Romanian Occupation of Budapest(1919)
Background
Following the destruction of the Red Army at the Tisza, Béla Kun's government collapsed Aug 2. Romania occupied Budapest to enforce Allied demarcation lines and extract war reparations, causing friction with the Allied Supreme Council.
Campaign: Hungarian-Romanian War 1919
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Romanian forces crossed the Tisza Jul 29–30; the Hungarian Red Army disintegrated and Béla Kun fled. Budapest entered Aug 3–4.
The Romanian Occupation of Budapest in August 1919 followed the collapse of the Hungarian Soviet Republic after its failed July offensive. Romanian troops entered the city, effectively ending Béla Kun's regime and remaining in the capital until early 1920.
“"The first Romanian units entered Budapest on the evening of August 3 — 400 men with two artillery guns were the only forces to occupy the city until midday on the 4th." — Romanian Army operational record
Casualties & Outcome
~2,000 total (Romanian); ~10,000 total mostly prisoners (Hungarian)
Romania achieved victory over Hungary (Red Army).
250px|right|Romanian soldiers feeding the civilian population in Hungary. 250px|right|Romanian infantry patrol in Budapest.On 2 August, Kun fled Hungary towards the Austrian border and eventually reached the Russian SFSR. A socialist government under the leadership of Gyula Peidl was installed in Budapest with the assistance of the Allied council, but its tenure was short-lived. The counter-revolutionary White House Fraternal Association attempted to install Archduke Joseph August of Austria as Hungary's head of state and István Friedrich as prime minister. However, the Allies would not accept a Habsburg as head of state in Hungary and so a new government was needed. Romania occupied all of Hungary except for an area around Lake Balaton. There, Admiral Miklós Horthy formed a militia with arms from Romania.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Collapsed the Hungarian Soviet Republic, giving Romania enormous leverage at the Paris Peace Conference.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Romanian Occupation of Budapest?
- The Romanian Occupation of Budapest took place in 1919. Jul 27–Aug 4, 1919.
- Who won the Romanian Occupation of Budapest?
- The Romania were victorious against the Hungary (Red Army).
- What was the significance of the Romanian Occupation of Budapest?
- Collapsed the Hungarian Soviet Republic, giving Romania enormous leverage at the Paris Peace Conference.