The Battle of Marasesti in Romania 6-19 August 1917

[razu]

Hi Robert.

It is time for the next map,the battle of 11th of August 1917.

I made it 600 pixels ,saved low,size 60k file,but it is not possible to upload.

Thank you.

Andrei

[razu]

The Russian defection and Romanian sacrifice

On the Romanian front ,the artillery fight lasted all day,taking part to it also the 14^th Romanian Division artilleryfrom the left of Siret river.The Romanian infantry attack was set for 4:30 in the evening,to give more time to the exhausted troops for rest.All the preparations were made.The show of the Russian cavalry troops going martial towards the battle line,where the German attack has started not long ago,whas filling with hope the romanian’s hearts.It seemed that this time the Russians will put up a fight.Wile the artillery was thundering ,both sides,and the Romanians troops were waiting with apprehension the signal for beginning the attack,all of a sudden an event took place,as upsetting as it was unexpected. Eight minutes befor the set hour for attack,the commander of the 9^th Romanian Division received the news that the Russians at his right side-71^st Russian Division-had broke the fight and are retreating! From the command post of the division ,one could see ,herds and herds of Russians ,running in precipitation to the north,through the win- grapes yards ,at the left of the driveway.This retreat was inexplicable ;the German attack has just started a short while ago. The runaway ,thus,was not the effect of the fight ,but to the decision of the revolutionary committees of the army.The coincidence of the fixed attack hour for the Romanians with the said Russian retreat gave character of unsaid gravity to the attack.Ther was not time for reflections or comments though. The situation becomes critic. On the tracks of the runaway Russians ,appeared the German infantry in pursuit ,and on the other hand, the set hour for the attack was signaled ,and the whole front of the two divisions, not knowing what is going on at their right side, started to move. According to the orders , the attack will be given powerful at the left ,by the 5^th Romanian Division;and in connection,the left of the 9^th Romanian Division has to advance itself, pivot ing around 9^th Division,which had to remain firmly on her place.

On the front of the 5^th Division,the 7^th Regiment has started the attack at 5:30;the same enemy machinegun nests,undestroyed by artillery,have stopped its advance.

In front of Doaga village,the front of the 8^th Buzau Regiment was drawing a curved line, nearing the village in its advanceat around 30-200 meters.Crouched in their individual masks,dug in the eve and over night,the soldiers could not move at all,without being cut by the enemy fire ,retrenched in front of them.At the set hour ,the Romanians get out of their trenches and haste to attack. The enemy receives them with a rain of weapon- fires and machineguns,fired from the houses attics,from the windows,from the trees.The lines of the Romanians are slept to the ground;the first attack company is completely wiped uot.From the direction of Strajescu,the Germans start a flank attack,the Romanian left retreats.The attack has failed.The division commander orders general retreat back to the start positions.The retreat is executed over the night ,in order,unobserved by the enemy which,happy that he went cheap,does not pursue.

On the front of the 9^th Division,the battalion of the 35^th Regiment from the left, attacks in the same place in which in the eve, became graveyard, of the 9^th Hunters Regiment,manages to pass the railway,but going over the same undestroyed strongholds of artillery ,and over the same machinegun nests,he remains at the edge of the driveway.The center of division-one battalion out of 40^th Regiment-gives the assault with enthusiasm ,advances without counting the heavy losses and gets into the first enemu line,in the valley of Susita seaca.He remains isolated though,to advanced from its left side and its right side,which stayed unmoved because of the neighbor Russian’s defection .In the face of the peril of remaining with the flank of the division uncovered, General Scarisoreanu elongates the front at the right side with one of the battalions from the sector reserve, which manages to hold for a moment in place the Russians, also.

As General Scarisoreanu was taking measures to face up the desperate situation, General Christescu received o news,which has given the present situation an even more dangerous turn.General Ragoza,t he commander of the IV-th Russian Army, without consulting or at least let know his ally,the commander of the Romanian army, with whom he was sharing the fight ,has given the order to suspend the attack. Under the impression of this order,a general state of panic spreads through the mass of 71^st and 34^th Russian Divisions,which were situated to our right.A precipitated an unorganized retrat has started on the whole front of these divisions .Big masses of troops have left their positionsand retreat on a depth of 4-5 km,stopping only along the railway and driveway Marasesti-Panciu,west of Marasesti.Through the large breach made in the Russian front the germans advance now in big masses ,like the waves of a furios water which has just broke the walls holding her.Morgen tokk advantage of the occasion which appeared and pushed forward with strength the concentrated troops of the 12^th Bavarian Division and those ob the left wing of the 76^th Division.It was the decisive attack which will decide the fate of the battle.In front of his numerous forces,the terrain was free,an on the right were the poor and fewed troops of the 9^th Romanian Division with her flank completely uncovered.The german flow .advancing fast along the driveway and of the railway,in the flank of the Romanian troops,occupies the trainstop(a smaller railway station) Tisita ,crosses further the Sugar Factory,,pivoting to the right,fells behind the 9^th Division,attacking Marasesti village and Marasesti railway station.The situation of the 9^th Division is almost critical.Her front is turned in a 90 degree angle and violently attacked by superior forces from the south and from west as well. The telephone is sending quick appeals .But the army corps has no reserve troops available in the vicinity,which could send in help.From the Russian hedquarter the liaison officer transmits that there is a complete mess ,there;their commanders have no authority over the troops and do not know where they are also.So the Romanian division has to fight with her own means.It is the same fatality as at Topraisar and Neajlov ,which follows the heroic troops.Scarisoreanu bends his right,making front towards south-west.The three battalions of the 40^th Regiment find themselves in this dangerous corner.,bend in 90 degree angle,surrounded from three parts by the enemy,facing towards south,towards southwest and towards west,covering Marasesti.The Germans attack with violence. Their troops are many,rested and drunk with the easy success ,obtained against the Russians.The battalions of the 40^th regiment are surrounded and decimated by the enemy machinegunfires.The officers and soldiers fell one after the other and their resistance holds till they fire the last bullets.The regiment is like closed-down.The enemy has caught seven officers and 120 men; the rest has stayed to darken the battlefield,dead and wounded.It is the third regiment of the Division destroyed in two days.The martyr of 40^th Regiment,lateens the enemy giving time to Romanian units reach the front.T he 35^th Regiment runs to connect with the shaken Romanian front.He is received in fire of salve ,and cannot ease the situation of the 40^th Regiment,but assumes positions between Calini forest and the sugar factory(Fabrica de Zahar),north of Marasesti –Tecuci railway, forming a new front with the oblique direction,north-west-south-east.

