Hungary, autumn-winter 1944-45

The names of Bicske, Debrecen, the Vertes Hills or Castle Hill remain virtually unheard of. Yet, it was in these Hungarian regions that the most ferocious fighting took place, culminating in one of the toughest sieges during the Second World War. In the end, Hungary would be the scene of the last great German tank offensive of the war.

Following the spectacular destruction of Army Group Centre and overshadowed by Konev and Zhukov's drive on Berlin, this fighting has remained largely forgotten.

However, when one takes a closer look at the forces engaged and the sacrifices made on both sides, the strategic and political implications, the numerous battles, losses, all of which taking place in extremely difficult weather conditions, one cannot help but be surprised that these last German-Hungarian efforts in the East have been overlooked, as well as the way in which the Soviets dealt with it whilst pursuing their own plans.

This book takes a close look at these battles of which the final spasms were, one month and three weeks before the German capitulation at Reims, the Panzers' last stand.