Romania 1939-1941

On August 23, 1939, the Soviet Union and Germany signed a nonaggression pact, entered history as the “Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, which contained a secret additional protocol that the two power divided Eastern Europe between them.

Shortly afterwards, on 1 September 1939, Germany attacked Poland starting World War II. Polish Army was quickly destroyed and in addition, on September 17, the Soviet Union invaded the eastern part of the country. Romania allowed the Polish government and gold reserves, and the 50,000 refugees to transit the territory her.

After teaching French 22 June 1940 and the withdrawal of British troops on the continent, Romania has lost its most important allies. In these tions that the USSR occupied Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina on June 28, Hungary annexed Northern Transylvania on 30 August, and Bulgaria received on September 7 Quadrilateral. Romania was now reduced to two thirds of its original size.

                        Romania 1939-1941

On 6 September 1940, King Carol II abdicated in favor of his son Michael, who, on the same day the prime minister gave unlimited powers, General Ion Antonescu. The general decided to form a new government with the Iron Guard. On October 12 he arrived in Romania teeming with German Military. These troops had the task to lead the Romanian Army and to share their experience.Of course, to ensure control of oil fields and refineries. The next step was made on November 23, 1940, Antonescu signing the Tripartite Pact. Romania became an ally of Nazi Germany, and by spring of 1941, the Wehrmacht increase their presence in the country up to 370,000 people.

However, the Iron Guard proved to be more of a problem than a solution to Antonescu. The feeling was mutual, so that between 21 and 23 January 1941, attempted a coup Legion. But the General had the army, and Hitler’s tacit approval. Guard had been destroyed and its members killed or arrested. The leaders managed to flee to Germany, where Hitler held in reserve in case Antonescu would betray him. For the moment the general had chosen instead of fascists.

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