Civilians watching the bombing of Budapest
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actually it has got nickname “suchka/little bitch”. The Su-76 deserved the contradictious honor in troops. Inspite of its lacks (weak “open sky-style” armour and 76-mm caliber) it was enough effective manoeuvrable and simple for repair self-propelled gun.
Wasn’t another nickname something like “Ferdinand with naked a s s” (Голожопый Фердинанд)?
A Beute-Suchka of 5th SS “Wiking”:
Wasn’t another nickname something like “Ferdinand with naked a s s” (Голожопый Фердинанд)?
I think this phony nicname has appeared after the war. The russians prefered to call the original Ferdinad as Elephant (слон) after the kurs battle when soviet war propogand has PRed them as “слон”.
P.S. The Su-76M ( the original Su-76 has a top armor) wasn’t a fully “naked a ss” machine. If you want to see the real “Голожопый Фердинанд” - take a look at the american spg T56 on the chassis of M3
exhausted soldier from the 22th Waffen SS “Maria Theresia” cavallry after the breakout
http://www.ww2incolor.com/german/ss+22budapest.html
The story of the 25th Waffen SS Grenadier Division “Hunyadi” and other hungarian fightning groups
http://hunyadi.co.uk/page11.php
exhausted soldier from the 22th Waffen SS “Maria Theresia” cavallry after the breakout
http://www.ww2incolor.com/german/ss+22budapest.html
This OStuF (1st Lt.) can consider himself lucky though for making out, something that only a few soldiers of his division achieved.
Hungarian SS Mann Ádám Müller Soldbuch from hungarian 25th panzergrenadier Waffen SS “Hunyadi”
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25th SS Grenadier Division ,Hunyadi” (ungarische Nr.1)
Lineage
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Freiwilligen Grenadier Division (1 May 1944(2) – 2 Nov 1944)
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Waffen Grenadier Division der SS Hunyadi (ungarische Nr. 1) (2 Nov 1944 – May 1945)
Commander
SS – Standartenfuhrer Thomas Muller (30 Sept 1944 -2 Nov 1944)
SS – Gruppenfuhrer and SS General Leutnant (3) Jozsef Grassy (2 Nov 1944 – 8 May 1945) (4)
SS – Standartenfuhrer Gero Tenesvari (5)
Chief of Staff
1a (First Staff Officer and titular chief – of – staff)
SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Adam Podhradszky
1b (Quartermaster)
SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Herbert Engel (? 1944 – 1 Mar 1945)
1 Ia (Divisional Adjutant)
SS-Sturmbannfuhrer Fritz Ulrich
SS-Hauptsturmfuhrer Andreas Szinay
Unit History
September 10 1944: Ferenc Szálasi learns of meetings between Csatay and Winkelmann concerning the formation of SS divisions. Ferenc Szálasi is opposed to the raising of the divisions at this moment in time and makes it known that he will not accept any contract that is signed.
October 10 1944: SS Brigadefuhrer Josef Grassy is nominated as commanding officer of what will become the 25th SS division ,Hunyadi”. SS – Standartenfuhrer Thomas Muller is nominally in command until the division is up and running.
October 15 1944: Hungarian leader Admiral Horthy is deposed by a coup led by the Germans and is replaced by Hungarian Nazi leader Count Ferenc Szalasi
October 23 1944: Hungarian Defence Minister General Karoly Beregly meets HSFFP (higher SS and police commander) Hungary Otto Winkelmann. The raising of several SS divisions of soldiers and officers from the Hungarian army along with non-Hungarian army personnel is discussed. These would have uniforms and equipment provided by Germany.
October 26 1944: Agreement is reached setting out the conditions for the Hungarian SS formations
In among the agreement are the following stipulations:
1.The volunteers are to serve for the duration of the war
2.The strength and size of the Hungarian divisions will be the same as other SS divisions
3.The language of command will be Hungarian, senior officers will be expected to know German
4.Division honour titles will come from Hungarian history
5.The division will be trained in Hungary, troops may be assigned to camps in Germany for specialist training
6.The units will be employed in the defence of Hungary
7.The Waffen SS will provide military equipment, uniforms and arms from Germany. Transport will be provided by the Hungarians
8.Hungarian troops will wear the Hungarian national shield on the upper left sleeve of tunics and divisional cuff title on the left arm.
9.Hungarian males had to be at least 17 and those under 21 need parental permission to enlist.
10.Any volunteers will retain their Hungarian citizenship as stated in the April 14 1944 agreement.
11.Hungarian SS troops will have the same rights as other SS troops
12.Hungarian volunteers are not to be transferred to non-Hungarian SS divisions.
13.If there is a shortfall in the number of volunteers then the Hungarian Defence ministry would provide the remaining men needed to form the division(s)
These are to be split into two groups. ,Kossuth”, ,Petofi”, ,Flip” and ,Bem” are to be part of the German army and ,Hunyadi”, ,Hungaria”, ,Gombos” and ,Gorgey” are to be part of the Waffen SS.
October 28 1944: Károly Beregfy Hungarian Minister of Defence issues the order that Hungarians can volunteer for service in the ,Hunyadi” division even though the SS Head Office has not yet formally acknowledged the formation of the division. The deadline for volunteers is November 20 1944.
Early November 1944: Posters and a radio campain to recruit volunteers begins.
November 1 1944: Defense Minister, Beregfy and deputy chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Feketehalmy-Czeydner make contact with the Germans in Vienna .
November 2 1944: The ,Hunyadi” division is formed on paper by SS – Fuhrungshauptamt (Order SSFHA-Amt l.Org.Abt.la/ll Tgb,Nr. 4021/44 g.Kdos. vom 2.11.1944} as the SS 1. Hungarian Waffen-Grenadier division with an order of battle of 25 (the 25. Waffen-Grenadier-Division der SS [ungarische Nr. 1]). The unit will eventually consist of Hungarian volunteers including a large number of soldiers from the Hungarian 13th Light infantry division (approximately 40% of the division are former members of thje Honved), youngsters of Levente Institution and conscripts. Both the Wehrmacht and Waffen SS transfer offices and NCO’s to the division (including 1 SS ,Adolf Hitler”, 2 SS ,Das Reich”, 3 SS ,Totenkopf”, 5 SS ,Viking” and 7 SS ,Prinz Eugen”) as do the Hungarian Honvedseg.
Grassy starts to assemble his divisional staffat Zalaszentgrót. These include SS Waffen-Standartenführer Ádám Podhradszky (who as a captain had served under Grassy in the 13th Light Infantry division) and István M. Dragolovich who Grassy also knows.
November 3 1944: The ,Hunyadi” division’s divisional staff arrive at Zalaszentgrót by car and wait for the first volunteers’ arrivalfrom Budapest.
November 4 1944: Beregfy learns that SS Head Office has issued the official set up command for the SS 25. Division ,Hunyadi” as a Waffen-grenadier division and not a Waffen-Panzer grenadier has he had hoped for. He later issues a redefined provision, in which he modifies the Hungarian division’s name and states that the ,Hunyadi” division would be equipped the same as a German Panzer Grenadier Division. The “Waffen-Panzer Grenadier”( „Hunyadi" páncélgránátos hadosztályba) title is used on recruiting posters put up in Hungary.
November 8 1944: Mobilisation of men between 17 and 60 in the Budapest area is announced
November 9 1944: The first of the ,Hunyadi” division’s volunteers board their train at Kelenföldi station in Budapest and later in the day arrive at Mosonszentjános.
