Rifle Platoon - HU702

includes one Formation 39M SMG Team, 

one Unit Leader 31M &95M Rifle Team, 

six 31M & 95M Rifle Teams, 

one Panzerschreck Anti-tank Team, 

one 20mm Anti-tank Rifle Team (Mid War)

1942-43

The backbone of the Hungarian 2nd Army in Russia in 1942 were the riflemen of the Light Divisions. Nine Light Divisions in three corps were deployed along the Don River supported by the 1st Armoured Field Division in reserve.

The Hungarian rifleman has a long and proud military tradition going back to the 15th and 16th centuries when Hungarian Haiduk musketeers served as mercenaries across the Balkans and Eastern Europe, even spawning imitators (Polish Haiduks). Under the Austrian Hapsburg Empire the Hungarians (along with the Croatians and German Austrians) provided the most reliable infantry during the 18th and 19th centuries and into the First World War.

With independence after the First World War the Hungarian’s kept many of the traditions of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, with most of the officer corps coming from the old Imperial Army.

Their Uniform also reflects this influence, retaining the German style helmet and unique Hungarian calf hugging trousers. Rather than adopt the Austrian peaked cap for undress they adopted the peak-less cavalry cap which became the undress standard for the whole army. Only the Border Guard and Mountain Rifles retained the peaked cap (which is much like the German).

In 1932 the Hungarian established their first Motorised Rifle units and quickly developed it along side the armoured units. The 1st Motorised Regiment of three battalions of motorised riflemen supplied the infantry compliment of the 1st Armoured Field Division. 

1944-45

The 16th, 24th, and 25th Infantry Divisions all served with the Hungarian First Army during the battles for Galicia in 1944. During this period they gained valuable experience that they were able to put to good use during the battles for Transylvania and the Tisza River. Eventually three armies were mobilised for the defence of Hungary, the great majority of these being humble riflemen.

Hungarian riflemen are either armed with Steyr-Mannlicher 95M/31, an unusual bolt action rifle with a unique straight pull action, or the more conventional German K98 Mauser rifle. Their heavy firepower was supplied by the Solothurn 31M light machine-gun or German supplied MG42 machine-guns.

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