removed a line from the collection only: SQL> select po1_0.id,po1_0.customer from PurchaseOrder po1_0 where po1_0.id=? SQL> select l1_0.order_id,l1_0.id,l1_0.sku from OrderLine l1_0 where l1_0.order_id=? SQL> delete from OrderLine where id=? removed the order (cascade ALL): SQL> select po1_0.id,po1_0.customer from PurchaseOrder po1_0 where po1_0.id=? SQL> select l1_0.order_id,l1_0.id,l1_0.sku from OrderLine l1_0 where l1_0.order_id=? SQL> delete from OrderLine where id=? SQL> delete from PurchaseOrder where id=?