Commander of the Hungarian First Army who went over to the Soviets in October 1944 and headed the provisional government in Debrecen
Born in Budapest into a Székely family, he graduated from the Ludovica Military Academy in 1910 and fought in the First World War. He was military attaché in Berlin from 1933 to 1936, headed Horthy’s military office from October 1942 and became colonel general in 1943. Given command of the First Army on 1 August 1944, he supported leaving the Axis; after the failed attempt of 15 October he went over to the Soviets the next day and urged his commanders by radio to defect. In December the Interim National Assembly in Debrecen elected him prime minister of the Provisional National Government, which made the armistice with the Soviets, declared war on Germany and set up people’s tribunals; he served until the November 1945 elections. Elected for the Hungarian Independence Party in 1947, he lost his seat, withdrew from public life and died in 1948, buried without military honours.
Activities and affiliations
Career Timeline
- 1910Graduated from the Ludovica Academy; hussar lieutenant
- 1933–1936Military attaché in Berlin
- 1942–1944Head of the Regent’s military office
- 1944Commander of the First Army; went over to the Soviets on 16 October
- 1944–1945Prime minister of the Provisional National Government
- 1947Elected for the Hungarian Independence Party; seat cancelled