"About The Siege of Budapest" Topic

"On Christmas Day 1944, the trams stopped running in Budapest. Cadet Ervin Galantay, a dispatch runner for the recently mustered Hungarian paramilitary Vannay Battalion, was headed for home to partake in holiday celebrations when he saw a throng of civilians surrounding a group of tram conductors in Buda's central Szell Kalman Square.

He went over to ask what was going on. The conductors' answer stunned everyone: ‘The Russians are at the Budagyongye Tram Depot.' Galantay promptly rebuked the conductors for spreading false rumors but joined some gendarmes and soldiers hurrying to investigate. Approaching the grounds of the imposing Janos Hospital, they were surprised by a hail of small-arms fire. In the ensuing chaos a rapidly withdrawing German tank recovery vehicle almost ran Galantay down. It was true; the Soviets had somehow entered the back door into Budapest and were just two miles from the Royal Palace.

So began the Siege of Budapest and the destruction of Central Europe's ‘Pearl of the Danube.' Unimaginable to all who lived in Budapest during this unfolding drama was that this first skirmish near the hospital would soon turn into one of the most frightful urban battles of World War II…."
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Amicalement
Armand

I recommend the following great book on this topic -

"The Siege of Budapest -100 Days in World War II", by Krisztian Ungvary.

Could not put it down: a magisterial work of historical scholarship.

B

I second Blutarski. This book is a must have. The maps. The result by glider. All the various Hungarian units. The intrigue by the two Axis commands. The civilian struggle to survive. This was a huge battle. You have to know this one to understand soviet command view of what happens to Berlin. I feel this helped shape how the the soviets would tackle Berlin. Also showed the Germans that the fight was there. They were not going to win antything but it would be brutal and they were committed base on Budapest.

You have to have this one. The author is really on top of his game.

So yeah. I highly reccomend this read.

JH

My grandfather was there, in the 3d Ukrainian. I remeber him telling me, that battles in Hungary were fierce and merciless.
And mid 90s I got in Budapest for the first time and was standing on Pest side, looking at castle hill… We even lived in the hotel at the foothill, and I've climbed on top of the hill in the evening. It was like the story unfolding in front of my eyes…

Many thanks!.

Amicalement
Armand

Taking your words Blutarski and Bravo Two Zero, ordered that book today on Amazon.

Thanks for the tip.

mghFond,
I am confident you will find it a worthwhile purchase.

BTW – There are a zillion tabletop scenario ideas to be drawn from the book as well.

B