar,are strongly organized ,beeing foreseen with barbed wire nets.From Rosova until Cocargea there are two Romanian Divisions:the 2nd Romanian ,arrived from Oltenia(General Socec),and the 9th Romanian ,retreated from Silistra(General Petala).Behind them disembark Divisions 15th Romanian(General Grigorescu) and 12th Romanian(General Gaiseanu).At Cocargea is the Serb Division;at Cobadin ,the 61st Russian Division.At Topraisar is the 19th Romanian Division(Colonel Scarisoreanu) ,retreated from Bazargic;between this one and the Russians ,the units of the 5th Romanian Division.A division of Russian Cavalry and a Brigade of Romanian Calarasi(horsemen) completes the Romanian-Serbian-Russian Army,which is Commanded by General Zaioncikovski.

Of the Romanian divisions,Divisions ;2nd-made out of nine battalions-5th and 12th are fresh units.The 9th Division has suffered felt losses at Silistra and in her retreat through Lipnita,Parachioi,Cuzgan,Cogeacoru and Adamclisi,in which time she has given continuously bloddy fights.Same as this ,the 19th Romanian Division which,retreating from Bazargic ,it almost did not have one day without fight.Bothe Divisions were tired and with the effectives halfed;their fighting strenght was shaken.The 15th Romanian Division,reconstituted after the Turtucaia desaster,it is in reality a brigade of seven battalions ,without artillery.

The Bulgarians are advancing against the Romanian -Russian line ,having at the left wing,along Danube River,the German Bode Brigade,and at the right wing ,towards the Black Sea,the Cavalry.The thick of the forces occupies the center :from left to right are 1st Sofia Division,4th of Preslav Division and the 6th of Vidin Division and Dobrici Corps ,which contains also the Turkish units arrived till now.The first two are big divsions of 6 regiments each.The forces of the two adversaries equivalizes numerically.The enemy ,however ,is superior in weaponry.Their units have many cannons -especially a lot of heavy artillery-German and Austrian one,as well as unnumbered machineguns.They have armoured cars and a big number of aeroplanes ,which bombards the front and the formations behind them and keep under continuous nerve racking the population of Constanta,Medgidia and Cernavoda,where their attacks ,made daily and without any scrupul,make numrous victims .The enemy has risen moral in the wake of the last victories and is lead by a famous General.But also the Romanians know well ,that by the faith of the battle which begins ,hangs the faith of Dobrogea and of the War.The fight will be given "over life and death".


The Fight at Arabagi

Mackensen aims the principal attack towards the right Romanian wing ,between Rasova and Cobadin,with German and Bulgarian troops .At the extreme right Romanian,the German Brigade Bode attacks strong along the Danube to force the road towards Cernavoda and get his hands on the big bridge,of which elegance can be seen through the fog at 12 Miles distance.Believing in their superiority and thinking the Romanians still dizzied by the defeat in the eve,the Germans are sure that,by a a daring strike ,will get their hands on Cernavoda Bridge.On the line Rasova-Arabagi are ,though,receptioned by the first troops of the 2nd Romanian Division:The 3rd Brigade made out of Regiments 3rd Olt and 19th Romanati.The Romanians attack with strenght ,The Germans are rejected,they have to leave Poluci Village and they barely can retreat their heavy batteries which they drag with themThe left wing of the 1st Bulgarian Division ,threatened with veiling,intervenes in to the fight.In the violent fight which go on till evening ,is wounded deadly Colonel Ilie Antonescu,the Commander of the 4th Romanian Brigade.A panic produces in the Romanian troop,which receive the baptize of fire.Under the lively and precise fire of the enemy,the Romanians retreat;the 14th Artillery Regiment losses few of the cannons .But the regiment intervenes ,sustained by 9th Artillery,covers the retreat,rejects the Bulgarians and reestablishes the front.

The left of the Romanian Brigade did not succeed to link up with the right of 9th Division,in the retreat of Silistra.Through the empty space made ,at Arabagi,the enemy manages to sneak,threatening to breakhrough the Romanian front ,before it could have well strenghtened.The situation becomes critical .An heoic intervention produces,however ,in this moment.The troops of the 15th Divsion enter the fighting line.The 53rd Infantry Regiment ,from Iasi,left at 7am from Cernavoda,arrives after forced marchings ,at 12,30 at Arabagi.The Commanders of companies go in reconnisance but,before they came back,the Regiment has to start to attack.Battalions 2nd and 3rd are in the first line ,and the 1st Battalion in the second.The soldiers start with elan to attack with bayonet ,having in their temple the Commander himself ,Colonel Brosteanu.On the ridges of uncovered hills ,the enemy artillery bombards violently the Romanian troop,which advances with determination;the Commanders of Companies run ,seeking their Companies ,ahed of which they place themselves.The losses are big,the Commander fells wounded,but the troops arrive in to the enemy positions.The first Romanian line is rejected ,but the second line succeeds in occupying the elevation of Arabagi.The situation is reestablished,the 9th Division could fix herself on the elevations of Mulciova, and the 14th Artillery Regiment has regained part of the lost cannons.The Romanian front reestablishes solid at this Western extremity of the defence line.The Romanian Divisions 2nd ,15th and 9th constitute a group under the Command of General Socec.Although the principal action unfolds a little to the East ,still the fight did not burn out here ,either;for three days the Germans and Bulgarians have given numerous attacks in this region of gulleys and hills ,for to make way towards Cernavoda.At Rasova at Balta Baciului,in Cinghinea Forest ,troops of the 2nd Division, especially the heroic 66th Regiment ,and at Arabagi troops of the 15th Division have firmly defended the positions and the enemy did not pass.

A very pretious aid has given ,in these fights,the scuadron of monitors from Danube River .The monitors have bombarded the left flank of the enemy and forced him to withdraw a part of the heavy caliber artillery,which bombred our positions on the front ,to advance defensive batteries on to the shore.Under the strong bombardment of these batteies the squadron on Danube have executet,however,an offensive move behind enemy front,passing in front of Mirleanu Lake ,until close to Oltina.The squadron did not suffer any serious loss,with all the terible bombardment ,which determined Mackensen to destitute the Commanders of the said batteries.


The Fight of Cocargea

The principal action of the enemy was aimed over the sector from Mulciova until Cocargea.Here they have to make the runthrough of the Romanian Front to fall behind the position of Cobadin.

The Bulgarians have placed here ,for the decissive attack ,the best troops they had:Divvisons 1st and 4th and brought a numerous heavy artillery and airplanes.The planned attack for the day of 17th of September have been postponed with one day ,to give time to the heavy artillery ,to assume positions ,such that the battle begun at 18th of September.The Romanian positions were occupied between Mulcova and Cocargea by two Brigades of the 9th Romanian Division withdrew from Silistra;at Cocargea was also the Serb Division.In the morning of 18th Bulgarians have begun a formidable artillery fire .There were concentrated in this sector,apart from the organic artillery of the two Bulgarian divisions -field cannons and howitzers-2nd Regiment and a divizion from 1st Regoment of heavy artillery and three long batteries,German.The answer of the Romanian batteries,inferior in numbers ,calibers and lenght of firing range,was weak and without effectiveness ,against the enemy artillery,which she coud not reach.When,however,towards midday,the enemy infantry started to show in bands ,sneaking through valleys ,hiding behind bushes and terrain crests ,the Romanian cannons started to beat with power and with effect,forcing the enemy groups to scatter and spread and run behind shelters .By evening,the fight lasted without any success ,but with big losses from the part of the attackers .The Bulgarians could not rove through the Valley Diordingi-Orman,in front of the Romanian positions ,where they left only crowds of dead and wounded.The violent attacks ,given with the troops of the 2nd Sofia Brigade and with the left wing of Preslav Division against Cocargea Village ,had a partial success.After ferocious fights and bloddy counterattacks ,the Romanians and Serbs had to withdraw in the positions North of the Village.Thinking they have found here the key of success ,the Bulgarians have attacked the next day,19th of September ,early in the morning with forces of heavy artillery and with the whole infantry of Divisions 1st and 4th,in sector Mulciova-Cocargea.The height Cogeaiuc-147m -was especially the target of the enemy attacks .Numerous aeroplanes and a captive ballon were directing the aim of this formidable artillery.Inferior to the enemy artillery,the Romanian artillery ,installed on the Hills Carasu,Cisme and Pribei,was of a frightening precission faced to the infantry attacks.Overwhwlmed by the killing fire of howitzers and shrapnels ,the waves of enemy attacks which were advancing in the terrain,uncovered ,were cut down,disbanded and mixtured with the Earth.Piles of dead bodies and wounded covered the Valley Diordingi-Orman.

....


In Cocargea sector the Bulgarian troops ,exploiting the succes in the eve ,have given violent attacks towards Spapunar.The Romanian Brigade Frimu of the 9th Division and the Serbs have oposed a fiercely resistance .In the midst of the fight arrive the Romanian reinforcements ,waited with anxiety.There are two Regiments of the 12th Division ,which have disembarked at Cernavoda in the eve by evening and which have marched all through the nigt in a stretched pace.The 68th Gaiesti Regiment ,Commanded by Colonel Meleca ,is enterd the fight at West of Cacearnac,and the 60th Teleorman Regiment -Colonel Stoenescu-at Spapunar.Both regiments attack with furry;overwhelmed by the fires of the enemy the soldier only stop to throw them ahead again.From Cogeaiuc Hill ,the artillery of the 22nd Regiment and especially a battery(four cannons)of howitzers of 150 mm ,commanded by Captain Dragalina ,support the fight of the infantry ,making ravages in the enemy rows.After three very bloody attacks ,the 68th Romanian Regiment has occupied all the hills line Caceamac-Orman,seizing the Bulgarian positions ,and the 60th Regiment has reoccupied Hill Dichilitas and Cocargea Village.The right wing of the Serb Division which,being surprised and caught by the violent fires of the enemy,has started to withdraw ,was received by the of the 12th Romanian Division,sustained and fixed on line Biubiuc-Mazarlic-Bair.the Bulgarian attacks against the height Cogeaiuc have been ,as weel bloody rejected.The 31st Varna Regiment has been almost entirely destroied ,its remains set to run in disband.The Romanian and Serb troops have entered the Bulgarian artillery line and have captured a battey of howitzers and some field cannons.With great difficulty the Bulgarians could regain few of the cannons.

The Bulgarian offensive was broken.The faith of the battle turned entirely .At 12,30 pm the Bulgarian General Draganov reports to the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army that the situation of Sofia Division is desperate....."With great difficulty we maintain the positions ,neither I nor the Commanders of Brigades have no more support;the projectiles have ended ;the position we keep with hte last forcings....".At his turn,General Kiselov ,the Commander of the 4th Preslav Division ,reports at 19 hours,that he is forced to begin retreat,and to the injunctions of his Commander to maintain the position with any price ,he replies:"We will acomplish your order of dying on position,but my duty is to bring to your knowledge that the units are in a crisis and ,2-3 attacks more by enemy part ,an every thing could be lost ...".In truth,this sole Division has lost in this day 46 Officers and 2568 men,dead or wounded as well as 43 cannons taken out of the fight.Only in the front of the Serb Division were collected,amongst other trophees ,more than 5000 rifles.

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Unfortunatelly ,from our part ,the exhaustion of the troops ,the lack of connection between troops of first line and Commandments ,and the undecissiveness of the High Russian Commandment,did not permit to apreciate the importance of the obtaied succes and its expoatation,A part of the troops of the 12th Romania Division were exhausted ;they have been brought in forced marchings and send to the fight directly,so by evening they had to be taken out of the fighting front and brought back for rest.Some units of the 61st Russian Division,from reserve ,heave been brought to the front to replace the Romanians.But to convince the Russians to go on the front line ,it was needed to set the artillery in to position against them.This from the order of Russian General Semanski himself!


Serb Division

In the Fight of Cocargea,near the Romanian troops ,have fought with heroism and have suffered heavy losses the Serb Division.It was a troop of volunteers ,recruited from prisoners of Serb origin and Croat.They fought in the Austr-Hungarian Army but,at the first favorable moment,have left the flag of the opressor to surrender to the Russians;they have embraced with enthusiasm the ideea of forming of a volunteers corps,to fight together with the allies for the cause of liberation of enslaved people ,their own cause .To assigne them,it has been brought Officers from Corfu Island ,were there were in remaking the rests of the Serb Army,saved by the retreating desaster through Albania.The first Serb Division has entered in Romania since the first day of general mobilization.Made up of men who lost almost everything :country,family,home,dominated by a patriotism fanatic which was not equaled, but probably by the hatered against the enemy perfid and savage,they will constitute the elite element of the Russian aid.The Commander of he Division is Colonel Stepan Hagici,to which the French writer Robert de Flers,which accompanies the General Headquarter of the Army in Dobrogea,makes a pitoresque description:"(...) A famous man,with wide shoulders ,with round face and a thick black mustache ,with the air in the same time friendly and terible.He shines of health and courage.He is a fat hero".

In the days of 18th and 19th of September ,the Serb Division has fought with heroism against the fiercely attacks of Bulgarians at Cocargea.The Commander of a Serb Regiment,Colonel Matici,wounded at the hand,continues to Command the troop and dies,receiving a second bullet in the open mouth to shout to his men words of spirit for attack.


The Fight at Cobadin

As the Bulgarian center suffered the defeat at Cocargea,the right wing,made up of the 6th Division of Vidin,the Dobricene troops and the Cavalry Division,were attacking the Russian -Romanian positions from Cobadin, until the Black Sea.The 6th Bulgarian Division had especially to give the big hit;conquering Cobadin.The whole day of 18th of September the Bulgarians have exhausted in sterile forcings against height 137 in front of Cobadin.However,the initial success,reputed in this day at Cocargea ,have given them courage;for the second day,19th of September ,the fight had to be restarted with outstanding vigor,on the whole line until the Black Sea.Cobadin had to be seized regardless of price,by the combined attack of the Divin Division and of the Dobricene troops .These last ones,have been strenghtened with a Turkish Brigade and with German artillery.Defending the central position at Cobadin was handed to the 61st Russian Division;in her right at Caceamac was a Brigade of the 5th Romanian Division;in the left were other Romanian troops of the 5th Division and 19th Division,forming up a group under the Command of General Hartel. The morning of 19th of September had drain down in a reciprocal bombardment of artillery.The Bulgarian attack has produced near midday;12 battalions of the 6th Bulgarian Divison and seven battalions of Debricene troops took part in the attack.At Ceamac,the 8th Buzau Regiment,Romanian, suffers heavy losses ,but rejects the enemy attack.In front of Cobadin,the 35th Vraca Regiment ,Bulgarian,is almost completely distroied and cannot trial a second attack.The 6th Vidin Division begins a precipitated retreat.The column in the left of Dobricene troops ,which had to concur at the attack of Cobadin,had to face up towards North-East at Osmancea to the attack of the Romanian troops of the 19th Division.A little to the East,the Bulgarian Cavalry Division ,which had received the order to execute a wide movement of going around in the left Romanian flank ,at East of Topraisar,have been receptioned by Romanians with cannon fires and rifles ones ,wherever they presentet .Noticing that this flank has stretched until the Sea ,the Bulgarian Cavalry has been forced to take measures for own defence.


Bulgarian retreat

In the evening of 19th of September ,the situation of Bulgarians had become critical.The Bulgarian center:2nd Sofia Brigade ,the 4th Division and th 6th Division Vidin,were decissively beaten,disorganized and incapable not only to fight in attack,but to resist in defence agins an eventual attack.All the enemy troops were now disposed in a cordon and without any reserve behind.Demoralized and scared by the threat of a desaster ,the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army gave the order of breaking of the fighting contact and of general retreat.Even during the night of 19th-20th of September ,the enemy started the retreat towards the strenghtened positions he has prepared at 6-8 Miles behind the fighting front .The retreat of 1st Sofia Division has produced in the midst of a big panic and disband .As a result of the two days of fiercely fights ,it has only remained an imense field of war material ,scattered all over the place.The villages are arsoned by the troops in retreat;toungues of fires and thick columns of smoke are the sign of envy and fury of the defeated one.

The enemy offensive against line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla has ended.Mackensen could write at the passive of his military career the first defeat.And the enmy official communicates of 17th and 18th of September announce the beginning of a new battle on the whole line of the front which,ofcourse,"unfolds in our favour".The German communicate becomes ,all of a sudden modest at 19th of September ,announcing that"are given violent fights with variate result" and that"the enemy opposes the most stubborn of resistance".At 20th of September ,the Germans announce laconically:"In Dobrogea ,the fight has stopped".


The Offensive of the 19th Division at the left wing

In the day of 20th of September ,the Bulgarian troops have occupied ,in their retreat,a line which started from Danube River,at Aliman and passes through Enigea,Chioseler,Carabaca,Merdvelipunar,-height 134-Cearaliuc,on the road Cavaclar-Sofular,Amzacea-Perveli-Black Sea.The right wing ,from the Sea,of the Bulgarian Front ,constituted esentially of cavalry,being weak,has been strenghtened with Turkish troops ,newly arrived ;Regiments 59th and 75th de Nizami[24] from 25th Turk Division have occupied the position between Erebler and Azaplar,to be able to intervine in the case of an attack between Dobricene troops and the Cavalry Division.Her also begun to gather the 15th Turk Division which was put under the Command of Hilmi Pasa,the Commander of the 25th Turk Division.

Under the impressions of the victory reputed at 18th and 19th against the Bulgarian offensive,encouraged by the fact that the 115th Russian Division begins to disembark at Constanta,the Commander of the allied troops in Dobrogea calculated that the moment is favorable to enterprise a counteroffensive .The day of 20th of September has been left for rest.At 21st,the counteroffensive begins at the left wing -of East-by the Romanian troops of the General Hartel Group.The offensive movement was made on three columns .The most Eastern column ,leaving from Musurat,occupies Muratan and establishes on a height South of the village.At the center ,the 17th Brigade,Colonel Stan Poetas leaving from Topraisar ,has defeated the enemy and seized Amzacea village ;wanting to advance more to the South ,it is received by intersected fires of enemy artillery from direction Azaplar and Carachioi.Supported only by a battery with fast firing and one with slow shooting,the brave soldiers of the 9th Hunters Regiment and 40th Infantry Regiment attack the enemy and away it from Carachioi Village towards Mustafaaci.The Romanians advance ,repulsing all the time the troops of infantry and cavalry ,Bulgarian,ansd arrive on the line Mustafaaci-Azaplar.By evening,the Bulgarians try a disperate charge with two escadrons of Cavalry,but Romanians ,which have advanced to much with this column,retreat at Carachioi.The column inthe right side is made up by the troops of the 5th Mixt Brigadet;leaving from Engemahale ,they attack and seize Enghez Buiuc Village.Here,however,the Brigade falls in the middle of a violent concentric artillery fire ,especially of heavy artillery and is attacked by numerous troops of infantry with machineguns ,against which,our cannons with slow firing are of no aid.The troops of the Brigades 5th and 17th remain on the conquered positions ,with all the heavy casualties , and retrench before the nightfall.The troops of the 36th Infantry Brigade of the 5th Romanian Division,which were waiting in defensive ,at the right side of the 19th Romanian Division ,are attacked by the enemy-Dobricene troops and the 74th Turk Regiment -from the direction of Sofular and Enghez.With all the attacks that the enemy is making until midnight ,he cannot make any progress and it is continuously repulsed by artillery fires ,strenghtened with few Russian batteries with fast firing.

The Russians does not take part at this offensive action:the 3rd Russian Cavalry Division,which is at the left side of the Romanians ,as well as the 61st Infantry Division ,which is at the right side of Romanians ;they stay unmoved ,although big movements of Bulgarian troops are made in front of their front ,to concentrate against Romanians.At the invite of General Hartel,General Zaioncikovski replies that it has been decided,in the wake of talks with General Averescu,to not engage any major battle on this front.

With all the beautiful success on on line Enghez-Carachioi-Amzacea,faced with this situation and of the danger of being attacked from behid in the advanced position of Enghez,where the enemy has a considerable superiority,numerical and of artillery,General Hartel suspends the offensive and retreats the right wing in the start position.Amzacea remains ,however in our hand.The line Amzacea-Perveli,conquered at 21st of September ,is strenghtened in the following days ,even under the fires of the enemy.

From its part ,the enemy establishes itself in front of our positions,stretching its front through Preveli until the Black Sea,strenghtening its front line in the whole stretch with deep trenches and with strong obstacles of wire entanglements.

. Comments over the Battle of Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla

The great offensive of Mackensen has finished with a definitive fiasco.The attacker had to crawl back in to the trences,in waiting fore some better days and of greater reinforcements.It is characteristic for the much trumpeted German probity,the total silence with which was now covered this great failure.The official descriptions ,published by the Great German Headquarter ,pretend to ignore entirely the big battle.They talk pure and simple about an inevitable "rithm" of the advance movements ,which the German armies had to present also in Galitia campaign,Polonoa campaign and Serbia campaign,explained by the difficulties of the organization of services behind the front.The German correspondent of "Frankfurter Zeitung",Major Endres ,gives a relation more sincere of the battle:"Mackensen did not weak the pursiut of the enemy.Already ,at 16th of September,lively fights were engaged on the front of the Romanian-Russian positions.The Russians and Romanians managed even ,in the terrain in front of their defence line and namely at South of line Cobadin-Topraisar,to repute tactical successes and,by this,to give the impression ,for few days(!) that the offensive crossed on their side.But already,at 20th of September,our daily communicate could announce that the fights have ceased".

It is of great interest the explanation which Ludendorff gives in his memoirs to the enemy insuccess:"Feldmarshal von Mackensen kept his left wing along the Danube and exercises over this point the greatest of pressures which he could make.The forces of the enemy,which were concentrating on the line Oltina Lake -Caraomer,had to be pushed towards the coast of Black Sea.The German Bode Detachment ,which was at the left wing ,pushed this position by a daring leap and continued its advance,descending along the Danube River.But the Bulgarians had not been ready fast enaugh.They had attacked ,as well,but the enemy could retreat at 15th of September,in order.The III-rd Bulgarian army have missed the ocasion to repute an admirable success.The enemy could establish again in position Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla,fortified before the war.It is renaunced soon (?) at the trials made for taking this position.The offensive force of the Bulgarian-Turk forces ,that were there,were not sufficient for this goal".


With all the clear defeat of the enemy and with the fact that,thanks to the arriving on the terrain of the 115th Russian Division,our superiority over the enemy started to afirm,General Zaioncikovski did not find of use to enterprise the pursiut of the defeated enemy.Either because he thought his troops weakened,by the continuous fight which these ones supported time of three weeks,or because his soul structure did not permit him daring initiatives,or he subjected himself to some misterious suggestions which paralised any energic action on our front ,the Russian Commander of the ally forces in Dobrogea edged himself to notice the defeat of the enemy and to look impassive how ,under his eyes ,this one proceeds at strenghtening of his front and at the methodic prepearing of future actions.

With the Battle of Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla it ends the first phase of the fights in Dobrogea .Started under such tragic conditions,it has been reached an equilibrium of forces and to a stabilization of the front .Mackensen did not succeed -truly-to crown his masterpiece.The Bridge "King Carol the I-st",Constanta Harbour and the line of metal roads which unites them,were in the hands of Romanians and served as base of revitalizing of the forces which kept strong a powerful defence line -the new wave of Roman Emperor Traian-against the barbarian hoardes of invasion.

We have ,however, to confess that the operations in Dobrogea brought to the enemy an important strategical success.He forced us to focus our attention over the Southern Front and to diminish our forces in Transilvania,just when there , prepearing the big offensive of Falkenhayn started.Then,our military force and,together with it also the moral force which results from the self confidence,have received felt blows.We have lost two divisions ,two fortresses have fallen:the enemy reached the heart of Dobrogea .He surrounded the flank of Muntenia(Wallachia),kept on stop numerous forces ,of ours and of our allies ,from a strong position and on a shortened and threatened front,permanently on the important artery of our communications ,connecting us with the Black Sea.

The victory on the line Rasova-Cobadin-Tuzla was only a happy episode which permitted us to breath for a moment and recollect ourselves.The situation continued to remain unrestful in the heighest degree;it pressed our souls like a bad dream.In the general conscience of the public opinion ,it feelt that had to be ended by a daring strike.The offensive of General Averescu on the Southern front answered to some spiritual needs as much as it corresponded to military necessity.


7.Romanian Counteroffensive on the Southern Front

a)Flaminda Try

General Averescu offensive

At 2nd of October the Romanian official communicate brought a senzational news;"The Romanian troops have crossed the Danube,between Rusciuck and Turtucaia".and,"In Dobrogea we attacked on the whole front...".

An entusiasm without borders overwhwlmed the whole Kingdom.The laconic news was in the mind of every Romanian,the prelude of glorious events ,which had to clean up the shameful spot of Turtucaia and to bring an end to the nightmare in Dobrogea.

The daring offensive was connected to the name of General Averescu,and the General had in front of the army and the public of a very big credit.By the clearness of his solutions ,by his great strenght of work,by the safety and calm which he could maintain in the most critical moments,but especially by the need of the masses to put their trust,in critical times,in a providential character ,General Averescu awoke in the masses of the army,as those of the people,a trust translated by a popularity without equal in the Romanian Army.The public opinion reclamed him from one front to another,where the situation was critical and his presence in front of an army rose the moral of the soldiers and counted as a sure element of success.With all the discretion imposed by the military operations ,in Bucharest was not a secret anymore that at the Danube is prepeared a" hit".The indiscretions of the officers which came with different assignements in Bucharest,the locvacity,especially of the women,which found out from relatives or friends -undoubtfully under the strictest secrecy-the preparations made at the Danube,had as result that in Bucharest the operation at Danube was expected by everybody with cold aprehension,but also wit an explicable unrest.The news about the success of crossing the Danube made to reborn in every heart the hopes ,which the rows of endured dezasters blew them away.The iremediable optimism ,which the dissapointments have atenuated a bit,it reflamed with power and,on the streets of Bucharest,one hour after the reading of the sober communique ,everybody knew that Rusciuk and Turtucaia were in the hands of Romanians,and the Romanian Cavalryis at Razgrad!

The Supreme Romanian Commander,King Ferdinand of Romania,adopting the proposal of General Averescu,put to his disposition,together with the Commandment of the Groups of the Southern Armies ,also the most formidable military force which was given to a General in the Romanian War:17 divisions,of which 10 divisions (six Romanans and four Russian) made up the Dobrogea Army and seven divisions formed up the III-rd Romanian Army of Danube-more than half of the totality of the operations army.The size of this army was in raport with the pursued goal.

General Averescu conceived the plan of this offensive with the next face:with the Debrogea Army to attack the enemy frontal,to throw him to the South.In the same time it will attack him in to the flank and back with the III-rd Army,croosing over the Danube,South of Bucharest,at fFaminda.The complete success of the hit would have had incalculable consequences:the III-rd Rmanian Army falls behind and over the communication lines of the Bulgarian Army in Dobrogea,the entire enemy front in Dobrogea was turned over,Mackensen in deroute.Dobrogea free.Even if it would succeed in part,meaning if it would succeed in creating a bridgehead on the Southern shore of Danube,it was a nail thrust in to the rib and back of the enemy ,which would have obstacled or paralised its actions.

Not everybody trusted General Averescu trust in the planned strike.General Alekseev brought to attention through Colonel Tatarinov,the Russiam military attache ,that the operation seems risky to him.The enemy should be thrown out of Dobrogea by the action of the Russian-Romanian Army in Dobrogea,and if it is talk about crossing the Danube ,it would be preferably to trial by Rahova,in direction Berkovica -Sofia.Averescu replied that"the fights in Dobrogea will have more chances of success ,if the III-rd Army would be able to thrust a nail as weak as it be in to the rib and back of the enemy.As of a passing through Rahova ofcourse that General Alekseev did not consulte well the map".Same reservations were expressed also by the French attache Desprez ,and even Bratianu(prime minister) confessed that "he trembled when he heard the exposition of the plan for an expedition in Bulgaria with two or three divisions".

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Prepearing the counteroffensive

The principal action in this counteroffensive came to the new III-rd Romanian Army,created at the Danube .It was given to General Averescu three new Divisions:the 10th Division,General Vaitoianu,the 21st Division, General Lambru and the 22nd Division,General Aristide Razu.The 10th Division was made out especially of Vlasceni(men from Vlasca) and Dobrogeni(men from Dobrogea);she constituted till here the General Reserve of the Army.Divisions 21st and 22nd were new formations ,organized after the beginning of the War of regiments taken from other divisions.The three Divisions constituted the V-th Army Corps .Next to the V-th Corps the III-rd Romanian Army comprised also the VI-th Corps ,made out of Divisions 16th and 18th ,divisions of second hand ,made out of a small number of battalions ,all formed after the War Declaration,troops tasked with the guard of Danube River,as well as the 1st Cavalry Division -24 escadrons .In total,the III-rd Army had 53 battalions ,24 escadrons ,48 field batteries ,seven heavy batteries and one A.A battery.There were also two Fixed Detachments ,with artillery destined for defending the left shore of Danube.It was also examined the possibility of calling the 23rd Division from Olt Front.

A comission,prezided by General Vaitoianu ,the Commander of the 10th DIvision ,prepared the works necessary for the offensive.In 12 days were build roads for access to the Danube through the field full of water holes, with water, of Flaminda;it was gathered material for the two bridges which had to be thrown over the Danube River ,as well as some 250 boats for troops transport ;it has been taken measures of precaution against an eventual attack of the enemy river monitors,which were hidden in Belene Channel ,South of Persina Islet.These last measures constituted especially of installing of an infantry and artillery post in Cinghinelor Islet,(ostrov=Islet),in front of the exit from Belene Canal ,downstream and of building a dam ,by drowning of barges in Tabanu Canal ,7Miles upstream of Flaminda.There were also set explosives mines ;there were however defectous constructed and their installation made -by premature explosions-grave accidents.Before they become dangerous for the enemy they proove dangerous for those handeling them.

What forces could Bulgarian oppose to these five divisions of infantry and one of cavalry,to defend the back of the front in Dobrogea?The recconnissances made with airplanes in the days of 28th and 29th of September ,noticed that,apart from the small garissons from Rusciuk and Turtucaia there was no other enemy troop on a ray of 19 Miles in depth.The Commander of the III-rd Army thought,as such, that he may count on surprise and on the imense superiority of the Romanian troops,as safe elements of success.A coincident happening made that Bulgarians to have in the region of passing through,a small number of troops ,with which to face the first attack.At 29th of September ,Marshal Mackensen orders the retaking of the enmy offensive in Dobrogea against the line Rasova-Cobadin;to increase the effectives of the attack army,disposed the sending on the front of the seven battalions which constituted the garrison of the strenghtened ponts Turtucaia and Silistra.In their place had to come other troops of militia (police) from Rusciuk and Varna ,and in the place of these,were brought other detachments from Sumla and Burgas.As the Bulgarian troops executed the marchings ,forced by these movements,fell unexpectedlly the bomb of crossing of the III-rd Romanian Army of the Danube.


Crossing the Danube

In the evening of 30th of September ,the marsh of Flaminda was ant-ing with Romanian troops .The moral was one of the highest between officers and soldiers :the victory was sure.The troops of the 10th Division were in the first line ,stretched on Danube shore in fron of Lung Islet and Coreia Islet,ready for embarkation;the 21st Division in the second line ,was coming on the driveway Prundu Belu-Flaminda;in the third line was the 22nd Division at Comana.The VI-th Army Corps was in zone Jarcaleti-Fratesti,and the Cavalry at Prundu Belu.

At 3 in the morning,in the day of 1st of October,200 boats loaded with soldiers from the Infantry Regiments ,5th Vlasca and 20th Teleorman ,detachet from the Romanian shore,at the tail of Lung Islet and slipped in silence through darkness and fog which covered the Danube ,towards the Bulgarian shore.After few minutes,the convoy entered the arm of Big Danube .Ant then the cannons on the Romanian shore begin the bombardment of the shore in front ,and especially Villages Reahovo,Bobovo and Breaslen.Under the protection of this firing range ,the Romanian troops disembark on the Bulgarian shore ,away a weak enemy detachment and occupy Rehovo Village.The convoys of empty boats get back to take some more troops.All through the morning the small boats and portices cut through the shine of the Danube water ,in an unstoppable coming and going;at 11,30 ,all the five Infantry Regiments of the 10th Romanian Division are on Bulgarian shore.At 10 begin to cross on boats also troops of the 21st Romanian Division;by evening croos four battalions of the Regiments 61st and 46thof Infantry with a machinegun company and a battery of small cannons of 53mm.In the same time,as under the protection of the cannon of artillery,infantry troops were crosing the Danube on boats,handy pontooneers and daring sailors begun the stretching of the bridge,which had to connect strong the two shores ,to make possible for the other troops the crossing,of infantry ,cavalry and artillery,convoys of wagoons.The pontoons have been brought from Galati by train and then with wagoons and kept hidden in the wood behind Lung Ostrov(Lung Islet).The operation started at 5 in the morning and,at the beginning all went well,although a little slow,because the dragging motor boats did not have enaugh power.A strong wind started to blow in the afternoon ,making work difficult.By evening the situation begun to get worse.Big waves ,rose by the wind more and more violent,threatened to turn over the boats filled with men and obstacled the works for the bridge.In the same time ,appear the enemy aeroplanes ,throwing bombs over the bridge and over the line filled with men.We did not have aeroplanes to combat them.The aerian defence ,which had to have 14 planes in the morning of 1st of October at Mihai Bravu,could not constitute.Two airplanes "Nieuport" piloted by French aviators have forced landing on the road and broke down;the Russian squadron ,made out of five planes ,arrived only on the 20th of September,and the Romanian plane ,concentrated in the same sense,2 "Nieuport" and 4 "Voisin" could not defende the bridge effectivelly ,being few in number and of older types than the foreign planes.In this way,the foreign airplanes have planed for four hours over the bridge and mursh,making numerous victims and producing panic and the delay of works.With this occasion it has distinguished General Lambru,the Commander of the 21st Division which,taking the Command of the works of the bridge ,after the wounding of the Commander of the pontooneers,have given proves of courage and cold blood,sitting all the time of the bombardment on to the bridge and encouraging ,by his example ,the soldiers.Officer Warodin Dumitru from the Staff of the 21st DIvision has worked all through the night with unfearful energy,helpping himself of the improvised pontooneers ,at the reparation of the damages caused by the storm and by the bombardment*.


With all the hardships ,at 7th in the evening ,after 14th ours of work,the bridge was ready.As if the trials over the day have not been enaugh,over the night ,the gale became stronger ,transforming in to a violent storm,acompanied by torential rain.The waves tore the bridge in two places ,separating it into three blocks.With unsaid difficulty the blocks have been tide up together.Towards the morning ,the waves gave to the bridge very strong lateral oscillations ,the rain wich fell into curtains made the bridge slipery,putting in danger the crossing of the horses and carriages.Around 4 in the morning the waves ripped off the anchor of a portice and ,taken over by the current of the river it smashed the bridge into the Bulgarian shore,breaking it again. The new reparation,necessitated by this accident ,was executed till 6 in the morning when it begun to crossing the infantry troops of the 21st Division,the artillery of the 10th Division and the cannons of all the regiments of the two Divisions.Great difficulties were met also at the establishing of the "dead head"-the beam of shore, on Bulgarian shore-because the waves were eating the ground thrown and the terassament has to be supported at all times as the bridge lasted.

Anyway , the operation succeeded.In the morning of the 2nd of October ,two Romanian Divisions were on the Bulgarian shore.

At the Headquarter of the Army of Mackensen ,the surprise had been complete.The Germano-Bulgarian Commander was emotioned.The friendly press was jubilee.The daring strike seemed to change all of a sudden the faith of our War on the Southern Front,so cruel until then.

.

"I have build the bridge at Flaminda(18/19 November 1916),all the pontooneers officers being dead,helping myself with reservists ,Lipoveni(men from Lipova) ,pontoneers of Regiments 33th ,and 73th reserve Tulcea ,and dragging boats "Catina " and "Rindunica". I have worke time of 2 days and 3 nights under bombardment of 8 German enemy aeroplanes and of the Austrian monitors, which closed in ,to a Mile of the bridge,masking themselves behind an islet in the middle of Danube covered witha marsh and thick vegetation and being continuously blasted by the shrapnels which broke at about 80-100 meters above the bridge and pontoons,which killed the pontooneers ,but gravely ,they made heavier the pontoons whch threatened to take water ,sink and together with them the bridge.

(I have ordered special teams under command ,which with all the fiercely enemy attacks,which intensified all the time with the aim of defeating our tenacity and determination and produce disband and panic,they went on shore and brought branches from which we made caps and covered the holes of the pontoons).

The danger increased any minute and threatened to become catastrophe,touching the final goal of the enemy,meaning breaking the bridge(eventually blowing it up )and the try of the pontooneers,by the mines launched by the enemy monitors on the stream of the water and by the wodden-vessels filled with gunpowder ,which the same monitors were launching in the midddle of the river,where the Danube had the greatest torrent.

The 75 mm field artillery bombarded hitting in full the monitors ,but these ones being protected by cuirasses ,the bombing had no effect whatsoever.In exchange,the enemy avition killed over 200 officers and 1000 men and set panic into the troops of the bridge head(troops already on the other shore).

Everywhere you could only hear the curses and blastings of the mutilated soldiers ,against the ones who send them to war with empty hands,to be able to steal and get rich.

All these happened during a storm which made the bridge to move 50-100 m laterally and 6-10 meters in elevation..Eye witnesses:Generals Lambru Dumitru,Stefanescu Amza,Berlescu,Stefanescu Stefan,Lt Colonel Vasilescu Stefan from Intendence,witnesses:Rasuceanu and Berlescu.

Also ,myself,I have turned around the Brigades of General Petala which had advanced towards Turtucaia and arrived 40 Km from the Bulgarian territory and the 10th Division of General Vaitoianu which had already been crossed over in boats as troops of "bridge head" and occupied the region Rahova,Babovo,Malo-Vranovo,Breslen-Tetevo.Eye witnesses:Generals Petala,Vaitoianu,former prime minister,Amza Stefanescu,Argeseanu and Colonel Marcu Ulpin.

With this occasion ,myself had also two wounded horses with me,for which I have been covered by the Great Staff with two horses,no extra charge ,from the horse deposit of Muftiu.

To myself is owed that the panic has been stopped between the pontooneers and the troops were able the next day at 5 to croos the bridge.The 1st Art.Brigade of Colonel Peteus Petre ,which has objected in the beginning to General Lambru,the Commander of the Division,that he does not assume responsibility to engage the cannons of the brigade, on a bridge made by a cavalry officer unspecialised(in bridges).

Asked by general Lambru,as to what opinion do I have about the solidity of the bridge ,I replied:"If something goes wrong ,tie me up on the tree and shoot me".

The troops and the artillery have crossed forward and backward without anything bad to happen.

I took part and lead the troops to Hohenward-Brasov,Manenhof and Klein-Predeal,although i was officer of Staff,were on horse back and with the revolver in hand I turned in the head of Runners-Escadron of the 21st Division Inf.,pushing with lances from behind ,the troops of the 4th Division ,which overwhelmed by panic started to retreat in disband.

It has been resisted in the mountains some 40 days more after this turn of pozition.

I have Commanded Reconnoitring Escadron in region Stilpu-Epuresti(1000 Germans killed)and I have contributed in effective mode at the first retreat and at the second retreat of the 21st Division on Arges River,and olso at the offensive turn at 18th-19th of November in region Gageni,balaria,Stilpu-Epuresti,Ghimpati,letca Veche,Camineasca.Finally I was the last element of arierguard of the 21st Division Inf.which covered the general retreat of the Army.

We were the last escadron of the Army which after receiving German parlamentaries at the Bragadiru Bridge,I have retreated through the middle of Bucharest,which prepeared to receive the victorious armies of Mackensen,passing over the bridge in front of Church Domnita Balasa on Bratianu Boulevard,on Calea Grivitei and B-dul Basarab,were we had a collision with the patrols of German Ulans ,which entering through Prahova Valley were coming from Chitila.Reaching Tunari,the head of the column of 21st Inf. Division ,which was made out of artillery has been attacked by other patrols of Ulans and,myself,with the escadron galloped to the head,we attacked and made them prisoners.

All I have enumerated here are small episodes from the War.

Dr.Colonel

Warodin G.Dimitrie

Brevetted Officer of the Staff

and Commander of Runners Escadron of the 21st Division

Romania

II-nd Army Corps

21-st Division

............................

Captain Warodin Dobre

This captain appeared to me during the night when I was busy with stretching of the bridge over the Danube,on a torential rain and in a critically moment when a portice from up river ,of which anchors have been ripped off by the storm,hit the bridge displacing another portice(boat) exactlly in the moment when I had finished .The sailors and pontooneers have dissappeared because of the toughness wind .I was just about to turn them back and restart the operation when Captain Warodin appears offering me his help and asking me to tell him what to do.I have satissfied his wish and made him of use.I was astouned...I have never seen a man more energic and devoted ;he worked hard and at 6 in the morning I manged to cross the trops .It is curious how this man with so much military temperament ,had no Command in the Regiment;at the bridge ,he was as a liaison officer of the Cavalry Division.

I have asked him from the Great Headquarter and I have obtained him at the Division as informer officer ,where,defying dangers and the intensity of perils he aquited himself with the conscience of patriot by the hardest tasks.

He is succeeded a the Superios School of War.

Please ,I ask that he is given the Romanian Star , Officers Stage.

Commander of the 21st Division

General (ss) Lambru


The Fights of the right shore.

Setting the foot on Bulgarian shore,the Romanian troops were full of elan,thirsty to revenge the humiliations and cruelties endured from Bulgarians.The advance was made on two directions:towards South in direction Mah-Kaia and Sarnubekioi and towards East,in direction Breaslen-Turcsmil.A third detachment has occupied solid Reahovo,the central point of disembarking ,strenghtening it such that a bridgehead could be organized.Although ,to some extent,obstacled by the lack of artillery-which could not yet have crossed the Danube-,the Romanian troops occupy the Bulgarian villages one after the other ,running through bayonet the weak troops ,as well as the armed polulation of the villages ,which was looking to delay the advance.

Surprised by the unexpected wave,just as the offensive in Dobrogea was unleashed as well,the Germano-Bulgarian Commander is looking to gather everything in his reach ,to dam the advance of the enemy.It was a small thing.The battalions -seven-which started from Turtucaia and Silistra towards the Dobrogean Front,are stopped turned around to make stand from the East.The mobile reserve of the bridgehead Rusciuk and the marching battalions and milita(police),which were heading to Turtucaia,had to attack from West.The first esalon of the 217th German Division,which was gathering into the fighting zone,was embarked in trucks and automobiles and send to Turtucaia,as well as a German escadron and many heavy field batteries ,German,Austrian and Bulgarian.

In the evening of 1st of October ,all the set objectives by the Romanian troops have been met;the enemy was retreating South,making a thin line before our troops.The next day,the action has been restarted and with all strong fire of enemy artillery ,the troops of the 10th Division occupy towards South Kasikler(Slivopol),Mak-Kaia and Sarnubekioi,as the the troops of the 21st Division occupy towards East Babovo,Gulema-Varnovo,Breaslen.At 9,30 produces an event which changes the face of things.Two Austrian vessels have appeared at the Western corner of Lung Ostrov(Lung Islet) and opened over the bridge.Another two ships ,stopped a little up the river,near Tabanu ,opened over the Romanian troops which were engaged on the right shore of Danube in fight with Bulgarians ,as well as over the reserves which were waiting on to the left shore the moment of embarkation.

What happened?The torential rain which fell in the afternoon of 1st of October and all through the night ,has risen the waters of Danube River.Taking advantage by the rising of the level of Danube ,a group of two monitors and two vedette of the Austrian fleet could get out of Persina Channel and,crossing over the obstacles seeded in front of them,have appeared in the close by of the passing point(the bridge).

.....


The darkness, the storm and the rain have obstacled the army posts on the shore to see and signall the coming out of the fleet .Monitors "Bodrog" and "Koros" could not however force the dam of Tabanu and settled to bombard the shores ,the bridge being outside the fleet cannons firing range.At 3 in the afternoon the two monitors ,gravely avariated by the precise fire of Romanian artillery had to retreat and with great difficulty ,have re enterd by evening of 3rd of October in Persina Channel.The two small vedettes could sneak between the dam and the shore ,because of the rising of waters and appeared at Lung Islet and fired on to the bridge , but without touching it.Organizing the defence against the monitors was hard to acomplish.The torential rain and the quick rising of the water level of Danube has transformed the whole marsh of Flaminda in to an imense pond.It could be used for circulation only the driveway.The cannons ,especially the heavy ones coud not be inched anymore to be brought into the new positions ,up the river,from where to keep in respect the enemy monitors.Conscious by the gravity of this turn of things,the Romanian Commander calculated that the continuation of the operations it is impossible and that the new situation imposes the modification of it.At 11 a.m. General Averescu gives the order to suspend whatever moves on to the left shore ,and went to Peris to confere with the Great Headquarter.The offensive at Flaminda had lived.

.....

The retreat

The decision of the Great Romanian Headquarter was that,faced with the threat of destroing of the bridge by the Austro-Hungarian fleet and by the momentan impossibility to away it,to be suspended for the time the crossing of the troops ,to retreat the infantry and a part of the artillery on to the left shore and to keep on the Bulgarian shore only the bridgehead Reahovo-Babovo,which to be stronglly strenghtened ,to serve as a supporting point until the bettering of he weather and away-ing the Austrian fleet will permit the restart of the whole operation.The troops of the 10th Division ,which were the most advanced ,have received late in the night, the retreat order;they broke contact with the enemy and begun the marching towards the Danube River.The next day,at 3rd of October ,in the morning,the enemy have continued the trials of destroing the bridge.The Austro-Hungarian fleet has launched on the river a big barge filled with dynamite .The bardeg,floating along the Bulgarian shore ,has been taken under our artillery fire from the left shore,hit in full and sunk by explosion.Instead of the two damaged monitors ,appeared another two monitors ,which gave the fight with the Romanian batteries and troops ,unable to reach the bridge.From the right shore,though,the enemy released in to the water current mines ,pontoons ,bardges,etc of which some had hit the bridge damaging it,stopping thus the crossing of the troops.As the Romanian Commander was trying to repair the bridge and was asking to bring the Romanian fleet of monitors from Hirsova,arrived a new order from the Great Romanian Headquarter,which forsee the stopping of the offensive ,retreating of the troops and rising up of the bridge.It was the wake of an examination of the general situaion on the both fighting fronts(Carpathians and Dobrogean).The unfolding of our War has entered into an accute crisis.It was the 3rd of October.In Transilvania the enemy counteroffensive begun to become desperate.We had lost the Fight at Sibiu and we were finding in retreat towards Brasov.The Romanian troops in Ardeal,weakened by taking some of the Divisions from there,to strenghten the Dobrogean Front,were opposing not enaugh resistance against to the strong enemy .A new defeat ,and the enemy would find clear path through the Carpathian Mountains Passes.The Great Headquarter found that it is prudent to strenghten the positionsin Carpathian Mountains with new troops.Because we had no available reserves ,it has been taken the grave decission to stop the offensive at Flaminda ,and to make use of the troops destined to this operation to face the threat to the North.The penible and tearing decission ,but dictated by elementary prudence .The future will show soon how based was this decission.Ten days latter,Divisions 10th and 21st were those who stopped the enemy at Predeal,and the 22nd Division stopped him at Bran.They were the Divisions from Flaminda !Instedad of offensive at the Danube ,the troops of the III-rd Army had to wage defensive fight into the mountains ,to defend the Kingdom from invasion and rid of the shame of a quick and too easy ocupation.

The leaving of the Bulgarian territory has been made in the days of 4th and 5th of october .There were retreated all the men and almost all the wounded,part of them over the bridge ,part in the boats ;the small matrial which could not be withdrew has been destroied by the artillery fire from the left shore.During the night of 4th-5th Octber,the bridge has been taken down and retreated .During this time,our troops had not suffered almost anything from the enemy part which,having too weak forces ,was happy to obsreve us from distance ,attacking only the arierguards which remained on the Southern shore ,to protect the embarkation ant crossing of the last of the troops.The afirmation from the enemy communicates ,that the failure of our action at Flaminda it is owed to"the Germano-Bulgar forces" which,coming from Rusciuk and Turtucaia ,would have "given a veiling attack" against Romanian troops ,rejecting them in to the river,it is pure fantasy.It is invented from the need to disimulate the emotion through which the enemy went .


The disproportion between te weak militia(police) troops which the Bulgarians could oppose faced with the 6 Divisions of the Romanian operations Army,was crushing ,to be afirmed seriously such a thing.Also ,very curious is the afirmation of Ludendorff which did not understand the aim of this crossing"which could not change the situation neither at the Danube ,nor in Transilvania".There are also Germans which realized that the enterprise was nor "desperate ",neither "foolish" and which especially have the will to say it.Major Enders confesses that "the technical part of the operation was solved by Romanians in brilliantly way".and an anonimous historiograph of the Danube Army writes :"Romanians have tried during the campaign in Dobrogea to cross the Danube .The date of the crossing was judiciously recocnized;the crossing point well choosen .It has been a well thought enterprize for which they used powerful means and plenty of tecnical ones."In the face of these afirmations made by the enemy of good faith,based on the observations made personally,at the site ,the pretention of Hindemburg in his memoirs,that at the hearing of the news about crossing of the Romanian troops at Reahovo,he 'd have given the order"Arrest those troops!" appears like a fanfaronade or as a joke of doubtful taste .It remainds the joke of same quality of the German Kaizer which,soon after the breaking of the European War ,announced that he will send the Geandarmery from Berlin to "arrest the ninuscle British Army".Tosev ,the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army ,tasks himself to answer to these questions ,confessing sincerely the peril of the situation created to the enemy:"If the Romanians would have managed to widen the bridge head and cross some more units over to the other side of the Danube,then wee all would have found in a difficult situation,even Ludendorff himself".

Stopping of the operation at Flaminda it is ,such,the result of our own free will and it is the effect of the critical situation on the Transilvanian Front.The missgivings of preparation noticed have caused only making difficult the operations and,what is to be cried about,numerous victims.Such was the lack of organising of an aerian defence and,especially,the insuficiency of defence against the enemy monitors.Few days before,at 8th of October ,the Austro-Hungarian escadre ,together with troops of disembarkation,have attacked the Romanian bridge from Cinghinelor Islet,installed there to observe and close the way of the enemy fleet .The small garisson ,forgotten there ,without connections and aids,has been masacred after a heroic resistance ,in which a young navy officer ,Sublieutenant Izvoranu,died like a hero,after he fought like a brave.The survivors -two officers and 150 soldiers -have been made prisoners ,together with 6 cannons .It was the sad epilogue of the Battle of Flaminda.


b)Amzacea Battle

Romanian-Russian preparations

The offensive action of the Russian-Romanian Army in Dobrogea ,which was supposed to begin and evolve simultaneously and convergent with the one at Flaminda ,has been conceived in this way:at the right flank (Western) of the Army,the Romanian Group-General Radian-made out of 115th Russian Division ,strenghtened with heavy artillery,will maintain with determination their positions at Cernavoda-Sofular,South of Cobadin ,making only demonstrations with artillery and infantry patrols ,to fix the enemy and not let him send reinforcements in the attacked sectors.

At the center ,Simanski Russian Group-made out esentially by the 61st Russian Division -will attack the enemy and occupy the heights in region Casici-Enghez.The principal strike will be given by the left wing ,Eastern-Romanian Group General Hartel,made out from Divisions 5th and 19th Romanians in the region Amzacea -Topraisar.At the extreme left wing ,a Russian Cavalry Regiment had to supervise region Tuzla ,on the shore of the Black Sea;the rest of the Cavalry Russian-Romanian was concentrated in region Osmancea -Ebichioi,at the disposition of the Commander ,to begin the marching towards South through sector Sofular -Amzacea ,in case of breaking of the enemy front.The Russian force on the Sea had to keep under her cannons region Perveli-Mangalia .In reserve were kept the 9th Romanian Division,General Petala at Ivrinez -pestera ,behind the Demonstrative Group,and the Serb Division,at Biulbiu Mic ,behind the Attack Group.

In the conception of General Averescu ,the enemy front must be broken in the Eastern Sector ,towards the Sea and the enemy army repulsed towards West ,towards the Danube ,on the direction of advance of the III-rd Romanian Army which,after the succeeding of passing at Flaminda was supposed to fall behind the enemy army.The superiority of the Romanian-Russian forces of Dobrogea was ensured:124 battalions (80 Romanians and 44 Russians ,next to 73 enemy battalions -in reality there were 79-,89 artillery batteries against 62 enemy ,31 Escadrons of Cavalry next to 29 enemy.One of the principal conditions of success was fulfilled .The effect of the strike at Flaminda ,given behind the enemy,it will shake his moral and the tactical dispozitive ,influencing decissively the faith of the Battle.


Enemy preparations

In the same time the enmy was taking dispositions ,as well, foreseeing an offensive ,which had to be decissive for operations in Dobrogea.It has arrived the Marching Brigade from Varna and the 15th German Division.Between Mackensen and Tosev restarts the dicsussion over the oportunity and direction of the attack,the first one asking the imediate beginning of the offensive with the direction towards Topraisar,the second one asking to be waited for the arrival of the 217th German Division,and the attack to be made in the center of the Romanian-Russian dispozitive,at Cobadin.The divergence has been sided by the intervention of the Bulgarian Inheriter Princip Boris,deciding thus that until the arrival of the 217th Division,the army in Dobrogea to be strenghtened with garrisons from Turtucaia Fortress ,Silistra Fortress and Varna,in which stead will be brought troops of militia from Rusciuk,Sumla and Varna.It is known that this movement of troops ,have given the chance to Bulgarians to have in hand few troops which to oppose to Romanians ,which had croosed the Danube at Flaminda.With the 79 battalions ,62 batteries and 29 escadrons ,the Bulgarian-Germano-Turk Army was inferior numericaly to its adversary.The superiority,however ,was in heavy artillery,which had also a great number of German and Austrien heavy batteries and of heavy cannons captured at Turtucaia and transported on the Dobrogean Fighting Front.With this face ,the Romanian-Russian offensive has hit an enemy which was himself prepeared to take the initiative of an offensive movement.


The Fight at Preveli

At 1st of October ,the Romanian-Russian offensive unleashed from the South of Cobadin until the Black Sea.After an artillery bombardment of a few hours,to which the enemy respounded with equal strenght ,the troops set to move.Advancing in uncovered terrain ,under the crisscrossed fires of the enemy ,Romanians and Russians have had great losses,paying dearly each palm of terrain they conquered.

The biggest advance was made at our left wing from the Sea direction.Advancing from towards Musurat ,troops of the 5th Division have attacked villages Muratanu Mare and Muratanu Mic,which they seized one after the other as weel as the heights of point 74,rejecting the troops of Bulgarian cavalry,unmounted ,which were occupying them.The Romanian line advances under the formidable enemy bombardment and arrives on the Northern edge of Perveli Village ,strongly strenghtened with several rows of barbed wire fences,intact;the positions was prolonging to the west on to Caraluc Hill(elev 90).The left wing of the Division of Cavalry ,Bulgarian,is retreating in disband;to face the danger,the Bulgarian Commander sends 1st cavalry Regiment to charge.In two lines,with two escadrons on to each line,followed at distance by reseves ,are throwing to charge the Bulgarian Cavalrists ,with galloping horses ,in savage shouts,against Romanians.But the Galati and Birlad soldiers,o the 37th Brigade were not a defeated and demoralised troop,to be set to panic by the storming of the Cvalry,but a troop full of elan of success.The Romanian shooters place themselves on to the ground,letting to pass between them the Bulgarian Cavalrists,which then they attack from back,as from front and flanks receives them another stormrain of bullets.The Bulgarian Charge is crushed;horses and soldiers ,dead ,cover the battle field;the rests of the regiment run in diorder towards West*.With the reinforcements of infantry ,Bulgarian and Turkish,received towards evening ,the Bulgarian Commander tried a night attack,but the enemy units prefered to ramble at night through the fields and turn back in the morning in their positions.

The attack of the 17th Poetas Brigade and of the 61st Russian Division have gained terrain in front of the Turk positions of the 25th Turk Division and of the Mixt Bulgarian Division,but they have been obstacled by the numerous troops brought by Bulgarians in the aid of the Turks an especially to the precise firing range of the long German batteries and of Austrian howitzers.The Russians have occupied with the 61st Division Sofular Village with the ridge of heights from North of Enghez,The heavy artillery fire of the 61st Rusian Division ,aimed over Amzacea Village ,have made possible for Poetas Brigade the advance close to the village.

The Bulgarian resistance strenghtened more in the day of 2nd of October ;all reserve units have received during the two days ,as well as other units tken from the demonstrativ sector of Wes,have been send to strenghten the Turk Corps,and the Cavalry Division.The unsuccessfulness of the Russian attack of Hartel Gorup,and the stopping of operations at Flaminda have obstacled the evolution of th initial succes of yesterday.The Romanians have been brought to a stand still in fron of the strongholds at Preveli and Amzacea.

Crossing the Danube at Flaminda have emotioned the Germano-Bulgarian Commandment.Mackensen have given the order to cease the planed offensive ,of strenghtening of the resistance and supervising role,and called at Bazargic the Commanders ,to discuss overe the measures to be taken in the case of an eventual necessity of regrouping of the troops in Dobrogea,to face up to the danger.

The enemy Commander describes the attack in this way:"On an open terrain filled with holes from harvestings,the divizions have attacked the enemy ,which,surprised ,started to run from flank ,but the support that was at the right side have opened strong over our cavalry,protecting the run aways.The horses were very tired and there was nothing else to do but the Regiment to make left ,to go in time away from the infantry fire and artillery one unleashed by the enemy".

The Attack at Amzacea

In the center of the attack sector,Amzacea Village ,formidable strongolded with deep entrenches and with nets of entanglements on several rows ,constituted the key position of the enemy,commanding the principal road towards Mustafaci and Caraomer.It was occupied by the 25th Turk Division ,strenghtened with Bulgarian units and with a strong artillery.In the first days ,the position could not be attacked because there was uncertainty over the right wing ,where the Russians attacks were continuously rejected.In the third day of the battle ,was,however brought to the right a Serb Regiment ,and this was a guarantee of solidity of this wing.The attack of the position of Amzacea was fixed for 4pm and will be given by the troops of the 17th Romanian Brigade Poetas;at the riight will be the 9th Hunters Regiment ,and at the left ,mixed troops ,of which the greatest part from 40th Calugareni Regiment,Romanian.The spirit of the attack troops is great.The Hunters have in their temple ,Major Rasoviceanu,a Commander of which energy is overtaken only by the flaming and despise for death.The troops of Poetas Brigade start to attack in waves ,advancing with spirit towards the enemy positions ,under the rain of projectiles which crisscross above thir heads .From time to time a quick stop and a salve of rifle fires towards the enemy and the rows,aligned again start in jumps ahead.From the ridge of Eski-iuc Hill,covered within the trenches ,behind the entanglements ,the Turks fire storms of fires.But the Romanians pass careless through the curtain of shrapnels and bullets ,descend the valley in front of the position,climb the ridge Eski-iuc,sneak between the barbwired nets broken by bombardment ,and jump ahead with bayonet over the Turks ,take them out of the entrenches and set them tu run.The artillery of the neighbour positions is flowing its killing fire in the lines of the assaulters.The Officers and Soldiers fell one after the other ;ahead of his Battalion of Hunters ,dies Captain Gheorghiu.

