The
Legion of the Archangel Michael
On
June 24, 1927, Corneliu Zelea Codreanu, together with a few battle-tested
comrades, founded the Legion of the Archangel Michael. In all his writings,
Codreanu, known to all Romanians as "The Captain", referred to the
Legion of the Archangel Michael as the Legionary Movement. This Movement was
known in foreign circles and press as "The Iron Guard".
Of great significance on the occasion of the founding of the
Legion of the Archangel Michael are Codreanu's words:
"Those whose faith in God and the
Legion have no boundary should enter our ranks. Those who waver and doubt
should stay out."
In a materialistic world Codreanu based his
Movement on the following principles:
I .... FAITH IN GOD
Corneliu Codreanu was of the firm conviction that politics could
not be separated from religion. Only men who have respect for the Divine Order
can become true patriots.
2....
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Corneliu Codreanu believed that nations are divine creations and
not mere products of history and geography. He also believed that every nation
has a mission to fulfill in the world. Only nations that betray their
God-given mission disappear from the face of the earth.
3 ....
MAN --- A DIVINE CREATION
Man is a bearer of superior values which transcend his particular
existence. As such, being a divine creation, his spiritual values precede all
material needs. For the realization of these values, the individual must fight
and sacrifice throughout his life.
Among his principles there exists a hierarchical order. The
individual is subordinate to his nation, and, in turn, the nation is
subordinate to God and His divine laws.
The Legion of the Archangel Michael represented a nationalistic
movement, whose aim was to change the individual and create a new "state
of mind" of the nation. The Movement was not a political party. However,
the Movement participated in the political arena in Romania with a party known
as "Everything For The Fatherland" (TOTUL PENTRU TARA). In
the elections of 1937 this party had a resounding success.
With the help of the political leaders and the Judeo-Masonic
conspiracy, King Carol II abolished the constitution and assumed dictatorial
power. The first act of suppression of the new dictator was the dissolution of
all political parties. This started the most brutal persecution of the
Legionary Movement. During this time, Codreanu and all the leaders of the
Movement were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps and
prisons.
After having appeased Hitler and having obtained his assurance of
"no interference in internal affairs", Carol II ordered the
assassination of Codreanu. During the night of November 29-30, 1938, Codreanu
and thirteen Legionnaires were strangled to death. From 1938 to 1940 Romanian
jails were filled with Legionnaires. Most of the leaders of the Legionary
Movement were killed during this period of time---they were taken out of
prisons and concentration camps and machine-gunned to death.
1938 - 1940:
Legionary Movement was headed by different Legionnaires. All of
these leaders were killed.
September 3, 1940:
Horia Sima, as the new leader of the Movement, succeeded in over-
throwing Carol II. After this "over-throw" of the King, Horia Sima
was accepted and anointed as the leader of the Movement. In the new government
of Romania, Horia Sima took the position of Vice President.
January 1941:
General Antonescu, with the help of Hitler, assumed military
dictatorship and unleashed a new persecution against the Legionary Movement.
Horia Sima and over 400 Legionnaires took refuge in Germany. As political
refugees, Horia Sima and the other Legionnaires were incarcerated in the
concentration camps of Buchenwald, Dachau and Oranienburg.
August 23, 1944;
King Michael, with the help of the leaders of the political
parties, arrested General Antonescu and committed the shameful act of treason
against its ally, Germany. The Romanian army entered the war against
Germany.
August 26, 1944:
Horia Sima formed the National Romanian Government and became the
President of the Romanian Government, with headquarters in Vienna.
The Legionary Movement in Exile, under the leadership of Horia
Sima, continues the fight against communism.
ALEXANDER E. RONNETT