HUNGARIAN MINISTRY OF DEFENSE, ORGANIZATION AND PERSONNEL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00457R001900100001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 12, 2005
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 22, 1948
• Content Type: REPORT

C.F G.
INFORMATION REPORT%\-
COUNTRY liung;ary
LACE
ACQUIRED
DATE !"-1J'' I) 1I
AGOWRf D
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THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT 50
U. S. C.. 31 AND 32. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION
OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON 15 PRO-
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`DAI L DISTR. 22 September 1,4.11'
NO. OF PAGES _3 2
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LIST lII BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
H[ P(I-T NO.
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THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION FOR THE RESEARCH
USE OF TRAINED INTELLIGENCE ANALYSTS
For easy reference, the following is an outline of the Ministry offices. Directly
ender the Ministry of Defense, are:
F. Commission for the "B" list.
2. Budapest City Command (only in case of emproensa
Military and Political State Secretariat'e,,.
5. Inspectorate of'Defense
hof. 1 - 3 act in partial independence of the Ministry, as axrpears below. The
1ilitary and Political State Secretariate (not discussed in the text since its
functions are not as yet well-defined) is divided into a military-political and
a civilian-political office. The Inspectorate of Defense has three subsections:
CLASSIFICATION SECRET
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iiun arian ili.r.i stry of Defense,
! )rganizati on and Fersonnset-
3. KPCs
a-. Chief of Staff of the Inspectorate of Defense
b. Disciplinary Section of the Inspectorate of Defense
Prosecutor of the Inspectorate of Defense.
ILA
The inspectorate of Defense also supervises the following directly:
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+i, Procurements branch
o. Equipment branch
f. Audit Office
Judiciary section
?Farther subdivisions will be taken up in the body of the report under each
appropriate heading.
The first Hungarian 1inister of Defense after the war was Gen. Janos VOROS. A
democrat in the western sense as well as a good organizer and strategist., His
Intention was to organize a non-partisan, well-trained army. Intrigues were or-
ganized against him,, particularly by Janos TOROK, Quartermaster General, and a
member of the left, wing. of the Socialist Party, who had been guilty of financial
irregularities. VOROS was succ_eecied by TOM.BOR,who was followed in turn by BARTHA,
a member of the Smallholders Party. Under his regime, PU$FFY.O STF,RREICHER es-
tablished himself in the Ministry. The next minister was DINNYES, and when DINNYPS
became Minister President, Peter VERES, President of the Hungarian National Pea-
sant Party, became DINNYES' successor. He is supposed to possess nationalist feel.-
3_ig in a marked degree and is said to have often expressed anti-Communist sentiments.
c is devoted to the Hungarian peasantry, and willing to expose himself in defend-
i..rig members of his party. In general, it is thought that his conduct is based sole-
37T on the consideration that Hungary is at the mere[ of the Russians. He has come
to terms with the situation and attempts to advance himself by any means. A born
diplomat, he is not entirely in CP good graces. The General Secretary of the Na-
tional Peasant Party, Ferenc ERDEI, sees to it that good relations are maintained
with the CP and thereby takes a bur#en off VERES.
Up to the present, there has been no mobilization plan worked out. One will soon
be elaborated by the circle of PALFFY-OESTERRE"ICHr.. PALFFY firmly intends to
build a small but well-organized?f&inatical, well-trained army; he will supply
everything for this army, money, equipment, etc. He wants to reinstate old, well--
t.tained officers. At the Moscow negotiations, in which he rend VERFS took part,
they proposed. to the Soviets an army of 120,000 men. The Soviets cancelled a cer?-
t,ain percentage of reparations, from which sum the army is to be equipped under
soviet control.
3t the pequest of the KPCs (seseetppollc4), in December 191,7 the Personnel Chief,
LLY, issued an order that every member of the Ministry must belong to a political
party. This was carried out rigorously, and all persons without party affiliations
were compelled to join. Officially, starting from 1 March 1948, political parties
were banned within the Hungarian Army. There is now a KPCs representative in every
>ection of the Ministry, which has created an atmosphere of mutual distrust.
the directing figures within the Ministry are PALFFY-0E`3,'V l2 .SICHER, SOLYOMF, ILLY,
.red RADVANYI, all. former General Staff members with excellent technical qualifica-
?i,ons. SOLYOM alone has not joined the CII)but he is completely in sympathy with
t,s aims.
Commission for the "BT' List (B Lista ugyek miniszheri biztosa)
This office determines which officers now on active service should be placed on
the inactive ("Bt') lists In practice, it determines which officers would be
gotten rid of for reasons of political unreliability, technical incompetence, or
non-essential services-. The commission consists of three members, one from the
office of the Minister President (DINNYES), one from the Ministry of Defense, and
one from the Trade-Union. The chief of section, Brig. Gen. Miklos BARTOFFY, passes
on and directs the commission, and makes decisions in doubtful cases. Technical-.
y, this section is coordinated with the iuiinistry of Defense, but it is in fact
subordinate to both the Office of the Ministry of Defense (Miniszteri Lroda) and
Lhe Office of the Minister President (in this case, State Secretary Bela BOJTA).
