The Probert Encyclopaedia of Warfare

CAPTURE OF TURTUKAI

The Capture of Turtukai was a German success of the Great War. On the first of September 1916, Bulgaria declared war on Romania, and her forces with German and Turkish supports, under the general command of Field-Marshal Mackensen invaded the Dobrula. On September the second his right wing advanced along the Danube towards Turtukai, which was defended by thirteen forts and a Romanian division.

During the next two days Mackensen attacked the line of forts with his powerful artillery. Having gained the highest point in the neighbourhood, he put his siege guns on it, and greatly intensified his bombardment. When his infantry moved to the assault, they were met by fierce Romanian counter-attacks, from which they suffered heavy losses, and their line also was swept by fire from Romanian warships in the Danube. On September the fifth, however, they stormed three of the forts, breaching the Romania front. On September the sixth the Romanians tried a desperate sortie from one of the forts, but were beaten back, and surrendered before nightfall. Romanian losses in the battle were bout 20,000 men killed, wounded or captured.
Research Capture of Turtukai