Battle of Krajova

On October 27, 1737, the Ottomans suddenly attacked the Austrian force. The patrols, which the Colonel sent in the morning, were captured by the Ottomans, leaving the Austrians surprised. Major Baron von Zeblis immediately moved forward and found the Ottomans already arriving in the vicinity. Since it was difficult to defend Krajova with a small force of 600 or 800 men, they had to evacuate. The infantry evacuated, but the cavalry led by the Major remained behind to cover the retreat. The Major held the Ottomans for a long time enough but was forced to retreat due to heavy Ottoman onslaught.^[3][4]

At this time, the Janisarries advanced to the town, and the Major's forces were being heavily bombarded. The Austrians were forced to retreat to the town, and the situation involved street fighting. The cavalry managed to break their way out. Upon retreating, they found the infantry still in column behind the place, instead of having rushed to cross the plain to reach the forest half an hour away. They then began their march but were heavily attacked by the Ottomans; the Major still held out for the others to retreat. Meanwhile, terror had seized the infantry, which mostly consisted of recruits.^[5]

Resistance proved futile, and the heroic actions of the major ended in vain. The Austrians retreated towards Râmnicu Sărat.^[6][7]

• Gustav Ritter Amon von Treuenfest (1892), History of the Imperial and Royal Bukovina Dragoon Regiment (In German).
• Joseph Freiherr von Hammer (1831), History of the Ottoman Empire: From Carlowicz to the Peace of Belgrade. 1699-1739 (In German).
• Nicolae Dobrescu (1906), History of the Romanian Church in Oltenia during the Austrian occupation (1716–1739) (In Romanian).
• József Bánlaky: Military history of the Hungarian nation (MEK-OSZK), 0014/1149.The military operations of 1737.