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Constantin Constantinescu-ClapsRomanian military leader, corps general
Date of Birth: 20.02.1884
Country:  Romania |
Content:
- Early Life and Military Career
- Participation in Balkan and World Wars
- Command Positions
- World War II: Commanding Armies
- Commander of the 4th Army and Aftermath
Early Life and Military Career
Constantin Constantinescu-Claps, a Romanian military leader who rose to the rank of Lieutenant General (1942), was born on February 20, 1884, in Băbeni, Romania. He began his military service in the 12th Artillery Regiment. In 1905, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and became a lieutenant in 1909.
Participation in Balkan and World Wars
Constantinescu-Claps played an active role in the Second Balkan War in 1913, earning the rank of captain. During World War I, he fought alongside the 12th Regiment in the Transylvania campaign in 1916. He received the Order of the Crown of Romania with Swords and participated in the Battle of Mărăști in 1917, where he was promoted to major. By 1919, he had attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Command Positions
In 1925, Constantinescu-Claps was promoted to colonel. He served as commander of the 4th Heavy Artillery Regiment (February 1925 - July 1933), the 7th Artillery Brigade (August 1933 - March 1935), and the 12th Infantry Division (November 1937 - October 1939).
World War II: Commanding Armies
From October 1939 to November 1941, Constantinescu-Claps commanded the 10th and 11th Armies. During the annexation of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina by the Soviet Union, he ensured the retreat of the 10th Army Corps in Northern Bukovina. In World War II, he participated in battles along the lower Prut River and defended the Dniester coastline in Vadul lui Vodă after Romanian forces retreated south of Bessarabia.
Commander of the 4th Army and Aftermath
From November 1941 to February 1943, Constantinescu-Claps led the 4th Army. However, he was removed from command and dismissed on January 24, 1944, due to the severe defeat of the 4th Romanian Army at Stalingrad. After the war, he was falsely charged and sentenced to 15 years in prison on September 19, 1951. He was later acquitted and released on September 26, 1955.
