Russo-Turkish War of Liberation 1877-1878

Chapter One - State of the countries, participating in the war, their armies and weapons at the start of the war

Romania

The creation and armament of the Romanian army is closely related to the struggle for national liberation. As a result of the autonomy obtained under the Odrin Peace Treaty of 1829, the kingdoms of Vlachia and Moldavia got the right to set up local territorial armies. They comprised infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Results were poor during the first years due to shortage of financial and human resources, lack of well-developed military industry and the resistance of the Ottoman Empire. During the 70s of the 19 th century, other reasons can be added to the list, namely the limited understanding and the underestimation of the matter by those governing the country and the army. The recruitment and organization of the Romanian army followed closely the model of the Prussian army, while the training was based on statutes taken from Belgium and Russia. Each citizen of age between 21 and 46 years was subject to military service. The army was divided into permanent and territorial, drawing its reserves from the reserve and volunteers' units. The militia and national guards, set up only in towns by drawing primarily on volunteers, were also part of the army.

The permanent army included infantry – marching and shooting units, artillery, cavalry – Hussar squadrons and territorial squadrons, engineers and auxiliaries. The duration of the military service was 4 years, followed by a transfer to reserves.

The territorial army had only infantry, artillery, and cavalry. The duration of the military service varied from 6 years for the infantry and the artillery, and 5 years for the cavalry, followed by a transfer to reserves. Individuals between 21 and 29 years old, who had not served in the standing or territorial armies, as well as volunteers of age between 29 and 37 years, were assigned to the militia.

The national guards' army was manned with volunteers of age between 37 and 46 years.

At the beginning of the war, Romania's army totaled 100,000, out of which 58,700 persons were recruited in the standing army.1 Its staffing was completed in June 1877. It was located at the Oltenia lowlands close to the river Danube, covering the right flank of the Danube army, which was heading towards Bulgaria. Being Russia's ally, Romania had subsequently participated with 35,000-strong army in the fights for Bulgaria's liberation.2

The armament of Romania's different army unit as well as that of the Russian army was of various systems. The main firearms at the disposal of Romania before the war were French percussion guns – 15,000 as well as Prussian guns and carbines Dreyse – 25,000. In the next years, more up-to-date rifles Pibodi were bought totaling 25,000 pieces.3 The established military arsenal produced revolvers and part of the cold arms – swords. The revolvers were Galand-Lebyau and a Romanian system constructed by Captain Vasile Buyesku.

A special commission was entrusted with the staffing and armament of the army. On February 3, 1876, the government voted 4 mln. Lei and 961,000 Lei were spent by the end of November of the same year.

The preparation for participation in the war, however, proved Romania's underdevelopment in this respect. That was the reason for the government itself to adopt a special program for the reorganization and armament of the army on April 9, 1877.