General Radu Korne (Cornea)

I have a question about Gen. Korne.

If I remember correctly, in the fall of 1941, Colonel Korne was given a command only at the insistence of a German general. If it weren't for this German officer, Korne was going to be put in reserve (de-activated).

Since we are all familiar with Antonescu's officer purges, I'd like to ask if Korne was scheduled to be retired due to Antonescu's purges or if there were other reasons.

If you know any details about this, please post them. I'm really curious to find out why a colonel who later proved himself as one of the most capable officers of the Romanian Army was passed over for promotion in 1941 and was supposed to be retired. I'd also like to know why the German General (I forget his name) intervened by Antonescu to delay Korne's retirement.

Colonel Korne was quickly remarked by general Neuling, the CO of the German 239th Division, who asked general Ion Antonescu on 30 June to delay his retirement, as he was a very capable officer.

He had joined the army in 1913 and was thus younger than many other active Romanian officers.

QUOTE

Colonel Korne was quickly remarked by general Neuling, the CO of the German 239th Division, who asked general Ion Antonescu on 30 June to delay his retirement, as he was a very capable officer.

Thanks for the details, Victor.

The question still remains, however, why Korne was in the process of retirement. Wasn't he noticed as a capable officer?

Was he supposed to be part of one of Antonescu's officer purges, when any superior officer who wasn't promoted was retired?

I really don't know.

The report says that Antonescu delayed Korne's "purerea in retragere" which I would not interpret as willfull retirement. He was 46 in 1941, so still far away from pension.

Hi Guys,

Have we any evidence that Korne was due to retire?

In English the word "retire" can mean both leaving one's job and withdrawing. Perhaps it was just intended to withdraw Korne to Romania, not eject him from the army, but he was regarded by the Germans as too useful at the front to be released and they asked for his retention on operations?

Is there similar ambiguity in the Romania word for "retire"?

Cheers,

Sid.

No, in this case Korne was on the verge of being retired, as in leaving his career in the armed forces. And, as Victor correctly pointed out, at the time he was probably too young to have voluntarily asked for retirement.

Hi Mabadesc,

Which brings us back to the question of why Korne was being prematurely retired. Is he known to have associated with any particular military clique? Was he, perhaps, a protege of Iacobici? Did Iacobici die before or after Korne was ordered to retire?

Cheers,

Sid.

Iosif Iacobici died on 11 March 1952 in Aiud prison. In June 1941 he was the Minister of Defence. I think you are confusing Iacobici with someone else.

Hi Victor,

You are right.

Who was the chief-of-staff killed in an air crash during the Odessa Campaign of 1941?

Cheers,

Sid.

It was Alexandru Ioanitiu but he didn't die in a crash. He entered in the range of a propeller on an airfield.

Hi Dragos,

Thanks.

Is there any known connection between Ioanitiu and Korne?

From memory, Ioanitiu's death and Korne's proposed retirement came within a month or so of each other. Do you have any dates for either event?

Cheers,

Sid.

General de brigadă Alexandru Ioaniţiu died on 17 September 1941.

I am also puzzled as to why col. Korne was supposed to be retired. Probably he was part of the small purge Antonescu made in the first months of the war. Korne military professionalism is out of question, so it must have been another reason, probably related to King Carol II, but I haven't found anything about it. Antonescu must have known Korne pretty well before the war, as both were cavalry officers. Unfortunately, this great commander (col. Korne) isn't researched very well. A good book on him would be very welcomed.

Reading your posts about this man, i want to know more about it. Some days ago i received (borrow?) a book, the VII volume about ww2 fighters/veterans. There i read something about gen. Korne. Bad ending. Tomorrow i will post that fragment, and if someone is so kind to translate in... at least most acceptable english then mine, our foreign co-forumists can read it.

Iama