The Romanian occupation of Pokuttia ( ro, Pocuția) took place in early 1919, when, as a result of alliances concluded between Romania and Poland, the former entered the southeastern corner of the former

Austro-Hungarian Austria-Hungary, often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire,, the Dual Monarchy, or Austria, was a constitutional monarchy and great power in Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. It was formed with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of ...

ruled province of

Galicia Galicia may refer to: Geographic regions * Galicia (Spain), a region and autonomous community of northwestern Spain ** Gallaecia, a Roman province ** The post-Roman Kingdom of the Suebi, also called the Kingdom of Gallaecia ** The medieval King ...

. During the

interwar period In the history of the 20th century, the interwar period lasted from 11 November 1918 to 1 September 1939 (20 years, 9 months, 21 days), the end of the World War I, First World War to the beginning of the World War II, Second World War. The in ...

, Romania was Poland's main ally in Eastern Europe (''see

Polish–Romanian alliance The Polish–Romanian alliance was a series of treaties signed in the interwar period by the Second Polish Republic and the Kingdom of Romania. The first of them was signed in 1921 and, together, the treaties formed a basis for good foreign relati ...

''). Both nations were bound by several treaties and history of this alliance dates back to the end of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. However, to actively cooperate, governments in Bucharest and Warsaw emphasized the necessity of a shared border. Discussions about the border started in Paris some time at the beginning of 1919 and continued during the following months. Cmt 1919

The proposal for occupation was first advanced by the Romanian government of

Ion I. C. Brătianu Ion Ionel Constantin Brătianu (, also known as Ionel Brătianu; 20 August 1864 – 24 November 1927) was a Romanian politician, leader of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Prime Minister of Romania for five terms, and Foreign Minister on seve ...

on May 8, 1919. Brătianu suggested this as a means to separate both Czechoslovakia and Hungary from Soviet influences, thus consolidating the position of both Greater Romania and the

Second Polish Republic The Second Polish Republic, at the time officially known as the Republic of Poland, was a country in Central Europe, Central and Eastern Europe that existed between 1918 and 1939. The state was established on 6 November 1918, before the end of ...

, as well as help the Poles get in touch with their Romanian ally. The proposal was accepted by the Polish leader, Marshal Józef Piłsudski and on May 24, 1919, the Romanian Army 7. Infantry Division, led by General

Iacob Zadik Iacob Zadik (also spelled Zadig or Zadic; hy, Հակոբ Զատիկ; uk, Якоб Задік; December 8, 1867 – April 8, 1970) was a Romanian artillery and infantry commander, who rose to the rank of divisional general. An assimilated ethnic ...

, entered Pokuttya. After three days, the Romanians met the Poles in the area of Kalusz. As Polish Army was involved in other conflicts (chiefly with the Soviets), the Romanians stayed in Pokuttia until late August 1919. Their units were stationed in such towns as

Ivano-Frankivsk Ivano-Frankivsk ( uk, Іва́но-Франкі́вськ, translit=Iváno-Frankívśk ), formerly Stanyslaviv ( pl, Stanisławów ; german: Stanislau), is a city located in Western Ukraine. It is the administrative centre of Ivano-Frankivsk O ...

, and Kolomyia. In late summer of 1919 Polish troops entered Pokuttya (''see Polish-Ukrainian War'') and the Romanians withdrew to their country. Also, the mutual cooperation resulted in Romanian permit for the free passage of the 4th Riflemen Division (under General

Lucjan Żeligowski Lucjan Żeligowski (; 17 October 1865 – 9 July 1947) was a Polish-Lithuanian general, politician, military commander and veteran of World War I, the Polish-Soviet War and World War II. He is mostly remembered for his role in Żeligowski's M ...

). This unit was kept in Romanian province of

Bukovina Bukovinagerman: Bukowina or ; hu, Bukovina; pl, Bukowina; ro, Bucovina; uk, Буковина, ; see also other languages. is a historical region, variously described as part of either Central or Eastern Europe (or both).Klaus Peter BergerT ...

for political purposes, and on June 17, 1919, the Romanians allowed it to enter Poland.

References

* http://manufactura.home.pl/zecernia/?p=10 * http://www.wspolnota-polska.org.pl/index.php?id=pwko70

External links

* Romanian stamps issued in occupied Pokucie {{Great Union 1919 in Europe Aftermath of World War I in Romania Occupation History of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Greater Romania Military history of Ukraine Romanian military occupations 1919 in Ukraine 1919 in Romania Pokuttia 1919 in Poland Romania–Ukraine relations

See also

References

External links