1945 Ionuț purge
During the 1945 Ionuț purge, Oskar Dirlewanger, Hermann Florstedt, and Amon Göth killed members of the Ionuț family who refused Dirlewanger's takeover of the Butchers. Dirlewanger murdered Ilie Ionuț in Bucharest on 16 June 1945 and assumed command on 18 June 1945. The killings ended on 27 June 1945. Ionuț members who accepted Dirlewanger remained in the organization.[1][2]
| Date | 16–27 June 1945 |
|---|---|
| Location | Bucharest, Romania |
| Type | Internal purge |
| Cause | Opposition within the Ionuț family to Oskar Dirlewanger's takeover of the Butchers |
| Participants |
|
| Outcome |
|
| Era | Vader Era |
Before the killings, the Butchers consisted of Ionuț family members organized through local crews and family properties. Dirlewanger demanded that every commander report to him. Half of the membership rejected the demand.
Background
editDragos Ionuț founded the early Butchers in 1496. Ilie became head of the House of Ionuț and leader of the Butchers on 12 April 1900. He kept the House register at a family property in Bucharest, while local commanders directed their own crews.[1][3]
Dirlewanger reached Bucharest after the defeat of Nazi Germany. He claimed descent from Grozav Ionuț, who had seized the Butchers during the 1521 Ionuț succession crisis before being expelled. Dragos's other children restored the House through the loyalist Wallachian line in 1522. Dirlewanger used his claimed Grozav-line descent to challenge Ilie, the final head of the restored House. Florstedt also escaped Germany in 1945 and joined Dirlewanger in Bucharest.[1][4]
Laurentiu Ionuț accepted Dirlewanger's command and was spared. Ilie refused to enter Dirlewanger's claim in the House register or surrender the House seals. Other Ionuț members continued recognizing Ilie and the restored House.
Killing of Ilie
editDirlewanger murdered Ilie in Bucharest on 16 June 1945 during the succession dispute. He assumed leadership on 18 June 1945. Ionuț members who still recognized Ilie refused Dirlewanger's command after the murder.[1]
Florstedt became Dirlewanger's principal deputy during the takeover. He placed the existing enforcement crews under direct command and required their commanders to report to Dirlewanger.[4]
Killings
editAfter taking power, Dirlewanger ordered his supporters to identify every Ionuț member who still recognized Ilie or refused the new command system. Florstedt assigned enforcement crews to seize them at family properties in Bucharest. The captured members were killed during the purge. The half that had accepted Dirlewanger remained under his command.
Florstedt directed the enforcement crews used to impose the new structure. Laurentiu sided with Dirlewanger and was spared. Other Ionuț members survived by supporting Dirlewanger or submitting to his authority. By 27 June 1945, no organized opposition to Dirlewanger remained inside the Butchers, and the restored House had ceased to function.
Known members of the Ionuț family killed during the purge were:
Aligned members
editKnown members of the Ionuț family who accepted Dirlewanger's leadership and survived the purge were:
Aftermath
editOn 17 September 1948, Dirlewanger and Florstedt placed the Butchers under one command and separated financial control from enforcement. Florstedt held authority directly below Dirlewanger.[2]
On 4 January 1950, Dirlewanger placed Teodor Ionuț in charge of stored money. Sandu Ionuț received authority over robberies approved by Dirlewanger. Grigore Ionuț later controlled railway freight. Mihail Ionuț entered the organization as a warehouse administrator under Grigore.[5]
The Tudor family entered the Bucharest Butchers in 1970 and took control of the organization's trafficking branch.[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Takeover of the Butchers". Oskar Dirlewanger. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Leadership under Oskar Dirlewanger". Bucharest Butchers. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "Bucharest Butchers". Ionuț family. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Escape and arrival in Bucharest". Hermann Florstedt. Vrienden Universe Wiki.
- ↑ "1950s". Oskar Dirlewanger. Vrienden Universe Wiki.