The Battle for Budapest 1944 - 1945

by Anthony Tucker-Jones

Overview

The desperate struggle between the Wehrmacht and the Red Army for Budapest in 1944 and 1945 was as lethal and destructive as any of the urban battles fought during the Second World War. The losses of men and equipment sustained by the Germans were so great that they hastened the collapse of Hitler’s regime. Yet what happened in Budapest is less well remembered today than other flash points in the conflict on the Eastern Front. Anthony Tucker-Jones’s photographic history is a fascinating and graphic introduction to this neglected episode in the closing months of the war.

The battle began with Operation Panzerfaust in October 1944 when the Germans seized Hungarian leader Admiral Horthy to prevent his country defecting to the Soviets. Red Army advances then left German and Hungarian units trapped in the city and sparked fifty days of intense fighting. Then in March 1945 Hitler launched Operation Spring Awakening, the reckless final German offensive of the war, designed to recapture Budapest and stabilize the Eastern Front. It failed spectacularly, opening the road to Vienna for the Red Army.
The selection of archive photographs gives a sharp insight into every aspect of the fighting in and around Budapest and records the ravaged city the battle left behind.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473877320
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	03/03/2017
Series:	Images Of War
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	7.40(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Anthony Tucker-Jones is a former defense intelligence officer and a widely published expert on regional conflicts, counter-terrorism and armored and aerial warfare. He is the author of over thirty books, is security and terrorism correspondent for intersec – The Journal of International Security, and has freelanced for Channel 4 News.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Photograph Sources 8

Chapter 1 Hungarian Turning Point 9

Chapter 2 Skorzeny's Panzerfaust 26

Chapter 3 SS Trapped in Budapest 41

Chapter 4 Konrad Fails 61

Chapter 5 Fatal Breakout 78

Chapter 6 Defeat at Balaton 95

Chapter 7 Tolbukhin's Masterstroke 108

Chapter 8 'Thanks for Everything' 117

Editorial Reviews

"Packed with black and white photographs, this book is broken down into eight chapters including ‘Hungarian Turning Point’, Skorzeny’s Panzerfaust’, ‘SS Trapped in Budapest’ and ‘Tolbukhin’s Masterstroke’. In typical Tucker-Jones style there is no holding back with casualty and burial photographs and scenes of shattered Budapest are ten a plenty. They are all part of the story, but there is also no shortage of good shots of German, Hungarian and Soviet military vehicles, both in service and out as well as good studies of soldier’s cold weather gear which was essential for all. No shortage of inspiration for diorama lovers and a great general reference for the modeller and historian alike, the many scenes within this book, will prove very useful to all. Highly recommended and thanks again to Pen & Sword for our copy."

Military Modelling

"As with the other Images of War books, the pictures are key. Here many reveal men, vehicles and urban combat revealing details of makeshift armour, camouflage, and destruction. Those alone will make this book a welcome addition to many modelers' references."

FineScale Modeler

In sum, this is a really nice collection of photos. Many of the subjects of the photos just aren't easily available elsewhere and especially not in an English-language book… Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

AMPS

"As with the other Images of War books, the pictures are key. Here many reveal men, vehicles and urban combat revealing details of makeshift armour, camouflage, and destruction. Those alone will make this book a welcome addition to many modelers' references."

FineScale Modeler magazine

"Packed with black and white photographs, this book is broken down into eight chapters including ‘Hungarian Turning Point’, Skorzeny’s Panzerfaust’, ‘SS Trapped in Budapest’ and ‘Tolbukhin’s Masterstroke’. In typical Tucker-Jones style there is no holding back with casualty and burial photographs and scenes of shattered Budapest are ten a plenty. They are all part of the story, but there is also no shortage of good shots of German, Hungarian and Soviet military vehicles, both in service and out as well as good studies of soldier’s cold weather gear which was essential for all. No shortage of inspiration for diorama lovers and a great general reference for the modeller and historian alike, the many scenes within this book, will prove very useful to all. Highly recommended and thanks again to Pen & Sword for our copy."

Military Modelling Magazine