Battles & Campaigns · 1916
Battle of Turtucaia
Tutrakan, Bulgaria
What happened
In early September 1916, Bulgarian troops attacked the Danube fortress of Turtucaia. Its main forts fell on 5 September. The next day a Romanian relief force was beaten, and the garrison surrendered that afternoon.
Why it matters
The loss shocked Romania's commanders and public. Romania had to pull troops out of its advance into Transylvania, giving the Central Powers time to strike back.
What came next
General Averescu took over the Romanian Third Army, and the German commander Falkenhayn attacked in Transylvania by the end of September.
Did you know?
Romanian commanders had called the fortress 'the Verdun of the East'.
Timeline
- 2 Sep 1916The attack on Turtucaia begins.
- 5 Sep 1916The main forts fall.
- 6 Sep 1916The garrison surrenders.
- 6 Aug 1917Battle of Mărășești.