November 10 1944: Beregfy issues his new provision of the description of 25 Panzer Grenadier Division ,Hunyadi". It calls for volunteers from the 1914 - 1927 classes, stating that Officers should have a knowledge of German, volunteers had until the 20th of November to complete the papers.
Approximately 12 officers and Lieutenants transfer from SS 1 Hungarian Ski battalion to 25th division ,Hunyadi” as ,Hunyadi” is lacking in junior officers with any experience of combat.
Volunteers for ,Hunyadi” begin to assemble at Zalaergerszeg in southwest Hungary.
Kampfgruppe ,Deak” is incorporated into 25 SS ,Hunyadi” (see separate section on Kampfgruppe ,Deak”). The Kampfgruppe becomes the corner stone of 61 regiment.László Deák becomes CO of 61 Regiment.
November 11 1944: two days after arriving at Mosonszentjános the soldiers from ,Hunyadi” are placed in barracks.
November 15 1944: Hungarian War Ministry announces that 12 500 men are ready to serve in the division.
November 17 1944: Although a large part of the enlisted men have assembled there is a shortage of Hungarian and German Officers and NCO’s.
November 18 1944: Standartenfuhrer Lorant Bodolay Bodola (11) takes over command of 62. Regiment.
Due to the military situation it is decided to move the division to Bruck (this is later changed) the division numbers approximately 16 700 men.
November 19 1944: Standartenfuhrer Josef Vecsey (Wittenberger) takes over command of 25 SS Ausbildungs & Ersatz Einheiten
Mid to late November 1944: Laszlo Rapcsányi visits the 12 training camps at which the ,Hunyadi" and ,St Laszlo" divisions are forming and reports to the Hungarian Parliament that although warehouses are full very little is reaching the Hungarian troops.
People wanting to volunteer for the ,Hunyadi" division are told to a go to a school on Bocskai utca for enrolment. When here they assemble in the gymnasium. In groups of around 10 people they then go to a classroom where their personal details are taken and a medical examination takes place. The volunteers are processed by NCO’s from the Hungarian army in Hungarian uniforms. Cold food is issued during the enrolment process.
One group of volunteers march to Kelenföld railway station to wait for a train to take them to Zalalövő. During the wait some of the volunteers break into some of the wagons in the station and steal various items (mostly alcohol and food). The items are taken on the train but are consumed by the time gendarmes search the train around Székesfehérvár. After reaching Zalalövő the volunteers where taken to a local manor house where they slept in the stables. They were then moved to various villages in the area (including Vaspör where they were taken to a school. The school consited of 2 classrooms, one of which was the headquarters and the other classroom was the kitchen. They were then moved to houses in the village. While here 2 men are executed by NCO’s for deserting).
November 20 1944: Most of the division (approximately 10 000 men) are now told that they are to transfer to Neuhammer. Most are to be located at Strans and rest at the old camp in Neuhammer (this is part of operation „Hellebarde”)
Approximately 4000 men (and their families) are loaded on trains in Zalaszentgrót and leave for Neuhammer.
Standartenfuhrer Bela Peinlich replaces Standartenfuhrer Lorant Bodolay Bodola as commander of 62 regiment. Standartenfuhrer Dezso Magyary takes over command of 63 regiment.
25 Waffen-Schi battalion is raised from Hungarian Mountain troops.
Some troops transfer to Waffen-SS specialist schools.
November 21 1944: The original deadline for joining ,Hunyadi” having passed is extended due to communication problems. The deadline is moved several times in the up coming weeks.
November 22 1944: The ,Hunyadi” division absorbs 800 members of the 1st Hungarian SS schi Battalion (12)
November 23 1945: 3 700 men from Zalaegerszeg by train and 1 000 men leave from Vasvar by road Neuhammer.
November 24 1944: The Commanding Officer of the 1st Hungarian SS Schi Battalion arrives at Neuhammer along with most of his Officers and 1000 men. The 800 men absorbed in to the ,Hunyadi” division are taken back and the Schi Battalion is re-assembled
4 000 men from Tuerje leave for Neuhammer.
November 27 1944: Some sources say that 800 men are killed and 650 wounded in a US air attack on a train between Bierbaum and Hartberg transporting the unit to Neuhammer (this action is not confirmed).
November 29 1944: Division numbers approximately 18 000 men.
Parts of ,Hunyadi” arrive in the area around Zalaszentgrót from Budapest with some being stationed at Zala.
November 30 1944: ,Hunyadi" numbers 19 777 men.
December 1944: German and Hungarian Military Police units under Captain Marton Zoldi begin to impose order on the recruits at Rajka.
December 1 1944: Last elements of the unit leave the training centre at Zalaergerszeg.
Hungarian Defence ministry sets up a recruiting camp at Rajka.
December 2 1944: Standartenfuhrer Odon Magyary takes over command of 25-artillery regiment.
December 5 1944: 2 000 men from Tuerje and 2 000 men (including most of the German personal) from Vasvar set off for Neuhammer.
December 6 1944: The Divisional staff and units from ,Hunyadi” start arriving at Neuhammer camp.
Volunteers in the village of Vaspör are ordered to kill several pigs from the village. The pigs killed in Vaspör are taken to Szombathely ( possibly Kormend) and placed in railway wagons and left guarded overnight.
December 7 1945: Troops and volunteers set off from Budapest Keleti railway station for Rajka via Kisbény and Köny.
December 8 1944: Volunteers in the village of Vaspör march to the railway station at Szombathely.
December 10 1944: The number of men from ,Hunyadi” at Neuhammer camp now numbers 20 567. This number is larger than the German’s had planned for, it is not helped by the addition of a number of men from the 20. SS Division (1. Estonian) being at the camp at the same time. The food that was allocated for the original number of approximately 13 500 is stretched to feed the 20 000 that actually were on the camp. The same applies to accommodation with more than one person using a bed.Around this time uniforms are issued to the division. Those based at Neuhammer receive a uniform but those at Strans are still mostly in civilian clothes.
20 days after being ordered to move, the parts of the ,Hunyadi” division in Zala start their train journey to Neuhammer,
The Hungarian government orders full mobilisation of men between 17 and 61 and at the various collecting stations (Nagycenk, Rajka, Kisbér etc.) people are asked if they want to go to Germany and fight in the German Wehrmacht or Waffen-SS
Order of battle (20 567 men)
Commander SS - Brigadefuhrer Jozef Grassy
1a Waffen - Standartenfuhrer Adam Podhradszky
1b Hauptsturmfuhrer Herbert Angel (German)
1b Hauptsturmfuhrer Andreas Szinay
Divisional Staff (FP 00 020)
Military Police platoon
Translator platoon
Signals platoon
Messenger platoon (motorcycle)
Divisional Security/Reconnaissance platoon
Waffen Gren.Rgt. der SS 61 (ungarisches Nr 1) (FP 08 104)
Composition I. (1-4 Kp) (FP 39 881) II.( 5-8 Kp) (FP 00 706) 13 IG 14 Flak
SS - Oberfuhrer Laszlo Deak
Waffen Gren.Rgt. der SS 62 (ungarisches Nr 2) (FP 01 121)
Composition I (1-4 Kp) (FP 17 380) II(5-8 Kp) (FP 01 817) 13IG 14 Flak
Waffen - Standartenfuhrer Gero Temesvari
Waffen Gren.Rgt. der SS 63 (ungarisches Nr 3) (FP 20 689)
Composition I (1-4 Kp) (FP 01 121) II(5-8 Kp) (FP 02 110) 13IG 14 Flak
Waffen - Standartenfuhrer Bela Peinlich
Waffen Artillerie Rgt. der SS 25 (ungarisches Nr 1) (FP 41 777)
Composition I (1-3 battr) 7.5cm PAK (FP 64 266) II(4-5 battr) 10.5 cm (FP 45 525) III(7-8 battr) 10.5cm (FP 65 614} IV(10-11 battr) 15cm (FP 03 527)
Waffen - Standartenfuhrer Odon Magyar
SS Ausbildungs & Ersatz Einheiten 25
Waffen - Obersturmbannfuhrer Josef Vecsey
SS Versorgungs Rgt. 25
SS - Standartenfuhrer Josef Siemensreiter
December 11 1944: P–38 aeroplanes attack a train carrying some of the ,Hunyadi” division in between Rátót and Szentgotthárd around noon. 29 men die in the course of the attack and another 70 are wounded. They are the division’s first official wartime dead.