At the right wing the danger is very big;the enemy infantry approaches Marasesti. The bullets begins to fall in the village batteries ,south of the village and even in the village ;one part of the artillery has to change position .To baraj the advancing of the enemy and to fill the gap, Scarisoreanu puts into the fight the last reservr:9^th Hunters Regiment>The hunters are running,meets the German troops that where advancing between the sugar factory and Marasesti railway,throws them back beyond the junction of the railway through the wine grape yards Negroponte,and reconstitute the frontline .facing south-west connecting with the left side of the 35^th Regiment.Surprised by this new attack ,just when they thought they definitely wone the game, struck in flank by the machineguns installed in the buildings of the sugar factory ,hit in front by the fires of the troop that occupied the lines of the railway station and attacks facing southwest,the Germans stop and give up the fight.It was night and the darkness obstructed the operations .The fight was over. Marasesti village,the railway and the sugar factory(Fabrica de Zahar) ,were ours. Before them was formed a new Romanian front.The intervention of the 9^th Hunters Regiment has saved the famous village.By night arrives an infantry regiment with an artillery division from the 13^th Division, which the commander of the army corps has send to help the division; he unfolds immediately at the right side of the hunters extending the new front ,searching for the connection with the Russians. The crisis has passed

The 5^th Division has to withdraw a little the right flank,to align it with the left one of the new front of the 9^th Division .A regiment of the 13^th Division has benn brought here during the night,to consolidate the connection. The Germans confess that their divisions,216^th and 76^th have sufferd this day great losses, because of the Romanian artillery fire on the eastern shore of Siret river; amongst other things, three heavy morttiers and two cannons of 105mm have been damaged by our bombardment.The airplanes bombers have caused, also felt casualties.

In this way ends this great day, in which all the reserve power of the germans and the unorganizing of the Russian troops have united, for making the catastophy of the Romanian army and Moldavia.It was given that the cleverness and cold blood of the Romanian commanders, the iron arm and martyr of the soldier ,to rise again a barrier against the unleashed storming un-well-comers. The 9^th Division has closed the counting of three days of fighting ,of one of the greatest fights of Marasesti, in which she stood always in the middle of the rowing. She had the pain to number, 143 officers and 6300 soldiers lost, 135 machineguns and ten cannons out of service, but she coud affirm, that through this martyr ,she has closed the way of the enemy to Marasesti . The 9^th,10^th and 11^th of August ,are the glory days of the 9^th Romanian Division.

.......

[razu]

The 7^th and the 8^th days of battle

12^th -13^th of August. Changes in the Romanian Command.

During the night of 11^th -12^th of August ,an important move in the commanding of the fighting forces of Siret river ,has been decided at the big Romanian Headquarter and communicated to the I-st Army.

Between the commandments of the two armies, Russian and Romanian, which were fighting together at Marasesti, there wasn’t quite the harmony necessary in difficult situations ,like this one. Differences of conceptions and temperament created thus,a state of tension ,which became worse,between the two commanders.The actions of General Ragoza,sometimes without energy,othertimes without good will,,most of the times without the exact knowledge of the real situations,and without the love for the land which he was put to defend, have risen from the part of General Christescu energic protests.At his turn,the Russian general accused his Romanian comrade ,of delays an inconsecvence in taking measures in fulfilling the duties of the commune decisions.It is without doubt that the Romanian commander has received a task which was heavy on his shoulders and full of responsibilities.At the beginning of the battle he was all of a sudden in front of a totally unexpected situation and dangerous.Forced to take part to a great battle unleashed outside the sector of where his troops were,forced to send these troops in the spin of the battle ,one by one,without knowing precisely the line of the front which he had to occupy,nor the strength of the enemy with which he will have to measure,missing above all,the trust in the ally which was always leaving the inheritance of most desperate situations,Christescu managed to fill in time the gaps left by the Russians and reconstitute ,even under the biggest pressures made by the enemy,a new Romanian front line,which was replacing the blown away Russian front line.Thanks to his measures and the heroism of 5^th and 9^th Romanian Divisions,which ave taken the hard, of the first two days of the battle ,the danger was past for the time being.It is the great uncontested merit of General Christescu.But the actions of general christescu rose up discontent not only from the commandment of the IV-th Russian Army,but also from the Big Romanian Headquarter.It was imputed to the general some hesitations in the measures he has taken by Him…..;they did not correspond to the intentions and instructions of the Romanian Headquarter.At 7^th of August, evening,t he Hedquarter asked the commander of the I-st Romanian Army,to transport the army troops on the right shore of Siret and form there a manouver mass,whit which could proceed to attack But the movments of the army would be executed slowly. From this point of view,the defensive action as the offensive one from the first days of the battle,in its principal sector, were gave to or given by the Romanians ,with weak forces:only two divisions. In the critical and full of responsibilities ,in which Christescu was,he thought feet to proceed with extreme caution,and not to empty the right shore of Siret, moving all the troops on the right one,But the shortening of the effectives of the I-st Romanian Army ,in numerous small counterattacks ,given with weak units,without the perspective of decisive succeses, was not well sighted by the Big Hedquarter;to continue in this way will peril the favorable unfolding of the battle. The untrust in the most precautious spirit of General Christescu and the worsening disaccord between him and his Russian counterpart ,made the High Romanian Commandment to take a dangerous decision: To sacrifice the commander of the I-st Romanian Army.The “thing” of the Romanian commandment of the I-st Army, kept till now in suspense ,was given the defensive solution. General Christescu wich held this commandment by delegation was given another assignment and the command of the I-st Army was given to General Eremia Grigorescu. In the Officer’s Corps and to the public in general, in which General Christescu was enjoying a good reputation, have had a bad impression .Especially ,that he was ,erroneous, as cause ,a violent conflict with the Russians and was considered as a satisfaction imposed by the Russian commandment. The impression ,became even more unpleasant when found out that ”to ensure the coordination of the efforts of the IV-th Russian Army with I-st Romanian Army”, the two armies commandments have been united under one,given to the Russian General, Ragoza. Fortunately ,naming General Eremia Grigorescu ahead the I-st Army produced a calm effect ,though; the personality of the Oituz defender was inspiring.

Important movement of units,have changed the Romanian-russian front line.The VIIth Russian corps,made out of Divisions:34^th,71^st and 13^th,was incapable of fight any more;his divisions were reduced to effectives of 1000 bayonets each.The 13^th Romanian Division took its place,elongating to the west the right wing of the 9^th Romanian Division.Further to the right,Russian Divisions 14^th and 15^th,which have been till then on Vrancea front,were taken from there and intercalated with the Cavalry Division Zamurskaia,between Russian Division 103^rd and 13^th Romanian Division,reconstiting thus the VIIIth Russian Corps,from Iresti to Panciu.The place of the Russians on Vrancea front has been occupied by elongating the Romanian Dovisions, 12^th and 3^rd.Other Romanian divisions were on the point of taking place on the fighting front.The 10^th Romanian Division was marching from Tecuci to Nicoresti;the next day she was supposed to cross the Siret onto the right shore.The 15^th Division was at Negrilesti,10 km north of tecuciThe 14^th Infantry and Cavalry Division were maintaining their positions on the left shore of Siret river,in front of the 212^th and 303^rd German Divisions.With this face,the composition of the Russian- Romanian front was,as follows(at the end of July):to the right,from Iresti till east of Panciu,the VIII-th Russian Corps(General Ielciaminev) made out of Divissions 103^rd,15^th, 14^th and Cavalry Division Zamurskaia.At the center,the V-th Romanian Corps(General Istrati),made of Divissions 13^th,9^th and 10^th-the last one in reserve.At the left side the VI-th Romanian Corps(General Razu),made out of Divissions 5^th,14^th and Greceanu Cavalry Group(one Division and three Brigades),the last two ,of them,on the left of Siret river.It has started to arrive in the army area , 15^th Romanian Division, as army reserve.

