Conducting Research about WW1 Romania, Writing a short story.

I'm in the process of writing a short story that takes place in Romania during the first world war, and really need some help researching the culture, war effort and geography of the country during that time period, as I know next to nothing about Romania besides what the history books inform me.

This is a work of fiction (survival horror genre), so some liberties will probably be taken, but with that said I want the story to feel as legitimate as possible.

As far as the setting, I'm looking for a remote region as far as possible from any major cities...IE Bucharest, Sibiu, etc. Somewhere with heavy forests, yet productive to farming. I have read about sheep farmers living in the hills, although this was just my initial thought. Dobruja struck me as a viable place, although I can't find any info about farmers in the area.

I'm also curious about foreign involvement during the war. I know the treaty of Bucharest was signed, and then Romania re-entered the war in 1918, although were there any instances of allied troops in the country besides Russians?

I also don't know if this is the right place to ask, but I'm looking for reference photos of typical dress styles of Romanian civilians during this period. I've scoured libraries everywhere but have failed to find anything.

Basically the story involves a young farm boy who is forced to act as bait for American (I'm assuming there wasn't much American involvement in Romania during the war?) troops who have come to secure oil reserves from the Germans during the occupation of Dobruja. The soldiers are stranded in the woods, cut off from any major railways, bases or towns by ancient creatures of Romanian legend. (Based on the children's game "Black Monster.") They plan to execute a massive gas attack, but use the captured boy as bait to lure the creatures from the woods.

I'm just looking for a legitimate setting, and possible time period during the war that this could take place, in-probable as it may be.

Thanks for any info anyone would be kind enough to provide!

If its going to be as you describe

then there is absolutely no need to worry about details.

But there were NO American troops in Romania at anytime of WW1,

and certainly no gas used by any of the armies in the country as far as I am aware.

Kevin in Deva.

Try looking through the "Life" magazine image archive for Romania. PLenty of photos there...

I see.
Although, from a fiction standpoint, would it be allowable to suggest a small force was sent to try and reclaim the oil fields, in turn secretly helping Romania reclaim Dobruja, even if History never recorded such a thing? Or is this TOO far fetched?

Dobruja is the small piece of land between the Danube and the Black Sea, some 170 km East of Bucharest. The most important oil fields were near Ploiesti, 60 km North of Bucharest. There is no oil in Dobruja.

Did any rural Romanian's speak any Russian or German during that period, or was this uncommon as well?

This post has been edited by Vision on September 04, 2009 07:31 am

It is sure germans didnt used gas in war with Romania? I believe I read somewhere about german gas atacks in ww1 in Ro. In late 1918 in Romania entered allied armies coming from south, from the Balcans.

This post has been edited by 21 inf on September 04, 2009 07:57 pm

Actually the German used gas against Romanian troops.

On 17 April 1917 the Germans launched a chemical attack against the 1st Vanatori Regiment / 1st Infantry Division in the sector Iresti-Putna. The attack was carried with artillery shells containing gas and inflicted 35 deaths and 50 incapacitated.

Another notable chemical attack was carried on 5 July 1917, against 24th Artillery Regiment / 14th Infantry Division, on a three km front in area Costieni, Girlesti, Moldoveni, S-V Namoloasa, but with little effect.

During the battle of Marasti, Romanian troops captured 1,500 artillery shells with diphosgene.

Hi Dragos,

that is very interesting news with regards the Gas attacks, seems we live and learn, thanks for sharing.

Kevin in Deva.

What is the surrounding area of Ploiesti like? I searched for photos, and found it on a topographical map, but it just shows light forests. Is this correct?

The terrain is more rugged and there are large forests to the North and North East. My advice is to better try with Campina, which is surrounded by wooded hills and much closer to the "wilderness". It also had oil fields around it and a big refinery since around 1900.

Awesome, thanks for the info.

Although here is a separate question, what percentage of the Romanian populace during WW1 knew english? I'm guess its few, save foreign ambassadors or well-schooled citizens.

Also I looked through LIFE's photo archive, and I couldn't find anyone on Romanian civilian clothing during that period. Are there any other references I should try, or did I just miss it on LIFE?

Thanks a bunch guys!

I m afraid they were more french oriented

And besides, the English knew much more French in those days (unlike Americans). So how about a French or English soldier in that American unit?