Author(s): Ioan Codruţ LUCINESCU
Publication name: Romanian Intelligence Studies Review
Publisher name: Mihai Viteazul National Intelligence Academy
Publication type: Journal article
Publication date: June 30, 2015
Pagination:
Issue/ Volume: 13/2015
DOI:
Abstract :
The Intelligence and military counterintelligence Section of the Ministry of War
and the Department for General State Security (DPSG), Ministry of Interior, in addition
to providing counterintelligence support to Romanian army units, in order to counteract
the actions of the Central Powers, gathered intelligence during two years of neutrality
(1914–1916), employing complex actions of collecting information in Transylvania.
With support from Romanian patriots in the territories under domination of
Austria-Hungary, networks were created in Transylvania, Banat and Bukovina aimed at
gathering information for political and military decision-makers in Bucharest and
providing logistical support for the Romanian army’s advance in these historical regions.
On 14/27 August 1916, after Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary,
formally entering World War I, Romanian troops cross the border of the Austro-
Hungarian Empire into the much-contested province of Transylvania.
Despite the fact that, during World War I, Romania faced major problems, the
sacrifice of Romanian Transylvanian Patriots was not fruitless, as, at the end of 1918,
Great Romania was created, for the first time in history (unfortunately for only about
two decades).
Keywords: espionage, Transylvania, World War I, intelligence gathering, the
Department for General State Security, Ministry of War, Romanian Army.
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