[razu]

Panciu Battle

The German commander took fight dispositions for the day of 12^th of August.In the wave of the heavy fights in the eve,the offensive force of Morgen’s Corps has weakened. On the other hand, the idea that only on the Russian front it is possible to obtain an important success, was stronger.Von Eben was ordered to suspent the action against the Romanians and to aim his attacks with full strength against VIII-th Russian Corps ,moving the action west,in the region of Panciu.The Alpine Corps,new elite and fresh unit,has ben intercalated in the VIIIth German Corps .General von Wenninger will retake the offensive with a group made out in the center by the Alpine Corps,sustained on the right by 115^th German Division,and on the left by the 62^nd Austrian Division and by the Galwitz Group.The action will evolve together with Gerock Group,from the Rohr Army,in Oituz valley.

In two days of fights, the Germans, attacking the Russian forces which were weak resisting,have made quick progresses and conquered one after the other a multitude of localities.Satu Nou(The New Village),Crucea de Jos(The Lower Cross),Dumbrava(Smallforest),Valeni(like valley but masculine gender…),Clipicesti(wink-ing),Burca, have been occupied at 12^th of August.Tirgusorul –Panciu,Crucea de Sus and Serbesti have been occupied in the morning of 13^th of August. The 115^th German Division, looking to enlarge her front,at the right wing,came into contact with the 13^th Romanian Division, which occupied the ex-sector of the VII-th Russian Corps, and had to stop there. In this way, the Germans have managed to conquer the lines of the heights which dominate Susita Valley.from the north.The whole Russian front ,till Iresti was shaken and pushed back.The Germans were in front of the hills of Iresti,Muncelului,Straoanelor and Minastioarei, making in the depth of the Russian positions a big entering angle. From here,they were threatening the whole flank of the Romanian line from the east,to Siret river.On the Romanian front of the Vth Army Corps,the counteroffensive given on days 10^th and 11^th of August, have not been pursued because, if the 13^th Division, fresh and intact unit,was able to fight the enemy, the 9^th Division was completely exhaustedand incapable to make an offensive gesture. Thus ,it was renounced whatever velleity of counteroffensive and was decided to proceed to fill in the blanks and and organize the defensive of the new positions.The Germans have given in these days ,small attack of fixation,sometimes with big patrols ,sustained by artillery, to distract one’s attention from the principal action given on the front of the VIII-th Russian Corps. They have all been rejected by artillery fire and machineguns. The strongest attack was made on 12^th of August on the front of the 13^th Division; it was brilliantly rejected by a counterattack of the 50^th Infantry Regiment ,which made the enemy run away making bloody losses, of around 200-300 men, gaining 200 meters of terrain in depth.

.......

[Robert Dunlop]

Thanks Andrei. I am back home now and will start work on the maps for you. I received the latest versions that you sent me. The present day maps of the area are especially helpful.

Robert

[Robert Dunlop]

Andrei, here are some of the photographs that you sent me. First, the group photograph in front of the Engineers' Momument, which commemorates the crossing of the Siret River:

And the two photographs of the bas reliefs at the bottom of the momument:

Robert

[Robert Dunlop]

Here are the two maps that you sent that have not been uploaded before:

Robert

[razu]

Rober,

Wow!

Thank you.

Andrei

The first picture is made in 1929,wehen General Aristide Razu retierd,he is the one in the middle,the monumet is the Hero Monument of Geniu.At the foot of the lyon is a german cannon with the Kaiser's Helmet.And on each side has a basorelief .These are two of them and I photographed them 2-ish weeks ago,as the Monument still stands.

The Maps

First map:Battle from 11th of August 1917

I'll read from left to right the lines of the map

R .9 vinatori=9th Romanian Hunters Regiment

Via Negroponte=Negroponte grapes growing,Marasesti=Marasesti Village Cosmesti Deal=Cosmesti Hill

Spre Panciu=towards Panciu,Fabrica de Zahar=sugar factory,R35Inf=35th Infantry Regiment

COsmesti Vale=Cosmesti Valley,D71/34Rs=Russian 34th Regiment/71st Division,Padurea Calini=Calini Forest

Padurea Prisaca=Prisaca Forest,Gara Tisita=Tisita treinstation,D.9R.=9th Romanian Division,Satu nou=New Village

D.12 Bav=12th Bavarian Division,D.76G.=76th german Division

Second map:Razoare Battle

legend

Teren definitiv cistigat de romani=Terrain defenetly won by Romanians

Teren cistigat si apoi pierdut de germani=terrain won and then lost by the Germans

Teren definitiv cistigat de germani=terrain defenetly won by the Germans

and then from left to right...Front Initial=Initial Front line,Front dupa batalie=front after the battle,corp alpin=Alpine Corps,Panciu=Panciu Village,D12Bav=12th Bavarian Division,D76G=76th German Division,Bratul Siret=Siret River arm,Marasesti=Marasesti Village

Padurea Razoare=Razoare Forest,cota 100=Height 100

D13=13th Romanian Division,D9=9th Romanian Division,d14=14th Romanian Division

D13AU=13th Austro-Hungarian Division,D115G=115th German Division

[Robert Dunlop]

No problem. It was the least that I could do in support of the material that you have posted. Thank you.

Robert

[bmac]

Andrei,

Just come to this thread and it is fascinating - and thank you for taking the time to translate it. The campaign against Romania is, I suspect for most of us, one of those brief episodes in general histories of the war but this brings it into much sharper focus. In order to more fully understand the war in all its aspects we need much more of this sort of material made available. Romania, Serbia and to a lesser extent Russia and Italy and even the French on the Western Front are areas we Brits need know a lot more about and thank you for making such an impressive start!

Regards

Bill

[razu]

General Eremia Grigorescu

In the morning of 13^th of August,General Ragoza, alarmed by the defeat suffered at Panciu and by the perilous situation of his Russian front,has decided to proceed to a great movement of retreat,which will bring the Romanian front at the same level with the Russian one.He has given thus the order to General Eremia Grigorescu to retreat immediately his troops with 6 km ,behind Marasesti,such that the new Russian-Romanian front would be established on the line Iresti-Diocheti-Modruzeni-Ionasesti.But the Romanian Commander could not go under such an order with an easy heart .Especially that this commander was named Eremia Grigorescu. The general was a great and impressive figure of our war.He was the embodiment of the classic type of soldier of pure rase,proud as a musketeer,brave as a medieval knight.To allthese,a solid military education and technical,a sharp eye and an iron energy.His robust optimism was finding the expression in romantic formulaes,which became popular,impressing the officer corps and the soldiers,rising thus their moral.His devise “you shall not pass through here!”became famous:with this fame has passed the General from the Oituz front to Marasesti front.He was domminating the most desperate situation by an undisturbed trust in himself and in the power of the circumstances. Once ,a shell of great caliber exploded near him,frightening the officers around him.The General have put them at ease with the words:”Do not fear when you are near me;it hasn’t yet been cast a shell to kil General Grigorescu!”.The Romanian commander has received with indignation the order of the Russian commander. The disposition was inexplicable:a retreat in bright day light,during heavy fighting with the enemy ,could have caused a real disaster.It also meant abandoning without fight a terrain of 3-6km wide,and above all leaving the Marasesti village which,after six days of most heroic fights,became the symbol of Romanian bravery and of defending by martyr the Romanian land. General Eremia Grigorescu respounded to Ragoza ,that he thinks that the retreat order is given as by inadvertence and he asks him to mentain the Russian troops at the right of the Romanians,at least till nightfall.An agitated conversations is made thus , through the Hugues apparatus ,between Grigorescu and the Headquarter.Grigorescu shows that the retreat would mean a disaster and must be stopped .Stopping the evolution of the enemy success on the front of the VIII-th Russian front,cannot be made by retreat,but by manouver.The Germans are also exhausted and their fighting resistance is not superior to our troops.General Prezan and General Serbacev are of the same opinion with Grigorescu.Their decisions are the result of this convince:if the Russian general does not count on the fighting force of his troops,then the Romanian troops will take over some of the Russian sector as well,stretching with the 13^th and 10^th Romanian Division to the height 334(a poin on the map ,and on a scale from 0 to 334 meters) north of Panciu.In the same time,the 14^th Romanian Division will have to cross Siret River,on the right side,in the back of the 5^th Romanian Division. These movements will occur in the night of 13^th-14^th of August.

