Antonescu's relations with Hitler

[Ghita Razvan]

As the war started the gemans saw that if they were to have good alies against the Soviet Union, they had to supply and train them. As the war progressed the germans sent PZ III and PZ VI to the Romanian Army as they were in stock, so that the Romanians could face the Red Army. This might be the cause why the Romanian Army was supplied with PZ III, PZ VI, Panthers etc. in more numbers than other Axis Alies but it can also be explained by the trust that Hitler had in Ion Antonescu. He was held dear by the Fhurer till the end. Few leaders alied with Germany were held dear by Hitler. Was the nature of the relation with Antonescu that gret which would determan Hiltler to send german tanks in a moment of great importances to the Romanian Army.

Regards.

[dragos]

There were no Panthers delivered to Romania. You can check the number and type of tanks delivered by the Germans to Romania here:
http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/viewtopic.php?t=102

In general, the orders on equipment were not fully honored by Germany, the deliveries being slow or incomplete.

[CCJ]

There are many pictures of Antonescu with Hilter and with German Generals. Why does Antonescu wear the Luftwaffe pilot's badge?

[Victor]

QUOTE

There are many pictures of Antonescu with Hilter and with German Generals. Why does Antonescu wear the Luftwaffe pilot's badge?

I believe it is called the Pilot's Observer Badge with Diamonds. He was a certified aerial observer, so Goering awarded him this piece of jewelry. Goering was himself awarded the Mihai Viteazul Order in all three classes. I think he appreciated the order's cape more though. :wink:

[johnny_bi]

This is a captured panther in Romanian colors?

Copy - paste :
http://www.clip-trade.ro/forum/viewthread....id=259&pid=2827

[dragos]

QUOTE

This is a captured panther in Romanian colors?

It's a post war photo (10 May 1946). The Panthers were delivered by the Soviets.

But what have this to do with our current topic (Antonescu and Hitler) ?

[CCJ]

As far as being awarded the Luftwaffe P/O w/ diamonds.. that makes since. Wonder why von Kleist received the Michael the Brave order in all three grades. I can see Goering but not Kleist. Manstein get the 2nd and 3rd and Kleist gets all three... :shock: Doesn't make since.

Thanks for the reply.

[mabadesc]

Inspite of what official requirements were stated for being awarded MV 1st class, I think this class had nothing to do with combat valor, but rather it was reserved for officers holding very high political positions. During WWII, the only two Romanian recipients were King Mihai I and Antonescu (both political leaders).

With respect to Goering and von Kleist, they also held high governmental positions in Germany. Manstein didn't.

That's my opinion, at least...

[CCJ]

You may be right.

You mean all but 2 of the 1st class awards were to foreigners. :question:

[Victor]

During WWII, yes.

[CCJ]

That doesn't seem right. I would think many Romanian generals would have been deserving of the 1st class.

[Victor]

The first class was mostly a diplomatic award. The 2nd class was practically the highest military award, as shown by the small numbers it was issued in.

[Carol I]

QUOTE

During WWII, the only two Romanian recipients were King Mihai I and Antonescu (both political leaders).

As king, wasn't Mihai the Grand Master of the Order of Michael the Brave and therefore the de jure holder of all its classes? In these conditions I do not think he could be named 'a recipient' of the order. Who signed his award certificate?

[Victor]

Probably he did.
It was the new version of the Order, so that is why he was awarded all three classes.

[Carol I]

QUOTE

Probably he did. It was the new version of the Order, so that is why he was awarded all three classes.

Do you happen to know the decree number by which King Michael has awarded ... King Michael ( :wink: ) the order? Or it was something that was done de jure and without a decree (i.e., automatically implied by the Grand Master position of the king)?