1 160 men leave for Neuhammer and travel via Rajka.
December 12 1944: A telegram from Army group south contains details of the proposed transfer of ,Hunyadi’’ along with 31st SS Grenadier Division, 58th SS Gebirgs brigade (Tartar nr.1) and various volksdeutsche police battalions. On this day Army group South is informed of the ,Hunyadi” divisions move to Neuhammer by Waffen SS Headquarters.
On this day posters appear in the village of Komárom asking for volunteers for the ,Hunyadi" division. There is also a seperate poster asking for volunteers for the 25 SS ski battalion.
December 14 1944: The deadline for applications to join the new divisions is extended
December 15 1944: Operation „Hellebard” is now joined by Operation ,Zuckerdose” to move the Hungarian troops.
The original deadline for applications ends.
SS Grenadier Ausbildungs und Ersatz Battalion 35 based in Bruss, near Konitz becomes the Ersatz battalion for ,Hunyadi’’
Mid December 1944: 25 flak detachment is sent to SS Artillery training and Replacement Regiment in Munich.
December 18 1944: Feldgrau uniforms along with helmet and bayonets are issued to members of ,Hunyadi”
December 19 1944: Arms distributed to divisions 61 and 62. This consists of 2 000 K98k rifles, 1 000 P-08 pistols, 100 MP40’s,(14) 50 MG42’s and 25 Gr.W.34 8cm mortars. These weapons go primarily to 61 regiment. Nr 61-grenadier regiment as the most experienced is the first to reach combat efficiency
December 21 1944: Between now and the end of December the following troops arrive at Neuhammer- Remnants of the 16. Border Hunter battalion (due to lack of space thse men were billeted in Bad Saarow), a contingent of police, approximately 40 newly appointed Ensigns from the ,Prince Csaba” cadet school and approximately 100 acting officers (non-commissioned officers) from the , Paul Kinizsi” army officer training school. Except for the police non-of the other arrivals have arms.
December 22 1944: Training begins. Due to the lack of weapons the men are split into morning and afternoon shifts and share the weapons. Over the next few weeks with half of Hungary under Russian control the Hungarians complain that the Germans seem more interested in holding German language lessons than issuing and holding weapon training,
December 23 1944: The 25. Attack Artillery Company is replaced in Budapest by a guard detail and so avoids being surrounded.
22 801 Hungarians are at Neuhammer after transferring to camp. The number of men arriving at the camp ease after this date.
Around this time there are approximately 50,000 men at Neuhammer camp, these include Estonian and German troops and 3,000 Russian prisioners of war. The men from ,Hunyadi" are scattered around the Neuhammer training camp, officers are placed in stone houses while the rest of the men are placed in whatever space is available and it is not unknown for 2-3 people to share a 75cm bed. Temperatures average around -18 to 20 degrees and
December 24 1944: A courier from the defense ministry arrives at Neuhammer camp and annouces the formation of a second Hungarian SS Division. He also informs the authorities that approximately 10,000 more men are on their way to the camp.
December 25 1944: Division receives 27 2.5-ton trucks.
December 26 1944: P–38 Lightning aeroplanes attack a train between Bécsújhely and Németújvár which is carrying part of the ,Hunyad” division towards Vienna from Körmend. 797 men die while another 600 are wounded. The 523 Hungarian military hospital’s ambulances transport the large part of the wounded to the local Faludy Ferenc Gymnasium. German doctors handle a small amount of the wounded in Graz
December 28 1944: It is announced that a second Hungarian division is to be set up. 8 000 men from ,Hunyadi” are to used as the nucleus for the new division.
December 29 1944: The ,Hunyadi” Division receives 100 machine pistols, 50 light machine guns, 25 Gr.W.34 8cm mortars, 5 Pak 40 7.5cm anti tank guns along with 3 000 panzerfaust’s (15) , 1600 bicycles (16) thus increasing the divisions armament by 25 – 30%.
December 31 1945: Neuhammer is visited by SS Brigadefuhrer Fanzlau and Gruppenfuhrer Gottlob Berger and they inspect the ,Hunyadi” division. From ,Hunyadi" and ,Hungaria" a Honour guard is formed - the majority of the Honour guards are Feldgendarm’s who are immaculately turned out. The length of their cloaks are shortened, and white thread gloves are distributed and according to one veteran cuff titles are issued to the members of the Honour guard (they are taken back after the visit). The Hungarian and the German state one flags are hoisted before the main building, the Hungarian national flag decorated it. A Arrow-Cross flag is not available so a deaths head flag is used instead. The Hungarian national flag is at the lead of the cavalcade. This is accompanied by two Waffen Standartenjunker ( each supplied with a swords), and Waffen SS Standarteroberjunker (who carries the flag). The Honour guards are issued with Hungarian Mannlicher rifles and not German K98k’s.
January 1945: Forming at Neuhammer. Still training when Russians entered Silesia.
Due to the freezing conditions and with many of the ,Hunyadi” troops still in civilian clothes a mixture of uniforms and clothing are issued.(19)
The 25 SS Waffen Pioneer Battalion are transferred for training to the Somme barracks in Passau (20), This ,Hunyadi” formation is the only one to be properly equipped by the Germans.
Oberfuhrer Deak is named deputy divisional commander (he retains the command of 61 regiment).
During January and February 1945 20 men are charged with escape and insubordination.
January 1 1945: ,Hungaria” is ordered to Sieradz in Poland thus leaving ,Hunyadi” (with a few small parts of ,Hungaria”) alone at Neuhammer camp. The Estonian troops are ordered to go to Breslau.
January 2 1945: After travelling via Sumeg, Rigacs, Pozsonyligetfalu and Deutsche-Raterwitz the Hungarian 25. Attack artillery arrives in the area of Strans camp. They arrive without equipment at Neuhammer camp so it is decided that with their artillery experience to retrain them as tank hunter soldiers. The plan being that they will become 25. Waffen tank hunter section.
The planned order of battle is as follows:
3 platoons tank hunters company (each section having 3 jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer class tank hunters)
3 platoons air defence machine gun cannons company (each section having 2 40mm air defence machine cannons) (21)
3 platoons towed tank-breaking company (each section having 3 7.5cm tank piercing cannons)
The towed tank breaking company goes to Leer near the Dutch border for training.
The anti aircraft company is commanded to go to Muchen for training.
The SS 25.Waffen tank hunter class goes south to Beneschau in Czechoslovakia for training along with a artillery battalion.
January 3 1945: The Attack artillery section leave Strans for retraining.