The retreat order is canceled,and the line of the Romanian front,together with Marasesti village,kept.In the same day,at the request of General Prezan(Romanian),,Serbacev(Russian),takes from Ragoza(Russian)the Command of the Russian troops on the battlefield of Marasesti, and gives the Command to General Grigorescu .

By entering in the fight of the Divisions 13^th ,10^th and 14^th,the biggest and most important sector of the Marasesti battlefield is taken by the Romanian Army.The Russians are only keeping the three Divisions of the VIII-th Corps.The Commander of the Russian –Romanian forces is now General Grigorescu.Romania could breath easily now;defending the ancestor’s land was in safe- hands.

.....

[razu]

Andrei,

Just come to this thread and it is fascinating - and thank you for taking the time to translate it. The campaign against Romania is, I suspect for most of us, one of those brief episodes in general histories of the war but this brings it into much sharper focus. In order to more fully understand the war in all its aspects we need much more of this sort of material made available. Romania, Serbia and to a lesser extent Russia and Italy and even the French on the Western Front are areas we Brits need know a lot more about and thank you for making such an impressive start!

Regards

Bill

Bill,

Thank you!

Andrei

p.s....And Bill,You are cold as ice!

[razu]

The 9^th day,14^th of August

Chicera Fight

Mackensen continues the offensive started with the XVIII-th Corps,at his right wing, against the Russians. The successes of the last two days ,made him master over the Valleys of Putna and Susita.In the day of 14^th of August,the offensive will continue north,to conquer also the hills between Susita and Zabrautu Valley and then will descend in the valley of this river, on the line Fitionesti-Movilita-Diocheti.Conquering this new line and stretching over Susita Valley, towards Racoasa, it will be of outmost use for the offensive enterprise by Gerock Army ,at Tirgu Ocna and Vrancea,with which it had to go convergent. Makensen has also brought the 13^th Austrian Division, kept till now in reserve behind the right flank of theAlpine Corps ,which will be today , also, in the center of the attack sector. A powerful heavy artillery has been brought on the hills of Panciu , to hit in flank the Romanian troops neighbouring the Russian troops.

The attack of the XVIII-th German Corps was given against the sector occupied by the VIII-th Russian Corps, in the Panciu region.In the center of the Russian sector were, the 14^th Division and elements of infantry ,glued to the Cavalry Division Zamurskaia.The Russian sector was stretching east with the 13^th Romanian Division,disposed oblique,from the north –west corner of the forest”La Razoare” till 18^th kilometer of the driveway Focsani-Marasesti.

Behind theVIII-th Russian Corps,arrived 10^th Romanian Division .The troops arrived in the fighting zone in bright daylight, could not exchange the Russian troops, during the day. The operation has been postponed for the following night; this day, the 10^th Division will form up as a reserve for the 14^th Russian Division. The Russian commander could not give to the Romanian commander any information on the situation and forces of the enemy; moreover, he did not even knew the placement of his own troops!

General Cihosky disposed the two brigades of the 10^th Division, between Movilita and Diocheti, on the northern shore of Zabrautu. Beyond the valley, in a gorge has been massed the 10 Hunters Regiment .The artillery of the Division has not yet arrived on the fighting positions.

At seven clocks in the morning, the enemy artillery has started the bombardment with all the cannons of all calibers, over the Russian front ,especially between points height 334 Chicera and height 283 at Pirlita.The shells , shrapnels and grenades were falling not only over the ridges of the hill Chicera and the slopes which descend over the Zabrautu Valley,occupied by the 14^th Russian Division troops,bot also over the villages north of tha said Valley, where the Romanian troops were.The incendiary bombs have set afire many houses from Diocheti and Movilita,and the toxic gasses have killed many innocent inhabitants,women ,children,of which the orgy of war could not inch them of their places .At three in the afternoon, the bombardment has became extremely violent. The Russian artillery of the 14^th Division, hidden in the cornfields of the north shore of Zabrautu, answered with equal strength. The ridge and the slopes of the hills were covered by waves of smoke and gasses which were fantastically vibrating and dancing in the boiled atmosphere by the flames of the explosions and by the heat of this hot summer August day.

The German Alpine-ers ,starting from Straoane de Jos,Crucea de Sus, Panciu si Crucea de Jos, haste to attack at the Russian troops on Chicera Hill.The Russians are not resisting at all.they break the front,and start to run away in disorder, between grape-growings ,they downhill the slopes of the hill, towards Zabrautu Valley.The whole front line occupied till now by the 56 Russian Regiment ,with dominant high 334 point,is now emptied by the defenders and on the ridge start to show the German Alpine-ers, advancing in pursue of the Russians.

The consternation is profound in the lines of the Romanians, which were gazing at the depressive show”The Russians are running away! The Russians are running away!" Were shouting the soldiers of the 10^th Romanian Division,just as they shouted few days ago, the soldiers of the 5^th and 9^th Romanian Divisions. Fatal shout, characteristic of the strange brotherly collaboration of the Russians with the Romanians, which has become the repetition-motive of the Marasesti battle.

There was no time for thinking ,though.The situation was grave. In the gorge, where the 10^th Romanian Hunters Regiment was crowded,were beginning to arrive in run the Russian soldiers, unbanded, threatening to panic the Romanians .This was not supposed to happen. The Hunters unfold, for the time being ,only one battalion, and with the shining bayonet in the sun, they start to assault the ridge of the hill.

