The Hungarian Army of WW2...

Discussions on all aspects of the smaller Axis nations in Europe and Asia. Hosted by G. Trifkovic.
User avatar
PanzerKing
Member
Posts: 1244
Joined: 28 Feb 2003, 03:26
Location: Texas USA

The Hungarian Army of WW2...

#1

Post by PanzerKing » 28 Apr 2003, 03:08

Does anyone have any reliable sources for the Hungarian Army of WW2? Like...what was the total size of the army, how many total divisions were deployed, and what were all the operations involved. Basic information is hard to find on the web.

Thanks

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#2

Post by daveh » 28 Apr 2003, 05:28

Te Royal Hungarian Army 190 to 1945 by Leo Niehorster Axi Europa ISBN 1 89127 19 X

The Royal Hungarian Armed Forces 1919 - 1945 Andris J. Kursietis
ARK Publications Co.

The Hungarian Army and Its Military Leadership in World War II
Andris J. Kursietis & Antonio J. Munoz Axis Europa Books ISBN: 1-891227-28-9


daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#3

Post by daveh » 28 Apr 2003, 13:21

Divisions :

2 armoured:
1st formed 1944 E Front 6 42 to 3. 43, largely destroyed. Re built. E Front 5.44 to 2.45. destroyed Budapest
2nd: E Front 6.44 to 5.45

1 light:
27th formed 1942 E Front 5.44 to 5.45

1 cavalry:
1st formed 1942 E Front spring 44 t0 3.45 destroyed.

28 infantry of which 12 saw combat, all except Kossuth formed 1940

1st: E Front 3 - 6.43 Became part of 26 Res. Inf Div 6.43
2nd: No combat Became part of 25 mixed div 6.43
4th: No combat Became part of 6 Mixed and 5 Res Inf Div
5th: E Front 3 - 6.43. Became part of 6 Mixed and 5 Res Inf Div
6th: E Front 6.42- 3.43 Largely destroyed. Became part of 6 Mixed and 5 Res Inf Div
7th: E Front6.42 - 3.43. Became part of 7 Mixed and 9 Res Inf Div
8th: E Front 3 - 6.43. Became part of 7 Mixed and 9 Res Inf Div
9th: E Front 6.42- 6.43 Largely destroyed by march 43. Became part of 7 Mixed and 9 Res Inf Div
10th: E Front 6.42- 3.43 Largely destroyed. Became part of 10 Mixed and 12 Res Inf Div
11th: No combat Became part of 10 Mixed and 12 Res Inf Div
12th: E Front 6.42- 6.43 Largely destroyed by march 43. Became part of 10 Mixed and 12 Res Inf Div
13th: E Front 6.42- 3.43 Largely destroyed by march 43. Became part of 13 Mixed and 15 Res Inf Div
14th: No combat Became part of 13 Mixed and 15 Res Inf Div
15th: No combat Became part of 13 Mixed and 15 Res Inf Div
16th: No combat Became part of 16 Mixed and 18 Res Inf Div
17th: No combat Became part of 16 Mixed and 18 Res Inf Div
18th: No combat Became part of 16 Mixed and 18 Res Inf Div
19th: E Front 6.42- 6.43 Largely destroyed by march 43. Became part of 20 Mixed and 19 Res Inf Div
20th: E Front 6.42- 6.43 Largely destroyed by march 43. Became part of 20 Mixed and 19 Res Inf Div
21st: E Front 3.- 6.43 Became part of 20 Mixed and 19 Res Inf Div
22nd: No combat Became part of 24 Mixed and 23 Res Inf Div
23rd: E Front 6.42- 6.43 Largely destroyed by march 43. Became part of 24 Mixed and 23 Res Inf Div
24th: No combat Became part of 24 Mixed and 23 Res Inf Div
25th: No combat. Became part of 25 Mixed and 26 Res Inf Div
26th: No combat Became part of 25 Mixed and 26 Res Inf Div
27th: No combat Became part f 27th light div
Kossuth formed 1944: no combat ?

