Romanians inside the Hungarian Army

Hi

Does anyone know how many romanians were drafted in the Honved army once Transylvania was back in Hungarian hands? Were they scattered throughout the army or had divisions of their own?

From 1941 on, Rumanians (and other ethnic minorities) were drafted in regular Honvédség units, just as any other Hungarian citizen. However, they were scattered all over the Army, their percentage limit being established at 15% - equal to their respective percentage in the so-called Greater Hungary's population. However, they were not allowed in certain élite branches of the Honvédség, like the air force, intelligence units, boarder guards (of course, ethnic Germans were exempted from this rule - just like in Rumania). No separate units were established, manned exclusively by Rumanian (and other) ethnic soldiers.

From 1942 on, their number drafted into the Hungarian Army and sent to the front as replacement for losses increased, occasionally up to 50%. From then on, the Rumanians (along with other ethnic minorities) served mainly in secondary rôles, like medical assistance, cooks, drivers, etc., but could still be found in regular Army units.

Following unsatisfactory results in front service, the main bulk of ethnic soldiers were incorporated in labour detachments from 1943 on. When the Red Army entered Hungarian territory in the Autumn of 1944, many Rumanian ethnics defected to the Soviets, hoping to go home as soon as possible. Most were disappointed, however, finding themselves as prisoners, deep in Russia...

It's interesting to note, that today many ex-Honvédség veterans of Rumanian ethnicity (and citizenship), living in Rumania, receive sizeable pension from Hungary.

Dénes

Thank you Dénes!

About 70,000 Romanians were drafted into work companies. Others were apparently enrolled in the 9th Corps (25th, 26th and 27th Divisions) or were sent with the 2nd Army on the front in 1942.

Honvédség? Means hungarian? magyar? :roll:

I knew it, in WWII, even before and after, romanian and magyar, they
don't like each other, maybe word-Hate more fit here.
The historical reason is all about Transylvania?

Honvédség is the Hungarian Army.
Honvéd is the Hungarian soldier.

About the historical animosity between the two people, read the numerous threads of this forum. Indeed, the main cause was Transylvania and the ethnic minorities living in this historical region.

But the main reason is really boredom. Our nations are like men which have nothing else to do. As the hormons slowly rise, our two nations find themselves at war, a manly war which strikes deep the "pussyfication of the Western male"

I like your original take on the issue, A.H.
Particularly the word "pussyfication"...

It's not my invention, unfortunately...

I'll try to find a link to a very interesting article:)


Edit: found it: http://www.kimdutoit.com/dr/essays/essays.php?id=P2327

*** deleted by admin ***

The link was enough, it was not necessary to post a giant off-topic article

Pussification, difficult to understand it....

You know, rumor about animosity between the two people is very
interesting.

When SU attack axis in hungary, they like sending rumanian army to
fight against Honvédség alone. When Russian pull back them, rumanian
was very discontent with it, they said: " it's not enough! "

Is it true? But I think the real reason make them unsatisfied is Russisan
didn't want them reach the victory.

Personaly I dont belive that is true .. but ... who know ?

By the other side if we think at what was happened at Budapest - when the romanians , after they broke the 3 lines of defence was retreated by soviets in order to get the "glory" only for red army .... maybe its something true in wat you say .

Personaly I don t think taht romanians or hungarains want another war ... they saw enough blood and violence. By the other side we still have to work at our "felowship". some wounds are still painfull ...

This post has been edited by Dan Po on October 28, 2004 05:31 am