Battle of Carei(1944)
Background
On August 30, 1940, a territorial dispute between the Kingdom of Romania and the Kingdom of Hungary was arbitrated by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy through the Second Vienna Award, which assigned the territory of Northern Transylvania, including all of Maramureș and part of Crișana, from Romania to Hungary. On June 22, 1941, Romania joined Operation Barbarossa in order to reclaim the lost territories of Bessarabia and Bukovina, which had been annexed by the Soviet Union in June 1940. As a result of the royal coup d'état of August 23, 1944, Romania switched sides and joined the Allies. From September 5 to October 8, fierce fighting occurred at the Battle of Turda, where troops from the Hungarian 2nd Army under the command of General Lajos Veress and the German 8th Army under the command of General Mortimer von Kessel fought a defensive action against Romanian and Soviet forces. By mid-October, Brașov, Sfântu Gheorghe, Târgu Mureș, Gherla, Cluj, and Dej had been taken by the Allied forces.
Campaign: Romanian Advance West 1944-45
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Final major battle for Northern Transylvania. Romanian forces fought largely independently.
The Battle of Carei was the last stage of recovering Romania's former territory of Northern Transylvania, ceded in 1940 to Hungary as a result of the Second Vienna Award. The battle occurred towards the end of World War II, in the wider context of the Battle of Romania and the Battle of Debrecen. On October 25, 1944, the cities of Carei and Satu Mare were freed from Hungarian and German control. By a decree from 1959, this day was established as the Romanian Armed Forces Day.
“"When the Romanian flag was raised over Carei, men wept openly in the ranks — we had come home." — Romanian officer, cited in Axworthy
Casualties & Outcome
~5,000–6,000 killed and wounded (Romanian); ~8,000–10,000 killed and wounded (Hungarian/German)
Romania achieved victory over Hungary & Germany.
Capture of Carei completed the liberation of northern Transylvania — the last Romanian town under foreign occupation.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Completed the liberation of all Transylvania.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of Carei?
- The Battle of Carei took place in 1944. Oct 25, 1944.
- Who won the Battle of Carei?
- The Romania were victorious against the Hungary & Germany.
- What was the significance of the Battle of Carei?
- Completed the liberation of all Transylvania.