January 5 1945: 25 schi battalion is assigned to IV SS Panzer Corps (23) to assist the Corps efforts to relieve Budapest. Before leaving they are equipped with assault rifles. They travel by rail via Prague and Vienna to Gyroszentivan.
January 19 1945: Beregfy (Hungarian minister of defence) issues general order 97.305./eln.1.o. Due to this order volunteers not only take an oath to Adolf Hitler, but they also take an oath to Ferenc Szálasi as “Furhrer of the Hungarian Nation”
January 26 1945: The new oath is used and is to be said in German and Hungarian (a rough translation of the oath goes - , I swear to Adolf Hitler, supreme commander of the armed forces and Szalasi, the head of the Hungarian nation, be faithful, unconditional obedience to all superiors for my behavior. I swear that everything is our enemy, I fight until the final victory everywhere , (24)
January 27 1945: Ferenc Szálasi sends a letter to Adolf Hitler, in which he wants to clear up problems regarding the Hungarian SS divisions.
January 31 1945: 500 SS Transport Security Company is absorbed into 25. SS Versorgungs Regiment
February 1945: In the first few days of February the ,Hunyadi” division sort out from the enlisted men, those who’s qualification’s make them suitable to complete the officer course. After roll call one company of Hungarian officers is assembled, they are soon transported to Stettin.
Early February: Standartenfuhrer Jeno Galgoc takes over 61 regiment when Oberfuhrer Deak becomes chief of staff of XVII Hungarian Waffen Army Corps der SS. 71 wounded and 50 men suffering with illness’ are transported to Sagan for treatment. There are no medicines or bandages at the hospital and the staff consists of one single doctor, two vets and one single pharmacist.
February 1 1945: 25th SS divisions ,Hunyadi” and 26th SS divisions ,Hungaria” reunite. This situation remains unchanged for the rest of the war. By this date the Russians have already moved 50-60 kilometres closer to Neuhammer training camp. The number of volunteers does not decrease but the Germans have great difficulty in providing equipment for them and never reach the proper level required to equip the division.
February 4 1945: The sounds of battle are heard for the first time at Neuhammer camp and SS Obergruppenfuhrer Grassy order’s a defensive line around Neuhammer and place’s the most experienced troops (some equipped with panzerfaust’s) in a semi-circle between the Neuhammer camp and the Russians. The defensive line is on the banks on the Bober river. 10 lorries from Waffen Kraftfahr kompamie der SS 25 ferries men on a daily basis to the front line to replace men who had been at the front.
Beregfy and Veesenmayer add one extra Convention to the October agreement. This concerns the legal status of and correction to the rules of the registrations and conditions of those troops transported to Germany.
February 5 1945: To allow time for ,Hunyadi" and ,Hungaria" to withdraw so the 2 divisions can carry on equiping and building SS Obergruppenfuhrer Grassy order’s that the two divisions (25th and 26th) should form one corps. “Hunyadi” first chief of staff officer Waffen – Standartenfuhrer Adam Podhradszky informs Waffen – Standartenfuhrer Bela Peinlich (previously with SS 63 Waffen-grenadier battalion) to organise it. Peinlich was doubtful if this was possible considering the shortage of equipment. Eventually the best units from 25 SS division ,Hunyadi” and 26 SS division ,Hungaria” (mainly the 61 & 64 regiments) forms the ,Hungarian SS Alarm regiment”under the command of Standartenfuhrer Bela Peinlich. (25)
A courier arrives at the camp with an order from Hungarian defense Minister Beregfy stating that as officers and non-commisioned offices are not available that the formation of the 3rd and 4th Hungarian SS divisions be halted and the troops moved to the ,Hunyadi" and ,Hungaria" divisions.
February 6 1945: The ,Hunyadi” division make quarters in the area around Oldenburg and Kloppengurg. Standartenfuhrer Jeno Temesvary Galgoc takes over command of 61 regiment. The Hungarian divisions leave on time. Approximately 55 000 – 60 000 soldiers are to be evacuated from Neuhammer, Vlaszow and Osszesen camps.
Troops from the unformed ,Gombos" and ,Gorgey" divisions are absorbed by ,Hunyadi" and ,Hungaria"
February 7 1945: The remaining units of the ,Hunyadi” divisionmove out of Neuhammer camp and move approximately 50 kilometres to the south to the Deutschgabel area in order to develop new barracks. It had been decided during the previous German-Hungarian meeting that 4 divisions were to be sent to the area so sufficient stores were brought in.
February 8 1945: (For details of the battle for Neuhammer please see the separate section).
105 men from ,Hunyadi” leave Neuhammer camp to go to Waffen Junkerschule der SS in Prague
February 12 1945: The ,Hunyadi” division reaches the Goritz-Radmeritz-Ostriz-Marienthal district.
February 14 1945: Units of the ,Hunyadi” division have reached the Kiesdorf-Neudorf-Grosshennersdorfon district after crossing the Strahwalde region.
The 105 men going to the Junkerschule in Prague reach Dresden just before the bombing of the city and are killed in the air raid.
A new agreement is reached between Hungary and Germany regarding the Hungarian SS divisions. Among the 15 points in the agreement are - the divisions will bear names chosen by the Hungarian Honved Ministry, the Commanders, Officers and NCO’s of the divisions will be Hungarian, Hungarian will be the command language, the divisions remain a part of the Hungarian Honved Ministry, the divisions will take an oath the the Hungarian head of state, Hungarian chaplins will provide the spiritual care for the divisions and that although part of the Waffen SS they will retain the Hungarian flag and only fight Russia.
February 15 1945: 11 trucks from the .,Hunyadi” supply regiment arrive to move the remnants of the Alarm regiment. 11 more trucks join in during the day moving the men.
February 17 1945: The last of the Alarm regiment’s soldiers are relocated back to their original units.
By this time the Alarm regiment has suffered 57% losses. Out of approximately 2600 men, 544 men (including 17 officers (27)) have been killed and 955 men are listed as wounded or missing. Approximately 400 wounded are evacuated from Neuhammer but approximately 500 are left and they are captured by the Russians. 10 Hungarians are awarded the Iron Cross first class, 20 receive the Iron Cross second class, 1 Untersturmfuhrer is awarded the Hungarian Golden medal honour for officers and one Scharfuhrer is awarded the Hungarian Great Golden Honour medal for destroying 7 Russian tanks with panzerfaust’s. 3 Russian tanks are confirmed destroyed by the Alarm Battalion and 14 by the 1 SS Hungarian anti-tank platoon.
Late February/March 1945: Whilst marching Martin Zoldi approaches members of ,Hunyadi" asking for volunteers who wanted to fight and takes the weapons of other members.
Early March 1945: ,Hunyadi” and its main divisional command post is near Nurnberg in Holpolstein (28). Training continues. The ,Hunyadi” artillery men experience live firing but ,Hungaria” artillery men just walk around their accommodation and only infantry start their elementary training because of the large number of recruits. The unit training is based on individual initiative- using what resources they have – the division continues not to receive its specified armament.
Because of the military situation one-month after reaching Stettin it is necessary to transfer the Hungarian company and its Officer training course repeatedly, by rail at first to Rostock, later from there they are transported by ferry into Denmark. Their training and officer’s course (with SS Haupsturmfuhrer Himpel commanding) continues close to Copenhagen, in one local sports hall near Haslev.
March 10 1945: ,Hungaria" and ,Hunyadi" now receive more than 5,000 rifles, 300 machine guns, 100 MG-42 machine guns, 50 81mm grenade launcher, and 3000 panzerfausts.
