MIHAI ANTONESCU (1904 - 1946) Romanian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during World War II. Antonescu approved the slaughter of Jews in Bessarabia and Bukovina, and the deportation of the survivors to concentration camps in Transnistria. Found guilty of war crimes. He was executed by a firing squad. ANTONESCU PRESENTS ADOLF HILTER WITJH HIS BOUND SPEECH JOINING THE AXIS POWERS Rare and fine association presentation signed book given to Adolf Hitler. The publication is printed in German: 'Rumaniens Heiliger Krieg' ('Romania''s Holy War'), [Bucharest: State Press], 22pp. 8vo., comprising the text of Antonescu's speech to the nation on June 22, 1941 as Romania entered the war on the side of the Axis. The entire front flyleaf is filled with Antonescu's inscription to Hitler, in part: '...Your Excellency, the Fuhrer Adolf Hitler, the creator of a new Europe, as a sign of the unwavering trust of Romania and its great, victorious past in defending civilization and the founding of a new world order, with the deepest expression of esteem...Mihai Antonescu. Bound in navy blue leather with an embossed cross on the cover and gilt title, in very fine condition. Antonescu's speech was given the same day that Hitler launched BARBAROSSA, the invasion of the Soviet Union. Under dictator Ion Antonescu, the country officially joining the Axis powers on Nov. 23, 1940. As a member of the Axis, Romania joined the invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 - the same day as Mihai''s speech printed in this volume. Romania provided equipment and oil to Nazi Germany as well as more troops to the Eastern Front than all the other allies of Germany combined. The book was obtained by an American Army Air Corps lieutenant colonel at war's end.