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Antonescu, Ion 1882-1946
Romanian general and dictator

Born into an aristocratic family in Pitesti, he served as military attaché in Rome and London, and became Chief of Staff and Minister of Defence in 1937. Imprisoned in 1938 for plotting a right-wing revolt, he was a supporter of Hitler. In September 1940 he assumed dictatorial powers and forced the abdication of King Carol II. He headed a Fascist government allied to Nazi Germany until 1944 when he was overthrown after the Russian victory, and then executed for war crimes.

Bibliography: Larry Watts, Romanian Cassandra: Ion Antonescu and the struggle for reform, 1916-1941 (1993)