Close contact is also maintained with the KPCs, for necessary investigations.
Deputy chief' is Opt. Dr. Janos 1LLFS.
e,v i'1i av Command Budapesti Varosparancsnoksag
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Address: St.-baszo Barracks,, Budapest VIII, Ulloi u. Commandant: Col. Gyorgy
PORFFY. This unit maintains military order in Budapest in case of alarm or
other emergency. It is normally subordinate to the First Military District Com-
mand, but in important matters, can be directly subordinated to the Ministry of
Defense. The City Command guards military installations and persons and per-
forms routine garrison deities in Budapest.
3. Budapest City Command (Budapesti Varosparanesnoksa
1. VDCs -I ICo men : organization of the Katona Politikai Csoportfonokseg,
n5 V
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Q. C U%-L_V ~.~,...... _ -- --- ---- r
of the Hungarian Army, founded byPALFFY OESTERREICHER in 1945, has been dis-
cussed In greater detail in ).
Inspectorate of Defense (Honyedse., Felugyeloi
This office, headed by Maj. Gen, Gyorgy PALFFY-OESTERREICHER, is the-highest
authority of the Hungarian Army in military matters, corresponding to the former
office' of Chief of the General Staff, and entirely independent, within this field,
of the Minister President, More and more control has been centered in this of-
fice, so that at present its head is more important that the Minister of Defense.
Control is exercised over all phases of army organization., mobilization, pro-
motions, training, equipment, strategic questions; since February 194 8, when
PALFFY-OESTERREICHER becam Inspector, the KPCs has been subordinated to the In-
spectorate. PALFFY's adjunt is Capt. Istvan LAKATOS.
Chief oA Staff or -the Inspectorate of Defense (Honvedseg Felugyelojenek.
Vezerkari fonoke)
The former head of this office, Staff Col. Zoltan PALFFY.MUHORAY, was
relieved of his post in March 1948 for unreliability, Since the office
is still being reorganized, its functions cannot yet be specified.
b,. Disciplinary Section of the Inspectorate of Defense (HonvedsegFelugyel.o-
jenek Fegyelmi Eloadoia)
Headed by Brig. Gen. Istvan SZILA&YI, this office investigates and
judges smaller offenses of officers, acting in close collaboration
with the KPCs.
c. Prosecutor of the Inspectorate of Defense (Honvedseg Felugyelojenek
U esze
.Headed by Lt.. Col, Dr. Geza SOS, this office investigates and deals
with more serious offenses of officers assigned to the Ministry of
Defense and of general officers.
6. Presidium (Elnokseg)
This office, headed by Brig. Gen. Imre RADVANYI, and his deputy, Major Elemer
SZABO deals with a number of important matters within the Ministry of Defense,
including the keeping of various records and statistics. A break-down-is pre-
sented below, office by office. The Presidium is answerable both to the Inspecto-
rate and directly to the Minister of Defense. Comment: it will not be
forgotten that all the offices discussed in paragraphs 6 - 12 are subordinate
to the Inspectorate of Defense). 25X1
a., Presidium, Section A (Elnokseg "A" Ostaly)
Headed by Col. Dr. Janos PAP? with. the assistance of Capt. Sandor
FURJES and 1st Lt..Mihaly:TEMESI, this office deals with party matters,
indoctrination courses, control over office work in the Ministry of
Defense, issuing of identity papers for army personnel,'security of
Ministry offices, preparation of daily reports, graves registration,
etc. In case of military emergency, this office issues orders to the
City Command.
'ONeIDENT
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Central Inteliigency Agency
b, Presidium, Section B (Elnokseg "BM astaly)
Headed by Col. Gyula TURCSANYI with the assistance of Capt. Sandor
BERKO, this office maintains contact with the military attaches of
foreign countries as well as with accredited diplomatic missions and
also selects and sends out Hungarian military attaches to foreign posts.
The office supervises parades and official receptions and maintains a
technical branch for study, translation, and appraisal of foreign tech-
nical periodicals. A"small counter-intelligence organization exixts
within this office and works closely with the KPCs.
c, Staff Headquarters (Torzsparancsnoksag)
Headed by Maj. Imre RAPP, who is assisted by Master Sgt. Lorine HARGITAI,
.this office controls office matters within the. Ministry. It issues or-
ders for officers and non-commissioned officers, as well as pass-words,
commands and leaves. Orders for Sections A and B are prepared and for-
wardhdgand instructions are issued to the-sentries guarding the Ministry.
