Focșani Gate

Control of the Focșani Gate allows entry into vast tracts of Romanian territory and several other regions of Europe.

[1] Concerns over Romania's defensive capabilities arose and studies were performed, starting from a plan drawn by Major Maximilian Schumann [de] from the Prussian Army.

To defend the Focșani Gate, the Focșani–Nămoloasa–Galați line [ro] was built between 1888 and 1893, using a large portion of the national military budget.

As defeat to the Central Powers looked increasingly likely to Romania in late 1916, the Romanian Army retreated to the Focșani Gate.

Romania had already withdrawn from the Axis a few days before as a result of a Royal coup d'état, subsequently being occupied by the Soviet Union and having a communist regime installed.

A map of the Focșani Gate
The Central Powers ' advances towards the Focșani Gate, 26 November 1916–7 January 1917
Soviet advances through the Focșani Gate, 23–31 August 1944. Red = Soviet Red Army. Yellow = Romanian troops. Blue = Axis forces, frontlines.