In vain the Romanian Commander try to bring to a stop the soldiers which go to far away.In vain they shout the commands ,sound the signalls from trumpet and whistle.The elan of the soldiers cannot be controled anymore.They pass as a hurricane and with blows of bayonet and rifle beds tear down anything in their way.Now they have entered the batteries of enemy artillery.Sublieutenant Stefanescu throws himself mounted on to a cannon :"They're ours brothers!" and falls ,with his hands in the air ,pierced by bullets.The Turks servants are runthrough bayonet ,set to run,and the Hunters enter Amzacea Village and seize it.The prey at Amzacea is seven cannons ,two flags ,five officers ,a major and over 300 soldiers prisoners.

The defeat of the enemy is complete;the panic spreads to the right and to the left ;the whole 25th Turk Division leaves the positions and begins a disorderly retreat towards Mustafaci.The disaster of the Turk Division alarms the Commander of the III-rd Bulgarian Army,which sends in haste ,in Amzacea all the Bulgarian troops at his disposition,in which time the Bulgarian Cavalry is making desperate forcings to stop the Turk disband and gather the groups of run aways.A bloody body fight begins now on the lanes of the village between Bulgarians and Romanians.The Romanian troops ,in the turmoil of their success,advanced to far ;they were isolated ,at big distance ,both by the behind reserves and by the neighbours in right and left.The darkness creeping in made more difficult the reconning of the situation and orientation.That is why ,the soldiers have received the order to retreat a little and,leaving the village,have established on the Norther outskirts of it,where all through the night they have constituted strongholds.


Ceasing of the Battle

With all the success at Amzacea ,the result of the offensive in Dobrogea ,which lasted three days,was weak.The Army in Dobrogea has managed to advance at the left wing with almost 6 Miles,and at the right wing imposed its advanced posts with 1 Mile.Of breaking the enemy front could not be talk.General Zaioncikovski reports to General Averescu in the night of 3th -4th of October ,that he has executed with energy the ordered offensive ,but for its continuation, he will be forced the next day to put into battle the last reserve ,meaning the 9th Romanian Division and the rest of the Serb Division.He says that the influence of the III-rd Romanian Army ,which was operating at Flaminda ,did not manifest ,which has caused for the enemy to oppose stubborn resistance with all its strenghts.During that day,the operation at Flaminda ended ,taking the character of a demonstration ,for the next day to be completly given up.As a result it has to be prescribed also to the Dobrogea Army to cease the ofensive ,pass in to an active defensive attitude ,to fix the adversary forces in front.That is why ,in the following days have been given by the Romanian and Russian troops isolated attacks ,without important results .The action of the troops of the 10th Romanian Brigade (8th Buzau Regiment and 9th Rimnicu Sarat),against Preveli Village,could not reach the conquering of the village ,with all the difficult moments they made for Bulgarians .Numerous machineguns ,hidden through the roofs of the houses ,were cutting the rows of soldiers.The Romanian artillery has bombarded and set to flames the village ,but the advance of the rows of soldiers rared and bleeding was stopped by the strong wire entanglements .The action of the Russian fleet has been null,as that of the Russian troops between the left of Romanians and Black Sea,although the Russians had here ,without the Cavalry and mounted artillery,hunters and cyclists.

At 4th of October have been given violent fights North of Amzacea between Romanians and Turks,helped by Bulgarians ,with alternative successes.Not being of any use to maintain the too advanced position at Amzacea ,the Hunters have been retreted in the old positions ,starting positions,South of Topraisar.The heroic Poetas Brigade was left ,in the wake of the violent fights given so far,with 800-1000 men for each of the two Regiments .General Scarisoreanu's DIvision -th 19th -has lost in the fights of 1st-5th of october 45 Officers and 3150 men.

At 5th of Ocober ,the Command of the Romanian Group of Divisions 19th and 5th passes to General Rascu.


The results of the Romanian-Russian counteroffensive

The counteroffensive on the Southern Front has finished with a general failure(both sides).At this failure contributed :the insuficient technical preparation for crossing the Danube ,te stubborn resistance of the enemy,he himself ready for offensive ,on Dobrogean Front,but especially the unfavorable strategical situation on the Romanian fighting fronts.

Together with stopping the offensive action at Flaminda ,and with the sending of the three Divisions from there ,to the Carpathian Front ,are also suspended the fights in Dobrogea.From full fight ,Divisions 12th and 15th are withdraw from the front and send to strenghten the defence of Carpathians mountain passes ,Bran and Oituz.The place of the Romanian Dovisions ,left ,was taken by Russian troops :The 3rd Siberian Division .With our heart aking was to be received this fatal situation :the defence of the land of the Kingdom was going on the hands of Russian Army,Tzarist Army which has given in Dobrogea the proof of a lack of energy and indiference ,which were forecasting for the futer the worst expectations.

The failure of the counteroffensive on the Southern Front provoked a spiritual depression in raport with the great hopes which have been put in it.The following events ,have prooven that the action at Flaminda ,at that epoch at which it took place,has been a fatal strategical mistake.In Transilvania ,the enemy has finished its concentration and begun its offensive.Exactly in this moment ,the Romanian Army in Ardeal is left with 11 Division instead of 17 and a half of the enemy.The past twoo weeks from the taking of the troops from Ardeal(Transilvanian)Front to be transported to Danube ,till the retaking them back to the Carpathians Front,have been used by the enemy to strike ,disorganize and demoralize the Army in Ardeal and prepare its invasion.In this critical time ,a great part of the Romanian Army was in trains ,transported from the mountains to the Danube and then from the Danube to the mountains,back,.The unsuuccess of the offensive at the Danube and in Dobrogea -were we had superiority of forces over the enemy-has been to our luck;it saved us from catastrophe.If the Bulgarian and the Germans would have not opposed us resistance,and if by their retreat would have dragged our army South of Danube River ,then the enemy army in Carpathians would have found the III-rd Romanian Army engaged with the enemy in its country(Bulgaria).The divisions engaged in the fight would have not been retreated in due time ,to fill up the gaps on the Northern Front and the invasion of the Kingdom would have been produced one month after our entering in the War.One missfortunes escaped us from a greater one.

Mackensen prepeares the big offensive

After the ending of the Romanian counteroffensive on the Southern Front ,in Dobrogea reestablishes quiet.Time of two weeks have taken place only small local actions .The Romanian Supreme Commander used this break,to focus his atention on to the Northern Front ,very threatened in this time ,and to organize the defence along the line of the mountains,with the aids send from Dobrogea and from Danube.They are the turmoiled days from Oituz,from Predeal and at Rucar.It has only been succeeded to be made the defence at Carpathian Mountains ,when the storm unleashed again in Dobrogea.The silence here was only aparent.Behint the curtain of its front,Mackensen was prepearing with febrility and method the great offensive,which was to put him master over the longed objective:the line Cernavoda-Constanta.His army has received important reinforcements in troops and material.Numerous contingencies,Bulgarian and Turkish,as well as a new German Division-the 217th,Commander von Galwitz-made out of men from Eastern Prusia ,they have strenghtened his fighting front.The Germans were positioned in front of Topraisar ,sector destined to be the most important.The Turks ,counted as less worthy of trust,have been moved a bit to the left,in Cocargea sector.The effective of the army was now 96 Battalions and 28 Escadrons.Its dispozitive was this:the left wing,at the Danube ,was made by 1st Sofia Division,then followed the Turk Corps (Divisions 15th and 25th),then the 4th Bulgarian Division in front of Cobadin;at its right the Mixt Division (made up of the 6th Division and Dobrici Detachment);at the right of this one,in front of Topraisar,the 217th German Division and,and more to the left the Bode German Brigade.At the right wing ,until the Sea ,the 1st cavalry Division ,Bulgarian,strenghtened with infantry.The heavy artillery has been the principal object of preocupation for the German Maarshal,and has received considerable reinforcements.Mackensen had now in his hand a formidable offensive force.In the purpose of the Great battle ,he took in his hands the Command of the II-rd Bulgaro-German Army,which he has separated in to two groups:the Western Group-Commander in suborder General Tosev-comprising of Bulgarian and Turkish troops ,which had demonstative role and the Eastern GroupCommander in suborder General Kantargiev-made out of German and Bulgarian troops ,which will give the principal attack.The whole heavy German artillery and two Regiments of heavy Bulgarian Artillery have been concentrated in front of Topraisar.In the same time and on the Romanian Front have been produced som dislocation of troops.After the leaving of the 12th and 15th Divisions and the replacement of them by Russian troops ,the units have grouped in the next way:at East,left wing,leaned on to the Sea and defending Constanta,was made out of Romanian Divisions 9th and 19th,constituting the group of General Rascu.At the West,the right wing ,leaned over the Danube River and defending the bridgehead at cernavoda ,were the Romanian Divisions 2nd and 5th;it has been constituted also for this group a Commandment ,which has been handed to General Radian.The center was made by the Russian Divisions ;the Russian Group was mounted on line Medgidia-Cobadin-Bazargic.The 3rd Tiraliori Serb Division has been wthdrew from Dobrogea and send on carpathians Front ,at Busteni and Pietrosita.between Russians and the 19th Romanian Division ,which occupied the position at Topraisar ,was the Serb Division,remade after the Fight at Cocargea ,under the Command of General Zivovic.The Command of the Romanian-Russian Army was also that of Russian General Zaioncikovski,of which General Headquarter was at Medgidia.


The Fight at Topraisar

At 19th of October Mackensen unleashed the offensive on the whole front line ,long of 44Miles.A hurricane of fire and metal ,started from hundreds of mouths of fire of cannons of all calibers ,came over the Romanian lines ,at 6,30 in the morning .Short time after the beginning of the action ,the intention of the enemy was clear :he was giving the principal attack over the left Romanian wing ,especially over Topraisar Sector.Here was concentrated the mass of his heavy artillery,here was placed the 217th German Division ,to which it was added as strenght,the Bode Brigade.From an Earth mound ,from where the eye embraced all Dobrogean field ,Mackensen himself ,seconded by his Chief of Staff,General Tappen,was conducting personally the fight.At the right side ,in the tail of the Bulgarian Cavalry troops ,Prince Boris ,the inheriter of the Bulgarian Throne ,was making his compulsory exam of bravery.

The Romanian position at Topraisar was build in shaved field,between this village and Amzacea.It was a strong position,build by the rules of modern war.The first line of defense was made out of entrenches for shooters and individual shelters for observers .Behind it, was the line of barbed wire fence ,placed on four rows.At about 150 meters behind it ,were the works of the principal line of resistance .It was made out of sinuous rows of trenches ,dug deep to cover the shooters in stand up position.They were connected between them ,communicating with the back by long subterrain corridors.behind the position were shelters for reserves ,well protected by roofs and beams in to the ground.Above the technical execution ,was strong by the value of its defenders.It was the 19th Romanian Division,Colonel C.Scarisoreanu which,from the beginning of the Dobrogea Campaign ,was continuously in fight with the enemy.Under the conduct of a Chief with beautiful military qualities and spiritual ones ,this Division,with all the losses she has suffered so far-became a unit to count on ,in difficult moments.In the center of the position were the troops of Poetas Brigade-the brave soldiers of 9th Hunters Regiment and 40th Calugareni,heroes of Amzacea.In the morning of 6th of October ,the officers and soldiers of the 40th Calugareni Regiment have asked to be brought in the trenches the flag of the Regiment.They have unfolded it and rove with it fluttering in to the wind , through the warriors ranks.All af them sworn with the hand stretched ,that nothing will make them back away,that they will die sooner than to leave the position in the hand of the enemy.And they kept their word.


The formidable bombardment of the Romanian position from Topraisar was surpassing everything seen till then on the Dobrogean Front.It was executed with cannons of 105mm,150mm and two batteries of 210 mm.The firing range was directed by a squadron of five aeroplanes ,which were diving and turning over our shelters ,sometimes letting them very low. The artillery of the 19th Romanian Division was made out of 6 batteries ,of which two with slow firing , which firing range was obstacled by the smoke.The effects of the heavy enemy artillery are trumendeous .The shakings of the explosions are deranging the mechanisms of our cannons taking them out of service.Whole batteries ,framed by the enemy firing range,are taken out of the fight,by killing the men and the animals.The trenches and shelters are smashed to pieces and men buried under the ground.At the cover of the frightening bombardment ,the German infantry attacks ,trying to close in to the Romanian positions.At our left wing,towards Muratan,the Romanian Detachment occupying the position,having all machineguns destroied and lossing 2/3 of men ,have retreated on the principal line of resistance.At seven in the evening all troops of the Division were on the principal line ,at the Southern outskirts of Topraisar Village.In the principal position ,the brave troops of Colonel Poetas ,have kept themselves strong two days and two nights.The waves of the attacker were exterminated ,as soon as they got close to our lines.Two days and a half,the adversary bites the dust ,without being able to get close,just a little by night.The Germans addmit the extraordinary difficulties of the fight in front of Topraisar:"The greatly celebrated assault of St.Privat* has found here the repetition.The terrain was at Topraisar,however,much more difficult then at St.Privat,and the strenght of defence of the enemy much greater ,by the modern technic equipment.At night ,the companies got close to the entanglements .They were trying to cut in these wires the openings for assault.The enemy observed the action and throwed his fire waves on the terrain.From a patrol of officers made out of 24 Officers ,send in reconnoitring ,came back only three men.Are hours of excesive nervous forcing."

The enemy Commander sends to the 217h Division the order:"If you count on a decissive success continue the attack for seizing Topraisar;in contrar case ,strenghten strong on the actual position".And with all the forcings made in the days of 19th and 20th of October ,with all the crushing bombardment,the brave troops of the 19th Division remained uninched at their posts.The enmy could not advance anymore,and buried himself,as well in the entrenches ;his most advanced positions were 300 m from ours.

In the center of the Russian Front,the 61st Division has fought moistured ,and the 115thDivision has disbanded and left the psition,retreating towards Cobadin.The Bulgarians have obtained ,with this face ,an easy victory;the 4th Bulgarian Division has made 24 officers and 2800 soldiers prisoners,of the 61st and 115th Division.Theh Russian Division repercutes to the right side ,until the 2nd Romanian Division.Zaioncikovski takes the Command from Radian,which he replaces by General C. Petala.The 3rd Division Tiraliori is recalled to Busteni and pietrosita and resend to strenghten the Russian Front in Dobrogea.

Locality close to Metz,where it has been given at 16th of August 1870 a great battle between French and Germans.The culminant moment of the battle was the assault of the Prusian guard against the French positions occupied by Canrobert Army.6000 Prusians have fallen along the uncovered glacis in front of St.Privat Village.

.........150 mm Skoda system,model 1915,used by the Austro-Hungarian Army,captured by Romanian Army of the Great War,in 1918.


155mm ,1877, de Bange system,,used by the Romanian Heavy Artillery during the Great War

420 mm Howitzer of Great Power ,with quick firing ,system Skoda ,model 1916 Austro-Hungarian Heavy Artillery,captured by, Romanian Army of the Great War,


The Fight between Muratan and Tuzla Lake

While the position at Topraisar is defended with undefeated heroism by the soldiers of Colonel Scarisoreanu Division,sustained on the right side with equal strenght by the Serb Corps,the offensive of Mackensen droves strongly also over the left wing of Rascu Group,made out of the 9th Romanian Division.This division was on the Muratan -Perveli-Tatlageac-shore of the Black Sea.Just like in the neighbour sector ,a strong artillery ,made out of 12 field batteries and four heavy batteries flow the frightening fire over the Romanian positins.The artillery of our two Regiments answers shot by shot ;there are however only cannons of small caliber ;half of the batteries are with slow firing.Two batteries of Russian howitzers ,added to the division end the fight even in the first day,after few hours of bombardment and leave the field of battle.

In the day of 20th of October ,the enemy focuses its blows between Perveli and Tatlageac,in the defended sector of the 19th Brigade .He succeeds in breaking here the front and provoke a general retreat of the troops of the Division,which establishes by evening on to the line Muratan-South of Urluchioi-the Western corner of lake Tuzla.The fight continues with increasing violence at 20th of October.Numerous attacks of the enemy given towards Urluchioi are bloody rejected.The enemy concentrates its heavy artillery fire over Muratan,where the troops of the 40th Brigade maintain with difficulty.Other two heavy batteries ,installed on Tuzla Hill in front of the light house,at the entering of the ground tongue which separates Tuzla Lake by the Black Sea ,occupied by the Russians ,fire-over the lake -the flanks of the hills at North of Urluchioi and take out of service ,one after the other the pieces of 3rd Regiment,buring cannons in the holes in the ground caused by explosions and killing the servants and the officers.

At 21st the resistance of the defence troops weakens.The infantry is demoralized;for three days now, the replenisments have not arrived.A mass of 20 enemy aeroplanes throws continuously bombs over the services behind our lines ;the villages in this region are distroied and evacuated;the water pits are exhausted by the men and horses thirst,they have only mud to give.The connections with the Commandments have been destroyed.From 7 in the morning ,three Bulgarian Regiments ,supported by a very strong artillery,attack on two columns Musurat(Mulciva);with all the Romanians counterattacks ,the Village is conquered by the enemy at 12 o'clock.The infantry of the 19th Brigade begins to retreat in disorder ,the movment propagates to the right,being comminicated to the 40th Brigade as well.The whole front of the 9th Romanian Division is in retreat,infantry and artillery.The retreat is hastened by the go around the left flank.By the land tongue between Lake tuzla and Sea,the Bulgarian Cavalry managed to advance and occupy Techerghiol and Agigea ,although numerous Russian troops were there,and on the Sea was the Russian Fleet of Admiral Patton,made out of cuirasats ,armed with heavy cannons .The Russian Admiral avoids though an effective participation to the Battle,by fear of the Germans submarines and torpeedo-boats,which he knows or thinks in the close by.

The retreat is now general on the whole front of the 9th Division;on the line Mahometcea -Hasiduluc ,the 20th Brigade of the Divisin,Colonel Frimu,kept as reserve of Rascu Group,intervenes and manages to stop by evening the enemy and cover the troops in retreat.In the trenches of the driveway,in water and mud,the soldiers of the 7th Hunters Regiment sustain the retreat,over the railway of the rests of the other two brigades of the 9th Romanian Division.


Losing Constanta (city and harbour)

As at the right side of the Dobrogean Front ,positions at Rasova were still solid in the hands of Romanians,defended by the troops of Cratero Brigade and by the monitors of Danube Escadre,covering the bridgehead at Cernavoda ,on the rest of the front the enemy started ,even in the afternoon of 21st of October ,the pursiut of the Russo-Romanian troops ,in retreat.

A storm ,acompanied by a torential rain ,came over the field of battle.The thunder was mixing with the sounds of bombardment and the lights of the lightnings with the shrapnels explosions .Towards Constanta ,black clouds of smoke rose up like a panas,then widened surrounding the city like a black veil.On this dark fond ,the tongues of fire of the petrol trucks and carriages in the Constanta Harbour were lightning sinister.Behind the Romanian troops ,decimated and demoralized ,the enemy was advancing,sustained continuously by artillery,which didi not stop its bombardment but only for the necessary time to move to a newer position.The retreat of the Romanian infantry was very badly protected by the Russian cavalry,rushed to run first from the battlefield.In the morning of 22nd of October ,the remains of the Divisions 9th and 19th,Romanian and of the Serb Division were retreating to the North of the railway Murfatlar-Constanta,which long trains were carrying towards Cernavoda the authorities and the inhabitants which were leaving their ownings and houses,prey for the invassioneers.On the driveways which go North,on the dug out roads by torential rains,convoys of wagoons and carriages were passing in great haste ,mixing up with the military columns and with the troops in retreat.It was the sad spectacle of the population frightened ,which was taking the road of refuge,leaving in the hands of the barbarian hoardes the whole crop of a lifetime of work.From the South,big curtains of fire and clouds of smoke were showing the advance of the enemy.The Russian friends and Bulgarian enemies were contesting in the art of destruction on the back of our misfortuned region ,brought in a fluorishing state by Romanian labour.The enemy aeroplanes were circling like big birds of prey ,trowing bombs over the city in agony,over the trains and train stations,over the Cernavoda Bridge (Carol Ist ),over the hospitals,over the convoys of wounded.At the midday of 22nd of October,the infantry columns ,Germano-Bulgar and the Bulgarian cavalrymen made their apparition in Constanta,abandoned and devastated.The seizing of Constanta has had also a grotescue episode ,characteristic for Bulgarian mentality.As the Germans ,practical people,were occupying the wheat barns and the petrol tanks in the harbour,the Bulgarians were giving themselves in the city at cruelties and banditisms ,then stormed over...the Statue of Ovidiu.

To demonstarte in material forms ,the superiority and their victory over the poet of "Sads" and "Metamorphoses",the Bulgarian soldiers tied the statue of Ovidiu with ropes and tore it down the ground ,from the postament,carrying it with oxes harnesses of their heavy artillery.As they were dragging in triumph the victim towards the Sea ,the Germans have intervene ,ashamed by the deed of their accomplices of arms,and rose up back Ovidiu on his piedestal of Secular glory.


The Romanian troops at the Eastern wing have continued their retreat ,in continuous fighting contact with the enemy,in direction Caramurat-Babadag.In the day of 23rd of October was occupied by the enemy also Medgidia ,the General Hedquarter of General Zaioncikovski,from where the Russian troops have retreated in disband.The 3d Tiraliori Division,Siberian is transported with great difficulty in Dobrogea because of the slowliness with which the Russian were embarking and of the long stops in stations.In the evening of 21st of October,only three trains arrived at Fetesti.The Division has missed the day of the great battle ,such it did not fight nor in the mountains from where it has left,neither in Dobrogea ,where it has arrived.Disembarked at Medgidia in the days of 22nd and 23rd ,she cannot unfold in fighting position and it is dragged in the retreat of the other two Russian divisions of the Russian Corps.

The 5th Romanian Divsion,which was keeping the front in Mircea Voda sector,has been strongly attacked by the enemy,at 23rd of october ,in front and on the left flank ,where the Russian Brigade Meder has retreated to Medgidia ,leavinga big hole.The Romanians have been forced to reteat beyond the railway.The 5th Division was reduced to 4000 menHer retreat was covered the next day against a fiercely enemy attack by artillery and of the 2ndDivisionneighbou,which has remained intact.24 Romanian batteries have executed the whole day barrage firing ,which kept in respect the enemyad allowed the flowing of the convoys and troops towards North

At the Eastern wing ,the Romanians have stopped at Caramurat,where it has been tried to be organized the first serious resistance during the reteat,with the remains of Divisions th and 19th under the Command of Colonel Scarioreanu ,made General on the battle field.Big gaps have also produced in the Romanian Commandments Colonel Frimu,the Commander of the 20th Brigade ,of which speed and action have saved the retreat of the th Division,has fallen prisoner as Colonel Tarnoski ,the Commnde of the 40th Brigade ;Colonel Constantinesci the Commander of the ,the Commander of the 23rd Regiment has fallen dead in the fight.The effectives of the brigade were not bigger than a battlion,and of the divisions ,as a regimntBut the soldiers tired and demoralized are not capable o resistance Scarisoreanu has to retreat in the day of 24th at Terzechioi,and the next day at Daieni and then to Ostrov.

The retreat is made penible on roads filled with sad convoys of the refugees.The place of the Romanian troops is tken now by the Russians.


.......Elisabeta Cruiser built in Elswick Yard byArmstrong, Mitchell & Co. Ltd" of Newcastle upon Tyne

The heroic defending of Cernavoda

At 24th of October ,the Romanian front has taken the form of an angle with the peak towards North.At the Western wing ,it started from South of Cernavoda ,passing to the East of it,to head towards North-East ,until region Dorobantu-Carol I-Caramurat,from where it turned towards South-East to lean over Lake Tasaul.Cernavoda was hold strong in the hands of Romanians .In the morning of that day ,Mackensen ,enervated and contrariated by the resistance of Cernavoda ,sends to general Tosev,the Bulgarian Commander of the sector the order:"You will enter in Rasova and Cernavoda .I wait for them to be taken by nightfall..."

The defence of Cernavoda was made with an incomparable bravery by the troops of the 2nd Division and especially the 32nd Brigade under the Command of Colonel Cratero.The monitors Escadre of Danube River,has given to the defence of Cernavoda a concur more efficient than has given the strong escadre of Russian cuirasats to Constanta ,on the Black Sea.

The troops of the Bulgarian Division 1st of Sofia have taken with great difficulty Rasova and then they have been stopped in front of Cochirleanca Pond.The strong resistance of the 66th Romanian Regiment has given the Bulgarian Commander the impression that he has to deal with a formidable Romanian-Russian Army.*That is why General Tosev ,which was Commanding personally the operations against Cernavoda bridgehead ,has obtained for this operation,next to the 1st Sofia Division also the Divisions 25th Turk and 4th of Preslav,Bulgarian,as weel as a strong heavy artillery.The resistance of Romanians has been fiercely South of Cochirleanca Pond,on Mare Hill and on Irvinez Hill,as well as on Podului Hill,between Danube and Cochirleanca Pond.Overwhelmed by the number of the attacker ,the Romanians have retreated North of the Pond,occupying line Valu lui Traian,between Danube and Carasu Pond.

At 23rd of October the Great Romanian Headquarter was not yet considering the situation in Dobrogea as lost.With the help of the 3rd Division Siberian and of other troops which were expected ,it was thought that it will go to counterattack and reoccupy Constanta.That is why General Zaioncikovski have received the order to defend and keep with any price Cernavoda.The Russian disband at Medgidia has demolished all the hopes rose up by the heroic defence of Cernavoda.At 2 in the afternoon,Zaioncikovski reported that he is completely turned at the left wing ,which has retreated towards Caramurat and asked permission to leave also Cernavoda.The Great Headquarter,considered that Zaincikovski,having alone the responsibility ,is the most capable to apreciate the situation and take the measures imposed by it.Te principal thing is to be saved the Army.The Russian General reported again,by evening,that he keeps solid Caramurat and hopes to to keep longer Cernavoda-thanks to the determined resistance of Romanians;this will permit him at least to save the munition deposits there.

At 24th of ocober the defece of Cernavoda has reached the most critical phase.The concentration of the enemy is now complete and the small city almost invested(conquered).Tosev has attacked with the 1st Division from South ,as the Turk Division and the 4th Division have executed a movement of conversion ,to sit facing West and attack in convergent mode cernavoda.The 4th Bulgarian Division advances to East until Tortoman,in the flank of the 2nd Romanian Divison,as from the South ,numerous columns of infantry,supported by the bombardmen of the heavy artillery,advances one side and the other of Cochirlancea Pond.


General Rascu ,to which it has been handed the Command of Divisions 2nd and 5th ,Romanians,defends Cernavoda with the whole artillery of the two Divisions.;he has ,though ,small infantry and is overwhelmed by the enemy.Surrounded almost from three parts ,with all the heroic defence ,the faith of Cernavoda is sure.The drama from Turtucaia threatens to repeat.To obstacle the catastrophe ,the Romanian Commander orders at 6 in the evening ,the retreat towards Hirsova.And as Tosev was taking measures as "the units of the 1st Division Sofia to strenghten on elevations 114 and 121,for as to,even in the same night ,the artillery to be able to install on position ",and the decissive attack was postponed for the next day "given the exhaust of the soldiers",the Romanians were evacuating during the night of 24th-25th of October the bridgehead ,by men and materials.only in the next morning ,the Bulgarians find out from the liaison German oficer that the city is empty and the Bulgarians could make their entrance by 10 o 'clock.However,the occupation of the city was mad only after a very bloody fight ,on the streets ,with detachments of the Romanian arierguard.The Bulgarians have to notice with envy that at the "conquering" of the bridge head Cernavoda they coul only capture few dozens of prisoners and three cannons of 53 mm,broken.From the heroic 32nd Romanian Brigade there were only 200 men left,and the 2nd Romanian Division numbered 23 officers and 1505 soldiersof infantry,70 officers and 2342 soldiers of artillery,the cannons were almost all saved.

A painful necessity is imposed now.The great bridge "King Carol the Ist",the pride of Romanian civil engineering,had to be destroyed ,for not to serve to the enemy for crossing its troops to Muntenia.Fortunately ,the bridge resists to all the attempt of destroying it ,made with the weak technical means of the field army and remained almost intact.In the day of 26th has been destroyed the Bridge of Fetesti,over Borcea,as weel as the intermediary bridge over Balta,by our teams of Navy and Geniu,which used the floating mines of the Navy,heavily loaded with explosive(dynamite and tnt).

With the collapse of the bridges ,a big abyss separated us by our misfortuned province ove rthe Danube.

According to Tosev the "Garrison of Cernavoda Fortress" was made out by a Division of Infantry,four Fortress Companies ,Four Reserve Battalions ,Four Militia Battalions ,Four Reserve Battalions of reserve from 9th Division,82 cannons of 10,5 cm and an undetermined number of cannons for flanking and counterattacks!Further:"In the direction of the Fortress have retreated some 2 Divisions and 2 Russian Regiments." In reality,the defence of Cernavoda was made out by the following troops:South of Cochirleanu was the 32nd Brigade ,reduced at two battalions of Regiment 66th;at East was the 4th Brigade ,reduced at 1500 men.At her left ,a battalion from 66th ,filled the gap between 2nd Division and 5th Division,occupying Villages Azizia and Carasu Pond.As artillery there was: Regiments 9th and 14th Artillery ,a divizion from 5th Howitzer Regiment and a battery of 53 mm.

......

9.The Defence of Dobrogea Let To The Russians

The new Russian Commander about Russian Army

The Russian-Romanian armies have continued the retreat towards North of Dobrogea ,keeping in permanent contact, of fight ,with the pursuer.A part of the Romanian troops have poured over the bridge of vessels from Hirsova,after which the bridge has been lifted and transported down stream,between Macini and Braila.Hirsova was occupied by the enemy at 26th of October .The Romanian Divisions 2nd and 5th ,19th and 9th very trialed with the effectives considerable diminished ,have been taken out of the fight.The 2nd Division has remained with an effective of 52 officers and almost 3000 men ;the 3rd Olt Regiment had 3 officers and 600 soldiers .Some units were unbirthed ,other had to be combined ,2 units into 1,or more in to one.Of the 4 Divisions ,have been made two:2th/5th and 9th/19th.The rests which could constitute the two Divisions have been gathered in the North-Western corner of Dobrogea ,then have been crossed to Braila ,to be completed with elements from deposits and be ready again for battle.

Instead of the Romanian Divisions have been brought Russian troops .In this way ,the guard of what was left from Dobrogea has been given entirely to the Russians .This time ,finally,the Russian Stavka decided to send big effectives,reinforcements into Dobrogea .Together with the two corps in Dobrogea ,the effective of the Russian Army will rise up to four Corps: General Alekseev announces that will arrive in Dobrogea ,IV-th Russian Corps and IV-th Siberian Corps.They constitute the VI-th Russian Army.An important change took place at the Russian Army Command.general Zaioncikovski which,by his incapacity ,have lost Dobrogea,has been replaced.His successor was General Zaharov,set under direct Command of general Alekseev;Zaharov had a good reputation;he has been one of the three Commanders with which Brusilov has given the Offensive of Summer 1916.General Zaharov has conquered Dubno and Radzivilow.It is true that he has won his fame by fighting against the rotten Austro-Hungarian Army.His reputation suffered a great deal in Dobrogea ,because with al the effectives set at his disposition had not made a better thing than his predecessor.

In form ,he showed severe and energic .At the receiving of the Command of the troops in Dobrogea ,he has given to his army a day order ,remained celebre:"Prikaz No. 1, 17/30 October 1916.The Commander of the Danube Army I order:The shameful running away to cease imediately.We have been send here,if not to win at least to fight,and not to contest ourselves in running away.I have taken measures that the machineguns and artillery to fire on the runners away.The officers which will not fulfill their duty will be courtmartialed,regardless of situation or position.The soldiers must not follow the strategical movement of the peasants,which run away with their elan.His Majesty have send us here to win ,not to make economy of our blood or that of the enemy.Our Front is in this moment :Ostrov-Topolog-Babadag.Forward!God does not help cowards and poltrons".The Day Order of General Zaharov is characteristic:it is the official confession ,made by Russian chiefs,of the incapacity and cowardice of our allies ,which have lost for us Dobrogea.


As the military action of the Tzarist Army in Dobrogea has been null,as the fleet on the Black Sea has made no deed,letting the enemy to advance undisturbed along the shore of the Black Sea ,exactly on the ground tongue between Tuzla Lake and the Sea,turning the flank of our Army,as in Constanta the Anty Aerian Artillery and the Tzarist hydroplanes have not obstacled the enemy airplanes to throw daily bombs over our hospitals ,the Russian soldiers gave themselves at plunderings on the back of Dobrogean population.Even in the course of the first retreat ,after the Battle on Dobrogean Frontier ,the officers and soldiers of the 36th Romanian Brigade could see a spectacle which filled them with indignation:the Russian Soldiers were retreating with precipitation ,emptying the villages on their way;the inhabitants were runing away as they could and in their wake the Russian soldiers were stealing the villages.You could see wagoons of replenishments carring sewing machines and for kitchens ones,chairs ,wardrobes and even pianos(without tail).Techerghiol has been completely devastated by Russians ,beginning with the wine cellars and ending with furnitures ,tableaus and mirrors in which the drunk soldiers amused themselves by firing shots.The devastations was put on the count of a Cazac Division,which they named it themselves the "Savage Division".In reality this was everywhere the conduct of the Russians ,even in Medgidia ,where it was the General Headquarter of General Zaioncikovski.In the wake of some panic,in which the Russian cavalry and artillery run away North,the small city remained deserted :the inhabitants have run ,loading in haste whatever they could in their wagoons.Until reestablishing the calm and the return of the population,the Russian soldiers have profitted to devastate and steal everything .The disorderly retreats of the Russians widen up the panic to far away and were disorganizing the public life in Dobrogea .Under the impression of panic unleashed by the precipitated evacuation of the general Russian Hedquarter ,of Medgidia ,the authorities in Tulcea have left the city,running away together with the frightened population towards Galati and Ismail.The intervention of the Romanian troops have reestablished the calm.


On the tracks of the barbarians

The good intentions and the aparent energy of General Zaharov did not had the ocasion to be put to use for liberatig Dobrogea.The Bulgarians continued to advance North with Cavalry,strenghtened with Infantry units ,on the tracks of the Russians which were retreating .The avanguards of Bulgarian Cavalry did not pass but just a little the separation line between Constanta County and and Tulcea County....The power of pursuit of Bulgarians was diminishing as the Russian resistance was increasing;the arriving on to the fighting line of the IV-th Siberian Corps (Divisions 9th and 10th)have stopped quick the advancement of Bulgarians and forbid them the occupation of Babadag.In the same time ,behind the cavalry curtain ,the Bulgarian Infantry was organising a line of resistance in the most narrow region of Dobrogea from Boascic on Danube River,through South of Gelengie,until Lake Tasaul.The line has been formidable strongholded with rows of entrenches and of barbed wire fence ;the elevations West of Topalu and Boascic and Beris-Tepe Hill ,the proeminent points of the line ,which were making two pronounced proeminences towards North ,have been transformed in formidable redoubts.Mackensen has withdrew the 1st Bulgarian Division and 217th German Division ,to organize with them the Army which had to cross the Danube River,upstream.With the rest of the III-rd Bulgarian Army ,meaning,the 4th Division,the Mixt Kantargiev Division ,the VI-th Turkish Corps (Divisions 15th and 25th) with a German Regiment and the 3rd Cavalry Division ,he has started a new offensive at 3rd of November 1916 for conquering the Northern Dobrogea .Faced with the received news about the strenghtening of the Russian Army ,especially being informed that on the left side of the Danube,at Slobozia ,is concentrating a new Russian Army Corps -the 4th -under the Command of General Alekseev,Mackensen has stopped the offensive and gave the order of general retreat on the resistance position of Boascic-Tasaul.

.....


At 7th of November the Russians begins the advance towards South,on the tracks of bulgarians .Burn and ruin was everywhere .All the villages left by the Bulgarians have been devastated and arsoned.At the right wing of the Russians ,along the Danube,was a Romanian Detachment;the Romanian Division of Monitors was advancing on the Danube ,protecting the flank of the army in movement.A little to the South ,in Balta Dinarii,in Region Calarasi -Fetesti,has been brought the 8th Russian Division.

At 8th of November,the Romanian troops ,made out of the fourth battalion from Regiments Bacau and Neamt,strenghtened with a Navy Detachment ,disembarked by the fleet and with a Russian Cavalry Detachment ,reoccupied Hirsova,as the Russian front line was much further North.The little city was completely destroyed and arsoned;two weeks of Bulgarian occupation transformed it into smoking ruins .The barbarianism did not know to respect not even the most beautiful manifestations of human spirit ;the admirable regional museum of teacher Cotovu,the crop of a lifetime of work,served by a noble passion was also ash and rabble.The heroes of Louvain were schooled.The destroing instincts of the Bulgarians were known to Mackensen which,by repeated orders,prescribed that no harm to be brought to Cernavoda Bridge(Carol the Ist Bridge),and to Constanta Harbour ,but only with direct order of Mackensen headquarter.

The Romanian fleet was always ahead of the Russian one,bombarding the back and flanks of the Bulgarians.After two days ,the artillery of the monitors away the Bulgarians from Toplau,which is occupied by Romanians.The fleet continued the advance to Boascic and Seimenii Mari,sending vedettes in reconissance until Cernavoda,defending the missfortuned Romanian population of the Danube villages ,not only against the enemy,but also against the Russian ally of which soldiers given themselves to devastations and brigandages of all kinds.

The pursuit has stopped in front of the fortified line of Boascic -Topalu,in which the III-rd Bulgarian Army with its Turkish strenghtenings and German ones,under its new Commander General Nerezov*has received the order to resist to the last man.It wasn't need for this of too much heroism.Zaharov ,edged himself to give from 23rd of November till 2nd of December a series of unsewed fights ,attacking isolated points ,without energy and without the intention to give a serious battle .Then, quiet went over the Dobrogean Front .And the fights will not reflame again but only when the Bulgarians ,edificated totally over the enemy in front of them ,will think it is the moment to throw him out of Dobrogea by an only one vigorous push.

But this episode does not belong to the Romanian Campaign;it is an episode of the strange Russian strategic game.


The End of Dobrogean Campaign

The bloody and painful Dobrogen act of the Romanian Campaign was ending now.Ment to be a secondary action in our war ,it became all of a sudden the principal cause of defeat.The Dobrogean Campaign has begun with the sad episode of Turtucaia Fortress and,slowly ,has pumped all the reserves of our military strenght and has paralised the elan with which the Army has hastened over Carpathian Mountains .Rejected from one line to another ,we have lost ,in the end,Constanta as well.Dobrogea has been the grave of some tens of thoulsands of sons of the Kingdom and of the most beautiful ilussions.

A deep discourageemnt and a great bitterness was descending in our souls.Our national pride was lowered.We have abandoned in the power of Bulgarians also a corner of our soul.Because for forty years ,the Romanian labour managed to transform the deserted region,about which Moltke was talking in 1835,in to the garden which imposed admiration even to the ferocious enemy.Mackensen himsel said:"The traveler which enters Dobrogea through Bulgaria has the impression that he passes from Asia to Europe".In a few weeks ,the Bulgarian invasion has passed with the fire of destruction over the Romanian civilization .The fluorishing villages were now rubble and ash;the population have taken the world in the head(run away).Bulgarians have succeeded to bring Dobrogea half a century back.

We also have lost the strong bastion which,in our War Plan,was supposed to defend us from the South,so that we had free hand in the North.We have also lost the unfinshed trust we had till then in the fighting power and in the vigor of our military organization,we have lost the trust in the power and sincerity of our Russian ally.A formidable coalition of enemies ,which put ahead the most capable military chiefs ,was grasping us more and more in the circle of fire ,and in the midst of it,exhausted of strenghts ,we were alone.Beyond the fire circle of the enemy our big friends ,eased by our jump into the spin of fire of the enemy,were sending us words of rising up moral and,regreting that for the moment were unable to send something else as well,they were edging in saying that we were weaker than they have been expected.

In the same time ,our war material,which had to be set on foot of equality with the enemy,was lost through the vastness of Russia or were at the bottom of the ocean by the submarines of the enemy.In our bitter hearts ,a hunch begins to make way:our principal ally was betraying us....

In these circumstances of inferiority and depression of soul,was ironing now the fight for defending the Kingdom by enemy invasion.

Between Mackensen and Tosev the conflicts were chaining.The last one of them has been determined by Mackensen order as the 1st Bulgarian Division to be imediately withdrew from Dobrogean Front and enter the composition of the Danube Army.Tosev,protesting against this decission ,was forced to resign from the Commandment of the III-rd Bulgarian Army.

[1]In the 1914 campaign ,Austro-Hungary prooven incapable of crushing Serbia,although has occupied temporarily Belgrade.The Serb victory of Rudnik(4th-5th September 1914)forced the Austrians to retreat towards frontier.At 15th of December in the wake of a new offensive the Serbs reoccupy Belgrade and liberate their national territory.The great offensive ,decissive,Austro-German against Serbia will start at 6 th of October 1915.

[2]The Legitimeers ,Monarhist party in France ,had as goal the abolition of republican form of government and reinstauration of Monarchy,by bringing back the Burbon Dynasty.Burbon Dynasty has ruled in France in 1589-1792,1814-1815,1815-1830.

[3]On the War Theatre in Serbia .Wishing to suport Serbia ,the Expeditionary Ally Corps at Salonic has send troops towards North-West ,which have arrived in the sector between Crna and Vardar.The Bulgarian troops which have begun the hostilities against Serbia at 21st of October 1915 ,oppose resistance and force the allies to retreat at 2nd of December from Crna and Vardar.

[4]In the Enetente camp there was no unity of oppinions pertaining the strategical periferical goals and of the Army of Salonic ;few French and British politicians and militaries were partizans of creating and activation of the Balkan Front ;for general Joffre ,example,the Balkan Front-secondary- would have swallowed important ally units so necessary on the French Front ,where the faith of the War was decided.On the Salonic Front have been ,however,send step by step,units of the armies of the great powers of Entente and Serbs-but ina very different measure.

[5]Prime Minister of France and ,and respectively of Great Britain.

[6]In this stage ,Grece was a neutral country,even there were two political opposed groups -proGerman and Ententofila."Grece and the Great powers" 194-1917George L.B.,Thesaloniki,Institute for Balkan Studies 1974

[7]Vasil Radoslavov (1854-1929) Bulgarian politician ,Primeminister(1886-1887,1913-1918).

[8]National Gathering of Bulgaria.

[9]Russian-Romanian-Turk War 1877-1878

[10]On the oriental Theatre of operations in Poland ;in 30th of November -6th of December 1914 here was a great battle ,in which the Russian Army suffered a defeat.

[11] about Turtucaia failure

[12]This is our Verdun

[13]Vaux and Thionville were strong forts of the fortifications system of Verdun,on the Frence Front,for which extremely bloody battles have been given in 1916.

[14]"Turtucaia is our Verdun,those who provoke it attak themselves"

[15]Fortress Przemysl,strong military fortification in Poland territories(Galitia),under Habsburgic domination,for which have been given hard and repeated battles between Russians and Austro-Hungarians .For the first time in September 1914 the Russians attack the forthress and siege it,but at 11th of October they been forced to end up the siege;still at 22 March 1915 the Russian force Przemsl to capitulate ,whit occassion in which they captured 120 000 prisoners ,900 cannons etc.Faced with this desaster ,what happened at Turtucaia were modest losses .The strong modern fortifications of Liege (Belgium) have been attacked by the Germans at 4th of August 1914,the fortress could not be conquered but only after heavy fights ,the German troops enterd Liege at 6th of August 1914,after the forts have been demolished with the aid of the formidable heavy artillery fabricated by Krupp.

[16]Justinianus Ist,Bizantin Emperor (527-565)

[17]Sveatoslav,Sovereign of Kiev (964-972)

[18]Dobrotici ruled Dobrogea 1354-1386

[19]Baiazid I(Ildirim),Ottoman Sultan 1389-1402

[20]I F Paskevici 1782 1856,Russian General ,have Commanded the Russians Armies in the Romanian Principates(countries) in the Crimean War 1853-1856

[21]Extraordinary Council of Defense of Tzarist Russia

[22]Monastir has been occupied by the French-British-Serb troops of the Ally Army of Salonic at 19th of november 1916.

[23]In depth

[24]Nizami-Ottoman infantry units(Turkish)


from Constantin Kiritescu -Rasboiul Pentru Intregirea Romaniei 1916-1919-translated by Andrei Radu Georgescu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 21:37, 16 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:863F:61FA:7937:BF2:62B5 (talk) 19:15, 17 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86DB:88E7:D184:1959:D938 (talk) 21:28, 17 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:86AC:8D64:F47D:A2F9:AA2 (talk) 02:41, 20 June 2020 (UTC)Razu The Invasion-1916 Chapter IV

The Invasion

1.Forcing Olt Line

The third crisis of our War

Under the pushing more and more strong of the enemy torrent,the dams of the mountains begun to crack.At Jiuu the breaking has produced.At Olt ,the dam was barely holding.

In the face of the invasion threat,the High Romanian Commandment was agitated by contradictory feelings and influences.There were,on one side ,consideration purely military .Evacuating of Oltenia ,to shorten up the Front,seemd like an inexorable necessity.Two times,the Great Romanian Headquarter planned it,studied it ,but gave up to it.Because considerations of other kind :feelings ,politics,cultural went ahead.Defending the national territory seemd to some like an intangible article of faith;not a patch of the ancestral land must be let by free will to the enemy.On the altar of this ideea has been sacrificied one of the great Commanders of Army.

At the Great Headquarter at Peris,in the morning of 22nd of November ,the two allied Councelors expose two opposite thesis.General Beleaev proposed a retreat after Russian method,on successive positions,to keep the Army for latter.General Berthelot was showing the impossibility of appalying the Russian strategy in a country with small territory ,as Romania,abandoning to the enemy the richness of the country and demoralysing completly the Army;this woud mean catastrophe without battle.The French General is for the ideea of an offensive with the Divisions that make the Strategical Reserve of the Great Romanian Headquarter.The breaking of Jiu Front is not an iremediable catastrophe.The hope of straighten things up ,shined still ,very lively.Berthelot proposes a vigorous manoeuvre in the flank of the enemy, too sure of himself,with an Army which would advance over Olt,to transform the German victory at Jiu in a desastre.The Group of Divisions ,which was in cours of gathering at Pitesti ,could acomplish this role .The Manoeuvre Mass will constitute at West of Pitesti of the 21st Division from the I-st Army ,together with the 2nd Division from Pitesti;the group had to cross Olt River ,above Dragasani,to operate with direction towards Jiu ,behind the German invasion Army.To cover the advance of the Group of Romanian Divisions ,it was needed that the troops on Jiu Valley to oppose a fierce resistance at Filiasi .The retreat order of the Group at Cerna and of the Detachment at danube at Bailesti,given by General Vasilescu Paraschiv ,the Commander of the Ist Romanian Army ,has been revoked;the troops had to stay on positions.The fast advance of the Germans into Oltenia made impossible the acomplishment of the planned manoeuvre.Berthelot thinks to a new manoeuvre:the Group of the three Divisions ,concentrated in Pitesti Region could be turned towards South to attack the heads of the German Divisions columns which will cross Olt River ,to repel them towards Craiova.Finally,these troops ,completed with Divisions 19th and 18th could organize ,whith a rise up moral ,the defence of Olt line .But the success of these operations needs without a doubt ,two more things :the I-st and II-nd Romanian Armies to oppose in their sectors a stubborn resistance ,and on the Moldavian Front,the Russians to begin,at last,their great offensive ,always postponed.The matter of outside help,to ease up the Romanian Front ,imposed itself as an indispensable condition.The Conference of the Interallied Commandments decided that the great offensive of the Armies of Entente to be postponed for the spring of the next year .Not being necessary the concentration of all forces on to the Western Front,Joffre proposed the strengthening of the Salonic Front with French troops ,English and Italians to take there a strong offensive ,wich will force the enemy to take from the Germano-Bulgarian forces from Danube ;the French Generalisim was convinced that Romania has managed to dominate the crisis ,which nears the end.Unfortunately ,the plans of the French Commandment have remained in the state of intentions.

What seemed as the most effective measure to aid Romania ,was the Russian aid.The Russian proximity made that his strong intervention to have imediate effects.From Bucharest ,from Peris,London,the most persistent requests were addressed to Russian ally to send in the aid of Romanian Army,situated in grave danger,numerous troops of Infantry and Cavalry, which were held on Prut ,with the weapon on foot and with the bridle in horses mouths.But the Russian aid let itself waited.General Beleaev ,the representative of the Russian General Staff attached to the Romanian Commandment ,was making to the latter one the demonstration that Russia have way passed over the obligations she has taken by the Convention with Romania.That in Dobrogea has send four Army Corps instead of three Divisions.That in Moldovia has taken over the defence of Romanian Front until Oituz.That the quick move of the troops ,gathered in Basarabia ,meets a lot of difficulties ,technical ,the principal fault of this situation beeing the poor capacity of Romanian railways...Russia cannot assume the engagement that she can make the aid troops to arrive in time,to stop our abandoning the positions into the mountains and the evacuation of the national territory.Besides,they do not see this eventuality as a catastrophe;on the contrary it would be an advantageous strategical operation ,because it would bring the shortening and strengthening of the Russian Front.

With much bitterness ,Bratianu(Romanian Primeminister) expresses to the Russian representativ the fatal consequences of the Russian actions.Ten Army Corps were sitting with the weapon on foot,blaming the administration of the Romanian railways .And still,the invoked motive did not had at all the value which the Russians wanted to give.From Prut until Carpathian mountains were only 63 Miles,meaning a distance which could be made in 5-6 days of walking ,with small stops ,and in Dobrogea, where four Russian Army Corps were concentrated ,the inaction of Zaharov permitted to the enemy to rise up troops ,which he then send in other parts of the Front.But the decission of the Russian Commander was determined;the much promissed Russian offensive is postponed for 28th of November ,and the units asked for the direct aid of Romanian troops ,the VIII-th Russian Corps ,the 40th Russian Division or at least the 8th Cavalry Russian Division ,are categorically refused to us.Berthelot communicates telegraphic to Joffre that Romanian Army "will be forced to extend by herself ,another eight days ,the extreme effort asked from her".

As the third crisis of our War was unfolding ,the defensive crisis ,fatal,light was brought over the intentions of our ally .At the dogma of defending the Romanian territory ,the Russians opposed the other dogma;sacrificing the territory ,in the interest of the strategic future developments ,necessitated by the operations of European War.The last ilussions which we made over the sincerity of our ally will receive this time the decissive blow.On the whole stretch of the Oriental Front ,from Baltic Sea to Egee Sea,the absolute quiet dominated.Only in the tongue of land ,streched between Carpathians and Danube ,a small Army ,tired for three months of continuous fights ,in which she did not had time to learn what rest means ,struggled ,cornered from all parts by numerous and strong enemies ,defending with energy of disperation the dear land of the ancestors .

And the Russian aid did not arrive.The hand of the strong neighbour and ally did not reach to stop us on the brink of catastrophe.But instead rise up ,to show us the road of retreat towards Siret .The Russian ideea triumphed.The Romanian Army will have to start on the road of her ordeal.


Towards Olt line

In this time ,the enemy invasion was following its course ,unbothered by any serious obstacle.The resistance at Filiasi has been defeated and Craiova occupied by the enemy.

Through the large opened gate in Gorjului Mountains ,on the upper valleys of Jiu ,the enemy torrent flowed in to the fields of Oltenia .The glorious remains of Divisions 1st and 17th Romanians,were uncapable of a serious action .The weak Detachments of arierguard could not have other mission but to ensure ,as much as possible ,the evacuation of the war materials and of the wounded from the abandoned territory and to protect the retreat of the troops ,blowing up the bridges.

The first serious line of resistance possible was on to the Eastern shore of Olt River,in Dragasani -Slatina region .The left shore of Olt ,high and marshy dominating the entire river -field and the flat of Oltenia ,crossing perpendicular over the advance directions of the enemy ,made an excelent line of defence.With only one condition :to be occupied in time and in order by enaugh troops.

Unfortunately it was not so.The operations at Jiu -desperate trial to escape Oltenia-provoked the destruction of Jiu Group,have delayed the retreat of the Group at Cerna ,which had to be condemned to an unuseful sacrifice ,made disorganizing ,and worn out of the 17th Division ,throwed unit by unit into Jiu Battle.

On the wake of our Detachments was coming the phallanx of the seven Divisions of the Armies of Kuhne and Schmettow ,unfolding as an imense fan,as they exited Jiu Pass.At 21st of November ,in the day of occupying Craiova,the German front stretched on a wide of 25 Miles .The right wing of this front ,made out of the two cavalry Divisions of Schmettow ,advanced with great speed along Valleys of Motru and Jiu,touching with the avanguards Craiova.The left wing was advancing much slower,along Amaradia Valley ,then crossed Oltet Valley with direction Dragasani and reached at Otetelisu .The German Front ,was making thus ,a converssion towards East ,to place itself parallel with Olt River.

At 24th of November ,the German Armies reached the line of Olt River and had the unpleasantness to find the bridges at Dragasani and Slatina destroyed.From the oppsite shore ,strong bursts of artillery and an infantry fire announced the enemy that Olt shore was well occupied and energically defended.The enemy torrent had to stop,gather strengths and wait for the mistakes with which the inexperience or unthoughtfulness of ours will come to its aid.

Behind the Front line ,the roads of Oltenia are filled by the enemy invasion.Long columns of Infantery and Cavalery ,unnumbered cannons ,unfinishing convoys of waggons ,heavy automobiles move towards East.On the sides of the roads dead horses ,from which flesh the birds of prey tear pieces,smashed automobiles,abandoned weapons,turned up side down waggons with the wheels in the air,are the sad signs of Romanian retreat.By a road crossing ,a group of turkey birds ,thrust in haste over the ground mounds ,newly dug out.

The roads go through empty villages ,emptied by population which has taken,frightened ,the road of refuge.Sometimes ,the convoy of peasant waggons with oxes,carrying all the belongings of the family:the tree cover,corn cobs,herds,pigs ,pushed by hunger or by children,arrived in to enemy columns and turned from their way of lonely,go back to the desserted villages at the first moment of fear.Shots can be heared at all times,at the passing of columns through the villages .The Germans cannot stand dogs ;that is why their triumphal way is filled with the corpses of the poor animals.There are sad autumn days.The sky is ash like coloured ,and the roads are dug out,filled with mud ,holes and water.


The Charge at Robanesti

Between the numerous episodic actions of the fights in Jiu and Olt ,by which the Romanian troops in retreat were trying to dam the advance of the German torrent ,to give time to set in defence the line of Olt River ,it deserves to not be forgotten the episode of the "Charge at Robanesti".

At Caracal was finding ,in the day of 7/20 of November ,the 2nd Rosiori Brigade-of the 1st Romanian Cavalry Division-made out of Regiments 4th and 9th ,with the mission of covering the left wing of the troops -Division 1/17-which was retreating from Jiu in direction Slatina ,pursued by Schmettow Cavalry .Advanced Escadrons come into contact with German patrols.The 2nd Rosiori Brigade receives from the Defence Group of Oltenia the task to fall in the flank and back of the enemy which was advancing from Craiova in direction East to attack the line of the most trialed 1/17 Division ,situated in the trenches between Robanesti and Cimpuri.

In the morning of 23rd of October ,the Brigade occupies Bujoiu Village ,setting on the run the enemy and advances towards West ,in Sector Lacrita-Robanesti-Pirsani,at the South of railway between Pielesti and Bals.Two Battalions of the enemy from 11th Bavarian Division ,solid entrenched ,opened violently from the edge of the Pirsani Forest and Robanesti Village .The 4th Rosiori Regiment(Cavalry) ,unmounted ,fights heroicly to crush the resistance ,but without success;the officers of the Regiment fall ,one after the other .At the left flank ,the 9th Rosiori Regiment did not succeed either to acomplish the mission of turning the right enemy wing ,such that it would ease the fight of the 4th Regiment.Then,Colonel Calinescu ,the Commander of the Regiment sends order that an Escadron to charge the enemy battery at the edge of the Pirsani Forest.

Captain Al. Filiti offers himself to execute this charge in the temple of 3rd Escadron.

The Escadron was reduced at only 110 swords and had no other officers but only the Commander,to which has added Lieutenant Mora ,which reconnoitred the position of the battery and Lieutenant Iuliu Rosca ,the adjutant of the Regiment,as volunteer.In the same Regiment was fighting ,as volunteer Seargent ,the old man Donici ,member of an old Moldavian family.With all his advanced age -almost 70 years-the oldman ,which made also the 1877 Romanian Campaign against Ottoman Empire ,did not thought much;he was making the campaign in the Platoon Commanded by his nephew,as in the Independence War of 1877 made it under the Command of the father of this one.Old Donici addressed to the Captain:

-What task you may give me ,Mr. Captain?

-Will you charge next to me?

-Thank you ,I am ready -answered short the old man,thrusting himself into the saddle near his Captain".

In five minutes ,the Escadron was ready .Filiti gives the order:"For attack! lance hang in balance,march,march!" Out of more than one hundred throats started the same shout:Uraa! and the Escadron dashed in gallop in the thunder of hundreds of hoofs .The German battery was sheltered behind the ridge of the hill of the clearing of Pirsani Forest;at the sight of the Escadron which was climbing in great speed the ridge ,the artillerists retreat in haste the cannons ,to hide in to the valley ,behind the infantry .As the Escadron continued the pursuit in descend now,the German machineguns ,hidden behind a straw stalk ,begin to cut down ,as a Company of Infantry -one file on their knees ,one standing-placed in the trench of the driveway Craiova-Piatra ,fires in full from front.Horses and riders fall in heaps ;the field is scattered by the dead bodies of men and animals.Captain Filiti ,Liutenants Mora and Rosca are amongst badly wounded.Near his Captain ,Donici has charged with the sword in the scabbard ,waving his hat in his hand like a flag-at his advanced age he did not want to kill-and falls dead ,pierced by bullets between the firsts.

The Escadron is entirely wiped out.

The rest of the 7th Regiment -reduced at two Escadrons -esalonated in depth to sustain the action of the 3rd Escadron ,is received in a very strong fire of artillery and retreats by Robanesti in direction Bals ;the same move is done by the 4th Regiment as well,which remained with uncovered flanks.

The 1st Cavalry Division has taken part in the fights for defending of Olt line ,cooperating with the Division 1/17 ,fighting when mounted ,when on foot,in a series of local engagements .Always harassed ,tired ,she has left the fields of battle scattered with the dead bodies of the fighters ,without being able to dam the advance of the enemy.

The Charge at Robanesti was an anacronism against the technical means of the modern war.General Kuhne classified it as "a madness!".This reminiscence of the old horsemen spirit of knights ,characteristic for the spirit souling the fighter on horse back in the times when a charge could have decide the fate of a battle ,has brought into evidence the elan and spirit of martyr of which is capable the Romanian soldier, in dfending his lands.

Falling of Olt line

In front of Olt ,at 25th of November ,the Germans thought that a frontal attack ,made with the strong support of the artillery,will manage to put them in the mastering of the most direct and important crossing point of Olt River:the bridges at Slatina.But the bridges were destroyed,and the Eastern shore of Olt ,which dominates till far the line of the River Olt,was well occupied by the soldiers of 1/17 Romanian Division ,in retreat from Jiu,with artillery and infantry.Two days,25th and 26th of November ,the trials of Divisios 41st and 11th,Germans have failed .In vain their formidable heavy artillery ,directed by aeroplanes ,bombarded Slatina and the Romanian positions ;as soon as the German troops were starting the crossing of the River by boats or through shallows ,a violent fire of artillery ,machineguns and guns ,was starting from the Romanian shore and the try failed.In the day of 25th ,at Curtisoara Village ,in the evening of the same day at Tesluiului ,the next day at Villages Colibasi and Mosteni ,many boats with German soldiers have been sunk .And Olt Rivver dragged down to the valley many dead bodies.The try to force the passing by Slatina did not work.The same thing happens a bit more to the North still,where the 301st German Division did not acomplish,as well to cross the Olt at Dragasani.The positions on the Eastern shore were well defended by 2/5 Romanian Division ,brought from the remaking center at Buzau.The luck of the Germans and our bad judgement ,helps them obtain by surprise waht they could not obtain by force.

