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Remembered Today:

Romanian Campaign of 1916,Defending the Carpathians


razu

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"In the Western part is the great ground stronghold,which could be considered as the most powerful fortification of thre enemy,like a key of Predeal.It has been completely crushed by heavy sheels.The result of the precission 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 trences and -shelter-trenches ,destroyed.This terrain filled with missfortune ,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 tht it seems as his last wish,to be aknowledged the words written on it.I lean down and read it:the dead was named Iancu Ion and was of 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 imensity 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 togheter 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 colrs of the national flag of Romania ,each with half a dusin of small bells of the sise of a nut ..."

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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 is 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 speak German",content that even for them, the War was over.

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.

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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 defencce 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 defence 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.

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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.

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For paralysing 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 envigorating ray of the awaited success.

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d)The Battle on Olt Valley

Death of General Praporgescu

After Sibiu Battle ,the Romanian Corps at Olt ,defeated and wekened ,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 Ciineni 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 dezastrous 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 beeing asigned 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 predecesor a difficult situation ,almost disperate ;he has made great efforts to organise 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 countet,for the time being ,enaugh to harras 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 decissions .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 equiped 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 missfortune 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 sheel 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 ,ofcourse 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 mountaineous 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".

Constitutting 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.The 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 neighbour regions had to be fixed by strong threatenings ,to not be send in the aid of the Romanian Army of Cimpulung .This action of aid of morgen will acomplish 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 defence ,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 Cimpulung and the other one through Curte de Arges .The success of this blow ,on either of the two ways ,produced,it would have been decissive for the success of the principal action,which 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 neighbour Group,from Cimpulung.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 arangement ,and its Commander ,,General Kraftt von Delmensiengen ,was one of the most apreciated 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 exchance,it was attached to it ;the 10th Alpine Brigade ,Austro-Hungarian,disembarked at 9th of Octobe 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 Infatry ,Prusian,taken by the I-st Austro-Hungarian Army,two Regiments taken from from Divisions 11th anf 8th Bavarian ,which were beginning to arrive on Transilvania Front ,as well as a Section of two armoured automobiles .Two Staffs of two Divisions have been attached to the Group;during the fights ,Krafft wil also receive the 216th Prusian 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.

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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 acompanies 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 mountaineous ,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 dropp 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 accidented(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 .

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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 Valley.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 organised 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 deads 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 neighbour 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 sheels 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 excelent 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 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 provissioning 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 mountaineous region,raw,uninhabited by no one ,was occupied by rare troops ,in small and isolated detachments ,with weak connections betwen them.Even the provissionings and relievings 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 signalled to the Commander of Olt Corps and followed step by step.The defence 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.In 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 Cimpulung ,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 organised 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.The 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 provissioning column with 36 horses with samars filled with ammo and food and with 50 guides.The enemy is taken by panic ;he begins a disorderly retreat towards North ,followed by Romanians,lossing 300 prisoners ,three smashed cannons ,munition,equipment.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.

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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 provissioning,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 abundent snow,with tremendeous 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 replenisments 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 diverssion.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 intervine to save their camarads 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 unsleep,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 lossing also two cannons of 53mm,and retreats on the elevation behind :Calugaru Mountain.

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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".

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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;especially 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 paralel with the mountaineous 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 Ciineni 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 Ciineni 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.

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e)First Battle at Jiu

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 Ciineni 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 coud 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 addmits 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,blizzards ,frost,icing, catch the troops in to the passes ,this would mean the paralysing of the war.The ice barrier will stop any attempt for advance 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"*.

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*Hindenburg writes:"We have established that the tactical sucesses 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 mountaineous 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 completelly ,when at 18th of October,a harsh winter covered with snow the mountains and transformed the roads into ice .Under tormenting sufferings and missgivings,,our troops contented to keep prepared the conquered mountain parts ,to begin the fight when the wheather and ocassion 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 enaugh 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,breakinthrough the Front in another place".

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Jiu Sector

Jiu Sector has been one of the most agitated during our War,although its excentric position seemd 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 possesion of Petrosani Pool(coal mines pool),for that,in the end ,the enemy action ,enterprized 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 neighbour sector ,of Olt Valley,to take part in the decissive 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 possesion of this or that mountain,which was going from one hand to the other ,without modifying esentially 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 decission of Falkenhayn has brought Jiu Sector on the first plane of our War.

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Organizing the German offensive at Jiu

The decission to try the breakthrough ,also at Jiu ,was supported by several considerations.Firstly ,it was the able of surprise.Romanians,completely absorbed by the defence 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 neighbour 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,do 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.

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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 decissive 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.

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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 dispozition 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 enaugh 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 choosen 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 Hedquarter.

The new grouping was very judicious .It acomplished the principle of forces -economy and permitted the manoeuvre on interior lines.It had ,however ,the disadvantage that it kept reserves too far from the threatened points,which could bring fatal delays,and degarnished the defence positions ,leaving them occupyed by not enaugh 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!

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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 the frontier of Vilcan Mountains,at 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,through 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 manoeuvre 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 rennaunced in some of the points at the artillery preparing.The German infanterists 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 ,Virfu 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.

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