……

[razu]

……

But the Russians retreat becomes generalized; a breach is made to the right of the Hunters Battalion.The second Battalion joins the fight and now the whole Regiment is forming up for advance in line,which advances ,impetuous and brave, dragging with her the remains of the Russians, which did not catch to spread into the valley ,yet. Surprised by the unexpected apparition of the Hunters,the Germans,which thought they have in front only runaway Russians ,are folling back,followed zealously by the Romanian troops ,till the ridge of the hill. A violent fight is beginning on the whole stretch of the ridge.The brave Hunters are received by enemy machine gun fires, which garnished the the high 334 and the neighbouring heights. The enemy artillery ,having the distance already calculated, opens a crushing fire with all calibers cannons over the Hunters.From behind, the Russian artillery continues the baraj fire, without stretching the aiming ,so their projectiles fell also over the Romanian Hunters. Confused, with the raring lines, bombed in front by the enemy and in the back by the friend ,the hunters are attacked by fresh enemy troops with the bayonet and grenades.The elan of the hunters is broken by these attacks, and their raws begin to withdraw, leaving the ridge filled with dead and wounded. The Commander is asking for the help of the 20^th Brigade which was formed up in reserve. The 38^th Regiment unfolds with two battalions in the first line and with one in reserve, crossing in running Zabrautu and begins to climb the hill. Manhooded by the received help, the Hunters are returning and mixed with soldiers of the 38^th Regiment,together with few Russians, left between Romanians ,they start for the second time to counterattack. The fight is given with great violence , both sides; the two artilleries are throwing torents of fires, to one another, over lines and reserve lines. The Romanian commander gets into the first line of fight the reserve battalion.

To our right a new German attack, from Stranoare de Sus,towards height 322(the south-west corner of Lipitoarea Forest) ,runs away the Russians. One battalion of the 33^rd Romanian Regiment is sent over. He reoccupies the position,stretching the front of 38^th Regiment.The fight is now general on the whole line of heights from Pirlita-Chircea(Crucea de Sus),till over Straoane de Sus. Elbow to elbow , the officers and soldiers are heroic fighting.Captain Vasile Serbanescu,the Commander of a machinegun company of the 38^th Regiment, is personally leading a section which is advancing in the first line of the assault wave ,cutting the enemy raws and gets on to the ridge. The servants of his guns are falling one after the other, and the last one to fall is the Captain himself, with his finger on the trigger of machinegun. All the vigorous assault of the German Alpine-ers are ,sustained by the fires of their artillery have been in vain.The Romanian lines could not have been rejected anymore. But neither the 334 height ,the dominant height ,strongly retrenched and solid occupied by the Germans with machinegun nests, could not be conquered by our soldiers, which have fixed their position within 300 meters before the height;in exchange, the height 302,is still in our hands. Arround eight in the evening,with the eve of the darkness, the fight is over. The 10^th Division was baptized with honour on the battlefield of Marasesti. The 20^th Brigade,the only brigade to take part in the bloody fight at Chicera,as managed to save the situation, compromised by the Russians and to fix a strong front on the heights with grapes growings and forests between Susita Valley and Zabrautu Valley, not letting the enemy to pass into the last one.

Replacing the 14^th Russian Division by the 10^th Romanian Division,set for the night of 14^th-15^th of August,was made in this way,in the day of 14^th,under the fire of the enemy and in fight with himself.During the night,have occupied positions,replacing the Russians,the 19^th brigade as well as the artillery of 10^th Division .So at 15^th of August, in the morning,the 19^th Division was all on the front, with the 20^th Brigade from Chicera all the way to Dumbrava and with the 19^th Brigade from Dumbrava to razoare, where it connected with the 13^th Division. The 10^th Hunters Regiment ,heavily trialed in the fight of Chicera ,was put to division’s reserve.The positions inherited from the Russians had no serious defensive organization; one single line of individual masks(trenches), of half s meter deep,without any flanking or a band of barb wire fence. Thus ,all night and the next nights have had to work hard to deepen the trenches and to the stretching of the nets of wire, rectifying the front wherever was needed.

.......

[razu]

The Attack of Prisaca Forest

In the same time,as the advance of Weninger was stopped by the Romanian troops,which rose up like from the ground ahead of him, to the right of the IX-th Army,I n Morgen’s sector, the action was retaken after two days of relative repaus. The 5^th Romanian Division strengthened in Prisaca Forest ,was sitting like a spin in the rib of the I-st German Army Corps ,producing them losses by continuous bombardments and attacks ;she constituted thus a threat to any attempt of advance made by the I-st German Corps. So it was decided for the day of 14th of August, the conquering of Priaca Forest, named in a pompous mode the bridge head of Baltareti.

The railway Marasesti -Tecuci and the driveway Panciu-Tecuci,going together to cross the big bridge south of Cosmesti, were making together with Siret River a sharp angle ,which was edging from the north and from the west Prisaca Forest.The angle was closed from south-west by three lines of trenches with barb wire fence,making a deffensive system, which defends the bridge over Siret in front of Baltaret Village of the other shore. On this position were the hard trialed troops of the 5^th Romanian Division:8^th Buzau Regiment at the left near Siret and the 9^th Rimnicu –Sarat Regiment on the right side up to the railway, were connected with 7^th Prahova Regiment .Beyond Siret, on the left shore, were the troops of the 14^th Romanian Division ,of which four battalionsof Regiments 55^th and 54^th have been crossed this way ,as reserve of the III-rd Corps.

The Germans have concentrated against the Romanian position of Prisaca Forest the whole 216^th Division, which has been given to dispose of a very powerful artillery of all calibers, especially a lot of heavy artillery. The bombardment have started during the previous night and continued all morning. In the afternoon it has reached an intensity almost unknown till then. Shells of big caliber ,especially 150 mm, explosives mines, bombards, grenades, shrapnels, are beating like stonerain over the defensive workings. The terrain being weak in this sandy field of Siret River, the works are easily destroyed. The sticks of the wire nets are pulled altogether, the trenches are undone, burring alive the defenders. Clouds of smoke, of axfixiant gas and tear gas unfolds then everything in thick veil black-redish. It is complete blackness. It is an Inferno. At 5 in the afternoon the bombardment has reached paroxysm.Their effects are crushing.The entires of the first and the second Romanian defensive lines does not exist anymore; the strongholds of the third line are turned over as well. The phone lines, between battalions, artillery and commandments are destroyed. The soldiers in the trenches are killed by bombardment or axfixiated by gas and covered by the blowing Earth. The enemy artillery is elongating its aiming; She hits Cosmesti village, the bridge over Siret and the opposite shore, to stop any attempt of help. A cloud of axfixiant gas is waved down over the artillery of the 14^th Division; all servants of a battery(four cannons) are out of service. At 7:45 in the evening ,under the protection of a cloud of dust and smoke, the Germans are beginning their attack.One column, in the power of almost two regiments, attacks in the connection point of 8^th and 9^th Romanian Regiments.The defenders are few and weak. It is the 9^th day since the 5^th Romanian Division is in the first line of fire, receiving blow after blow; the effectives of the Division are reduced at one third of what was in the beginning, and the man ,unexchanged, are torn with exhaust at body and soul. The strongholds workings, destroyed cannot oppose any resistance; the soldiers of the Ist Battalion of the 8yh Regiment are pushed back and the front is broken. The enemy flow is pouring mor e and more and the breach is widened .The Germans open in three columns: one towards the left ,behind 9^th Regiment; a cental column, which pushes forward to enlarge and deepen the breach, aiming for the bridge. Unfortunately the 5^th Division has not disposed of reserve troops sided in depth.The shortened effectives ,are disposead almost on a single line and the few troops, situated behind, are to weak to reject the enemy with a serious counterattack. The 3^rd Hunters Regiment ,which was at Cosmesti - Noi,for rest and recovery, in the follow of the bloody fights of 11^th and 12^th of AAuugust, is brought up in haste and occupies the trenches on the left side of Siret, to stop the advance of the enemy over the bridge.