Further down to the valley from Slatina was another bridge ,at Stoenesti ,serving as crossing place for the driveway which passes from Caracal at Rosiori de Vede.The German Cavalry goes towards Caracal and Stoenesti.At 23rd of November ,Caracal was occupied.For the great and pleasant surprise of the Germans ,the bridge at Stoenesti was almost intact;the Romanian Detachment ,tasked with its destroying ,only damaged it a little.It has been thus used by the enemy even the next day;the Germans have build next to it another bridge.At 24th of November the 6th German Cavalry Division crossed over the bridge ,on to the Eastern shore ,and at 25th crossed also the 7th Division.The few Companies of militia ,which were in the vecinity of the bridge ,had to retreat ,without any resistance trial,whatsoever.With this face ,the crossing of Olt has been made ,by our mistake ,easier than the German could have iever magined.The Romanian line of defence at Slatina was turned.

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Face with this success ,the German Commander sends the 11th Bavarian Division ,which exhausted in vain in front of Slatina ,also towards the Stoenesti bridge and also in the same direction was going the Reserve of the Army,the 115th Division which ,at 26th of November ,reached Craiova.

Now ,the resistance of the Romanian Front could not maintain anymore on middle Olt .In the Northern part ,Kraftt Group von Delmensiengen,fighting on one side and the other of Olt ,has occupied Rimnicu Vilcea and defeated the resistance of Romanians on Topologului Valley.Advancing towards SouthWest ,he manages to establish the connection with the left wing of Kuhne ,in the hills region North of Dragasani and ,with this face ,to assigne an arch of circle around the Romanian positions ,one side and the other of Olt River.

In the same time ,a part of the German troops ,which have crossed the Olt already at Stoenesti ,have taken the oblique direction towards North ,tending to fall behind the Romanian troops at Slatina,as the rest of Cavalry troops continued the road towards Rosiori de Vede.

The 1st Romanian Cavalry Division tries to stop the advance of the enemy.She executes numerous marches and countermarches ,exhausting,harassing the troops of the enemy and being many times attacked by the airplanes of this one.A violent fight was given near Alimanesti.Against the enemy Cavalry -the 7th Division-which have occupied the Forest of Alimanesti,in which they retrenched ,strong,the Romanian Brigades of Rosiori ,fighting unmounted or charging on fronts of Escadrons ,well supported by the Mounted Artillery ,have bleed uselessly ,without succeeding to take out the enemy from its strong positions ,nor to obstacle the continuous invasion of the enemy torrent over Olt.In the different fights given on the Eastern shore of Olt ,the 1st Cavalry Division has lost more than a half of her men ,horses and cannons ,being thus forced to retreat at Potcoava().The General Commander of the Division ,which could not arrive in time to stop the crossing of the enemy on Stoenesti bridge ,commited suicide ,latter.

The Romanian positions at Slatina were not to be held anymore.With the threat of turning from North and South ,the retreat towards East must begin.The entire Army of Kuhne was now on to the Eastern shore of Olt .In the day of 27th of November ,the line of Olt has fallen.During this time,a new and grave event took place.Behind the Romanian Army ,at Zimnicea ,Mackensen has crossed the Danube River[1] and started a rapid advancement towards North-East ,threatening the Capital ,and also the communication lines and retreat ones of Romanian Army.The situation was of an exceptional gravity.The plan of manoeuvre from Pitesti towards South ,against the heads of the columns of the IX-th German Army ,which would have crossed Olt at Slatina or even more to the South ,was not standing anymore.The Seperior Romanian Commandment gave up to this plan .There was no time to gather the Divisions of the Manoeuvre Group.A new regrouping of the Romanian Forces was now necessary ,to oppose to the advancement of the enemy,which was now concentric :from the mountains direction ,and from Olt River and Danube River.

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2.The Odyssey Of Cerna Group

The resistance of Cerna Group

One of the most impressive acts of the Romanian tragedy was played beyond Olt.The thunder like advance of the enemy and conquering of Olt line has cut in two the fighting Army in Oltenie.The remains of Jiu Group retreated on to this side of Olt.Have remained,however,beyond ,three groups of fighters ,isolated,broken from their tree:at Orsova Cerna Group,in Gorj Taut Detachment ,and at Bailesti a small Detachment said"of Danube".Between tem and the "kingdom" was interposed the enemy.Oltenia was invaded by the enemy ,Craiova occupied ,the line of the metal road in his mastering.The fate of the three Detachments ,remained isolated behind enemy lines ,seemd sealed:it was the capitulation.But the troops belonged to some Regiments from Olt region ,elite of the Army.Oltenian pride did not make good friend with the ideea of defeat without fight and of capitulation.And then,in the face of the enemy ,perplexed ,begins to unfold an unique show in the history of wars...In the most extreme point of the Carpathians Romanian Front ,on Cernei Valley,the troops of Cerna Group remained on a stand still,helding solid Orsova,Alionului Mountain and the whole mountaineous line ,as it has been conquered and handed to them as a sacre deposit by General Dragalina.Not a palm of ground has the enemy taken.The brave troops repelled any attempt of advance of the enemy and contributed ,by sending of Dejoianu Detachment ,to the Romanian Victory at Jiu.

During the second Battle of Jiu,the enemy Group Mehadia -Commander,Hungarian Colonel Szivo-received the order to attack the Romanian Group at cerna ,to not let him send aid troops at Jiu,and to force the passing towards Severin behind the Group at Jiu.For this operation,the enemy group has been strengthened with a Brigade of Cyclists,German-of a power of 1200 rifles.For four days ,10-13th of November ,ferocious fights took place at Cerna .Only on the 13th of November ,after violent street fights .Romanians have cede Orsova and retreated on the left shore of Cerna .The trials to take them out of here have remained without result and the enemy offensive ,arrived at the end of its forces ,had to cease .

..

During the fight given at Cerna,the Romanian Commander rose up, from the troops situated here ,three Battalions ,making Taut Detachment ,which he sends through Baia de Arama (Copper Bath) at Tirgu Jiu to intervene in the battle there;the Detachment could not arrive in time to intervene in the fight .Before ,have also been taken some other troops to strengthen the Army occupying Olt.

With all the weakness resulted from these taken of troops ,the thick of the Group made now of Regiments 17th,57th and 31st ,Commanded by Colonel Demetriad ,held with bravery Cerna line ,over which the enemy could not cross.Unfortunately ,painful events were taking place behind,at Tirgu Jiu ,which had to influence in fatal way over the Group at Cerna.

At 17th of November ,in the wake of the defeat of Tirgu Jiu,the Group had receive the order to retreat towards Filiasi ,to form up the left wing of the Army of Jiu,in retreat.This order has been however counter mandate ;in the interest of the manoeuvres planned by the High Romanian Commandment ,the Division received a new order ,to remain on place ,to resist,and it did.In a resembling situation was finding also the Militia Detachment -said the Danube Detachment-reduced at three Battalions and a battery under the Command of Colonel Al.Vaitoianu -shared between Hinova ,on Danube River and Bailesti ,in the South-West of Dolj County.It have received the order to retreat in the left of Cerna Group,with direction Caracal,to occupy and defend Stoenesti Bridge ,over Olt River.And this order was in the end ,countermandate.We now the result of the catastrophe of not occupying of the bridge at Stoenesti.

At 19th of November ,together with the advance of Kuhne Army towards Craiova ,the enemy started the offensive against the Group at Cerna ;the attack ,aimed against Alion Mountain ,has been repelled.Encouraged by the situation more and more difficult in which it was finding the Romanian Group ,with the cut retreat ,the enemy re newed with the same insuccess its attacks.In the same time ,Kuhne ,which has occupied Craiova and was advancing towards Olt ,started to be concerned by the safety of its back.On the other hand ,Hindenburg needed of the Way of Danube ,indispensable for the services of provissioning of the two Armies operating now in Muntenia Field(Wallachia or Valahia or Romanian Country).That is why ,the German Commander orders an action ,energic, by which the enemy to take in possession the left wing of Danube .The enemy attack on the whole line of the Front was given at 22nd of November ,sustained by Danube River monitors .With all the thinness of the Front line ,the Romanians have resisted with determination ,but start to be overwhelmed by the superiority of the enemy.

Behind the Group at Cerna ,Kuhne sends"The Strengthened Battalion Picht" with cannons and a telegraph station without wire.Picht started from Filiasi along the railway towards West and,defeateing the resistance of a weak Detachment of Militia at Balota ,occupies Turnu-Severin in the evening of 2nd of November .

At Cerna ,Demetriad is aknowledged by the Prefect of the County of Mehedinti that Severin is occupied since the evev ,by the enemy.Without waiting for an order from the Great Headquarter ,seeing his communication line cut ,the Colonel gives the order for general retreat.The retreat of the Romanian Group ,gave finally the occassion to the enemy to"conquer" the crossing of Cerna River and to begin the pursuit of the undefeated Romanian Division.The arierguard of the Romanian Group ,fighting with courage ,held the enemy to respectuous distance .In the night of 22-23rd of November ,the last Romanian Posts have left the Eastern shore of Cerna ,and at 24th ,the troops of Cerna Group were in front of Severin ,occupied with two days before by the Germans.

. "The wandering Detachment " Taut

Very adventurous has been the fate of Taut Detachment.Formed at 15th of November with the purpose of participating at the Battle of Tirgu Jiu,by elements taken from different sectors of Cerna Group.He was constituted by three Battalions of Infantry with an artillery battery at Ciresu and started in the morning of 16th of November towards Baia de Arama ,making a tiring march the whole day on snowing and waterandsnowing.From the right side ,the wind brings the echo of the cannon of Tirgu Jiu Battle ,which cooked up.Arrived in Baia de Arama late in to the night ,after three hours of rest ,the soldiers re-begin at 17th the march towards Tirgu Jiu.Before Pestisani ,the column meets with a Detachment of three Escadrons of the 6th Grman Cavalry Division ,with cannons ,which tey repel ;at night they cantoon at Pestisani.The next day in the morning ,18th of November ,the situations shows unclear.Isolated and in ignorrance of what was going on around him,Taut has to make suppositions over the situation and make decissions out of own initiative .The Battle at Tirgu Jiu took place yesterday,without the Detachment participation;it is obvious that the Romanians were in retreat ,followed by the enemy;the Front was towards South,far away.

The advance towards Tirgu Jiu was of no use whatsoever.Besides the Detachment was much too weak -with a little over 2000 fighters -to be able to bring a real service in the unfolding of the engaged battle.He has to look now after his own safety.Taut makes a going around move towards right and starts the march in South direction ,along Bistrita Valley.By here,has passed yesterday the 7th Cavalry Division of the enemy towards South and the road is followed now by the columns of Schmettow Corps.At Balcesti,the confluence of Bistrita water with Jiu River ,the Romanian Detachment meets a big enemy column ,which he attacks.After a violent fight ,the greatest part of the column is captured.120 waggons with munition ,effects and food are destroyed.The rest escapes on a lateral road ,under the protection of the snowing ,which obstacles the eye sight;three officers and 80 soldiers are made prisoners .At night,Taut is at Rosia;the enemy has important forces at Farcasesti ,2.5 Miles distance from the Romanian cantoonament.

The Commander of the German Group of Jiu,Kuhne ,which is on the way to Craiova ,is concerned by the existence and deeds of this wandering Detachment,which he has in the back and ribs.The 7th Cavalry Division ,German, and the Detachment of armoured automobiles are send in the pursuit of this Detachment.In the day of 19th ,Taut is at Raci;the enemy Cavalry cuts his way,occupying Bolbosi and Borascu .Taut changes direction towards South West to arrive over the hills at Strehaia ,from where he can go either to Severin,or Craiova.At the bridge at Bolbosi he is attacked by the enemy ,with strong artillery ;in the fight given here ,with heavy casualties by both sides ,falls Captain Benedict Popescu ,one of the heroes of Cerna Group.The road towards Strehaia being barriered by the enemy ,Taut changes once more direction more to the East ,towards Prunisor .Kuhne recalls the 7th Cavalry Division ,which he needs in other direction and leaves in the pursuit of the Detachment Taut ,only the Regiment of Armoured Nr.5th and three Escadrons with artillery;the armoured automobiles,stuck in the snow ,give up to the pursuit.In the day of 21st the Germans attack at Severinesti the Romanian Detachment ,but they are throwed back ,until Craiova and lose three cannons ,chesons,machineguns and prisoners .Important captures are send to Turnu Severin but,unfortunately ,the city has been occupied already by the Germans .The Detachment makes the telegraphic connection with the Commander of cerna Group .At 21st of November,in the evening.Taut Detachment is at Malovat,4.3 Miles North-East of turnu-Severin ,in the tactic field of the city,where he receives the order of Colonel Demetriad to leave for Turnu Severin to reconquer the city ,which ,in the mean time ,has been occupied by surprise by the Germans.


( Telegraphic Post of the II-nd Romanian Army)


The fight at Turnu Severin

At 23rd of November ,Taut is not able to attack Severin ,thinking that his Detachment is too weak to fulfil with success such a mission ,and the men ,few ,are tired after five days of continuous marchings and fights.In the same day ,arrives in to the tactic field also the bulk of Cerna Group ,coming from West ,followd close by the enemy,advancing hard on the driveway ,with ground holes made by rains and crowded by the multitude of horse carriages which here and there blocked the traffic.Panics were produced from time to time ,making losses of life and material.

The Germans ,occupying the city withe the Strengthened Battalion Picht,put it in defence position.All the exits from the city have been barricaded with the benches from the public gardens and squares ,with waggons and carriages;the machineguns have been installed in mansards and at windows of the houses ;on the boulevard in the center of the city ,from the public garden and from the Northern part of the city,cannons dominated the vecinities.So,for reconquering of the city by Romanians ,will have to be made a heavy fight.A lively discussion started between the Romanian Commanders ,if in this situation it would be oportun the attacking of Severin ,which will attract losses in men and time ;some opinionated that it would be preferable to continue the retreat in haste to East,going around the city,to save the unit from extermination and to make the connection of the Group with the bulk of the Romanian Armies.But Colonel Demetriad maintained his opinion, to attack Severin.The fight will be given during the day on 11/24 of November.

In the day of 23rd of November ,Taut ,which made contact with the German avanposts ,was forced to stay on watch in front of the city ,harassing with small enemy groups ,without engaging in fond.The arriving of the Group from Cerna in the tactic field was not without adventures which diminished its fighting strngth.An enemy attack in the dark over the tail of the convoys produced a great crowding and panic ;some Companies have been scattered to great distances towards East,missing the next day at the attack over Severin.The attack begun at 12 noon ,with all forces united of the two Brigades -as much as they could gather .The 1st Brigade ,Colonel Stavrache ,was operating in Eastern and Northern Sector ;the 2nd Brigade ,Colonel Lupascu in the Northern and Western Sector.The field of battle was well reconnoitred by the troops of the brave 17th Mehedinti Regiment ,of the 1st Brigade ,which had their Barracks in Turnu Severin,making thus on this terrain their exercises and fighting applications.Fighting with elan ,they have advanced on to the edge of the city.

Threatened ,the Germans request quick reinforcements by telegraph ,without wire,installed by them in the City Hall Park.They arrive the same day ;from the west arrives the Cyclists Brigade from Cerna;from over the Danube few Companies ,Bulgarians ,from east few Cavalry Escadrons of the 7th German Division ;on the Danube ,some Austrian vessels give help to the artillery.Their firing range and those of some Bulgarian batteries from the Southern shore of the river bombard,destroy and spread the convoys of waggons of the Romanian Division.A number of 380 prisoners ,Austrians ,found in the city ,are freed ,armed with rifles captured by Romanians and increasing thus the number of the enemy fighters.

The fight is made in difficult conditions for Romanians.The fires of the cannons and especially of the machineguns ,numerous,Germans ,which fire in full ,cut down the Romanians ,which cannot answer the same way.The Romanian batteries fire short ,of fraid to not destroy the beautiful Severin ,the residence of their own Division.Many officers and soldiers of the Division,from Mehedinti ,had here their house and family.The fight,very bloody,was given till late in the night ,at the light of rockets throwed by the enemy,in the edge and even on to the streets of the city where groups of Romanian soldiers have entered.The Germans,although they fought from shelters ,have big losses as well.By evening ,they are forced to notice that the resistance is not possible anymore ,they gather their telegraphic instalation ,without wire,and and prepare to run away over the Danube.Luckily for them,though,that in the same evening,Demetriad ,realizing that the fight is useless,that every hour of delay makes the situation more complicated ,that from one moment to another will arrive in his back the troops of Szivo Group ,and that the bulk of his forces executed the move of going around the city ,he breaks the fight and gave the order for general retreat with direction towards South-East;the retreat of the troops of the 1st Brigade started from own initiative of the Commander ,pushed by the situation of the fight.

Around the city ,the hills and valleys have remained covered with hundreds of dead bodies of the soldiers from Mehedinti ,dead in the fight for the pride and liberation of their city .A group of citizens and pupils of the schools of Turnu Severin have buried 216 dead bodies of Romanian soldiers ,which have been left by the Germans to putrefy on the field.


The retreat of Cerna Group

At 25th of November Cerna Group,reconstituted with all its units ,begun the retreat in very difficult conditions.No connection with the Central Command or with other Fighting Groups did not exist anymore.All communications have been cut or occupied by the enemy.In this desperate situation ,Colonel Demetriad decided that by,own means ,to cross Oltenia Region,by South of the railway and of the big driveway ,to arrive at Inferior Olt River,which to cross on one of the bridges of this region.Heroic decission ,but hard to acomplish ,when Oltenia was in the power of the enemy,when his Cavalry and armoured cars were roving through up and down all the roads ,when from behind the Division was closely pursued by advers Group ,which did not give a minute rest ,when from the North were closing in the German columns ,and at South were crossing the Danube River the Bulgarian Detachments.Still,the Officers of the Group ,decided to continue the retreat ,forcing the passing through the middle of the enemy.

On the right side ,Vaitoianu Detachment started also the retreat along Danube River.The two Groups united at 1st of December and fussioned under the Command of Colonel Demetriad.The extraordinary retreat lasted for two weeks,going more than 125 Miles behind enemy lines(enemy Front),with short stops at Rogova ,Braniste ,Galicea Mare ,Bailesti,Sadova,Zaval,Bechet,Corabia.The marching of the troops was made hard;the weather was cold and rainy;the foot wear of the soldiers tore .There was not one day in which the Group not to be attacked either in flanks or in the back,where the 1st Mixt Brigade -Colonel Stavrache -which formed the arierguard of the column ,reduced at the brave 17th Mehedinti Regiment ,with two weak Battalions ,had to sustain almost continuously the fight with Szivo Brigade.The Romanians have given themselves numerous attacks to cover the retreat and ensure liberty of movements.Everything that was not indispensable :waggons ,chesons(ammo bins or waggons),ambulances have been send in to the abyss of Copcii Valley.At Zaval,Vaitoianu Detachment buried its cannons in to the ground.

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At 1st of December Cerna Group has cross over Jiu River by Zaval ,under the beat of the enemy cannons and cantooned at Sadova ,where the Commander wants to accord a day rest,to the tired troops.The rich installations and the mansion Domeniu Coroanei(The Crown Domain) have been devastated plundered in a savage way,by the Bulgarian Commitee-men ,which came over ,over Danube River.Surrounded and caught by Romanian troops ,they have not ,however,been shot ,after the right of War,but-in number of some 150 -taken prisoners and dragged with the Division,fore few days ,until Olt River.The enemy ,which follows close by,attacks all day and the troops have to fight in the trenches ,repelling all attacks.At Sadova,plundered by Bulgarian Commitee-men crossed over Danube River,the Commander receives finally,news which lightens the situation.A Calaras(horseman),Romanian, alone ,which escaped from a reconnoitring patrol ,comes back from over Olt River,with the news of the general retreat of Romanians and forming of the Romanian Front line on Arges River.With all the tragic of the situation ,the Council of Commanders decides retaking of the march towards West ,with cover over the right side against Bulgarians ,which try to attack from Danube direction.A new enemy attack with artillery ,at Visina ,on to the railway Caracal-Corabia,is repelled and at 5th of December the troops of the Group have reached the Olt River shore.The troops are unfolded facing Olt ;at the left side is the 1st Brigade ,Colonel Stavrache ,at Ciineni and Tia Mare;the bulk -the 2nd Brigade -is at the right ,at Izbiceni.The Group is reduced now at barely 5000 men .The rest have perished in the fights ;many soldiers ,especially Milita -men of "Dunarea Group"(Danube Group),from Mehedinti County , Dolj County and Romanati County,have remained in their villages ,which the Army was going through in her retreat.

A big desilussion awaited the heroic troop at the shore of Olt .The waters of the river were big ,because of the rains ,and the crossing over the bridges was impossible.The bridge at Stoenesti ,at Caracalului,went down in to enemy hands long time ago,which was occupying it solid.Same with the bridge at Islaz;a trial by here would have been very risky ,as the bridge was,as the shore,under the beat of the cannons from enemy vessels on Danube River and from the Bulgarian shore.The bridge at Izbiceni ,intermediary between the two ,has been blown up by the Detachment in which guard has been trusted and which was in a hurry to retreat.Demetriad,took the decission :the troops will cross at Izbiceni.In two days ,the big break made in the beautiful bridge of concrete will be repaired with improvized material at the disposal.The works begin imediately,almost under enemy fire ,and the troop place herself in cantoonament through the villages on the edge of Olt River ,constituting a fighting Front facing West,with the back towards Olt River and with the left flank towards Danube River.


Before the reparations to the bridge to be ended,the inevitable has produced.All around the brave troop was gathering the enemy,which started to attack from all directions.At Islaz the Austro-Hungarian fleet disembarks troops ;behind,on the other side of Olt ,appeared troops of Stage ,Austro-Hungarians ,Bulgarian Pioneers and troops of German Railway.The bulk of Szivo troops arrived in the face of Romanian Front.

The enemy attacks -from North and North-West -at 5th and 6th of December the left Romanian wing-of North-of the Group.The Milita defenders -from Ciineni ,overwhelmed by the superior forces ,cannot resist anymore;the enemy occupies the villages and captures troops;now he can attack both from front and flank Tia Mare where cantoons the Brigade of arierguard.The Romanians resist with fury.The enemy artillery bombards with rage the village.The link with Izbicenii is broken ,the enemy columns invade from all parts .A try of braking of the enemy circle ,executed with two Companies ,is rejected.Nothing is to hope for.The flag of the 17th Regiment Mehedinti ,glorious carried in fights for three months ,is kissed by officers and soldiers ,then burned in fire.The trumpet-man sounds the cease of the fight and the white flag rises over the Romanian thrences ...In the same day ,the same fate has the bulk ,cantooned at Izbiceni.The enemy circle tightens from all parts around the troop.Attacked from North ,from West and from the South ,the Romanians find themselves also attacked over from Olt by railway troops of Mackensen Army ,which were on the Eastern shore.Defeated by fatality ,overwhwlmed by the enemy ,without any perspective of escape ,the troop has to bow her head in fron of fate.Painful scenes took place with the occasion of capitulation.Some batteries of the 1st Artillery Regiment,Romanian destroyed their cannons ,the waggons and furgonets;blew up their projectiles ;the officers and soldiers broke their swords and rifles and shot the horses.The smashes of the guns and waggons have been piled up in a huge stalk along with the dead bodies of the horses and burned.The soldiers of the heroic Division,which did not new defeat till then,were crying in front of the imense fire ,the altar of the sacrifice of a brave troop ,but without luck.In a big room of Rosianu Mansion ,has been made the scene of the dramatic capitulation.Colonel Szivo congratulated Colonel Demetriad for bravery ,the courage and resistance which he made proof of,in this long and difficult retreat .In the conversation which followed ,the Romanians found out that ,with consternation ,in tha same day,Bucharests have been occupied by the enemy Armies.So ,the plan of crossing Olt ,to unite with the bulk of the Romanian Army ,would have been inutile ,himeric,and the martyrs of two weeks of fighting,of the penible retreat, in vain.This is how the glorious story of this brave Division ends .In the history of our War,remains a bright page and the enemy consacrates elogious rows:"The small Group of Orsova,which have stayed for two weeks in the middle of the torrent and only at Turnu Magurele have been captured,have saved the honour of Romanian Army,when the bulk of her,already for a long time now,could held only by Russian aid".

The military correspondent of "Norddeutsche Algemeine Zeitung"-one of the German newspapers inspired by the government in matters of foreign politics -writes at 30th of December in connection with the retreat of the Group at Cerna:"All these cannot obstacle us from addmitting ,alltogether with our good militars ,that the conduct of Romanian at Orsova and in general of the entire Romanian Army of 1916,deserves all the admiration ,even in comparisson with the other allies of them.Who has the cult of the flag ,and unmoved trust in it ,will have to admit what is of the enemy as well ,after all".

Falkenhayn himself,very sobre when it comes to admit the virtues of the adversary ,border himself to write :"Also this deed deserves not to be forgotten in the history of War".

Colonel Demetriad has been sued ,at his return from captivity ,and trialed at Iasi in 1919,with the guilt of making an inutile attack at Turnu Severin,without superior orders:he was condemned to penssion before age limit.Bitter ,he put an end to his life ,latter.The public opinion absolved him and gave him the high esteem deserved by men of bravery and character.


3.Crossing the Danube

An important number of the German program

In the second half of November ,the Supreme German Commander thought that the events on the Romanian War Theatre have reached,in their advantageous unfolding,to a deciding point.It was the proper moment for an Army to cross over Danube River ,to take part,hand in hand with Falkenhayn ,to a concentric advance towards Bucharests.The ideea of attacking simultaneously of Romania from two directions ,from North-over Carpathian Mountains-and from the South-over the Danube -was ,as we know the initial and fundamental ideea of the German strategic plan.There were the two blades of a scissor,which closed in,cutting the piece behind them.The plan has been elaborated by the Great German Headquarter ,imediately after Brasov Battle ,at 8th of October.

The awaited moment for executing this operation arrived;it is true that much latter than calculated the Great German Headquarter .The breakthrough of the Romanian Front in Dobrogea permitted to Mackensen to build up a strong defence line in the most narrow region of Dobrogea .The guard of this line has been handed to an Army ,made out of Bulgarian Divisions and Turkish-German Detachments ,calculated as sufficient for the lack of energy of the Russian attacks.With the rest of the German-Turkish-Bulgarian forces,Mackensen constituted a new Army ,destined to the invasion in Muntenia(the Romanian Country or Valahia;not the entire Kingdom of Romania).He completed this Army with Cavalry units ,taken from the Macedonian Front where ,after seizing of Monastir[2],the War there,entered a stationary phase,with German troops and with the 12th Bulgarian Division,which made till then the guard of the Danube and with a Turk Division.This was the new "Danube Army",which was supposed to cross the river ,between Sistov and Zimnicea .The day of the crossing depended by the situation of Falkenhayn Army .It has been set for 23rd of November ,when Kuhne Army ,advancing in the pursuit of the Romanian Army at Jiu,defeated,closes in to Olt River.The passing of Mackensen behind the Romanian troops had to have as result conquering of Olt River line and perhaps-the capturing of Romanian Army.

Preparatives

The operation of crossing Danube River is,in itself,a difficult operation ,which reclames a lot of preparation ,rich technical means .The Germans have prepared it with meticulosity and with the spirit of tidy,specific to the rase.Harder even than the operation of crossing ,is the one of holding on on the adverse shore.For this it is necessary ,on one hand,that the bridge to be solid defended,and on the other hand ,that numerous and well organized forces to occupy the shore on an extended ray.Our try at Flaminda demonstrated that it is easier to throw a bridge and cross over it,than to try to hold on on the adverse shore.

Even during the time of neutrality(before the War).the Austro-Hungarian pontooneers have transported the necessary material for constructing a bridge System Herbert ,capable to sustain the most heavy artillery ;pntoons and pieces of bridge that had only to be set ,head to head.This material has been sheltered in Belene Channel ,between Persina Islet and the Bulgarian shore.Persina Islet is the greatest of the Islands of Danube River and it is covered by woods of willow tree,which mask completely the channel behind .It is at some 6.25 Miles above Zimnicea .The transport and sheltering of the material was made with a lot of guard and discretion ,such that ours did not find a thing.It would have been enaugh some cannon shots to destroy all this material.Also here,hide the fleet as well,of monitors and vedette Austro-Hungarian,as well as numerous motor boats ,which will be of great use at the crossing of the troops.

The chosen poit for crossing of Danube was Sisitov ,in front of Zimnicea .It is exactly the place where the Russians have built at 1877 the bridge,on which have crossed the Armies ,in the War for Liberating Bulgaria.The chosen point presents numerous advantages .The Bulgarian shore ,high and with gulleys ,dominates-as in the all course of the Danube-the Romanian shore ,flat,permitting observation up to great distances ,as behind the heights of Sistov ,covered with trenches ,the own movements,are hidden by the sight of the adversary.Besides,Sistov is head of railway ,at close distance from the base of the fleet of Persina ,and in the middle of the Danube ,in front is Bujorescu Islet ,which separates the flow of Danube in two arms ,making thus easy the crossing and construction of the bridge.The preparatives for crossing the Danube were made during the night .There were constructed on to the side of the driveway well masked ,there were unfolded rails ,there have been carried considerable amounts of munition and provissions ,there were installed in the trenches cannons of great caliber.A very severe supervising has managed to obstacle ,any crossing over the water ,such that the secret of the preparatives was well kept.The thing is not a surprise .The preparatives of the Romanian crossing at Flaminda have remained,as well,unobserved by the enemy,although he had the superiority of mastering the air with numerous aeroplanes and his fleet had more liberty of movement than the Romanian fleet,retained beyond the Dobrogean Front.Destroying of the Romanian observation post at over Cinghinelelor Islet ,at 8th of October ,has left to the Austro fleet the mastering of Danube ,which was not troubled but only by the batteries on the Romanian shore.

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However,the Romanian Commandment have received informations which yields the intention of the enemy.British aviators ,arrived from Lemnos Island ,reported that ,during their flight over the Bulgarian territory ,they have seen a long column of over 12.5 Miles going from East to West ,on the driveway from Osman -Pazar at Tarnovo.Other French aviators have observed big concentrations of troops arround Plevna .The officers of the Militia troops have notified their Chiefs that,during the night ,one can hear on the Bulgarian territory sispicious noises,which indicate an anusual activity.Unfortunately,the general situation did not permit to Romanians taking of measures of strengthening ,especially that no one knew for certain which might be the point chosen by the enemy to effectuate the crossing.To deceive the attention of the Romanian Commandment ,the enemy started an intensive bombardment in the whole length of Danube River and has occupied several islets.The bombardment was of unusual strength in the day of 22nd of November ,in the eve of the day fixed for the operation,whene there have been executed many more deceiving actions of disembarking in different points.At 22nd of November ,the enemy Army of Danube was entirely concentrated at Sistov and has been presented(review) by Marshal Mackensen and by the Chief of his General Staff,General Tappen.

The composition of this Army was the following:the 217th German Division ,General von Gallwitz,which fought at Topraisar;a Mixt Division,Germano-Bulgar,Austro-Hungars and Bulgars,brought from Macedonian Front.The Army has been foreseen with a very powerful artillery and especially with a big number of machineguns.The Commander of the Danube Army was General Kosch which,before the War,commanded the 10th Prusian Division with the ressidence at Poznan and took part in the Campaign against Serbia.

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On the Romanian shore ,the defence was given to a Group named the Group of Danube Defence ,put under the Command of General C. Iancovescu .The Group was made of the 18th Romanian Division ,General Referendaru,made out of three Brigades ,strengthened with a Brigade of Artillery and three Brigades of Calarasi.The 2nd Cavalry Division ,which fought at Magherus and Oituz ,has been brought in Muntenia -without one Brigade,left at Oituz -and cantooned in Bucharest,forming thus the Reserve of the Group for Danube Defence.The Danube shore ,from Olt to Calarasi,was separated in to three Sectors:Turnu Magurele-Zimnicea,Giurgiu and Oltenita ,corresponding to the three brigades of the 18th Division.Face with the strech of the sectors ,the guard was illusory :the density of the means was of one man at each 30 meters .The troop was made in the most part of Militia men.The Division was formed after the beginning of the War of Battalions of Militia and of the fourth Battalion of some of the Regiments in Muntenia.As active Regiment ,was only the 20th Teleorman .The weapons of the Militia were very weak ;the old weapons Martiny ,with which their parents made the 1877 War.In the last moment it has begun the change of the rifles by Weterley ,difficult to use weapon ,defectuous as mechanism ,but with a formidable bayonet!The artillery was submediocre .Without only few modern batteries or of great caliber ,the majority were the old cannons ,without repetition and the acompany batteries made out of the small cannons of 53 mm,taken out from forts and mounted on afets.The Romanian soldiers have nicknamed them the "rifles" in opposition with the powerful enemy artillery.Some batteries were harnassed with oxes ,because of the lack of horses.In some points of the Danube shore were installed fixed batteries ,which supervised the course of the Danube and the opposite shore .This was the weak cover that would have to be opposed to the strong Army ,which Mackensen prepared to throw over the Danube .


The Crossing

In the morning of 23rd of November ,a very thick fog covered the river and the shores.One could not see 10 m in front.At about 4 in the morning ,the first Company of German Hunters crossed the river on to the Northern shore in boats with padeles.The thick fog made the crossing easier,unobserved.Other boats followed .A bit up stream, crossed the river also the Bulgarian Companies .The disembarked troops started to dig fast ,holes in the ground,building a temporary bridgehead .

Soon ,the enemies have been discovered by the Romanian Posts and the general alarm was made.It was too late.From the Bulgarian shore ,the heavy and light German artillery started a strong bombardment over the Romanian shore ,separating by a curtain of fire the desembarking zone of Zimnicea ,by the neighbour villages ,where the Romanian troops were.Under the protection of this fire of baraj,the tow motor boats start to dragg the bulk of the troops ,on to Romanian shore.The Austro-Hungarian fleet of monitors was supporting the crossing ,firing as well over the shore.By evening have crossed the 217th Division von der Goltz and the 1st Bulgarian Division.

The bombarding of the Romanian shore ,was general now,from Islaz to Giurgiu.At Islaz disembarked other German troops ,making the Romanian Militia Battalion to retreat ,in the guard of which were the two bridges over Inferior Olt River.The small Detachments of Militia ,which have tried to oppose resistance ,had to retreat at North of Zimnicea .They are too weak -one against eight.

The next day ,24th of November ,the Germans have widen and completed the bridgehead .Now have started the construction of the bridge itsef by the Austrian pontooneers ;the construction continues also at night at the light of the projectors from the river monitors.In the next morning the bridge was ready ;its metal bars were shining in to the rays of a joyful autumn sun.Over the bridge were passing in unterminable columns ,in the sound of music and under the eyes of Marshal Mackensen ,the infantry masses ,cavalry and artillery ,Germans from all parts of the empire:from Mainz and Platinat,from Bavaria and Pomerania ,from Silezia and Schleswig -Holstein,then Hanovezi,Hungarians,Bosniacs ,Turks ,Bulgarians ,to pour as an invasion wave over the fields and villages Romanian.The enemy invasion was bursting now the kingdom from three parts.The fire circle of the strong enemy was getting tighter now ,more and more over the exhausted Romanian Army.She had to fight in the same time in the mountains facing North ,at Olt with the face towards West and now ,at the Danube facing South.The tragic situation in which we were finding ourselves ,reclaimed in to memory another decisive moment in Romanian history.From the same place ,in which now rise up the threatening sword of the enemy ,with almost 40 years before rose a frightened voice :"The Turks are finishing us.Cross the Danube .Make a demonstration ,pressure ,or any other operation,as was your wish".It was the voice of Grand Duke Nicolae ,the Generalisim of the Russian Army ,cornered by Osman Pasa at Plevna ,threatened to be pushed into the Danube River.He was imploring King Carol of Romania for the saving helping hand.The Romanians run for the aid of Russians ,Bulgaria was freed and...Basarabia was taken from us .Thirtynine years latter ,on the same spot ,the invasion hoardes ,in which shine,filled with hate ,the eyes of the liberated slave ,hand in hand with his yesterday executioner ,step onto Romanian land.But this time the voice of Romania resounds in vain.The great ally had his misterious calculations .His aid comes late ,weak,hesitant.We were alone in the hour of our grave danger !


The Advance

The enemy has set foot on Romanian shore .He started its unfolding for battle.Goltz Division was closed down;its elements have been ,part of them assigned to other units,and another part remained as a Mixt Brigade Bulgaro-German independent ,and General von der Goltz took the Command of the Cavalry Division ,which will form up the covering of the Danube Army*.

Even in the day of 24th,Zimnicea was occupied by the enemy.He begins his advance along Zimnicea-Alexandria railway .The 217th German Division and the Turk DIvision are at the center.The Cavalry Division is at the left wing .The Bulgarians are forming up the right wing ;they take North -East direction ,along the Danube ,with direction of Giurgiu,accompanied by the Fleet of Danube ,which defends their flank.

The Romanian Detachments of Militia ,which constituted the defence of Zimnicea Sector ,are too weak to obstacle the advance.However,they give attacks which delay the moves of the adversary ,as the Commander of Danube Defence calls in support the troops of the other two sectors ,to concentrate all his forces in the invaded region.The enemy avanguards are detained for a brief moment by an attack from direction of Bragadiru ,executed by Arges Battalion ;then are brought to a stand still in front of Romanian positions at Ulmulet Trainstation.But the enemy attacks strong with three Regiments of Infantry sustained by artillery ,and the defence is made by three Militia Battalions with three batteries of old cannons ;few Companies of 20th Teleorman Regiment arrive too late and are too tired to take part in the fight .Face with this crushing superiority ,the Romanian troops have to continue the retreat.

The enemy advances now in three directions :the left continues the road towards Alexandria ;the center goes oblique towards North -East towards Tporu and Draganesti ,to cut the driveway Alexandria-Bucuresti;the right follows the road of Giurgiu.the Turks remain in reserve .To dam the advance of the enemy and to gain time,to make the marches and concentration of troops necessitated by the new situation ,the Romanian Commandment sets the troops of Danube Defence in a form of an arch of circle,leaning with the right on Vedea at Alexandria and with the left on Danube River,at Giurgiu.

The left enemy wing ,made especially of Cavalry ,is followed at distance by Turkish troops.She defeats the Romanian resistance at Soimu and at Sumirdioasa -were have fought only the 20th Regiment ,Teleorman,because the Battalion of Militia have left the fight-and occupies at 26th of November Tiganesti,and at 27th Alexandria.The enemy avanguards meet at Plosca ,between Alexandria and Rosiorii de Vede ,with Schmettow avanguards.


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The German cavalry ,coming from Caracal direction ,have crossed Olt River at Stoenesti Bridge,and have occupied in the eve Rosiorii de Vede.The 5th Rosori Regiment with an artillery battery and a section of machineguns is send to reoccupy Rosiorii de Vede,in which ,the Romanian Commander thinks have entered only an enemy patrol.Entering in the city ,the Regiment is received with fires from all the houses and especially from a position which the enemy occupies at West of the city.Surprised and threatened in his retreat ,the Commander of the Regiment ,gives order to Captain Corlatescu to cover the retreat by attacking the positin West of the city in which the enemy has retrenched himself.Corlatescu understands his sacrifice role and starts in a charrge with the lance in ballance for attack and in regulated files as at the parade ,against the enemy.A gulley stops for a few seconds the elan of the attack ,at 200 meters from enemy position.It was enaugh for that the rattle of enemy cannons and machineguns to cut down to the ground more than half of the men of the Escadron ,ahead with his Captain.The Regiment could retreat and save.

Three German Cavalry -men have been killed in the city .As retaliations ,the German set fire to the entire Comercial Center of the city;they also ask for a fine of half a million Lei(Romanian currency).Memories filled of feelings come back to the minds of Germans as they cross the city in flames."After 28 months of War ,we relive in the bottom of Valahia ,scenes of Belgium ,scenes of Dinant",writes a correspondent which has recorded the German atrocities from the firsts times of the War only as a pitoresque element.

After occupying Alexandria ,the Germans have advanced towards North-East ,following the driveway Alexandria -Bucuresti.Five Miles from Alexandria ,they have collided with the Romanian troops which have occupied the resistance line Vitanesti-Grosu on Teleorman.All the enemy columns which closed in of this line have been attacked end repelled.But the enemy,occupying with the middle column Prunaru and bombarding Draganesti ,behind Romanians,General Referendaru had to retreat towards these two localities.

The German units of Kosch Army were:as Infantry,the 217th Division(without Regiment 9th,left in Dobrogea and Landstrum Regiment 115th ;the Cavalry Division von der Goltz was made out of Reserve Mounted Hunters Regiment,the 6th Ulans Regiment ,7th Husars Regiment of reserve,the 12th Dragons Regiment ;the Detachments of Mountain machineguns no. 234 and 240;as artillery there were parts of Regiments 65th,201st,69th,1st Bavarian,6th,9th ,13th 67th a.s.o.The 8th Battery of heavy mortiers of ridge .Battery 25th of short cannons of fleet ;finally the 6th Battery de Minenwerier[3] and Section 243 of Aviation.

Destroying Giurgiu

The right wing Bulgarian was advancing towards Giurgiu,weakly defended by two Romanian Battalions of Militia and by some old batteries,with oxes.In the days of 25-26th of November ,the Bulgarians bombard with savagery the city ,from the Southern shore of Danube,transforming whole neigbourhoods into ruins.In the day of 27th,Giurgiu was occupied by the columns coming from Zimnicea and by other troops which have crossed the Danube at Rusciuk.The first Bulgarian troops ,entering the city ,had part of bloody street fights with Romanian troops ,in retreat.Occupying the deserted city ,the Bulgarians stormed over the houses and the ownings of its inhabitants.The shops and houses have been robbed by everything .When the last thing hs been "lifted" came the turn of the windows and doors and everything that could be strip.All the pray of this savage plunder was transported with waggons in Rusciuk,on the boats-bridge ,throwed between the two cities.

This banditry is confirmed by one of the German correspondents ,which was following the German-Bulgar troops*:"Giurgiu was first hit by the heavy artillery fire ,during the artillery duel which preceeded the crossing of Danube and,what escaped untouched,perished during the street fights ,which took place in the city .Bulgarians ,which consider the War against Romania as a personal revenge War ,have unleashed their hatered and destroyed evetything they could .Everything which escape the fire ,has been destroyed by their blind hate".The Bulgarians were paying as their soul dictated them ,the debt contracted at Grivita ,Plevna and Smirdan (in 1877-1878 War against Ottoman Empire).

Hugo Schultze,"Arbeiter Zeitung",(Wien),16th of December 1916. ........


The fight and charge at Prunaru

The center of the invasion Army ,advancing through Toporu,occupies with the 217th DIvision German,in the evening of 26th of September ,Prunaru Village ,on the driveway Alexandria -Bucharest.The occupation of this village set in to critical position the Romanian troops in Alexandria-Dragasani region,to which the retreat was in this way cut,towards Bucharest and the junction with the 21st Romanian Division ,which was expected from this direction.

The base military formation of the Romanian Detachment of Zimnicea ,was made by 43rd Mixt Brigade ,of the 18th Division ;it was made of weak units ;four rests from Milita Battalions and one from 20th Teleorman Regiment ;as artillery ,three divizions of old cannons of 87 mm.For strengthening was send to Zimnicea Detachment ,the 2nd Rosiori Regiment(Cavalry) ;he assumed position in Grosu-Poenari-Schitu region ,between Alexandria and Dragasani.The Regiment has made ,in the frame of the 2nd cavalry Division the Ardeal Campaign ,from Oituz to Birsei Country,fought unmounted ,with the lance in hand,at Magherus and when the damns of the Kingdom were broken ,has been transported in the Kingdom ,as reserve of the Group of Danube Defence ,in Oltenita region.When the enemy has crossed the Danube at Zimnicea ,the Regiment has been brought in Alexandria zone and set to the disposition of the 18th Romanian Infantry Division.

At 27th of November ,Colonel Naumescu ,the Commander of the 2nd Rosiori Regiment has noticed that the infantry of the 43rd Brigade ,tired of fight and defeated ,with very big casualties is in retreat at Prunaru towards West ;the enemy threatened to enter our lines .General Referendaru ,the Commander of the 18th Division decides to try to reoccupy Prunaru and gives to the 2nd Rosiori Regiment the mission to protect the left flank of the infantry.All night of 27-28th of November ,the Germans throw lighting rockets and burn up the hay stakes ,to intimidate the Romanians.The Romanian attack is set for the morning of the 28th of November.At 5 in the morning ,the attack troops ,Romanian of the 43rd Brigade begin to advance ,without knowing well the positions occupied by the enemy in Prunaru Village at North of this one.

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It is a very thick fog which obstacles completely the visibility;the only repere line is Draganesti-Prunaru driveway,which makes big rounds .As the Infantry of the 43rd brigade engages the fight with the enemy ,in the edge of the village ,the 2nd Rosiori Regiment sets to marching ,with Prunaru direction ,from where the noise of the fight is coming;the Regiment is made of Escadrons 1st,2nd,3rd(the 4th is detached into another sector),strengthened with two Platoons of Regiments 3rd and 7th .The marching through darkness and thick fog is penible also because of the carriages of the units and the waggons of the refugees from the villages ,which obstacle the circulation.At 6 in the morning ,Colonel Naumescu receives the order :"The Cavalry to pass forward!" .The Regiment sets in fighting position ,having as avanguard the 2nd Escadron .because of the fog ,the attack direction is very simple :attack straight forward ,along the driveway ,together with the Infantry.The misson of the regiment is to protect the left wing of the Infantry ;that is why he unfolds on to the left side of the driveway ,on the Eastern rib of the Valley of Buna ,at the South-Eastern corner of the Scurtu Forest.

At 7 in the morning the Rosiori close in, by the edge of the village from where ,between artillery bursts ,of machineguns and rifle bullets ,the shouts of "uraa!" of the Romanians show that bayonet attacks are given.The fog obstacles the knowing of the flanks of the enemy positions ,such that the advance can be made only straight on to the driveway.After two hours ,it is sensed that our artillery is raring her fire :sign that the ammunition is ending soon;the rows of soldiers are retreating towards West ,imploring for the saving intervention of the Cavalry ;there are signalled enemy reinforcements ,coming from South direction .The Romanians have fought with bravery ;Prunaru Village has passed three times from one hand to the other.The fight closes in, to the Cavalry positions; Colonel Naumescu keeps a short council with the Commanders in suborder ;all opinion to go straight in the aid of the Infantry .Colonel Naumescu takes place at the temple of the Escadron in avanguard ;although sick ,fresh out of the hospital ,he has a high conception about duty of a Commander and does not understand to leave to someone else the honour to be the first at danger .It is 8,30 in the morning.

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At a sign of the Colonel ,the horsemen set with all Escadrons in line,pedal to pedal?,passing from trapp to gallop ,and advance as a hurricane ;Colonel Naumescu ,followed by his officers of Staff ,gallop at the center ,ahead of 1st Escadron .The trumpet gives the signal for the charge ;the horsemen leaned over the saddle front ,start in a crazy torrent ,as a wall of lances and swords ,on the slope of the hill which descends towards the village .The enemy,surprised by the unexpected apparition from the middle of the fog,of this impetuous attack,runs away like hell towards the villege.His first rows are broke by horses chests and smashed under the feet of the horses .The Cavalry continues with the same fury .Some horses fall to the ground ,keeping the horsemen under,of which rows are raring,here and there.The charge is at the edge of the village ,which they attack from two parts .With all the bravery of the horsemen ,it is noticed that the conditions of modern war are not favorable anymore to the theatral unfoldings ,of Napoleonean charges.From behind the fences ,from behind bushes ,and from the windows and mansards of the houses ,transformed in mouths of fire ,the enemy hidden with tens of machineguns ,trows spins of fire over the proud Regiment .Horses and horsemen,fall over ,ones over the others .In a place on the main street of the village ,a baraj of trunks of trees ,stops the elan of the horsemen;from behind ,the machineguns fire in mass;few horsemen which succeed to jump over the obstacle ,cannot stop but only to the opposite edge of the village.The ones, off their horses ,continue the fight on foot with fury,through the yards of the houses

The Regiment is destroyed .Few horsemen from the left side escaped with life,beeing defended by a terrain mound.Of the proud Regiment ,two hours before,had 14 officers and 360 soldiers;are left 2 officers and 50-60 men,which have continued the fight on foot ,together with a handful of infanterists of the 20th Teleorman Regiment.Over 250 men have remained on the battle field making,together with their horses dead bodies ,piles of bleeding flesh.Ahead of them ,Colonel Naumescu ,gravely wounded ,dies after few days in a hospital in Sofia.


At around 11 the weather which has been foggy and sad,lightens ;the sun takes the fog away,and the heavy German artillery ,arrived and placed in to batteries at South of the village started the firing range with a frightening precision .At 2 in the afternoon ,the Romanian Commander breaks the fight ;the superiority of the enemy was too overwhelming .The rest of Romanian troops retreat towards North in Letca Veche direction ,Mereni and Rusii lui Asan from where then are taken at Jilava ,to remake themselves .The martyr at Prunaru had not been in vain .

At 27th of November ,the enemy Army of Danube ,was mastered on line Alexandria-Dragasani-Prunaru-Giurgiu .Mackensen gave the order for an energic advance towards Bucharest ,along roads Alexandria -Bucharest on one side and Giurgiu -Bucharest on the other ,cross Valleys Glavacioc ,Neajlov and Arges .These valleys have seen ,during the centuries ,ferocious fights ,in which the Romanian defended his piece of land against the invason.There are the fields of battle of Radu from Afumati and of great Mihai.They will witness now of the supreme effort ,which will be made by enything that exist as Romanian Army ,to save the land of the Kingdom and the Capital of it by the invasioneer.These forcings will summon up in the most formidable fights that took place in the first part of our War.It is the great battle on Arges and Neaslov.


4.The Great Battle On Neajlov And Arges

The convergent march of the enemy towards Bucharest.

At 27th of November ,Olt line has fallen at North ,the enemy has taken Curtea de Arges(Arges Court) and the line of Topolog;at South the line Rosiori de Vede -Alexandria -Giurgiu was in his hand.The three enemy Armies ,Kraftt,Kuhne and Kosch ,formed now an unique Front,drawing a vast arch of circle ,of which left was Curtea de Arges ,the center at Slatina ,and the right at Giurgiu.

At 28th of November in the morning ,the three Armies starrted to march convergent towards Bucharest .The impression of the enemy was that the road to Bucharest is free ;the Romanian Armies defeated ,weakened by the heavy casualties suffered ,with the shaken moral ,they could not be capable of a serious resistance .Different episodes proved the demoralization of the troops.Numerous groups were surrendering to much inferior German Detachments .

One of the most evident episodes of this state of spirit is the one at Ciurari.A Detachment of Militia ,of 1200 men with 12 cannons and machineguns ,under the Command of Major Ricman -was retreating from Olt ,where it has abandoned the guard of bridges of Islaz and Izbiceni.Being followed at North of Rosiorii de Vede ,in direction Butculesti-Ciurari,by a Cavalry Escadron ,German,accompanied by an armoured automobile ,the Detachment surrended without fight and without conditions ,with all weapons and luggage.The shameful surrender was made exactly in the moment when the German Captain decided that,faced to the great inferiority in which he was and by the breaking of his automobile ,to cease the pursuit.

Under the influence of the advance of the enemy in Muntenia(Southern-Central region of Romania),the Romanian Front in the mountains started to shake as well.At 28th ,the Army which held almost two months the glorious resistance at North of Cimpulung ,threatens in the back by the progression of the enemy Group ,neighbour towards Pitesti ,started herself the retreat with direction Tirgoviste -Ploiesti.On her tracks ,set to move the Group of General Morgen.

At 29th of November ,the line of the German Front advanced like an invasion wave .The circle arch have diminished its ray.At North-East ,Kraftt Group has occupied Pitesti and was advancing along the driveway with railways towards Golesti-Titu.The Group was now made of three Divisions of Infantry:the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,the 216th German Division and the 73rd Austro-Hungarian Division.The last one of them ,has been constituted of the Alpine Brigades Austro-Hungarian 2nd and 10th,which have fought on Olt Valley and on Topolog Valley Commander,Feldmarshal Goiginger.It has been aded a new Division of Cavalry ,German,the 2nd ,General von Etzel.

At the center ,Kuhne Group has touched with his five Divisions ,the approximative line Costesti-Rosiori de Vede.At his left flank ,te 301st Division ,held for some time at Dragasani ,was at about 6 Miles from Costesti ,and at the right flank ,the 115th Division,which constituted the reserve ,was on the road between Caracal and Rosiori de Vede.Between the two wings of the Group was :the 41st Division at Mirosi ,the 109th Division at Beuca ,and the 11th Division Bavarian exactly at Rosiori .6 Miles ahead ,the two Divisions of Cavalry of Schmettow ,with the Cyclist Brigade ,with auto-machineguns and its armoured automobiles ,were making the avanguard ,masking by their unfolding the march of the Divisions arriving from behind.

At the right wing of the enemy Front ,Kosch Army was advancing with 217th Division on driveway Alexandria -Bucharest.At left the 217th Division ,at North of the driveway.The Mixt Cavalry Division von der Goltz was forming the phallanxguard ;behind ,the 26th Turk Division was at Dragasani as reserve;on the right ,the Bulgarian Divisions 1st and 12th were closing in by Calugareni.

The three Armies :Kraft ,Kuhne and Kosch ,represented with this face a force of 12 Didivisions of Infantry and four Cavalry Divisions .For to give more cohesion to the formidable ensemble of forces ,it has been given to Marshal Mackensen the Supreme Command of all forces of the enemy ,allied in Muntenia,Falkenhayn remaining Commander of the IX-th Army.

The German strategy succeeded.The Supreme Commander united all powers on a single firing line ,which was starting now,impetuous and irresistible towards the supreme target:the Capital of the Kingdom of the enemy.

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Bucharest fortress

The situation of Romanians appeared desperate .Three months after the War proclamation for the liberation of their opressed brothers ,they were on their own territory now invaded ,and in front of the enemy strong without mercy ,thirsty of revenge and greedy after pray.The Romanians could oppose now only troops in retreat ,decimated ,missfortuned with lowered moral ,bowing the head in face of inexorable fatality .Will it be rennaunced to any trial of resistance and will it be the enemy let to conquer Bucharest without a fight?

About a resistance of the Capital ,in itself,could not be talk.It is true that Bucharest was considered as a strong fortress and,on maps ,it was drawn that it was surrounded by a strong belt of 18 big forts and 18 intermediary batteries .The fortification of Bucharest has been made after the plans of celebre General Brialmont [4],who also fortified Anvers.The forts of Bucharest(or Bucharests)build out of concrete masonry with earthworks ,armed with long cannons of 150 mm ,with howitzers of 120,210 and 240 mm ,protected with armoured turrets ,passed between one of the most succesful works of fortification.Defended by this formidable belt ,seemd as an inexpungable fortress .In front of the big calibers, modern ,of artillery ,no armor could stand .The experiences made at Liege ,Namur and Anvers[5] proved it enaugh.Besides,the cannons with long firing ,of the enemy,could bomb the city ,firing over the defence belt ,distanced with only 6 Miles by the city .If the only belt of forts was broken in one of the sector,the fate of the fortress was sealed.The only use that could have been given to the forts was to serve as shelter for an infantry defence ,but the much extended perimeter of the fortifications line would have reclaimed a force of 100 000-200 000 men,which would have been condemned beforehand to surrender.The fall of fortresses of Maubeuge ,Przemysl,Novogeogievsk (Modlin)[6] and Turtucaia showed what was the fate of the fortified cities ,wich let themselves to be surrounded.That is why ,during the neutrality,learning from the lessons of the Great War,the forts have been declassed.It has been taken out from them,all the artillery material which,placed on wheels build in manufacure shops within the kingdom,have contributed to the increasing of the artillery which has been used in the first part of the Romanian War,especially heavy artillery.


The plan for the battle of Bucharest

The Commander of the Romanian Army decided to not consider the War as lost,but to try a supreme effort for the defeat of the enemy and saving of Bucharests.

The defence of Bucharest was imposed by moral considerations ,and military ones.The Capital of Romania was the brain and heart of the kingdom;its fall woud have had an imens echo and would have demoralized deeply the kingdom and our foreign allies friends.Besides Bucharests were the vital node of the organization of national defence and of the communication ways;they were the "concrete platform" of the the railway network of the kingdom.The occupation of Bucharest would have meant the complete evacuation of Muntenia ,for which there was no rocade line anymore.The whole kingdom from West ,North and South of Bucharest ,with all its riches ,meant to be abandoned in the hands of the enemy.The leaders of the Army could not content with such a loss ,without making a supreme try to avoid it.The decission of the Commandment was made :it will be given a great battle for Bucharest.

The only line which could be used as support for the battle for saving Bucharests,was Arges River line.Its military value was much inferior to that of Olt River line.As Olt formed the shortest line ,leaning perpendicular on mountains and Danube ,Arges formed an oblique line ,running towards South-East ,almost double in length compared to Olt line.As obstacle,Arges was smaller than Olt ,and the dominant shore was the South-West one.Besides ,in the Northern part ,in Pitesti -Cimpulung sector ,the enemy was on the Eastern side of Arges.Still there was no other way ;it was the single line which the Romanian Commandment had at its disposition .The great battle for defending Bucharest will take place,along Arges River line ,in full flat land;the most important actions will take place in the region between Arges and his afluent,Neajlov River.It is the Battle on Neajlov and Arges,also called the Battle for Bucharest.The Command of the operations of the great battle was given to General C. Prezan,which has earned a beautiful reputation by well conducted operations in Transilvania and especially by the excelent defence of Moldavian Passes ;the former Commander of the Northern Romanian Army became available in the wake of replacing the most part of Romanian Army in Moldavian Mountains by Russians.It has been set to the disposition of the new Commandment all available forces in reserve and in remaking .The plan of the battle on Neajlov and Arges was excelent made .It was supported on the judicious observation of the dispozitive of the enemy forces.The Commandment of the RomanianArmy has observed that the enemy ,in his impetuous advance ,has adopted a very risky dispozitive.After the informations of the Great Romanian Headquarter ,the enemy was advancing in to two Groups:a Northern Group-Kraftt Army-was in Pitesti-Costesti region,and a Southern group -Kosch Army ,along the driveway Alexandria -Bucharest .This latter group was more advanced than the Northern one ,making a pronounced outing ,and had the left flank "in the air".By the existence of a connection between the two groups ,the Romanian Commandment had no knowledge whatsoever;he suspected that Kuhne Army which,coming from Jiu ,crossed the Olt ,separated its units between the two Armies ,neighbour.It seemed that in the great interval between the two enemy Armies ,there was only the weak connection made by Schmettow Cavalry.


