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Baptism of Fire: The First Combat Experiences of the Royal Hungarian Air Force and Slovak Air Force, March 1939 Hardcover – February 19, 2011

by Csaba B. Stenge (Author)

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This conflict is just a short episode from the turbulent history of Central Europe in the 20th century, which is little known even in the countries involved, and almost totally obscure outside them. From the international point of view the most important event in the middle of March, 1939 was that the Third Reich occupied the Czech territories, which was a failure of the Western powers, since they hoped that by the Munich Agreement (29-30 September, 1938), they could avoid any future conflicts with Adolf Hitler. That is why their contemporary media and their recent history books are filled with these events, and do not mention a small parallel conflict.From the Hungarian point of view, occupying its former territory of Sub-Carpathia was very important. Hungary was surrounded on three sides by the hostile Little Entente countries (Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Yugoslavia) and on the fourth side, since the Anschluss in March, 1938, by the Third Reich. To break this encirclement, it was necessary to restore the common border with Hungary's historical ally, Poland and this was achieved by the occupation of this territory. For the Hungarian Armed Forces, the short border conflict with Slovakia was only the closing phase of the occupation of Sub-Carpathia.From the Slovakian point of view, however, this is a far more important conflict. Slovakia became independent for the first time in its history in March, 1939. Parallel to Slovak independence, the Czech territories from the former Czechoslovakia were seized by the Third Reich and Sub-Carpathia was occupied by Hungary. The invasion of a border area of Slovakia by the Hungarians was considered by the Slovaks as a direct threat to the independence of the country.During the Hungarian occupation of Sub-Carpathia, their ground troops were supported by Hungarian reconnaissance and bomber forces. During the border conflict with Slovakia, a short but fierce clash started between the contending air forces. Slovak planes strafed and bombed Hungarian ground troops on 23 March 1939, but the heaviest clashes happened the very next day, when extensive air-to-air combat occurred. Clashes saw Hungarian Fiat CR.32s come up against Slovak Avia fighters and Letov reconnaissance and light attack planes. Also on that day, Hungarian Ju 86 bombers raided the main Slovak air base. The majority of Hungarian materials relating to the combat have been lost or destroyed, so author Csaba Becze Ph.D. has put in a Herculean effort to construct this account. The text contains details of the historical background to the conflict, a full account of the combat, as well as notes on Hungarian aviators decorated for their performance, short biographies of Hungarian aviators credited with aerial victories, and a list of Hungarian anti-aircraft claims and aerial victories. Besides this, the book contains over 100 rare and mostly previously-unpublished images, as well as a selection of superb color profiles showing camouflage and markings for the aircraft of both air forces.

Baptism of Fire: The First Combat Experiences of the Royal Hungarian Air Force and Slovak Air Force, March 1939

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wonderfully researched, lucidly written and potently provocative. (Cybermodeler)

“ … This is one of those important books recording an event most of us have never heard of and helps broaden our picture of the Second World War … The publisher is to be commended for bringing us books like these. They expand the mind, giving food for thought… and I really love the pictures. Great stuff.” (WAR HISTORY ONLINE)

“ … a monumental labour of love that will occupy war historians minds and provide modellers with something a little different to build and admire.” (ModelArt Australia)

“ … an illuminating look at a relatively minor event in the run-up to the Second World War.” (9781906033934)

“ … The pioneering nature of this work is unquestionable. (...) It based on mostly unpublished, primary sources of both sides and (...) it is the most detailed book in this topic which has ever been published. (Klio)

About the Author

Csaba Becze was born in 1975. He is a historian, his PhD describing the history of the Royal Hungarian Air Force in WWII. The focus of his research is aviation and military history, especially of the Hungarian armed forces and air force in WWII. He has spent the last two decades conducting intensive research both in archives and with veterans and their families, looking for surviving wartime materials relating to the Royal Hungarian Air Force. He has authored 6 books and dozens of scholarly articles in the Hungarian, English, German and French languages.

Hardcover: 96 pages
Publisher: Helion Pub (February 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1906033935
ISBN-13: 978-1906033934
Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
Average Customer Review: 4 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,753,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #6535 in Books > History > Military > Aviation
- #23821 in Books > History > Military > World War II

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Something completely Different

ByJon Guttmanon January 7, 2015

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

The most detailed account yet of a forgotten conflict and its accompanying air war. A great way for air buffs to investigate "something completely different."

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Baptism of Fire. An engrossing account of a significant event involving The Royal Hungarian Air Force.

ByGeorge Liptakon May 31, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A very well researched book dealing with a specific event in history. The author manages to engage the reader not only by the well ordered facts presented, in truly an unbiased manner, but also by introducing the many individuals who played a significant role by portraying characters and analysis of their contributions, which makes this historical account so readable.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A well-prepared description of an event which is rarely dealt ...

ByPPon November 18, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

A well-prepared description of an event which is rarely dealt with in English. Extremely well researched and containing a clear description of the motives for this short pre-W.W.II conflict. A worthwhile endeavor.

22 comments One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The definitive account of a neglected air campaign

ByChris Pringleon January 27, 2014

Format: Hardcover

For enthusiasts interested in aviation of the WWII era generally, and of the air forces of the junior Axis partners in particular, the Slovak-Hungarian conflict of March 1939 is a fascinating but hitherto somewhat obscure episode. Now Dr Csaba Stenge has captured it in his searchlight and produced an exhaustive account of the aerial dimension of this little-known campaign. He has not only scoured the archives of both sides and of Germany as well, but also tracked down many of the pilots who participated. On the basis of their logbooks and reminiscences combined with the official documents, Dr Stenge provides extremely detailed information on the operations of the opposing air forces. This is complemented by a wealth of photos, mostly previously unpublished ones from the author's personal collection, plus gorgeous colour illustrations of the aircraft involved.

Aviation history owes a huge debt to Dr Stenge for his dedicated scholarship. His comprehensive and authoritative work is now surely the definitive book on this topic, and an absolute must-have for anyone interested in this air campaign.

0Comment 9 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Baptism of Fire: The First Combat Experiences of the Royal Hungarian Air Force and Slovak Air Force, March 1939 Hardcover – February 19, 2011

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