Bătălia de la Turtucaia. Context și implicații politico-militare
The Battle of Turtucaia. Background and Political-Military Implications

Summary/Abstract: The Triple Entente (France, Great Britain and Russia) and The Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy) were in a fierce arms race and war preparations, both of them looking for new allies and raw materials for leading the war. On 28th of June / 11th of July 1914, World War I broke out. As the war progressed, Romania could no longer remain neutral as it was decided when war started. There was pressure on the Romanian state and also promises. During this time, the 9th Infantry Division was deployed in the Quadrilateral. Division’s headquarter was established in Silistra city, 17th Infantry Brigade was in Bazargic city and 34th Infantry Regiment was in Constanța garrison. During this time, it was planned to fill the gaps in armament and the logistic materials. Also, the fortification works at the newly established sites were rushed and the old ones in Turtucaia, Silistra, Cernavodă and Hârșova were reinforced. In 1915 the armies of Bulgaria and Greece were mobilized. They declared that arming was “just a simple measure of precaution and not a hostile purpose against Romania”. In 1916, they were aware that against a superior enemy in numbers and arms, Romanian army was not able of a serious resistance in South Dobruja. On 14th of July / 27th of July 1916, Turtucaia and Silistra were put on the defensive positions. During night between 19th-20th of August / 1st-2nd of September, Bulgarian and German troops attacked simultaneously the entire sector of the front line from the Turtucaia’s bridgehead area. On 24th of August / 6th of September 1916, the military actions at Turtucaia were dramatic and the last ones taken in that area. After the defeat of the Romanian army at Turtucaia, in November 1916, most of Dobruja, except the Danube Delta, was occupied by the troops of the Central Powers until November 1918.

• Details
• Contents