The Romanian Commander discovered that in the left flank ,uncovered ,of Kosch Army ,the weak point of the enemy dispositive ;here must be applied the blow.He conceived the plan of the classic manoeuvre on interior lines ;to sneak with the Romanian forces between the two enmy Armies ,before they could operate the junction ,then to attack them one by one.Firstly,it has to be attacked Kosch Army,which was in the most unfavorable position and which was the most threatening ,by its advance towards Bucharest.If the first blow succeeded and Kosch Army was throwed in to the Danube River,the Romanian forces ,becaming in this way available ,to turn against the Northern and Eastern enemy*.For acomplishing this plan ,it has been taken the following dispositions:in Moldavia ,all the Carpathians Front ,until Vrancea Mountains ,passed under Russian Commandment.On the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army in Vrancea Mountains until South of Cimpulung ,General Averescu received the order to resist with strength and to hold to a stop the enemy ,which was looking to descend the valleys of the mountains towards Buzau,Ploiesti and Tirgoviste.

Between Pitesti and Costesti was in retreat the I-st Romanian Army .She was formed by the remains of Olt Corps ,which fought in upper Olt Valleys and Topologului ,together with the rests of the Group defeated at Jiu,which have executed a long and penible retreat through Filiasi ,Craiova and Slatina .The I-st Army was also subordinated from operative point of view to the Group of the Southern Armies ,Commanded by General Prezan and received the task to "to keep with any price on its positions".In the case in which would be attacked by forces totaly superior ,to retreat step by step,fighting on successive positions of resistance.It must be observed,that the task of this Army was not an easy one .She had in front the four Divisions of Kraftt Army and the 301st Division of Kuhne Army ,meaning five Divisions ,of which two fresh ones.The resistance of the Ist Army had to give time for the execution of the manoeuvre aimed against Kosch Army.This mission ,principal,came to the Group of Southern Armies ,under direct Command of General Prezan.

.. .....

At the left wing was "The group for Danube Defence" under the Command of General Iancovescu.It was formed by the remains of the 18th Division which has formed the defence of Danube and had to be completed with the 9/19 Mixt Brigade ;behind him was brought as reserve parts of the 7th Division ,General Istrati,which has fought on Trotus Front .The Group was occupying the region Sout- West of Calugareni ,from Neajlov to Danube ,having in front of him Divisions 1st and 12th Bulgarians.The mission of the Group for Danube Defence was to held on stop the enemy and to repell him ,not letting him to cross over Neajlov River or over Arges River.Between the Ist Army and the Group of Danube Defence ,General Prezan gathered a mass of manoeuvre ,destined to be the key of the entire battle.As the two armies at the wings had to oppose,against the enemy advance ,a fierce resistance to bring him to a stop ,the manouvre mass had to intervene actively ,attacking the left flank and behind of Kosch Army.For making this Army of Attack,have been reclaimed into the fight three Divisions ,which were in reserve.They were ,firstly,Divisions 2/5-General Socec -and 9/19 -General Scarisoreanu-made ,as we know ,by the rests of the Divisions with the corresponding numbers ,united two by two ,because of their very reduced effectives in the wake of the bloody fights in Dobrogea.;remade in Buzau-Braila region,they were now displaced between Arges and Olt ,for the planned manoeuvre over Olt,which has been given up.Making a leap back,Prezan was opening up his right to gain freedom of movement ,using the two Divisions in to a new mission.There were then Division 21st-general Lambru-which has sustained until the end of October the defence of Predeal.Divisions 2/5 and 9/19.starting from the points were they were ,Pitesti and Titu,had to fall perpendicular on driveway Alexandria-Bucharest ,behind and on flank of Danube Army ,as the 21st Division had to attack the same Army frontal,making the connection with the right of the Group of Danube Defence.

The Cavalry Divisions 1st and 2nd were tasked to defend the flanks and to make the connection between the attack columns .At South of Ploiesti was held in reserve the 10th Division ,remade in the wake of the fights in Predeal region.

The mission given to the attack Group was of an exceptional importance .By the success of it hanged the victory .This victory hanged ,in her turn,by the fulfiling of certain conditions and was linked by certain risks.Firstly,was the doubt if the Division making the Attack Group ,reorganized in haste,will be capable to give the intensive forcing asked from them.The legendary power of resistance to marchings of our soldier and his heroism in the fight ,gave to the Commandment all the needed trust.Secondly,the advance of our troops in the empty space between the enemy Armies presented two dangers :they could be crushed between the two Armies:then it would be produced-also on our part-an empty space between I-st Army and the Group for Defending the Danube.As much as our Attack Group advanced South ,the greater this empty space becomes and the flanks ,internal,of the two wings could be turned by the enemy.Will Prezan be able to beat the enemy advancing from Danube ,before to be caught by the one coming from Olt?

The plan of the battle had ,as such,big risks .It was counted on the complete secret of the operations ,which had to be masked by the movements of the Cavalry troops and by the speed of the attack ,which had to give us the success,before the enemy to realize the sense of our manoeuvres.

.. .....

The conscience of the gravity of the situation and the concern for punctual fulfilling of the mission given to different units ,yields from all the orders of operations which the Commandment was addressing to the troops ."By the fate of the battle which will be given in the day of 29th of November ,depends the fate of our nation.This being said,the troops attack ,either they defeat,or they have to die".Such voiced the order of 27th of November .At 29th ,Ceneral Prezan explains once more to the troops the hour of grave times in which we were and what is expected from them :"The fight which begins tomorrow ,being the only one by which depends the fate of the nation ,does not admit retreat.From soldier to general ,have to die attacking".The words take unusual meanings ,after the circumstances in which they are spoken.In other circumstances ,they would have sounded fals ,as a bombastic speech ,as an effect declamation .The tragic of the hour gave to the words of the Commander unresembling gravity.Conscious or unconscious ,an entire country was waiting with unrest the unfolding of the drama which was preparing in the flats of Neajlov and Arges .From there the voice of the cannon had to carry ,on wings of wind ,the news of victory or slavery.

.....

It has been established some kind of analogy between the plan of Arges-Neajlov battle and the manoeuvre executed by the Anglo-French Army in the culminant moment of the great Battle of Marna .Between the German Armies of General von Kluck and von Bulow has been produced a big empty space :the empty space at Rebais ,covered on some 19 Miles wide ,only by a curtain of Cavalry.Through this empy space sneaked with vigor the British Corps of Marshal John French and the left wing of Franchet d'Esperey Army ,rejecting the German troops ;they have crossed Marna ,turned the internal flanks of Kluck and Bulow Armies and landed on to the communication lines behind the two armies of the Germans .It is the decissive blow ,given in the day of 9th of September ,which provoked the general retreat order of the German Armies ,so called "the miracle of Marna".

General look over the adversary forces and their settings

The battle of Neaslov and Arges took place in their decissive days ,29th of November-3rd of December ,on a Front of 75 Miles,from Golesti until close to the Danube River.It was made of a series of fights ,isolated ,but forming an operative ensemble ,lead by both sides by a unique will and goal.The analogy with the grea Battle of Marna is obvious:the principal fighting line was the valley of a river ;the battle has engaged almost the totality of the available forces of the two adversaries ;it had to be decissive for the fate of the Capital of the country.

On the side of the enemy,have took part 16.5 Divisions ,grouped in three Armies ,and on the Romanian side 13.5 Divisions,grouped ,also,in to three Amies ;to these it was added in the last day two Russian Divisions.The comparison of the above figures is not enaugh to give us an exact ideea about the raport of the adversary forces.The Germans had not more Divisions than us ,but some of them were fresh troops ,entered not long ago in the fight ,as all Romanian Divisions were those who stayed almost permanently in to the fighting line.The effectives of most of them have been reduced at less than half;those reorganized in haste have been throwed in the fight before they could rest ,as it should be.

Divisions 1/17 and 11th were smashed.The Army at Jiu ,which was in continuous retreat for two weeks.Division 13/23 ,was made of the remains of the Divisions which have been eaten day by day on to Olt Valley ,for two months ;their effectives were derisory ,and the fight capacity almost null.The 18th Division which constituted the principal mass of the Group of Danube Defence ,was a troop of mediocre value ,made mostly of militia tasked with the guard of Danube;she has been entirely decimated and deorganized in the fights given with the enemy which has crossed the Danube ,reduced at few Battalions.The single complete units were those brought from the remaking zone :2/5,9/19 and 21st.This "remaking" has been far from the true sense of the word ;the organization of the units has been made in a rush ,it has not been time for instructing the men.In full activity of organization ,the troops have been put in the train and send to the danger place.The 2/5 Division was entering in the fight tired after series of marchings and countermarchings ,provoked by the continuous change of the operations plans ,determined by the direction of enemy attacks ,which had now the total initiative of movments.The 21st Division ,retreated from Predeal Front with a small effective,remade at Baicoi,has been send at Predelus ,then turned from her way and send to neajlov.

For the systematization of the description of the fights given in the days of 30th of November-3rd of December,the battle theatre may be separated in three Sectors.:a)Superior Arges Sector ,with the initial Front Costesti-North -East of Pitesti having as unfolding axis of the fights ,Arges Valley ,the driveway and railway CGolesti-Titu .The sector was defended by the I-st Romanian Army ,general Stratilescu,having in the first line Divisions 1/17,8th,14th and Divisions 11th and 13/23 -the rest without combative value -a reserve on the second line .The 1st Cavalry Division covered it on the left side.On the side of the enemy operated in this direction Kraftt Army von Delmensiengen ,made out of the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,the 73rd Austro-Hungarian Division ,the 216th Division the 2nd German Cavalry Division ,as well as two Divisions :301st and 41st of Kuhne Army.

b)Arges Sector and of middle Neajlov was the sector of the Attack Group Romanian .The fighting action unfolded alon Valleys Glavaciocului ,middle Neajlov and Arges,having the driveway Alexandria -Bucharest as advancing axis .The Romanian Group was made ,as we know ,of Divisions 2/5 ,9/19 and 21st sustained on the right by the 2nd Cavalry ;between this sector and the preceeding one was added latter the 10th Division.The enemy had in this region Divisions 109th,11th and 113th of Kuhne Army ,the two Cavalry Divisions -6th and 7th -which formed the group Schmettow and a part of Kosch Army .Division 217 German ,Division 26th Turk and the Mixt Division of Cavalry von der Goltz.

c)Neajlov Sector and of inferior Arges ,with the tactical center at Calugareni ,having as Front infrerior Neajlov until the flowing of this one into Arges ,continuing then towards South ,till the Danube .The advancing axis :drveway Giurgiu -Bucharest .In this sector .were fighting on the Romanian part Division 18th -reduced at four Battalions and two Escadrons -parts of the 7th Division and the Mixt Brigade 9/19.On the enemy side were Divisions Bulgarian 1st and 12th (five Brigades) and a Mixt Brigade Germano-Bulgarian.

The geometrical center and tactical of the field of battle will be Sector Neajlov and middle Arges ,along driveway Alexandria -Bucharest .There ,there will be given the most fierce fights and decissive.

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(Preparing the attack in an Infantry Unit)

How were the "allies" helpping us

Again there were made interventions ,near the Russian Great Commandment ,as along the Tzar ,personally,for that in this supreme hour ,which will be decissive for Romania ,a part of the numerous Russian troops ,which were available,to take part in to the great battle which was preparing on Arges.The telegram addressed by Bratianu(Romanian primeminister) to General Coanda ,written in determined and energic terms ,is given with intention open,to impress the entire Great Russian Headquarter:"Romania is wondering with unrest -writes the Romanian Primeminister-if the brothers in arms will let her to be crushed ,without those who may come in help to spear her by the desastre of an occupation of Bucharest".The Romanian appeal is suported with warm also by the French Commandment .At 26th of November ,Joffre intervenes also next to the General Gurko,the succesor of Alekseev ,and Poincare next to the Tzar ,asking for the concentration in Bucharest region of the available Russian forces.The French reminds to the Russians of the decissions taken in commune and the assurances given by them,and show them in a solemn way the importance of a failure of Romanians ,if the Entente would let one of her Armies to be crushed.

The direct interventions of General Berthelot towards Russian Stavka from Moghilev are made by General Janin ;he asks the Russians to send in the aid of Romanians the 40th Division of Infantry and 8th Division of Cavalry from the Danube ,as well as VIII-th Corps Army,the reserve of General Lecitki.But Gurko is worse than Alekseev.His answer falls brutally at 26th of November through Beleaev:"not a man ,nor a cannon"*.Janin thinks that in this categoric response can be seen as the Russians indisposition against the Romanian Commandment ,which will not take in to account by Belaev oppinions-representing Stavka's conception -after which the Superior Romanian Commandment should be lowered to the rank of an Army Commander interposed in to a Group of Armies under a Russian Commander.Berthelot sees himself forced to notice in his respons towards Janin :"The public opinion is very surescitated against the Russians ,of which offensive has been delayed and which keeps in the face of the dezastre a peacefulness and indifference which contrasts with the gravity of times".

To give the impression of good will,at 27th of November ,Beleaev communicates to the Great Romanian Hedquarter ,that in the case in which Romanian guarantees to the Russians 16 trains a day ,then Russia gives up at her offensive ,which was supposed to begin on Moldavian Front even the next day,and in the same time will head some of these troops towards Muntenia.The Russian General asked for an answer within an hour.The request of the Russian was an impossibility .General Iliescu could not answer ,but that Romania cannot guarantee the 16 trains,because the railways are full already with the transport of Divisions 7th and 9/19 which are send to the fighting Front at Arges ,and also with the numerous evacuations which are made towards Moldavia.That is why,he preferes that at least the Russians to begin ,even the next day 28th of November,their ,much awaited offensive on the Moldavian Front ,which wil bring a felt ease in the situation of Romanians.

Much better intended than his generals,the Tzar communicates to the King ,through General Coanda,that he has given a day order to Zaharov to send the 4th Division of Infantry at fetesti ,together with a Cavalry Division ,to take part,together with Romanians ,to Arges battle.The Tzar has also asked to the Russian Commandment to assign for the Command of this Group ,one of the most capable of the Russian Commanders of Army Corps ,"engaging the honour of that General for his cooperation for the success of the manoeuvre".It has been assigned General Aliev.It has been given to Aliev Corps the mission to strengthen the left wing of the Romanian Front in inferior Arges Sector .How Zaharov and Aliev understood to correspond to the good intentions of the Tzar and to engage the honour ,would be seen in the unfolding of the battle.


Posted 15 June , 2009

The Russian thesis exposed by General Vinogradov ,is that Stavka has the right to refuze the imediate Russian concur ,for the operations on Arges ,because Bucharest did not have the importance of a commune objective in the face of the vital interests of the Entente,to risk an Army.On the other hand ,the limited output of the Romanian railways did not give the possibility for a fast transport ,quick of the troops on Arges to ensure the victory ,and their arriving in small packages would have lead to a series of partial failures.The Russian Group nearest by (the Danube Army) had a serious mission ,which they prepeared to fulfil ,that is why it was logic that General Zaharov to refuse to enterprize something untill the end of the concentration of all the elements amd means of his.To appreciate the value of this argumentation,to be seen further,in the text ,the conduct of General Rasvoi ,in the middle of the fight on Arges ,and of general Zaharov in Dobrogea ;these were even on the fighting terrain ,in imediate contact with the enemy,when they refuzed to fight. Posted 15 June , 2009 The prologue of the great battle

The Romanian attack ,planned to take place in the day of 29th of November against the enemy Army of "Danube" ,could not take place in this day ,because the Romanian troops could not arrive in to the fighting zones ,nor in the middle sector ,or the Southern one.In all sectors,however ,wer given by different units ,which were seeking to reach their concentration zone,isolated fights ,but very lively,with the enemy units whith which they came into contact.The general aspect,drawn by these fights,forecasting of the great battle ,could be exposed with the next face :in superior Arges Sector ,the I-st Romanian Army ,in retreat was occupying solid positions at East of Pitesti and West of Costesti ,sustaining fights with the enemy.The fights are given on a Front in the form of an arch of circle ,between Pitesti and Golesti.Costestii are well defended.

In the Middle Sector,the troops of Divisions 2/5 and 9/19 are in march towards South ;they collide with the avanguards of Kuhne Army which follows its marching towards East.None of the two parties knows what adversary has in front.The Germans have no knowledge of the existance of the strong columns of the Attack Group,which advances from North to South ,perpendicular on to their own advancing direction ;they think they have only to deal with the arierguard of the defeated troops at Jiu ,in retreat towards East.At their turn,the Romanians do not realize the importance of the enemy troops coming from West ;they think there are only small Detachments of Cavalry ,sometimes strengthened with Infantry,which are making the connection between the two enemy armies.

In Neajlov Sector ,however ,the enemy is in full offensive along the line Alexandria-Bucharest ,as well as on Calugareni Front .Sustaining at the left wing the strong attacks of the enemy ,the troops of the Group of Danube Defence and of the Attack Group execute with the right ,the great move of converssion towards South-West .The Front of these groups pivotes around the left wing ,which is at South of Calugareni,as the right wing which goes around ,made by Division 2/5 Socec ,advance fast with directions North-South,towards Draganesti.


The marching of Socec and Scarisoreanu Divisions

On the roads which descend the hill region towards the flat lands of Muntenia ,are unfolding long columns of troops of different weapons.Thin,pale,bend under the weight of the filled backpacks ,with tore and decoloured uniforms ,the soldiers of Divisions of General Socec and of General Scarisoreanu,tired by entire days of marchings,advance all the time fermenting with their boots the holes of the ground and the water with snow covering the roads.Through the humid and cold air ,through the thick fog of November days ,they seem like some unfinished corteges of shadows ,pushed forward by a blind fatality towards unknown destinies.But in the hands of this ghosts is the fate of the great battle.The great director of the drama which begins to unfold have casted the prime roles to these soldiers ,tired and discouraged ,And,as the action begins ,they transfigurate .From the first touch with the enemy ,they are not recocnizible anymore.The foot starts to step stiff,the bend backs straighten up,the eye envigorates ,the arm tightens on the weapon ,the bayonet has shines of lightning.The rows get in to fighting formations ,the artillery leaves in horses gallop and sets into position ,the attack begins ,with despise for death ,superb...

Socec Division, remade herself uncomplete at Buzau.She had barely the time to reorganize the officers ,complet the effectives and start to learn the handling of the new machineguns when,in the day of 17th of November , she has to gather up and leave for Pitesti.From here it was send at 23rd of November on to the Eastern Shore of Olt ,between Dragasani and Topolog Valley,to obstacle the crossing of the enemy in this region.In the night of 26-27th of November she had to break up the fight and leave at Costesti,for then to go towards Draganesti .This Division would have to fulfill the most difficult mission and dangerous ;she was the extreme right wing -the going around wing-af the Attack Group.She had to turn the left flank of Kosch Army ,falling in the back at Draganesti.

In five days of march the Division had pass at Costesti and aimed towards Draganesti ,on two columns ,distanced with 1-2 Miles one from the other :at the left is Racovita Brigade,Romanian,which advances along the driveway Pitesti-Draganesti-Giurgiu,on Glavaciocului Valley ;on the right is Serbescu Brigade,Romanian,which advances on a lateral road ,through Clantei Valley ,A Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division is attached to the Division ,to acompany it as phallanxguard ,the other Brigade acompanies the I-st Army.

The advance of Socec Division is made in to a contact very close to the enemy avanguards columns ,which in their turn were advancing from West to East ,perpendicular on to the advancing direction of the Romanian Division.There are troops,especially belonging to the 6th Cavalry Division of Schmettow Group and the avanguards of the 11th Bavarian Division ,the most advanced of the German columns .From place to place produces not only collisions of patrols but also of Detachments more numerous .Most of the times ,the artillery has to intervene and the infantry to start to attack to away the enemy which has occupied the villages ,have nested in the woods ,or established on to the ridges which had to be rove through by the columns of the Division in march.As the Division advances towards South ,the collisions become more serious.

In the day of 29th ,the column on the right side -Serbescu brigade-occupies after short fights the villages Zlotesti ,Negreni and Dracesti,the enemy retreats at Talpa Ionesti.The next day ,the avanguard of the column is attacked with machineguns fires and of artillery from the edge of the village Valea Postei ,which he occupies by fight.Villages Talpa Postei and Talpa Ionesti are occupied by enemy Cavalry Escadrons ,unmounted .They are set on the run and the Romanian column continues her road towards South.In the evening the Brigade has arrived at Frasinet and Babaita ,were has stationed over the night. 9 ........

On the left side ,Racovita Brigade ,following the driveway in Glavaciocului Valley ,finds in the day of 30th of November Catunu Village occupied by few Escadrons of the 6th German Division ;at the apparition of the Romanian troops ,the Germans retreat towards South in Blejesti direction.Near Caldararu ,between Adunatii Butesti and Budeasca ,the enemy having infantry forces with numerous machineguns and with artillery ,attacks the avanguard of Socec Division .Two Romanian Battalions ,sustained by artillery ,proceed to a veiling attack and occupy one by one villages Purani and Blejesti .The Germans retreat towards South-West in disband ,leaving in the hands of Romanians 240 prisoners ,10 machineguns on carriages ,two cannons ,automobiles and a big quantity of material of all kind.The pursuit cannot be made :the link with the own Cavalry has been broken,and Romanians have to follow the road South.In the evening of the same day ,the Brigade seized Flaminda ,occupied by German-Bulgar troops ,of Kosch Army ,from which they capture prisoners and material.Behind the Romanian column reappears the German cavalry ,which catches the ambulance and few carriages of the Division.

Socec Division has touched the objective .Before her was Tirnava Village and then Draganesti :the Army of Danube of Kosch.


.....

Scarisoreanu Division -9/19-which has the principal role in the hit which is preparing,has started at 27th of November from Titu towards South.She passes into Arges Valley and of Neajlov ,from here in to Dimbovnicului Valley and then in Glavaciocului Valley.

In the night od 28-29th ,the Division makes contact with the enemy at Videle -Cartojani,in Glavaciocui Valley .There are troops of Kosch Army ,made out of Infantry,Cavalry and Artillery.The Romanians cannot attack the enemy at 29th ,because the Chief Commander wants to wait also for Division 2/5 which is a little back;the Divisions only repells the daring attacks of the enemy Cavalry and has occupied at night Clejanii,attacking and away-ing the enemy Detachment which was there.

The next day,30th of November ,the DIvision attacks the enemy on the line Fotachesti -Videle-Cartojani,Tamasesti,beats him and sets him on the run in direction South -East,towards Mereni and Letca Veche ,capturing over 200 prisoners ,six machineguns ,horses,kitchens of campaign and other material ,as well.Unfortunately,the 2nd Division of Cavalry is not here to pursue and finish the defeat of the enemy ;she has retreated in the back of the right flank of Division 9/19.

In the evening of 30th of November,Divisions Socec and Scarisoreanu were on the line Flaminda-Clejani,9,3 Miles North of the driveway line Alexandria -Bucuresti ,in tight contact of fight with the Cavalry of von der Goltz and with the troops of Infantry which were forming up the phallanxguard of Kosch Army.But the frictions and postponings have delayed the concentration and the coordonated attack.If Socec could have begun the attack of the flank of Kosch Army at 29th,the future chances would have been great.The delay made that the Germans to be able to realize their concentration ,and Romanians position to become critical by the arriving behind Socec of Khune Army.

... The fights of 21st Division

As the right wing ,the going around wing,of the Attack Group ,Romanian,was descending from North to South with the goal to fall behind and on the flank of Kosch Army ,the center of the group ,made by the 21st Division -General Lambru -was advancing from East to West along driveway Bucharest-Alexandria ,to meet frontal the bulk of Kosch Army.In front of Naipu Village ,the avanguards of the Romanian Division the 21st collided with the 217 German Division which,after occupying Prunaru ,was advancing in opposite direction ,towards Bucharest .In the night of 29th of November produces the first enemy attacks ,which are rejected.

The next day in the morning,around 7 the enemy ,strengthened ,attacks again the Front of 33rd Romanian Brigade ,which has taken position on the right of Glavaciocului ,mounted on to the driveway.The Romanian Detachment of flank which was at Pingalesti ,is attacked by ten Cavalry Escadrons ,two Infantry Battalions and artillery ;the Detachment at the right wing ,at Letca Veche ,is attacked by forces of Infantry and Artillery ,which he rejects.By evening ,the German troops are strengthening more and more and make a strong pressure over Romanians ;at their right side ,Division 9/19,which had to shake hand with the 21st Division ,is late and is only at Clejani.Lambru has to retreat ,pursued over the night by the enemy ,which occupies Copaciu and Ghimpati .With heavy losses ,the 21st Division has retreated in the morning of 30 of november at Braila.

Determined to defend and keep with any price Braila ,General Lambru advances towards West,mounted on the driveway ,with both Brigades ,and is attacked at 10 in the morning by the whole 217th Division ,German,which has now all her formidable artillery.The fight is very fierce .The right column ,made out of the 33rd Brigade of Infantry ,has been turned by the enemy and taken under the fire of heavy artillery ,which makes ravages in Romanian rows ;the Brigade loses all officers and has to begin the retreat .The column on the left,unfolded between Matei Basarab and Ghimpati Forest ,is also disbanded by the enemy .The resistance of Romanians is strong ;The Hunters Regiment at the left wing German has considerable casualties .But the Division 9/19 Romanian ,which is supposed to come in the right is caught in fight at Vida -Cartojani and Tamasesti;the 21st Division ,in fight with the enemy ,which has a crushing superiority of artillery ,has to retreat ,giving on the lanes of the Village Balaria bloody body against body fights ;the Romanians have continued the retreat beyond Neajlov ,occupying positions between Banesti and Gorneni.The Germans have occupied in the afternoon Braila ;towards evening they are masters over entire line Bulbucata -Stilpu -iepuresti with the crossing over Neajlov.

.

(Battle of Calugareni,13th of August 1595)

The fight at Calugareni

Other fights ,just as violent ,were given in the days of 29th and 30th of November on inferior Neajlov Sector .Here ,the Bulgarians,making two Divisions (the 12th and 1st),strengthened with Germans ,have attacked the line of Neajlov ,having as advancing axis the driveway Giurgiu-Calugareni-Bucharest.The Romanian troops are on the elevations South of Neajlov Water ,forming a kind of a bridgehead before Calugareni .There are four Battalions of Militia ,with very reduced effectives ,remains of the 18th Division.From the 7th Romanian Division have arrived till now only two Battalions of the 4th Hunters Regiment and one Battalion of the 14th Infantry Regiment .Few Escadrons of cavalry and 14 batteries of artillery ,the majority old cannons of 87 mm,were completing the forces in this Sector ,of which Command has been given to Colonel Gr.Bunescu.

In the morning of 29th of November ,four Bulgarian Regiments ,with a very powerful artillery ,attack with energy the Romanian Front.The elevation at Crucea de Piatra (the Stone Cross) ,with the comemorative monuments of the most shining victory of our great voievod(Michael the Brave),have been defended with heroism by three Companies of the 4th Hunters Regiment with four machineguns .They are the braves who seized Miercurea-Ciuc and won the victory at Poiana Uzului.Fierce fights were given in Dadilov Wood and on the field of Firing Range Mihai Bravu.Four ferocious attacks have given the Bulgarians against Crucea de Piatra Hill until,around 5 in the afternoon ,they occupied it.By evening,the enemy made a going around move by East;he has occupied Comana ,crossed here the Water of Neajlov(the river) and has occupied Budeni Village ,on the Northern shore of Neajlov.The Romanian line of resistance was ,with this face,turned;it could not be held anymore.There was no reserve behind ,to refresh and relieve the men standing in the fight for 10 hours already.The brave troops have been all crossed on to the Northern shore of Neajlov ,then they set fires to the bridges.During the night ,however,the Bulgarians managed to repair the bridges and cross the Water ;they have occupied Calugareni.

In the morning of 30th of November ,the Bulgarians unfolded on the Northern shore of Neajlov ,occupying with numerous forces the villages on this shore ,which they fortified very strong with trenches and barbed wire fences,installing numerous machineguns .The Romanian attacks ,given by 14th Roman Regiment of the 7th Division aimed especially over the Villages Branistari -at East-and Singureni -at West -have taken out the enemy from the trenches ,repelled the columns trying to adavance,but did not succeed to away him from the villages where he was strongly retrenched.The 1st Battalion of the 4th Hunters Regiment is almost destroyed.Towards evening has arrived also the Mixt Brigade 9/19 ,which is cantooned -as general reserve-at Adunatii Copaceni,in the point where Arges River is cut by the driveway Bucharest-Calugareni-Giurgiu.

At 30th of November in the evening,all Romanian troops were gathered in the operations zone ,in contact with the enemy on the whole stretch of the Front.The Romanian offensive,in itself,had to unleash the next day.


The day of 1st of December

The 217th German Division continues in the morning of the day of 1st of December ,her offensive march,along the driveway between Neajlov and Arges.The German Commander thinks he has no real motives for concern ; on the left side ,he knows he is defended by Goltz Cavalry Division and the phallanxguard of infantry ;behind ,at some distance,is the Turkish Division .That is why ,the Germans fast their step on the traks of the troops of General Lambru ,which are in retreat.In the afternoon the heads of the enemy columns arrived at Arges River;they enter in Mihailesti .The German troops begin to concentrate on the South -Eastern shore of Arges ,from Draganescu ,at North-West of Mihailesti ,until Tuta,at South-East.The Romanians held solid occupied the bridge ;they have organized at Buda ,on the opposite shore of Arges ,a very strong position ,a bridge head .The enemy sings already victory!His offcial reports aknowledge the world that the German Armies are in front of Bucharest forts.But bad signs start to show.From behind and from the left flank of the 217th Division come alarming news.Groups of Germans run-aways arrive in disband towards the bulk of the Division .They bring the news that the Cavalry Division von der Goltz is beaten and in retreat,and the phallanxguard of infantry obliterated and set on the run.The Romanian Attack Group has started the offensive!

At his extreme right ,Socec Division ,which has seized in the eve at evening Flaminda restarted in the morning of 1st of December her march towards South,occupies Tirnavele with Racovita Brigade and continues to advance towards Draganesti.In the Northern edge of Grozea Forest and of Tunari Village the enemy ,strongly retrenched and supported by numerous artillery ,attacks the Romanian avanguard .There are Germn and Bulgarian troops of Kosch Army.A fierce fight cooks up on a streched Front between driveway Tirnava -Draganesti ,on the right side ,and Cilnistei Valley ,on the left side .The Regiments of Racovita Brigade have big casualties .The troops fight without machineguns ,against an enemy which has plenty.At Buzau are distributed to our Regiments French machineguns ,model Saint-Etienne ,but the soldiers and officers ,occupied all the time with marchings and fightings ,did not learn how to use them.The Romanian soldiers fight with elan which compensates for the lack of military material .There are Romanian troops which have tasted the bitterness of defeat in Dobrogea and are finding here again their old enemies:Bulgarians .They have seen through the villages they passed through yesterday,the tracks of the same bestiality ,they learned of in Dobrogea.


At around noon ,after six hours of ferocious fight ,the Romanians have conquered Grozea Forest and Tunari Village ,taking 50 prisoners and two heavy cannons .From the East ,from Frasinet,arrives Serbanescu Brigade .Both Brigades of the Division are now united.Before her ,at 2-3 Miles ,are Draganestii.It is the principal strike to be given.If Draganestii are taken tonight ,Kosch Army which is on Glavacioc and Neajlov ,is cut from her base.But around the Romanian Division the enemy gathers his strengths .From all parts the Division is cornered :Schmettow Cavalry and those of Goltz ,Turkish infantry ,Bulgaro-German ,gathers up and recomes to attack against Socec Division .The enemy, beaten and rejected ,place himself in the trenches South of Grozea Forest ;strengthened with three Battalions Torkish-Bulgarian,recomes to attack against the Romanian troops which have occupied the Northern edge of the forest.From West ,from Comoara Forest ,appear other enemy columns .The enemy has numerous heavy cannons ,and the Romanian Division has only two Regiments of Field Artillery.Socec feels entered in a bottom of a bag.Surrounded by a swarm of enemies .An escadril of enemy aeroplanes throwes bombs over the Hedquarter of the Division ,in Tirnava ,kills and wounds a great number of officers ,together with the Chief of Staff of the Division.Discouraged ,Socec breaks the fight and turns his eyes towards East.


..........

Behind Socec Division has arrived the 2nd Romanian Cavalry Division -General Sinescu-which comprises also units from the 1st Division and is strengthened wit a Battalion of Infantry.The mission of this Division is to defend the back of Socec Division and the right of Scarisoreanu Division .In the day of 1st of December ,the Cavalry is at Blejesti ,behind Socec Division,which after the fight of Butesti followed its advance to Flaminda.But the enemy troops,defeated are remaking themselves ;the 7th German Cavalry Division ,and the avanguards of 11th Bavarian Division from Talpa Ionesti retake the advance towards South -East .Sinescu receives the news that strong enemy columns have entered in Baciu-Blejesti zone;he face them with 7th Rosiori Regiment with artillery,bringing them to a stand still.But the mission of the Cavalry is not to engage important fights,but to follow Division 2/5 in her evolution;The 7th Regiment breaks the fight and as other enemy columns announce from the West ,the Cavalry retakes the marching towards South and arrives at Flaminda ,where it cantoons in the night 1-2nd of December ,behind Socec Division,which is supposed to be towards Tirnava.The liaison officers send towards Tirnava report that Socec is not there and the village is occupied by the enemy!


.........

In the center of the Romanian Attack Group ,Division 9/19-General Scarisoreanu -has to attack the flank of Kosch Army.She starts on two columns ,taking oblique direction towards South-East :one column through Rusii lui Asan towards Ghimpati ,and the other one through Clejani towards Balaria .But the enemy ,defeating the resistance of the 21st Division has advanced considerable .That is why ,Scarisoreanu Division has to change direction ,going further to left and,insteda of Ghimpati sector -Balaria ,she has to attack sector Balaria-Stilpu.The column on the right side having to away the enemy which she finds in the villages on her way ,delays the marching of the entire Division .The Commander of the Division is a trialed militar:he waits to have all the forces in hand to give the attack.Because of this ,only by evening the Romanian Division makes contact with the enemy .This time is not Goltz's Cavalry ,which has retreated at South of the driveway ;its the bulk of the Kosch Army.The Romanian Division finds again in the 217th German Division,the former adversary from the field of battle of Dobrogea ,whith which has old disputes to settle.In the head of the Division are the Regiments of Poetas Brigades ,the braves from Amzacea and Topraisar.

The left of Division 9/19-six Companies of the 197th Brigade has attacked,in the morning ,the Village Bulbucata,by surprise,at bayonet ,without firing shots ,repelling the German troops occupying it;the Romanians have captured prisoners and material.Then ,they have made the connection with the left of Brigade 17th Infantry,which had as objective Balaria.Balaria Forest is attacked by evening through very hard fight ,and at 10 in the night ,the 40th Calugareni Regiment attacks violent Balaria Village,where surprises completely the enemy.The Germans are running in disband ,scattering in all directions.The Romanians captures over 200 prisoners ,three heavy cannons ,numerous material of war.On the field of battle remain numerous shot horses by their own masters,to not fall in the mastering of Romanians,throwed away ammunition,carriages and waggons turned upside down ,many of them filled with things stolen from people's houses ,automobiles tippled over in the trenches;all these showed the violence of the attack of the 40th Regiment and the panic of the enemy.


The retreat line of the enemy is cut.General von Gallwitz ,together with the Staff of the 217th Division escapes,running back to Balaria towards Ghimpati .The Commander of the 18 Reserve Brigade German ,Colonel Vogel ,which is at Mihailesti on Arges River,asks instructions by telephone from the Commander of the DIvision ,which he knew at Balaria .He hears only two words:"Rumanen...hier..."[8],then the communication breaks with a strident noise.Balaria has fallen in Romanian hands.

On the driveway the confusion is at the top.The Germans are running towards South,at Pingalesti ,with a part of the heavy artillery ,which they can save.The Detachment ,which has arrived at Arges-in the power of a Brigade-has remained in the air,with the communication behind cut.The left and center of his,are attacked by the troops of Lambru Division,from the shore in front of Arges River.On the right side the Bulgarians have suffered also a defeat and were in retreat,losing the connection with the Germans.

The enemy cannot hold on to Arges;he begins the retreat to Neajlov .Covered towards North-West ,in direction Bulbucata by a Battalion of Bavarian Hunters ,the Germans retreat on to the Norhern shore of Neajlov River,the Villages Iepuresti,Stilpu,with the bridge over Neajlov ,Chirculesti ;the Front surrounds Banesti Village.During the night they retrench very strong in the position from where they have been forced to retreat during the day.

In Neajlov sector and of inferior Arges ,the whole morning of 1st of December has been a very strong cannonade of artillery,by both sides .Then,the enemy started from the positions he was occupying along the Northen shore of Neajlov ,a general offensive against the Romanian Front.On our right side ,the Mixt Brigade 9/19 has sustained with strength the enemy attack and has attacked in her turn,in region Chirculesti -Singureni ,to ease the left of Lambru Division ,which was strongly attacked.At around 1 in the afternoon the enemy begins a great attack ,at the center ,from Calugareni direction ,as at the right of him,from Budeni direction.Sustained by heavy artillery ,the enemy advances on six rows .Crushed under artillery fires and attacked by superior forces ,the remains of the two Regiments occupying the Romanian positions could not resist and have left the fight without order.The situation was very grave .Colonel Bunescu ,the Commander of the Sector,asks for quick reinforcements.There are send troops from 38th Braila Regiment ,Commanded by Lieut-Colonel Bacalbasa ,which was part of the Mixt 9/19 Brigade .The Regiment has arrived at night at Copaceni ,where has been brought with trucks and automobiles from Jilava.Colonel Bunescu gathered the officers and made a moving appeal to patriotism and their spirit of martyr ,to save the honour of the Army and the Capital of the kingdom.The Regiment statrted at assault with great elan ,encouraging also the soldiers of the Regiments in retreat.A machinegun automobile .manoeuvred with courage and skill by a French officer ,blasting death in the enemy rows ,have brought up much the Romanians courage .With rifle shots but especially with the long bayonet of Weterley Rifle ,the Romanian soldiers strike with fury the enemy and break his ranks.Four times the Bulgarians come back to attack ,strengthened with fresh forces,but in vain.By 5 in the evening ,the Romanian troops were mastering again over on the Northern lines of Neajlov.To the South,however ,the Bulgarian forces ,starting from Comana and Budeni ,have gone around the Romanian flank and occupied Gradistea on Arges River.In the face of this situation ,and of the fraid of a veiling attack,the Romanian troops from the Southern sector had to leave again Neajlov's shore and have occupied the Southern shore of Arges,covering the passes over the river at Darasti,Copaceni and Varlaam,around which they have build a strong bridge head ,for each.Towards evening ,have started to arrive Russian troops from Aliev Corps :the 40th Division and the Cossacks;they have placed at the extreme left of the Romanian Front ,between Arges and Danube.

The day of 1st of December has been,in general,a good day for Romanians.In the most important point of the battle field , have obtained a beginning of victory ,full of hopes.


Catching the Romanian operations plan

An unfortunate incidend happens at the extreme right wing of the Romanian fighting Front ;it wiil have grave follow ups for the entire Romanian action.

In the Sector of superior Arges Reiver ,the Ist Romanian Army fights hard against the strong adversary.The Olt Corps,attacked ,by the front at Golesti and in the back at Priboineni ,has to retreat.The 14th Division remains with 1400 men;she is mixed with 13/23 Division giving together a number of almost 5000 fighters .A little to the South,the 1/17 Division resist vigorous at Costesti against the attacks of 301st Division of the enemy;the retreat of the troops in her right ,force her to retreat as well.The whole Front of the I-st Army is,with this face ,in retreat towards Gaiesti.

During their movements ,the adverse troops were mixing and it happened,frequently,that in the morning ,a troop to noticed that has bivouacked in the night in the middle of enemy troops.At Ratesti,on Arges ,at South of Leordeni an automobile of the 8th Division -which has fought on this Front -in which there were two officers of General Staff of the Division,Captains Epure and Barcan,fell in the day of 1st of December in the midst of the troops of a Bavarian Regiment,in marching.In the metal box in the automobile was the correspondence of the Division and all the orders of operations given by Superior Commandments ,which the officers had to distrinute to the units of the Division.

The capture is of unmeasurable importance .In the great speed of his automobile ,General Kraftt runs at the Headquarter of the IX-th Army and surrenders it to Falkenhayn,where the complete decifring of the documents produced an enormous senzation.Seldomly,in the History of Wars ,a Commander of an Army has been served by luck in such an extraordinary way .Falkenhayn has found the secret of the great operation of manoeuvre ,started by Romanian Army!The hole mistery of troops movements ,in the last few days ,the whole mistery which the German General could feel without being able to guess ,appeared ,at once ,like lightened by a blinding ray.The German Commander was not the man to not know to take advantage by this unexpected luck.He was able to take the imediate dispozitions necesitated by the new development of the situation,revealed to him:The knowing of the plans,gave the oportunity not only to escape from the dangerous position in which the Romanian offensive brought the Germans,but even to take advantage by the knowing of the Romanian positions ,to give us ,in the most weak point ,the decissive blow.In truth,the Romanian plan,daring conceived ,needed the complete secrecy of the movement of the troops.Now the Germans knew that the principal attack was given against the Danube Army ,that the troops with which collided Schmettow Cavalry and the avanguards of the 11th Bavarian Division ,were not Romanian units in retreat over Olt River,as they thought in the beginning ,but the elements of an important Manoeuvre Group ,marching towards South ;that there,towards Glavacioc and Neajlov ,is played the fate of the Danube Army and of the great battle for Bucharest.Falkenhayn also knew now that at the back of the Romanian Group of Attack has produced a big empty space ,which separated the troops of the Northern Sector by the other two Sectors.

........

With all the frictions between Falkenhayn and Mackensen ,provoked by the rivalry between the two Generals ,which aspired both at the role of Supreme Commandand of German Armies Reunited in Romania,Falkenhayn decided to come in the help of his kamarad threatened and,exploiting the revealed situation ,to turn in his favour the manoeuvre conceived by Romanians.In consequence ,the German Commander decided to to enter the empty space between the two Romanian Groups and to turn both their internal flanks.To acomplish this manoeuvre ,he had almost the entire Army of Kuhne ,which was advancing ,from West to East ,without meeting Romanian troops on the way.

The 41st Division which has reached Selaru ,on the Water of Dimbovnicului,on the driveway Pitesti-Draganesti-Giurgiu ,has received the order to turn oblique towards North-East ,to cross Arges River and to fall in the back of the I-st Romanian Army ,which was retreating along the railway line.In the same time ,a little to the South,Divisions 109th and 11th Bavarian which were in Butesti-Goleasca region ,to turn oblique towards South ,in direction Clejani-Rusii lui Asan ,to fall behind the Romanian Attack group,which was operating against Kosch Army ,and to cut his retreat towards Bucharest .Between the two Groups ,Schmettow Cavalry will pass over Arges River ,covering the advance of Kuhne Army over Bucharests.The 115th Division was following as reserve.

Mackensen has received from the Big German Headquarter the Supreme Command of the enemies Army in Romania,brought a modification to Falkenhayn plan ,leaving only 11th Bavarian Division to attack the back of Romanian Army ,and ordered to 109th Division to continue the marching towards middle Arges River.Together with the Cavalry ,this Division will occupy solid the shores of Arges for to cut the retreat of Romanian troops and to acomplish the complete dezatre of Romanian Armies.With this face ,the roles were changed now.The trap,which have been prepare to the enemy ,was turning now against Romanians .The surprise of the Romanian plan of operations and the superiority ,crushing of the enemy ,permitted this one to transform from attacked in to attacker .The fatal unprecaution of the Romanian officers ,helped them.


The day of 2nd of December

In the day of 2nd of December ,the battle followed its course on the whole line.

In the middle of Neajlov Sector ,Scarisoreanu Division continues the offensive;she is in the center of the action.Early in the morning ,Poetas Brigade attacks the line Stilpu-Iepuresti.On the right,the 40th Regiment ,covering from this side the bulk of the Division ,takes with assault Iepuresti Village ,beats the enemy which was retrenched there and repells him over the Water of Neajlov(river),capturing some few hundreds of prisoners.At the center ,the 9th Hunters Regiment ,reduced at five Companies ,having their Commander ,Major Rasoviceanu ,mounted on a horse,in the middle of the troop,hastes in a very fast assault from the exit of South-East of Balaria Village towards Stilpu.With all the stormy fires of the enemy machineguns ,with all the big casualties suffered ,the Hunters do not back off and attack with fury the enemy.They are supported on the left side by Regiment 23/63 of Infantry,and behind by 3rd Regiment of Artillery.At noon ,the victory is of Romanians.Stilpu Village,together with the bridge over Neajlov River ,is seized by the Hunters;the enemy Company of six machineguns ,which have killed us so many brave soldiers ,is captured with all its servants.The Germans had big casualties ;a part runs in disorder over Neajlov towards Banesti ,others are taken prisoners .A column of 400 prisoners can be seen coming from the South,from Iepuresti ,as in the North the Hunters cross Neajlov River and occupy Gornenii,and Bulbucata is occupied by Regiment 38/78.

At 2 in the afternoon ,the remains of the heroic Regiment of Hunters are saluted by the Commander of the Division ,of the Brigade and by the French Mission .General Scarisoreanu and Colonel Poetas can be proud by the soldiers ;they are at the height of their Chiefs who formed them ,and commands them.

The 217 th German Division is almost smashed ;she is broken in two.A part has been repelled between South-West ,over Glavacioc and Cilnistea ,together with the Cavalry of von der Goltz ;Ghimpatii has fallen as well in the hands of Romanians .The other part is repelled to the North ,over Neajlov Water.

From Arges direction ,the 21st Division attacks with strength ,crosses the river ,rejects the left wing of the 12th Bulgarian Division ,which was making the connection with the Germans ,breaks this link then,making a conversion towards left parallel with the flow of Neajlov ,occupies a line to the North of Chirculesti facing South ,forcing the right German wing to bend from this side as well towards Chirculesti.Now the Germans are completely surrounded .They occupy only the line of Villages Banesti-Chirculesti and the woods in the vecinity ,forming a closed circle ,surrounded from all parts by the Romanian troops of Divisions 9/19 and 21st.In two days ,the 217th German Division has lost 1500 prisoners ,20 cannons and 30 machineguns and an imense material of war.The dezastre is eminent.A last effort then,and a brilliant victory starts to announce.

The moment is a decissive one.General Prezan gives order to the Russian troops ,which have arrived at South ,to attack and advance towards West ,to go around the right wing Bulgarian and force the Bulgarians to evacuate line of Neajlov ,the only support remained still to the Germans.The Russian Commander refuzes to acomplish the order ;he declares that he cannot attack ,because he has no order from General Zaharov;then he has not all his troops on to the fighting line yet.And true,the troops of Aliev Corps ,which were coming by train from Dobrogea ,have interrupted the journey with the train at Lehliu-Sarulesti and have disembarked to make the rest of the way on foot.That is why they have arrived four days latter ;most of the part did not even arrive on to the battle field.Still,the 40th Russian Division is entire in the fighting sector with a Brigade in front of Comanei and with the other one at Vlad Tepes.Her intervention would save the situation of Romanians and it would be a desaster for Bulgarians.Generals Prezan and Berthelot,send to General Rasvoi ,the Commander of the Russian Division,two officers of General Staff-Major Vasilescu and French Captain Nicolay,to determine him to intervene in this decissive moment ,without waiting for the bulk of the troops .Indignated by the resistance of the Russian General ,the officers ask him if he wants to play the role of Grouchy from Waterloo[9],at which the Russian general replayed that he is not there to listen a history course.The Russians refusal makes the enemy to gain pretious time .The remains of 217th Division retrench very strong in the corner where they are crouched ,surrounding themselves with barbed wire fence and with machineguns ,in the awaiting of the holly -happening which must arrive from the North.


As at the South the Russians refusal obstacled the Romanian Commander to take all profit from the victory reputed by Scarisoreanu Division ;from the North and West were gathering black clouds ,forecasting of storm.From the North ,are signalled numerous troops of the enemy ,behind the 9/19 Division ,which is not defended ,from this side ,by Cavalry,as it should be.Scarisoreanu takes measures of protection.He evacuates all columns and the services towards Arges ,keeping only the ambulance and a part of the munition column and occupies with the Mixt Detachments Letca Noua,Rusii lui Asan ,Clejani and Nebuna Velea,to obstacle the fall of the enemy,by surprise ,behind the Division.These measures of precaution prove very well thought :the enemy has taken the offensive from this part .There are the avanguards of the 11th Bavarian Division of Kuhne Army ,which begin to arrive in the fighting zone ,behind the Romanian Army.In the most advanced position,at Clejani ,the Romanian Detachment of the 39th Regiment sustains a fierce fight all day with the enemy forces which grow more and more.The Commander of the Detachment ,Captain Iordache ,is badly wounded ,with the right arm smashed ;he refuzes to be evacuated ,starts again to conterattack and falls pierced by bullets in the head of his Battalion .Towards evening the Detachment ,almost destroyed ,has to retreat towards Rusii lui Asan line-Nebuna Bulbucata Forest.

A much graver turn of things produces at the West wing of the Romanian Army of Attack.General Socec ceased the offensive and was retreating towards East !After the brilliant march executed by 2/5 Division in the days of 29th,30th of November and 1st of December ,his troops ,exhausted and with heavy casualties suffered in the continuous fights given in these days,could not continue the road in Draganesti direction.Unrested by the isolation in which he was finding ,at the extreme right of the Attack Group ,feeling attacked by a numerous enemy ,which was gathering from all parts around him,Socec lost fate in himself and in the troop and thought that he is not able anymore to acomplish the task ,given to him.From Tirnava,Socec made a going around to the left and started in retreat ,facing Bucharest :the role of 2/5 Division is now to cover from the West the operations of Divisions of Scarisoreanu and Lambru.In the night of 1-2nd of December Socec is at Letca Veche ,in Glavaciocului Valley.The next day ,2nd of December ,Socec has continued the retreat towards East ,with Ghimpati-Balaria direction;the heads of the most advanced columns were at Matei Basarab ,at South-East of Balaria and of the driveway Alexandria-Bucharest .On his tracks was advancing the Turk Division and other enemy units.


The retreat of Socec Division puts in a very difficult situation the 2nd Cavalry Division.In the evening of 1st of December the Cavalry ,which is at Flaminda ,sees herself , at once ,completely isolated .Not even a contact with Socec ,nor an order ,not even a news about his wehereabouts .All around ,at Blejesti ,at Tirnavele ,at Letca Veche ,are signalled to him enemy troops.Without any orders whatsoever and not being able to establish contact with any troop or friendly Commander ,Sinescu makes a grave decission.Instead of letting be caught in a mouse trap,better to seek to save his unit,which he Commands.At 10 in the night ,the Cavalry Division begins the retreat towards North-East ,on the only way which was free :a breaking of some 16 Miles through the enemy columns .All night of 1-2nd of December ,the Cavalry-men walk along their horses ,with the horses by the strap ,cross Cervenicu Mare bridge ,the only one which is guarded by a Rosiori Detachment and at 8 in the morning arrive on the plateau above Merenilor.Neither here are friendly troops;Division 9/19 is towards South-East ,in marching to Balaria.The 21st Division is on Arges ,and Division 2/5 no one knows where it is.Sinescu decides to continue the marching in direction Mihailesti ,on Arges .Enemy columns show on the left ;there are the Bavarian troops which make the conversion towards South.The runners from the Safety Detachments of the 9/19 Division bring the news about the enemy which arrives from the North.

The Division begins to receive shots of cannon ,then is attacked by infantry;she changes all the time the advance direction ,wanting to avoid serious engagements.A flank Detachment ,made out of troops of Rosiori unmounted,under the Command of Lieut-Colonel Davidoglu ,protects on the left the column in retreat .A Battalion of the 39th Regiment "Petru Rares".from troops send by Scarisoreanu for the protection of his back ,attaches to Davidoglu Detachment and fights against the enemy which attacks the Division in marching,from three directions :from Nebuna Velea ,Clejani and Rusii lui Asan .In Nebuna Forest ,the soldiers of the Division have again to unmount and cross in dramatic conditions ,with the enemy in the rib ,retained by fights in the North clearing of the Forest.It was well dark when ,disengaged by the enemy ,the Cavalry Division ,lead by a safe guide ,manages to get out of the horrifying Forest and to enter in Bulbucata.


Posted 18 June , 2009 In the morning of the 3rd of December ,the Cavalry Division was on the shore of River Arges,escaped by the surrounding circle in which she was to be found for two days.The unit was in this way saved for future operations ,but she has been absent from the principal fighting zone ,depriving the Attack Group by her concur in the day of 2nd of December ,which could have been a decissive day.In superior Arges Sector,Kraftt continues the advance and attacks by the front with 3.5 Divisions the I-st Romanian Army in retreat ,on both shores of Arges River ,as the 41st Division was executing a turn around by South ,towards Titu.The enemy bombards violent with artillery of all calibers ,breaks the Front of the 8th Romanian Division ,turns the flank of Division 13/14 and force her to retreat towards Gaiesti with big casualties.Amongst the wounded ,is the Commander of the Division,Colonel Cihoski ,and the French Colonel Dubois .On the Southern shore of Arges ,the troops of Divisions 8th and 1/17 repell the enemy attacks and hold on positions until the evening ,when they begin the retreat towards North .They cross with difficulty on to the Northern shore ,over the bridge at Gaiesti ,strongly bombarded by the enemy.The majority of the troops have to cross at night through fords ,fighting with numerous patrols .In the evening the enemy has occupied Gaiesti.

Towards South,the advance of the 41 Division Prusian ,constitutes a grave danger;she has occupied Crovu and is going towards Titu.General Prezan sends in haste the 10th Romanian Division ,which was held in reserve ,to oppose to the advance of the enemy ,covering also the Southern flank of the I-st Army.The Division counterattack is stopped on line of Villages Vacaresti and Odobesti by a strong bombardment of heavy artillery and by a big number of armoured automobiles ;the Division has to cross back Arges and to establish on line Serdaru -Potlogi-Bolintin -Vale.

The day of 2nd of December did not bring to Romanian Army the victory hoped for.Scarisoreanu Division has obtained ,in truth ,a beautiful success.But the weakness of resistance on to the other sectors and the Russian refuse to fight did not permit the exployting of the succes .The effort had to be retaken the next day .During this time ,black clouds gather all around the Romanian Army;the storm was ready to unleash.

...

(Romanian soldiers in the Great War)

The day of 3rd of December

The day of Sunday 3rd of December ,is the fatal day of the unfolding of the battle at Arges.It had to bring us victory and brought us defeat.

Around the Attack Army the enemy has finished his concentration .From the West ,the Turk Division ,following Socec Division in retreat,has occupied the elevations between Letca Noua and Ghimpati .At her right ,between driveway and Glavacioc ,has been remade the Cavalry Division Goltz and,with the remains of the 217th Division and with the Mixt Brigade Germano-Bulgar ,has taken position at North of Galvacioc and established the connection with the Bulgarian Front on Neajlov.At the left of the Turk Division ,has taken position between Clejani and RUsii lui Asan ,the 11th Bavarian Division ,which has received a formidable heavy artillery-the own artillery and the artillery of the neighbour Division 109th-which kept under the beat of its cannons the driveway Alexandria-Bucharest,until Arges.East of the Bavarian Division ,the 6th Cavalry Division of Schmettow Corps was guarding the crossing over Arges River.The bulk of the 217th Division ,very reduced ,was crouched in in its desperate position around Banesti Village ,until Chirculesti,beyond Neajlov,but decided at resistance till the last man ,numbering its last hours.With this face,the Armies in fight ,started to draw ,in the principal fighting zone ,three concentric circles .The most interior was the circle formed by the Vogel Brigade of the 217th Division German,like a snake around Banesti Village.Around her,has closed ,almost,the circle of Romanian Divisions 2/5,9/19,21 and parts of the Danube Defence Group,incomplete in the Southern part.At his turn,around the investment Romanian circle ,was tightening the enemy exterior circle formed by:Turk Division,11th Bavarian Division,Schmettow Cavalry ,Bulgarians and Goltz Group.The fatal fate has became reality.

From surrounders we have become surrounded.The Romanian Attack Group was caught in the fires of those inside and of those outside.

From the morning of the day ,our offensive action has been retaken .The gravity center was at Divisions Scarisoreanu and Lambru .Both of them had to attack facing South ,with Calugareni direction ,one on the right shore and the other on the left of Neajlov River.The back of the two Divisions had to be protected :towards North ,between Neajlov and Arges by the 7th Division ,and the flank towards West and South-West ,from Ghimpati and Balaria ,by Socec Division and the Cavalry Division.The Group of Defence of Danube ,sustained by Russian on the left side ,had to attack from Gradistea and Comana the center and flank Bulgarian.

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The offensive started to unfold favorable .At the left wing ,the Group of Danube Defence made beautiful progresses.Colonel Bunescu seized back Gradistea in violent fights ,in which distinguished Captain Nicolay of the French Mission .The other columns have rejected the enemy until Neajlov.

Again,General Iancovescu appeals to General Rasvoi ,the Commander of 40th Russian Division ,which was "sitting with the weapon at his foot" in front of Comana ,to attack the Bulgarians ,to cut their retreat and transform their defeat in desastre;but Rasvoi refuzes this time again to pick up the easy fruits of the victory.

Divisions Scarisoreanu and Lambru ,which had to acomplish the most important mission ,begin their advance convergent.The 21st Division occupies Chirculestii;the Russian Brigade 9/19 rejects the enemy towards Singureni.Scarisoreanu feels his back unprotected :the Cavalry Division is not here anymore,and the 7th Division has not arrived yet.He has to take care by himself of his cover and detaches from the 9/19 Division few units which he sends North of driveway Stilpu-Mihailesti;then starts the attack from Iepuresti towards South with Poetas Brigade.

Socec Division is placed in the form of a semy circle around Matei Basarab Village ,facing the enemy towards North-West ,West and South ,covering from this part the flank of Scarisoreanu Division .Early in the morning ,Socec begins the attack in two directions :towards North-West he occupies the Forest and Village Balaria ,towards West he closes in to Ghimpati.

At once,around 10 ,the covering Detachments to North of Scarisoreanu Division are attacked with violence by the enemy artillery ,after which infantry attacks follow ,in mass.The attack generalizes ;from North and North-West ,a formidable avalanche of metal and fire beats in the back and flanks of the Romanian troops .Kuhne Army has joined in the fight.

Encouraged by the strong help arrived ,Kosch units start as well the attack against Socec Division .The Turk Division attacks her from Letca Noua direction .From South-West ,from Naipu and Pingalesti ,Goltz Division and the Mixt Brigade Bulgarian-German attack her ,in their turn.Gallwitz Division ,from the circle in which has retrenched ,gets courage and reenters the fight.The grenades and shrapnels fall like stone rain over Romanian position .Balaria and Bulbucata are on fire,burning;they are seized by the enemy .Scarisoreanu stops the advance towards South ,strengthens the troops covering him towards North ,sending reinforcements of infantry and artillery which cross Neajlov through water and organizes the resistance and the eventual retreat towards East.


A missfortunate event takes place at the Western wing .Under the concentrated attack of the enemy ,the 2/5 Division begins to shake.The Commander of Division 2/5 is on Matei Basarab plateau ,caught within the fighting lines.The columns of munitions ,made out of waggons ,taken from the peasants,make a numerous mass and exposed to fast demoralizations.The grenades of the German artillery begin to fall in the mass of poeple.Socec appreciates that the position is too exposed for a Commandment and gives order to the Quarter of the Division to move with a Mile towards South,at Iepuresti .The order has been executed without the necessary precautions ;the precipitated movement of the group of horsemen gave the senzaton of running away.That was enaugh to born panic.As to a signall ,the whole mass of people and fighters started in crazy running towards Iepuresti ,dragging the Commanders or anything trying to stop it.The whole Division 2/5 is now caught in retreat ,part towards Stilpu ,part towards Iepuresti.Neajlov,with its marshy shores ,cannot stop now the units which,with a bit of cold blood could have found and organize here a resistance line.The masses in retreat are looking to get to Arges River;even the Commander and the General Staff of the Division did not stop but at Bragadiru,beyond Arges.

