Unváry, Krisztián WW2 Vehicles through the Lens. Volume 6

The siege of the Hungarian capital in 19441945 continues to occupy an important place in historical memory and is often embroiled in ideological and political disputes. Contrary to the interpretation that prevailed in Hungary until 1990, the far-right culture of remembrance has celebrated the soldiers involved in the attempted uprising of 11 February 1945 as heroes in recent decades, while the historical facts and the actual motives of those involved have increasingly disappeared from public discourse. Following the great success of his book The Siege of Budapest. One Hundred Days in World War II, which has been published in numerous Hungarian and international editions, the author now turns his attention to the German military elite who were involved in the Battle of Budapest. This collective biography covers German military personnel who took part in the fighting during their time in Budapest, held important leadership positions or were honoured with significant awards (Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, German Golden Cross). The author examines in detail the Hungarian aspects of their careers, including their role in the siege of the capital, their movements within Budapest, the events associated with them, and their involvement in the attempted breakout. The 123 biographies, which are the result of decades of meticulous research, focus on real people whose weaknesses and virtues must be considered together. The complex and original overall picture that emerges from their stories illustrates the diversity of German military careers, the contradictions of the cult of heroes and the atrocities of the Second World War.