Headstones in the Portuguese Cemetery in Neuve Chapelle, France. Portugal joined the Entente Allies in 1917. They were on the front line in Operation Georgette, the German Lys Offensive, the second German drive of 1918. The Cemetery is across a field from the Indian Memorial visible in the background. Nearby is the Laventie German Cemetery. © 2014 by John M. Shea

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Romania relied on Russia's suppport in 1917, with Russia holding much of the front while Romania rebuilt its army, and in combat in July and August. In July, as his offensive turned into a rout of his troops, Russian War Minister Alexander Kerensky telegrammed his commanders to take no offensive action. Romanians increasingly replaced Russians in the front lines as Russian soldiers, some simply gangs of armed men, made their way back to Russia. The Bolshevik Revolution and Russian-Central Power armistice left Romania with no choice but to negotiate its own armistice. Romania suspended military operations on December 9, 1917.

Negotiations between Romania and the Central Powers were drawn out. On February 8, 1918, Prime Minister Brătianu and his cabinet resigned. General Alexandru Averescu formed new government. The German and Austro-Hungarian Ministers for Foreign Affairs managed final negotiations begun on March 6. After repeated delays, Austria-Hungary's Ottokar Czernin threatened Romania's King Ferdinand with renewed hostilities. On May 7, 1918, Romania signed the Treaty of Bucharest. Parliament refused to pass it and was dissolved. King Ferdinand would not ratify it.

By September 1918, the Germany's spring and summer offensives had been stopped and the Allies had steadily pushed Germany back on the Western Front. Austria-Hungary had spent the last of its offensive capacity in the June offensive on the Piave. The Allied drive to retake Serbia — the Battle of Dobro Pole — was launched on September 15 against primarily Bulgarian forces. On September 26, the Bulgarians asked that hostilities be suspended. Defeated, Bulgaria signed an armistice on September 29. On November 10, Romania's King Ferdinand mobilized the army, and Romania re-entered the war on the side of the Allies.

Start Date: 1918-01-01

End Date: 1918-12-31

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