The German Military Elite of the Battle for Budapest, 1944–1945

This collective biography of German officers in the 1944–1945 siege of Budapest traces commands, decorations, and motives. The siege of the Hungarian capital in 1944–1945 continues to occupy an important place in historical memory, often becoming entangled in ideological and political disputes. Contrary to the interpretation that prevailed in Hungary until 1990, the far-right culture of remembrance in recent decades has celebrated the soldiers involved in the breakout attempt of 11 February 1945 as “heroes”, while the historical facts and the real motivations of those involved in the event have increasingly faded from public discourse. Following the great success of his book,The Siege of Budapest: One Hundred Days in World War II, published in numerous Hungarian and international editions, the author now turns his attention to the German military elite who participated in the battle for Budapest. This collective biography encompasses German military personnel who took part in the fighting, held key command positions or were awarded notable decorations (Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross, German Golden Cross) during their time in Budapest. The author thoroughly examines 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 breakout attempt. The one hundred and twenty-three biographies, the result of decades of meticulous research, focus on real individuals, whose flaws and virtues must be considered together. The intricate and original large-scale tableau that emerges from their stories highlights the diversity of German military careers, the contradictions of the hero cult, and the atrocities of World War II.