Radu Băldescu


Radu Băldescu was a Romanian major general during World War II.

Biography

Băldescu was born on 16 October 1888, at Mihăileștii de Sus, a village that now belongs to Scornicești, Olt County, Romania, in the family of a priest. He was admitted in the Infantry Officers School in 1909 and graduated in 1911, receiving the rank of 2nd lieutenant on 1 July.
Băldescu pursued his military career in 1936 as commanding officer of the 93rd Infantry Regiment. In 1937, he became commandant at the Sibiu Officers School. In 1940, he first became commanding officer of the 16th Brigade and then Deputy General Officer Commanding 18th Division. He was Deputy General Officer Commanding 18th Division in 1941 and General Officer Commanding 18th Division in 1942, serving in the 6th Army Corps under the command of General Corneliu Dragalina.
Băldescu went into reserve in 1944, but later that year became Deputy General Officer Commanding 6th Corps Area. In 1945, he started as General Officer Commanding 5th Corps Area and then became General Officer Commanding 6th Corps. Băldescu went into reserve again from 1946 to 1947, and retired in 1947.
In 1951, he was arrested by the Securitate and never heard of again. Records show he died on 2 December 1953 at the Jilava prison.

Awards