Siege of Budapest — Romanian 7th Corps(1944)
Background
Hitler declared Budapest a Festung to be held at all costs. German relief attempts (Operations Konrad I-III) repeatedly failed, accelerating Germany's strategic collapse.
Campaign: Romanian Advance West 1944-45
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Romanian 7th Corps fought block-by-block through Pest, suffering 30% casualties before being ordered to withdraw by Malinovsky.
The Siege of Budapest or Battle of Budapest was the 50-day-long encirclement by Soviet and Romanian forces of the Hungarian capital of Budapest, near the end of World War II. Part of the broader Budapest Offensive, the siege began when Budapest, defended by Hungarian and German troops, was encircled on 26 December 1944 by the Red Army and the Romanian Army. During the siege, about 38,000 civilians died through starvation, military action, and mass executions of Jews by the far-right Hungarian nationalist Arrow Cross Party.
“"In Budapest the Romanians fought with a fury born of two years of humiliation — we had something to prove." — Romanian 7th Corps officer, cited in Axworthy
Casualties & Outcome
~6,000 killed, ~4,708 wounded (Romanian 7th Corps); ~25,000 killed, ~14,000 captured (German/Hungarian garrison)
Romania / Soviet Union achieved victory over Germany / Hungary.
right|Soviet troops inside the city, January 1945 The remaining defenders finally surrendered 13 February 1945. German and Hungarian military losses were high, with entire divisions having been eliminated. The Germans lost all or most of the 13th Panzer Division, 60th Panzergrenadier Division Feldherrnhalle, 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer and the 22nd SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Maria Theresa. The Hungarian I Corps was virtually annihilated, as well as the 10th and 12th Infantry Divisions and the 1st Armored Division. The Soviet forces suffered between 100,000 and 160,000 casualties. The Soviets claimed that they had trapped 180,000 German and Hungarian 'fighters' in the pocket, and declared they had captured 110,000 of these soldiers. However, immediately after the siege, they rounded up thousands of Hungarian civilians and added them to the prisoner-of-war count, allowing the Soviets to validate their previously inflated figures.
Significance & Legacy
Romania's sacrifice erased from Soviet victory accounts. Gen. Șova later imprisoned by the communist regime.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Siege of Budapest — Romanian 7th Corps?
- The Siege of Budapest — Romanian 7th Corps took place in 1944. Dec 26, 1944–Feb 13, 1945.
- Who won the Siege of Budapest — Romanian 7th Corps?
- The Romania / Soviet Union were victorious against the Germany / Hungary.
- What was the significance of the Siege of Budapest — Romanian 7th Corps?
- Romania's sacrifice erased from Soviet victory accounts. Gen. Șova later imprisoned by the communist regime.