General Nicolescu: A Life of Military Service and Political Resistance
The life of General Nicolescu serves as a mirror to the turbulent history of 20th-century Romania. From the battlefields of the Balkan Wars to the highest echelons of government and the depths of communist prisons, his career was defined by a steadfast commitment to the Romanian state and its monarchy.
Early Military Career and World War I
Born in Bucharest, Nicolescu began his military journey during the Second Balkan War in 1913, where he served as a second lieutenant. His leadership capabilities became evident during World War I, where he rose to the rank of captain within a cavalry regiment. For his distinguished service, he was honored with the Order of Michael the Brave and the Legion of Honour.
Following the war, Nicolescu continued his ascent through the ranks. By 1923, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel, and between 1925 and 1927, he expanded his diplomatic and military horizons serving as a military attaché in Paris. In 1929, having attained the rank of colonel, he took command of the royal escort regiment.
Rise to Ministerial Power
The 1930s and early 1940s marked Nicolescu's transition into high-level military administration. After being named a brigadier general in 1936, he joined the Defense Ministry as general secretary in 1938. His political influence grew in May 1940 when he became an undersecretary of state in the cabinet of Gheorghe Tătărăscu.
His career peaked in the summer of 1940. After being elevated to divisional general in June, he served as the Defense Minister from July 4 to September 4 within the cabinet of Ion Gigurtu.
World War II and the 1944 Coup
During World War II, Nicolescu held critical strategic positions. In 1942, he was appointed the military commander of Bucharest. By March 1943, he was placed in charge of the 5th Army Corps of the 4th Army, under the command of Ioan Mihail Racoviță.
In August 1944, during the Second Jassy–Kishinev offensive, Nicolescu's Army Corps defended a 25 km (16 mi) wide front segment between Erbiceni and Rediu Mitropoliei, north of Iași, against the Red Army. Beyond his tactical duties, Nicolescu played a pivotal role in the political shift of the nation, being among the generals who organized the coup d'état of 23 August 1944.
Service to the Crown and Anti-Communist Resistance
From November 1944 until the monarchy was abolished in December 1947, Nicolescu served as the head of the royal household. As a palace marshal and adviser to King Michael I, he provided daily reports on the front lines and briefed the king on the deliberations of the higher army council regarding military laws.
As the political climate shifted toward communism, Nicolescu joined the Mișcărea Națională de Rezistență (National Resistance Movement) in May 1946, an early anti-communist group. This affiliation, combined with his royal ties, made him a target for the new regime.
Persecution and Later Years
In January 1948, the communist regime removed him from the army, and he was arrested in late March. He was sentenced to seven years in prison for "plotting an uprising," spending time in the notorious Jilava and Aiud prisons. During this period, his family suffered persecution and were evicted from their home.
Upon his release in April 1955, Nicolescu found himself stripped of his pension. To survive, he worked on commission at an agency of the Loteria Română. He once resided in a grand 16-room mansion built in 1890 on Știrbei Vodă Street, located near the Cișmigiu Gardens in Bucharest.
Key Facts
- Highest Rank: Divisional General.
- Political Office: Defense Minister (July 4 – September 4, 1940).
- Key Decorations: Order of Michael the Brave and the Legion of Honour.
- Political Role: Co-organizer of the August 23, 1944 coup d'état.
- Resistance: Member of the Mișcărea Națională de Rezistență.
- Imprisonment: Sentenced to seven years in Jilava and Aiud prisons.
| Period/Year | Role/Event | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Second Lieutenant | Served in the Second Balkan War |
| WWI | Captain | Cavalry regiment; decorated with Legion of Honour |
| 1925–1927 | Military Attaché | Stationed in Paris |
| 1940 | Defense Minister | Served in the Ion Gigurtu cabinet |
| 1944 | Army Corps Commander | Defended front north of Iași; helped lead 1944 coup |
| 1944–1947 | Head of Royal Household | Adviser and Palace Marshal to King Michael I |
| 1948–1955 | Political Prisoner | Imprisoned for plotting an uprising |
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did General Nicolescu play in the 1944 coup?
General Nicolescu was one of the generals who prepared and executed the coup d'état on August 23, 1944, which shifted Romania's alignment during World War II.
Which military decorations did he receive?
He was decorated with the Order of Michael the Brave and the Legion of Honour for his service as a captain in a cavalry regiment during World War I.
How was he involved with the Romanian monarchy?
He served as the head of the royal household, palace marshal, and a close adviser to King Michael I, providing reports on the war and military council discussions.
Why was he imprisoned by the communist regime?
He was arrested in March 1948 and sentenced to seven years in prison for "plotting an uprising," largely due to his role in the anti-communist Mișcărea Națională de Rezistență.
What did he do after his release from prison in 1955?
Because he was denied a pension, he supported himself by working on commission at an agency of the Loteria Română.