bodnăraș participated in the 23 august 1944 coup led by king michael against the government of ion antonescu. he organized underground paramilitary units and coordinated the weakening of a segment of the moldavian front called "poarta iașiului" against the soviet offensive of august 1944. he was part of a group of communists who took custody of ion antonescu after his arrest, and locked him together with mihai antonescu in a safe house, before handing them to the red army troops.