Ion Antonescu Historical Figure Nationality: Romania Religion: Eastern Orthodox Date of Birth: 1882 Date of Death: 1946 Cause of Death: Execution by firing squad Occupation: Soldier, Diplomat, Politician Spouse: Maria Antonescu Turtledove Appearances: The War That Came Early POD: July 20, 1936; Relevant POD: September 29, 1938 Appearance(s): Hitler's War; Coup d'Etat Type of Appearance: Contemporary References

Ion Antonescu (1882-1946) was the Conducător (leader) and prime minister of Romania for most of World War II, after leading the overthrow of Carol II in 1940. He nominally was co-head of state with King Michael, but most of the actual power rested with Antonescu. A firm anti-Semite, Antonescu independently implemented policies, based on the Nazi model, that were responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 Jews. Under Antonescu, Romania entered the War on the side of the Axis. He survived one coup attempt by the Iron Guard party, a like-minded politicial rival whom Antonescu smashed with the aid of Germany. Antonescu allocated troops for the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941.

When the tide turned against the Axis, Antonescu attempted to reach a peace with the Allies in 1944, but was instead successfully toppled by a coalition led by King Michael. He was tried in 1946 for war crimes, convicted, and executed.

Ion Antonescu in The War That Came EarlyEdit

In 1939, Ion Antonescu was a power to be reckoned with in Romania, although Romania itself remained neutral at the outset of the European war. When American Peggy Druce considered travelling to Hungary and then Romania to get back to the United States, American diplomat Constantine Jenkins warned her that Marshal^[1] Antonescu and his followers might not allow her to cross from Hungary into their country, though this had more to do with frosty relations between the two countries than with anything related to Druce herself.^[2]

Antonescu kept Romania neutral until early 1941, when, in the aftermath of the "big switch", Romania declared war on the USSR, joining a substantial multi-national coalition^[3]

1. ↑ See: Inconsistencies in Turtledove's work.
2. ↑ Hitler's War, pg. 387
3. ↑ Coup d'Etat, pgs. 63-64, HC.

Political offices (OTL)
Preceded by Ion Gigurtu	Prime Minister of Romania 1940-1944	Succeeded by Constantin Sănătescu
Preceded by Carol II (as King of Romania)	Conducător of Romania (co-head of state) 1940-1944 With: Michael of Romania	Succeeded by Michael of Romania (as sole head of state)

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