The neutrality (1914-1916)
Since the beginning of the open warfare, Germany and Austro-Hungary asked Romania on the basis of the 1883 treaty, to enter the war as their allies. But most of the politicians and the public opinion were in favor of the Entente, on which the ideal of national creation was bound. Therefore, after the crown council (3rd of August 1914), the Romanian government decided to adopt an official policy towards the world war.
During neutrality belligerent countries will exert strong diplomatic pressure aimed to obtain the military cooperation of Romania. Entente countries offering the Romanian provinces of the Austro-Hungary and the Central Powers recognized borders of Moldova previous to the year of 1812..
The liberal government led by Ion C. Bratianu has held secret negotiation with the Entente. The military successes of the Entente on the summer of 1916 and the last request of it “now or never” had determined the Romanian government to declare war on Austro-Hungary.
Military operations (1916 and 1917)
The Romanian army started the crossing of the Carpathian Mountains on the night of 14 to 15 August. Advancing heading up to Sighisoara, Sibiu and Hunedoara where they were grated by the Transylvanian Romanians. But the disrespecting of the commitments made by the Entente and the entry in the fight of the German troops commanded by general Mackensen had changed the faith of the Romanian offensive in Transylvania.
The Romanians were forced to retreat back to the Carpathian line, then the defense was pierced by the Jiu and the Zimnicea. Retreating to the East the Romanian army avoided being encircled, but the loss of troops on Neajlov and Arges, failed to stop the occupation of Bucharest (6th of December 1916). The king, government and parliament were forced to move to Iasi.
In the free territory of Moldova took place in the first half of the year 1917, restoration of the Roman army, which is equipped with modern means of struggle, similar to those delivered to the enemy. And the military mission of the French led by general Berthelot trained the Romanian officers and soldiers new methods of struggle characteristic of the war in the trenches.
The military operations in the summer of 1917 took place in the form of successive battles at Marasti, Marasesti and Oituz, were the Romanian armies led by generals Alexandru Averescu, Eremia Grigorescu and Constantin Cristescu, had stoped the enemy offensive. The slogan “There is no pass”! (“Pe aici nu se trece”!) became an element of belief for the Romanian soldiers who have managed to save the existence of the Romanian state.
The end of the war (1918)
The instauration of the Bolshevik regime and the disintegration of the Russian army made continuing of the resistance impossible. In these circumstances Romania was obliged to accept the tough conditions of the peace treaty at Bucharest on the 7th of May 1918. According to it Romania loses its Dobrogea and an important part of the Carpathian Mountains , the only good thing it had was the union with Bessarabia. The Entente’s victories in the summer of 1918 created conditions favorable to the reentry of the Romanians in the war and the Romanian army is mobilized again and it will pass the Carpathian Mountains to free Transylvania which will lead to the uniting of Romania.
There is a Romanian version in the section "forumul membrilor" for those who want
Sam Noi 15, 2008 1:32 pm