The advancement of the enemy is now general;it is made all around:from Bulbucata ,Rusii lui Asan ,Letca Noua,Balaria ,from Pingalesti ;Lambru Division is attacked with force from South,from Chirculesti and from North,from Velea.The disorder of the Division 2/5 entangles the back of Scarisoreanu Division ,the 21st Division resists on line Chirculesti -Forest until evening.

In Iepuresti ,in Stilpu in the fords and bridges of Neajlov River ,along the driveway which goes at the bridge over Arges River at Mihailesti,it is a crowding of troops and columns in retreat,which seek to get to Arges ,to save themselves on the opposite shore.The enemy has advanced with a Brigade of the 11th Bavarian Division in Arges direction ;he dominates now with the artillery and machineguns the whole driveway,the river and the bridge.Enemy shrapnels smash now above the Army in retreat ,cutting human lives and spreading panic in the demoralized troops .Through heroic efforts and with the sacrifice of some units,which remain on stop to retain the enemy ,Scarisoreanu manages to save almost the entire artillery of the Division:38 cannons out of 47;the General himself crosses the river together with the last soldiers.Socec Division has lost ,however,at the crossing over Neajlov ,the whole artillery ,the convoys and the most part of his troops.General Lambru and the officers of his General Staff try in vain to stop the mass of run away of the 2/5 Division .In vain;the panic mastered the mass of run away.The 21st Division considered herself happy to keep the position on Arges ,at Mihailesti.


Hit straight in the heart of its tactic dispozitive ,the strength of the Romanian Army on Arges collapses.The battle is lost ;general retreat is imposed.The care of Romanian Commanders cannot be other now ,but to escape from total loss and death as many men and material as possible.Wat have remained of the troops of the Attack Group is crossed over the North -Eastern shore of Arges and then on the one of Sabarului.The operation of retreat is well sustained on the left by the Group of Danube Defence ,which has remained on its advanced positions near Neajlov,until the entire 21st Division on his right side ,has crossed in order Arges River ,on the bridge at Darasti.Then the Group has reoccupied the bridge head on the Western shore of Arges ,from Pislari to Darasti .Even the next day in the morning ,after the rest of the retreated Army was set in to sfaty on Arges and Sabar,have retreated the troops of the Group on the opposite shore.

As in the Sector of Neajlov and middle Arges ,the Romanian Attack group was receiving the death blow,in the other sectors the plans of the German Commander were executed with more or less success.The 41st Prusian Division -General Schmidt von Knobelsdorff-has forced in the evening of 2nd of December the crossing of Arges River at Corvu and Potlogi and has occupied the villages.The next day,it had turned facing North and attacked Titu ,which was attacked in the same time also from West by the troops of Kraftt Group .The resistance of Romanian troops ,attacked in front and back by superior forces ,could not hold for long .They have started the retreat ,crossing Dimbovita and heading towards North-East ,to South of Ploiesti .The enemy has captured prisoners and war material.

But Falkenhayn has big plans .He knows that the principal objective in a battle is the adverse Army;he wants to transform our defeat -which he based upon previously -in a catastrophe,cutting the retreat and capturing the Army ,defeated.He took necessary dispositions ,pushing the free troops he had,along Arges River,to fall on our retreating lines.The 109th Infantry Division and the 7th Cavalry Division of Schmettow Group have crossed the Arges ,in the North regin of Bolintin-Vale ,the Germans have organized at Cascioarele and Malu Spart ,on the Eastern shore of Arges ,two strong bridgeheads;they have to constitute the support base of the operations of tis Group ,to which it has been given the objective the cutting of the retreat line of the Romanian troops towards Bucharest.

The enemy could not ,however,reach its goal .The troops of the 10th Division ,Romanian ,supported by the 1st Division have rejected with energy the enemy attacks and forced him to to defend ,the whole day,its own positions on Arges shore .Only by evening the Romanian troops have retreated ,because their mission ,to cover the retreat of the troops in the neighbour sectors ,was acomplished.

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With as much success also met the trial made on the Wastern shore of Arges ,to cut the retreat of our troops towards Mihailesti.This task was given by Falkenhayn to the 6th Cavalry Division ,which has started from Malu Spart towards South,along Arges.At Flacoianca however,the German Division was met and counterattacked by phallanxguard of the Romanian Attack Army ,made out of troops of the 7th Division ,and repelled back,with heavy casualties.

In the morning of 4th of December ,the entire line of Arges was in enemy's hands .The Battle of Neajlov and Arges was over with our defeat.The enemy pretends that he has taken in the tree days of the battle a pray of almost 20 000 prisoners and 100 cannons.The figures are visible exagerated.The martyr ,was great.Thoulsands of dead have remained in the Valleys of Arges,Neajlov and Glavaciocului.Some units have remained with insignifiant effectives.Division 2/5 was as closed down;she has remained with few Battalions .Division 9/19 ,one of the most tried ,has remained with 4000 men out of 16 000 ,as she had at the beginning of the battle ;Regiment 40th ,of this Division ,had at 21st of November 2 officers and 51 men.Out of Division 9/19 ,the remains have formed up on the field near Bellu only one Brigade ,weak:Colonel Mihaescu.The 18th Division has reconstituted in the same day with 3200 men.Roman Regiment No.14th of the 7th Division ,which has entered with an effective of 4200 men ,have lost 1200;4th Hunters Regiment has been reduced from 2200 men at 1400 a. s. o.Only in the days of 18-19th of November have passed to the Aid Post-the one at copaceni ,on Arges -42000 wounded.The energy and despise for death with which have fought the majority of the Romanian troops are above any praise;the enemy had also big losses.What is most important ,is that the determination and martyr spirit of Romanian soldiers ,has had as effect that the Romanian Front could not be break in any place.The retreat was organized in good order ,in the 3rd of December as in the next day.The goal of the enemy,to crush the Romanian Army ,could not be acomplished.Falkenhayn in his memoirs,he admits the wit and energy with which Romanians have fought ,but atributes the insuccess of his plan of crushing the Romanian Army ,to the changes of Mackensen of some fighting dispositions ,of his.No matter what,we still had an Army capable to held chest to the enemy.The Capital of the kingdoom was now at the discretion of the enemy.The target of our Supreme Commander will be from now on the saving of the rest of the Army,and the resistance in successive position will have as aim the delay of the advance of the enemy.With this face ,on one hand was made possible for the II-nd Romanian Army the pouring of her troops through the valleys of the mountains and putting them to safety ,and on the other hand ,was given time to the Russians to organize two lines ,strong,of resistance behind the Romanian Front.


Reflections over defeat on Arges

The causes of defeat has been several.It is out of discussion that the Romanian conceprtion of the Battle on Neajlov and Arges was a very good one.But there is a military axiom that"a war conception has no value but by its execution".And this execution has been a defectuous one ;it brought us to defeat .One may be considered as organic ,fundamental ;the other causes are incidental.The fundamental cause is the insufficiency of the forces with which we tried the manouvring of the enemy on interior lines.This manoeuvre is always risky.;for it it is needed ,as esential condition,superiority of forces.The reality was the opposite;the superiority was on enemy side ,by number ,as by war material and moral one.Not only that the Group tasked with helding to a stop Kraftt Army -as the Attack Group had to strike the Danube Army -did not acomplish its mission ,but the insufficiency of our means of reconnoitring did not permit us to know a very grave fact ;that the enemy had not only the two Groups ,but it had also the third Group,strong,the bulk of Kuhne Army which,masked by Schmettow Cavalry ,was adavancing through the empty space between the first two Groups without having in the face Romanian troops.Caught between Kuhne Army and Danube Army ,the Romanian Manoeuvre Group has been crushed ,as he tried to fulfil its mission.

The superiority of the enemy was so smashing ,that one of his Divisions -115th -did not even had to intervene in to the fight,being held all the time in reserve .During this time ,the Romanian Divisions ,some of them reduced to derisory effectives ,with no reserve behind,were torn by exhaust of a campaign for three months ,in which they have been kept continuously on the Front line and transported ,through long marchings ,from one Front to another.These troop could not complete the enormous effort asked from them.

The incidental causes ,which added to the fundamental one,wer:1.Catching the Romanian plan of operations ,due to the blameable negligence of the two officers.It made us to lose the advantage of the secret of movements ,and gave the occasion to the enemy to know the weak spot ,of our tactic dispozitive ,putting in light his imense superiority ,numarical and thechnical.

2.The lack of some units,which could not fulfil their mission .In this way there were:the 2nd Cavalry Division ,which lost the connection with the Divisions of th Attack Group and left the fighting zone,leaving unprotected the flanks and backs of these Divisions ,but mostly ,Socec Division,over which important mission was suported the whole manoeuvre of the Attack group.Acused of leaving the post in fron of the enemy,General Socec was send in front of the War Council ,which condemned him to degradation and five years in jail;he was degraded at 8th of February 1917 on Copou plateau ,in Iasi .Latter ,during Marghiloman government ,the trial has been reviewed and general Socec aquitet .

3.The Russians refusal to to associate to our offensive action ,in the decissive moment of the fight .This refusal ,inexplicable then,was part of a plan pursued metodhically in the whole course of our War of which intentions will be revealed latter on.Fact is that the culpable action of the Russian did not escape to the Germans Commanders observations.Ludendorff himself writes in the chapter of Arges battle in his memoirs:"There cannot be explained the motives which made the Russians to let the Romanians to be beaten ,leaving them alone all through the fights;the Russian could very well take part in the fights in Muntenia.Only this fact gave us the victory".The Battle on Neajlov and Arges was the greatest battle to be given on the Romanian Front of 1916 .By the operative ideas of the of the leaders ,by the measure of the effectives which took part in it,by the technical importance of the manoeuvres executed in its course ,as by the results expected or obtained ,she counts amongst the great fights given in the course of the Mondial War.In this great battle we had to held chest ,in open field,to the Armies of four nations :Germans,Austro-Hungars ,Bulgars ,Turks,superior to us as number and military power ,Commanded by two Generals of the most ilustruos ,which had one of the most powerfull and well organized Army of Europe.We have been defeated ,but we haven't been destroyed .The enemy pay very dearly the victory ,for two day even, we kept him under our knee.Neajlov and Arges could not be for Romania what was Ourcq and Marna [10] for France.The disproportion of the powers was to big and the circumstances to much against us.But in front of the great allies ,which have looked at the inequal fight,and in the face of our followers ,which will judge us,we have the right to be proud with this unlucky ,but glorious page of history .It is right, the most worthy appreciation to the heroes which have fought and fell on Neajlov and on Arges .From the land fatten with their blood and bodies ,to grow the flower of gratitude of a free and united nation!


(German field cannon with fast firing ;system Krupp;model 1914;caliber 105 mm;captured from German Army by Romanian troops in 1918)


Posted 20 June , 2009 5.The Retreat on Siret River

General retreat

The defeat at Neajlov and Arges has been a decissive one,not only for the fate of Bucharests,but also for the fate of our entire Army.Would the Romanian Army be able to confront,without the danger of complete destruction ,the enemy?By the answer to this question depended the plan of unfolding of future campaign.In the name of the French Mission,Colonel of General Staff Petin proposed the retreat ,step by step ,with the risk of having a new battle at West of Bucharest-Ploiesti line .It had,on one hand ,to give time to the Russians to arrive on the principal fighting Front ,and on the other hand to obstacle the stabilising of the Front on a shorter line ,where the enemy would formidable strengthen with trenches and nets of barbed wire fence ,against which will be difficult to retake the offensive.

The thesis of Romanian Commandment was other.The Romanian Army was not capable anymore to give with chances of success a great battle to the enemy,of which superiority ,material and moral,is now crushing .A new defeat would mean the iremediable destroing of Romanian Army.The Great Romanian Hedquarter decided ,for the time being,the general retreat and the gathering of the Romanian units ,of those taken out from mountain area as of those coming from Olt River and Arges River ,on a line :left shore of Teleajenului -Urziceni-Netoti-Mostistea ,but between Carpathian Mountains and Danube River ,at East of Bucharest ;the retreat will be sustained on the left by IV-th Corps ,Russian, of General Aliev.

This retreat and resistance had the goal to prepare ,on one hand ,the replacing of Romanian units ,tired and decimated ,by fresh Russian units ,and on the other hand organizing strong defence positions .In full understanding of the situation and of the commune interests ,the Russian Commandment and the Romanian one have taken the measures imposed:the two Armies wil move in opposite sense.The Romanians will begin the retreat towards West to East ,as the Russians will advance from East to West ,to hold chest to the enemy.Two principal lines of rsesistance were organizing ,in this time,behind the Front:the first one ,closer ,on line Rimnicu Sarat -Viziru Danube ;the second one ,a bit distanced ,on line Putna -Siret-Dunare(or Danube).


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The task of the Romanian Commandment was a very difficult one.It had to gather the Detachments from the mountains ,ungluing them from the enemy and head them to East ,forming a continuous Front with the remains of the defeated Armies on Neajlov and Arges.It had to ,escape from desaster as many troops as possible with as many material ,for that to the shelter of the new Front ,Russian,to prepare the strong Army for tomorrow.In the same time ,it had to evacuate the territory ,lift military establishments,deposits,hospitals ,young contingents unincorporated yet.In one word,anything that could,remaining on place,to increase the strength of the enemy or weaken ours ,had to be lifted or ,if not possible to be lifted,destroyed.

Very painful tasks were very necessary .We had to go with courage on the road of our missfortune ,on which we started in full knowledge and with determination.And we walked!

The second day after the defeat at Arges ,the Great Romanian Hedquarter ,which have moved from Peris to Buzau ,took dispozitions of general retreat .It will remain on the old fighting Front only the Northen Romanian Army ,reduced to a Division and a Mixt Brigade ,occupying the sector at South of Trotus ,over Oituz and Vrancea Mountains.From Oituz towards North,Romanians have been replaced by Russians.

From the region of Vrancea Mountains towards South-West was stretching the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army,formed up by three sectors:Buzau,Predeal,Cimpulung.The II-nd Army had to retreat ,executing a conversion movement backwards with the pivot in Buzau region and with the going around wing in Cimpulung-Tirgoviste-Ploiesti direction,to place on Teleajenului Valley ,from the frontier to Corlatesti,3 Miles South-West of Ploiesti.The Front of this Army ,which faced until now North,had to look now to West.

The I-st Romanian Army had to continue the retreat towards East ,placing herself at the left of the II-nd Romanian Army and in her elongation,from Corlatesti to Buftea.More to the left ,were the rests of Group of Danube Defence,together with the troops which fought on Neajlov and Lower Arges ,forming a Group under the Command of General Istrati;they were retreating ,covering Bucharests.More to the South ,until the Danube was the IV-th Russian Corps ,under the Command of General Aliev.These latter three Armies had to articulate in to a continuous Front ,extending the going around wing,left,of the II-nd Romanian Army,in her move of conversion.

The retreat had to be made step by step,holding chest to the enemy which was continuously attacking and destroying radically everything that could serve to this one:railways,driveways,telegraph ,telephone,deposits,industrial installations etc.At 5th of December ,the order of the High Romanian Commandment has fixed as stopping line of retreat a position of resistance which was in course of organizing along Rimnicu Sarat River ,extending to Faurei ,until Viziru,on Danube ,at South of Braila.

......... .........

The retreat of the Romanian Army ,after the Battle of Neajlov and Arges ,constitutes the most painful episode from the entire cmpaign so unfortunate of the year 1916.The conditions in which it was efectuated were very tragic and the sufferings imposed to the Army have been almost supernatural.It cost more victims than in the three months of fights preceeding it.

The weather has been exceptionally bad .Cold rains ,which were falling entire days ,one after the other,dug uot the roads ,fermented by thousands of men and by vehicles , transformed them in muddy ways;a winter ,which have rarely been seen ,followed to this unmerciful autumn.The troops in retreat had to go considerable stages daily,for which the physical powers of men and horses ,tired with exhaust ,missgivings and fights ,were not enaugh anymore.The effectives of the men and horses of the units have benn wasted ;the small units dissappeared alltogether;there were Divisions which barely numberd some hundreds of men .The services were lost by the units they belonged to ,so the replenisments were made by chance ,where ever they could.The troops suffered mostly by the lack of shelters ;most of the times they bivuacked under the clear sky,without fire.The horses of cavalry and artillery ,with the saddles not taken off by weeks ,with the backs only wounds ,fell terminated along the roads,where they were left to die.Some of the men were wearing the summer blouse they recieved when they have been mobilized.The marchings were penible ;most of the units were obliged to avoid the big roads ,where they were exposed to attacks of the columns of enemy Cavalry ,and to go straight over the field ,through bushes and ploughed land.The bridges being occupied by the enemy ,they had to cross through fords ,many times entering to chest in to the freezing water.

The Commandments were desorganizing ;the connection between them could not be kept ,and the tranzmitting of orders was made with much difficulty.Many times a troop received an order of operation which did not correspond anymore with the reality and which produced stops on to positions which have been well absolete.And from behind was following close by the enemy ,with high moral by the victory ,which had,next to the infantry units ,five Cavalry Divisions and which attacked continuously,forcing to separate one by the others the groups ,to turn their flanks and to cut their retreat,to capture them.Sometimes bigger or smalle units have been sacrificed ,many times regimentary trains,which could not advance anymore,have been abandoned ;in general the retreat towards the new positions could be made ,avoiding the catastrophe.It was the probe of superhuman endurance and of undefeated energy of the Romanian soldier.

.........

German desillusions

With all the important gain in territory ,which we were abandoning by our retreat,the Germans were not satisfied.It was obvious,that what preocupied them ,firstly ,were not the geographical objectives ,but the enemy fighting Army.Only the destroying and capturing of this Army would have meant decissive victory.The attention of the enemy Commanders will be now for the using of the critical moment of the detachment of the Romanian Armies by the positions in which they fought until now and by the enemy whith which they have been in fighting contact ,to begin the retreat towards the new positions .It was the most favorable occasion to attack them,surround them and destroy them.

The first desillusion of Falkenhayn was the retreat of the Group from Dragoslave ,in the night of 28-29th of November ."the move was executed with an extraordinary wit",writes Falkenhayn .General Morgen ,unpleasantly surprised in the morning of 29th in the face of the Romanian positions,abandoned over night, has to be thankful with the cheap glory of "conquering" of Cimpulung, evacuated.Our manoeuvre efectuated fast has obstacled the catching of the Romanian Group between Morgen Army and Kraftt Army,which was advancing from Pitesti ."Neither this-adds Falkenhayn-did not succeed ,behind the hasty retreat of the enemy ,to cut his retreat".

Also ,as less it acomplished to Falkenhayn the catching of the I-st Romanian Army in retreat on line Pitesti -Titu,between Kraftt Group ,which was following her on the left flank and the Group of Divisions 41st and 103rd ,of Kuhne Army,which were following her on the right and cut the retreat to Titu ;the I-st Army could pour through the empty space between Tirgoviste-Buftea -Titu over Dimbovita River,towards East.

The greatest deception of the German Commander was the unseccess of the plan of cutting the retreat of Danube Defence Group,in the wake of Neajlov defeat .This mission given to Divisions 11th and 109th ,as well as to Division 7th of Cavalry ,did not succeed because of the determined resistance of the Romanian troops in sectors Mihailesti and Bolintin.

Not even the pursuit over Arges River in direction Sabarului was not happier.Falkenhayn expresses with melancholy:The German Army "was not able to advance as quick as they wanted to.The stubborn resistance of the enemy arierguard on all roads obstacled it,such that it forced us at very often unfoldings of fights".Ludendorff reports the insuccess of this last try in this way:"At 4th of December started a new attack ,which Romanians went around it with much cleverness".

Awaiting for the end

The Chambers are summoned for the day of 25th of November/8th December at Iasi.The Conservative Party decides not to attend ,because the Constitution says that the Government is in Bucharest ,and Iasi(which became the Capital under occupation) are occupied by a foreign Army (Russians),entered in the country with the violation of the Constitution.

The authorities are taking the last measures of evacuation,instituting as military governor ,the old General Angelescu ,with almost dictatorial powers;he acomplishes very well his role ,of applying drastic measures faced with the spreaders of false news and of panic provokings.The ministers are leaving Bucharests in the day of 3rd of December ,leaving the ministries on the hands of some general secretars ellected amongst the persons with connections,or at least with simpathies for the Germans.It is given to Marghiloman ,being head of the Red Cross ,the fonds -two millions Lei(Romanian currency)-necessary for the well being ,for some while ,of the hospitals with sick and military wounded,as well as for the wage of the City Sergeants ;it was counted on the laws of the Internationa Law,which ensures the protection of the Red Cross in times of war,as well as on the consideration which the Germans had for Marghiloman because of his political attitude ,that the hospitals will not have to suffer.The guard of the Public Order was left to Lupu Costache ,partizan of Carp ,installed as replacement for Internal Minister ,and of the fresh germanofil ,Reserve General Mustata,invested in extremis with the dignity of interimar Mayor of the Capital.It also remained in his place Emil Petrescu ,the Mayor of the city.

Numerous important persons have remained in the Capital to have the same fate and sufferings as the population and to protect her as much as possible ,keeping the moral up ,by their presence;even the prime minister has given the good example,leaving his old mother Pia Bratianu ,respected widow of Ion C. Bratianu ,as well as his three sisters.

The Mayor of the Capital has been given the mission to acomplish the formality of surrendering the city ;to ease his sad mission ,it has been set to his dispozition ministers of Holland and of United States ,with the hope that it will take place without to much frictions,being that Bucharest has been declared unfortified city and undefended by armed forces.

At 4th of December ,the General Head Quarter Prezan was moved from Bragadiru to Urziceni .The road of Bucharest was defended now only by the arierguard which was covering the retreat.


Occupying Bucharests

At 5th of September ,Mackensen was on Sabarului line ,ahead of Bucharests forts.At 5 in the morning ,he has send as parliamentary Captain Seidlitz ,accompanied by the former profesor of rhe Evanghelic School of Bucharest,Lange,as interpreter ,with the following letter addressed to "the Commander of Bucharest Fortress":"The Romanian Campaign Army is defeated.The value of the Russian help you could Your Excellency appreciate it by yourself,better than anyone else.The allied troops of the Central Powers are on the brink of attacking Bucharest.Nor the Romanian Campaign Army,neither the Russian Detachments of Aid,could not stop her.I presume that Your Excellency are aware of the effects of the heavy artillery of 305 and 420 mm from the seize of Liege ,Namur and Anvers [11].The fortifications of Bucharest cannot stand it.Numerous batteries are installed for bombarding Bucharest .To spear the Capital of Romania and its inhabitants of the might of such an attack and to avoid a blood shed unuseful,I invite Your Excellency to surrender without conditions the Garrison of the City.I guarantee the sparing of the city ,as its surrender would be made imediately and regulated to the German Military Authorities.If this will be refused ,Your Excellency and the city will suffer the consequences ".Signed:Feldmarshal Mackensen and his Chief of General Staff,General Tappen.


The parliamentary has been escorted to the Geniu Barracks of Cotroceni ,where there were all the authorities tasked with the order,and Generals Commanders of Great Units of Danube Army.The Romanian Commander gave back the letter without opening it ,with the explanation that there is no more "Fortress" of Bucharest ,nor armed forts ,neither troops of campaign to defend open fields.

In the morning of 6th of December ,as Mackensen was receiving his parliamentary with this answer ,the avanguard of Cavalry and Infantry of Schmettow Corps and from the 115th German Division ,coming from North-West ,were arriving at Chitila Fort which,they found deserted alltogether ,they were in a haste to "conquer it".Entushiast telegrams were reeling Berlin and Viena about the fall of the "line of forts".Few Romanian Companies from the remains of the 2/5 Division fought with heroism between Chitila and Mogosoaia ,delaying the advance of the enemy in Bucharest ,to give time to the last of the troops scatterd to retreat from Bucharest .At 12 ,a Cavalry Detachment ,a Company of Prusian Grenadiers and another Infantry Company from Northern Alsacia ,entered Bucharest ,withot fight ,through Calea Grivitei.

In the morning of the day ,the Mayor of the Capital,accompanied by the Minister of United States ,Vopicka ,by the Minister of Holland ,Wredemburch and some other persons ,went to meet the enemy troops on driveway Bucharest-Giurgiu ,to make the surrender of the City.They waited at Bragadiru for three hours in vain,without meeting any enemy patrol.At 12 and a half ,a group of German officers,ahead with Prince de Schaumburg-Lippe,former secretary to the German Legation of Bucharest ,present themselves to the City Hall ,asking in the name of Falkenhayn the surrender of Bucharest .They have been given an address with the following content:"23 XI(c.XII) 916;12 and a half(hour of Vien) p.m.The Supreme Commander of the Allied Troops which advances against Bucharest .Bucharest ,the capital of Romania ,are completely evacuated by troops and will not oppose any resistance whatsoever .The Mayor,Emil C. Petrescu ,in the name of the quiet inhabitants of the Capital city ,asks Your Excellency to take all the measures for the normal life to remain asured ,in the interest of the occupation troops and also for the peaceful inhabitants citizens.The Mayor of the capital Bucharest"

At 2 in the afternoon ,Mackensen enters with the automobile in the city through Calea Rahovei .He had the unpleasantness to notice that his camarad Falkenhayn arrived before him.Bucharests have been occupied by the IX-th German Army .

There were exactly 100 days since the entering of Romania in the War


The retreat of the II-nd Romanian Army

The retreat of the troops of the II-nd Army towards the new positions of resistance was made very hard.There were extremely delicate technical problems ,which became even harder because of the circumstances in which it had to be executed.The weather was very bad;cold,rain,snowwings.The terrain of the most difficult:hills to climb and valleys to descend ,filled with muds sticking to the boots making heavy the walking.The moral of the troop was ,naturaly,down,because of the retreat.The pursuit of the enemy was very weak at the right wing of the II-nd Army ,in region Buzau-Predeal;it was ,on the contrary,very active at the left wing ,Cimpulung Group-made out of Romanian Divisions 12th and 22nd-which had to go a very long march,to be able to arrive in Ploiesti region where it had to connect with the I-st Romanian Army.

Behind Cimpulung Group was Morgen Corps -Divisions 76th ,12th Bavarian and the 8th Brigade Alpine Austro-Hungarian .This Corps,which did not know until now,in fair fight on the Front of Dragoslave but only defeats,found now,by the retreat of Romanians ,the occassion to show its strength in pursuit.The situation of the Romanian Group was really very dangerous one:completely isolated ,without any cover in the right and left ,had to execute a retreat of almost 93 Miles ,with the enemy tightly connected by its heels.The precipitated retreat of the right wing of the I-st Army which,at 15th of December was at Priboieni was uncovering the left flank of Namaesti Group.This one had to execute a converssion of 90 degrees ,with the left behind ,having enemy troops in front and behind the going around flank .From Cimpulung ,Morgen started the advance fast towards South-West with three goals:to pursue and destroy the Romanian Group of Cimpulung in retreat,to cut the retreat of the Romanian troops from Prahova Valley and to get out in front of the bulk of the I-st Army ,Romanian,which was operating the retreat between Ploiesti and Bucharest.


An unclever manoeuvre ,in the moment of detaching of the troops by their positions,made the enemy to be able to sneak through Arges Valley towards Suslanesti ,separating in this way the 12th Romanian Division by the 22nd Romanian Division ,and to capture the whole artillery of the 22nd Division ,the carriages with the Archive and the ambulance ,as well.The Romanian Group of Cimpulung,closely followed by superior forces ,arrived in the day of 3rd of December in Ialomitei Valley ,on line Tirgoviste-Pucioasa .In its pursuit ,Morgen attacks Tirgoviste with the entire 12th Bavarian Division and occupies the city ,after a fight given with disperation by the soldiers of the 22nd Division Romanian,which almost entirely without artillery.With its left,made out of the 8th Alpine Austrian-Hungarian Brigade ,Morgen crossed Leaota Mountains and seized Pietrosita,going around the right flank of the 12th Romanian Division.The pursuit continued with direction towards line Cimpina -Ploiesti ;Morgen Group was made now by two Divisions of Infantry ,a Brigade of Alpiners and a new Division of Cavalry,with mounted artillery.

At 4th and 5th of December ,fierce fights at the crossing of Prahova .The bridges at Floresti and Darmanesti have been crossed with the troops of the most trialed Divisions 12th and 22nd ,under enemy bombardment in the midst of flames.The next day,6th of December ,the Bavarians entered Ploiesti ,defeating the resistance of the weak and exhausted Detachments of the 22nd Division.It was the day of seizing of Bucharests.The Cimpulung Group have lost more than three quarters of its effectives .The 22nd Division had only some 1000 combatants;one of her Brigades have remained with 380 soldiers ,of 400 at Dragoslave.The 12th Division numbered 1000 men gathered up;the rests are scattered groups.These remains ,pathetic ,of the glorious Army of Cimpulung gather on the Eastern shore of Cricov.


In the same time ,has started the retreat of the Central Group Predeal,of the II-nd Army ;at 5th of December Busteni and Sinaia were evacuated .The retreat of the troops of Divisions 4th and 16th is made along Prahova Valley.

Between Cimpina and Ploiesti ,the avanguards of Divisions 4th and 16th ,together with the Divisions of Cimpulung Corps ,with which they made the connection ,have to give lively fights with the enemy troops of Morgen Group,which had closed the way .

As the Divisions of Cimpulung Corps ,as well as the 16th Division ,could sneak through with big losses over Teleajen ,the 4th Division moving slow,saw her retreat cut in region Baicoi-Tintea .All around are enemy troops ,and namely:the 12th Bavarian Division towards South ,the 76th German Division at North,Bavarian Alpine Corps towards South-East and the 8th Alpine Brigade Austro-Hungar in the back.At 6th of December in the evening the Headquarter of the Division is captured.The Division has to attack Cocorastii Mislii to open up the road with force,towards East or to change the direction towards North-East ,to Valenii de Munte ,the only part where the road was still free.The initiative was now in the hands of Brigades Commanders; they don't know,however,to take a commune decission and to execute it with strength.At 7th of December ,the Commander of Feldioara Brigade attacks alone Cocorastii Mislii with what he could gather from his Brigade.The artillery of the Brigade bombards for an hour the enemy positions of the 12th Bavarian Division.But this one is superior in strength ,counterattacks the Romanians ,which have to retreat ;the Brigade is surrounded and captured .The 8th Infantry Brigade -Colonel Berindei-hesitates in chosing the solution ,gives up to attack Cocorastii Mislii ,returns to Recea ,where is attacked by the enemy .Demoralized ,the soldiers do not try to defend anymore and surrender.It was the second day after the capitulation of the glorious Division from Cerna ,at the mouth of Olt River ,but what a difference!The remains of the Division which fought at Porumbacu and Sinca deserved an end not as shameful as the capturing at Cocorastii Mislii ,where was brought by an hesitant and uncautious Commandment.

At 6th of December ,the right wing of the II-nd Army ,Divvisions 3rd and 6th ,which held the positions at Bratocea ,Tabal Butii and Buzau ,evacuate the positions as well, and begin the retreat .The enemy does not pursue here,but the retreat is made on a very bad terrain and difficult ,over rows of mountains and steep hills ,covered with forests ,placed perpendicular on the retreat direction of the troops.


The retreat of the other groups

At South of the II-nd Army ,was retreating the I-st Army .After the defeat at Titu and Arges ,the Front of this Army was stretching between Ploiesti and Buftea ,linking with the II-nd Army ,and towards left with Danube Defence Group.The retreat was made with the Divisions,meaning with what was left of them -13/14 and 8th on the right ,and 1/17 and 11th on the left side and with the 10th Division in the reserve of the Army,in her left flank.The enemy attacks at 6th of December with power the center of the I-st Army at Peris and breaks the Front ;Division 1/17 towards Tincabesti ,where the enemy catches the whole General Staff of the 10th Division ,together with her Commander ,General Costescu ;with this occasion he takes also some 2000 prisoners and all the regimentary trains of the Division.Still,there were in this Division troops which save the honour of the unit and the interest of defending the kingdom. The 33rd Infantry Regiment remains on position and defends fierce until half past eleven in through the night ,although it has lost any link with the neighbour units .During the night,the Regiment which has been surrounded ,has forced the enemy line through Tincabesti .A Battalion with the flag of the Regiment has crossed through the water of Snagov Lake (outskirts of Bucharest),between Tincabesti and Cioc and retreated towards Ialomita ;the other Battalion ,together with the artillery of Division ,escaped towards East ,by Lipia -Bojdani.

At Tiganesti ,Division 1/17 defended the bridge over Ialomita until poured over it all troops and convoys ,after which the bridge has been destroyed.

Istrati group ,former of the Danube Defence Group,having the Divisions most weakened after Arges Battle ,was retreating one side and the other of Bucharests ;beyond Bucharest,Division 2/5 numbered now only 285 fighters !The 2nd Cavalry Division was in an extreme state of tiredness ;for 15 days now they haven't took off the saddles from the horses .Through the villages there was no more food ,such that the horses remained dead on the road of starvation ,cold and exhaust.Divisions 2/5,9/19 and 21st have been united in only one.


South of Istrati's Army were the Russian troops ,which were retreating towards Mostistei Valley ,pivoting around Urzicenilor ,as center .In the evening of 7th of December all that was left of the II-nd Army ,and General Istrati were gathered in to a single continuous line behind Cricovului ,Prahovei and Ialomitei.The troops stop for a moment ,to breath,reconstitute their units and oppose resistance to the enemy.The retreat made through.With all the clever manoeuvres of the enemy,which had five Divissions in the pursuit , of Cavalry,with all the weakness and demoralization of our troops exhausted by marchings and of fights they had to give every day ,the catastrophe could be avoided.The most important part of her could escape from the grasp of the enemy ,preserving for the pretious day of tomorrow.At 7th of December ,the Great Romanian Headquarter have moved from Bucharest to Buzau.

.........

Destroying the oil region

The retreat of the Romanian Armies on the whole widness of the country ,between mountains and Danube River, was also accompanied by fatal destructions.In the wake of the request made by the British Government ,sustained also by the other allied governments ,was decided the destruction of all installations of the petrolifer industry in Prahova and neghbouring counties.This destruction was made after a systematic plan and was Conducted by British Colonel Jack Norton Griffiths.The oil wells have been closed down by throwing and stucking of metal objects in to the pits.After that ,it has been set fire to all external instalations :towers,reservoirs,refineries*.All Prahova Valley ,from Cimpina to Ploiesti ,from Ialomitei Valley until Teleajenului Valley ,and from there forth,until Buzau Valley,was a sea of fire.The flames were rising like red tongues and serpent to the sky and stretched to the surface of the Earth,following streams of oil pouring to the valley.Black thick clouds were rising over the flames ;they covered the whole region in black ,so thick ,that it was night all day.Three days in a row Prahova Valley was dived into darkness.Through the dense black you could see from time to time the fire tongues shining of the melting metals ,and thunders and booms were announcing the collaps or blowing up of full tanks.Through the midst of this terrifying tableau of Sodoma were passing with difficulty the trains of military transports ,columns of troops or pittiful convoys of refugees.

In three days ,the most flourishing and rich region ,industrial ,of the kingdom became a pathetic ruin.We have martyred our great end envied stream of wealth .We made it with our heart filled with pain ,but with the conscience that that we bring an imense service to the commune cause of the allies.When the German was advancing conqueror and greedy in this land of plenty,one of his main targets of the plundering War,he remained astouned in the face of this vision of Sodoma and Gomora ,before his eyes .Through the smoking ruins ,through the contorssioned metal covering the dry land of this desolant region ,he will not find for a very long time the pretious liquid to feed his engines of his hellish machines of War.

........

However , in more detail has been captured this moment by Mr.Hamilton Fyfe:

from 'the War Illustrated’ 13th April 1918 'Smoke-Clouds of Destruction' by Hamilton Fyfe a Wanderer in War Lands

How a Great Task was Greatly Achieved

from 'the Times History of the War'

What will happen to the Romanian oil-fields ? Many people would be glad to know, especially those who have money invested in them. Will the Germans try to keep them ? If so, will the property of British investors be confiscated ?

The British, French and Russian Governments agreed, so it was stated in Rumania at the time of the destruction of the wells, to pay compensation for damage done. Now Russia has no Government. Will France and Britain recompence shareholders in oil companies for their whole losses ?

What would those losses amount to if the oil district were annexed ? That I must leave to "someone in the City" to compute. All I know is that the engineers put the value of the property destroyed towards the end of 1916 at thirty million pounds ! A more effective, more creditable piece of work has not been done during the war.

Yet it was, of course, a melancholy business. It had taken many years to build up the Rumanian oil industry. Years of thought and labour, of effort and calculation. Years, at last, of triumph and profitable toil for all concerned.

A "Destroying Angel"

The industry kept a large population busy and prosperous. It provided the world with more than one of the necessaries of life, as we live it to-day — with light and heat, with grease to make the wheels of engines go round, with the driving power for millions of automobiles and other kinds of petrol motors. Hundreds of thousands of people depended upon its continued working for their living, or for part of it. The convenience and comfort of millions have been affected by the lessening of the petrol supply. Yet it was a military act of necessity to destroy. the industry as far as possible.

"What is war," Napoleon asked, "but a game of barbarians ?" Savage and senseless, save from its own distorted view-point, acts of war must always be.

It was on a sunny November, day that I first saw in Bucharest my old acquaintance "Jack" Norton Griffiths — "Empire Jack" his constituents used to call him. He was looking at the ruins of a building wrecked in the early morning air raid. At first I did not recognise him, in uniform with red tabs, but I found that being a Staff colonel had not a whit changed his jolly, kindly, care-free nature, nor diminished his immense energetic capability by any job of "militarism."

He had been sent out to see that. The Germans got as little as possible out of Rumania, either in the way of oil or grain. Already it was clear that the Romanian Army could not save the country from invasion. Help was looked for from Russia, but the Russians could not send it in time. They were most unjustly accused of "betraying Rumania." That is nonsense. General Alexeieff was ready to do all that lay in his power, but he could not work miracles. Only a miracle could have moved sufficient Russian troops to save Rumania from Mackensen's machine- like manipulation of his forces.

By the end of November it was clear that the oil-wells must either be destroyed or presented to the enemy. Already they had been left untouched too long. The Rumanian Government urged that they should be left a little longer. But now Colonel Norton Griffiths had his orders. Off he went to Ploesti, the capital of the oil country. He called together the British engineers and managers who had longest experience and those who were reputed to possess the longest heads.

He got valuable advice also from American oil-men. There was general agreement that the only way to seal up a well, so that it could not be used again, was to drop the dipping machinery into it upside down. Wherever such a thing had happened by accident, it had been found impossible to get the machinery out.

Then the colonel got to work. He is by the way, the founder and head of a very big contracting firm which makes docks, digs canals, builds harbours all over the world. Now he proved that he was no less competent at destruction than at construction. A "destroying angel," the oil people nicknamed him. One mine manager of a poetical turn, described him to me as being "in love with ruin."

A great deal of oil was pumped or run off from the reservoirs into shallow basins, where it was set on fire. It did not explode. It did not blaze up. It burned sullenly, giving off a dense black smoke. All over the country the dense black smoke rolled in sinister, slowly-moving clouds. At a place called Targovistca, twenty miles away, it was thick enough to blot out the daylight and make dark night at four in the afternoon.

As I look back, those days of destruction are like a nightmare in my memory. A nightmare lit up by huge flares of burning petrol, lakes of petrol, rivers of petrol, and always above them dense, black, stinking smoke.

Nothing in the war has made a deeper impression on my mind. The lurid sensationalism of it, the hurry in which it was all done, with the query lurking at the back of everyone's thoughts : "Can we do it in time ?"

With Colonel Norton Griffiths worked several oil-men. The new officers set to work with as many helpers as they could enlist by promise of reward. It was a perilous job they were engaged in. There were dangers of falling roofs or walls, dangers of fire, dangers of suffocation. And added to these, there was danger in the threatening mood of the population.

These unfortunate people had to look on and see their living vanish. They saw the wells and refineries which supported them and their families being choked up and knocked down. "Better that the Germans should have them, and employ as, than that we should have no work and starve." That was how they argued.

The colonel was here, there and everywhere, "the life and soul of the party," as another mine manager put it. This poor fellow had helped to break up his own home. His furniture, piano, a library of books which he had been collecting since he was a boy, all had gone. His job had gone. The oil-field which he had managed so capably, and made to yield its increase in growing volume year after year, was out of action. Yet he joked about it. He was the most cheerful of us all as we sat at our scanty meals.

the destruction of the Romanian oil-wells as seen by a German magazine - 'Illustrirte Berliner Zeitung'

Just in Time

If the oil would not light up quickly the colonel took bundles of blazing straw and flung them into it. He was seen swinging sledge-hammers against the oil-refining machinery, "He ought to have been killed a hundred times," said an admiring American. "Why he wasn't, I cannot understand." His example made all his assistants work like three men apiece.

Just in time they got their work finished. The sound of the guns, magnified by the mountain echoes, had been coming nearer and nearer. Through the town wounded men and deserters and fugitives were flowing in solid streams. There was no hope now that the enemy could be checked before he had captured Bucharest and the oil region.

The well-to-do part of the frightened population had no thought but to flee. The rest for the most part, took a fatalist view. "Let the Germans come," they said to each other. "They can't harm us more than these foreigners have done."

On a Saturday the destruction was almost completed. It was, known that the Rumanian Headquarters Staff had passed through Ploesti in flight. "Give it up now," the colonel was urged. The bombardment sounded very near.

“No," he said, "we'll make a clean job of it." They went on until the Monday. Then the remains of Avarescu's Army began pouring down from the passes they had held so bravely, and so much longer than they had been expected to hold them.

Only then did Colonel Norton Griffiths give the word to quit. It would, indeed, have been useless to stay longer. There was nothing left to do.

portraits of colonel Griffiths / oil wells ablaze in Rumania

see also : The Fall of Bukarest as Seen by a British Journalist


There had been destroyed in counties Dimbovita,Prahova and Buzau : 1 677 wells ,of which 1 047 productive,20 rafineries of petrolium ,reservoirs and rafineries with 827 000 tons of petrol and derivatives of petrol,with all the anexe installations .The damage evaluated in 1922 by a mixt commision Anglo-Franco-Romanian is of 9 980 527 Sterling [12]

The road of Calvary

The retreat of the Army is precedet and accompanied by destructios of all sorts.The sheds and barns filled with grains cropped with the hard work of the peasant are transformed in piles of ash.There are demolished factories and burned down mills.There are blown up arsenals ,powderies and military deposits .There are collapsed great bridges ,thrown over the waters with so much spending and hard work.It is exterminated the whole wealth of the kingdom.Then it is only desert and pain.

On the muddy roads ,in the humid atmosphere and frozen of this beginning of December ,between smoking ruins and deserted villages ,pass unfinishing columns of the Army in retreat or of the frightened poulation ,which took the road of drifting.Everywhere are seeded the mute witnesses of the defeat and missfortune :piles of weapons abandoned,smashed waggons.dead horses around which swarm the crows.Waggons with oxes ,carriages and military ,furgons convoys of cannons ,automobiles are mixing with the columns of pedestrians and rove in unfinished rows the neverending roads which the rain and the circulation transformed in mud ways,in streams and water holes.Very missfortuned the waggon entered with the wheel in one of these holes ,or the horse stuck ore turned over !Take them aside,make way, make way!In a second the obstacle is taken aside ,and the crowd follows the road ahead like a torrent ,rolling the waves unceaselessly ,looking without care at the smashings aside ,or to the animals giving their soul in the trench of the road.


Posted 23 June , 2009 Through the sad villages ,the rare ihabitants have terrified glances towards the convoys pouring and frightened towards the horizon from where it is guessed the closing in of the enemy .On the faces of the onlookers can be very clerly read the concerns and fights tormenting their souls.From time to time,one or two of them,get out from the column .The sad eyes caress once more the panorama of their farm ,the house ,the yard,the sheds ,the herds ,the woman ,children.A bag in the head of a stick ,a ferwell ,the sign of the cross ,and they thick the rows of the convoys that go with the destination towards unknown.

Through train stations ,a colorful crowd and agitated ,militars mixed with civilians ,fight for a place and await nervously ,hours after hours ,the leaving of the trains stuck by the problems with the rails .The trains start with wheels high pitched noise hard and go slowly ,with often and long stops ,carrying the people which fill the corridors ,on stairs ,on bumpers ,on roofs.Not even a word of compassion accompanies now the fall of the unknown person,which asleep,has sliped from the roof or smashed his head at the entering of the train on the bridge ,or of which tired hand let lose the metal bar giving him the chance to stand.All this crowd taken out of the bed for the military duty or by the horror of the enemy,is spirited by only one thought :Moldavia .Is the hope of safe shelter ,glimpsed through the fog of the thin rain ,cold,which surrounds like a dressing the drifters groups.

Long and scattered are stretching the rows of the soldiers ,which crouched under the heavy of their backpacks and of concerns ,finished by exhaust and discouraged ,ferment with their boots the muds and waters of the roads.From time to time ,the voice of the cannon sounds close by.Groups of enemy horsemen appear on the neighbouring hill edges ,with the lance in hand ,ready to attack .Then,orders run along the columns .The soldier close in their ranks ,invigorate ,form up for fight.The noise and turmoil of fight cuts the monotony of the retreat ,the machineguns begin their furious rattle ,death reaches her unseen hand ,giving rest and quiet to some hard trialed bodies.

The cold gets colder.The snow begins to fall .The wind becomes blizzard .The thick snow covers the roads .The convoys advance all the time on the road of defeat and missery ,always thinner.Who cares about the fall of the men next to you?Ahead,always ahead,towards Siret,to Moldavia ,to Holly Ereasing !

It is hard and difficult the blood road of Calvary ,but at its end ,Golgota is not only the place of martyr ,but also the symbol of victory.Nations have to suffer just like individuals.Through Faith ,sufferings and martyr,we gain our right to stand with heds up in the hour of reward,to conquer the forgiveness of our brothers and wholing of the nation.


(Romanian artillery position during the Great War)


The battle at Cricov

8-11th of December

At 8th of December ,the units of the Romanian Army in retreat arrived to connect between them ,such that they formed a tight and continuous Front.This Front was stretching along Cricov,continuing then on the shore of Prahova River and on the one of Ialomita River,until the region of Urziceni.The right wing was formed by the II-nd Romanian Army ,from the mountains until the line of metal road(railway) Ploiesti-Buzau,from which then ,continued the I-st Army and Istrati's Army. At South of Urziceni were the Russians ,which constituting the going around wing ,were retreating much quicker.They were strengthened by numerous units ,brought also from Dobrogea ,which evacuation was decided by the Russians ,an also as numerous troops ,fresh,which were arriving continuously from Russia through Galati.The Front line Romanian -Russian was leaning over to the right on the mountains ,and with the left on Danube River.It could only be attacked now by the enemy frontal.

The enemy was advancing with the two Armies of his.The IX-th Army hd as axis of advance the railway Ploiesti-Buzau.On the left of her,in the mountaineous region,has constituted a Group Kraftt,composed of all the elements Alpine Germans and Austro-Hungarians;then followed Morgen Group ,increased as number of Divisions ,and at the right was Kuhne Army.The Cavalry of Schmettow and the Danube Army ,Kosch ,were in Ialomita sector ,with direction Urziceni.The Kosch Army has strengthened with numerous Bulgarian Detachments,which made till then the guard of the Danube River,and now have crossed the Danube at Calarasi and Fetesti ,to increase the bulk of Bulgarian troops.This right wing ,moving parallel with the left one through the heart of Baragan(Romanian Great Wheat Field),in direction Braila ,had a much longer way to make than the left one.

. The resistance of the II-nd Romanian Army on Cricov has lasted for three days .It was not about repelling the enemy now,but to delay him by offensive actions such that ,behind the Front,to permit the Russians to make their concentration on the resistance line Rimnicu-Sarat -Viziru-Dunare(or Danube River).

The II-nd Army was organizing the resistance position with the following dispozitive:in the right side was the III-rd Corps ,having Divisions 6th and 3rd on the plateau between Buzau River and its afluent Bisca Chiojdului,at Cislau and Bisceni ,and the 16th Division have occupied the shore of Cricov ,having the 12th Division at Loloiasca ,the 23rd Division at Tomsani and the 22nd Division at Ionesti .The Front of the II-nd Army continued with the one of the I-st Army ,which was occupying the shore of Cricovului between Cioceni and Baraitaru.

In the day of 8th of December ,the II-nd Army begun the fight .As the II-rd Corps was resisting to the attacks of the Bavarian Alpine Corps in the mountaineous region of North,the 12th Division ,supported by artillery ,attacks the enemy Corps of Morgen which occupied line of Villages Loloiasca -Ionesti,reoccupies the villages ,captures few machineguns and repells the enemy ,throwing him beyond Cricov.The next day,9th of December,the action must continue.Behind the Romanian Front has arrived the strong Group of Russian Cavalry of General Count Keller .There are three Divisions of Cavalry ,representing an imposant military force.But Keller has stopped at Rimnicu Sarat and declares that he needs two days of rest ,to mend his horses shoes of the cavalerists ,which makes Primeminister Bratianu to ask the Russian General:"Would the German Cavalry which,ever since has entered in the country at Jiu ,in uninterrupted marchings of almost a month now,has shod her horses?"In the awaiting of the intervention of the Russian Cavalry ,the Romanian Commander wants to push ahead towards Teleajen and to strengthen the line of Cricov.


The attack unfolds favorable in the beginning ;at 10,30 in the morning the 12th Division is at Albesti and the 23rd Division beyond Tomsani.In this moment,though,Morgen,which was helding the enemy Front with three Divisions ,12th,76th and 216th,pronounce a strong counterattack on the two wings of the Romanian Group of Attack ,threatening to turn them;one column attacks at North from Urlati the positions of 16th Romanian Division ,and another at South from Cioceni the positions of 22nd Romanian Division.Another column,in the strength of three Battalions ,with numerous machineguns ,strongly supported by artillery ,attacks the Romanian center ,along the railway ,overwhelms the right of the 23rd Division and breaksthrough the Romanian Front .The 12th Division loses Loloiasca .Threatened with going around the wings ,the II-nd Romanian Corps gives up the terrain and retreats on line Ceptura -trainstop Ionesti-Degerati ,followed by the adversary;in the evening ,this one attacks again and occupies Ionesti,Colceag and Degerati.

At 10th of December ,General Averescu takes measures that at least line Ceptura -Degerati to be held with any price ,in awaiting for the Russian Cavalry ,which did not finish the shoing of her horses.The Great Romanian Headquarter prescribes to the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army to avoid the engaging of a general battle ;the mission of her remains prolonging the resistance ,to permit the Russians the gathering up on line Rimnicu Sarat-Viziru.

Early in the morning ,the enemy attacks the entire line of the II-nd Romanian Army with Kraftt and Morgen Corps .At the right side ,the Alpiners of Kraft force the 3rd Hunters Regiment to leave Patirlagele ,after a lively resistance.Cricov Detachment ,from the 3rd Romanian Division ,made out of Regiments 22nd and 24th ,hold on position with great sacrifices ,but is forced to retreat ,abandoning some terrain ,after losing 40 procents of its effectives ;the 22nd Regiment remained with 400 men ,and the 24th Regiment with 800.

At the center ,the troops of the much wekened Divisions 22nd and 23rd counterattack the line they lost in the eve in the evening and succeed to reconquer at 8.30 Ionesti and at 10,30 Colceag ,capturing prisoners and machineguns .But the enemy takes the offensive with great forces .One side and the other of the driveway Ploiesti-Mizil he attacks with four columns ,made each of four Battalions .A strong field and heavy artillery sustains the attack .The troops of Divisions 12th and 16th have to retreat ,abandoning the gained terrain .Still,the II-nd Corps Romanian resists with stubborness ;for the next day ,11th of December ,announced the intervention,Keller's Cavalry Corps ,strengthened with the 14th Division of Infantry Russian .At 11th of December ,the pressure of the enemy has become very strong.Kraftt and Morgen have put in to the fighting line the whole forces of the six Divisions they Command.The Romanian Front is brokethrough in several points.The right wing of the I-st Army neighbour has been pushed and retreats towards Vintileanca.The II-nd Army is threatened with going around her left flank.At North,the advance of Kraftt towards Cislau threatens the going around of the right flank of the Army.Averescu obtains the authorization to break up the fight and retreat step by step towards line Rimnicu Sarat-Viziru.Just now intervenes the Russian Cavalry ,which attacks weak and without any effect.After few evolutions ,the Russians cavalry-men retreat in cantoonament at the cellars of wine great deposit of Mares ,at Mizil.The troops of Groups Buzau and Niscov ,forming up a Group under the Command of General Vaitoianu ,have kept the resistance in the following days on line Mizil ,then on line Ulmeni and then at Buzau ,continuously attacked and overwhelmed by the imense superiority of the enemy.More and more,though,the Romanian troops were retreated on to the second line ,being replaced on the first line by Russians .At 12th of September ,the Germans occupy Mizil ,and at 13th of December Buzau,by a veiling move ,executed by North,by Lipia Village ,against the 15th Russian Division and of the 3rd Division of Cossacks.


The retreat behind Ialomita.Looting and murders

Before Ialomita ,the enemy has been detained several days.His trials of crossing have been repelled by the troops of Istrati Group ;his heavy convoys and heavy artillery have suffered much in the lowered and dug out by rains region at South of Ialomita.At 10th of December ,a Regiment of Russian Ulans ,leaving the position and retreating without order towards North ,the German Cavalry occupied Coserenii.After,by the retreat of Romanian troops from Cricov line and from Mizil ,the Romanian -Russian troops from Urziceni were threatened in the back;that is why it has been ordered the retreat ,much that the Russian Commander has announced that he will make the concentration of the 4th Russian Corps on the Northern Shore of Ialomita ,on line Mateleu-Rosiori -Tandarei-Piua Petrii.The Germans have crossed Ialomita River and occupied Ursiceni,Manasia,Silistea ,at 12th of December.

In front of Bulgarians and of the Turks ,which have crossed the Danube River at calarasi and at Fetesti,the Russian troops ,which were occupying the flat of Baragan(Wheat Fields) ,had to retreat at North ,over Ialomita.In their retreat they have plundered the villages ,looting and burning everything in their way,the Bulgarians and Turks have completed their masterpiece ,committing the most abominable atrocities over the population unarmed.They were concoursing in plunders and cruelties on the back of our poor country.Not only the Bulgarians and the Turks ,but even the Germans the "civilized" and "disciplined" committed exceses of this kind ,as Falkenhayn himself sees forced to notice them in his memoirs :"During the advancement happened manifestations which proved a great weakness of the discipline.The number of pretended lost of their troops ,which swarmed this way and that way,was multiplying in a frightening way,with all my severe measures.On all the advance roads I have organized small arierguards ,formed with men of trust ,to follow th columns few hours distance ,to garher the hidden ones to resend them to their posts...But a measure like this helps little ,as the Army is in marching.Even under the eyes of their most brave Chieftains ,which,ofcourse were not lacking energy,were committed lootings in great measure;such in Ploiesti and Buzau.On the roads of stages ,the murders and plunderings was a daily routine.On these roads and in their vecinity ,the shooting after herds ,pigs did not stop.Im many of the places the circulation became very endangered".

........

Regrouping of the II-nd Army

The Battle at Cricov has been tha last military action of the Romanian Army as an independent organism during the retreat of 1916.After the retreat on Cricov,the Romanian units which constituted the I-st Army and the Group of Danube Defence have been retreated from the fight and send in the remaking zones in North of Moldavia ,being replaced with Russians.Have remained on the Front only the units of the II-nd Army ,to which has been attached some of the ones belonging to the disolved armies.Strengthened in this way,the II-nd Army ,Romanian,under the Command of General Averescu ,was now intercalated between IX-th Russian Army ,which was stretching at the left of her until the shores of Danube River.

At 14th of December ,the II-nd Romanian Army was separated into two sectors.The Sector in the left was made out of Rimnic Group ,Commanded by General Vaitoianu ,occupying the montaineous region of Rimnicu Sarat County ,from Racoviteni -at West of Rimnicu Sarat-where it connected with the Russians ,until Furu Mountain ,at West of Dumitresti .Rimnic Group had in the first line of the Front ,Divisions 3rd ,1st and 6th,and in reserve Divisions 12th and 7th ;Divisions 3rd and 6th considered as the best which remained to the Romanian Army,because being in more quiet sectors they haven't suffered so much losses.

The Sector in the right was made out of the Vrancea-Oituz Group ,under the Command of General Cristescu .In Vrancea region was the 7th Mixt Brigade ,under the Command of Colonel Sturza ,connecting to Furu Mountain with the right of Rimnic Group.In Oituz Rregion was the 15th Division ,under the Command of General Eremia Grigorescu,connecting in the right with IX-th Russian Army,at Slanic.

Few units ,Russian, are intercalated amongst the Romanian ones ,being set from the operative point of view under the Command of the II-nd Army.In this way,at 18th of December ,arrives at Dumitresti ,behind the right wing of Rimnic Group also the Cavalry Division Zamurskaia ,formed of 24 Escadrons with 20 machineguns and 12 cannons.After a few days is attached to Rimnicu Sarat Group also the Cavalry Division Tuzemna ,and to the 7th Brigade Mixt,the 12th Russian Cavalry Division.

For 10 days ,in the sector of the II-nd Romanian Army has been relatively quiet .The Romanian troops have occupied themselves with the organization of their positions in the bad terrain regions ,which they occupy.There were undoubtful signs that the enemy prepares to attack line Rimnicu-Sarat -Viziru.


The crisis of the Romanian Commandment

Penible matters of Commandment were agitated at the Great Headquarter of the Romanian Army,which from 7th of December has moved to Birlad .Transporting of numerous Russian troops in Romania and taking out of the Front the Romanian troops ,decimated by fights ,have modified the composition of the allied Armies.The numerical value of the two components had been changed .The Russians were predominant now.They have started to manifest veleities over commune Commandment of the two Armies.At 10th of December ,Beleaev asked very determined,for General Zaharov ,the Supreme Command of the Allied Armies ,the suspending of the Great Romanian Headquarter and comprising it in to the Russian Headquarter.The Romanian Government opposed energic to this pretention.Whatever the momentarily situation of the military operations ,it must not be forgotten that Romania is an independent state ,with a National Army.Not even at 1877,when Romania was a "vasal" sate ,she did not enter the War until Russia guaranteed her individual line of operations and own communication lines.Much less she could today abdicate from these rights ,after 40 years of independence and three months and a half of fierce fights with the enemy.Matters of law were also in contradiction with this disolvation ,in fact ,of the independent Romanian Army .After the Constitution ,the King was the head of the Army,which he Commanded directly.Then,the law of the state of siege gives the right to the Great Headquarter to have say in matters of administration and police for the ministers of the country.To pass this authority to the Russian Army,means to put the authorities of the country(kingdoom) under the orders of a foreign military organ,which would mean the non existence of our sovereignity on own territory .The only thing that the Government could aproove to ,was that under the direct orders of the King ,a Russian General to function as a Chief of Romanian General Staff and the Romanian Army to remain independent as organization and Commandment.It has been addmitted that ,for the time being ,the Russian-Romanian troops from the operation zone to be put under the Command of General Zaharov.


