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Function of DEF-3 Siege of Budapest

In January 1945 in Buda, “Def-3” (III. védelmi osztály / Defensive Section III) refers to the Hungarian military counterintelligence–security branch operating inside the encircled capital during the Siege of Budapest.

What Was Def-3?

Within the Hungarian Royal Army structure:

Védelmi Osztály III (Def-3) =

  • Counterintelligence

  • Internal security

  • Screening of suspicious personnel

  • Monitoring defeatism and desertion

  • Investigations inside military units

It functioned separately from the German SD, though cooperation occurred during the siege.

Role of Def-3 in Buda – January 1945

By January, Buda was:

  • Completely encircled

  • Under constant artillery bombardment

  • Experiencing desertions and panic

  • Infiltrated by Soviet scouts and local informants

Def-3’s tasks included:

1️⃣ Internal Military Security

  • Screening officers and soldiers suspected of:

    • Defeatism

    • Contact with Soviets

    • Planning surrender

  • Monitoring morale inside Hungarian units

This became critical after late December 1944 collapses in Pest.

2️⃣ Arrest & Interrogation of Suspects by Endre Kovacs

  • Investigating:

    • Alleged spies

    • Suspected communist sympathizers

    • Civilians accused of signaling to Soviet forces

  • Operating makeshift holding cells in Buda

Some interrogations occurred near:

  • Toldy Ferenc High School (Vannay HQ area used by Endre) .

  • Castle District basements

  • Brick factory and logistics depots

 

3️⃣ Control of Retreating / Reorganised Units

After the fall of Pest (mid-January 1945):

  • Fragmented Hungarian and German troops crossed into Buda.

  • Def-3 helped:

    • Identify stragglers

    • Verify rank and identity

    • Prevent infiltration by disguised Soviet agents

False birth dates and false unit designations (which you mentioned Kovács later used when captured) were common counterintelligence concerns during this period.

4️⃣ Liaison With German Security Units

Def-3 coordinated at times with:

  • Sicherheitsdienst

  • German Feldgendarmerie

  • Waffen-SS sector command (including elements of the 8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer in western Buda)

However, Hungarian counterintelligence remained formally under Hungarian command.

5️⃣ Preparations for Breakout

By late January:

  • Def-3 officers were compiling lists of:

    • Reliable officers

    • Potential defectors

    • Security risks during a breakout attempt

This would become crucial before the February 11 breakout.

Geographic Focus in January 1945 (Buda)

Likely operational zones:

  • Castle District (Várnegyed)

  • Toldy Ferenc High School (Vannay Battalion HQ)

  • Krisztinaváros

  • Széna tér / Széll Kálmán tér area

  • Bohn brick factory zone

These were key defensive nodes overlapping with Hungarian and German units.

Important Context

By January 1945, Def-3 was:

  • Severely understaffed

  • Operating under siege conditions

  • Lacking documentation capacity

  • Destroying sensitive files as encirclement tightened

That is why post-war accusations often relied on coerced testimony rather than surviving paper records.

SS German Role in defending BUDA

The 8th SS Cavalry Division “Florian Geyer” (8. SS-Kavallerie-Division „Florian Geyer“) played a major role in the fighting on the Buda side of Budapest in 1945 during the siege.

8th SS Cavalry Division Florian Geyer in Buda (1944–45)

📍 Context: Siege of Budapest

The division was encircled in Budapest during the Siege of Budapest (December 1944 – February 1945).

By late December 1944:

  • The division was trapped together with:

    • 22nd SS Volunteer Cavalry Division Maria Theresia

    • German Wehrmacht units

    • Hungarian formations (including elements connected to the Vannay Battalion, The First Royal Hungarian University Assault Battalion)

🏙 Where in Buda?

After the Soviet encirclement:

  • The 8th SS held positions mainly on the Buda side, especially:

    • Castle District (Várnegyed)

    • Krisztinaváros

    • Széll Kálmán tér area (then Moszkva tér)

    • Hills north and west of the Castle

Fighting was extremely intense in:

  • The Castle Hill tunnels

  • Around the Royal Palace

  • Along the defensive lines toward Széna tér

By January 1945, the division was severely reduced in strength.

👤 Commander in Budapest

The division commander during the siege was:

  • Joachim Rumohr

He was killed in action in February 1945 during the fighting in Buda.

⚔️ Final Phase – Breakout Attempt

On the night of 11 February 1945:

  • Remnants of the division participated in the breakout attempt from Buda Castle.

  • Very few survived.

  • Most were killed in the hills west of Buda or captured by Soviet forces.

The division was effectively destroyed in Budapest.