The enemy column in the right side has reached within 5 minutes the shore of Siret. Both Battalions of 8-th Buzau Regiment are surrounded and attacked from behind. The Command Post of the Regiment is surprised. One platoon with a machine gun section is trying a deffense, but is destroyed by the overwhelming forces of the enemy. A savage body against body fight and with grenades is ironing. The officers are making way through with the revolver; many are jumping in the Siret water.The French Captain Vernay dies touched by shell splinters ,when he was swimming across the Siret water; his body is thrown by the waves on the left shore ,together with his Romanian brothers , united forever by the indestructible connection of death for the same ideal .From the whole Regiment escapes a group of eighty men with eight officers which walk the enemy line and retreat 300-500 meters, positioning themselves in front of the bridge, on a line stretched between Siret and the railway.

The enemy column on the left side have made a surrounding move, turning the flank of regiments 7^th and 9^th-9^th Brigade-reached Siret Train Station;in the same time the enemy attacks the right side of the 9^th Brigade, searching thus to veil the Brigade on both flanks. The enemy artillery is firing violently behind our line, to stop the reserves troops intervention and trows waves of axfixiant gas ; our artillery respond with equal violence. One cannot hear or see anything anymore; everything is covered in black clouds of smoke, of gases and dust.The enemy columns have reached the back of our positions.The Battalion of 32^nd Regiment, which was in reserve, intervines in the fight, but is overwhelmed, surrounded and taken prisoner almost in totality ,with his commander. Of Regiments 9^th and 7^th ,some units are captured others retreat fighting.

The enemy throws himself towards the great bridge,of which conquer is a certain thing.Two artillery divisions of the 7^th regiment, placed on the right side of Siret River, have sustained the fight till they start to receive rockets on to the batteries(four cannons);then they received the order to retreat over the bridge of Ionasesti,to put into battery on the left of Siret, at Cosmesti Hill.

The situation is critical. It is saved thanks to the Units of the 14^th Division, situated on the shore of Siret, in the reserve of the IIIrd Corps. The 55^th Regiment is sent on the right ;he attacks the heads of enemy columns, which are stopped, manages the retreat of the rest of the 9^th Brigade and establishes himself on position along Siret River-the west arm of Siret-reestablishing the connection on the right with the 9^th Division.One Battalion of the 54 Regiment stops the enemy on a line between the Siret elbow and the driveway.The Romanian line is remaking itself, with this face, in front of the bridge. This resistance, united with the cover of darkness which was falling in the mean time, on the battlefields stops the Germans on the spot. They try during the night three attacks, which are rejected and the fight ends. The big attack enterprised by the Germans against the “bridge head” at Baltareti-Cosmesti, has succeded in part. The Prisaca Forest has fallen into their hands; the 5^th Division was destroyed. The Germans say they have captured almost 3000 prisoners,16 cannons and 40 machine guns. Avoiding a felt defeat ,for us ,in this point ,given the weakness of the troops of the 5^th Division, decimated in the follow of many fights and demoralized by the strong artillery attack, but with a waste of ammunition unprecedented ,on the front of Marasesti. But the principal objective, aimed by the enemy, have not been accomplished. The bridge over Siret is stil in our hands. And the front, broken for a brief moment ,has remade itself thus forbidding the advance of the enemy.

The next day ,the 14^th Division is altogether crossed onto right shore of the Siret River, and the great Bridge of Cosmesti-Baltareti is Blown into the air by our troops, cutting in this way the appetite of the enemy of ever setting his foot on to it,ever.

……

[Guest Bill Woerlee]

Razu

Mate, thanks for providing this information - it is something that has been denied to English speakers - especially in the antipodes - and I must say that this is the first time I have been exposed to the Romanian point of view regarding the description of this conflict.

Cheers

Bill

[razu]

From the 10^th till the 13^th day,

15^th-18^th of August.

The fights on Muncelu Plateau .

Inssured to the right wing by pushing the front to Baltaret-Cosmesti and the arm of Siret, Mackensen has continued in the following days the attacks at the left wing against the Russian front.In this direction was Mackensen hoping to find the decisive success which till no it escaped him,wit all the long,tough and bloody battle. Four days ,from 15 to 18^th of August, the action stagnated on Morgen’s front, which had ahead of him only Romanian troops and needed” to put in order his units”;she evolved on the contrary with a lot of strength on the Weninger’s front, from Iresti to Panciu.

In the day of 15^th of August, Weninger attacks with his left the VIII-th Russian Corps,at the union point of Divisions 15^th and 103^rd,south –est of Muncelu,after preparations of artillery and axfixiant gas.The 411^th Russian Regiment gives up, after a weak resistance, and the Russian front is broken; the neigbouring Regiment,410^th is also the 403 height point. The two Russian Divisions are thrown to the right side and to the left side ;the soldiers disbanded are running away and are brought , hard, back to the new positions, one kilometer north, by the cazacs of the 4^th Cavalry Regiment of Zamurskaia ,with lance hits and nagaica. The German Alpiners have occupied Stranoare ,Muncelul and are advancing towardsMingalaicu. he German front has taken here the form of a great angle, which enters deep into the line of the Russian front and is menacing by the flank the front of the II-nd Romanian Army and Varnita. Village.Under the influence of this favorable situation, the neighbouring Gallwitz Group attacks with the 217^th Division the Russian troops of the 103^rd Division, rejects them thus occupying the line Serbesti-Voloscani,at the edge of Iresti.

These operations have a grave repercussions over the II-nd Romanian Army.By her advance to Putna Valley,in the wake of the Marasti victory,the front of this army was exposed to flank blows. The advance of the Germans in Muncelul region have extended the left flank exposed of the II-nd Romanian Army thus growing the danger. As to not be surrounded in the bootom of the bag Vrancea, General Averescu retraced the too advanced line of his front. In the night of 13^th-14^th of August,the II-nd Army has left Putna Valley establish hing herself on a shorter line of Vizantea Stream. Not being able to count on the Russian VIIIth Corps,to go over his flank, General Averescu has seen himself forced to take care of this defense by his own means.He constituted thus from the reserve of the 3^rd Division and other troops available,the Flank Detachment Alexiu,which he pushed to the left,behind the Russian troops of the neighbouring 103th Russian Division.The advance of the German troops in Muncelul region has worsen things further.They were threatening with advancing along Susita Valley towards Racoasa.To put a stop to this dangerous advancing,the Alexiu detachment has occupied varnita and assumed position over Susita Valley,between Divisions 103^rd and 15^th Russians,which have shortened their front.The Romanian detachment is made out by 2^nd Regiments and 4^th Hunters,30^th Muscel Infantry , a mountain battery(four cannons) and two shell-ers;he is thus intercepting the direction of advancing of the Germans towards north-west,along Susita.

