Romania and the First World War

Military historian Major General Dr Mihail E. Ionescu discusses relations between Romania and Britain during the First World War. After two years of neutrality (1914-1916), Romania allied with Britain, France, Russia and Italy and entered the war with the aim of unifying the Romanian provinces under Austrian-Hungarian rule, and first of all Transylvania, with the Old Kingdom of Romania. Despite the courage and heroism shown in some fierce battles, the might of the Central Power armies and especially the defection of Russia after the Bolshevik coup left Romania agonising. The final victory of the Entente in 1918 would bring an unexpected, yet extraordinary, conclusion to the Romanian campaign.

This talk is in partnership with the Romanian Cultural Institute. It is accompanied by a temporary display in our Atrium from 15 June to 15 July 2018.