A mixed Central Powers force – under German leadership but with mostly Austro-Hungarian troops – conducted a failed offensive into Romanian territory, south of the Turnu Roșu Pass.

[10] The Central Powers began advancing in the region on 16 October, aiming to pin the Romanians in place in order to facilitate a breakthrough at the Jiu Valley.

The Central Powers had attempted to outflank the defenses to the east of the Olt/Roter-Turm Pass, and succeeded in making good initial progress through the mountains before running into a determined Romanian counterattack north of Sălătrucu.

The Bavarian Guard Regiment slowly advanced down the Red Tower Pass, inching forward with frontal assaults against strong Romanian resistance.

If it weren't for a heavy snowstorm as well as considerable German reinforcements, the brigade which covered Krafft's eastern flank would have been entirely destroyed.

Krafft's western flank was also intercepted at the Pietroasa and Veverita Massifs on 16 October, and flung back with heavy losses towards Mounts Robu and Murgasu.

[11][12][13][14][15] One of the Romanian officers who fought at Sălătrucu, in the Topolog Valley, was major Nicolae Rădescu (the future Prime Minister of Romania in the immediate aftermath of World War II).

[20] Erich Ludendorff made the following appraisal of the events: And just south of the Rotenturm Pass General Krafft von Dellemsningen, with his Alpine Corps, reinforced by two Austrian mountain brigades, and, after the battle of Hermannstadt, met with a very stubborn resistance in covering the flanks of the Ninth Army, which was pressing forward from Kronstadt.

In spite of violent fighting, in which the Rumanians often counter-attacked, the Alpine Corps was able to gain but little ground south of the pass by the end of October.