The Eighth Tribe, 1981 (8. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1981-01-01 / 1. szám

Page 4

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

January, 1981

tenants. The total officer corps in 1944 was approximately 650 men.

The Csendőr uniform varied from that of the Honvédség in a number of respects. The most prominent difference was their unique hat. The hat consisted of a black derby on which was set a large bluish-green rooster feather plumage secured by a metallic emblem depicting the great seal of Hungary. As a result, the Csendőrs were often referred to as the “kakastollasok” or rooster feathers. Enlisted men carried a well balanced short sword which served as an excellent deterrent when firearms were not deemed necessary. In those situations requiring firearms, the M35 Mannlicher rifle was standard issue. Onto the rifle was fixed the Csendőr bayonet which was considerably longer than the variety used by the Honvédség. The long mounted bayonet, in addition to the tall rooster plumage, gave them an overpowering presence.

Csendőrs are perhaps best remembered walking in pairs through a town, village, or in the countryside on their predetermined route. This was in the heat of the summer or the harshest of winters. In the wider expanses, mounted patrols were often used. Respected by all, feared by some, their mere presence was an excellent deterrent to crime. When all else failed, the Csendőrs were usually called to establish order. They were noted for their no nonesense attitude. Warning shots were never given. Seeing them in the area gave people the assurance of knowing they were safe. The Csendőrs were the guards of silence as their name implies.

The Csendőrség gave faithful duty in its 64 years of service. During the short lived post World War I communist regime, they were temporarily dissolved, but were reactivated upon Admiral Miklós Horthy von Nagybánya’s march into Budapest in 1919 and the subsequent overthrow of the Béla Kun government. Under Regent Horthy’s administration any form of

communist activity was considered a crime. The burden of enforcing a halt to all communist activity and apprehension of known communists fell to the Csendőrség. For this they were to pay a great price later. During the latter part of the 1930’s and early 40’s, Hungary was actively engaged in reoccupying territories lost by her after World War I with the Treaty of Trianon. Controlling partisans in the newly liberated territories now became the responsibility of the Csendőrs. With the eventual outbreak of World War II, their workload was multiplied many times over. Now not only were they responsible for the additional territories, but more and more they found themselves engaged in direct conflict with enemy forces. In January of 1944 the Csendőrség numbered about 18,500 men. With the continuation of the war, their numbers were drastically reduced. The crushing advance of the Russian forces necessitated sequestering them into Honvédség duties. Heavy losses were sustained with the retreat in front of the advancing Red Army.

On December 24 Russian forces completely encircled Budapest and started the 52 day siege of the capital. Five Csendőr flags, or 3,000 men and 160 officers along with Honvéd and German forces totalling approximately 70,000 fought to hold the city. A desperate defense ensued with diminished supplies against insurmountable odds. The defenders fought on well, aware of their final destiny. Budapest suffered terribly. Not only in innocent lives lost, but with the devastation inherent in desperate battles. Losses were numbered in the many hundreds each day. Finally, on the morning of February 15, 1945, with complete depletion of defense capability, the siege ended. Many of the defenders who survived the battle were executed in the ensuing days; were sent to POW camps from which few returned; or were persecuted, hounded, or treated in the most degrading and humiliating manner. Csendőrs, along with Honvéds and Germans numbering 40,000 in all, lay in the ruins of the Buda Castle. On April 4th all of Hungary fell.

It is difficult to say how many Csendőrs survived the war. The numbers and facts are few. Approximately 1,100 Csendőrs managed to escape by leaving their beloved Hungary. They are now scattered throughout the world. Their numbers become fewer and fewer with each passing year. The great distances have prevented them from meeting often, but they maintain a unique bond with one another. In their hearts they retain a burning love for their homeland, for their comrades, and for the Csendőrség. They faithfully executed their orders, fought the good fight, and lived up to the standards epitomized in their motto: Hiven, Becsülettel, Vitézül (Faithfully, With Honor, Valiantly).