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GERMAN OCCUPATION OF HUNGARY, MARCH 1944
Abstract
Hungary joined World War II alongside Germany in order to get back its territories lost at the end of World War I. However, the co-operation was only partial: the Hungarian Government did not fulfil several German claims (using the entire armed forces at the front lines, German control over the economy, and deportation of the Jews). In 1943, Hungary started secret negotiations with the Western Allies in order to quit the war, and in September, it accepted the preliminary conditions of an armistice. The Carpathian Basin was very important for Germany from strategic point of view, therefore Hungary was occupied by Germany on 19 March 1944. In order to avoid resistance, Hitler invited Regent Horthy, the commander of the Hungarian military forces, and the Chief of General Staff of Hungarian Army for an official visit. While they were away, nobody was authorised to order an armed resistance. The Germans entered Hungary with huge military forces, but they did not want to keep their troops engaged for long. Therefore after a short period of time, they passed ruling over to a new government made up of Hungarian politicians of the extreme right, which completely served German interests. Part of the political elite collaborated with the Germans, because they were afraid of a probable Soviet occupation. The situation was full of contradictions. Hungary partially lost its sovereignty. Formally, the Regent stayed in force, the country was lead by Hungarian political forces – but actually the Germans' will was enforced. West fiendly politicians, including several former ministers were elbowed into a corner or imprisoned. The country was mobilized, the entire armed force was sent to the front, and the whole Hungarian economy was producing goods practically for Germany, deportation of the Jews was initiated, and any and all political maverick activities were banned. Along with the occupation, the English–American air forces started to bomb the country. Hungary could not quit the war, and starting from September 1944, during the eight-month land fights, it had severe damages and met with heavy personal losses.
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