Battle of Mărășești(1917)
Exact site. The pin marks a documented battlefield location rather than a broad area.
Mărășești Mausoleum at 45°52'19.927"N 27°12'28.746"E
Coordinate source: Wikipedia Mausoleum of Mărășești
Background
Mărășești, just like Mărăști, is part of the strategically important area of the Focșani Gate. Control of this area eases attacks into several Romanian regions. On 22 July 1917, the Romanians launched a joint offensive with Russia against the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army, around Mărăști and the lower part of the Siret river, which resulted in the Battle of Mărăști. Although there was some initial success, a counter-offensive by the Central Powers in Galicia stopped the Romanian-Russian offensive.
Campaign: Summer Campaign of 1917
Forces Engaged
The Battle
"Pe aici nu se trece!" (None shall pass!) — Romania's greatest WWI battle. The German advance was halted.
The Battle of Mărășești was the last major battle fought by the Central Powers against the Kingdom of Romania and Russia on the Romanian front during World War I. Romania was mostly occupied by the Central Powers, but the Battle of Mărășești kept the northern region of the country free from occupation.
“"They were no longer men — they were ghosts in rags, unwashed, unfed, but they stood their ground against the Prussian Guard." — French liaison officer, per Kirițescu
Casualties & Outcome
5,125 killed, 12,467 wounded, 9,818 missing (Romanian); ~47,000 total per German 9th Army records (commonly cited as 60,000–65,000 in Allied sources)
Romania achieved victory over German Empire.
In March 1918, Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk after Austrian-German forces had captured huge territories in the Baltics, Belarus, and Ukraine in February. That left Romania surrounded by the Central Powers and forced them to sign an armistice and the Treaty of Bucharest. German chemist Eduard Buchner, who won the 1907 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on fermentation, was killed in the battle at Focșani. His left femur had been injured by a shell at Bătinești on 11 August, and he died of his wounds two days later at a field hospital in Focșani, where he is buried. He had the rank of Major and commanded artillery units.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Saved Moldova and preserved the Romanian state itself.
On 22 July 1917, the Romanians launched a joint offensive with Russia against the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army, around Mărăști and the lower part of the Siret river, which resulted in the Battle of Mărăști.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Mărășești?
- The Battle of Mărășești took place in 1917. Aug 6–Sep 3, 1917.
- What was the outcome of the Battle of Mărășești?
- The Romania were victorious against the German Empire.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Mărășești?
- Saved Moldova and preserved the Romanian state itself.