March 14 1945: Grassy writes a letter to the local Gualeiter (Gualeiter Giesler) after complaints of missing animals, empty milk churns and the trampling of crops.
March 23 1945: Minister of Defence Károly Beregfy visit’s the Hungarian SS divisions along with Obergruppenfuhrer Hans Juttner, Brigadefuhrer Heinz Fanslau and General of Artillery Keiner (during the visit Beregfy makes a complaint to the Germans concerning the lack of equipment.) A parade ground of sorts is made along with a viewing stand. Hungarian and German flags are flown along the road that leads to the area chosen for the parade. They arrive at approximately 15.00. They were greeted by Grassy wearing a steel helmet and with sword drawn. Members of ,Hunyadi" & ,Hungaria" are formed up for inspection (the rear ranks having no rifles but only side arms). After some speaches awards are given to members of the Alarm Regiment which fought at Neuhammer.
Sometime around this a date a order is issued from SS Headquarters that ,Hungaria" and ,Hunyadi" are to be made combat ready by 1st May 1945.
Late March/early April 1945: some members of 25 SS Schi battalion (under Hauptsturmfuhrer Geza Pataki) who are stationed at barracks in Leoben attend a training course in Judenburg .
April 1945: The flak detachment originally sent to Munchen rejoins the division.
100 Hungarian Officer Candidates after completing their training course at SS NCO School Radolfzell rejoin the 25th and 26th divisions
Men from the ,Hunyadi” engineer battalion prepare anti tank traps and other obstacles on the Naab river, they are helped by 200 men from ,Hungaria”
April 1 1945: Around this date men from the ,Hunyadi” engineer battalion prepare anti tank traps and other obstacles on the Naab river, they are helped by 200 men from ,Hungaria”
On this day General der Infanterie Weisenberger calls for assistance from ,Hunyadi", ,Hungaria", ,Kossuth" and men from the NCO Training school ,Jutas" to help defend military district XIII.
April 4 1945: On this date (or shortly after) Members from 25 SS Schi battalion are sent to the front. After a 2 day train journey and walking on foot (they have no transport except for a schimmwagen used by the officers. They put their equipment on abandened carts and due to lack of horses they pull the carts to the front) they reach the front and fight along side 5 SS division ,Viking"
April 11 1945: At midnight with the Americans approaching the area that ,Hunyadi” is stationed in, it is decided that once more that the division should move. The division is under German XIII army command (Wehrkreis XVII – Nurnberg command) and they insist on the division being deployed however the Hungarian formations refuse citing the agreement that they only fought on Hungarian soil. Jeno Ruszkay temporary commander of XVII Army corps contacts SS Command headquarters who order that the formation head to Steyr in Austria. Members of the ,Hunyadi" division are informed just before midnight of the move.
April 12 1945: Written orders issued by Grassy announce that ,Hunyadi” and ,Hungaria” should share commander
April 13 1945: the SS 26 (2. Hungarian) ,Hungaria” Waffen – grenadier divisions independent story comes to an end, however one part of the division is divided into companies for other corps. The SS 26 (2. Hungarian) Waffen – grenadier division – 107 days old from formation – is dissolved by the Germans. The German intention is to divide the division among other corps but the Hungarians want it to stop together so the German plan is not carried out so ,Hungaria” is absorbed into ,Hunyadi” and it is regarded as an existing division. The ,Hunyadi" division by evening is near Neustadt an der Donau.
Mid April 1945: The Officer company training in Denmark receives orders to leave immediately for the front. Because of this the taking of blood samples and the tattooing of the blood group on the arms is cancelled. One Berlin survivor thinks that this decision saves their lives when captured. The company passes through Hamburg and goes to Berlin. Commander SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Himpel there joins the Hungarians. One member of the division remembers “Already the days of our Berlin wondering merge into my memories, aerial alerts, refuges, ruins, carcasses. In the beginning in the air raid shelters civilians talked, hoping Weng (actually Wenck) would liberate Berlin. I saw one newspaper with an article by Goebbels (maybe his last) saying that Berlin was German and German it will stay. We were strolling in the city centre already (……) it would be necessary to get to the west, to fall into American captivity, we dreamed of this”.
Else where the Hungarian SS panzerhunter-formations (the re named attack artillery section) retraining slowly progresses. They have just one experience of live firing with the Jagdpanzer 38(t) tank hunter. The Officers from one company are taken to the Skoda factory, which is close to Beneschau to see Hetzers being made. A Hetzer turns up at the training camp. The mechanics struggle to get it into working order. Later with a German crew it is sent to fight in the defence of Berlin.
The Hungarian SS panzerhunter-formations still remains without vehicles, and so the company is supplied with personal infantryman weapons instead, later one Hetzer is hurriedly picked up, With a German officer in command it is assigned to a battalion.
April 15 1945: Over the next few days 25 SS Division ,Hunyadi" receives German personal and assistance from “Kampfgruppe Siegling”
The members of the 25th Pioneer battalion from ,Hunyadi" under Hauptsturmführer Miklos Keresztury should have rejoined the division around midnight but are forced to go to Passau.
April 16 1945: Remnants of ,Hunyadi” and ,Hungaria” start heading towards Steyr in Austria.
April 23 1945: Army group ‘Weichsel’ requests 1100 replacements from ,Hunyadi” (100 for III SS Germanic Panzer corps, 500 for 11 SS panzer grenadier division ,Nordland” and 500 for 23 panzer grenadier division ,Nederland” ) but this is ignored.
April 28 1945: Armaments and material for the ,Hunyadi” division consist of: 3781 K98k (out of this 250 with telescopic sights), 250 rifles, 2800 pistols, 300 MP-40’s, 50 light and, 25 heavy machine guns, 10 Gr.W.34 8cm mortars, 10 Gr.W.42 12cm mortars, 20 Infantry cannons, 10 PAK 40 7.5cm anti tank guns, 1800 panzerfaust’s, 50 panzershreks,4 Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer class tank hunters, 25 motorcycles, 19 personal automobiles, 55 freight automobiles, 3 RSO tractors, 3 8 tonnes and 3 18 tonnes tractors, 2500 bicycles, 52 field kitchens, 3 ovens and 16 other field items.
On or around this date approximately 1 000 men from the ,Hunyadi” artillery and 61 grenadier regiment are called upon to help fight the Americans near Neustadt but this falls through and they return to the division after leaving their weapons (29) for the remaining German troops.
Around this date the Pioneers should have returned to SS 25 ,Hunyadi” however American troops approach Regensburg and Passau. The German commander of Passau demands the blowing up of locks and the city bridges. The Americans threaten the city. The German commander (Brigadier General Hassenstein) wants the Hungarians Pioneers to stay in the city and help protect it. The Hungarian commander however wants the unit to leave the region. Hassenstein on hearing this uses field police to prevent the Hungarians from leaving and threatens court marshals. The SS 25 (1. Hungarian) Waffen-Alarm battalion stays in the city and blows up the main bridges in Passau. When the siege ends the battalion commander orders the equipment (pontoons, motor vehicles etc) to be destroyed. Later the formation flame-throwers are distributed. Later the Pioneer detachment begins its breakout attempt.
April 30 1945: the main part of ,Hunyadi” is cut off from the control of SS Headquarters in Berlin and becomes under the Hungarian Ministry of Defense which is part of the exiled Hungarian Government.
End April 1945: Szálasi instructs Ruszkay and Grassy to surrender to the American forces.
