When was Ion Antonescu born and where did he grow up?
Ion Antonescu was born in the town of Pitești, north-west of the capital Bucharest, into an upper-middle class Romanian Orthodox family with a deep military tradition.
Questions about Ion Antonescu
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What nickname did Ion Antonescu earn during his military career?
Ion Antonescu earned the nickname Câinele Roșu, or The Red Dog, due to his reputation as a tough and ruthless commander and his reddish hair.
When did Ion Antonescu become Prime Minister of Romania?
Ion Antonescu became Prime Minister on the 5th of September 1940, after King Carol IV transferred most of his dictatorial powers to him.
What disease affected Ion Antonescu's mood and decision-making?
Ion Antonescu suffered from syphilis for the rest of his life, which caused erratic mood swings from extreme anger to calm and back again.
When did Ion Antonescu die and what was the cause of his death?
Ion Antonescu was executed on the 1st of June 1946 after being convicted of war crimes by a Romanian military tribunal.