Ion Antonescu
prime minister of Romania during World War II, executed for war crimes (1882–1946) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ion Victor Antonescu (15 June 1882 – 1 June 1946) was a Nazi-allied Prime Minister of Romania, who called himself Conducător and ruled from 4 September 1940[1] until 23 August 1944,[2] when he was toppled in a coup. He was executed for war crimes in 1946.[3]
Ion Victor Antonescu | |
|---|---|
Ion Antonescu | |
| Prime Minister of Romania | |
| In office September 4, 1940 – August 23, 1944 | |
| Preceded by | Ion Gigurtu |
| Succeeded by | Constantin Sănătescu |
| Conducător of Romania | |
| In office September 6, 1940 – August 23, 1944 | |
| Preceded by | Carol II (as King of Romania) |
| Succeeded by | None |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ion Victor Antonescu June 15, 1882 Piteşti, Romania |
| Died | June 1, 1946 (aged 63) Jilava, Romania |
| Nationality | Romanian |
| Political party | None, formally allied with the Iron Guard |
| Spouse(s) | Raşela Mendel (div.) Maria Antonescu |
| Profession | Soldier |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
Role in the Holocaust
When he was in charge of Romania and southern Ukraine, he actively facilitated[4] the Holocaust for Nazi Germany.[5] As many as 400,000 Jewish deaths could be attributed to his orders. Particularly, some considered the Odessa massacre, which killed as many as 100,000 Jews and reduced Odessa's Jews by 98.7%, as the worst massacre of Jews in the Romanian-occupied zone during WWII.[6]
The Holocaust in Romanian-occupied zone only stopped after he was toppled in a coup led by King Michael I of Romania on 23 August 1944.[7]
Related pages
References
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