Romanian river firepower at the Battle of Turtucaia

Romanian monitors helped oppose the Central Powers' advance towards the Danube Delta and supported the army around Turtucaia. Bulgarian and German forces captured the fortress and many Romanian prisoners. The victory is judged costly because the Bulgarian army lost considerable strength, mobility and experienced officers. Gunboats feature prominently in paintings of the battle, and river firepower was one of Romania's strongest local assets. Romania diverted forces from Transylvania and halted its advance there to secure the threatened Danube front. That diversion also helped German operations against the Romanian offensive. Control of a key river position thus affected the deployment of forces on another front.