Battle of the Tisza(1919)
Regional placement. The pin represents a wider operational area, corridor, or theater rather than a single confirmed point.
Tisza River crossing area south of Szolnok
Coordinate source: Geographic reasoning
Background
Béla Kun's Hungarian Soviet Republic launched a desperate offensive to relieve Allied-mandated demarcation lines. Romania responded by crossing the Tisza and advancing on Budapest.
Campaign: Hungarian-Romanian War 1919
Forces Engaged
The Battle
Romanian forces repelled the Hungarian attack across the Tisza, then crossed the river in a decisive counteroffensive.
The Battle of the Tisza was fought on Jul 20–24, 1919 as part of the Hungarian-Romanian War 1919. Romania forces, commanded by Gen. Mărdarescu, engaged Hungary (Red Army) forces under Vilmos Böhm. Romania fielded 90,000 troops against Hungary (Red Army)'s 40,000. The Romania force comprised 80,000 infantry and 8,000 cavalry. The engagement was fought on river plain, Tisza River crossings terrain, employing Hungarian pre-dawn three-group river crossing repulsed; Romanian counterattack crossed Tisza, enveloping Hungarian flanks. The fighting lasted 5 days. It was a river_crossing engagement fought in summer. The defender adopted a prepared defense posture while the attacker employed river crossing. The battle resulted in a Romania victory. Casualties were estimated at 1,500 for Romania and 8,000 for Hungary (Red Army).
“"On July 20 around 3:00 AM, after a violent bombardment, the Hungarian infantry of all three groups crossed the Tisza." — Romanian Army operational report
Casualties & Outcome
~1,500 total (Romanian); ~8,000 total including prisoners (Hungarian)
Romania achieved victory over Hungary (Red Army).
Complete collapse of the Hungarian Red Army opened the road to Budapest. Béla Kun fled to Austria on August 2.
Historical Record
Significance & Legacy
Destroyed the Hungarian Soviet Republic's last offensive capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was the Battle of the Tisza?
- The Battle of the Tisza took place in 1919. Jul 20–24, 1919.
- What was the outcome of the Battle of the Tisza?
- The Romania were victorious against the Hungary (Red Army).
- What was the significance of the Battle of the Tisza?
- Destroyed the Hungarian Soviet Republic's last offensive capability.