At 14th of December an important change was made in the High Romanian Commandment .General M.Iliescu ,Sub-Chief of the Great General Staff which,in the absence of a titular chief *,conducted the operations of the Romanian Armies for three months and a half ,has been replaced from this Commandment by General C. Prezan.The dizgration was the result of hostility of a great part of the public opinion and of the chiefs of opposition political parties ,which atributed to General Iliescu the unsuccess of the campaign ,started under such promissing circumstances.It has been imputted to him mistakes of strategical conceptions ,of conduct of the operations and especially that he had surrounded himself by a personal clientel ,giving important Commandments to mediocre Generals ,siding or neglecting the best officers of our Army.In the hard moment of leaving the high post,full of the greatest responsibilities ,which he has occupied till now,Iliescu has disculped in front of the Supreme Commandment ,showing that he has worked with the staff from the General Staff which he has found when accepting the post ,without changing anyone ,that the campaign plans have been studied and approved by the Generals in Command of the Armies,that he has worked with faith and devotion ,taking in the hours of crisis such measures ,to avoid the dangers and diminish the threatening proportions of the dezastre ,that the defeats are owed to ,in the most part, outside causes and that anyone ,in the same situations,could not have done better or more.This is how greart was the ferocity with which General Iliescu was attacked ,that the Supreme Commander of the Army(the King) thought that is not able to retain the General not even in the post of Sub-Chief of the Great Headquarter,not even to give him the Command of a Division.He has only been given a mission next to the allied Commandments.

The titular Chief of the Great General Staff ,General Al . Zottu ,being very ill ,with nerves ,could not take part to the works of the Commandment ;he commited suicide during November 1916.

Advancing on the traks of Romanians and Russians,Mackensen was at 19th of December in front of line Rimnicu Sarat-Filipesti-Viziru-Dunare.The aerian reconnoitrings and sensings made with patrols ,brought him to the conclusion that he has to deal with a carefuly prepared position ,and solid organized,defended by numerous forces ,which could not be forced but only through a great battle .Its beginning has been set for the day of 22nd of December ;till then ,the units of the enemy Armies has been regrouped ,brought into the fighting zone ,giving them also fwe days of rest.

The battle at Rimnicu Sarat has been engaged by the Germans with the totality of their forces ,existing between Carpathian Mountains and Danube :17 Divisions .At the left ,the IX-th Army ,under the Command of General Falkenhayn ,had to execute the principal mission with the mass of the 10 Divisions from Infantry of his .The advancing axis of the IX-th Army was the driveway and railway Buzau-Rimnicu Sarat ;his operational field was the region of hills and mountains in the North of Buzau County and Rimnicu Sarat County,until Buzau River.When the Romanian-Russian position will be broke through ,will begin the action also the Danube Army,Commanded by General Kosch,made out of five Divisions of Infantry German-Turk-Bulgarian and two Cavalry Divisions.She will operate in the flat region between Buzau River and Danube River ,with the direction towards Braila.

The Romanian-Russian Front was occupied at the right wing by Romanians ,and at the center and left wing by Russians.The Romanians were occupying the mountaineous positions and of hills,from Furu Mountain until Racoviteni ,with the troops of Rimnic Group of the II-nd Romanian Army .The Russians were occupying the most important part of the Front ,with many Army Corps and with numerous Cavalry.The two adverse armies were forming in this way o commune fighting Front ,from mountains to Danube.


With all the big concentration of troops ,the Russian did not had the serious intention to hold with any price this line.Even from 16th of December the Russian Commander ,in a report towards the King ,as well as in the order of operations towards his troops ,shows the intention to retreat behind Siret River ,indicating to each unit the sector to be occupied.That is why ,also ,the Romanian Commandment had to cosider the resistance on Rimnicu Sarat Front as a provisory stage and to proceed at organizing of definitive resistance on line Casin-Clabuc Mountain -Purcelesti(North of Odobesti),in continuation with the Russian line of Siret River.

The battle at Rimnicu Sarat has lasted six days ,from 22nd to 27th of December and it was the greatest battle in the retreat times.The Germans name her also "Weihnachtsschlacht"-Christmassbattle,because her decissive action was given in the days of Chatolic Cristmass.

General Falkenhayn ,of which IX-th Army ,will carry the weight of the battle ,has set to its left wing Kraftt Group,made out of the totality of its mountain troops ;this one would operate against the Group of Romanian Divisions in the mountaineous region and of hills;its mission was to operate a turning of the Romanian flank in Dumitresti region .Mounted on Buzau-Rimnic driveway was Morgen Group ;its mission was to breakthrough the Russian lines and conquer Rimnicu Sarat city .Falkenhayn kept in reserve Divisions 89th and 41st ,to throw them into the fight at the moment and right point ,to obtain the decissive success.At the right side ,until Buzau River ,was Kuhne Group.

At 22nd the battle unleashes on the whole Front of the IX-th German Army .At the left extremity ,the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,operating in the mountains,extends its wing ,seeking to establish the connection with the right side of the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army under the Command of Archduke Iosif ,which operates in Vrancea.On our side,the connection between Rimnic Group and Vrancea Group is established by a Cavalry Division ,Russian.For three days ,the German Alpiners and the Austrian Alpiner of the 73rd Division which are at the right side of the first ones ,cannot make one step forward .The Romanian troops of Divisions 2nd ,1st and 6th kepp with strength the positions on Cilnului Water ;the Russian Cavalry Division Zamurskaia have occupied Vintileanca and Intre Rimnice ,at the right of Romanians.

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In the day of 24th of December ,Morgen Group manages to obtain a decissive success :the 12th Bavarian Division ,with the aid of the 89th Division ,fighting at the junction point of the Russian Front with the Romanian one,has taken with assault the elevation with height 417 m ,which dominates,at South East of Racoviteni ,Cilnului Water .The position,heavily strengthened ,has been defended with stubborness by the Russians ,has been retaken by these ones and again taken back by the Germans after fierce fights which lasted until the evening ,making heavy casualties to both adversaries.After the losing of these positions ,the Russians have decided the evacuation of the entire line of battle and step by step retreat to the behind positions.This decission,taken by the Russian Commander and not communicated to the Romanian one ,starts to show its effects in the unfolding of the fights in the following days.In the day of 25th of December ,the fourth day of the battle ,the Alpine Corps inensifies the attacks against Romanians .At the extreme right of the Romanian Front ,the Russian troops of Zamurskaia Division leave the position ,and leave uncovered the right wing of the 3rd Romanian Division;the enemy advances and occupies Sarii Hill(Dealu Sarii),Vintileanca and Intre Rimnice.The Romanians have to retreat with heavy losses ,after they oppose a fierce resistance.A Company of the 22nd Regiment,Romanian, has occupied and defended the hill at height 854 m,fighting with the bayonet ,untill all soldiers together with their Commander have been murdered.To the South,the Alpiners attacks ,Austro-Hungarians,against the 1st Division ,Romanian,given with strong support of artillery ,are repelled ;Marghiloman hill is held solid by Romanians.The Front of Divisions 3rd and 1st are strengthened with troops of the 7th Reserve Division.


At 26th of December ,the fight has continued.The enemy,sustained by strong artillery ,has attacked between Divisions 3rd and 1st .The fights have unfolded with violence at Spidele ,on Hills Sonticari and Marghiloman .The hills are conquered by the enemy and the Romanians retreat on Ferului Hill.The Russians send in aid from Dumitresti a Brigade of Cossacks from Tuzemna Division ,with a baterry of cannons for mountain.But only engaged in to the fight ,the cossacks retreat with music ahead ;after it retreats also the mountain battery .Through the empty space thus produced ,the enemy advances between the two Romanian Divisions ,of which wings he turns,and occupies Spidele and Ferului Hill.The 4th Hunters Regiment ,which has occupied by a counterattack Sonticari Hill after a fierce fight ,is forced to retreat with great casualties;also the 27th Regiment.The left wing of the 3rd Division is checked under the fire concentrated of enemy artillery and has felt casualties.

The batteries of artillery of the 1st Romanian Division unleash a violent baraj fire over the enemy and bring it to a stand still.The Romanian Commander sends to counterattack a Battalion of the 16th Regiment from reserve ;under his protection reconstitutes the scattered remains of the 4th Hunters Regiment and of 27th Regiment,and attack with vigor the enemy.Spidele Village is reconquered;the Romanians attack Ferului Hill in the left flank and behind and reoccupy it.Sustained by the artillery of the 21st Regiment ,the Romanian troops advance and occupy Hills Sonticaru and Marghiloman ;the storming of the Romanians and the artillery precise fire of theirs encouraged the Cossacks ,which come back to attack.Towards evening ,Sonticari Hill is reconquered and the situation is reestablished almost everywhere,after a day of violent fights and bloody losses.


Posted 25 June , 2009 The day of 27th of December was supposed to bring the decissive .At the right wing of the Romanian Front ,the Bavarian Alpine Corps ,strengthened with troops of Infantry and Cavalry,has made the junction with the right wing of Gerock Group of the Army of Archduke Iosif and attacks with strength in concentric mode the whole Front of the 3rd Romanian Division and of Division Zamurskaia ,forcing them to retreat at East of Jitia ,in Dumitresti direction .On the Front of the 1st Romanian Division the fights have continued for mastering of Sonticari Hill and Marghiloman Hill which by evening have been almost entirely conquered.

But in the central sector ,the Russians ,which after occupying of height 417 ,have retreated step by step,fighting for each palm of terrain,lose today the city of Rimnicu Sarat .The Russian Commander considers the battle as lost and gives the order of general retreat .At the right side of the Russians ,the 6th Division Romanian,remaining with the left flank in the air,receives as well order of retreat.The 1st Division ,with all the victorious fight which she has given during the day ,has remained isolated ,by the retreat of the 6th Division from the left,and of the 3rd Division ,from the right ;she has now to follow the retreat of her neighbours.

At 28th of December ,the retreat of Rimnic Group is general;the three Divisions of Russian Cavalry ,which have operated under the orders of the II-nd Romanian Army -Divisions Zamurskaia ,Tuzemna and Usuriskaia-are united in a Corps under the Command of Russian Generla Krimov ,which is moved to the right of Rimnic Group,to make the connection with Vrancea Group .besides,the Romanians Commanders,General Averescu and General Vaitoianu has found themselves forced to ask to the Great Romanian Headquarter and to the King,to give another destination to Russian Cavalry Corps ,"because by intempestive and disorganized retreats ,they influence bad the Romanian troops".

In the South -Eastern Sector of the battle ,Kosch Army has started the attack on the Front between Buzau and Danube ,when on the Front of IX-th German Army,the battle begun to be decided in the favour of the Germans .At 26th of December the enemy attacks the strongly strengthened positions,by the Russians, at Filipesti (Faurei train station);has been given a fierce fight ,especially around point of support near Filipesti Church and height 55.More to the East,in the neighbour region with the Danube River,has taken part into the fight with bravely also a Detachment of British Armoured Cars ,of which Commander has been wounded .After the Russian 's retreat from Rimnicu Sarat,the position at Filipesti ,being threatened to be taken in flank ,has been evacuated and,in her wake,the entire line Viziru-Dunare(or Danube River)The general retreat of the Russians has been made in direction Focsani -Braila.The losses of the Russians in the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat hve been very big;the number of prisoners taken by the Germans is ,after the German communicates ,of 10 220 men.


The Russians are leaving Dobrogea

The retreat of the Russians from Muntenia(Valahia or Romanian Country) flat has provoked also their retreat from Dobrogea.General Zaharov came to the Command of the troops in Dobrogea -replacing the incapable Zaioncikovski -full of the fame earned in the fights in Volinia.He has lost it in Dobrogea.Although he had at his dispozition numerous forces -four Army Corps-es and few Cavalry Divisions -he has done precisely nothing to regain the lost terrain and has imobilised himself ahead the Bulgarian positions .

At 14th of December ,the Russians have started the retreat from the Dobrogean Front ,pursued close by Bulgarians.Dobrogea trusted by us to Russian defence ,was abandoned in Bulgarian hands .At 16th of December ,the Russian Front was on the line Pecineaga-Babadag ;the next day ,the Bulgarian Cavalry entered in Babadag on the pontoon bridges ,build in this points ,after which they set fire to them.The Romanian bridge of boats,throwed here by Romanian pontooneers,for the flowing of the Romanian refugees has been carefuly lifted ,towed to Galati and send in the country.

In Dobrogea have only remained Russian troops massed in to Macinului Peninsula ,having as defence line the wooded hills which stretch in the istm of this peninsula ,from Greci to Vacareni.Macinul was making the bridgehead wich defended Braila ,from the Dobrogean shore ;the two localities have been linked by a bridge of pontoons .At 29th of December Mackensen ,following with the right wing the attack of Braila ,from the South,as the Dobrogean Army was attacking it on the other shore ,from the East.At 4th of January the German troops ,Bulgarians and Turk entered in Macin.the next day,the last of the Russian troops from Dobrogea were crossing the Danube ,by Vacareni,in Basarabia .In the same day Braila ,attacked from the South and from East ,has been occupied by the enemy;she has been completely exhausted by the Russians:the deposits ,docks ,even the shops were empty.

The Danube enemy Army has arrived in the wattery region from the South of Siret River;at 6th of January ,her advance has been completely stopped by this region.

A Russian military historian ,General Vinogradski writes:" During this time we have lost Dobrogea in an unexpected way;the situation did not impose ,in the slightest ,the retreat of the VI-th Russian Army.The enemy,inferior ,was not pressing but only soft against the excelent positions covering the crossing of the Danube at Braila...Nothing out of the ordinary threatened the troops on the left of Danube ,because the fleet of the enemy was not mastering the Danube River so there was no danger for the Army to be cut by her base.This deplorable manoeuvre made us lose the fluvial way of lower Danube ...etc".

(Romanian Army crossing a boat bridge -drawing)


( Columns of the Romanian Attack Group crossing Neajlov River-during Neaslov and Arges Battle- under enemy bombardment-after a German engraving)


(Moment during Neajlov-Arges Battle -sketch by Bassarabescu)


Defending Danube River Delta

The Danube delta was in a situation alltogether special compared with the rest of Dobrogea.It was of the greatest interest to defend and keep navigable the Sulina river arm(Danube River has three arms wich flow into the Black Sea;Chilia ,Sulina and St.Gheorghe).That is why ,from the outbreak of the war ,the mouth of the channel has been barriered by a strong mobile gate ,made out of thick beams heavy chains and wire cables ,behind which there was a hidden battery of launch torpedo automobile.On the beach ,around Sulina,has been installed two Russian batteries of 150 mm and three Romanian field batteries ,served by sailors ,which were aimed to the large of the Black Sea.In the harbour was the small Cruiser"Elisabeta",a canoonier ,a torpeedo -boat and all the floating material of the European Comission.

In the beginning ,the whole defence preparation was aimed towards the sea.The Germans have tried to obstacle the Russian transports of troops ,sending submarines until the ray of Sulina Harbour and placing thousands of torpedo-mines in the way of the Russian boats.Some of the Russian transports have been torpeedoed by submarines ,or they collided with the mines and drowned.A special rservice for fishing the mines ,made out of Romanian sailors and Russians ,were working around the clock.Ships S.M.R.[13] have been given to the Russians which armed them,as to use them as cruisers and for stretching nets against submarines.

The German Cruiser "Breslau" has attacked the Snake Island ,where it has been installed a station of wireless telegraphy ,and taken prisoner the small Russian-Romanian garrison.


After the fall of Constanta ,starts to enter in the calculus of the Romanian Commandment also the eventuality of an attack of Danube Delta from the land.In truth Russians,retreating from Dobrogea ,the enemy advances towards Tulcea and Isaccea .The communication on the water between Danube and Galati is threatened to be cut and the Danube Delta to remain isolated.The Germans organize at Constanta a naval base.Their hydroplanes come almost daily to Sulina ,where the bombs throwed by them make ravages ,especially amongst the civilian population ,killing people ,destroying and burning buildings from the city,which are almost all made out of wood.A hydroplane is hit by the cannons of our defence and taken down in to the sea,from where it is captured together with the pilot and mechanic ,at 7th of November.Latter on,even the German Commander of the squadron has been hit,captured and transported to the hospital in Sulina where he died.

The Russian Commander prepares to evacuate Danube Delta and the Commander of the Russian fleet in Sulina takes measures of retreat towards Sevastopol .The officers of the Romanian Navy ask with all their strengths to not abandon Delta ,which can be easily defended because her geographical particularities ,and the enemy has not the necessary equipement to attack such a dificile region ,in which he cannot unfold his land forces of infantry and artillery.Under the protection of the Romanian river monitors which descend from Braila and bombard the elevations at Isaccea ,could puor down the valley the imense convoy of comercial ships and of loaded barges ,from Galati to Chilia .Following the explanations and insistences of Romanians,the Russian Admiral Kolceak ,the Commander of the Russian Forces in the Black Sea ,was convinced about the necessity of keeping the Delta and of the possibility of her defence.In truth,becoming masters of the Delta,the Austrian-germans would have made of Sulina River Arm a strong operational base ,which would have threatened from very close Sulina locality.On the board of "Elisabeta" Cruiser Kolceak declared to the Romanian navy officers :"Even if Zaharov retrets all his troops from Dobrogea ,I will keep with any price the Delta with the war ships and with the navy infantry troops which I wiil send from Russia".And truly,Kolceak has send a Russian Division of troops of Navy Infantry ,which have occupied Delta ,making Front on Danube shore from the mouth of Sf.Gheorghe Arm until Chilia .Behind this Front were constituting two great bases of operations :Sulina and Chilia which are in permanent connection over the water with Odessa and Sevastopol.In these bases are gathered all Russian war ships-countertorpedoboats,cannoniers,pontoons on which have been installed cannons of 150 mm,mine draggers ,hospital ships,as well as the Romanian ones-monitors ,vedettes and all the floating material which managed to flow from Galati .One part of the barges ,which could not pass under the cannons of Isaccea ,have refugeed on Prut River.From the barges from Chilia have been send by land to Iasi great quantities of wheat ,in the heavy winter,when the deposits of replenishments from the country(kingdom) were almost over.The Front of Danube Delta (or Delta) defence .Fixed in this way has remained till the end of the War in the same situation .Few trials of the enemy to cross in the Delta have been repelled.That is why the enemy only organized his high positions at Tulcea and Isaccea with cannons of big caliber and strong projectors ,of fraid of an offensive Romanian-Russian from Delta direction ,under the protection of the fleet*.

At 15th of April 1917 ,the torpedo boat "Smeul" was shipwreked in the Black Sea ,on the road between Sulina and Periprava,at the entering in Stambulu Vechi Arm.In this shipwrek perished three members of the French Military Mission,Navy Lieutenants Carriou,Denain and Begouin.

(Romanian escort vedette,"1906")


"Elisabeta" Cruiser(build in England),and River Monitors,"Kogilniceanu" and "Bratianu"


The Front of the Northern Romanian Army

The second half of the November has been relatively quiet on the Moldavian Front.After the burn out of the battle begun by the enemy with the aim to mask the principal operations enterprized by him in Jiu Pass ,the two adversaries have remained on their positions.The Moldavian Carpathian Front(as the Carpathian Mountains go also in Moldavia) was now held until Uzului Valley by the IX-th Russian Army ,under the Command of General Lecitki ;from Slanic towards South ,the Sector of Oituz and of Vrancea was held by the Romanian Northern Army,reduced at Divisions 15th and 7th ,the 7th Mixt Brigade of Calarasi and the 6th Division in Buzau Mountains .The latter one ,after the operative necessities ,was passed when to the Northern Army,when to the II-nd Army.The Command of the Northern Army was given to General Cristescu.

At 28th of November the IX-th Russian Army begun the long awaited action ,offensive,against the enemy in front ,on the whole stretch of the frontier , mountaineous of Moldavia.The action extended to the right to Kaledin Army ,which occupied the Front of Bucovina Carpathian Mountains and the Padurosi ones,until Iablonita Pass.The goal of this offensive was to ease the action of Romanian Army which,in Muntenia ,had to begin the great battle on Neajlov and Arges.The fights have been given when in a sector ,when in another,with breaks ,lasting until the half of December .They were made out of attacks not very well coordinated ,made when for an elevation ,when for another one,without obtaining any significant success .The only result reached ,was that the Germans and the Austro-Hungarians have brought some more Divisions from the quiet Fronts ,to strengthen the Carpathians Front ,especially in Trotus -Oituz region ,the most threatened.The I-st Army Austro-Hungarian on the Moldavian Front was at this date composed of three Groups;at the center Ghimes Group ,Commanded by German General Litzmann;at the North Bicaz-Dorna Group ,Commanded by the Austrian general Lutgendorff.Gerock Group depended operatively by the IX-th German Army ,of Falkenhayn ;the Ist Austro-Hungarian Army continued to be part of the Group of Armies Commanded by the Archduke inheriter Carol;After the death of Emperor Franz Joseph and arriving on the throne of Carol,the Command of the Group passed over to Archduke Maghiarofil(Hungarofil) Iosif.


About the left wing of Lecitki Army,the Northern Romanian Army has also received the task to participate to the Russian Offensive ,with the mission to repell the enemy and occupy the exits of the Defiles in Sesu Secuilor(Secuilor Flats).Because has been taken from this Army ,the 7th Division ,send to take part in Arges battle,her combative force diminished ,such that it could not be talk now about a strong offensive,but only about actions for fixing the enemy.

The operations of the Northern Army have started at 30th of November by an attack in Slanic region ,with the right of the 15th Division against the Southern wing of the Army of Archduke Iosif,and extended towards South,one side and the other of Oituz Valley and in Vrancea against Gerok Army.There have been obtained small initial successes ,with all the thick fog which was making impossible the operations ,but the conquered positions could not be held.It was quicly reached the conclusion that the forces of the Northern Romanian Army represent only the strict necessary to keep the equilibrium with the enemy ;any waste of forces would break this equilibrium in our detriment.Faced with the lack of perspectives of the fights ,and of their risks,the action ceased at 3rd of December.

General Cristescu has been named sub-Chief of the Great General Staff ;the Command of the Northern Army ,reduced at 15th Division and 7th Mixt Brigade ,and 4th Calarasi Brigade (Cavalry0 has been given to General Er.Grigorescu.By mid December ,the troops of the former Northern Army have entered in the composition of the II-nd Romanian Army ,under the Command of General Averescu,under the name of Oituz-Vrancea Group.


Casin battle

For almost three weeks ,the Sector of the Northern Romanian Army ,narrowed at the Front occupied by a Division and two brigades ,has been quiet.The Romanian troops could consolidate their positions ,fighting mostly with the winter hardships.In the second half of December ,the quiet ended.A great battle ,the most important on this Front ,will start in the same time with the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat.

Archduke Iosif ,the new Commander of the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Moldavian Front ,did not want to remain inactive.As Falkenhayn prepared the attack of the Romanian-Russian positions at Rimnicu Sarat,he decided to take,in his turn ,an offensive in the Moldavian Mountains of South.The offensive had to embrace the whole montaineous region from Ghimes Pass until Vrancea region and to be executed with a strength of some 10 Divisions ,of which 6 Germans and 5 Austro-Hungarian.Its aim was the entering through Trotus Valley and of Oituz into Siret Valley ,to turn the Russian-Romanian positions from this region and,with this face,to ease Falkenhayn advance from the South.The Austro-Hungarian Commandment did not give up to its favorite plan,with all the failures from Oituz and with all the opposition of Falkenhayn ,which did not stop at all with his ironies and persiflations the Austrian Commandment ,in which strategig capabilities he had no trust whatsoever.The Groups Ghimes and Uz ,strong of five Divisions ,would have to fight against the Southern wing of the Russian Army Lecitki ;the principal action would have to be lead by Gerock Group against the Romanian Group Oituz-Vrancea .Gerock Army had two sectors :at North ,Sector Slanic-Oituz-Casin ,made out of Divisions 71st Austro-Hungarian ,40th and 187th Germans ,under the Command of German General von Staabs ;at South ,Putna Sector,made out of 1st Austro-Hungarian Cavalry Division and the 218th German Division under the Command of Austrian Cavalry General Ruiz von Roxas .The Romanians had,as we know ,the troops of Oituz-Vrancea Sector (the 15th Division and the 7th Mixt Brigade ).The 15th Romanian Division was made out of 24 battalions of Infantry and and was strengthened with a Calarasi Brigade ,of Cavalry.The disproportion between the forces of the two adversaries was thus a crushing one in the adversary's favour.The move of the 14th Russian Division in Oituz Sector and sending of a Russian Cavalry Division in the aid of the troops of the said sector,made during the battle,could not modify but very small this disproportion.That is why ,the battle of Casin,named in this way after the name of the Valley in the middle of the tactic field of operations ,wil constitute for Romanians a new and very hard trial.The 15th Division and her Chief ,General Grigorescu ,both becoming legendary by their iron resistance at Oituz,will have again the occasion to make the probe of wit,energy and of their power of martyr.


The battle at Casin started at 22nd of December ,in the same day with the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat and lasted until 31st of December .The terrain in which it was given being,especially in the Southern part,very bad,rove through by mountain massifs and with a confuze structure ,cut by deep valleys and covered with secular forests ,did not permit the unfolding of big continuous Fronts ;that is why it was made of numerous attacks and counterattacks given by isolated units.In fight with the adversary,greatly superior the resistance of Romanians was brilliant.The heroism of the troops was at the height of the wit of her Commander .The elevations neighbour with Oituz ,witnesses to so many fights ,heroic ,given in the first two Battles of Oituz ,have been again watered with the anemied blood of our exhausted troops .

What was making very difficult the carrying of the fights,was the lack of trust in the Russian ally.Tactical necessities asked for th Romanians to be replaced by Russians ;the enemy sensed it ,and attacked imediately.The Russians were leaving very easy the positions which had names that became hollyfor Romanians ,because in their land were resting thousands of heroes which gave their souls for preserving them.Then the hearts of Romanian soldiers were aking ,the attacks started then by themselves almost and,in heavy fights,on blizzards and terrible colds,the celebre elevations of Capusii,Cernicai ,Staneica,Fata Moarta ,were reconquered by Romanians ,for then other attacks ,overwhelming as strength,or surrounding manoeuvres made in other sectors,to oblige the defenders to leave them again.In the center of the action in Oituz Valley ,13th "Stefan cel Mare" Regiment has made again his duty with vigor and sacrifice.


The offensive of the enemy has started in Vrancea with the attack of the Southern wing ,General Ruiz,against 7th Mixt Romanian Brigade ,which had her positions on the Valleys of the two Tisita,Lepsei,Putnei,Narujei and Zabalei.Artillery batteries,heavy, of 150 mm bombard with extreme viollence the position on Clabuc ,which they destroy.In fierce counterattacks ,made on 24th of December on line Clabuc-Fata Moarta ,the Romanians acomplish to reoccupy Clabucului Peak.The pressure of the enemy becomes more and more stronger;it exercises itself especially along Lepsei Valley and in direction of Putna Train Station,at the flowing of Tisita in to Putna.The train station is occupied by the enemy at 26th,reconquered by Romanians then,again lost .The 12th Division of Russian Cavalry is send in the aid of the 7th Brigade Mixt;she arrives on position at 26th and attacks ,reconquers Putna Train Station.The German official communicate of 26th of December has to confess:"Romanians defend with stubborness the valleys which take from Vrancea Mountains in Moldavian flat lands .With all the weather and unfavorable terrain in the high mountains ,our troops push the enemy step by step ".The two units constitute in a Group ,under the Command of General Baron Mannerheim.At 27th of December ,the enemy attacks overwhelm the 7th Brigade Mixt which,not being able to resist ,started the retreat in order towards Soveja-Dragosloveni.

In this time,in Oituz Sector ,Staabs was thankful to bombard the Romanian positions with artillery ;the bombardment touched a maximum of violence in the day of 23rd of December .To come in to aid of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,heavily attacked in the neighbour sector,the Romanian Commandment decided to retreat the 15th Romanian Division at Onesti,to constitute a reserve from which to send reinforcements in the threatened sector .The place of the 15th Division was supposed to be occupied by the 14th Division ,Russian,neighbour;the replacement will be made on the day of 25th.This decission fills with bitterness the hearts of Romanians.They understood to fight with hopelessness for the defence of their lands,to close the way to Modavia ,but the Russians were fighting without any heart whatsoever.

These feelings were expressed by General Grigorescu in a report addressed to the High Romanian Commandment .Grigorescu shows that the terrain in Oituz region is absolutely unknown ,for the officers,as well as for the Russian troops."The mentality of those replacing me is totaly other than ours-continues the hearted general-and namely retreat ,and again retreat ,to spear the lives of those called just to sacrifice them for fulfilling of their calling.This mentality is manifested daily in all the circles and I believe is not of the nature to ensure the defence of the national territory ,as our allies consider Moldavia as a simple territorial avanguard ,a piece of neglecting importance in a retreat,faced with the imensity of their Empire".Grigorescu shows that for nine weeks he has defended the Sector with 24 Battalions and he has the courage to do it in the future as well,if he is given only a Brigade in reserve."The defence has to be let in the hands of those who have made the test,that they now how to do it".


Theatre of Fights at Casin,Vrancea and Focsani

Pozitii initiale dusmane=initial enemy positions;Directii de atac principale dusmane=principal directions of enemy attack;Pozitii romano-ruse=Romanian-Russian positions;Inainte de 22 decembrie=before 22nd of December;(inceputul bataliei de la Casin)=the beginning of Casin Battle ;la inceputul lunii Ianuarie=At the beginning of Janauary;La 7 ianuarie=at 7th of January;la 18 ianuarie=at 18th of January


At 25th of December ,the 14th Russian Division arrives on position to replace the Romanians ,which begin at night to evacuate the positions from North towards South.The next day ,at 26th of December ,like he would have been knowledged by this change ,Staabs attacks the sector with 71st Division ,on both sides of Oituz Valley,breaksthrough the Russian Front ,and conquers Cernica Peak and Staneica Ridge.At the request of help of the Russians ,four Romanian Battalions return from their marching ,counterattack the Germans and after a violent fight reconquer Staneica Ridge;during the night Grigorescu sends another five Battalions in the aid of the Russians .The next day the German's attack is general ,on the whole stretch of the sector ,intervening also the 187th Division in Casin Valley.The 15th Romanian Division cannot be retreated from the Front ;one part of her is engaged in the support of the 14th Division ,Russian,of which Commander asks for help with great insistence.The enemy attack is now general;it increases in violence with the participation of a numerous artillery ,without stopping even at night.Under this formidable pressure ,the left wing of the 15th Division from Casin sector has to retreat on Talimba fields and Fata Coroanelor ,accompanying the move of retreat of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,from the left ,which is retreating at Soveja -Dragosloveni.

On the new positions ,Oituz-Vrancea Group supports in the day of 28th of December fierce attacks ;the troops of the 15th Division hold on position with great sacrifices.Some of the units have 75% casualties.It is planned for the next day a counteroffensive with the 7th Mixt Brigade ,for which are concentrated at Soveja -Dragosloveni 7 Battalions from the 15th Division and from 2/5 Brigade ,one Calarasi brigade and 7th calarasi Regiment ;that is why the Detachment on Talimba field has to keep the position with any price.But at 29th of December gerock ,which has suspended the attacks in the Northern sector ,Slanic-Oituz, has concentrated all the efforts and troops in Casin sector ,has attacked with great strength on the whole Casin Front ,turning the Romanian Detachment flanks;this one has to retreat ,tries a counterattack ,which crushes by the overwhwlming superiority of the enemy ,and has to retreat some more to Union Factory .The Romanian Detachment has lost in this day 16 officers ,dead and wounded,315 dead soldiers and 495 wounded and 235 m.i.a.In the same day, Ruiz closed in to Soveja and attacked Mannerheim Group both sides of the driveway.The attack made against 7th Mixt Brigade does not succeed ;Sturza resists,repels the enemy and regroups his troops for the planned counteroffensive .At the left wing ,the 12th Russian Cavalry Division gives up a little terrain ;Tulnici Train Station passes from hand to hand.

At the left of Mannerheim Group constituted the Russian Group of Cavalry Krimov,which makes the connection with Rimnic Group -General Vaitoianu.


Gerock intention is now clear ;interrupting the attack at the left ,in Oituz Valley ,he attacks now in the point of junction of extreme left wing of IX-th Russian Army (the 14th Division) with the 15th Romanian Division ,there pushes Staabs the 187th German Division with strength and the right wing of the 71st Austro-Hungarian Division .Grigorescu has retreated his troops under his direct Command on the edge of the elevations which dominate from the West Vrancea flat:Magura Casinului -Cornu Magurei -Muntele Razboiului(War Mountain)-Slatinei Hill.The attacks of the enemy cannot take out the Romanian troops from this position,no matter how violent and frequent they are repeated.The attacks and counterattacks succeed at short intervals for regaining of some position ,lost,and the victories are always payed with big casualties.The Austro-Hungarian communicate from this day has to notice once again that:"The enemy defends with stubborness each palm of terrain".

In Mannerheim sector ,Sturza has started at 30th of December the counteroffensive from Soveja with the 7th Mixt Brigade,strengthened.The Romanians are advancing on six columns ,attack with energy Ruiz 's troops and reject them.Two Battalions of the 25th Rahova Regiment suroound a German Company and make it prisoner entirely,with the Commander and machineguns.At the left ,however,the 12th Russian Cavalry Division and the Calarasi Romanian Brigade do not resist to the enemy attack ;the Germans are advancing towards Negrilesti.Sturza cannot exploit his success ;threatened at the left flank he begins the retreat towards Rachitasu-Gura Vaii(Valley Mouth).With all the orders of General Averescu to retake the offensive ,or at least to remain on position,to not uncover the left of the 15th Division ,Sturza believes that this move would be risky and continues at 31st of December the retreat,stopping on Rachitasu,mounted on Susita Valley.At 31st of December Gerock could make the calculus of operations.In Vrancea,Ruiz was with the Southern Wing ahead of Naruja Valley ,and with the Northern wing at Soveja.In Casin-Oituz sector ,Staabs was finding with the Southern wing on Magura Casinului ,occupyed even in the evening of that day and ahead of the elevations connected by her,fixed by the heroic troops of the 15th Division ,as the Northern wing could only occupy only some elevations on the frontier and was still ahead Hirjei ,kept to respect by the Romanian Battalions of the 15th Division ,which have strengthened the 14th Russian Division.

In ten days of violent fights ,given by both sides with big losses and great sufferings ,on torential rains ,blizzards and snows ,in one of the most difficult regions ,the Romanian Front has been pushed in the Southern part of Vrancea where the advance of the enemy was maxim,with about 12.5 Miles .The trial of the enemy to fall behind and in the flank of the Romanian-Russian positions at Focsani and Siret ,making possible in this wasy for mackensen Army and the one of Falkenhayn the occupation of these positions ,did not succeed.For the success of this last trial ,new efforts had to be made ,new blood had to be speled.

The battle started to take a new course .From the South ,in the wake of Rimnicu Sarat Battle ,were closing in the troops of the two adversaries heading North;the Romanians and Russians in retreat ,the Germans in pursuit .The Front of the two Armies will establish on Milcov for the baattle to come,which will decide the fate of Focsani .The Romanian Group from Oituz-Vrancea ,making the junction with Rimnic Group ,will take part together with this one in this battle .The Battle at Casin will continue ,but as a sector of the great battle of Focsani and Siret.


Siret line

After the victory at Rimnicu Sarat ,Falkenhayn had a moment of hesitation.The hardships of the winter ,which was announcing more and more threatening ,the exhaustion of his troops and the resistance of the enemy showed him the continuation of the advance as a risky bussiness.At 31st of December however,the Great German Headquarter ordered the continuation of the operations ;the IX-th German Army and the Danube Army have to occupy line Focsani -lower Siretului Valley ,to unite with the right wing of the Army of Archduke Iosif on a shorter Front and to gain on this river a strong line of defence for the winter time,and a base of operations for the latter beginnings of offensive.Keeping the line of Siret was for the Russians a capital matter.It was strongly organized and will be tremendeously defended. At its defence ,was not about saving of a piece of Romanian land anymore,which left the Russians indiferent ;it was about the safety of the Russian Front ;Lower Siret River Line formed the left flank of the big Russian Front ,stretched from the Baltic Sea until the Danube River and the Black Sea.

The valleys of Putna and Siret had a strategical value well recognized ;they continue ,from the military point of view,the line of the mountains ,closing the passing from Moldavia in to Muntenia(Valahia) in the most narrow portion of the country.But as,close to its flowing into the Danube River,Siret forms a large valley and marshy ,difficult to attack ,in the region between the mouth of Rimnic and mouth of Putna ,the valley shortens and the shores are low.Here,in the most favorable point to be attacked ,finds the driveway crossing Nanesti-Fundeni .The line of Siret ,with Galati towards East ,with Focsani towards West ,was organized in a strong defensive system ,formed by the fortified zone Focsani -Namoloasa -Galati .The fortifications have been build facing North ,such that they are a strong support in the case of an agression of the Russians against Romania.By a strange twist of fate ,the line was now turned upside down.Instead of defending us against the invasion from the North ,she had to defend us against the attack from the South .Undoubtfully,the system has lost entirely its value.The forts and batteries have been disarmed ,as those around Bucharest.The Russians have build strong works of strengthenings at South of Focsani and of Siret ,especially in the region Nanesti -Fundeni,something towards North-East of Namoloasa ,where it is organized a solid bridgehead.

It was obvious that the attack of Siret line will be given against this sector ,central.Falkenhayn has such,to operate facing North-East .He has ,however,to have the flank and back ensured.The follow up was that the attacking of Siret has to be made ,only in the same time with Focsani occupation and with the taking out of Romanians from Vrancea.That is why,the action of Falkenhayn will go hand in hand with the one of Gerock .The two Groups of adverse Armies will constitute now a single fighting Front ,of which left wing will be in Vrancea ,the center on Milcov and the right on SIret.


Posted 29 June , 2009 The battle at Focsani and Siret

As Oituz-Vrancea Group was heroicly resisting to the enemy aasaults ,Rimnic Group ,after ending the Battle of Rimnicu Sarat ,was beginning the retreat to North ,in the nigth of 31st of December-1st of January .The retreat was made with difficulty ,through accidented(bad) terrains and forested,on a very bad weather ,with a blizzard whipping in the face .After 36 hours of penible marchings ,Rimnic Group could occupy the new positions on the Northern shore of Milcov River.The right side of the Front was at Capraria ;from here through Odobesti stretched until Patesti ,where it connected with the right of the IV-th Russian Army.The units in the composition of Rimnic Group were,from left to right,Divisions 6th,3rd and 12th.The Division has been passed under the orders of General Mannerheim ,with which Rimnic Group linked at the right side ,and the 7th Division was in reserve.The five Divisions of Rimnic Group summed at this date an effective of 1217 officers and 31 970 men of troops,fighters.In this way, the II-nd Army was reconstituted of Rimnic Group ,general Vaitoianu,occupying Milcov Sector and General Mannerheim Group ,occupying Vrancea Sector(Naruja-Zabala-Soveja).More to the right ,the 15th Romanian Division -General Grigorescu -at Casin ,was passed under the orders of 40th Russian Corps of the IX-th Army.

The IV-th Russian Army ,retreating from Rimnicu Sarat to the North ,has opposed resistance with the right wing in Sihlele-Plainesti region,on Rimna.At 29th of December ,General Morgen has defeated this resistance and forced the Russians to continue their retreat.In these places ,the celeber Russian General Suvorov has reputed in 1789 a great victory over the Turks ;it brought to the General the supername of Rimniski.The Germans felt obliged to profane and destroy the statue biuld by the Russians on Rimnei shore ,in the memeory of their great General.At 3rd of January Morgen was in front of Focsani.

The Front of the two Armies was descending thus ,from Oituz mountains and of Vrancei ,along Milcov River ,continuing then with Putna Valley and at the Sout of Siret until Braila region,occupied by the enemy at 4th of January.The grouping of the enemy forces was the following:in Oituz-Vrancea Sector was operating ,just as until now,Gerock Group ,from the Army of Archduke Iosif ;in Odobesti Sector ,against Vaitoianu Group ,was operating Kraftt Group ,made out of the Divisions of German Alpiners and Austro-Hungarians;in Focsani and Putna Sector ,against the right of the IV-th Russian Army,was operating Morgen Group;Kuhne and Kosch Army were operating in Siret Sector.


At 4th of January Gerock retook the action at the left wing of Stabbs ,in Oituz Valley,intercalating between Divisions 71st and 187th also the 49th Division ,which he kept till then in reserve .The Front of the three groups of the enemy ,Staabs,Ruiz and Kraftt ,were drawing now an arch af circle ,fighting with the face to the East ,North-East and North ,against the II-nd Romanian Army .At 5th of January Ruiz attacks the Front of the 7th Mixt Romanian Brigade at Rachitasu .Without resisting,Colonel Sturza gives the order for a new retreat on Susita line :Cimpurile-Racoasa -Momiia abandoning to the enemy a considerable portion of terrain.This retreat ,premature,justified by nothing,compromises the left wing of the 15th Division and,by this,of the wing of IX-th Russian Army.Coming after other two retreats executed from the order of the same Commander ,it became suspect to the Commander of the II-nd Romanian Army.General Averescu orders the stopping of the retreat ,which followed to be done in case of need ,step by step.Together with this ,Averescu puts under observation Colonel Sturza ,the one who latter will gain such a sad celebrity.

More to the left ,Magura Odobestilor,the imposant massif which rises its central ridge at 1001 meters high,dominating to great distances the whole region ,was the key to the Romanian-Russian positions.Its fall into the hand of the enemy would have give this one the power to turn both flanks of the Romanian-Russian Front and would have ensured to him the posession of Focsani and of Putna Valley .For the conquer of Magura-Odobestilor, Falkenhayn destined to Kraftt Group two more Divisions from the left of Morgen Group,which will make a veiling attack.At 5th of January ,the Bavarian Alpine Corps has attacked at the junction point of Rimnic Group and Mannerheim Divisions 12th and 1st Romanians.The troops forming up the rest of the 12th Romanian Division have defended with stubborness the whole day of 5th,night 5-6th and the morning of 6th of January,Gorunului Hill,on the western versant of Magura ,giving also violent night counter attacks .At the right side of the 12th Division ,the 1st Division could not resist to the ttack and has retreated.Attacked by the uncovered flank and threatened with the surrounding ,the 12th Division had to retreat ,fighting ,with big losses ,towards Tarnita small Monastery and height 1001 ;the mountain cannons ,not being able to be saved ,have been buried in the ground .The 60th Infantry Regiment is reduced at 170 men,and the 62nd Regiment at 40 men!

Magura Peak ,height 1001 m ,has been defended with outstanding energy by a Battalion of the 4th Arges Regiment ,of the 3rd Romanian Division ,Commander,Major Balan.Attacked by two sides by the superior enemy which has many machineguns ,the soldiers of the Battalion fight fierce at bayonet ,body to body with the enemy,for an hour and a half,until Major Balan ,which fights elbo to elbow with his soldiers ,is wounded and falls prisoner.The Company is entirely destroyed ;she leaves on the terrain 170 dead and wounded ,together with her Commander.A Battalion of the same Regiment makes way with bayonet through the enemies .Few units of the 12th and 3rd Divisions retreat on the North-Eastern versant of Magura ,at Tarnita Schit,where they are attacked again by the enemy and forced to retreat at Gagesti ,in Putna Valley.

Together with Magura Odobestilor in the mastering of the enemy ,the defence of line of Milcov and Putna ,at East of Magura ,was compromised.Even in the evening of the same day ,Falkenhayn attacks with the right of Kraftt Group (73rd Alpine Division Austro-Hungarian) and with Divisions 80th German and 12th Bavarian ,the Front Odobesti -Patesti ,at the junction of the Romanian troops with the Russian ones.Bombarded very strong the whole night by the enemy artillery ,then isolated by the back by a strong barrier firing range ,the 6th Romanian Division has been surprised by the enemy attack ,pronounced the next day in the morning,in her entrenches.The Division have had considerable losses in dead and wounded,prisoners.Our artillery has opened over the enemy columns ,but her firing range could not be well directed because of the terrible enemy bombardment which destroyed all the telephone lines.Localities Odobesti and Patesti are occupied by the enemy ;the Russian and Romanian troops of the Sector retreat on Putna ,Bolotesti and Jaristea.

For the same day ,Averescu planned the reconquering of MaguriaOdobestior by a convergent attack ,which had to be executed from three directions ;from North-West from Racoasa -Momiia by the new constituted Group Grigorescu(the 15th Division and a part of the 7th Mixt Brigade ),from the North by Mannerheim Group (a part of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,two Divisions of Russian Cavalry and the 1st Romanian Division) and from the North by Vaitoianu Group .The attack could not be given though.Grigorescu group was engaged on the whole Front and could not give away troops anymore;the three Battalions of the 7th Mixt Brigade ,send to Mannerheim Group ,did not arrive in time ,and the dezastre of the 6th Division of Rimnic Group wekened the power of Rimnic Group.Besides ,in the same day the Russians started the retreat on the whole Front towards line Putna River and Morgen entered Focsani .To shorten the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army ,which was to long,her right wing -Group General Grigorescu -was also retreated on the line:West Casin Monastery-Poiana Coada Babei(the Tail of the Old Woman Clearing),772 m-Dealu Dorului(Miss Hill) 670 m -West Racoasa -Momiiei Peak.

Towards East ,Siret line has been reached by the enemy Armies at 9th of January ,after heavy fightings with many adventures ,amongst which a victorious counterattack of the Russians ,in Namoloasa region ,has put for a moment in difficult ballance the German victory.


(small cannon System Crousson ,53mm)

Russians intend the retreat on Trotus River line

The defeat at Focsani was bringing up to discussion again the fixing of the retreat line of the Romanian-Russian Front.At the Eastern wing ,the line of Siret River prezents itself as a resistance line beyond any doubt,strong ,by its natural situation ,as by the works built before on to the shores of the river.It was considered,by the Germans ,as by the Russians as the last stage which has to end the cmpaign of 1916.Totaly different presents the matter of extending to West of Siret line.In Focsani region ,the Russians and Romanians have occupied in retreat the line of Putna ;more to the West ,the Front was on Susita Valley ,from where it went by Magura Casinului in Oituz Valley.As the IX-th German Army,completely exhausted ceased any warfare attempt ,Gerock Army continued the attacks .At 9th of January Grigorescu Group has been again attacked in Casin Sector ,on Marasti Hill and on Momiia ,by the three Divisions of Staabs .Ofcourse ,the Germans wanted to obtain a breaking of the Romanian Front in direction Cimpurile -Pralea-Caiuti .Grigorescu has resisted ,but had to retreat on Budiului Hill .General Zaharov tells to the Romanian Sepreme Commander his intention of retreating the right wing of the Romanian-Russian Front behind Trotus River.It was for the Russians the ideal line of retreat ,which shortened to a line almost straight ,the Moldavian Front ,uniting the line of the Mountains of Neamt with the line of Siret River.The Romanian Commanders opposed with strength to this voluntary abandoning of a region so important.The destroying of the railway Tirgu Ocna -Adjud and the interception of the communication through Trotus Valley would have meant a death blow given to our resistance.In truth,in this rich region were the only and last resources of ours in coal ,petrol and salt,which fed the kingdoom and the Army.The railway in Trotus Valley itself,an excellent line of rocade ,were going parallel with the Front of the II-nd Romanian Army and behind it,permitting the transport of troops from one point to another.That is why,the Romanian Commanders asked to the Russian Generalisim that,before giving up the terrain between Putna and Trotus ,to strengthen and defend the line of Susuta -Zabraut.Zaharov agreed to the Romanians insistences ,which had the advantage that they were keeping for the Russian Armies the important line of communication Marasesti-Tecuci.The Front of the IV-th Russian Army has been extended with the right wing until Iresti,liberating in this way the 7th Romanian Division ,which,together with the 6th Division ,have been passed to reserve of Grigorescu Group.


Battle of Pralea

If the retreat of free will from Trotus line has been abandoned ,there was still the danger of a retreat under the pressure of the enemy attack.The Romanian Front has take an unfavorable dispozitive :in Pralea region and that of Zabraut was much bend towards North ,presenting a dangerous entering .All the clues showed that the enemy wants to take advantage of the tactical gains he made during the late battles and to attack in Pralea region ,with Caiuti direction .The success of this attack meant a real dezastre:it was the push through force of the Romanians beyond Trotus.

To avoid this danger ,the Romanian Commandment tasked General Grigorescu to take the offensive in this region ,to obstacle the enemy attack to push the Romanian Front towards South-West.It has also been put to Grigorescu dispozition the 7th Division ,then the 12th Division from Vaitoianu Group ,from Verdea ,the Graniceri Brigade and a Cavalry Division of the Russian Group of General Keller.

But the Germans went ahead .At 13th of January ,Staabs has attacked in Pralea direction and occupied height 772,which he imediately transformed in a strong resistance central.

The following day ,14th of January ,Grigorescu started the counterattack to retake the lost position .Troops of the 7th Division have attacked and conquered height 772 ,together with the neighbour positions:Poiana Ciresului (Cherry Clearing) and Poiana Secatura(Dry Soldier Clearing),where they have taken prisoners an officer and 27 German soldiers.In the same time ,troops of the 15th Division have occupied after a very lively fight with bayonet and hand grenades Dealul Pietricelelor(Small Rocks Hill) ,repelling all of the enemy trials of reconquering it;they could not however occupy also Dragan Hill,strongly entrenched and defended by the enemy.The troops of the 12th Division ,out of their own initiative, of the Commander ,have attacked in Marasti direction and occupied Hills of Virlanu and Dragotestilor ,until the Valley of Limpejoara Stream in front of Marasti Hill.The following days followed very bloody fights .Numerous attacks and counterattacks were given for the possesion of elevations "La Incarcatoarea"(height 711) and Poiana Coada Babei (height 772),for five days ,but they could not be taken by ours because of the superiority of the enemy forces and of the powerful strengthenings.The Romanian troops have had felt losses .Still,the goal of the action has been acomplished .At 18th of January ,our troops managed to advance 0.5 -2 Miles ,obtaining an important rectification of the Front.Instead of being on the line of the arch of circle ,we were now on the cord of the circle , obtaining,together with the terrain gain at South of Pralea ,also a shortening of the Front .We were holding now under the beat of our artillery Susita Valley.With all this success ,which was ensuring us against an enemy attempt to rove through to Trotus Valley ,there were taken measures of precaution.it has been definitively organized Trotus Valley and has been studied in detail the eventual retreat in this direction .It has also been organized another line ,intermediary ,at South of Trotus Valley ,along Dealu Mare ridge .With this action the fights,started at 22nd of December by the Group of General Gerock, have been ended ;they have lasted for 27 days.


Invasions and Retreats

Directiile de invazie ale inamicului=enemy directions of invasion

Pozitii romano-ruse in retragere=Romanian-Russian positions in retreat

1.During Arges Battle,2.After the evacuation of Bucharest,3.On Cricov and Ialomita,4.Rimnicu Sarat Battle,5. Final Front at the beginning of 1917


The end of the fights and stabilization of the Front

By the end of December ,the two adverse Armies have reached the end of their efforts.The long campaign of four months and a half of tensioned fights ,which heve not stopped even for one day ,the long marchings ,in which men and horses have gone hundreds of Miles ,the bad weather of autumn and winter with torential rains ,the snows and blizzards ,the lack of shelters for horses and animals ,the hardships of provisionings which became even harder,have ended alltogether the strengths of the fighters.The suspending of the operations was seen as a necessity unavoidable by both fighting parties ,much that the winter has started and it was foreseen that soon it will begin the frost which will put an end to all other sufferings .Besides ,even after the Battle at Rimnicu-Sarat ,Falkenhayn told to the Great German Hedquarter ,his fears pretaining the risks linked by the continuation of the operations and has oppinionated for their ending.If ,however they have continued ,this was owed to the fact that the High German Commandment have conceived beforehand the line of Siret as an ideal line of stopping after the 1916 campaign and because the giving up at conquering Focsani ,trumpeted anticipated by the German communicates ,could have been interpreted as a defeat.That is why ,when the Romanians and the Russians,after losing Magura Odobestilor and the evacuation of Focsani ,have retreated on Susita line ,of Putna and of Siret ,the enemy Armies advanced only few Miles ,until they were in front of the new adverse positions.To try to force them ,would have been an impossibility .Besides,at 9th of January the Great German Headquarter asked Marshal Mackensen to have send a number of units ,which were necessary on other Fronts of the European War,where it was believed the retaking of the operations ,suspended during the Romanian Campaign.At 10th of January ,the High German Commandment of the troops in Romania gave the order for entering in defence positions .The break ,indispensable for both parties started with this date .The two Armies ,placed face to face on the two opposite shores of the rivers ,have ceased the fight ,to give themselves alltogether to the works of consolidation of the positions and building of the winter shelters .It was time.Towards the middle of January ,a terrible frost and a violent Crivat(Eastern winter wind) have interrupted whatever military action,causing ,especially to the Germans and the Turks ,imense losses."Only in one week-writes Falkenhayn-the casualties caused by the frost of the men -partially or totaly-climbed at more than a quarter of the total casualties ,which we had in dead ,wounded and prisoners ,in the whole course of the four months of campaign".

The War of position,with its bombardment and local actions ,is the only one which will dominate for half a year.


Accounting a campaign

The Campaign of 1916 was ended.It was not the ending expected at the beginning of the campaign .It was ,on the contrary,a sad ending,which tore with pain the hearts of Romanians .The proud Army,which ventured over the mountains with elan four months before ,to liberate the enslaved brothers ,has been forced to retreat with bowed head and with the bleeding heart ,burning the wealth of the country and abandoning the own country in the hands of the enemy.With all the tragic of the situation ,the Romanian soldier had the will of strength that,for the day of tommorow ,to leave his family and house ,leaving them on the hands of invasioneers and to take the road of retreat ,along the kingdom ,from Turnu Severin until Siret ,on bad and dug out roads ,in fight with hardships ,with the heavy of the winter and of the enemy,faithful to duty and flag.Thanks to him,has been saved all that was of need to the reconstruction of the New Army :recruits,woundeds,war material ,the locomotive park and of carriages and all that has been decided to be evacuated from Bucharest and from other cities,all that was needed to rebuild our military power ,which tomorrow will be called up again to fight ,for the honour and saving of the kingdoom.

It has remained behind ,in the abandoned country ,between the piles of ruins ,50 000 graves ,sign of the heroism and of the unfortunate events in which has made his duty the Romanian soldier!

There are no exat figures over the losses in dead and wounded of our Army in the 1916 Campaign.An officious publication indicates the approximative figures of 50 000 dead,and 80 000 wouded .For prisoners we have the official data published for the Central Office of Prisoners finding themselves at the Central Powers ,at 1st of February 1917.At this date there were as Romanian prisoners:

..............................Officers Soldiers

at Germans................ 202...........9955

at Austro-Hungarians...542.........37765

at Bulgarians........... 789.........27718

at Turks.................. ......3..........2909

Total officers, 1563 ........... soldiers 78 347

At this total must be added the prisoners in the camps and hospitals in the Romanian occupied territory and unevacuated yet.Between 1st of January and 21st of March 1917 there were -after official data of the Germans-31 842 Romanian soldiers ,separated in seven principal centrals and 33 secondary centrals .It is probable that some of these were also in the above figures .Total: 111 725 prisoners ,officers and soldiers .We are,as such,far from the fantastic figures served daily by the German communicates ,as advertising and intimidation[14].


[1]The German-Bulgarian troops have forced the Danube at Zimnicea ,at 10/23 of November 1916.

[2]French -Serb troops on Salonic Front have occupied Monastir at 19th of November 1916.

[3]Brand,mine thrower.

[4]H.A.Brialmont ,Belgian General,one of the supporter of the fortress ideea which"dominatest the war theatre",inspirer of the great buildings of fortresses in Belgia.

[5] Great fortresses in Belgium ,at which construction General H.A. Brialmont had a decissive contribution ,conquered by the Germans since 1914 campaign ,by using of Krupp cannons of great caliber-one of the German "surprises" in the War.

[6] Fortresses in France ,and from the Polish territories mastered by Austrians ,conquered by the Germans or Russians in the 1914-1915 campaigns.

[7] Pretaining Michael the Brave and the "Calugareni victory" in 13/23 1595

[8] "Romanians ...here..."

[9] In the great Battle of Waterloo,locality at South of Bruxelles ,since 18th of June 1815,between the French and an Army Anglo-Prusian -of the European Coalition anty-French-,Napoleon Bonaparte has been defeated decissive ,which trained the definitive losing of the Imperial French throne .The absence from the fighting field of the Army Corps Commanded by General Grouchy played a decissive role ,desastrous for Napoleon.

[10] Ourcq and Marna -important water courses in France of North-East which in August -September 1914 ,during the great German offensive on direction Paris ,played an important role in the French defence dispozitive in front of French capital city .Besides,here has been given the decissive Battle for Paris and France and also here ,after failure,Germans has started their great "War of illusions" ,which will end with the desastre in November 1918.

[11]The last fort of Liege has ceased the resistance in front of the Germans at 17th of August 1914.The Belgian Army retrenched at Antwerp(Anvers) ,of which siege has been executed by the Germans in 28th of September -9th of October 1914.The German troops entered Antwerp at 9th of October .The Battle at Namur -Charleroi -Dinant unfolded at 12-24th of August 1914 and has been lost by the French.

[12] Sterling(pound sterling) -national English currency.

[13] Romanian Maritime Service .

[14] Pretaining the losses suffered by Romanians.2003:CF:BF29:869F:A47A:A308:D7FD:64D5 (talk) 20:13, 25 June 2020 (UTC)from Constantin Kiritescu -Rasboiul Pentru Intregirea Romaniei 1916-1919-translated by Andrei Radu2003:CF:BF29:869F:A47A:A308:D7FD:64D5 (talk) 20:14, 25 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

The agony of a capital The agony of a capital-1916


(lived scenes)

1.Romanian Capital During The War

In the heart of the country

The capitals of countries live with outstanding intensity the history of their country.All the fermentations ,all the missfortunes ,all the hopes echo in the tormented life of the Capital.Here ,they unleash with more strength;from here their echo ,is waved to all the countries of the World.The word Capital is the last word of the country(kingdoom):the country thinks ,feels and talks through her Capital.Without a doubt that"the country" has in the historical action the wide and deep part.The manifestations of the Capital appear however in the first line;they are ,maybe,more superficial,more exalted ,but more characteristic ,more impressive.The first action,the Capital will feel the first the effects of this action.She will get drunk more than the rest of the country with the joy of successes;she will drink to the end the glass of biterness.

Bucharest(or Bucharests) did not make an exception from the general rule;they have lived more lively than the rest of the kingdoom all the phases of our War.The shivering waiting of "the moment" decissive,fierce and full of phatos fights amongst the oppsite currents(political),the enthusiasm unleashed by the news of the grave decission of general mobilization of the Army ,the joy without borders of the first victories then, all of a sudden ,the brutal awakening ,made by the unfinishing defeats .

...the calvary of three months of sufferings ,with which the Bucharest had to be sentenced for the few days of joy and victories !Sad days of autumn ,spend in the awaiting ,full of concerns ,of the news which hurried to arrive us ,one worst than the other and with the threat of death ,hanged day and night over our heads .No other city went so suddenly from the most beautiful dream to the most terrifying awakening.