8 Mixed division all formed 1943

6th: E Front 8.44 -?
7th: E Front 5.44 -?
10th: E Front 8.44 -2.45 Destroyed Budapest
13rd: E Front 8.44 -?
16th: E Front 5.44 -3.45 destroyed
20th: E Front 5.44 - 5.45
24th: E Front 5.44 -3.45 destroyed
25th: E Front 5.44 -3.45 destroyed

8 formed 1943/4 Reserve Divisions

5th: E Front spring 44 - 3.45 destroyed
9th: E Front spring 44 -?
12th: E Front spring 44 - 2.45 destroyed Budapest
15th: no combat ?
18th: E Front spring 44 -?
19th: E Front spring 44 -?
23rd: E Front spring 44 -3.45 destroyed
26th: no combat

5 security divisionsformed 1941

102, 105, 108, 121, 124 all served E Front mainlt on L O C and anti Partisan duties

10 "depot" divisions : Cav , 2 to 9. no more than 2 battalions

No combat divisions noted above were generally cadre formations

From J Ellis WW" Data book

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#4

Post by daveh » 28 Apr 2003, 16:12

Niehorster lists the Hungarian administrative OOB 6.41 - 4.42 as follows:

1st Army:

I Corps: 1, 2, 3 Inf Bde
II Corps: 4, 5, 6 Inf Bde
III Corps: 7, 8, 9 Inf Bde

2nd Army:

IV Corps: 10, 11 12 Inf Bde
V Corps: 13, 14, 15 Inf Bde
VI Corps: 66 border guard group, 17, 18 Inf Bde

3rd Army

VII Corps 19, 20, 21 Inf Bde
VIII Corps: 22, 23, 24 Inf Bde, 1sr Mtn Bde, 8th border Guard Bde
IX Corps: 25, 26, 27 Inf Bde, 9th Border Guard Bde

Under GHQ

Mobile Corps 1 and 2 Mot. Bde, 1 and 2 Cav Bde

Air Defence Corps:
1, 2 and 3 Air Defence Bde

101st Hvy Artillery Bde

Hungary declared she could not attack Yugoslavia until the Yugoslav federation disappeared and /or Croatians declared their independance (effectivelty ending the yugoslv confederation). For operations against disappeared Yugoslavia Mobile Corps, IV and V Corps were mobilzed on 5/4/41 with I and VII corps following on 7/4/41.

3rd Army commanded these forces totalling 12 inf bdes, 2 mot bdes , 1 cav bde (the 1st cav bde was not included in the mobile Corps for use v. Yugoslavia). The 1st independant parachute battalion was in army reserve.

The Croatians declared their independance on the Germans attacking yugoslavia on 10/4.41. this allowed the Hungarians to enter what was Yugoslavia. The parachute battalion was used to seize canal bridges to help the Mobile Corp advance. In general the Hungarian advance to occupy Baska area had been rapid and faced little resistance and was complete by 14/4/41. This represented the area claimed by Hungary.
The Germans pressured the hungarians to advance further and this they did. The 2 mot. Bdes advanced into Serbia proper reaching Valjevo.
The ease of the operation meant that units of I and VII Corps were not used.

Casualties:
7 officers and 113 men KIA; 223 men WIA; 2 officers and 11 men MIA.

User avatar
PanzerKing
Member
Posts: 1244
Joined: 28 Feb 2003, 03:26
Location: Texas USA

#5

Post by PanzerKing » 28 Apr 2003, 22:12

Thanks a lot!

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#6

Post by daveh » 29 Apr 2003, 20:22

The Hungarian Army in Russia 1941

On 26/6/41 someone bombed the Hungarian cities of Kassa and Munkas. This raid was used as a causus belli. The initial Hungarian forces that attacked Russia consisted of the Carpathian group consisting of 1st Mtn Brigade and 8th Border Guards Brigade and the Mobile Corps (less the 2nd Cavaalry Brigade).These units advanced out of the Carpathian mountains and into Galicia. The initial advance through the mountains was slow due to soviet demolions mines and defences. After a 10km. advance in 4 days the Mobile Corps eventually reached the plains and there it used its mobility to advantage. As the Mobile Corps advance was much faster than the rest of the Carpathian Group. This difference led to the Group being dissolved. The less mobile infantry were assigned to rear area protection duties while the Mobile Corps joined the German 17th Army.
The Mobile Corps followed the line of the R. Bug helping to close the pocket of sovet forces at Uman. The Corps held against soviet attempts to break out of this pocket which was finally destroyed by 8/8/41. After this the Hungarians assisted in the capture of Nikolayev and then regrouped and rested over 17-24/8/41.
The Mobile Corps was assigned the mission of guarding the southern flank of the German Army Group South. They took up defensive positions along some 200km of the R. Dneiper.They defended their lines succesfully against soviet attacks for some 6 weeks. The germans were asked to release the Mobile Corps back to hungary because of the losses of men and equipment. Before it left the mobile Corpsjoined in the destrution of soviet forces in the area of Izium. The horse cavalry had returned to Hungary in septemeber, while the motorized units were relieved on 10/11/41.

