Constantin Vasiliu-Rășcanu

Constantin Vasiliu-Rășcanu (September 5, 1887 – March 19, 1980) was a Romanian infantry general and a politician who served as Minister of War in the First cabinet of Petru Groza from March 7, 1945 to November 29, 1946.

Biography Early years Constantin Vasiliu-Rășcanu was born on September 5, 1887 in Bârlad. He attended the Military School of Infantry and Cavalry in Bucharest (September 1, 1906 – July 1, 1908), in the same promotion as the future general Gheorghe Avramescu, being promoted after graduation to the rank of second lieutenant (July 1, 1908) and then as lieutenant on September 3, 1912. He participated in several meetings with civilians and military close to the Royal House, who planned the overthrow of the Antonescian regime, Romania's exit from the anti-Soviet war, and the return of arms against Nazi Germany.

After the Coup d'état on August 23, 1944, he led the military operations of the 5th Territorial Corps, managing until August 3, 1944 to annihilate the German troops that were in the area of the city of Ploiești and in the Prahova Valley. "For the way he distinguished himself in the difficult but successful actions of August 24–31, 1944, undertaken in the Ploiești region, for the liberation of the territory. Continuously in the field, in the midst of the troops encouraging them, he proved, in addition to his capacity, a personal courage and a firmness of character worthy of all praise".

Minister of War

Later, Vasiliu-Rășcanu held high-ranking positions in the Romanian Army. He was appointed on 7 March 1945 as Minister of War in the first government of Petru Groza, holding this position until 29 November 1946.

On July 6, 1945, considering that "doing the just policy of the democratic regime in which we live is one of the leading duties of every soldier", the Higher Directorate for Education, Culture and Propaganda asked the Ministry of War to repeal the articles of law that prohibited the military from politics. While the request was officially rejected, it did not prevent Minister Vasiliu-Rășcanu from facilitating communist propaganda in the army, declaring that "The army must do politics".

After the pro-Soviet government led by Groza came to power, General Constantin Vasiliu-Rășcanu ordered the reorganization of the Romanian Army, taking over the organization system of the Red Army. On May 28, 1945, the new Minister of War signed order no. 49151 ordering all military commanders to participate in the identification of military personnel who have committed war crimes and to make them available to the People's Tribunals. In the fall of 1945, he was one of the 15 soldiers who asked to be accepted into the ranks of the Romanian Communist Party (PCR), their request for membership being accepted by the Politburo of the Central Committee of the PCR. Between March 22 and June 5, 1947 Vasiliu-Rășcanu led the Fourth Army.

Constantin Vasiliu Rășcanu was married to a relative of Ana Pauker, who had a file regarding illicit currency speculation. He was promoted to the rank of General of the Army on 24 January 1948 and placed in the reserve.