Aspects from the war life of the Capital

The War Declaration was not known by the masses of population but only in the morning of 28th of August,the second day after the historical Crown Council -in the eve has been known only the declaring of the state of siege and the mobilisation of the Army.Even from the first moments has been manifested one of the characteristics of the spirit of the population of the Capital: the ease of seing/doing things and lack of critical spirit.The War was taken with ease by population.The cheap success of the 1913 campaign(in Bulgaria) has dizzied the heads of the crowds ,without serious knowledge and not used with the objective judging of events.A superficial press has contributed at this easy mentality.We underestimated the enemy ,we dispise and riduculized especially the Bulgarians and exalted ourselves in own virtues;"We only had to show up to win".If it will not go on exactly as it did in 1913 ,it would not be to much of a difference.Especially that we had also strong allies.And the holly"protection" the goddess of Romanian ,she will show her blessing here as well .That is why ,it has only been read the first communicate ,which announced the War Declaration and,on Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest) and in the places frequented in the center ,folks "well informed" new that Brasov and Sibiu have been alredy occupied over night,and our Army is on the road to Budapest!The sceptics were apostrofated with severity;the epithet of "Germanofil" was throwed in their face as supreme insult.The fabricant of untruthfull lies -an industry which wil prosper during the War ,feeding from the missfortunes of the kingdoom.-was on the market.Anyway,the general mood was in the first days enthusiastic and optimist ,as it should be.The official communicates were considered as being reserved,from prudence ;our victories had to be even bigger.The unsignifiant resistance of the Austrian-Hingarians forecasted a short and easy campaign .The first lists of dead and wounded ,published in the fourth day of the War ,surprised us,in some way.We knew nothing about the War!

Like a lightning fell from out of a blue sky,came the news of Turtucaia .Few initiated,with connections in the high military circles ,knew the gravity of the situation there and were waiting the result with unrest .The great mass ,fed only with the sobre and voalated literature of the communicates ,supported also by her deep optimism ,was preocupated but to no extent alarmed.So the greater was the news of the catastrophe.It was agravated by the proximity of the danger.In the days of tuesday and wednesday ,5th and 6th of September ,fatal days,the bucharesters have been witnesses to unusual scenes ,clues for grave things.It could be saw the police and military patrols requisiting particular automobiles from the streets and sending them outside the city for the quick transport of the troops to the danger spot.They have also seen ,the bucharesters,the convoys of sanitary automobiles passing in clouds of dust ,to the roads going South.But they have seen ,especially ,in the morning of 7th of September ,the crowd of wounded and of run away,escaped with whatever they had on them,arriving in Obor train station ,brought with the train from Oltenita ,storying in a terrified way the dezastre of Turtucaia and the bombarding of Oltenita.It was the first direct contact with defeat.The grief and shame were complicated with the fear of an attack of the enemy over the Capital.The ideea seemed very natural:Oltenita was at 38 Miles from Bucharest.The fearful ones have invented a declaration of Mackensen :"If Romania enters the War ,in three days they will cross the Danube on a bridge of Romanian dead bodies!".Fortunately ,on Calea Victoriei the fabrication of false news was working under great pressure.The last news was that Turtucaia has been reconquered and the Romanians have made with this occasion 10 000 Bulgarian prisoners.The news was presented as carrying the the mark of origin of British and Russian legations.Congratulations,huggings ,rasing of glasses ;Bucharest was living the life of War.


Same thing repeated after every defeat.Brasov,Constanta ,Craiova ,fall one after the other in the hand of the enemy ,have been reconquered the next day on the Front of Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest) ,in the trenches of "Cooperativa" beverage place,in the bridgehead of Capsa Restaurant .The high strategy was conducted in the different clubs and establishments of "drinking" by a mixed crowd civilo-military,with grave airs and misterious ,of men well informed.Sometimes ,even the authorities gave the example of the most amazing ease.The next day after the occupation of Craiova out of the initiative of the aid of the Mayor of the Capital ,has been spread the false news of a great Romanian victory between Jiu and Olt River,with 25 000 prisoners ,Germans etc.The spreading of the news has been methodically organized ,by handing out posters by the agents of public force.It has been requested and executed the paving of the shops and public edifices.The enthusiasm of the population was delirant.Soon ,they saw it has been a misslead,started from a man turmoiled by the war nevroze.The authors of the joke have been arrested ,trialed and easy sentenced to different punishments ,and the public spirit remained more shaken than before.

Two categories of men ,made the wonder of the public.It was first the great crowd of the militars which were necessary for the services said"behind the Front line".It is a species well known in every country ,to which however the circumstances ,social,of our country ,have created an enviroment good for multiplying :the French named them "embusques",the Romanians have localized the word by "twisters".


Running for places away from danger was a sign of moral weakness .Ministers,Generals and any officer which had some Commandment ,were assaulted by those requesting jobs in auxiliary services the most humble ones,or by their protectors or her protectors.The censure of the press and of the private correspondence has proved a wonderful institution ,if not for goals of national defence ,but of course for sheltering of numerous braves during the neutrality.The military technical terms as a sedentary part and mobilization ,have entered in the current vocabulary ,with all together special meanings.

There was then much bigger crowd of eldery people for carrying a weapon and which,instead of being someplace ,on the Front ,were swarming on the streets.As the villages were emptied by all the man ,without the very old ones and the children ,Bucharest were full of the mass of those hidden -under all kinds of pretextes -from duty;a penible icon of inequality in front of the law.The authorities ,military and police have been forced,under the pressure of the revolt of public opinion ,to enterprize real lookouts,closing down streets to question everybody of their occupation.

A new species which fulfilled during the neutrality a period of prudent gestation ,evolves now in full power of life through the offices of military authorities :is the bussiness man ,trader or intermediary ,which offers his merchendise or services.Is the beneficiary of wars, the tomorrow rich.

Next to the crowd of easy people ,talkers ,twisters of all kind and of the bussiness men,there were also the other people of Bucharest ,less noisy,more discrete ,but more worthy of interest and simpathy.There were the Bucharests of those 30 000 soldiers ,which have left to faten with their warm blood and with their young bodies the field of Brasov ,the valleys of Bucegi and the marshes of Neajlov and of Arges .There were their families ,which were waiting with trembling heart the news from the Front:parents,wives and children which were crying and hopping ;there were the women who have left the pleasures of a comfortable life to devote themselves to tending for the wounded which were filling more and more the numerous hospitals ;there were the intelectuals ,of which soul cords vibrate more painfuly under the blows of the faith.


Slowly and slowly the easy enthusiasm of the first days quiets down.Serious preocupation take its place.The follow ups of the War start to show in every day life of the citizens ;they manifest in all kinds of deprivations.A long row of ordonances(laws)of the authorities tries to make the education of a public unprepared enaugh spiritualy for sacrifices.The public clubs ,especially the cofee shops ,the centrals of fabrication of the false news ,are closed down.There are also closed shows and drinking places,out of a sentiment of elementary honesty;it is forbidden the debitation of drinks.The means of transport become more tighten.The provisioning is made with difficulty,because of the use of railways in military purposes.The days of ,without meat,are multiplyed more and more;the population begins to know the bitterness of long waitings in front of the bread shops.It is added the ungeniune of some traders ,which hide and speculate the merchendize.The authorities ,surprised by the new and difficult situation ,lose many times its head.There are taken contradictory measures ;there are given orders and counterorders which do not ease the pains,but increase the nervosity and feed the untrust.In the same time ,the news from the fighting Front start to produce desillusions and fears ,and the danger of own life comes over the joy of other times,to the Capital.


The nights of Bucharests.

The zeppelins attacks [1]

The enemy wanted to neat the contrasts of the spiritual life in Bucharest and to dive all its inhabitants under the burden of the same preocupations,surrounding the temple of the city with the crown of martyr.In the warior conception of the German ,the War was not waged only against the armies.The civilian population which remained behind ,at home ,had to be intimidated ,terrorized ;her tortures had to influence the moral of the fighters on the Front.Out of this barbarian conception /ideea has streamed the ideea of bombarding the cities in the interior of the kingdoom.The Capital of Romania had the honour to be the most crule attacked .In this way,the War against Romania was not only on the Front ;but also felt by the ones at home.The inhabitants of the Capital have carried the life of War with all its sufferings and dangers.

Before our entering in the action the Germans ,for the event of a War ,have send in Bulgaria some of their zeppelins and an escadril(squadron) of aeroplanes.It has been organized at Razgrad ,at South of Rusciuk and Turtucaia ,an important central of aviation and aerostation,destined to serve the operations against Romania.Even in the first night after the War Declaration ,28-29th of August ,zeppelin No.101 made us the first visit;it has been received with outstanding honours ,in the pieces of light of the projectors and in the bombardment of the cannons of anty-aerian defence and of the machinegun post ,installed on high edifices of the Capital.The show ,entirely new for Bucharet people ,imposed to the eye sight and to the hearing as well ;it gave the impression of a well organized guard .The circumstance that in this first visit ,the damages material and in human lives have been as null,made us to not take too in tragic the night attacks.


For a few days even,we cradle with the faith ,trumpeted by police and military authorities ,that the zeppelin has been taken down.The awakening has been unpleasant.Zeppelin no.86 came in the night of 3-4th of September ,traversing Bucharest a ong an aproximative line:Calea Dorobantilor -Ateneu -Royal Pallace -Cismigiu Park-Dimbovitei Pier;in its way ,it throwed bombs which provoked human victims and grave destructions.The Anty -Aerian defence has been very active .The zeppelin has been touched by sharapnels of our cannons and escaped with great difficulty over the Danube ,after throwing over bord many pieces of its machinery ,which have been found on the road towards Alexandria.It has been taken out of service and replaced with another aeronave.

The log of an officer aboard the Zeppelin crew no.86 gives a interesting description of the attack over Bucharests,in the night of 3-4th of September ."...At right side and left side of the aerian craft appear reflectors which reach their huge arms towards the sky.There can be numbered a whole dozen of them ,and the number is increasing.They sweep fast the sky,looking in all parts .Soon they wil embrace us .A live light comes over the middle of the aeronave(craft).Like dogs they jump in the same moment ,all the projectors in the same direction and stop over our craft.Now they are all over the Zeppelin.In the gondole,all glance for a moment ,blinded to the Earth.The projectors do not let us go for one moment .Like at a command ,enters the Anty-Aerian Artillery in action.Closer and closer appear the white small clouds of shrapnels which explode.The spins of the propellers are dominated by the sound of the cannons which follow fast-To the right full!-Obedient the ship dissappears in the darkness of the night .The huge arms of the projectors drift sideways,-Throw!.One after the other fall the bombs -Explosive bomb,incendiary bomb!.A powerful pressure of the air takes up and then descends the aeronave ;everybody hangs tight.-It was a nice explossion down there !.With madness fire the cannons of AA defence .With a powerless haste ,run the projectors over the sky.It is an overwhelming spectacle ,which remains deep in the memeory printed.The nerves of the crew are extremely tensed...Slow,but with a sinister constantcy ,the barograph writes a descendent curve on tha patient paper.The aeronave has fallen...minutes with...meters.There is no doubt ,we have been hit.No wonder,at the crazy cannonade of the Romanians.And truly ,when blew up in pieces the windows of the gondole ,the small clouds of the shrapnels were exactly near the baloon of the craft .Ofcourse some bullets of shrapnels have pierced through the cells.There was no time for doubts.Every minute lost ,meant as many cubic meters of gas lost .Ahead of us was the Danube.It could be seen the wide and lightened draw of her .On the other side of the river was the friendly country.Zeppelin No.181* will not fall under any circumstance in the hand of the enemy; that is sure thing.If we manage to repair the damage in time,to patch the broken cells ,then we reach home .If wee succeed only partialy then we land where it woild be possible.If we do not succeed ,then...We don't even want to think about this possibility .The thoughts are storming through the brain.We must work fast;we are still over the enemy country .The Commander orders to search the craft with light.We don't have to search much.Even over the first gondole are two touched cells...After some time ,the engineer announces when we cross over Danube : Cells X and Y are in several places patched .Leak of gas at other cells ,which cannot be found.We must expect the complete empty-ing of cells a,b...The Commander looks full of concern to the map .Under us shine the waves of the Danube.Unforgiving,the barograph draws the descendent curve .-Engine B.B. to be taken down and throwed over bord!sounds the order of the Commander .The machinist begins to disasemble the engine fast.With heavy heart he throws over bord ,piece by piece the pretious engine.All other dispensable objects follows the road of the engine in Commander's order.For one moment seems that the aeronave can keep up the determined elevation and we coul arrive in our country.Again shows the barograph a slight decrease .Few big canisters with petrol ,the last ballast on bord are throwed away.The wireless telegraphy asks for help .Through the big telescope I see in the night a city of medium size ,a railway .a train station.It is Y city we have escaped".

. The nocturnal attacks of Zeppelins 101,81 and 97 repeated ,sometimes two three nights in a row.They have not produced to many victims or damages ;they however kept the population in a continuous nerve strain .

The nights of Bucharests became a nightmare.The gas-lamps on the streets were out ;here and there just one light turned up,but in which the light was stopped by glass painted in blue in its upper part.In the nights without Moon ,was completely dark.But in the houses with windows covered in blue paper ,did not escape one wire of light.A fear almost sick ,made everybody to watch the executing of the ordonances of the police ,which stopped any filtering of light,outside.The band of volunteer watch men terrorized the people.Smass scouts were implacable executioners.At once,in the power of the night ,the big bell of Mitropoliei(church) gives the alarm with its sinister toll.The bells of the other churches and the whistling of the guardists followed it,helding the chorus.Dizzied by the sudden awakening from their sleep ,people were running in cellars,dragging scared children.Outside the fairy of the projectors was beginning,accompanied by the infernal music of the cannonade.The ear followed one by one the deaf explosions of the cannons ,the rithmic and precipitated clikings of machineguns ,the irregulated unloadings of the rifles salves.From time to time ,the heart was aking ,the breathing was stopping ;a more powerful bang ,a longer one ,with iron sound of falling metal.The bombs throwed from above were exploding somewhere ,close by,destroying the own ,gathered with hard work ,leaving behind dead bodies and crippled.In the dizzing heights in which floated ,the aerian pirate ,once the deed done,was going away conquerour ,dragging after ,like tails of comet the light draws of the projectors which died out one by one ,powerless.The long scream of the siren of the Arsenal was announcing the end of the tragedy for the night.Taken to the bones with cold ,with the children half asleep ,embraced by a nervous trembling ,people were getting out of the hiding places with a relief moan and climbed in their rooms to sleep ,whenever they could,a tormented sleep,haunted by bad dreams.

Changed number of the zeppelinby the author of the German publication in the interest of secrecy of operation. The aerian attack of 12/25 of September

Almost a month now since the War has broke out,the enemy only attacked with zeppelins by night.The day of 12/25 of September has been one of the most tragic days lived by Bucharest ,or any other capital.It was the beginning of a new series of abominable murders ;the attacks of the aeroplans over the population of an open city .A squadron of five aeroplanes ,Germans,type Taube ,passed over the Capital ,projecting on the blue sky of a splendide autumn afternoon the graceful siloueths of five white pigeons.But the birds with an unguilty air were carrying in their infernal bellies the messages of death .Thirty bombs ,six each aeroplane ,have been throw in less than five minutes .And it has been enaugh ,for that pain and death to spread over the curious city ,which went out on the streets to admire the spectacle alltogether new of the flight of aeroplanes between the white small clouds of the shrapnels..The crowd ,curious and imprudent ,was gazing ,gathered in big groups in the squares and on the streets.The bombs made a real masacre.485 dead and more than 1000 wounded -many have died latter - is the sinister counting of this tragic day.Like in a big battle.And the victims were not soldiers ,fell with the weapon in hand.No.There were the inhabitants murdered on the streets as they walked to their daily activities ;there were children surprised in their peaceful games and crippled in a terrifying way ;there were sick and wounded assasinated in their beds of suffering in the hospitals defended with the holly sign of the Red Cross*.The Capital had in the afternoon of 25th of September the aspect of a city which went through a big catastrophe.In Piata Mare ,at the junction of Calea Calarasilor with SF.Ioan Nou Street ,in Maria Boulevard in front of Brincovenesc Hospital ,in Covaci Street ,at the junction of Elisabeta Boulevard with Calea Plevnei ,the spectacle is heartbreaking.The street is covered with dead bodies and with wounded which are moaning .An eye witness has ,in Piata Mare,the impression of flies dead on the insect paper from a plate.The hospitals and morgue do not have enaugh room for so many dead bodies and of the dyings ,which overloaded trucks are bringing them in continuously.It is the most hideous manifestation of an ideea ,savage,about war.The most beautiful conquerings of human intelect change face and deform after the heads through which they reflect.The wonderful invention of the American Wright and of the French Voisin and Bleriot [2] have transformed ,in the hands of the Germans,from a pretious auxilliary of the civilization in a hideous tool of murder.The Germans were giving to the War a savage form ,worthy of the primitive times of humans and their "mates" they choose to assist and aplaude them.

Among the victims has been also Romano painter,one of the most beautiful hopes of Romanian art.

(The gigant German airplane D.L.R. 70 captured by Romanian Army at Cristinesti in the autumn of 1919)


(propellers of D.L.R. 70)

Through murder and terror

The attacks of the aeroplanes over the Capital have continued with regularity,alternating with the nocturnal attacks of the zeppelins,however,unfortunately ,with stronger and more sad effects.None of the capitals of the Entente did not have to suffer what was given to the Capital of Romania .In the bloodiest day of aerian bombardment ,London numbered almost 70 dead.

Bucharest were not defended properly.The defence with artillery was not effective to touch and take down the aeroplanes at the height they were planing ,and the fighting aeroplanes we did not have at all.We were at the absolute discretion of the enemy ,who attacked us whenever he wanted ;one day they came over Bucharest seven times !There were no days of peace ,but only when the planes for bombardment were used somewhere else,on the fighting Front.It is true ,that the victims have not been so numerous as in the fatal day of 25th of September .Trained by painful experience ,the inhabitants of the city became prudent and,at the signall of alarm ,they were hiding through cellars ,undergrounds of houses ,gangs and other sheltered places.The enemy aeroplanes have started to visit especially the poor neighbourhoods and the surroundings of the Capital.Through these poor neighbourhoods the enemy aeroplanes were destroying especially poor small houses ,surprising and slaughtering missfortuned women which were waiting for hours in front of the small bread fabric shops,or wood shops ,in unsheltered places ,or children.In the surroundings of Bucharest they were throwing bombs over the trains and installations of railways ,but they did not hesitate to descend and fire the machingun over the men working in the fields ,and over the walkers on roads.In one day they have throwed 70 bombs over the Castle at Buftea in which they new is a sad Queen by the missfortunes of her people ,but also a mother which was crying her baby, dead few days before.The hideous murders were after,ofcourse ,more psichological goals than strategic ones.They were meant to drive people crazy with fear ,to disorganize life ,weaken the resistance and produce a depression in the spirits ,to influence over the warior dispozition of the Romanian Army and of the political leaders.No means was too low for the Germans,to reach this target.The discoveries made in the day of 4th of October in the yard of German Legation prove a lack of scrupules extraordinary in their methods of fight.A raid of the Police Prefect and Andreews,the Secretary of the American Legation -which took the responsibility of the guard of the German Legation -gave terrible results.There were found a great number of boxes with TNT and ampoules with bacteria growings of morva and dalacu.The boxes were carrying the adresses of the military attaces of Germany and Bulgaria ,Colonels von Hammerstein and Samargiev,and has been expediated ,through diplomatic way,by the German Consulate from Brasov.After the declarations of the service men from the german Legation,the boxes have been brought from Brasov in the eve of general mobilization of our Army and deposited in the basement of the legation.In the eve of the day of leaving of the personell of the legation ,they have been buried in the yard ,from the order of the Conceler of the Legation ,Rheinbaben and in the presence of the Chancelar of the Legation,Kruger.The criminal intentions followed by the German diplomatic personell were obvious ;only the premature outbreak of the War obstacled their acomplisment.


Agony days

The one hundred days of the War in the autumn of 1916 were,in this way,for the inhabitants of the Capital ,turmoiled days and bitter ones.On one hand ,day and night ,the danger of death was hanging over heads,tormenting the soul and tiring the body.On the other hand the news ,which were coming from the fighting Fronts ,were worse and worse.The daily communicates were waited with aprehension ,but also with fear.They were of an exasperant sobriety,not only when they had to announce defeats but also when they could celebrate successes to high up the moral.When on the fighting Fronts were given the great battles which had to decide the fate of the War ,the communicate announced:"Small harassments".What the communicates did not want to share with the public was carried by whisper and immagination.And these were working ,ofcourse with natural exagerations :it could be read through the rows more than it was in reality.The untrust in successes was nested in the souls of people ; any new news could not be but bringer of missfortunes .There were gone the beautiful days of the enthusiasm ;the illisions of victory flew away;it perished the optimism ,clear ,and the easy dispozition of the spirits.The incorigible optimism ,which saw only successes and had not enaugh words of despise for the adversary ,was gone;it took the place the pesimism,which did not believe anymore not even in the reality of our small successes.Maybe ,the gentlemen with sepulcral face ,which wave his head in disbelief and mumbles when it is demonstrated to him that the situation is not disperate,is not the same one which in the first day of the War was calling "Germanofil" those who questioned his afirmation ,that two hours after the War Declaration ,our troops in a very fast flight ,have occupied Sibiu and Brasov? The most boiled up carriers of the War during the time of neutrality were now the most cruel enemies of the government and of the Allies "which threw us in War",the most acerb critics of the military operations .Obviously we were not prepared for this kind of trials.

The government sees himself forced at 15th of October to publish through the news papers a communicate ,pointing the finger to "spreaders of bad news and the interpreters badly intended of the measures taken in any country during War time",explaining that there is no reason for concern ,because the fights are carried outside the borders and the bravery of our troops is the complete guarantee that the defending mountain will not be crossed by the enemy.

........


Still,the panic cannot be overcome.The ones propagating it are even the ones which would have to give the proof of cold blood.Because the automobiles running towards the train station ,and the trucks which pass by loaded on the driveway are not taking to Moldavia,towards Russia ,until Caucaz ,the men with official situations and social, of the highest ,families ,the luggage and their ownings?Constanta was not fallen yet,the barrier of Carpathian Mountains was resisting vigorous ,and still there was some kind of "escapes who can" ,general.The first friend or aquaintance with which you were making a conversation ,had on his lips the question:"When do you leave?".

The Russian rubla went up in one week from 2,48 as has been officialy ,to 2,80 and still there were no rubles (Russian currency) to be found ,being taken over by those ensuring funds for the crossing in Russia.A sudden change has produced in the public opinion.The factory of false news has transformed its fabrications.The imagined victories were articles with no room on the market anymore.The gentleman "well informed" was taking you now misteriously to a sheltered spot and whispered you only bad news ,and interpreations very pesimistic.The official encouragements sounded false;they were contradicted by the attitude and measures taken by civil officialities and military ones were taking,in the eyes of everyone ,to put to safe place their families and wealth.Also the press had very small echo which,under a rigurous censure ,must give up to usual polemics and forced herself to follow in a good way ,the line of conduct imposed by government and by the circumstances :rising up the moral of a sad and depressed population.As our soldiers were held in the trenches ,the guard of the borders ,it was a duty of the foreheads of our civilian life and intelectual one to be,in their turn ,the guardians of consciences.In this patriotic masterpiece has taken place in the first row the personal paper of Nicolae Iorga ,in which the enlighted blankets of people were finding the rising advices of manhood,streamed from the most solid ideeas and expressed in accents of warm and communication.At 15th of October has been brought to the eternity place Nicolae Filipescu .He has fallen as a soldeir in the turmoil of the battle taken down,if not -physicaly -by bullet ,but by bleeding wound ,made to its proud soul and flamed,by the catastrophe of his country.In these sad circumstances the death of the vigorous fighter ,the most passionate of our War carrier,had something of a symbol...

The quiet city ,sad,seemed dived in the spasms of a painful agony :Bucharests were prepared for the most sad perspectives.


2.Occupying Bucharests

Running towards Moldavia

The unfinishing defeats on the fighting Fronts made,step by step,their effect over the state of mind of the inhabitants of Bucharest:people started to get used with the ideea of an enemy occupation.Rejected in the beginning as absurde ,crazy,the seed caught in to the soul ,started to grow ,like a bad weed,fed by the news of missfortunes and catastrophes which were following one after the other .Soon,she could not be taken out of the ground.In vain were the encouragments of the official communicates ,in vain the calculus made by the optimists ,or the appeals or argumentations in the news papers ,or even the trials of autosugestion ;the sinister ideea caught roots and all new deeds came to strengthen it.The retreat of our Armies on the Carpathian line announced it as possible ;the breakthrough of the Front and the invasion in Oltenia made it probable ;crossing of Danube River at Zimnicea made it almost inevitable ,From now on,for people of Bucharest ,the fate was known ;the newspaper of 27th of August a,fell bad.The inhabitants had to prepare themselves for the supreme humiliation.Even from old times,when the waves of the invasioneers struck with fury the wall of Carpathian Mountains ,the authorities started to take,in silence,measures of precaution.It was the sign that a foreign occupation entered in the calculus of probabilities .First,it has been send to Moldavia the sedentary parts of the Regiments and contingents untrained.It had to be put to safety the military reserves .Then,as the danger increased,started the evacuation of the Thesaurus of the Romanian State,of the House of Deposits ,of banks[3].Soon after,the archives of the authorities ,the most pretious objects and art collections from state museums and of the particulars have taken the road of the old Capital ,in Moldvia(Iasi).The sense of these precautonary measures could not escape to the individual (public).The panic descended in to the soul.Running to Moldavia became the preocupation of the crowds;differend considerations determined the runners to do it.There were firstly the consecvents:political people which wanted ,asked for ,and prepared the War;they had a duty to follow the King and the Flag of the nation ,to ensure the existence of the state and of its efforts to continue the War till the end of our powers.It was ,at others the fear of exceses.There were known the attrocities commited at the occupation of Belgium and of North-Eastern France ,the deportations ,plunderings ,vexations of all kind commited in the occupied territory of the West.The horrors of the aeroplanes attacks,the sinister discoveries made in the yard of the German Legation of Bucharest,undoubtfuly they could not change for the better the ideea which dominated the public opinion about the barbarian face with which the Germans understand to treat the enemy populations.


The possibility which became more and more probability ,that the ocupants will have at their side their allies ,the Bulgarians and the Turks ,filled everybody with terror.The popular immagination was rambling frightened ,without any stop ,through the row of all possible cruelties :masacres ,violations ,mutilations.A popular belief was that the enemy cuts the hands of the boys ,to stop them from becoming soldiers!The whole bloody tradition of past generations appeared now,unconsciously in the souls of the followers.The most optimist and with cold judgement rejected the ideea of atrocities or of organized crimes .They could not side ,however,the one of individual excesses,the one of retaliations ,political-arrestations,deportations -and especially the one of general suffering ,provoked by the rationalization of the daily means of living.The spectre of hunger accompanied the enemy armies in their advancement towards the Capital .Under these impressions ,the people of Bucharest started to leave the city,to find refuge in Moldavia.Happy those who could find relatives or friends who could receive them with open arms .The others had to look and find hard with money the small rooms which started to become more rare.The houses and the untransportable wealth was left in the guard of some relative ,or trustworthy servant :when this one was German women ,there was an inssurance that the house will be ok;many of them have stolen the house in complicity with the German occupationeers ,their conationals.The biggest difficulty was reaching to Moldavia.The trains were more and more not big enaugh for the mass of refugees.The train places were obtained in Gara de Nord(Northern Train Station,main train station of Bucharest) with unsaid difficulty.The privilegiats had them from time,by the protection of military authorities ;the curageous ones conquered them getting out few miles in front of the train and jumping in the carriage in the triaj station or on the road between this one and the train station.When the train was brought in to the train station ,it was already filled up ,and the ones waiting for it had to start the whole thing the next day.And there were women ,children ,old men ,sick people.The most lucky were those who could snik in convoys of the authorities which were evacuating ,or those who had a carriage or an automobile .Many times trains destined to evacuate an institution were taken by personalities ,for self interest.


The ones that stayed

In awaiting the difficult hours ,the Capital was emptying herself slowly.The great mass has remained however,the ones without means and without possibilities ,the ones without recomendations and without automobiles.It have remained the ones who accepted the situation,the courageous ones ,those connected too strong to their homes ,by their families ,those who prefered the dangers of enemy occupation than wandering in foreign lands,those who wanted to die on their place than on the ditches of roads.

Also it have remained the clerks ,those left by special orders,as those which not being under the flag or with special tasks ,thought it is their duty to stay ,to try to ensure -with all the risks -the continuation of functioning of Romanian institutions.

But, has also remained a handful of people which had nothing to be afraid of the enemy ,because this catastrophe ,national,gave them staisfaction of fulfilling at least of one well thought foresight ,if not of some hidden wishes.It have remained the foreigners ;all the Jewish people of the Capital.A calculus made in the first days of the occupation showed that the ones that left the Capital -without the militars -were not over 10 % of the population of the Capital;the rest ,the great mass ,has remained ,waiting with aking heart the fatal watch.And this one was closing in fast.


Leaving of the authorities

In the morning of 25th of November a precipitated agitation dominated all the cancelaries of the great authorities of the Capital.The ministries have been announced that the government moves to Iasi.Together with it had to leave ,in the evening of the same day ,or the next day-with special trains -a part of the high clerks ,together with some inferior clerks ,for services.It was the inevitable following of the events on the Front :the retreat of the I-st Army on the Eastern shore of Olt River and crossing of Mackensen at Zimnicea ,behind the defence line of Olt .All the clerks ,those that were leaving,and those who had to stay ,to ensure the continuation of public services ,under enemy occupation ,have received the wages for three months in advance ;the beautiful aspect of the new money packages received by everyone could not away the general sadness.All day the ministries have been the theatres of ferocious fights .It is given the fight for getting on the list of those happy chosen .The ministers were assaulted ,implored.How is it possible to be left him behind ,just him?All the motives which could move the hearts of the ministers were invoked.Somone,was known to the Germans as pro Entente-ist;somone wrote once an article or kept a lecture against the Germans ;another one was originary from Ardeal and looked up by the Hungarians;the other one was known as anty semit and wrote down by the Jews on a black list.There were then "the indispensable" without whom it was not conceived that the services might work.There were ,then,those which have sacrificed their peace of nerves and health bringing,from the beginning of the War ,very pretious services to national defence on the Front ,full of dangers ,of the censure services ,of statistic ,at provissionings!

Through cancelaries and holl ways of ministries there were crossing paths the radiant and important figures of the chosen ones ,which were whispering to the ear the final dispozitions ,with those desperate , the abandoned ones ,arounded by the first category.At some authorities,the leaders ,in haste and enervation of the preparatives ,have neglected or forgot to news the clerks by the painful necessity of separation and to encourage the ones left behind.That is why,the leaving of the authorities gave sometimes the impression of unjust by the running away of some privilegiat minority with the abandoning of the sacrificed majority .The ministries have remained under the leadership of some general secretaries ,assigned from the "uncompromised" persons face to the enemy,or even from the ones simpathetic to this one.The government have stayed during the following week ,26th of November -2nd of December ,waiting the unfolding of the military events .A great hope was filling the hearts of those initiated :it was prepared the Battle on Arges.


The week of convoys

The last week of the free Capital was among the hardest.It has been the week of convoys.Long rows ,unfinishing,of vehicles ,rove through the streets of Bucharest .They were very different as form,load,and with special destinations.There were first the carriages of those last run aways of the Capital.The trains were not available for the public anymore;they were serving only the authorities now ,evacuating,to the Army and few privileged ones .Everyone was running whith whatever available .On the streets going to the North and North-East were passing trucks ,luxury automobiles ,carriages ,waggons ,carrying the late ones ,in a haste to escape as soon as possible from the ship starting to take water .Groups of walking men ,with the bag in the back ,were mixing amongst the waggons stepping determined towards the barriers of the city.The spirits of their ancestors were reincarnating in their souls.Here and there the roads were interrupted by long convoys.Hundreds of easy waggons ,covered with sheet,and pulled by two horses ,forming up the trains and the military columns of the fighting formations ,were going in unfinishing rows ,making noise against the pavement of the streets.The people of Bucharest will never forget these convoys ,of which appearance on the streets of the city was always connected by the moving of the troops for a the trial of a blow,or was caused by a defeat.They saw them in haste walking after the desastre of Turtucaia ;they saw them around the failed trial of Flaminda and now they were crossing in different dirctions ,going through the streets of the Capital ,with unknown destinations to the public.For the first time,however ,there were now other convoys as well .There were the long convoys of waggons which were bringing ,this time ,from West ,the inhabitants of our villages in Teleorman County and Vlasca County ,because of the invasion.It is painful the story of the poor inhabitants of the lands haunted by War.The men and young men are gone to the Army.In the poor farms,old men women and children gather with concern and look ,not understanding, at the run away soldiers which come through their village ,to the wounded with waxed faces ,as the ear cathches more clear the sound of the closing in cannon.And one day,the geandarms arrive like a storm and order the whole village to load up their waggons ,to leave their houses and take the road in to unknown,the road of missfortune ,on which entire generations of ancestors have left trails of blood.And now,as behind them,away ,houses and farms collapse under the weight of the cannon shot ,friendly or unfriendly ,and red toungues reden the sky ,here they are,roving through the streets of Bucharest.Passes ,waggon after waggon .Next to the oxes an old man or a young lad.In the waggon ,on the pile of corn leaves -the "zestrea"(box with the wedding gift) of the girls .Over it ,small children next to their mother.Towed behind the waggons are the animals from the farm..etc.At the edge of the city the convoys stop,they build a fire ,gather around the fires with sad faces which have accepted the fate ,waiting in silence.What?They don't know.Maybe God?


The remaining days

The news coming from the field of battle were few ;the official communicates ,laconic .There was no doubt the situation was getting worse with every passing day.Cimpulung,Curtea de Arges ,Pitesti ,Slatina ,Alexandria in the hands of the enemy .Violent fights at Golesti ,towards Gaiesti ,on Vedea ,on Glavacioc ,on Neajlov .The fire and metal circle of the enemy was getting tighter around Bucharest.Friday ,1st of December ,for the first time ,the cannon could be heard very clearly ,in deaf booms ,sometimes many ,repeated ,othertimes at bigger intervals.The cannonade held till afternoon .No doubt there could be.There are the cannons from the fighting Front .The battle was then at the gates of the Capital .And ,for real ,it was the first day of Arges Battle;it was the hour of our first success.The second day,Saturday ,the noise could be heard much weaker.Our imagination established imediately optimist corelations:the enemy has been defeated and repelled,the fight was going further than yesterday.The apparition of small groups of prisoners seemed to bring a confirmation :there were groups of some 30-40 individuals,very mixed ,German Cavalry men with proud uniform ,Turkish in rags ,Bulgarians with eyes of vengence.Towards evening ,the news of a great victory ,carried by few initiated,did not manage to rise up to much the moral to the ones which became now sceptics in the wake of the abuse of news of imagined victories.


The enervation of the population was increasing more and more.The authorities are not working any more.The clerks are running towards Moldavia,as soon as they have what with.Aliments almost are not to be found anymore.Of the fraid of tommorow day ,or for speculation,the merchandisers are hiding the stuff.The military Governor of Bucharest posters the proclamation by which threatenes the traders which sell with bigger price than the maximal one ,or the ones who hide the goods ,with "an exemplary public correction".

The day of 3rd of December ,the fatal day of the end of Arges Battle ,will remain forever in the memory of people of Bucharest.Early in the morning ,the cannonade started again and increased more and more with strength.At about 11 ,before noon,the cannon was thundering with fury.There was not the one from Friday.Many times there could be not made a distinction between cannon 's salves;there was a continuous deafening noise ,which was increasing with so much violence ,that the windows's glass was vibrating.On the sidewalks of the streets ,people stopped ,changed impressions and getting further away one from another ,nodding with their heads.By intuition ,the minds of some was catching the cruel truth :it is the heavy German artillery.Our poor soldiers!And the cannonade was following unceasingly ,unmerciful,until towards the evening...Far,towards West ,from the marshes of Neajlov until the fords of Arges ,the heavy cannons of Falkenhayn Divisions ,fell unexpectedly behind our Army of Attack ,caught in the fight with the Army of Mackensen ,were turning in the favour of the enemy the fate of the battle,which smiled to us till then and was seeding death in the ranks of our troops,tired and halfed.In the city no one knows the adventures of the drama unfolding at 12 Miles away ;inconsciously though ,people realized that there is decided the fate of the Capital.


In the afternoon of the missfortuned day ,a ray of light seemed to clear the souls .A long convoy of prisoners ,Germans-almost 2000 men ,were defilating on Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest),in rows of four ,between the bayonets of our militia (police) .They were the prisoners from Balaria ,Stilpu and Iepuresti ,the trophees of the brave General Scarisoreanu Division .Unforgetable spectacle!The proud and undefeated enemy has been,as such,beaten ,by ours;the long convoy of apprehendeds was the material proof of victory of ours.Soon then,the papers did not brought the official communicate with the confirmation of the victory reputed against a "Turkish Division" and over the bulk of the "Army of the enemy".The hope was reborn in the souls ,but for a short duration.The convoys of the prisoners did not yet reach the barrier of the city ,when a manifest of the government started to be glued on tha walls of the city .It was announcing the citizen,that in the interest of defending the country and of organizing of the resistance forces ,the government is forced to leave the Capital and to move to Iasi.It was not difficult to understand .The government,which stayed in Bucharest with the engines of the automobiles under pressure ,in awaiting of the supreme trial,was knowledged by the fatal turning of the battle and was leaving the Capital,which nothing could defend it ,from now on against the conquerer enemy .

At around four in the afternoon ,a long convoy was climbing the big boulevard .At Cotroceni towards Obor ;theree thousand lads,"Young contingents",gathered by geandarms from the villages of the county,send to Moldavia to form up the new army,the revenge one for the defeats and humiliations endured.They were passing slow ,row after row,in their thick peasant clothes ,with the bag of food hanged over their necks and with the cap stuck over their ears.Between them ,here and there a city lad,some in highschool uniform.From time to time ,at the advice of the accompanying geandarm a shout of urra! without enthusiasm ant too much of an echo.From far away,from Arges ,the cannon was moaning continuously ,cutting down young Romanian lives .And the column was passing all the time ,one by one in aclamation of orders ,towards unsure roads ,beaten by the enemy's projectiles.In the mind,awakens without will,the ancient icon of the procession of Romans gladiators ,stepping quiet to death:Ave Caesar,morituri te salutant!


(Decorating the flag of 39th Romanian Infantry Regiment,which has distinguished during the Battle of Marasesti-1917)


Awaiting the enemy

The most sad night lived by the people of Bucharest have stretched her black veil over the deserted city.A little after midnight ,the ring bells of the houses ,or strong knockings in the doors or gates and windows,woke up the population.There were the police agents and street agents which were executing the orders of the new Prefect of the Police.At the frightened questions of the people ,asleep by the brutal awakening from their sleep ,the policemen give a curious order ,followed by the short and terrifying explanation ,whatever waited it has been:"Turn up the lights and leave the doors and gates unlocked.The city have surrendered .The Germans are entering!"Just like by a spell the whole city lightens up .The streets the houses ,public edifices ,kept in darkness for three months by the fraid of the aerian attacks ,are shining now by light.No one has slept until the day.The enslaved city was waiting for its master dressed in light.It is not the lighting of a celebration ,but of a mortuary room .Through the poor houses ,from the same order,was prepared the table with which had to be fed the hungry invasioneers.


The alarm has been alltogether premature.the enemy did not show up that night and will not show up but only after three days*.The day of Monday has brought the surprise ,unpleasant of a "proclamation" terorist of the new Prefect of Police .It was ordered to the inhabitants of Bucharest what conduct they may have towards the soldiers "of the Imperial Armies".A long list of commands ,beginning almost all of them with "it is forbidden" and ending with ,invariable , the threat of the culprit with shooting.A second proclamation was more ctegoric even and more terorist.It was asking the inhabitants to keep the doors and gates open and continued with the characteristic passage that the one who will threat the "members of the Imperial Armies" with word or gesture ,or who will not put to their dispozition whatever they will be asking ,will be punished with shooting.Two days before ,another manifest was threatening also with shooting those inhabitants which will give asylum "to some soldier belonging to the enemy Armies(Romanians,Russians)".This manifest ,which named the Romanian soldiers enemyes ,was signed by this new Prefect ,Romanian General Mustata(Mustache) .He was the garant of order in the city deserted;he was the defender of life ,ownings and honesty of the inhabitants of the Capital of Romania!


The enervation of the days in the eve has past now ;people knew their fate .It is like you are ashamed to speak ,man to man ,and still ,you chat with anyone you meet on the street,for then to leave quick ,leaving the conversation unfinished.Towards the great square there is a lively activity;everybody is looking to complete the replenishments for the black days which will follow .Big crowding at the City Hall .Following the order of the police,the inhabitants are in a hurry to surrender their weapons .It is a painful spectacle .The ordonance of the prefect threatens that-as usual with death,those who will be found with a weapon.And folks come in waves ,some by foot,others in carriages ,some pushing the wheel ,bringing weapons of all systems ,from the heavy rifle of the civic gvardia?,forgotten through a corner of the shed by who knows how many generations,to the elegand hunting rifle ,modern,Turkish pistols, rusted ,weapons for diorama ,pieces of collection and saloon toys.It is the new manifestation of a new spirit:the fulfilling with holliness of the authorities orders.It is announced a severe regime:from now on the unforgiving sanction will follow.

A new spectacle ,more painfuly,is brought to the sights.Groups of soldiers start to appear on the streets from West.They are the remains of the Army defeated on Arges.They came walking all through the night .Some two,three ,sometimes in bigger groups ,tired ,pale ,some of them barely dragging themselves ,mixed up ,soldiers of different Regiments going together ,Infantery men ,Cavalry men on foot ,Artillery men without cannons.Plantoons placed at streets junction ,give them directions for the places of concentration ,some of them to Mogosoaia ,others towards Pantelimon .They cannot give clear explanations .Some of them look dizzied ,mumble something and start again further.Others are more communicative:"The Germans have pushed us in marshes and melted us with their heavy artillery".A general thing is that everybody complains about the lack of armament -"our rifles of cannons"-faced with the crushing superiority of the enemy artillery as number ,and also as calibers.They were also scared by the numerous machineguns spread in every bush ,in every corner.

.....


All day went by on the streets groups ,and they continued the next day also ,and the next one.On the belt driveways of Bucharest were pouring ,in the same time ,the convoys of the Army,heading towards Nort-East :unfinishing rows of waggons ,furgons,carriages of ambulance or some filled with wounded .In the city sadness ,increased by the painful sight of our proud Army ,used to be ,an intermezzo of opera.A joyful music ,strong chorus of men's voices ,calls the people along the big boulevard.A Russian troop was coming from Pantelimon neghbourhood ,heading towards Cotroceni.How many were they:a Regiment ,a Brigade?the popular imagination took elan :the Russian do not want to leave the Capital conquered and are restarting the battle.The perspective of fights around the Capital ,was freezing to some the enthusiasm for the Russian troop ,which was presenting beautiful ,as men,and as material.The Russians,a unit from Aliev Corps ,which instead of going to Arges ,prefered to come to Bucharest ,edged themselves to enter the city through one of the barriers ,to get out on another.The hopes caught roots again for one moment ,when they saw the police men breaking the ordonances of General Mustata.After few hours ,however,they have reappeared.Orders and counterorders...The fate could not stop from its way now.


The entering of the enemy in the Capital

The morning of Wednesday ,6th of December .A led like sky ,a humid air and cold.In the eve and over the night ,some strong explosions were announcing the destroing of military works which would use to the enemy .In the morning ,a sea of flames from Spirii Hill:the Army Arsenal was burning.

Great commotion on Calea Victoriei .It is put sand on to the pavement .Police in great uniforms:the city seargents with the Prusian cap for parade.Moving attention for the dear guest which is awaited.General Mustata was making exces of zel for the "imperial troops*".After all preparation and calculations ,was awaited that the entering of the enemy to be made by Rahova Barrier.To general surprise ,around 12 ,the first patrols of German Infantry entered the city through Calea Grivitei .They were troops from Avanguard Army of Falkenhayn ,which advanced through continuous fights with our arierguards ,from Chitila to Bucharest .Mackensen was in this way ahead-ed by Falkenhayn.As he was waiting on the opposite shore of Sabaru ,beyond Bragadiru ,the results of the tratatives of the parliament send to Bucharest ,his camarad and rival,Falkenhayn was pinching ,for himself and for his Army ,IX-th German ,the glory to be the first to arrive in to the "fortress" of Bucharest .Some on foot,some climbing in to the tramway met in their way on Calea Grivitei,the German patrols have reached Calea Victoriei(main street of Bucharest) ,where they have disarmed with brutality tha santinels in front of the Royal Pallace and occupied the pallace.Soon after,arrived also Mackensen in automobile ,roving daring through the city unoccupied yet by his troops.He has inspected the posts set to the Pallace and gave orders to occupy the War Ministry,Foreign Ministry and other public edifices.

The last scattered groups of Romanian troops were leaving the Capital by the barriers at North-East,as ,in the same time ,from opposite directions ,from Calea Grivitei and from Calea Rahovei ,were arriving the enemy patrols more and more numerous**.As by a miracle ,Calea Victoriei has been crowded,all of a sudden,by a joyful group of people ,and noisy.The former hostages ,German servants and Austro-Hungarian ones ,liberated in the eve ,especially women ,singers of theatres of cabaret,held till then locked at Vacaresti Prisson and for a few days now transported at Hotel de France ,were making to the liberators a triumphal reception .Flowers,waving of handkerchiefs,kissings were surprising and making dizzy the newly arrived ,which could not believe their eyes***.

By evening,the bulk of the German troops enterd Bucharest and went on Calea Rahovei,Carol Street,Calea Victoriei and Elisabeta Boulevard,towards Army barracks ,with heavy steps ,singing patriotic songs.The military automobiles sounding their strident sirens ,unknown till now,enormous trucks ,heavily trialed ,were going in a deafening noise through the streets.


Thurstday the invasion increases .From all directions arrive troops of Cavalry,Cyclists .The supreme humiliation and injury did not spear us:a Company of Infantry,Bulgarian, goes proud on Calea Victoriei ,in the sounds of a bad music which shouts and booms like at village Sunday party ,and enters in the yard of the Royal Pallace .The street fills up ,in front and behind the Royal Pallace,by ugly waggons ,filled with stolen things from villages.The Bulgarians go around the improvised speakers ,which celebrate the great event ;it is sang "Sumi Marita"[4].A German Company throws out the Bulgarians and closes the gates of the Royal Pallace.Missfortuned ,the Bulgarians gather their stuff ,their tents ,waggons and start to the valley ,on Stirbei Voda Street ,towards the cantoonament places.For the coloration to be full ,in the yard of the Garden of Romanian Atheneum ,bivuacs a Turkish Detachment ,of Cavalry.Calea Victoriei moans with crowds..You can only hear German.Next to the Austro-German population of the former interned ,now liberated ,of the "dames" from Vacaresti Prisson and of all those hiding in unknown corners of their soul ,simpathies for the father land ,to them also adds the mass of the Jewish of Bucharest ,which has forgotten imediately to speak Romanian.You sneak through these colorful and vengeful people, humiliated and when you meet a friend ,a hand shake and a quick separation of the shame you feel coming in the corner of your eye.

On the walls of the city is spoiled the proclamation of the new master.Mackensen is celebrating his victory announcing:"Bucharest,the Capital of Romania ,has been conquered by my Army.He (the city) enters today under the laws of War....".Yes ,he will feel them,for two years ,taugh laws of your War!He will carry the cross to the end,but arrived there ,he will have the chance to dress the celebration cloth ,to live also the big day of the triumph ,payed through pain and faith.

The explanation of the unfaithful attitude of this former Romanian General was known latter.In the files of corruption of the Germans ,during the neutrality time ,the name of the General figures with a big sum of money as price of signing at the bottom of an article of newspaper -written by someoneelse- by which it was tried the intimidation of Romania,with the threat that,in case of War against the Central Powers "the Carpathian Mountains will be the grave of the Romanian Army ".The social moral has changed a lot during the centuries:during the time of Judas the Iscariot,the traitors hang themselves!

A collision ,with unimaginable follow ups ,was almost to happen in the middle of the Capital ,between the German patrols accompanying the officers tasked with taking over of the city and a late group of Romanian soldiers .With great difficulty ,the intervention of the Romanian authorities convinced the Romanians to surrender and the fatal conflict has been sided.

In this way has been established the calomnious legend of the cordial receiving of the enemy by a Romanian population of the Capital.German newspaper men ,serious ,of the value and reputation of a Bernhard Kellermann and Ad.Koester ,have kept for the duty of geniune to come back,a little latter,to reestablish the truth:"It has been much discussed these days about the conduct of the city.It would be wrong to condemn a city after the gestures of the principal street(Calea Victoriei).There is a big street in Bucharest .And in this street ,only on a Kilometer ,are massed all the cofee shops ,theatres ,cinematographs.The sidewalk of this Kilometer gives ,even today(?) the tone.It is natural that the German ,the Austrians and the Hungarians in the city to mass up here.That many which have been quiet till now rediscovered their German heart .That the Jewish people ,which almost all are sympathise us ,risk today a strong word.But this is not enaugh .In few cities ,the feminin element plays a role like here.From the vestibul of the smallest hotel ,to the cabinets of ministers .This International ,unique in its kind,which has resisted during the War ,is strongly represented by women artists ,Germans.Undoubtfuly ,they have false names ,French or American .In the past they played Tipperary and celebrated , in private cabinets , the Russian victories .But,when the Romanian War started ,they had to show up their passports and has been seen that most of them where from Hungary and Berlin ,from Boemia and Wien.They have been interned at Vacaresti .Today ,however ,they have give the tone in the whole hotels ,cofee-bars from the streets,everywhere where there are German soldiers.The Germans are astound by this "enemy" city or they are mocking.But it is sure that not entire Romania is what he sees on this Kilometer of sidewalk of Bucharest,not even the whole Bucharest".

[1] Aeronave -aerostate dirigible -build by German inventor Ferdinand von Zeppelin(1838-1917).The types of dirigibles used during the Great War have been created in years 1905 -1906.

[2]Louis Bleriot(1872-1936) ,French constructor of airplanes;Wilbur Wright (1867-1912) and Oliver Wright (1871-1948) ,North American constructors of airplanes .All three of them are pioneers of aviation.

[3] About economical evolving of Romania.

{4] National Bulgarian anthem.

jpg

(Meeting of the Romanian-Russian delegation and Central Powers delegation ,for signing the Truce ,November 1917)


Causes Of Romanian Defeat

Precautions and results

The Romanian Campaign in 1916 lasted for one hundred and forty days.In the night of 27-28th of August ,our troops were hasting over Carpathian Mountains ;at 6th of December ,after one hundred days ,the enemy was entering the Capital of the Kingdom.The power of the Romanian Army has been deeply shaken ;still one part of the Army keep up until the middle of January 1917,from time to time another forty days still of continuous fights for keeping of a line of Front and for setting to shelter of the other part of the Army.The Romanian Army-after the expression of Ludendorff -has been beaten ,it hasn't been destroyed,however[1].

Our entering in to the War provoked a strong explossion of sentiments ,different at the two parties of fight ,such that until then no other country entering in to the Great War has done it.The general opinion was that the entering in to the War of Romania ,with the throwing in to the fight of half a million of fresh fighters ,will be dicissive.As great as the enthusiasm was in the press,parliaments and trenches of the friendly Fronts,just as deep was the consternation of the enemy.Our entering in the War was giving decissive blow ,in a moment in which the enemy was tighten by almost all Fronts ;at Verdun and on Somme ,on Styr and in Carpatii Padurosi,on Struma and on Vardar [2], the enemy held chest with difficulty to the blows.That is why he was looking terrified at the agravation caused by the entering of Romania."Never-writes Hindenburg-a decissive role ,historic ,has been given to a state such small as Romania.Never has been,the fate of powers ,as big as Germany and Austro-Hungary ,in full development of their entire military forces ,was not been given to the hand of a country so small as Romania ,which numbered the 20th part of the population of both states ,as in this case.Based on the situation of the War ,it could be foreseen that Romania may go in any direction she chooses ,for to decide the fate of the War in the favour of those states ,which for two years were assaulting us in vain".

The result of the Romanian Campaign of four months and a half did not correspond to the Allies expectation ,nor to the fears of the adversary.This result may be expressed in the following way:

a)To face the new situation ,the enemies had to lift from the other Fronts of Europe a considerable military force -over 40 Divisions -to throw against the new adversary.The follow up was that the Entente Powers have took advantage of this relief of their Front ,either to rest their troops and regroup its forces ,or to save themselves from threatening situations ,either to apply to the enemy felt blows.

b)Fighting continuously against the Romanian Army for four and a half months ,the enemy reputed great victories ,but also suffered felt defeats.His losses has been very great.One part of the enemy Army has been destroyed;the other part was exhausted.For the rest and its remaking ,this Army needed a long repaus ,about which will profit our troops ,to remake themselves ,and also the Allies ,to give blows to the commune enemy.

c)Romania being defeated ,not,though ,taken out of the fight ,the enemy had to keep on the Romanian Front an impozant number of forces for the future operations ;all these forces were as such,from the use they would have had on the other European Fronts.

This was the real result of entering of Romania in to the War after four and a half months of campaign in the year of 1916.That it is an important role and that it hangs heavily in the ballance of the War ,on the Allies side,it is undoubtful.Also ,very true is ,that it has been very different than expected[3]The lack of coordonation of the Entente.

Which are the causes?

Ofcourse,the judgement of the circumstances of the intervention of Romania was made wrong by both sides.The unfolding of the War ha sbrought to the light things that were unknown ,or were not known till then.Not from our side ,nor from,especially ,of the Allies ,was not ballanced with precaution all the circumstances in which we would have to fight ,were not foreseen all the eventualities which might come up,and have not been taken all the measures to side the possible complications.At the mistakes made with good faith ,out of ignorrance or because of wrong calculus ,must also be added the ones made with guilty intend.

A critical example of our entering in the War ,of preparing it on all terrains , and of its unfolding ,will explain to us ,fully,why our campaign of 1916 ,started under such beautiful circumstances ,has finished in such a painful way.


Choosing "ofthe moment" for entering in to action

Tha lack of coordination in the political-diplomatic action ,as in the conduct of the operations .The Central Powers had the advantage of their position ,of their vecinity and of the preponderent role played by Germany on the political terrain ,as on the military one.The veleities of independence of Conrad von Hotzendorf did not influence ,nor intimidated the central Command ,which firstly by moral ascendent ,then by written conventions ,were of Germany.At the Entente ,this thing did not exist.Each Army operated on its own without ensemble coordination.It is true that the french Commandment exercitated a certain ascendent over the others ,thanks to the known value of the French Army and of the fact that France was the most important partner as military power .But effectively,Jofre did not had the right to give orders ,because Haig[4] and Cadorna[5] were his equals ,and Zar Albert [6] and Princip Alexandru [7] could give only suggestions and advices ;but ,in war,what matters ,is the execution.The lack of coordination in the Powers of Entente made that she lost the advantage of the numerical superiority of her forces and permitted to the Central Powers to keep the initiative ,giving blows when on a front ,when on another.

The timid trials of coordination by instituting of a unique Commandment were made through conferences at Calais (July 1915) ,Chantilly(7 July 1913,December 1915,November 1916),but only in the spring of 1918 ,under the empire of terror and catastrophe it could be acomplished.


The entering of Romania into action and leading of the operations on our Front are a classic example of this fatal lack of coordination.Joffre gives it as an example of effect of the slowlyness ,hesitations,lack of precise directives and of the result of colaboration.For the great events, marks the summer of 1916:the French-British offensive on Somme ,Brusilov offensive ,the advanced offensive [8] and the entering of Romania .Well and coordinated conducted ,they could have had a decissive effect .Instead of this,the result has been lamentable:"The Entente payed it with the extension of the conflict for two more years ,Russia with a revolution ,the Zar with the Throne and His life ,Romania with an invasion which brought her two inches from extinction"(Joffre).

For that the entering of half a million of fresh soldiers to have the decissive effect ,which was expected,would have had that the Romanian forces to make felt their action in the Points and Moments asked by the startegical unfolding of the operations on European pattern.But for ths,it would have been needed a commune plan of campaign and a superior unitary direction which to know to distribute the roles and to impose their execuion .And the moment of our entering was not happily choosen.Bratianu(primeminister) had constantly the preocupation to not engage his country in a moment considered ,by him ,as not good.The events,that followed have demonstrated how motivated was this preocupation.With all the prudence and ability of the Chief of the Romanian Government the circumstances have been stronger:"he had to enter in the War not at the moment wanted by him,but at a moment imposed by outside".The hostility of the Zarist Government(Russian),its oposition to recognize our national integral territorial revendicaions ,the bad will at surrendering to us the war material send to us from the West ,by our Allies,all the difficulties set for obtaining the borders which Bratianu ,trained by the painful experience of the past,calculated as indispensable,have delayed the date of our entering in to action."The Moment" did not correspond anymore with the most favorable epoch.


At the interally conference at Chantilly from 15th of November 1916 Joffre,expressing that the entering of Romania did not produced the awaited effect ,because of the tardive moment at which it has produced itself,the Romanian delegate,Colonel Rudeanu ,replayed that Romania has delayed because it was not set quicker by the Allies in the state of being able to enter in campaign.With all the insistence set in this aim ,showing clearly the insifficiency of the Romanian Amy armament ,especially with artillery munitions ,these needs have not been stisfied in due time and even so,at the date of the entering,Romanian did not receive what she needed.

What couold have been ,and what has been in reality ,is easy to understand:one to two months earlier ,the Romanian intervention would have been a catastrophe for Austro-Hungary.Her delay,saved Austro-Hungary.The Austrians,in the wake of their desastre at Luck[9] ,could bring their heavy artillery and numerous units from the Italian Front ,and the leadership of their Army has ben taken by the Germans.The crisis has past.The offensive of Brusilov was exhausted ,and the Central Powers were recollecting .Their military forces ,badly apreciated by our Allies ,were now enaugh,not only to oppose resistance but also to plan offensive actions on the other fronts.An action like this was started on the Salonic Front ;another one was prepared on the Russian one.

In this moment ,when the situation started to draw disadvantageous on the Oriental Fronts ,the General Staffs Russian and French did not set the ultimatum:now or never.We entered,as such,not at the favorable moment ,freely choosen by us ,but imposed by the Allies ,to ease the general situation on the European Fronts.The easyness whith which Romania has been pushed in to the War ,with all the unfavorable conditions of the moment ,has been wonderfuly sintetized in Joffre's words-a precautious man at appreciations:"The esential is that Romania enters ,what will be after ,we will see".

Why the Entente Powers have forced Romania to enter the War unprepared and without her action to be coordinated with the one of her Allies?We may understand ,borrowing a metafor from the technic of the game of Chess:a pion destined to be scrificed.It is more interesting to reveal the comments made latter,after the desastre,by the same Ally circles which have forced Romania to enter the War ,in any way she can.A Russian General (Win) writes:"It is the general impression that Romanian has draw the sword out ,much to easy ,counting her much stronger than she is in reality and with the hope that she will make 'her War" with Austro-Hungary ,following limited objectives ".Latter on ,Sazunov condemned as well the ease with which Romania ,by the somations of Alekseev and Joffre has "been pushed by our Allies ,influenced ofcourse by the public opinion ,which was nervous.The Chief of Russian general Staff ,has seen himself forced to ask the advance of Romanians into Austria with the threat ,that in case of refuse,to be deprived by the promised advantages.It was a mistake very well foreseen by the Russian General Staff.We were not capable to help the Romanian troops and to make them to get out unharmed from the spin.Two years of terrible fights weakend a lot our Army ,and our ammunitions ,after the insufficeiencies from the beginning ,were almost completely exhausted".