Losses of the Mobile Corps 27/6/41 to 10/12/41

Officers 36 KIA, 107 WIA, 3 MIA
Men: 237 KIA, 2372 WIA, 237MIA

They lost 28 artillery pieces, 1200 motor vehicles, and 86 0f 95 Toldi tanks and all the CVtankettes were unserviceable.

They took some 17,000 prisoners.

During a meeting with the Hungarian Premier Hitler commented that the Mobile corps had fought well and deserved its period of rest and recovery..

The 1st Mountain and 8th Border Guards Brigades were withdrawn in 9/41. Their place was taken by 102,105, 108, 121 and 124 Security divisions.

This is mainly from the Nierhorster book with some material fromOsprey's Men at arms book 131 : Germany's east Front allies 1941 - 1945.

I will summarise the 1942-3 camopaign and the fight in Hungary for you when I've time.
Hope this is what you wanted.

User avatar
PanzerKing
Member
Posts: 1244
Joined: 28 Feb 2003, 03:26
Location: Texas USA

#7

Post by PanzerKing » 29 Apr 2003, 22:28

That's exactly what I was looking for...thanks a million!

User avatar
Andy H
Forum Staff
Posts: 15326
Joined: 12 Mar 2002, 21:51
Location: UK and USA

#8

Post by Andy H » 30 Apr 2003, 00:15

Panzerking, try the link below and hit the text in blue for more info

http://www.geocities.com/kumbayaaa/hung ... orces.html

Andy

User avatar
Csaba Becze
Member
Posts: 656
Joined: 27 May 2002, 11:44
Location: Hungary
Contact:

#9

Post by Csaba Becze » 30 Apr 2003, 18:50

Just a small correction: just Kassa was bombed on 26 June, 1941, Munkács was not. IMHO it was a Soviet attack, but by mistakenly, not a deliberate air raid.

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#10

Post by daveh » 02 May 2003, 16:56

26/6/41 attacks:

Nierhorster mentions bombing of Kassa and of Munkas, plus the strafing of a train at Rahoon 26/6/41 (p. 67). George Punka (Hungarian Air Force, squadron/signal) mentions only Kassa and the train incident. I have no other sources for these incidents.

Abel Ravasz
Member
Posts: 402
Joined: 31 Mar 2002, 22:46
Location: Hungary/Slovakia

#11

Post by Abel Ravasz » 02 May 2003, 17:28

Only Kassa was bombed, and that's for sure.

Best,

Abel

User avatar
Csaba Becze
Member
Posts: 656
Joined: 27 May 2002, 11:44
Location: Hungary
Contact:

#12

Post by Csaba Becze » 03 May 2003, 00:38

Only Kassa was bombed (probably by 3 Il-4's), and a civilian train was strafed by fighters(3 I-16's) between Rahó and Tiszaborkút. Both incidents had civilian victims. The Soviet fighters stafed this day a military object also, without success.
Niehorster's source was wrong (as I mentioned before - I don't know this book, but his sources were not too good)

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#13

Post by daveh » 03 May 2003, 01:02

It is always worrying to find one of your few sources of information has such a basic flaw. If as seems very likely Nierhorster is wrong about the air attacks this must call into question other information he gives. As one of the few sources avaiable in english on the hungarian army in WW2, I had hoped it would be accurate enough for us to rely on. Does anyone know if he was just mistaken on the air raids but is reliable else where?

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#14

Post by daveh » 03 May 2003, 14:05

The 1942-3 campaign (part 1)

By a mixture of discussions, arm twisting and blackmail the Germans got the Hungarians to agree to send an expeditionary force to the Eastern Front in 1942. This was to consist of an army of 3 corps and an armoured division. The 3 corps chosen were III, IV, and VII but equipment and personnel were drawn from othe rcorps tp spread the burden. Only V, VI and IX corps were left untouched as these faced the Rumanian border and hence the Hungarians main enemy in many peoples eyes.

Call up and training started in late March with first units to be dispatched in April.

Note 17/2/42 Hungary renamed infantry brigades light infantry divisions with no change to size or organisation.

First echelon: departed Hungary 11/4/42, detrained Kursk - Orel area, marched 60 - 100 km to the south to take position between German 2nd and 6 th Armies. The 6th light division was off loaded 260km west of Kursk for anti partisan duties
2nd Army HQ, part 2nd Army supply trains, III Corps of 6, 7 and 9 light divisions, IV Corps troops.

