Hungarian People’s Army, c. Hungarian Revolution of 1956
About half of the Hungarian People’s Army remained loyal to the Communist regime, sometimes participating in the suppression of the uprising from the very beginning - in one case, Hungarian planes even strafed demonstrators. The T-34/85 tank in the background bears the national turret insignia of a red star on a white disc with a red-white-green border (hated by the troops, for the excellent aiming mark it provided for an enemy gunner).
Lance-corporals, Infantry, field dress with equipment, (flanking)
Of all the Warsaw Pact forces, the uniforms of the Hungarian People’s Army between 1951 and 1956 most closely resembled the Soviet pattern. This figure represents an infantry lance-corporal in field marching order; the green collar patches with brass infantry crossed rifles badge are visible, but his equipment hides the single green rank stripe across his shoulder straps. The Hungarian version of the Soviet gymnastiorka shirt-tunic differed in having a fall instead of a standing collar; note the white lining strip sewn inside the collar, and the reinforcements at elbows and knees. Standard Hungarian Army boots were modelled on the Soviet pattern, but with only the feet and ankles made from reinforced leather, the shafts being of rubberized canvas. He wears only two ammunition pouches on the right side of his brown leather belt, although the knapsack straps were designed for a symmetrical arrangement; his weapon is the standard 7.62mm Mosin-Nagant M91/30 rifle. The parade helmet was dark green, with the same painted insignia as on the tank turret; it is worn here strapped to the backpack, while he wears a pilotka-style cap with a miniature version of the same badge. A blanket and greatcoat roll is strapped around the knapsack, and a mess tin to its back; below this note the rolled tent-half in brown, green and sand camouflage pattern, and the water bottle and entrenching shovel strapped to his belt; a gasmask satchel is slung to his left hip, over the bayonet scabbard. (The water bottle was often carried inside the knapsack.)
Colonel, Armoured Troops
This colonel wears the uniform introduced in 1951 - that most commonly worn in 1956. It differs from the earlier M-49 pattern by having two internal breast pockets only, with external flaps, thus more closely resembling the Soviet kitel. Tank troops had black collar patches piped bright red with a gilt tank symbol. In Soviet style, this rank is indicated by two red stripes’ and three silver stars on the shoulder boards, which are of gold braid on black backing for the technical branches. Armour officers’ caps had a black band and red piping, with the standard cap badge on the band rather than the crown. The badge was a light blue oval within a gilt wreath and above a narrow red-white-green riband, the oval bearing a red star above a gilt crossed hammer and cornstalk. Officers usually wore a belt of old-fashioned Sam Browne design, with a cross strap (oddly) over the right shoulder, although the pistol holster was worn on the right hip.
Major, Artillery - political leader
This major wears the older M-49 uniform still occasionally seen in the mid-1950s; rather longer than the M-51, it had four pockets, and was slightly reminiscent of the old Austro-Hungarian style. The red collar patches show the crossed cannons of the artillery. Again, the shoulder boards have the two red stripes of field grades, here with one rank star, and on the red backing of this arm of service. Buttons were similar for all uniforms, bearing the Hungarian Communist coat-of-arms; they were made either from pressed yellow metal or from khaki/brown Bakelite. Appointment as a political officer was indicated by a badge on the left sleeve, showing a red star on a red-edged khaki pentangle; political ‘leaders’ like this officer had an additional small yellow star superimposed. (This badge was officially discontinued in 1952.) The ribbons on his the chest include Hungarian and Soviet decorations, and the red star badge on his right breast is a typical souvenir, such as that issued in 1955 commemorating the tenth anniversary of victory over the Germans. Note that the all-khaki cap is unpiped, and the badge is worn on the crown. Some of these political officers were pure Party creatures, but others did a lot for the education of their soldiers.
(Peter Dennis)
Hungarian People’s Army, c. Hungarian Revolution of 1956
About half of the Hungarian People’s Army remained loyal to the Communist regime, sometimes participating in the suppression of the uprising from the very beginning - in one case, Hungarian planes even strafed demonstrators. The T-34/85 tank in the background bears the national turret insignia of a red star on a white disc with a red-white-green border (hated by the troops, for the excellent aiming mark it provided for an enemy gunner).
Lance-corporals, Infantry, field dress with equipment, (flanking)
Of all the Warsaw Pact forces, the uniforms of the Hungarian People’s Army between 1951 and 1956 most closely resembled the Soviet pattern. This figure represents an infantry lance-corporal in field marching order; the green collar patches with brass infantry crossed rifles badge are visible, but his equipment hides the single green rank stripe across his shoulder straps. The Hungarian version of the Soviet gymnastiorka shirt-tunic differed in having a fall instead of a standing collar; note the white lining strip sewn inside the collar, and the reinforcements at elbows and knees. Standard Hungarian Army boots were modelled on the Soviet pattern, but with only the feet and ankles made from reinforced leather, the shafts being of rubberized canvas. He wears only two ammunition pouches on the right side of his brown leather belt, although the knapsack straps were designed for a symmetrical arrangement; his weapon is the standard 7.62mm Mosin-Nagant M91/30 rifle. The parade helmet was dark green, with the same painted insignia as on the tank turret; it is worn here strapped to the backpack, while he wears a pilotka-style cap with a miniature version of the same badge. A blanket and greatcoat roll is strapped around the knapsack, and a mess tin to its back; below this note the rolled tent-half in brown, green and sand camouflage pattern, and the water bottle and entrenching shovel strapped to his belt; a gasmask satchel is slung to his left hip, over the bayonet scabbard. (The water bottle was often carried inside the knapsack.)
Colonel, Armoured Troops
This colonel wears the uniform introduced in 1951 - that most commonly worn in 1956. It differs from the earlier M-49 pattern by having two internal breast pockets only, with external flaps, thus more closely resembling the Soviet kitel. Tank troops had black collar patches piped bright red with a gilt tank symbol. In Soviet style, this rank is indicated by two red stripes’ and three silver stars on the shoulder boards, which are of gold braid on black backing for the technical branches. Armour officers’ caps had a black band and red piping, with the standard cap badge on the band rather than the crown. The badge was a light blue oval within a gilt wreath and above a narrow red-white-green riband, the oval bearing a red star above a gilt crossed hammer and cornstalk. Officers usually wore a belt of old-fashioned Sam Browne design, with a cross strap (oddly) over the right shoulder, although the pistol holster was worn on the right hip.
Major, Artillery - political leader
This major wears the older M-49 uniform still occasionally seen in the mid-1950s; rather longer than the M-51, it had four pockets, and was slightly reminiscent of the old Austro-Hungarian style. The red collar patches show the crossed cannons of the artillery. Again, the shoulder boards have the two red stripes of field grades, here with one rank star, and on the red backing of this arm of service. Buttons were similar for all uniforms, bearing the Hungarian Communist coat-of-arms; they were made either from pressed yellow metal or from khaki/brown Bakelite. Appointment as a political officer was indicated by a badge on the left sleeve, showing a red star on a red-edged khaki pentangle; political ‘leaders’ like this officer had an additional small yellow star superimposed. (This badge was officially discontinued in 1952.) The ribbons on his the chest include Hungarian and Soviet decorations, and the red star badge on his right breast is a typical souvenir, such as that issued in 1955 commemorating the tenth anniversary of victory over the Germans. Note that the all-khaki cap is unpiped, and the badge is worn on the crown. Some of these political officers were pure Party creatures, but others did a lot for the education of their soldiers.
(Peter Dennis)
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