Rakosi Battalion
The Rakosi Battalion was a volunteer unit, founded in April 1937,[1] formed predominantly of Hungarians, who fought in the CL International Brigade and the XIII International Brigade during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). The battalion was named after Mátyás Rákosi, then a political prisoner in Miklós Horthy's Hungary, later leader of the Hungarian People's Republic.
| Rakosi Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1937-1938 |
| Country | Hungarian |
| Allegiance | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Republican Spain |
| Branch |  International Brigades |
| Type | Infantry battalion |
| Part of | CL International Brigade XIII International Brigade |
| Engagements | Huesca Offensive Aragon Offensive Battle of the Ebro |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Ákos Hevesi |
It was initially part of the CL International Brigade which was disbanded on 4 August 1937, and thereafter the battalion became part of the XIII International Brigade.[2]
The Battalion's first action (with 288 men) was in the Huesca Offensive in June 1937. The battalion became trapped by machine-gun fire and lost a quarter of its men. Their commander, Ákos Hevesi, and political commissar, Imre Tarr, were both killed as they led from the front.[3]
At the start of the Battle of the Ebro, on 25 July 1938, the battalion led the XIII International Brigade and 35th Division across the river near Ascó, initially advancing quickly.[4]
Personnel
- Ákos Hevesi - Hungary. Commander. Killed in the Huesca Offensive, June 1937[3]
- Ferenc Münnich - Hungary. Political commissar. Became Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Hungary from 1958 to 1961. [5]
- László Rajk - Hungary. Political commissar. Became Hungarian foreign secretary, was accused of espionage, and shot after a show trial in Hungary in 1949. [6]
- Imre Tarr - Hungary. Political commissar. Killed in the Huesca Offensive, June 1937[3]
References
- Clifford, Alexander (2020). Fighting for Spain. Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military. p. 239. ISBN 978 1 52677 438 5.
- Tremlett (2020) p.385
- Tremlett, Giles (2020). The International Brigades. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 321. ISBN 978 1 4088 5398 6.
- Tremlett (2020) p.473
- Thomas, p 927.
- Thomas, p 926.
- Beevor, Antony; The Battle for Spain, 2006.
- Copeman, Fred; Reason in Revolt, 1948
- Eby, Cecil; Comrades and Commissars, 2007.
- Gurney, Jason; Crusade in Spain, 1974
- Thomas, Hugh; The Spanish Civil War, 4th Rev. Ed. 2001.