Hungarian invasion of Carpatho-Ukraine

[arpitec]

Hi,

Anyone knows the Hungarian's Order of battle for the invasion of Carpatho-Ukraine (Subcarpathian Ruthenia) ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpatho-Ukraine

I would also appreciate if you have anything on the Ruthenian Sich Guards units.

Thanks.

[sylvieK4]

Many years ago, I read a very interesting book about the invasion. It was written by an American journalist travelling with the Hungarian military. At the moment I can't recall the title. (The author may have had the surname "Reed"). In any event, it was a vivid, contemporary account. I will try to remember the title.

[sylvieK4]

I read the book mentioned above at least 20+ years ago. After thinking about it - I'm still not 100% certain - but it may have actually been Headquarters Budapest by Robert Parker, Farrar & Rinehart, NY, 1944. (I believe Parker was Associated Press chief in Budapest in the late '30s, early '40s.)

[KACKO]

Here is the link to the article about Karpatska Sic as we are calling it in Slovakia and Czech republic:
http://www.valka.cz/newdesign/v900/clanek_12336.html
Unfortunately it is in Czech.

Short translation:
After reorganization of adiministration in now autonomus podkrapdska Rus at the end of October 1938 the militant part of the Ukrainian Nationalist was transformed into military organization named Karpatská Sič. By decree of Mininistry of Interior č. 372/1938 they members had a right to wear the uniform and weapon. Karptska Sic was suppose to defend interest of the staTE (Czechoslovak republic) in cooperation with Czechoslovak Army and Gandarmarie. In cirsis situation Sic proved itself as a armed organization pretty well in actions against terrorists crossing to Czechoslovakia from Poland and Hungary. Karpatska Sic had altogether around 5000 men.

Sic had two battalions - prapor in Czech or Slovak and kurin in Ukrainian. But only 1 was organized under command of Stefan Rosocha, member of the Parilament. Second battalion was divided.

[Joseph_Porta]

Hi,

It is quite likely that the Hungarian troops used in the invasion of Carpatho-Ukraine were later used in the Slovak-Hungarian War between March 23-31, 1939.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_ ... le_in_1939

[McGuba]

Hi,

In the invasion from 14 March the following units took part under the command of the VIII Corps:
1st Cavalry Brigade
2nd Cavalry Brigade
2nd Motorized Brigade
24th Infantry Regiment of the VIII Corps
+ Boarder Guard and Bicycle Battalions of the VIII Corps

The 8th, 9th, 11th Infantry Brigades crossed the border on 15 March joining the so-called fast troops.

[tigre]

Hello to all ; just two cents..............................

Advance in the Carpathians.

On March 14 the Carpathian Group Command based on the VIII. Corps under Ferenc Szombathely was organized in order to carry out the operation, the Group had subordinated the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Brigades, the 2nd Motorized Brigade, the newly created 24th Infantry Regiment and units of border guards and cyclists of the VIII. Corps.

The Carpathian Group advanced along three axes: the Ung valley by the Uzsoki Pass; Latorca valley by Verecki Pass and Beregszász pushing towards Chust. Taking advantage of its deployment and as supply hubs the cities of Ungvár, Munkács, Beregszász respectively.

The forces in Uzhgorod, which were advancing through the valley of Ung were grouped into the 24th Brigade under Colonel Andor Mures and were composed of the 24 / I. Infantry Battalion; 5. Mechanized Battalion; 12., 21. and 24. Companies of Sappers; 26. Battalion of border guards; 24. artillery battalion and the 2nd Motorized Brigade.

The forces around Munkács which were advancing through the Latorca valley were grouped into the 1st Cavalry Brigade commanded by Colonel Beldy Alajos and composed of the 24 / III. Infantry Battalion; 3rd Hussars; 25. Battalion of border guards; 12. Cyclist Battalion; 1. / I. Horse artillery battalion; elements of police and National Guardsmen.

The Beregszasz Group was composed of the 24th Battalion of border gurads and also the 14. Cyclist Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Baron Karl Ungar. The adversary consisted of the 45 / II. Czech infantry battalion which had 780 men, reinforced with 150 gendarmes and a squadron of 12 light armored vehicles.

The Hungarian units stationed around Munkács, after throwing back the attacking Czechs on March 14, 1939, pressed forward in turn, and took the town of Orhegyalja. On the same day, the Sic Guards and Czech nationalist units initiated large scale partisan operations. Given this excuse, the Hungarian Army again crossed the border on March 15, 1939. Czech resistance in Ruthenia was negligible, and the advancing Hungarian troops did not have to count on a well-organized and centralized resistance. The Hungarian Army also had the advantage of the Vienna Award, which made it possible for the Hungarians to take possession of the area where the Czechs built their permanent fortifications against Hungary.

Sources: http://magyarhonved.blogspot.com/2013_0 ... chive.html
Magyar Királyi Honvédség gyorscsapatai 1938–1941. Kiss Gábor Ferenc.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File ... kraine.jpg

Cheers. Raúl M .