A Management Office (Gazdasagi Hivatal) is subordinated to the Staff Head-
quarters; it is headed by Maj. Ivan RAKOVSZKY, and pays bills for the
Ministry, salaries for personnel in the.Ministry, etc,
d. Chief of the Roman Catholic Chaplains (Rom. Kath. Vezeto Lelkesz)
Religious service is headed by Brig. Gen. Janos FOLBA, assisted by
Lt. Col. Dr. Janos NEMET.
e. Chief of the Protestant Chaplains (Prot. Tabori Vezeto Lelkesz)
Religious service is headed by Maj. Gen, Elemer SOLTESZ, assisted by
Capt. Sandor VARGA.
f. Chief of the Jewish Chaplains (Iz selita vezeto lelkesz)
Religious service. is headed by Lt.. Col. Jeno DUSINSKY, assisted by
Capt. Jeno MORGENSTERN.
g. Administrative Office (Allomanyvezetoseg)
This office, directed by lst Lt. Tibor HOVAN, keeps-all personnel files
on officers serving in the Ministry of Defense; it records births, deaths,
decorations,. etc,
Translation Office (Fordito es Tolmacsiroda)
The chief of this office is Capt. Dr..Josef ILLES; the Russian transla-
tors are headed by Capt., Mihaly VORINKA and 2nd Lt. Endre MERENYI ?, the
English section is headed by Capt. Menyhert ESZTERHAZY and Capt..Istvan
LOSITZ... All organizational orders, promotions, reports, and personnel
matters are translated into Russian and transmitted to the Russians.
I. Printing Office (Hazi omda es elvi ugyek)
The head of this office, which multigraphs reports, orders, etc., is
Lt. Col. Elemer BENYI.
Building Administration (Palotagondnoksag)
This office, directed by a civilian official, Josef KALMAR, who is as-
sisted by 2nd Lt. Bela KOSZTKO, takes care of the Ministry building. and
its internal security,
k, Medical Office (Office Orvosi Rendelo)
Col. Dr. Bela HUEBNER heads a medical office which selves Ministry person-
nel.
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Central Inte IJ.lgericy Agency
SECRET
Information Desk Tajekoztato Iroda)
M. Casualty Office (Vesztesegi Alosztaly)
This office, headed by a civilian official, Dr. Ferenc ZAMARDY, keeps
records of casualties incurred.by the Hungarian Army.
Central Mail Office (Kozponti postabonto)
This office: is headed by Master Sgt. Janos.DOBAK. It opens, numbers,
records, and distributes to the proper office all incoming official
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Editorial Office (Honyedsegi-Kezlony Szerkesztosege)
This office, headed by Maj. BelaiBAH?K, edits and publishes) the Hungarian
military technical journal, Honve.segi Eozlony,. which is printed by Szikra
A,G,, Honved u. 10. Official notices are also written up and edited here.
General Files (Elnoki AltalanosIrattar)
The chief archivist is Josef SZABO, a civilian official,
7. Training Branch Kikepzesi Csoportfonok)
This office,, under Brig. Gen. Gustav ILLY, has the final word in all matters of
training, promotion, assignment, salary, decorations, and other personnel matters,
There are three sections:
a. Personnel. Office (Smemelyugi Ostaj.y)
This office is under the direction of Brig. Gen. Dr. Viktor GOMORY,
assisted by 1st Lt. Jakab Fererc SZABO,.and is further subdivided:
1.
Subsection for Assignments (Beosztasi Alosztaly)
4.
Subsection for Officer Personnel (Elvi Tiszti Szemelyugyi
Alostaly)
This section is headed by General Staff It. Col. Jeno CZEBE,
assisted by 2nd Lt. MATRAI, and deals with all officer personnel
questions.
This section, under Maj. Rezso FEKETE, assisted by lst-Lt. Andras
OSERMELY, re-assigns officers who have been PW's~After clearance
by the KPCs.
Records. Subsection (Nyilvantartasi Alostaly)
Headed by Lt. Col. Andreas KASZOhTYI, assisted by Capt. Odon VALYI,
this section maintains personnel files on all active officers as
well as all reserve officers, arranged by branch of service,
Promotions Subsection (Eloleptetesi Alosztaly)
This section is headed by Maj. Antal FERENCZHALMY, assisted by
Capt. VARHIDY, It handles promotions.,and decorations for all of-
ficers and non-commissioned officers in active service, and initiates
requests for pensions and release from service.
Subsection for KPCs Personnel Files (Katonapolitikai csoportfonokseg
Headed by Maj. Sandor KOVARY, assisted by 1st Lt. Endre KORANYI,
this Action cgptrols(all personnel matters (assignments, pro-
motions, decorati,s etc,) for officers serving in the KPCs.
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i,i1litar Office (Katonai Osta y
'ii.s office, under General Staff Col. Laszlo VERTES, with Col. Istvan
)VACS as adjutant, develops the effective strength of the Hungarian
,r'my through organization and training. It supervises the specialist