The Royal Hungarian Army 1920 – 1945 by Leo W.G. Niehorster

Initially thought to be the first of several volumes, I have since dropped the idea of publishing any further books. Instead, the book is being converted to HTML. First chapters have been uploaded. The (new) web pages include additions, changes, amendments, etc. which have become available over the past 20 years.
And, I could be amending even these (new) web pages from time to time as well — A work in progress. The advantage of the internet.
As always, check the dates at the top.

For those who don't want to wait for me to complete the website opus, you can download the original version of my manuscript as used by Europa Books (formerly Axis Europa) to publish the book in 1998 (with a few minor corrections) to keep you entertained, here:
The Royal Hungarian Army 1920 – 1945 [3.7 MB PDF File]
I will not be making any changes to this file.

The book as published in 1998 deals with the organization and history of the Royal Hungarian Army 1920-1945. It wa divided into an introduction and four parts.

The introduction, besides the usual components such as copyright, contents, foreword, etc., has a key showing the typical Hungarian organizational symbols used by the Royal Hungarian Army between 1920 and 1945, and as used throughout the book. It also has "A Short Review of Hungarian History" based on the continued research into the history and motivation of the Hungarians, and goes well beyond the main subject matter of this book. However, as all countries are the result of their history, I have included it as providing an interesting background about Hungary's situation in 1920 and the motives that drove Hungarians then and now. Besides covering the political and military events between 1918 and 1920, it also reveals many facets of Hungarian social development and political traditions as well as the background for much of their drive, which apply even today.

Part I deals with the period between the two world wars. The first chapter explains the military and political background between 1920 and 1941, including the short campaign against Chechoslovakia. It then tells the story of the rise of the new Hungarian armed forces, its trials and tribulations. It also provides an in depth background about the men and equipment that made up the army; manpower, mobilization, motorization, etc.. The command structure of the armed forces is clarified. In a separate chapter, the ground forces are detailed by combat arms, including organizational charts and orders of battle. A chapter about the air force follows the air arm's expansion, what equipment it had, and shows detailed orders of battle with equipment. A short chapter about the small river forces is also included.

Part II deals with the Hungarian Army in World War II. Starting with the 1941 Yugoslavian Campaign, it follows the Hungarian field forces — from the first victories in 1941 through to the final defeat in 1945 — at the East Front, in Hungary proper, and even into Germany. Separate chapters detail the reorganization and reconstruction at various periods through the war. Further chapters deal with the security forces, the air force, and the river forces. A chapter about the Hungarians and the Waffen-SS is included.

Part III details the order of battle. It covers the Honvéd Ministry (Ministry of Defense), with a detailed chart depicting the internal organization, and has all leading personnel enumerated from 1920 to 1945. The same is done for the General Staff. The Armies, Corps, Divisions, and Brigades have an extensive order of battle with lineage, commanders, organization, administrative assignments, and tactical attachments.

Part IV has an extensive bibliography; a glossary with English, German, and Hungarian abbreviations and terms used in the text explained; and an exhaustive index for all persons, places, units, and major events mentioned in the text.

The hardcover book (with dust jacket) has 320 pages. Pages are "US letter" size (8.5" x 11" or 216mm x 279mm). It includes 30 maps and 45 charts. The text is typeset in 9 point font in three columns per page for easy reading. The text is not footnoted for the same reason. Instead, explanations and asides are given as boxes placed on the text pages themselves.