Battle of Nagyszeben (Sibiu) 1916(1916)
Background
Romania had advanced deep into Transylvania in late August–September while simultaneously facing Bulgarian–German attacks in Dobruja. Falkenhayn specifically arrived from the Western Front with the mandate to destroy the Romanian threat. His swift counter-offensive exploited Romanian over-extension.
Campaign: Transylvanian Campaign 1916
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Falkenhayn's counter-offensive struck the Romanian 1st Army south of Sibiu. After four days of heavy fighting in mountain foothills, Romanian forces retreated through Carpathian passes back into Wallachia.
The Battle of Nagyszeben was a World War I military engagement fought between the forces of the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) on one side and the forces of Romania on the other side. It was the decisive engagement during the Battle of Transylvania, and also the largest, involving four armies out of the five fighting in the region: two Romanian, one German, and one Austro-Hungarian. German General Erich von Falkenhayn planned to surround and annihilate the entire I Corps of General Ioan Culcer's Romanian 1st Army.
“"Falkenhayn attacked with the precision of a surgeon — he found the joint between our divisions and drove straight through it. We had no reserves. The retreat through Red Tower Pass was the worst thing I witnessed in four years of war." — Romanian 1st Army staff officer, September 1916
Casualties & Outcome
~10,000 total killed, wounded, captured (Romania); ~5,000 total (Germany / Austria-Hungary)
Germany / Austria-Hungary achieved victory over Romania.
Relief from his command and disgrace awaited Popovici. Nevertheless, his retreat did manage to save the soldiers under his command. The Central Powers captured from the Romanian 1st Army 13 guns, 6 machine-guns, 2 aircraft (out of 3) and 3,000 prisoners. Other losses included 10 locomotives with 700 loaded railway wagons (300 of small arms ammunition, 200 of artillery munitions and 200 filled with baggage), 70 cars and trucks, a hospital train and a paymaster's supplies. Out of 16 Romanian artillery batteries, 13 guns were captured. Thus, "by some miracle", almost the entire artillery of the Romanian corps was saved. The loss of the 6 machine-guns captured by the Central Powers was more than made up for by Culcer's almost simultaneous offensive further west, during which the Romanians captured 7 machine-guns.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
First major German victory in Transylvania. Marked the beginning of Romania's disastrous autumn retreat from Transylvania, reversing all gains made since August 27.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Nagyszeben (Sibiu) 1916?
- The Battle of Nagyszeben (Sibiu) 1916 took place in 1916. Sep 26–29, 1916.
- Who won the Battle of Nagyszeben (Sibiu) 1916?
- The Germany / Austria-Hungary were victorious against the Romania.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Nagyszeben (Sibiu) 1916?
- First major German victory in Transylvania. Marked the beginning of Romania's disastrous autumn retreat from Transylvania, reversing all gains made since August 27.