At 15^th of August,Alexiu attacks vigurously the Germans,which are surprised by the apparition of the Romanians in this sector.The Romanians are rejecting the Germans from the plateau ,reoccupy Muncel then Podisu Hill and the height point 395.Towards evening ,they bigin the attack over Stranoare Village ,they occupy the west side of the village reestablishing the connection with the 410^th Russian Regiment.The Romanian intervention produces a wonderful effect.Apart from the fact that they reestablish the situation on the terrain,thei high the moral of the Russian troops,souling them and dragging them back to the fight.Unfortunately,the Romanian detachment has to unorganise himself.The powerful pressure of Oituz makes necessary to organize a strong defensive at Onesti.Thus it is taken from Alexiu detachment the great part of te troops,and is left only enough for athin line atMingalaciu,as the Russians replace them at Muncelu.Just as they started these operations,on the day of 16^th,when the germans,informed about what goes on,attack again reconquer Podisu Hill and the southern side of Muncelu Village,threatening thus with the advance,again.It is clear that one cannot count on the Russians.Given orders are anulated,the 4^th Hunters regiment which was on its way to Onesti,is turned from its way,back,and Alexiu reattacks the Germans,as strong Romanian patrols are gathering back from the forest the run-away Russians of regiment 411^th and 412^th ,which were pulling behind our troops.A big artillery fight is given between the two adverse armies.Podisu Hill is strongly bombarded and cannot be defended by neither on of tehtwoo troops.The fight continues all night ending only in the morning,without a clear result,the two adversaries maintaining their positions.Muncelu is still in or hands.

Alarmed by the danger of braking of the front in this region,general Averescu prepeared an attack with the I-st Romanian Division in the flank of the enemy, towards the line Straoane –Muncelu.The big Romanian Hedquarter,sending in help the 214^th Russian Division,fresh and strong unit,which was thought as reliable ,the ploted intervention was not neded and the troops of the I-st Division had been retained for other urgent needs.

The trying of the Germans to break the front in Muncelu region,to climb up to Suta Valley,did not work out;the intervention of the Romanians,energic and in time,has come acroos ,this time as weel,the German advance.

.....

[razu]

On Panciu Hil

As the left of the XVIII-th German Corps was trying to conquer Muncelu Hill, and was stopped by Romanians like rose from the ground, The right wing of the same corp was fingering the in front terrain,to consolidate its positions and eventually push them on the Hills of Panciu and Chicera,with the direction,Zabrautu Valley.

In the night of 15^th of August the artillery of the Alpine Corps have started a violent bombardment over the right wing of the 15^th Russian Division, stretching then, more and more to the east ,over to the right wing of the 10^th Romanian Division ,up tol Panciu Hill ,height point 283.The infantry attack followed then over the two internal flanks, Russian and Romanian .Under the impetuous flow the troops, dizzied by the bombardmend, start to reel. Pretexting that no one came to exchange them from their positions, the Russians at north west are getting out of their trenches and run away. The platoon ,at the edge of 33^rd Romanian Regiment remaining thus without cover, retreats from its positions well. A gap is thus produced between the Romanians and the Russians, in which the Germans begin an attack from the direction of Minastioara, threatening to turn the Romanian right wing. The German attack is sustained by an artillery bombardment, very violent, which drowns everything under spins of smoke, dust and gases. The 33^rd Romanian Regiment resists with manhood, elongating his right wing. Behind him was the 10^th Hunters Regiment, gathered for rest and recovery after the yesterday bloodbath. Their rest was not long. In the face of danger, the Hunters leave their covers and haste again in the shrapnel fires and of machineguns of the enemy, from which they have just got out. Their raws are scissored .In half an hour six officers fell down dead and eleven wounded; between them the French captain Daru. A great help yelds. Seven batteries of the 3^rd Artillery Regiment and two shells batteries(obuse) ,at which three more batteries of the Russian front associates, they all concentrate an infernal fire on a stretch of almost 2 kilometers. The projectiles fall with a frightening precision. The French cannon 75mm is making ravages ,not only between the enemy infantry but also behind enemy lines, towards Stranoare and Chicera de Sus. In four hours of bombardment only the seven Romanian batteries have thrown 3200 projectiles. The enemy attack is thus stopped and drowned in blood. At nine o clock in the evening there was not one single enemy soldier in front of our lines, and the enemy artillery was completely dizzy.Even the enemy trenches at height point 334 were abandoned; the enemy reoccupies them over the night .The heroism of the brave Hunters and the energy of the artillery intervention have reestablished completely the situation. The Bavarian Alpiners have payed their deer with heavy losses.

Unlucky,in the evening of 15^th of August the Germans are trying again their luck in the night of 16^th.Taking advantage of the torrential rain, which was falling, covered by storm with thunders and lightnings, the enemy attacks by surprise, without artillery prepear ness ,at the center and at the left wing of the 10^th Romanian Division. Once the attack have started unleashes also the bombardment of the artillery.The intervention of our reserves and the artillery baraj we make ,rejects the attack, reestablishing the situation.

A new attempt, made a little to the west, between Chicera and Panciu, helped by the retreat of the Russians in the neighbouring sector, which has become by now an usual number of the German attack program, has put once again in peril the right wing of the 10^th Romanian Division. The situation reestablishes itself by the musketeer intervention of the 10^th Hunters Regiment and that of the artillery.

Our front being kept solidly ,the Germans are not making any serious attack attempts. The days of 17^th,18^th of August pass by in this way, almost on the entire stretch of the front occupied by the Romanian troops, in a relative quiet, interrupted only by the noise of the reciprocal artillery bombardment and of the patrols battles. The time is used for to consolidate the front line. T he remains of the 5^th Romanian Division are all together withdrew from the fighting line, and taken onto the left side of Siret River, to rest and reconstitute. The 14^th Division has taken her place, occupying in the night of 17^th-18^th of August the line Cosmesti din Vale(Valley Cosmesti)-Siret River. Her place on the other side of Siret has thus been taken by the 1^st and 6^th Rosiori Brigades.The Romanian front is constituted in this way, starting from Siret towards west, by the Divisions 14^th,9^th,13^th and 10^th,connecting with with the 15^th Division of the VIII-the Russian Corps. Behind the 9^th Romanian Division, at Padureni was concentrated the 15^th Romanian Division to exchange the trialed troops of General Scarisoreanu. The positions are strengthening, numerous defensive works are executed by the troops. In front of Marasesti, working hard, day and night, have been stretched new lines of barb wire fence. Other lines have been build, of precautious spirit behind Marasesti, at Ratesu of Haret.

…….

[razu]

Bill Woerlee,

Cheers Mate!

And Thanks!

Andrei

[razu]

Hi Robert.

It is time for the next map,the battle of 11th of August 1917.

I made it 600 pixels ,saved low,size 60k file,but it is not possible to upload.

Thank you.

Andrei

Robert,

I've send you the last two maps,croped and focused in,and also the other two basoreliefs of the Geniu Monument and the monument today.

Andrei

[Robert Dunlop]

Thank you, Andrei. I have received these and will upload them as soon as possible for you. It seems as if my email replies do not get through to you. Are they being blocked in a SPAM filter?

Robert

[razu]

Thank you, Andrei. I have received these and will upload them as soon as possible for you. It seems as if my email replies do not get through to you. Are they being blocked in a SPAM filter?

Robert

Robert,

Many thanks.

Question,I see that the Germans(or the Germano -Austro-Hungarianns) are always trowing with waves of axfixiant and poisonous gas.Were these legal ?