Early May: The ,Hunyadi” division battle group which has been travelling from Denmark is in Berlin near to the Brandenburg gate and the Spree. They move near the Reichstag to face more Russian divisions. Some men fall in the vicinity of the SS Headquarters at the corner of Berliner Strasse and the Kaiserallee. Some of the unit survives by getting out of the city by using the U-Bahn (Underground) but end up getting captured by the Russians. In the fighting 83 men (including 1 officer) die. 12 men (including 1 officer) are missing. (30)
May 1 1945: The bulk of the ,Hunyadi" division is on Austrian territory.
May 2 1945: On the Day that Hassenstein commits suicide the Waffen Pioneer battalion break out from Passau towards Oberhausen. During the break out the 25th Waffen-Pioneer battalion suffers considerable losses. 350 men are killed and 71 are wounded.
According to one account the armament earmarked for the ,Hunyadi” division was handed out, however the complete Hungarian volunteers store’s had been allocated between the separate units so the divisions when drawn together never reached the combat readiness it may have attained. The XVII. Waffen-Armee-Korps der SS offers the surrender of the Hungarian Waffen-SS units under its command to the U.S. Forces.
May 2/3 1945: Arrangements are made for parts of the ,Hunyadi" division to parade through Salzburg. (31)
May 3 1945: Men from I battalion, 61st Waffen Grenadier Regiment destroy 2/3 American tanks in the St Martin / Ried Im Innkreis area.
May 4 1945: Before the surrender arrangements could be completed, a Kampfgruppe from the ,Hunyadi” division (along with some Austrian Hitlerjugend members) engage an American armoured force of Patton’s 3rd US Army (32) near Timelkam in Austria and manage to knock out 5 American tanks, the Americans decide to withdraw, having no interest in taking further losses at this stage of the war.
May 5 1945: An American Captain in a jeep along with 2 armoured cars arrive in Attersee. He proceeds to the Divisional HQ and after saluting the guards at the door enters the room and enquires who is the commander. Gerő Temesváry answers in broken English that he is in command and when asked what is the name of the division replies “1st Hungarian Panzergrenadier division”. He is then asked about the ‘H’ collar patch and what it stands for. He replies that it it stands for ‘Hungarian’ making no comment that the division is part of the SS. After the surrender agreement is finalised about 1/3 of the 25th SS Division ,Hunyadi” surrender to the US 80th Infantry division (under McBride) part of US XXth Corps (under Walker) north of Salzkammergut near Lake Attersee in Austria The remainder of the Hungarian soldiers have intermingled with the Hungarian refugees. Many are rounded up in the following days.
May 3-7 1945: Between these dates the ,Hunyadi" division receives it accomadation area’s. These are Attersee, Buchberg, Seewalchen, Timelkam, Vöcklamarkt, Mösendorf, Pettinghofen, Lenzirg, Aurachkirchen, Gmunden, Gschwandt, Mühldorf & St Konrad.
May 7 1945: 1 + 2 regiments batteries move from Strans camp
May 8 1945: After being transported to the Graz region (where on the first night the German troops left leaving the Hungarians on their own) the attack artillery men march north – north-east towards the towns of Leoben, Gresten and Gaming struggling to avoid capture by the Russians. The formation stop at Waidhoven on the Ybbs and hear of the truce and that the Enns river will be the American-Russia border zone. The remnants of the SS 25 Artillery battalion (the SS 25 Waffen - tank hunter battalion) cross the Enns River near Garsten to the western bank and surrender to the American troops.
May 11 1945: A number of ,Hunyadi” troops along with the remnants of 1st Hungarian Schi Battalion surrender to the Americans in the Attersee area.
September 19 1945: Hungarian soldiers captured in the battle for Berlin are allowed to go home.
September 23 1945: The officers headquarters is located in the old royal palace belonging to the Schaumburg-Lippe family. One of the children in the family becomes ill with typhus. A local Austrian doctor is called. He refuses to treat the child due to the familys links to Dr Gobbels. Standartenfuhrer Bela Peinlich on hearing of this sends a medical orderly from ,Hunyadi" but unfortunately the child dies days later
Decoration of the hungarian Waffen SS Brigade “Ney” at Székesfehérvár january of 1945
http://www.hunyadi.co.uk/attachments/Image/Ney_SS_jani.jpg
Brigade ,Ney"
Unit History
The origin of what will become SS Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is a Hungarian veterans association called “The Comradeship Federation of the Eastern Front”(KABSZ) formed in 1944 by veterans of the Don River army. The Director of the Association was Dr Bela Imredy Due to the Russians advancing into Transylvania some members of the KABSZ wished to be deployed to fight the Russians. Around 300 volunteers approach the Budapest Honved 1 Corps, 2 Army Corps of Székesfehérvár and Szombathely 3 Army Corps with no success.
October 6 1944: A single member of the KABSZ visits one of the leaders of the anti-German resistance and informs him that extreme elements of the KABSZ are preparing for a take-over in two days.
October 7 1944: A raid takes place on the KABSZ Vörösmarty street headquarters at dusk. The organisation’s management escapes into the Swabian mountains however and places itself under SS protection.
October 8 1944: At the appropriate time, certain buildings would have had to be occupied, and the KABSZ organisation undertook an active part in the preparation of a take-over. The documents underpinning all these were stored at KABSZ headquarters and disappear on this day. In the following days the majority of the members of the KABSZ (some of them having already received German call-up papers) were informing each other about the situation, reporting to the SS
October 15 1944: A small unit of the members of the KABSZ (wearing SS uniforms but still wearing their death-head armbands) is involved in the German led coup. In doing so, the group led by Károly Ney is subordinated to the 22nd SS volunteer cavalry division ,Maria Theresia” which temporarily encloses the castle
October 20 1944: An agreement is reached to permit veteran volunteers from the Comradeship to enlist into the Waffen SS via the SS-Ersatzkommando Ungarn (prior to this Szálasi had been approached but due to him wanting to use the veterans as a guard unit and the veterans wanting to fight no agreement was reached) . They are intended as replacements for 22. SS Cavalry Division ,Maria Theresia”. The commander of the unit is Obersturmfuhrer Dr Karl Ney ( a lawyer and a Hussar reserve first lieutenant), the brigade adjutant is Obersturmfuhrer Lajos Koermendy-Wache. (4)
October 21 1944: The unit is issued with weapons at Veszprém
October 22 1944: The unit officially becomes part of 22. SS Artillery Regiment and becomes its security guard company.
October 30 1944: SS Brigade ,Ney” reaches battalion size
November 1 1944: The new unit is sent to Bakonyer forest for formation and training (5) by Waffen-SS instructors speaking in Hungarian (these come from 2 SS division ,Das Reich", 3 SS division ,Totenkopf"" and 5 SS division ,Viking")
November 17 1944: While the unit is training in Veszprém the Hungarian political leadership dissolves the KABSZ association which results in more volunteers going to Sur
December 24 1944: The number of men increases to regiment size.(approximately 1600 men)
Order of battle
HQ Company
I Infantry Battalion
II Infantry Battalion
Supply Company
December 25 1944: Due to 22 SS Division ,Maria Theresia” being cut off in Budapest the unit is assigned to IV SS Panzer Corps (6)
December 28/29 1944: According to one source one of the battalions of kampfgruppe ,Ney” under the command of SS-Obersturmführer Gyula Dömötör is transported to Balatonakarattya from the Hajmáskér parade ground, where it is to help both the Hungarian 25. Infantry division and the German III. Panzer corps.
