Battle of Sellenberk (1916)


The Battle of Sellenberk was a World War I military engagement between Romanian forces on one side and Austro-Hungarian forces on the other side. It was part of the wider Battle of Transylvania and resulted in a Romanian victory.

Background

On 27 August 1916, Romania declared war on Austria-Hungary and proceeded to invade the Hungarian region of Transylvania. The Romanian campaign plan called for the Olt-Lotru Group of the Romanian 1st Army to secure the basin between Nagytalmács and Nagyszeben. The area between Nagyszeben and the northern exit of the Red Tower Pass was the designated assembly area for the 1st Army's Olt-Lotru Group. Opposing the Romanian invasion of Transylvania was the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army. Nagyszeben was occupied on 2 September by advanced troops of the Romanian 1st Army. However, the Romanians evacuated the city on the following day. Erich Ludendorff referred to this in his memoirs, stating that, after taking Brassó on 29 August, "Rumanian patrols were soon seen in Hermannstadt.". The Romanians were plainly apprehensive that, in order to keep Nagyszeben under occupation, they would have to extend their bridgehead-like formation beyond capacity.
The Romanian forces in the region consisted of the 1st Army's Olt-Lotru Group, which was placed by General Culcer under the command of General Constantin Manolescu.
Opposing the Romanians was the 51st Honvéd Division of the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army.

Battle

The battle for Sellenberk started on 7 September. However, on 8 September, following the German-Bulgarian victory at Turtucaia in the Dobruja, the Romanian High Command ordered a halt to the Transylvania offensive. Nevertheless, the battle was resumed on 10 September. That same day, the Romanian 1st Army entered Sellenberk.

Aftermath

On 10 September, the Romanian 1st Army captured Sellenberk, two miles southeast of Nagyszeben. This marked the end of the Romanian advance in the area for the ensuing fortnight. Sellenberk - where Michael the Brave had defeated the Hungarians in 1599 - became the center of the main Romanian position north of the Red Tower Pass.