Andrei

[razu]

Unique Front

The best defence , was however, made by the soldiers will of fight, their unbroken energy; they were stronger walls than the best made strongholds. Nothing could high more the souls of the fighters nor great their courage in fight, then when they were seeing in their midst the crown heads of their country, sharing with them the same kind of dangers, same fears joyful by same wins .It was ,in the most hard time, the image of the most well made union of sons of the Kingdom, from the one who was wearing the crown of greatness and pain, to the one that was guarding the trenches with weapon, bound together in the same feeling; love for their kingdom, and the harden of one’s self to the supreme martyr, for the peace of their people .His Majesty, King Ferdinand of Romania ,himself, came in the days of most violent of battles, to examine the situation with his sharp eye, of the Boss, and stayed long hours in the midst of army headquarters of the commandments, not careful of danger, in the rain of shells and shrapnels.

Joyful by his presence, and his eye sights, and his words, the soldiers were ironing their souls and hundred their strengths. The shovel was hitting harder the Earth and the weapon was firing better at the enemy. In the whole Kingdom was only one feeling , ruling the souls; the front will have to hold! Any other hobby disappeared ; whatever differences of opinions, have disappeared; any other thought was turned off. It was as if only one breathing, paused only by emotion ,as if only one heart beating. To hold the front, that front for which solid bounding in an unmoved wall, by the King to the last peasant soldier, each one was tightening his last trace of will.

So as the horrible fight was unfolding, in the souls was falling down hope and rotted the hope and convience : the enemy will not pass!

……..

.........

[razu]

Hi all! this is my comment and I hope I'm not making any mistakes,that is comment mistakes.

Cheers!And enjoy the translation further....

Comment :(It has to be said that this front was never broken. Only years later(before WW2) by ambitious political fights , plots, treason within the army ,ungrateful and ambitious” romanians”,politicians and also old romanian families ,which instead of treasuring what they have…..and so on and so forth….)

Andrei

[razu]

`The fourteenth day,

18^th of August

Razoare Battle.

The prepear of the German decisive.

The Marasesti battle was lasting for almost two weeks. Thirteen days of heavy fights ,ended with serious casualties ,have not brought to the Germans a felt gain. In vain has the Marshall(Mackensen) moved the attack front ,when to the left, when to the right. Everywhere ,a metal resistance, unforeseen and unbeaten ,has rose up a wall in front of his heavy blows

At the right wing, in Morgen’s Corps sector, the Romanians have fixed the front near the line they have inherited from the Russians, runaways, to weeks before. The furious and repeated German’s assaults have pushed the Romanian front line with only 1 to 2 km ;then they stopped, exhausted and drowned in their own blood. At a rifle away from the enemy line, the heroic Romanian troops were keeping strong Marasesti, the key of the battlefield and symbol of the great fight.At the left wing,fighting with the Russians, Weninger succeeded to gain advantage, which was upsetting for the neighbouring sectors where the two Romanian Armies were fighting. But the Romanian intervention, whenever the Russian front was tilted ,and the quick reestablishing of the fight line, were always in the way of German success, which could not thus evolve.

Therefore none of the strategic goals pursued by the IX-th German Army, has not been touched(accomplished). Mackensen was not on cowardice way .Also the II-nd Romanian Army has not been captured. Over Siret River the Germans have croosed only as prisoners, and Adjud was only seen by the observers of the enemy planes, before they fell on to the ground. The German Army have been subjected to a blood sacrifice beyond precedent in the fights of the Romanian front .At 18^th of August, von Eben reports to Mackensen that the power of fight of the Divisions, which took part in the attacks, has lowered considerably ,in the wake of the losses they suffered and of the impossibility to replace them. The 76^th Division has reduced its effectives at 340 men per battalion .The 89^th Division to 400 men,other Divisions at 500 men in the middle.The hospitals in Focsani, Rimnicu Sarat and Buzau, were not sufficient for the crowd of wounded, although they have taken by force all the big buildings ,of state or private.In Bucharest Railway Station, the trains were sneaking by night carrying the unstopping wounded convoys.

Mackensen was unfocused .The perspective of a definitive failure on Siret was filling his soul with despy.His ego ,of “Fronts Breacker” was bleeding. Like to a cards player to which a persistent “bad hand” , manages to upset him and to push him to risked moves, Mackensen has decided to give an ambitious blow. The method of step by step progression in the Russian sectors was abandoned. She was to slow ,thus giving the Romanians the chance to substitute themselves in all the dangerous points to the Russians. This time he will get the bull by the neck attacking straight the fearest of adversaries. The offensive will be thus pointed to the Romanian front, to take out from the fight the only one dangerous enemy. The attack will be given by the most preferred methods of the Marshall: a punch applied, without counting losses or material, in one point of the Romanian front line; by the breach thus made, will get in the forces which will provoke the turning over of the entire Romanian front.

The big German Headquarter gives the green light ,and decided to give at 19^th of August a double blow: one violent offensive at Marasesti and an attack on Trotus front. The combined action of Mackensen armies and Rhor must, in the conception of the enemy commander,give the decisive victory, so long waited.

The fighting front at Marasesti has taken now the shape of a big obtuz angle. One side inclined from the north-west towards south-east ,going down from the heights of Muncelu to Siret Valley. At Cosmesti started the second side ,aiming south, along Siret River. On the whole stretch of this front, more than 60 km, from Muncelu to Suraia, it was only left ,as Russian troops ,only 14^th Basarabian Division, which has replaced the 15^th Division, on the heights north of Muncelu-Stranoare. In the right side of the Russian Division was the Alexiu Romanian Detachment, which was making the connection with the II-nd Romanian Army,at Varnita. At her left ,were aligned the units of the I-st Romanian Army; V-th Romanian Corps(Divissions 10^th and 13^th) and VI-th Corps(Divisions (th and 14^th),unfolding to Siret River. The descending side of the said angle was occupied by Romanian troops of Cavalry and by a big mass of Romanian artillery, especially heavy artillery, set on the heights of the right shore of Siret River.

Mackensen has choose for applying the decisive blow, the Romanian portion of front between Panciu and Marasesti. The position was occupied in this sector by 13th Romanian Division and what was left from the heavy trialed 9^th Division. On the map it draws an oblique line north-west-south –east, stretched from east of Dumbrava Village, where it was connected with the 10^th Division, passing then south-west of the Razoare Forest, cutting the railway Marasesti-Panciu close to the height point 100,cutting the railways Focsani-Marasesti and Marasesti-Tecuci one half kilometer south of the Fabrica de Zahar(sugar factory) to link with the 14^th Romanian Division near an arm of Siret River, one km or so further fromn the estern corner of Marasesti Village . In this sector, Mackensen proceeded in the days of 17^th-18^th of August to a new grouping of forces of infantry and artillery.Five infantry Divisions have constituted the attack group, which command has been given to Commander von Morgen. It was ,starting from north –west towards south-east,the 13^th Austro-Hungarian Division,in the right angle of the railway Marasesti-Panciu; The 115^th German Division ,in continuation, south –east of the first one;the 76^th German Division ,south of Marasesti;in reserve has been brought the 89^th German Division and set behind 115^th and 12^th Divisions.In the left side of the attack group was XVIII-th German Corps;at the right Divisions 216^th,212^th and 303^rd;they will sustain with all their infantry and artillery the primer blow, which will be given by the attack group. The five Divisions of this ,aimed against two Romanian Divisions were making, of course , a crushing superiority. The Marshall was sure that the day of 19^th will bring him the so long waited success.

......