Second echelon: departed Hungary 30/5/42, detrained Gomel area, marched 1000 km to to take position on the R Don. The longer march was the result of supply trains being given priority.
IV Corps of 10, 12, and 13 light divisions

Third echelon: departed Hungary 19/6/42, detrained Kursk.
VII Corps of 19, 20 and 23 light divisions; 1st field armoured division, balance of 2nd army troops, plus the Air Force contingent.

A total of183,000 men + 32,000 in military labour battalions were sent between 11/4 and 27/7/42.

The vast majority of these troops were "green".

When the German offensive started on 28/6/42 the Hungarians had their III corps with 7 and 9 light divisions part of III Corps troops, and parts of 1st field armoured division. These were grouped with 2 German divisions in the German VII Korps. 6 light divison was added later.

The Hungarians advanced eastwards and managed with the German 16 (mot) I D to take Tim on 2/7/42 and Staryi Oskol on 4/7/42. The R Don was first reached on 7/7/42 As the bulk of 2nd army arrived it replaced the German 19th Panzer division.

In 10 days an advance of160km. had been achieved. At this point some equipment supplied by the Germans arrived. It included Pz IV with short 75mm guns, Pz 38(t) tanks, light anti tank guns of German, French and Belgian origin, light guns, and mortars.

daveh
Member
Posts: 1439
Joined: 11 Feb 2003, 19:14
Location: uk

#15

Post by daveh » 03 May 2003, 14:42

The 1942-3 campaign (part 2)

The Hungarians were in the process of establishing defensive positions on the R Don when the soviets launched a number of attacks across the river. These attacks gained 3 bridgeheads of 30 - 50 km width at Uryv, Karotyak, and Stutye.

Uryv bridgehead : The first attempt to clear this started on 27/7/42 using the 1st field armoured division,. This attack cleared much of the bridgehead and destroyed 21 T34's without any losses of their own tanks. Unfortunately very low ammo stocks meant the attack had to stop and on 7/8/42 soviet counter attacks started. These retook the lost territory.

The second attempt to clear the Uryv bridgehead was undertaken by III Corps from 18/8/42 but was halted by tough soviet resistance.

The Hungarians took heavier losses because of lack of experience but showed bravery and determination.

Karotyak bridgehead: The soviets had pushed back the 10th light division and IV Corps tried to restore the situation from 7/8/42. The 1st field armoured division and 12th light division cleared tyhe north part of Karotyak but made nno further progress. The soviet attack against III corps led to the removal of 1st field armoured division , this gap being attacked by soviet units which were only initially held back by artillery battallions using some of their men as infantry. 10/8/42 German reinforcements held the soviet attack.

From 12/8/42 the hungarians attacked again with 1st field armoured division, 10 and 12 light divisions and a German division,. By 3/9/42 this bridgehead had been destroyed.

The third try to clear the Uryv bridgehead started on 9/9/42. It was commanded by the German XXIV PanzerKorps and included 1st field armoured division, 7, 12, 13 and 20 light divisions and 1 German division.. After some intial progress the attack stalled and was called off on 13/9/42.

The Stutye bridgehead was regarded as being of less importance and was sealed off but not attacked.

From 28/6/42 to 15/9/42 the 2nd army lost 911 officers and 20710 men

From mid 9/42 to 1/43 the Hungarian sector was basically quiet..

12000 men in 12 march battalions were sent from Hungary in 10/42. These were to be equipped andtrained behind the Front. They were gradually entering front line units when the soviets attacked. Many of the fleeing Hungarian trops reported by the Germans were from these green , barely trained poorly equipped units.

2nd army OOB 1/10/42 from N. to S.

German 2nd army
Hungarian 2nd Army

III Corps:
9th light division
6th light division

IV cOrps
20th light division
7th light division
13th light division
10th light division

VII Corps
12th light division
19th light division
23rd light division

reserves:
Korps Kramer
German 168 ID
700 Heeres Panzer Verband
1st field armoured division

The soviet attack of 1/43 is covered in the link given by Andy H
At the time of this attack the Hungarian front line had on average:

1 hvy mg per 200m
1 mortar per 600m
1 light AT gun per 600m
1 medium AT gun per 2500 m
1 howitzer battery per 2500m

Post Reply

Return to “Minor Axis Nations”