January 1 1945: Regimental strength is approximately 2 000 men. Two battalions from the kampfgruppe take part in Operation Konrad I & II to help relieve Budapest (7) (this continues until January 12 1945)
January 8 1945: From 23.00 Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is assigned to 1st Panzer Division. (8)
January 11 1945: A third combat ready battalion reports for duty (9)
January 13 1945: kampfgruppe ,Ney” is removed from the IV. SS Panzer Corps
January 18 1945: During Konrad III Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is split into 2 units. At dawn Battalions I and II are involved in the first wave of attacks in the Varpalota region along side the 1st Panzer Division (10) and III battalion (11) is assigned to the second wave in the Balatonkenese area. After heavy fighting a breakthrough is made near Retipuszta.
January 19 1945: Battalions I and II along with the rest of Kampfgruppe ,Huppert” are involved in heavy fighting around Palmajor trying to advance to Sarszentmihaly.
January 20 1945: III Battalion numbering 400-420 men rise at 05.00 and by 07.00 after reaching their starting positions join in the attack and soon reaches Nadasladany and Szabadbattyan. By evening III Battalion along with Panzer Grenadier Regiment 1 have broken through the Russian lines at Edinapustza and crossed the Sarviz canal.Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is subordinated to the Hungarian units under the command of SS- Obersturmführer Levetzo Obersturmfuhrer Károly Ney does not take a part in the manoeuvre as a commander
January 21 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Ney” and Panzer Grenadier Regiment 1 takes part in the advance into Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg). At 20.00 Battalions I and II attack from the west and III Battalion attacks from the south (12) Kampfgruppe ,Ney”takes part in heavy fighting in the Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) suburbs whilst trying to capture the town .At one point there is a danger that the SS battle group may be cut off as a force of 400-500 Russians advance approximately 500 metres on the right wing of SS Brigade ,Ney” and comes close to Sárpentele behind them Artillery support is asked for on the radio and the German-Hungarian forces are pressed back into Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg),In the afternoon Kampfgruppe ,Ney” becomes part of the Holste division group (13)
January 22 1945: SS Brigade ,Ney” takes part in the capture of Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) and takes part in the mopping up operations. A resident remembered “ later a Hungarian military patrol came onto the refuge (around 12.30). On their left arm was a black band with a skull on (this was the armband of the KABSZ) After the salute he was told that their aim was to go to Fehervar by the coast of Lake Velence and along the main road to the capital”.
For the fighting on January 20/21 1945 Adolf Hilter gives permission for Kampfgruppe ,Ney" to wear the cuff title “SS Regiment Ney”
January 23 1945: 1st Panzergrenadier Regiment withdraws from Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) leaving Kampfgruppe ,Ney” and the 20th Hungarian Infantry Division to defend the area. (14) (This lasts until March 22) The bulk of Brigade ,Ney “ returns to Sur leaving behind one battalion.A company of Hungarian airforce men are absorbed by SS Brigade ,Ney”
January 25 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is assigned to the 356th Infantry division recently arrived from Italy. .Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is subordinated to I battalion of the Hungarian 4. Cavalry brigade inside the Holste’s division group.
January 26 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Ney” takes part in an attack to extend their positions but they are driven back with heavy losses by the Russians.
January 27 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Ney” as part of Holste’s division takes part in an attack that captures hill 182 and advances to the Nagyszombati road. (15) Due to the strength of the Russian forces it is not possible to hold this position for too long and the hill exchanges hands several times between now and the end of the fighting (around February 15)
January 28 1945: SS Brigade ,Ney” fight in the Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) area under the IV. SS Panzer Army corps. It is supporting the 3. SS panzer division ,Totenkopf” and does so until February 3
January 29 1945: SS regiment ,Ney” comes under the direct subordination of the German 356th infantry division.In the few next days the regiment, as part of the IV. SS Panzer corps’s divisions (together with the parts of the 1. SS Sturmjaeger regiment) attack from Székesfehérvár in a north north-east direction against the Russian forces.
January 31 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Ney” along with Infantry Battalion 871 and Engineer Battalion 356 with support of tanks and infantry from 3. SS Division ,Totenkopf” repulse a Russian advance to the north of Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg).
February 1 1945: The area defended by Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is further reinforced by troops from 3. SS Division ,Totenkopf” and tanks from heavy tank detachment 509
February 2 1945: The Russians resume the earlier attack on the northern part of Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) in the area around the brick works.SS Brigade ,Ney” to the east of Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) repulse a Soviet infantry attack.
February 3 1945: The German forces along with Kampfgruppe ,Ney” counter attack the Russian positions driving them from the Csala area and occupying the munitions factory.What is left of the KABSZ organisation brakes with Szálasi and because of this Szálasi deprives Ney and his corps of their Hungarian citizenship.(A courier from Szálasi had arrived earlier at Ney’s command post with a written command and had handed it to Ney. The command told Ney that his unit was fighting illegally, and had to march in to the Honvéd Ministry in Koszeg because of this, if they did not they would deprive Ney’s regiment of their Hungarian citizenship. Ney denied this pointing out the German-Hungarian treaty)
February 4 1945: The Russian attack has been stopped and driven back to the original defensive lines.
February 5 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is designated as a reserve unit of IV SS Panzer Corps and is withdrawn to Sur for rest and reforming (around this time a company of Air force personnal joins the Brigade). The unit is reorganised as a cavalry/re-enforced mounted regiment and is now called SS Cavalry Brigade ,Ney” (mostly referred to as SS Brigade ,Ney”) (16)
The Kampfgruppe’s Order of battle at this time was: (17)
Staff Headquarters
Interpreter Platoon
Signals Platoon
Motorcycle Platoon
Field Gendarmarie Platoon
Staff Security Company
Supply Platoon (partly motorised, partly horse drawn)
I Battalion (Mounted Detachment)
II Battalion (Mounted Detachment)
III Battalion (Mounted Detachment)
February 27 1945: In recognition of SS regiment Ney’s successful action , at the IV. SS Panzer Army corps’s command post members of the regiment are awarded 12 Iron cross II. Class, and three Iron cross I class. Dr. Ney Károly is promoted to SS-Sturmbannführer
March 1 1945: USAAF 15 Squadron, which is stationed in Italy with 630 airplanes, attacks near Vienna at Moosbierbaum. Whilst passing over Hungary one B-24 Liberator type four-engine bomber is shot down and crashes near Ácsteszér parish border around 14.00(five B-24 Liberators are reported lost.). Eight crewmen parachute out and land approximately 4,5 kilometres from Sur were SS Brigade ,Ney” is stationed and are caught by soldiers of SS Brigade ,Ney”.Later three airmen are taken to the Germans at Kisbér.
March 3 1945: The other five American airmen along with four Hungarian civilians are charged with spying.
March 4 1945: Winklemann issues a statement (tgb.nr.45(?)/45g) announcing among other things the following:
1 - SS Brigade Ney is to become a special unit of the Reichfuhrer as the Hungarian government refuses to reconize the unit
2 - The regiment is to be manned by volunteers only
3 - the publishing of promotional material (posters, newspaper adverts, etc) is forbidden
4 - the unit is granted permission to use the greeting ‘Harc’ (from the KABSZ) (Harc means fight/battle)
5 - it is promised that whatever equipment is procured for the unit (which is fitting out in Alsóság and in Sahhegy) then it shall be provided
March 6 1945: A Kampfgruppe of about battalion strength from. Brigade ,Ney” takes part in Operation Spring Awakening.
