By Pablo de Vago
The writer was a close associate of Ferenc (sometimes written Ference) Szalasi and was one of two representatives of the Arrow Cross movement in the Lower House of the Hungarian Government in 1940. After a resolution that he proposed, to give more stature to the minorities in Hungary, he was severely censured by Minister President Count Teleki.
The problem, and it occurred in other Axis nations, was that Germany preferred to recognise and work with existing governments who had proved popular support rather than impose or support genuine National Socialist organisations within those countries.
Therefore it was not until the Hungarian Regent Horthy changed sides, when the Red army crossed the frontier, that the Germans realised their mistake. Ference Szalasi and theArrow Cross were then given full German backing and recognition, The existing government ministers, although previous opponents, then also, albeit too late, came to support the Arrow Cross party.
Then followed the epic battle of Budapest, which for almost two months held the Red army back and prevented it from entering Austria and Italy . During this time the Western allies advanced in time to stop any further communist incursions. Hungarian forces claimed to have saved Europe by their heroic struggle. After the war Szalasi and some of his colleagues were captured by the Americans and handed over to the communists for torture and execution.
