Battle of the Argeș–Neajlov(1916)
Background
Romania's Transylvanian offensive had failed. Falkenhayn's 9th Army pushed through the Carpathians while Mackensen invaded from Bulgaria, creating a strategic pincer threatening to trap the entire Romanian army before Bucharest.
Campaign: Romanian Campaign 1916
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Romania's last major counteroffensive briefly achieved local successes before Mackensen breached the line and Bucharest fell on Dec 6.
The Battle of the Argeș took place during the Romanian Campaign of World War I on 1 December 1916. The battle was fought along the line of the Argeș River in Romania between Austro-German forces of the Central Powers and Romanian forces with the Russian imperial forces.
“"The retreat was a calvary of mud and blood; the fields of the Argeș were littered with the wreckage of a nation's hope." — Constantin Kirițescu, Istoria Războiului pentru Întregirea României
Casualties & Outcome
~7,000 killed, ~11,000 wounded, ~20,000 captured (Romanian); ~20,000 killed and wounded (Central Powers)
Germany / A-H / Bulgaria / Ottoman achieved victory over Romania / Russia.
right|Austro-Hungarian cavalry entering Bucharest on 6 December 1916 After the battle, minor actions were fought in the fortifications surrounding Bucharest between the invading Germans and the Romanian reserves which had failed to arrive and the remnants of the defenders of the Sereth–Putna line, yet it was occupied by the Germans on 6 December 1916, Heavy rain and terrible roads were the only things that saved the remainder of the Romanian Army, which began to withdraw towards the Siret River and Russia, where the campaign drew to a close in January 1917. Romanian losses during the battle on the Argeș and the fighting that preceded it were very high, with about 300,000 being lost, around 150,000 of which were captured. In this same period, the Germans had suffered about 60,000 casualties.
Significance & Legacy
Fall of Bucharest — worst single disaster of the Romanian war.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of the Argeș–Neajlov?
- The Battle of the Argeș–Neajlov took place in 1916. Nov 30–Dec 6, 1916.
- Who won the Battle of the Argeș–Neajlov?
- The Germany / A-H / Bulgaria / Ottoman were victorious against the Romania / Russia.
- What was the significance of the Battle of the Argeș–Neajlov?
- Fall of Bucharest — worst single disaster of the Romanian war.