March 13 1945: SS Brigade ,Ney” soldiers execute the airmen in Crow forest near Súr and bury their corpses at the same place. A local resident recalls "[the prisoners], were kept in the castle, and Protestant schools around Sur. The prisoners had two of their legs broken. Among them were two officers, one a lieutenant. The prisoners were interrogated and beaten for days by the gendarmes and forced to testify. Later, two prisoners and two of the officers were taken (3 airmen were actually taken) to Kisber. Six soldiers (four men and two NCO’s) took part. (…) Before the Execution of the prisoners they were stripped naked. Four prisoners were apparently Catholic because they crossed themselves and were praying. The fifth was a Jew. The prisoner turned his back on one of the executed before the eyes of the rest. The execution was carried out by 4-5 infantry with a machine gun weapon. The tomb was not marked
March 14 1945: Operation Spring Awakening comes to a halt (19). The Russians begin to counter attack to the north of Székesfehérvár (Stuhlweissenburg) towards Mor and Tatabanya intending to cut of the 6th SS Panzer army. To counter this a kampfgruppe is assembled from IV SS Panzer Corps reserves. (20)
Mid March 1945: The brigade continues to form with the addition of a reconnaissance detachment and IV Battalion ,Imrady” (21) (Reconnaissance/Fusilier battalion) (22) The unit also receives its official title from SS-FHA of 1.(ungarische) – Husaren – Brigade der SS
March 17 1945: Order Number 529/1945 makes the KABSZ organisation cease to exist.
March 18 1945: between 18.00 and 19.00 Kampfgruppe ,Ney” in support of troops from ,Totenkopf” and the remnants of the 2nd Hungarian Panzer Division (23) retake the defensive lines lost earlier south-west of Bodajk. SS Brigade ,Ney” is now combined with the survivors of 2nd Hungarian Panzer Division to form Kampfgruppe ,Schell” under Oberst Zoltan Schell.
March 19 1945: Due to the Russian advance Kampfgruppe ,Schell” retreats towards Aka-Sur.
March 21 1945: Due to further Russian advances Kampfgruppe ,Schell” withdraws to a line that runs from Acsteszer-Csatka-Csatarpuszta-Szapar-Inotapuszta.
March 22 1945: During the evening Kampfgruppe ,Schell” falls back again to the ,Klara Positions” between Veszpremvarsany and Lokut.
March 26 1945: After 4 days of bitter fighting the Russians have reach Cselldomolk and secured a bridgehead across the Marcel Canal. SS Brigade ,Ney” are the nearest troops and in the afternoon launch a counterattack and stop the Russian advance.
March 27 1945: The retreating III. Battalion is removed from the bulk of SS Brigade ,Ney” in the Papa area and the battalion is assigned to the I. SS Panzer Army corps’s 3. SS division ,Totenkopf “ battle group and III Battalion remains with ,Totenkopf” until the end of the war.
March 29 1945: SS Brigade ,Ney” (now consisting of battalions I., II and IV). is in Rohonc, Gyepüfüzes and then, finally, in the Felsoor area… The bulk of SS Brigade ,Ney” is attached to Kampfgruppe ,Schweitzer” (24) at this time, while a small section is assigned to support a Hungarian fortress battalion.
March 30 1945: Part of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” is under the command of the 2nd Hungarian Armoured Division (25) to the south of Neusiedler See. The Russians reach the Reich Defence Positions (Reichschutzstellung)and SS Brigade ,Ney” takes up new positions around Rechnitz and Oberwart. The remnants of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” withdraw towards the Austrian border. They are split between III Panzer Corps/6th Army and I SS Panzer Corps/6th Panzer Army. (26)
April 1 1945: Some portions of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” and the headquarter staff are stationed in the ,Fortress Stelermark” area along the Duernback-Szombathely road. (27)
April 1/2 1945: I battalion as part of Kampfgruppe ,Schweitzer” retakes Rechnitz taking heavy casualties.
April 4 1945: I Battalion along with the rest of Kampfgruppe ,Schweitzer” retreat from Rechnitz.
April 5 1945: Kampfgruppe ,Schweitzer” and I battalion become part of Kampfgruppe ,Semmer” near Friedberg in Austria (28) 2 battalions ( II and IV) from SS Brigade ,Ney” serve with III Panzer Corps (this continues until April 8 1945)
April 9 1945: IV Battalion is serving with IV SS Panzer Corps around St Michael. Other parts of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” are attached to ,Viking” Division and also to the 1st Volks Mountain Division.
April 21 1945: .Kampfgruppe ,Ney”consists of IV. battalions – it has 4211 men at this time, of which 3100 men were classed as combat troops (29) The kampfgruppe has the following equipment: 2660 Mauser Kar 98k, 91 Mauser Kar 98k with telescope sights, 342 9 mm MP–40, 531 various pistols, 73 machine guns (MG–42), 17 heavy machine guns, 21 armour-piercing cannon (7,5 cm PaK 40), 34 mortars, 15 Panzershreks, 331 Panzerfaust, five flamethrowers, 1207 handled hand-grenades and 125 anti personnel mines. The kampfgruppe also as the following vehicles: seven armoured cars (Sd. Kfz. 223); 11 lorries (3,5 ton Opel Blitz) nine automobiles, 53 vehicles and 141 horses. Kampfgruppe/Brigade ,Ney” has suffered losses so far of 770 dead and 94 men are classed as missing. The estimated numbers of Russian tanks destroyed were approximately 50.
The Kampfgruppe’s Order of battle at this time is:
Staff Headquarters
Interpreter Platoon
Signals Platoon
Motorcycle Platoon
Field Gendarmerie Platoon
Staff Security Company
Supply Platoon (partly motorised, partly horse drawn)
I Battalion (Reconnaissance/Fusilier battalion) (Hauptsturmfuhrer K.F ?)
II Battalion (Reconnaissance/Fusilier battalion) (Hauptsturmfuhrer N.I ?)
III Battalion (Reconnaissance/Fusilier battalion) (Hauptsturmfuhrer K.N ?)(30)
IV Battalion ,Imrady” (Reconnaissance/Fusilier battalion) (Sturmbannfuhrer B.B ?)
III Battalion is serving with I SS Panzer Army fighting around Wiener Neustadt and Viennawhilst two battalions are serving with the III. Panzer army corp. With the Russian advance the command post of SS Brigade ,Ney” moves to Birkfeld in Styr Austria
Early May 1945 (31): 2 companies from Brigade ,Ney” fight in eastern Austria under Hauptsturmfuhrer Edui . Survivors of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” refuse to be taken over by SS Division ,Viking” and end up joining 25. SS Division ,Hunyadi”.
May 8 1945: SS Brigade ,Ney” is officially dissolved by its commanding office Obersturmbannfuhrer Dr Karl Ney in the Weiz, Birkfeld and St. Erhardt area. All stores, equipment and documents are destroyed. Approximately 1000-1200 men join one of the German VI army columns in the retreat.
May 9 1945: The survivors of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” headquarters staff surrender to American forces along with other elements of the Hungarian SS in the Attersee area of Austria Also on this day In the Bruck area parts of Brigade ,Ney” along with the 1. Hungarian SS ski battalion and parts of 5. ,Wiking” SS panzer division retreating from Graz break through Russian lines to reach the American troops to surrender.
May 11 1945: Other elements of Kampfgruppe ,Ney” surrender with elements of 25. Division ,Hunyadi” in the Attersee area of Austria.