The Allies did not know to prepare the Romanian intervention

The Romanian intervention was not studied sufficiently by the Allies ,such that ,to be be made in conditions to produce maximum of effect.The Allies ,although trained enaugh by the experience of two years of War ,have passed with shallowness over the grave strategical situation of Romania.The Romanian frontier ,which became its defence Front ,was two times longer than the French Front and only with a little shorter than the Russian one.The Romanian forces will be obliged to place themselves in a cordon along this frontier.Other than this,the pronounced outing of Muntenia ,adavancing towards West between Carpathian Mountains and Danube River,could easely been caught in a cracker.And this strategig dispozitive ,so unfavorable was do be defended by a small Army and not enaugh equiped with the technical aparatus of the modern War.Far from being what was announced in such an easy manner "a great offensive",to increase the force on the friendly existing Fronts, a serious judgement had to understand that Romania was forced to fight for defending of the new Front which was made by its frontiers ,in such a disadvantageous geographical situation.

Also ,missjudged was the opinion that the enemy do not have enaugh forces anymore ,to face the new Front.On the contrary:the enemy was able to face it ,and even with superior means ;the insufficiency of the means of informations of the Allies,did not know to anticipate this thing.Ignorring the resources and means of the enemy ,he was considered unable to make an effort which he was preparing even in the moment when he was declared unable to prepare it"*.That is why "Romania has been dragged in the War without studying ,and know the means which the enemy will have against her and,as a result,without grouping,on the Romanian territory or on the Macedonian Front ,the material means and of men,which maybe would have allowed us tu smash the enemy plans"**.


The Romanian Government has been assured by the Allies that:1)the enemy will not be able to oppose but seven Divisions ;2)all the measure are taken for the Bulgarian offensive to not produce,and in contrar case ,it will be paralized by a vigorous counteroffensive from the South.Only after the beginning of our War was noticed that the calculus of our Allies were wrong:the enemy was able to put in the line against us a formidable Army ;instead of seven Divisions ,he send 40!*.And to sustain the fight against him ,we have been left almost at our own means as armament ,Commandment and effectives.It has been sent to us the Mission of General Berthelot ,but it was too late and it was not enaugh.Falkenhayn has found the just note for characterizing of the situation :"Berthelot ,is good,but if he doesen't bring also 500 cannons ,heavy,we have nothing to be afraid of him".

As for the reinforcements ,they have been calculated by the Allies,themselves:it was on one hand a Russian Army of 200 0000 men to attack on the Southern Frontier ,the Bulgarians,to leave to the Romanians the freedoom of movement in Transilvania;on the other hand ,it was needed a strong offensive of Sarrail Army at Salonic.

The realization of these conditions ,indispensable,was lower than the good intentions ,with which they have been conceived.We had to renounce at the number of 200 000 of men in Dobrogea -which the Allies themselves have fixed at-and also to their insistences ,to be thankful only with 42 000 ,in tha wake of assurances,that in the general plan of the operations,this number will be enaugh.It showed ,though ,not enaugh to face an organization like the German one.

General Wilson [11] ,Chief of the British Mission General Staff,characterized in this way the insufficiency of the preparations of the Entente actions:"The mistake of the Allies was always that they did not had a system,whatsoever.Their political action was never coordinated with the military action;if it would have been ,Bulgaria would had come ,maybe ,with us in 1915.There was no connection in their military action:if it would have been,the intervention of Romania in 1916 could have been decissive"**.


For attracting Romanian into the alliance with the Entente ,have worked very actively T .O .E. service (Theatre des operations exterieures)[10] from the Great General French Headquarter .With all the untrust this service had in General Sarrail and in his Army at Salonic ,the officers composing it,especially its Chief ,Lieut Colnel Billotte ,where making many efforts next to Colonel Rudeanu ,the Chief of the Romanian Military Mission at Paris ,trying to convince him -and by him the Romanian Government -that Sarrail has important forces and orders ,that Sarrail will attack ,that Romanians will be in charge on their campaign a.s.o.This one,although the less convinced by the utility of the Romanian intervention was Joffre himself ,which was informed by Alexeev that the Russians were exhausted and that they will not be able to give Romanians ,in case of need,the prompt help that they might need.Still,the intervention of Romania has won almost entirely the Great French Headquarter.The formulae expressing this desire was:" Five hundred thousand bayonets more,thrown in to the battle ,never harmed those who had them on their side".At this optimist apreciation was added with great authority the affirmations of the Information Bureau ,after which,the enemies have not a single Division available.Crazy hopes were build on this information; At the supreme war council,by Capt.Peter E.Wright.In"R.Tg Mil."7-8,1921.General Castelnau[12] thought that the Romanian Army will be the going around wing-l'aile marchante-of the Russian mass. After the first successes of the Romanians against the Austro-Hungarians ,afirming at Great French Headquarter the hypotesis of a German concentration,to relief Austria ,the Information Bureau replied:"With what do you think the Germans will attack?They have only half a Division left in reserve!"And when this half of a Division changed in to a half a duzin of Divisions ,the deception has been great.The historiograph of the Great French Headquarter stories that he has seen an officer of the Info Bureau keeping his head between his hands and axclaiming:"Mais ou les prennent-ils,n...de D...?"[13].The fury has been unloaded against General Sarrail ,to which were send cominatorii thelegrams;some officers at T.O.[14] asked in big mouth that Sarrail to be shot.


The offensive of the Army in Macedonia was not strong

"The Orient Army" from Salonic-under the Command of General Sarrail ,has been kept there more with a political goal .The principal supporter of it,Briand,was convinced that her presence there would be a strong means for attracting Romania:It was his great conception.The strategic mission of the Army at Salonic would have been :to cover indirectly the mobilization and concentration of Romanian forces,to operate in combination with the Romanian forces at South of Danube ,to obtain the destruction of the Bulgarian forces.

An antagonism has been established -and on this-between Briand Government and the Great French Headquarter .This one did not understood the importance and the opportunity of the War in Orient,which was considered as a Theatre of War absolutely secondary.After the forecastings of the Great French Headquarter ,the troops had to be held on the principal Front ,the only one where there could be expected decissive actions.Big discussions have been carried between Paris and London on this matter.

Kitchiner[15],putting the offensive of Salonic in connection with the operations in Dardanelles ,wanted to enterprise it with big forces -400 000 men-to obtain decessive successes ,but he could not understand with Joffre where to take them from.During this time ,the situation in the Balkans was worsening day by day .Clemenceau was supporting the same ideea of the concentration of the action on the French Front and Russian one;"On Meusa will remake the Great Serbia and in Poland will lose Germany its colonies".Joffre has refused to give four Divisions ,necessary to the strengthening for the offensive in Champagne[16].The Great French Headquarter had to choose between Constantinopole and Tahure;he chose Tahure.


The leading of the Army at Salonic was very badly organized ;General Sarrail Commanded the French troops and depended ,not by Joffre,but by the War Ministry directly.General Milne ,the Commander of the British Forces was independent by Sarrail and listened by General C.Monro ,the Commander of the Ally troops at Dardanelles,which in his turn,depended directly by the War Office[17] from London.In any case ,the Army at Salonic was a force which could not be let in inaction.The divergences between the French Commandment and the British one ,were paralising it.The British did not trust the efficacity of this action ,nor in to its Commandment and were threatening even to retreat,what they had there.Joffre was deeply unhappy with this inaction .The pretext of Sarrail that there could not be enterprized actions during the warm season was rejected by the French Generalisim,with the obiectioned that the warm season at Salonic was more bareable than the greatest part of the colonies.

When,from the Entente side,the time was lost in discussions over the opportunity of the action at Salonic.the Germans understood better its importance.A British historiograph writes:"The Central Powers have used the strategical opportunity of continuing to pretend that they will give the principal blow in the West ,when in reality they were looking to have the superiority of men and cannons in the East ,to distract the attention of the British and of the French and minimize the possibility of a strong counteroffensive through Dardanelles and the North of Balkan Peninsula.That is why"the Easteners" from France and England were not listened in the war advices of the Allies ,although on the British part there were first hand politicians ,like Asquith,Loyd George and Grey,and on the French part Briand a.s.o.

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(British troops in the Great War)


The centrals have broke the inaction.the Bulgarians ,in understanding with the King Constantin of Grece,crossed the Greek frontier without firing a shot ,occupying Front Ruppel and the whole region left side of Strumei ,such that they have constituted a sure base of action for future operations.The War Council ,French-British has been emotioned by it,and in a meeting held in London ,at 9th of July 1916,decided...the postponing of the action of the Army at Salonic for September ,for the British troops to be able to equip themselves for mountain warfare ,and the Serb Army ,remade in Corfu [18] Island ,to be transported on to the fighting Front.Joffre has seen himself forced to write to General Sarrail to be able to attack only with French forces and did not hide his uncontent provoked by the campaign plan presented to him by the politician General Sarrail.All these frictions and missings ,writes Joffre,contributes "to weaken the zel of the Romanian Government".

Besides,Sarrail Army was really too weak to enterprize decissive actions.Sarrail himself qualified as "bluff" the operations he could enterprize on the Salonic Front with an insifficient Army as effectives and reduced more by the climate conditions and of the hygiene ,bad in which he was.It was simply a bate for Romania.And ,in truth,the Romanian intervention came in time to provoke a relief between the Commandments and Governments French and British,when the quarrel threatened to take very upsetting aspects.

By the conditions of entering of Romania was also decided that Sarrail to enterprize an offensive ,serious,it has also been set the date of this offensive ,which had to preeced the Romanian one .It is known that,even this time ,the Bulgarians went ahead by Florina[19] offensive,and anihilated alltogether whatever influence over Romanian campaign.The offensive of Sarrail in October led to conquering of Monastir ,but has been also a tardive action ,episodic and local.The Central Powers were informed by the lack of the effectives of the Allies and by the attitude of the British ;they knew that it is not possible to take here an initiative in great style to threaten the solidity of the Germano-Bulgar Front in Macedonia.That is why,the diverting offensive Cordonnier did not attract any Bulgarian soldier from the Dobrogean Front to the Balkanic Sector.

The result of the antagonism between the politicians and the French Military Chiefs and of the Great French Headquarter were that:was adopted the Russian War Plan-with the attacking of Austro-Hungary and menage Bulgaria ;it has been given an insufficient help at the Bulgarian frontier ;the action of Sarrail Army was weak.That is why ,the Bulgarians were not taken out of the fight ,and Romania was not liberated by the heavy task of the War on two Fronts ,which would have gave her the opportunity to pursue with energy the principal objective imposed by the Allies.


Name given to the partizans of the action in Balkans.Only in 1918 ,the victory of Franchet d'Esperey ,which have determined the final victory ,showed that the "Esterners" were right . The official report of the French politician(deputy) Benazet notices that Sarrail had at 1st of October 1916 ,127 000 combatants ,instead of 307 000 ,as he has been shown by the Great General Headquarter French.Still,from this number ,an important number were not capable of fighting because of the diseases.In this way,Regiment 54 Infantry from Kenali had in the first line only 1394 men,instead of 3000;the 1st Marching Regiment from Africa ,in front of Monastir ,had only 1102 men.All over the place Sarrail could not count but only on 28-29000 fighters of Infantry.The Serb Army ,remade at Corfu ,started to arrive ,but without artillery.That is why,one of the conditions set by the Romanian Government for entering of Romania in action,fell;the convergent offensive against Bulgaria could not be acomplished .Not even the Russian could attack from North ,neither Sarrail could attack from South.At 6th of August G.Q.G French ,news Sarrail that his mission is to harras the Bulgarians.

Was the plan of our campaign wrong?

The defensive on the Southern Front and offensive in Transilvania have been considered by many as a "fatal mistake" which,giving chance to the enemy counterattack on the Dobrogea frontier ,has been the cause of all the missfortunes that followed.The plan of our campaign was imposed to us by severel circumstances.Firstly,the offensive in Transilvania corresponded to the public sentiment in Romania;our War was a nationa l war ,it was the War for Transilvania ;the conscience of this fact had to pour the enthusiasm in the souls of the fighters and give them the impulse of fight and of martyr.Secondly,the liberation of the territories revendicated by us ,was part of the political program of the government;Romania had to have in hand the guarantees of territories which ensured the price of the sacrifices of her victories.But this offensive was-before anything -a condition imposed by the Russians ,strongly supported in this by the Great French Headquarter."The concessions we make to obtain the concur of Romania -were the Russians saying-are limitted to the condition that Romania wil constitute the left wing of our Armies in Transilvania ,in which she will storm,even at the beginnings of operations"*.

It is true that Briand,the Chief of the French Government ,has intervened for the offensive on the Southern Front ,of which personal partizan was,but the French Generalisim ,Joffre and the other military Allies leaders ,which had the decissive word ,in divergence of oppinions with the French Government ,have supported the ideea of the Russian Commandment' s plan ,which has been finally imposed to us.


The faith that the fate of our Army would have been other in the case when ,instead of of attacking on Transilvania Front ,we would have attacked on the Dobrogea one ,may not be considered as an absolute justification.Military personalities with authority in the leading circles of the Allies have rejected it with decissivness.Same thing would have happened if we woud have mass our troops towards Bulgaria ,leaving weakly defended the long frontier of Carpathian Mountains ,with its numerous mountain passes ,favorable to attacks by surprise.Only the roles have been changed ;the result would have been the same.Even neutral military writers ,from the ones with authority in the field, as the Swiss Colonel Egli ,finds that the plan followed by us was best.Egli convenes that the offensive against Bulgaria had indiscussable advantages from the poin of view of general interests of the Allies :taking out of the fight of the Bulgarians ,isolating Turkey ,reestablishing a more direct link with the Allies in the West with Romania and Russia ,bringing back the Serbs in their country.It was connected by great difficulties,though ,and trumendeous risks for Romania which,surprised through Carpathians,would have been dragged in to a catstrophe."Choosing between the two possibilities was not,ofcourse easy;it fell over the first one -ofcourse-with rightness.This solution had-with all its dangers -more chances of success than an attack in a direction opposite to the political goal pursued".Besides,the offensive at South could not have been made but only in concordance with an action started from Salonic .We know,that the situation of Sarrail's Army did not permit him such an action.In these conditions it could not be talk about a campaign having the taking out of Bulgaria from the fight as principal objective .

The fatal cause of our defeat has not ben the plan itself ,of the campaign,but the face with which was executed .The indispensable conditions of a well acomplishing of this plan have not been respected.In the perilled geographical situation ,in which we were,the military action of Romania could not be executed isolated: she occupied only a sector of the great Oriental Front so it had to be supported at the two flanks by the effective colaboration of its Allies.One of the chief conditions formulated by Bratianu for our entering in to action ,has been the defence of Dobrogea frontier by the Russians and retaking the offensive at Salonic.The other condition ,imposed by the strategical colaboration with the Russians ,was the Russian offensive through Bucovina and Galitia .Supported in this way on the two flanks ,the Romanian offensive in Transilvania would have evolved with vigor and effect .The reality was different,though.


On the Southern Front ,the Russians have brought too few Divisions ,one by one and at long intervals in between.The forced attack of the enemy ,with many forces ,has found here the Russian -Romanian forces week ,scattered ,not united on to the fighting line.In the day in which,after Turtucaia,has benn seen the need that Romania to defend alone on two fronts ,the fate of our War was decided.The action of Sarrail ,ineffective,did not bring any relief to the Southern Front.

On the Northern Front,the Russian colaboration ,did not realize ,also.The offensive of Brusilov has ceased completely in the first half of September .Romanians,advancing in to the heart of Ardeal,did not find with the Russians at the established place and had to stop,with the right flank in the air.In this difficult position ,attacked by the front by Falkenhayn ,with the threat of cutting the communications with the country,without reserves,send all to the Danube,we had to evacuate Ardeal giving up to the offensive.Instead that our intervention to count as offensive factor ,here we are ,as such,in defence on two Fronts.Attacked now alternativ by Mackensen at South and Falkenhayn at North,without serious aid from the Russians,without any vigorous action at the two flanks of our Front,we are forced to begin the fatal game of changing the troops from one front to another,sending them from the ountain at the Danube and from the Danube to the mountain ,or lateral from one point to another of Carpathians,to patch up the holes produced,one after the other ,on the long line of the fighting front .These movements were made with extraordinary efforts and delays ,because of the geographical configuration of the montaineous frontier ,with rows of elevations perpendicular on the Southern versant of carpathians.

Hit in this way from all directions ,threatened with the breaking of the Front in diferent points and with the cutting of our troops in different directions ,without reinforcements to refresh the exhausted forces,we had to abandon the territory of Muntenia ,retreating step by step and forcing the enemy to follow us in retreat,but obstacling him from cutting it.Only after leaving the line of Bucharests ,the Russian reinforcements have started to arrive to save,not the rests of our Army,but the communication lines of the Russian Army ,the left flank of their Carpathian Sector in Moldavia.

So,at the pushing of Romania in to the fight at a disadvantageous moment ,it is also added the abandoning of us at our own powers ,without help on the fighting Front and by the colaboration at the two neighbour wings ,between which we were placed.

.........

Briand's declarations in the meeting of the secret committe of the French Chamber in 28th of November 1918

The enemy had moved his principal action on the Romanian Front

As our Allies were making the mistake of dragging Romania in to the War without a well studied plan,beforehand,without putting at her dispozition the necessary means and without knowing the real situation of the enemy's forces ,this one ,recollecting himself fast,could sneak between the hardships in the beginning and realized perfectly well the situation ,looking to turn it in his advantage.Germany had moved on to the Romanian Front the center of weight of the War.It was obvious that on the principal Fronts was not to be expected any victory ,decissive.Faithful to their doctrine ,of attacking the weaker enemy ,where was a certain success to be obtained and exploit,convinced that the entering of Romania in to the War offered a weak point in the totality of the Front ,the Germans have abandoned the fight in West and East ,where they have left minimum of forces ,indispensable to keep the defence.The circumstance that the winter was arriving ,and on snow and frosts a strengthened line can be defended with much fewer troops than in the summer ,permitted them to retreat especially from the Northern Sector of the Russian Front ,numerous units.All these troops which became available have been aimed to the new Romanian Front.At this combining of forces ,realized against Romania,the Allies could not respond.Brusilov's offensive saved the Italian Front threatened at Arsiero and Asiago;our entering in the War cleared the French at Verdun ,permits the Italians to be victorious at Carso,made easyer for Sarrail to occupy Monastir and escaped the Russians by the blow prepared for them.On the Romanian Front ,the enemy has concentrated in November ,40 Divisions and 6 Brigades ,from which the majority were Germans ;in the same time we had 27 Divisions ,from which 20 Romanians and seven Russians ;their number increased in December to 34(15 Romanian and 17 Russian).

The motives for which the Germans have transformed our Front in to the principal fighting Front of the European War,were several.Firstly,there was a pshchological reason.They have noticed our military weakness which yields from the long and twisted frontier line ,which we had to defend ,by the lack of technical means and from the insufficiency of the Allies support.Descovering this weak spot of the European Front ,they have understood imediately the use they can make out of it:it was the only Sector of the European War ,where ,with a strong effort ,they could obtain a great success,resounding,to impress.It would be the third small country,allied of the Entente ,which would be invaded ,the Capital conquered.It would have been demonstrated in front of the whole world that their forecastings are superior to the ones of the adversaries ,their organization stronger ,their methods better.In short ,they are the best.Elocvent advertisment to the other beligerant and neutral states!

There was anoter motive,of political order.Hungary and Bulgaria had to be held in the alliance of the Central Powers .The defeat of Romania meant a satisfacion ,special,given to these two states ,their liberation of a permanent threat ,their attachment,unconditioned to the fate of German Empire.So much indispensable was the helping of Hungary and -by this-keeping her in the alliance of the Central Powers such that,for procuring the necessary troops,Germany would have not hesitated even if it would had to evacuate Belgium.Over conquered Romania ,it would have been constituted the uninterrupted block of the Central Powers .The material connection of the central Powers with Bulgaria and Turky was now fully acomplished.

Finally,the economical reason.The Central Powers were living with the threat ,permanent,of hunger and lack of war materials.Romania could satisfy two needs of first order:wheat and petrol,over which were aimed the eyes of the Germans ,since the time of neutrality .

But Germany was also following a demonstration .The political leaders and military ones ,Germans,reached the ideea that they cannot win the War anymore.At 20th of September 1916 ,Wilhelm the II-nd was won for the ideea of a manifest by which he pronounces peace[20].But for this proposition to not give the impression of a weakness ,the Great German Headquarter asked the postponing of it,until the obtaining of a loud success on one of the fields of battle*;after this success the proposition of peace was to make the impression of an act of generosity,of humanitarism ,started from the strong one.Such a success was obtainable only on the Romanian Front ,by the concentration here of all forces available and of the most trialed Generals.At 6th of December has fallen Bucharest ;at 12th ,Wilhelm aas launched ,in the name of the central Powers,the celebre manifest of peace[21],written on an arogant note.

For all these reasons ,the Germans have given to the War with Romania , an importance no one expected at the beginning.The prey was rich and easy:she has been throwed almost without thought in to the hungry claws of the most redutable of the enemies.The Germans have stopped in defence on all Fronts ,where they did not expect any victory whatsoever ,but neither a catastrophe to be afraid of ,and stormed with all forces over the imprudent newcomer.

.........

...has,is November ,since the breakthrough of Jiu until Casin Battle.I hope that thanks to this table it will be established definitive the importance "Oficiului de pompa" exercitated by the Romanian Front over the enemy forces on European Fronts and will be rectified the current errors ,which get in,even in some official publications.

Enemy units on the Romanian frontier in November 1916


Russia's attitude

During the whole time of the 1916 Campaign ,Russia's attitude towards us has been one of bad faith and bad will.Numerous incidents and episodes ,happened during the War,have surprised the world.No doubt that a more numerous participation of the Russians ,more energic and especially made at the oportune moment would have given another course to the War.

The French Generalisim,Joffre ,whithout showing himself sympathetic to the Romanians ,confesses all the time in his Memoirs,the difficulties he met from the High Russian Commandment ,represented in the beginning by Alekseev ,then by Gurko,to bring it to a just understanding of the need to help the Romanians.The hostility of the Russian Commandment was obvious .The measures asked by Joffre were either not executed ,or executed but only partialy ,and this from "the difference for my insistent requests".It seemed that Alekseev wanted more to demonstrate that more need had Romania for Russia ,than this one by her new ally.The Chief of the Russian General Staff expressed himself in this way:"The entering of Romania in to the war is a real calamity".Joffre resumes the situation in these words:"In an atmosphere like this one ,the Russian-Romanian operations could not have been marked but only by a series of delays ,disorders,twists and turns,and finally by desastre".

The unfolding of the operations is filled with examples which ilustrates the oppinion of the French Generalisim.During our offensive in Ardeal,the Russians had a pasive attitude..When ,in the first weeks of the War ,the passes of Carpathians of Moldavia have been forced by our Armies ,leaving free the passing of the Russians ,which could storm into Transilvania as a wave ,unstoppable by anything ,not even a foot of Russian soldier did not yield in Carpathians .Only when our defeats have started ,when the mountaineous frontier has been well locked with Austro-Hungarian troops ,the Russians have begun to give the series of weak attacks of thir celebre "Offensives of ease up" of the Romanans.

.............

In total the enemy had during November 1916 the enemy had on the Romanian Front the following units:

a)Germans:16 Divisions of Infantry ,one Mixt Brigade Germano-Bulgar Infantry,four Cavalry Divisions ,one Brigade of cavalry and one Brigade of Cyclists.

b)Austro -Hungarian 10 Divisions of Infantry ,two Brigades of Infantry ,One Division and One Brigade of Cavalry.

c)Bulgarians:five Divisions of Infantry and one of Cavalry.

d)Turkish:three Divisions of infantry.

The total on weapons:34 Divisions of Infantry and three Brigades ,six Divisions of Cavalry and two Brigades ;one Brigade of Cyclists.

>

In Dobrogea ,the Russian action has been weak :the Russian units have arrived tardive ,successive and weak as effectives.That is why,the Romanian Army has supported alone the Germano-Bulgar attack at Turtucaia and was not able to reestablish the situation in Dobrogea.During the battles ,the Russians have fought bad and have compromised the results,either by their delayed intervention ,or by their intempestive retreat from the fighting line.Zaioncikovski has been an incapable man,but his succesor ,Zaharov ,General with good reputation ,has started in Dobrogea with noise ,for then to do nothing really,although he had under his Command an Army greatly superior(as number) than the enemy has left in front of him.His inaction has lost Dobrogea.Leaving of Dobrogea by the Army of General Zaharov ,greatly superior to the Bulgarian one ,withot fight,is qualified even by the Russian military historiograps ,as a"deplorable manoeuvre",justified by nothing,with grave consequences.

In the epoch of the breakingthrough of our Carpathian mountains Front ,thelegrams ,almost desperate ,were asking to the Russian General Staff to give order to the four Russian Divisions ,which were inactive in Basarabia ,to come to Carpathians ,where they could have obstacled the breaking of the Front.But the Russian General Staff responded invariable that"It is not drew enaugh the action of the enemy ,to know exactly where are more necessary those troops ".During the Arges Battle ,the quicker entering of the Russian Divisions from the Danube and their intervention in the fight ,in time,would have decided maybe,on our part the victory which started to be announced.General Keller has delayed with several days the intervention of the three Divisions of Cavalry he Commanded ,under the pretext that his horses are not shoed,and has provoked thus the abandoning of Cricovului line and the retreat towards Rimnicu Sarat.

.......

The explanation of the unfriendly attitude of the Russians towards Romanians is in light.Abandoning Muntenia and Dobrogea and the retreat on a line behind has been the continuous preoccupation of the RUssians ,even from our first insuccesses.During the German counteroffensive in Transilvania ,when noone could forecast the Romanian desastre ,Alekseev,showing to Berthelot on Romanian map the line of Siret River ,declared:"Here we will resist.At West of this line we will not fight".During the fights for defending the Carpathians of Moldavia -october 1916-presented to General Prezan the Russian General Veliciko-a reputed specialist in fortifications ,which has colaborated in the past at fortifying Port Arthur[22].the Russian General ,arrived in Romania with the mission to study the works in Moldavian Carpathians ,told to his Romanian camarad that in his mission is comprised also the extending of these strongholds through Siret Valley,adding ,in confidential mode,that it was forbidden to him to bring this to the knowledge of the Great Romanian Headquarter(Prezan verbally).


In vain Berthelot seeked to explain to the Russians that there cannot be comparation between the imensity of the Russian territory and the surface of small Romania ;the big retreats in Russia did not perilled the vital conditions of the huge country ,whereas the abandoning of Muntenia meant for Romania a deadly blow.But ,at Berthelot appeals ,which was asking for Romania the support of the available troops of Lecitki and Zaharov ,Gurko was answering :Not a man ,nor a cannon!".

And, as Romanians were giving with desperation at Arges the battle of which depended the Capital and their Country ,Gurko was organizing with no problems whatsoever the new Front Cartpathians-Siret -Black Sea .Sacrificing beforehand the greatest part of the Romanian territiry .In the country,Berthelot noticed that General Beleaev ,the reprezentative of the Great Russian Headquarter near the Romanian Commandment ,has as mission to counterstrike all the measures proposed by the French Mission in Romanian's favour.Beleaev declared:"Whatever big the belly of General Berthelot is ,he will not be able to swallow all the kicks we will administrate him in the back".Storying these things in his memoirs ,Saint-Aulaire ,the French Minister in Romania ,added the comment:"Romania is the only country which has suffered a double occupation ,half of it by the enemy and half by the false ally ,and this one has been much havier".

Not even one Russian historian do not doubt this attitude of Russia,trying to justify it by that for Russia would have been preferable a Romania which would have kept neutrality ,because it would have guaranteed its left flank of its Front,to an ally Romania ,which was badly guarding a frontier of 800 km.Only ,that this attitude taken after our entering in to the war ,is in flagrant contradiction with the attitude during neutrality ,when the big pressures and uninterrupted of Russia to get Romania in to the War were qualified ,by a very high Russian personality ,as a crazy fury.

Russia liked to complain that the new ally is badly equiped,material,to wage a modern war.But,in the same time,she did almost nothing to side this weakness ,not respecting her contractual obligations.In thruth,the War material send by France and England through Russia suffered inexplicable delays or were even retained in Russia.In this way,the machineguns and cannons ,any -aerian have not been given to us,by the Russian;the first ones have been send to Petrograd ,to serve latter against the Russian revolutionaries ,and the second ones have been send to Riga."After a month ,since our entering in the War ,our transports have been stolen;from several automobiles,aeroplanes ,engines ,trucks there were stolen parts to make them unusable at their arrival.The trains with armament,minitions ,heavy artillery ,aeroplanes,insted of being directed to our country,have been directed to Caucaz line,and others destroyed by burning them.On the lines of Caucaz ,in the spring of 1917 ,have been found by officers from the French-British Mission ,send there for finding and bringing the materials ordered by us ,all the trains that had to replenish our country ,hidden and delayed".

The result on the terrain was the acomplishing of the plan at which the Russians were working even from the beginning :a Front almost exclusive Russian was stretched from Baltic Sea to Black Sea ,and the greatest part of Romania ,with all her riches ,were in the hands of the enemy.

All these made that a grave suspicion to be risen against our ally.Its sincerity was very doubtful;it was pronounced even the word of treazon!Which could be the cause of the strange attitude of the Russians towards us?

It was obvious that the Russians did not treat us as real friends.Political and psychological reasons explained this thing.Russians and Romanians could not be sincere friends.The traditional tendency of the Russian politics to unite with the Slave population from South to open up the road for Constantinopol[23] has met always the most serious obstacle in the existence of the Romanian State.The interest of our national conservation ,pushed us in the opposite camp of Russia [24].A bigger and stronger Romania was to become,undoubtfuly,an obstacle even greater in the way of Russian aspirations*.


The antagonism was real.The Mondial War created ,it is true,a community of interests between Romania and Russia,but it was incidental ,passing,born from the wish to take down the commun enemy:Austro-Hungary .Even this alliance with Russia ,become inevitable by the adhession of Romania at the action of the Entente ,was tha black spot of our war politics ;it was thus exploited by the adversaries and showed as imoral and dangerous for the future development of our state.The alliance of Russia with Romania resembled much with one of those conventional marriages ,in which each of the parteners ,husband and wife,makes reserves over the future conduct.Our colaboration with Russia and the reciprocal raports have been impregnated ,from the beginning ,by a sentiment of untrust;it has dominated our log tratatives for our entering in the War and were also the cause for delaying this entering.It was not a brotherly colaboration ,enthusiast ,spontane,started from the heart ,wich connected us with France and Italy ,nor the one started from the deep ideeas as the one with England.In the bottom of or conscience we were afraid of the definitive victory of Russia ,which opened to us frightening perspectives,On her part,Russia had the interest ,for us to not come out too strong.A Russian Military historian ,which had an important function on th Romanian Front 1917-1918 ,confesses with sincerity that there is a serious contradiction between "the Romanian politic objective" and Russian military objectives.

From this situaton ,false,went out all the attitude of Russia.The appreciation of the Romanian aid and its invokation by Russia were changing after the fate of operations on Fronts,and our own necessities when they were pressing ,when abandoned.In the course of these oscillations ,Russia have considered for a long time the concur of Romania as inutile,then,when she considered it necessary ,has opposed a long and stubborn resistance to addmitting of our revendications ,under the pretext of defending the interest of Slavism(Slav nations).She has throwed us in to the War for her interests when and in the direction she wanted.She did not let us to strengthen too much ,stealing our war material ,gave us a very problematic help and did not intervene serious but only when the situation started to become threatening.The impressions in the beginning,became latter a sure thing.Russia did not wanted the victory of Romania .On the contrary ,it seemed that she wanted the dezastre of her ally.

........


It cannot be established with precission because the formal acuzation of treason ,used even by political figures with great responsibility and with ballanced word-that for instance ,A. Tardieu [25]-may be justified.At the Court of Petrograd was a nebular atmosphere ,loaded and suspect.It was attributed to the wife of the Zar ,of German origin [26],also her anturaje ,in which have played tenebrous roles ministers Sturmer and Protopopov,as the odious monk Rasputin[28],the Germanophil feelings and the intention to prepare a separate peace with Germany .The necessary pretext ,to justify this treason faced with the commune cause of the Allies ,had to be a military desastre ,which to not touch directly Russia ,but which to prove in an elocvent way the military superiority of the Central Powers and the inutility of extending the war any further.This pretext ,wellcomed ,was just the collapse of Romania ,indicated to this by her proximity ,by the direct link of the fighting frontiers and by the great hopes put at her entering into action.This is why the conducteurs of this politics were pushing Romanian to desastre.

.........


A secret document published latter by the Bolsevic regime ,brings light over the feelings of the leading circles of the Russian politics and their intentions.It is the celebre "report Polivanov",written either by the former War Minister ,either by a high clerk from the Ministry of Foreign Relations ,Russian,with the same name .Polivanov makes the history of our entering in the War and of the tratatives that followed;he is of oppinion that the territorial extenssions given to Romania "did not corresponded to her participation to the military operations".Continuing with the showing of the phazes of the War ,Polivanov describes in this way the situation created by the events:"From the point of view of the Russian interests ,having in sight the actual situation in Russia ,we have to be lead by the following considerations :if the circumstances would evolve in this way ,such that the military and political convention of 1916 with Romania could be fully realized ,it would be created in the Balkans a very strong state ,composed of Moldavia,Valahia and Dobrogea-the today Romania-,Transilvania ,Banat and Bucovina-the territories conform with treaty of 1916 -with a population of almost 13 millions .It is obvious that it cannot be counted that this state to remain friendly with Russia and that he wil not want to realize his aspirations ,national,over Basarabia.In the Balkans ,he will try to counterballance the Russian influence and,being given the Latine predominant character of his popolation ,he will find under the great political influence of France and Italy.That is why the destroying of Romanian dreams ,pretaining her will to become a great power in the above proportions ,it is not contrar to the Russian political interests.We have to take advantage of this circumstance ,to tighten up for as long as possible the forced connections uniting Russia with Romania".

The conclusions of this report are of a cinism which makes true the worse assumptions towards Russia's attitude:"The events takingplace now in Romania have modified radical the conditions of 1916 treaty.Instead of a military concur ,relatively modest,which was obliged to give in Dobrogea,Russia had to give to her troops almost entirely for the defending of Romania .This military aid of Russia has taken now proportions ,such that the promisses made to Romania by the above treaty ,relativ at territorial compensations in exchange for her entering in the War ,must be,without a doubt ,reviewed.If in the actual circumstances,it would be inoportun the rising of this matter ,it has to be set now to the day order in the closest moment and most favorable one"[29].

.

The methods of the Russian politics are evident from this report;he forms a serious base for the accuzations of unsincerity,or even of treason ,of the military Russian actions and political ones.It is full accord and direct continuity ,with the attitude of Sturmer in the last phaze of the tratatives in the summer of 1916,which led to the closing of the two conventions with Romania:the premeditated decission to not held these engagements written in these conventions.

There were two Russias,which worked against one another.First was the militarist Russia and nationalist ,Russia of Alekseev ,for which Romania has been the indispensable auxiliary but unsympathetic ,of which anihilation ,once the service acomplished ,was wanted by the Zarist Empire ;it was the same old Russia of 1878,of Ignatiev and Suvalov[30].The second one was Underground Russia ,of Sturmer ,Protopopov and Rasputin,the Russia of ocult combinations and treasons,for which Romania was only a tranzaction object ,or traffic.

Whatever would have been of these two the face with which Russia was presenting herself towards us,it cannot be seen the trust we could put in to our great ally and how just appear the precautions ,which Bratianu(Romanian Primeminister) thought to take against Russia ,during our tratatives of alliance.One thing is beyond any discussion:during the 1916 campaign ,attacked by superior forces ,without the real support of the Allies from the West ,we had next to us ,an unsincere and bad will ally*.

........

Lacks in our military preparation

The collaps of our military power has not only outside causes .There are also causes which must be looked in her organization and preparation.We must admit them with sincerity.The chief critic brought to the organization of the Army is her hipertrofiation ;pumping up the effectives to give the impression of a numerous Army.This increasing of effectives was made in the detriment of her solidity.From 15 Divisions ,which had before 1914,the Army has been increased to 23 Divisions.To reach this number ,there have been introduced numerous weak elements ,physically and as training.Nor the officers ,or the trained men,neither the armament ,or munition ,we had,did not permit an incrasing such considerable of the Army.There were no trained reserves either,or capable to be trained ,to fill in the gaps.In short,our power did not excede 15 Divisions.The diluation of the Army,provoked by the increasing too much this number ,had as result the diminishing of her combative value.Instead of an Army less numerous ,buth homogen and full of cohesion ,we presented in the War with an Army pumped up as number ,but carrying in this inflation the signs of weakness.Such lacks were observed during 1916 campaign in the preparation for the fight of the Army.It cannot be said that during the two years of neutrality there haven't been made efforts for material equiping of the Army and for preparation for War;our Army of 1916 did not had anything in common with the one in 1913 in Bulgaria campaign.But the two years of European War made that the tactic ,and the armament ,to realize huge progresses ,as there haven't been done in two decades of peace.Isolated by the two adverse camps,we have learned too less.It is true that we did not had teachers.Our situation of neutral country ,having in the rib the continuous threat of the Germans imposed us reserve.The offer of the French to send us a Military Mission ,under the Command of General Mondesir ,to train the Romanian Army in the spirit of the new methods of fight ,had to be declined by the Romanian Government ,of fraid of the grave complication it would have birth.The Mission of General Berthelot arrived too late ,when we have already started to slip on the slope of defeat He was able to notice that we are"admirable desorganises"[32] and to bring imense services for reorganizing of the Army which would have to fight in the second part of the campaign.


With this total lack of knowing the circumstances of the modern War ,with anacronic tactic manners ,with important Commandments ,occupied by unprepared men ,brought to high positions not by selection ,but by connections of interests or friendship,we have started the War having as enemy ,that nation for which war was a "national industry"-after the word of a French politician and "a biological necessity",after a celebre German General ,with that Army,whose chiefs ,by the probe of two years of fierce War ,were the creators of the most fighting methods .These circumstances made us commit numerous mistakes which cost us thousands of lives and shaken the trust of our soldier.We wil quote some of the most frequent.Our attacks were insuficiently prepared by artillery and many times uncovered.The trenches ,dug by ours,superficial,sheltered badly the fighters.We did not know to hide;in the first night ,even,at the crossing of Carpathians ,a Commander of Regiment has been shot ,because he had an electric lamp on his pocket ,at the centurion.There have been ordered charges of cavalry ,like the times of Murat and Coulaincourt[33],against some enemy positions strongly retrenched with barbed wire fence ;they have melted in the fires of enemy machineguns .Not enaugh measures of protection made painful tactical surprises.Unsufficeient reconnoitrings or superficial ones -due also to the lack of motorcycles and of aeroplanes -put us many times face to face with greatly superior forces,or permitted us the exploitation only of beginning of successes.The lack of cooperation between infantry and artillery was one of the grave downs on conducting the fights.Generally,was put little importance over the firing with the rifle -neglected during peace time-and too much over bayonet attacks ,primitive system ,risky and costing to many lives,face with the strong means of defence at distance of the modern war.

The foreign technicians have noticed that the instruction of the artillery was defectuous:she has stopped at the battery school.Because of this,the firing range of the isolated batteries ,good by themselves ,were not capable of sufficient tactical aplications.The lack of preparation of group firing range was explained also by the poor of means of the artillery:in the beginning ,the batteries had only 2 km of cable ;they could not work with efficiency ,being without connection with the infantry,also.Because of this she could not make use of the advantages of the terrain,being forced to choose uncovered positions ,or to replace the telephone with men of connection.The artillery also did not had sightings aparatus ;it was a pitty to see good units dying because of the lack of elementary technical means.

The inferiority of our armament was one of the decissive causes of the defeat.Heavy artillery we had too few.All over the place we have been dominated by the enemy ,as mouths of fire ,as by calibers and length of firing range:each enemy Division had a strong heavy artillery.Our batteires were all the time framed and smashed by the enemy heavy artillery .The lack of horses or tractors made difficult even more the transport of our cannons ,heavy ones;most of them had to be transported with oxes.That is why our heavy cannons could not be brought and used almost in none of the fights during the 1916 campaign.Against the numerous enemy heavy artillery ,we opposed the "rifles" of 53 mm ,which "spit" their projectiles at 2 km.In a war made on a mountaineous frontier ,we were totally without-because of known causes-by mountain artillery,where as the enemy had special units armed ,equiped and trained for this kind of war.

A foreign technician writes:The infantry was too nervous and inferior to the enemy one as training:she had almost no machineguns at all ,grenades ,scissors for cutting the metal wires and rolling kitchens .Followed from behind by the enemy heavy artillery and weakly supported by the own one ,she went tired in a service without exchanges and could not be sheltered by a certain moral depression".


The summing up of the complex of circumstances in which it was made the entering in to the War of Romania and ofthe attitude of the Allies towards her,has been cristalized by some severe rows ,ofcourse,but very interesting,because they come fom an eminent personality,political and military,English ,General Thompson ,former military attache at Bucharest ,which became latter the Minister of Aeronautics in English Cabinet of Loyd George[31];"The first act of the Romanian tragedy is close to the end.A Latine small country gave up to the baits and threats and entered under Russian auspices in to an European War.Now,here she is ,crushed and smashed ,victim of two invasions :one ,of the enemy at the South,the other one of the Russians at the North.The Western powers were giftful,unmeasurably,in their simpathy -they wouldn't be giftful with something else-and they were the witnessess of the missfortune caused by themselves .In France ,an optimism ignorant,had conceived an egoist plan.England supports this plan,and Russia in the name of the Allied interests ,follows a Russian politics ,traditional,which has been obscure and sinistre. .........

The disproportion of the number of machineguns ,which we had next to the enemy ,had fantastic proportions.Our old Regiments had six machineguns each;the new ones ,only two ,or none.The rifle-machinegun was unknown in our Army.As ,we had 8-24 machineguns for Division-some had none -the germans had 324 machineguns for each Division,from which 108 heavy ones and 216 light ones*.

We had almost no aeroplanes.Our Army was blind ,moved with fear ,sensing with prudence the directions of advance ,as the sky was splintered in long and wide by enemy squadrons of reconissance and bombardment.In some occassions ,the bombarding from enemy aeroplanes made us extraordinary casualties ,as in a battle.The aeroplanes brought to the enemy excelent services of directing the artillery firing range ;we did not know this method ,our artillery was firing blind or made her aiming after old fashioned practices.

Our soldier realized very quickly the imense superiority of the enemy in technical means.He was discovered and killed from distance by the enemy ,which he cannot touch whith his bayonet,and sometimes could not even see him.We must also add the multitude of trucks ,which permitted the provisioning ,qoick ,and even transport of troops;the multitude of telephones connecting even the most adavnced posts with the Commandment ;wireless telegraph ,signalling aparatus and all the modern scientific gear.

There are known the circumstances which did not permit us to prepare the Army during the neutrality time.We have entered the War with the hope ,based on the promises of the Allies,that we will acomplish fast these lacks ,even during the campaign.Hardships of all kind obstacled us to do it.The base of provisioning our Army was outside the country and the link with this base was made by a fantastic going around:through the Ice Ocean by Arhanghelsk and through the pacific ocean by vladivostok!Added to the difficulties by this distance ,was added also the bad will and neglecting of the Russians and an unlucky fate.Two ships of the Romanian Maritime Service ,Bistrita and Jiu which were transporting War materials from France ,expediated from there without escort ,have been sunk by the german submarines in the Ice ocean ,losing in this way imense quantities of war material**.

Face with the crushing technical superiority of the adversary ,were needed qualities of bravery ,legendary,of our soldier ,to keep an inequal fight for four months.All the military critics and war correspondents haste to recocnize it.The Swiss Colonel Elgi,of which Germanofilism is well knownin a very severe critics made to our Army ,writes:"Their peasant soldiers ,which fought with a real despise for death ,were send against the barbed wire nets and trenches ,which have not been hit by artillery fire ,as over them was falling a real rain of bullets".A Russian General,tasked with an important mission on the Romanian Front ,writes :"The Romanian soldier is excelent :brave ,disciplined ,quick to learn,capable to withstand missgivings and hardships ,and when it is well Commanded ,to give violent attacks".

The respect for truth oblige us to admit that not the entire human material of our Army was up to the recocnizing made by the foreigners and sang by us.Increasing the effectives have introduced in the fighting units also a great proportion of weak men,elements eaten by ,deseases,undernourishing or men past the age and former -reformed ,which a wide but tardive revision found them apt for military service.These kind of men ,which could be used behind the front line,without physical strength or spiritual,with not enaugh military training ,throwed in to the fighting line sometimes without even firinga shot in their life with the weapon set for the first time in their hands*,were standing in the way and were compromising the fight ,demoralizing also their camarads.In this way are explained the cases of run away,surrender in mass or automutilation ,which have determined in some parts the most severe measure of repression.

Mistakes of organization contributed to the lowering of the randament of the troop.Among these,to many changes of the Commanders of units of differend orders.The order of battle had been the bigest secret of War preparation.Around the entering into action ,a real avalanche of movings had as effect that the Commanders to not know the troop to which they had to Command ,to not know the value of the elements which they have to use in different missions ,even to have very vague ideeas of the topography of the terrain on which they had to operate.This thing was bad ,especially to the Commanders of big units .It was steped over the base principle of military pedagogy,that who prepares a troop in the eve of war,that is the one who has to Command it in action.

........

Schwarte,Technik der Weltkriege,... Bistrita ship was loaded with material of over 30 000 000 Lei(Romanian currency) She had on board 100 machineguns system Hootchiss,20 mortiers of 58 mm,66 automobiles ,22 truks ,5 sanitary automobiles,7 ambulances with complete sanitary equipment ,2 hangars of aeroplanes ,5 baloons with all accessories ,10 000 rifles ,60 000 steel helmets ,380 000 grenades ,fireheads and cartridges for cannons,few millions cartridges for machinegun,883 tons of steel in bars ,29 tons of nichel,23 tons of pucioasa ,8,5 tons led,62 machines for dynamite.

...And some spiritual downs

More than the simple soldiers are asked outstanding qualities to the chiefs of any rank,which Commands them.A troop values as much as her leaders value.Never a troop showed cowardice ,when her leaders have been up to the cahllenge.That is why ,the solid preparation of the Officer Corps must be made in time and with care.Victories or defeats are prepared during the peace time.The fundament of the professional education of those in which hands are set in difficult moments thousands of lives and the existence of nations,must be an armonious development of the spiritual(soul) qualities-used to make good work,honesty,to be used with the ideea of self sacrifice -together with a careful training ,technical and solid physical one.

The circumstances of our political life and social did not permit us to do always the right thing.It is not the place here to make the critic of different aspects of this life;we can only notice some of the defects.

The physical and spiritual preparation of the masses for a War considered as unavoidable ,fatal,even whished for fullfiling a hystorical process ,has been to many nations the principal preoccupation ,towards which all the energies were polarizing ,for which all the sacrifices were made.In this way was to the Japanese ,Germans and even Bulgarians.It was not the same for us.

It is true that for some decades,the school-specially the secondary one ,inspired by postulates expressed by the great guides of the national conscience -in front with Eminescu(poet),Iorga,Goga-have done a loot to creat a new spirit of the younger generation ,rising her in the national spirit ,which had the supreme expression in the ideal of wholing the nation in a single bundle.Did she succeed in forming up the Romanian soul?The probe of War puts us in the face of a worrying question.The task we took over our shoulders wasn't maybe too hard for our strengths?It is ,ofcourse,firstly about the spiritual forces ,the ones that command to the material powers.We dared to make a great Romania!

A painful suspicion crosses the minds of those used to think,to analize ,to disecate our actions ,their mobiles and the used energies:maybe we wern't prepared for such a great deed.Exited too soon from a slavery wich lasted long time(Ottoman) and left uncleared marks,in haste to do in a short time what others have made in centuries ,mixing the ancestral bread with all kinds of new elements ,not enaugh caught by the land,we took things easy and thought that the great postulates are acomplished with sounding talk and less work ,with improvizations without depth ,with the hope of luck and without serious preparation.It is about,ofcourse,by these qualities seen on the ethnic plane as a property of the hood ,as it is seen in the mass of the nation ,as to the leaders she chooses ,or which she supports in her temple.Over a great chapter of social pedagogy ,of forming of the character ,we have been deficients.We did not had the school of serosity ,of foreseeing ,of tenacity of work for an ideal.In short,we did not had enaugh stregth of character,quality wich sums up and resumes all the gifts of civic spirit-in the lower masses ,and especially in the upper class.Because,ofcourse,not the entire leading class has arrived to be spirited by the national ideal-understood in all its aspects-and ready to sacrifice all that has better in his being-until the most extreme one.The materialism,made by the haste for a comfortable living,and the scepticism which paralizes the elan for higher goals,were propagated by the social ambiance ,lead by the people under the shield of party politics.

In general,this world was dominated by superficial ideeas ,wrong,about the evolution of the circumstance of general politics.

Few decades ,we have considered war as impossible,in the worst case as improbable .Our belief was neutrality,our program ,of state:a peaceful economical evolution.The realization of the national ideals :fanasies of febril heads which gave ,in the years of youth ,circumstance for agitation and quiet down with age .Our foreign politics was inspired by the fraid of Russia and by the need to attache to the Central Powers,which guaranteed our pecefulness and evolution.To this need we have sacrificed entirely the national aspirations whic,alone,could have constituted the engine of an energic action.The prudence of our foreign policy /politics was legendary now.We were proud,when Europe gave us the prize of well behaviour.The alliance with Germany and Austro-Hungary kidnapped any independence of thought ,any veleity of independent action.We were like the hanging plant which cannot live but only supported by her suport.We did not even thought to seek power in ourselves;it was so easy and safe to find it at the neighbour!From this cause we got used to consider the Army as sensless and burden institution .Not only to the masses but even to the Army itself ,missed for a long time the real preparation for the war;the training was superficial,the marchings were made more for parades ,firing to the target neglected -it was a common thing the lack of seriosity of the training officers ,which fired in to the wind for fulfilling the number of cartridges/bullets obligatory.The organization ,filled with birocracy ,which kills the real soldier's virtues.

All of a sudden ,in the middle of this dreaming,a cruel awekening.The cannon was thundering and recalled us to reality.All the national problems ,eliminated from our calculus of official diplomacy ,were set up on the wall with brutality ;their solving could not be made with the help of the Austro-German protector ,but against it,through fight.


The war entered in the calculus of most close probabilities and it was finding us with the ranks of our Army unorganized.Then,the run after officers .For forming up of the active ones ,was populated over the brim the military schools,emptying the superior classes of the highschools ,not always by the most distinguished students ,bu in genere, by those who saw in the military career the means to create quick a budgetary shelter.For the officers in reserve were called up the graduated of the middle schools of all kinds ,comercial ones,censervatory ones ,then the whole learned mass.It has been in this way fabricated in haste an officer corps which gave the ilussion of the ranks of a numerous Army.The compozition and value of this Corps were very unequal;few elite elements ,next to many elements weak.The Army whith which we entered the War did not have omogeneity ;it could be felt the febril character of her organization :a lot of improvization ,a lot of superficiality ,a lot of trust in "Romanian's luck",in inspiration of the moment and in "the protection of our great Allies".

It is true that during the War some nations ,as the English and Americans(Northern) ,have proven that in a few months can be formed from an educated young man ,a good officer.But his training at the troop was given to an experimented instructor and was made with an outstanding method and intensity under direct influence of War itself ,almost under the fire on the enemy.This instruction went over the fundament of a strong moral education and physical one ,earned in the family as in school and was lightened by the flame of a burning patriotism ,streamed rom the proud rase ,from secular warior traditions .We cannot say the same thing about the face in which it has gotten to the point of more than double the effectives of officers of our Army ,in the eve of 1916 campaign.

The cultural and social currents in our country did not allow the evolution of our Army as an unitary organism,with a single colective soul.It could only be the icon of the society ,with its contrasts and lack of solidarity of the two classes composing it.Not enaugh evolved in their economical and cultural evolution,having the weakness of indifferentism of a poor material condition .On one hand ,the great masses of the population ,and such of the Army ,did not know yet well ,or ,in the best case,were not in the situation to be spirited by national ideals,the supreme target for which supreme realization were made our War preparatives.The sentiment on which could be counted more was that one of fulfilling with hollyness of the one's duty ,of the ancestral obedience towards "the great ones".On the other hand ,in some upper blankets of the society ,a state of soul spirited by a fierce egoism/avarism ,by a hasted scepticism ,by the cult of appearances could not help at forming up of that elit corps ,to know to spirit the masses ,by personal example ,the duty of supreme sacrifice for great victories.

........


A great part of our generation grew up with the ideal of ensuring of a better living,with as less efforts as possible.

The most pretious quality was the ability with which you could succeed in life ,going around systematic work .All the admiration was for the slik ones which"now how to spin".The ideals and serious work provoked smiles and despise;it was the indices of naivity propagated by deeds of the family ,the society ,and sometimes even the school.

Armies rose up from the middle of nations ,of which exponent they are.The fights of the Armies are the fights of nations ;these ones pay for mistakes ,with which they made their lives of state and institutions.The souls steel ,characthers strengthens by hard fight of life .We have been the spoiled children of luck and of a rich country .We got used to wait everything from her and not give anything back.We needed ,though ,the bitter lesson of defeat ,to learn what we didn't know to find out earlier,that we also have holly duties ,which may not be payed but only with the light of inteligence ,with the power of the arm and with the sacrifice of blood.

A new school was made thus,without knowing,during the fights and in the midst of sufferings of all kinds of our military desastre .Her result is the new spirit which will soul the nation and the Army during the second part of our War.It will bring us reabilitation and victory.

[1] Cf.E. Ludendorff,Souvenirs de guerre,tome I,Payot,Paris 1921.

[2] On the Southern Front of the Balkanik Peninsula -at Salonic.

[3] See K.A.Jeansen ,Der Kaizer und der General.Die Fuhrungskrise um Bethmann-Hollweg und Felkenhayn(1914-1916),Musterschmidt Verlag,Gottingen ,berlin ,Franfurt,Zurich

[4] Haig ,Sir Douglas (1861-1928) ,British General and then Feldmarshal (since 1917),Commander of the British Expeditionary Corps fighting in France

[5] Luigi Cadorna (1850-1928) ,Italian General ,Chief of of general Staff ,General of Italian Army.

[6] Albert the I-st ,King of Belgium(1909-1933).

[7]Aleksandru I-st Karaghorghvic,inheriter Serb Prince and then King of Iugoslavia (1921-1934).

[8] At 20th of July 1916 ,the Italians unleash an offensive during Battle of Trentino,in Travignolo Valley ,then ,at 6th of August begin the 6th Battle of on Isonzo.In ansamble the results have been far from expectations.

[9]During the brusilov offensive ,the Russians occupy Luck at 6th of June 1916,opening the ways of access at South of Nistru towards Cernauti.

[10] Theatre of Exterior Operations.

[11]Wilson ,Sir Henry ,British General ,Chief of Operational General Staff (1911-1913)-he had great functions during the Great War.

[12]N.M.Castelnau(1850-1916) ,French General.

[13]But where to take them from...?

[14]"Theatre of operations"-Special Service of the French Army.

[15]Horatio Herbert Kitchiner (1850-1916) ,British General,War Minister in the years of the Great War ,disappeared in a naval catastrophe in 1916.

[16]The offensive in Champagne ,on Western Front ,was made by the French during 19-24th of February 1915.Hevy fights took place at Champagne in September 1915 ,October 1915,and January 1916 etc.

[17]War Ministry of Great Britain.

[18] After the military defeat of 1915 campaign ,in the last days of 1915 and beginning of 1916 the Serb troops retreated towards the shore of Adriatic Sea ,from wher Allied ships transported them for remaking in Corfu Island -Greek-under Allied control.

[19]At 5th of August 1916 ,the Bulgarian troops have unleashed an offensive entering on Greek territory ,in Monastir region then,at 19th of August they have advanced in Strumei Valley and in sector Monastir ;at 20th of August the Bulgarians have damed the French-Serb tentative of offensive on Macedonian Front.This front stabilised in sector Lake Ostrov(21st of August).Only at 17 th of September 1916 a new offensive effort ,Allied,on the Macedonian front has trained the conquering of Florina.


[20]About this decission see Fritz Fischer ,Griff nach der Weltmacht,Die Kriegsziel politik des kaiserlichen Deutschland 1914/18 ,Dusseldorf ,Droste Verlag 1967.

[21] See Popa M.N.,Wirst World War 1914-1918 ,Chapter IV ,Peace tentatives ,contradictions and disputes between Allies.

[22]Russian Chinese convention of 27 March 1898,imposed by Russia ,established the leasing by Russia of Chinese city Port Arthur -in Extreme Orient ,on the shore of Pacific Ocean .The Zarism has transformed Port Arthur in to a formidable fortress ,considered inexpungable .But sieged by Japanese during the War with Russia in 1904-1905 ,the fortress has been forced to surrender .

[25]Andre Tardieu (1876-1945),newspaper man and influent politician ;connected with the History of First World War -La paix,paris,Payot ,1921.

[26]Alexandra Feodorovna (1872-1918),Principess of Hessa ,Zarina of Russia (1894-1917).

[27]See A. Viroubova,Secret Journal (1909-1917) ,Paris,Payot,1928.

[29]See Russian Secret Documents ,1914-1917,Paris ,Payot ,1928.

[30] A.A. Ignatiev ,General and diplomat,Russian;P.Suvalov-Russian diplomat .Ignatiev and Suvalov linked their names by the Russian Zarist politics ,especially by the epoch of Oriental Crisis in years 1877-1878.

[31] Cabinet D.Loyd George was in power in period December 1916-October 1922.

[32] Admirable desorganized.

[33]Close colaborators of Emperor Napoleon Ist ,Joachim Murat (1767-1815),Cavalerist,Marshal of France ,King of Neapoli(since 1808);Louis de Colaincourt (1772-1827),General.Duke of Venice.


(Volunteer Seargent Gheorghe Donici ,who fell on 10/23 November 1916, during the Charge of Robanesti)

photo5.jpg

(Moment during the fights for defending Azuga locality)


(Position of Romanian troops during the fights in Transilvania-September 1916)


(Moment from the fights of Romanian troops supported by civilian population for defending Tirgu-Jiu)

(Scene from Cerna Fights,October -November 1916)

(The Great Romanian-Russian Headquarter at Birlad,from left to right,Col.E.Nicoleanu,King Ferdinand and Generals.Saharov,Bielajev,Berthelot etc)

(The Charge at Prunaru)


(Romanian soldiers in the trenches during the fights for defending Carpathian Mountains line)


(The fight of encountering between Romanian units and German ones in Turnu Rosu(Red Tower) Pass)


(Romanian field battery changing position under enemy fire)

r

(General David Praporgescu,Commander of Lotru Detachment and then of I-st Romanian Army Corps,fell heroic in the Fights on Olt Valley 30 September/13 October 1916)


......after Battle of Ciresoaia,the end of 1917 Romanian Campaign.From Constantin Kiritescu- 1921 ,Gral. Aristide Razu ,translated by Andrei Radu Georgescu 2003:CF:BF29:8606:6454:8553:E442:82A6 (talk) 19:23, 26 June 2020 (UTC)Razu2003:CF:BF29:8606:6454:8553:E442:82A6 (talk) 19:25, 26 June 2020 (UTC)Razu

...But it seems I cannot sign them when logged in .So I signed with Razu not logged in ,instead.I see all nationalized properties and many things in Aristide Razu article ,gone with the wind.Is it because of ssians wanna by bought kings romania or because of Winston Churchill article or just in general last venties ..or so.Thank you.Aristiderazu (talk) 19:31, 28 June 2020 (UTC)Aristiderazu[reply]

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