Battle of Mărăști(1917)
Approximate site. The pin marks a locally accepted site or a nearby anchor point, not a survey-grade position.
Mărăști village, Vrancea County
Coordinate source: satellites.pro Mărăști 46.013, 26.845
Background
After the disastrous campaign of 1916, the Romanian army was reorganized with French assistance. The Battle of Mărăști was designed to prove the effectiveness of the reformed army and to boost morale in the unoccupied Moldova.
Campaign: Summer Campaign of 1917
Forces Engaged
The Battle
First Romanian offensive victory of 1917. The French-reformed army proved itself battle-ready.
The Battle of Mărăști (Romanian: Bătălia de la Mărăști) was one of the main battles to take place on Romanian soil in World War I. It was fought between 22 July and 1 August 1917, and was an offensive operation of the Romanian and Russian armies intended to encircle and destroy the German 9th Army. The operation was planned to occur in tandem with the Nămoloasa offensive; however, this operation was abandoned before it began.
“"The Romanian soldier has proven himself equal to the best in Europe." — General Henri Berthelot, head of the French Military Mission to Romania
Casualties & Outcome
1,469 killed, 3,052 wounded (Romanian); ~10,000 total including ~2,700 prisoners (Austro-German)
Romania achieved victory over Austria-Hungary.
By 30 July, the 2nd Army had won a 35 km wide and about 20 km deep bridgehead into the 1st Austro-Hungarian Army’s front. The offensive was stopped because the Allied Command had to adjust its initial plans. The new plan moved the 9th Russian Army from the Western Moldavian front to the Northern front to stop the successful offensive of the 3rd and 7th Austro-Hungarian Armies from Bukovina, which started on 19 July. Moreover, the 1st and 2nd Romanian Armies, along with the 4th Russian Army, had to expand their area of responsibility to compensate for the withdrawal of the 9th Russian Army. The Battle of Mărăști represented an important turning point in the evolution of the military operations on the Romanian Front, also raising the morale of Romanian troops.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Restored morale after the catastrophic 1916 campaign.
The Battle of Mărăști represented an important turning point in the evolution of the military operations on the Romanian Front, also raising the morale of Romanian troops.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Mărăști?
- The Battle of Mărăști took place in 1917. Jul 22–Aug 1, 1917.
- What was the outcome of the Battle of Mărăști?
- The Romania were victorious against the Austria-Hungary.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Mărăști?
- Restored morale after the catastrophic 1916 campaign.