Home Guard's Time Signalling Service Activities 14 Nov 1938 - 7 Jul 1939

Tiszaujhely Commander Map Correction / Signalling Unit 1938

2nd Lieutenant Endre Kovács was the commander of the map correcting section of the Előd battalion stationed in Tiszaújhely, created during the reorganisation of the Ragged Guards.

This service was vital for coordinating activities, particularly in an era when precise timing was essential for communication, transportation, and military movements.

The department had a total of 6 people. (Source: ÁBTL 4.1. A-653/3. page 270)

The 1. Time marking group: Vannay hdgy. Under his command, 2/3rds of the 2^nd company went to Tiszakeresztúr, which is where Ensign Endre Kovacs set up the No. 1 time signalling station (one squadron) in Tiszaújhely, and the No. 2 signalling station (one squadron in Sálanka. There were other time keeping groups as well but is outside the scope of my research. Miklos Kozma was informed of several fighters being treated in the city hospital.

In November 1938, the Home Guard’s Time Signalling Service in Hungary played a crucial role in ensuring accurate and synchronised timekeeping across military and civilian operations. This service was vital for coordinating activities, particularly in an era when precise timing was essential for communication, transportation, and military movements.

The Ragged Guard, an irregular unit (para-military) of the Hungarian Royal Army, had around 500 men in October 1938, as reported by CNE503. The unit was deployed in phases between October 1938 and March 1939, with distinct objectives, including reconnaissance, infiltration, and local skirmishes. The Ragged Guard was renamed “Map Correctors” and “Weather Forecasters” between November 1938 and March 1939, engaging in propaganda and minor skirmishes.

March 14 – March 18, 1939

2nd Lieutenant Endre Kovacs led a 25-man battle group of map correctors in a skirmish against Ukrainian forces at Fancsika (now Fanchykovo, Ukraine – Appendix), on March 15, 1938 encountered resistance and a brief but intense battle ensued. “He held the settlement on the night of the 14^th to the 15^tth,until the arrival of the army (National Guard) in the early hours of the morning.” Although outnumbered, Lieutenant Kovacs’ battle group managed to gain control of the village Fancsika, and the Ukrainian forces retreated. The success of this operation was seen as a significant morale boost for the Hungarian forces, and 2nd Lieutenant (synonymous with Ensign) Kovacs was praised for his leadership and bravery.

As the commander of the Map Correcting Section unit in Tiszaújhely and Tiszaújlak in 1938, 2nd Lieutenant Kovacs Endre was responsible for coordinating the transfer of his units in the Elöd battalion of 11 people (Source: ÁBTL 4.1. A-653/3. page 270) across the border and launching attacks against Czechoslovak targets to support Hungary’s irredentist claims on Czechoslovak territory and to disrupt the country’s stability.

Destruction of Latorca Bridge – March 1939

Ensign Endre Kovacs’ actions during the Hungarian annexation of Carpatho-Ukraine in 1938-1939 involved in the destruction of the bridge over the Latorca River (now Latorytsia River) in the town of Berehovo (now Berehove, Ukraine) in March 1939. The bridge was an important transportation link between Hungary and Carpatho-Ukraine, and its destruction was a strategic move by the Hungarian forces to hinder the advance and retreat of Ukrainian and Czechoslovakian troops.

Ensign Kovacs, as a member of the Vannay group played a role in the demolition of the bridge, which was a key moment in the military campaign. Latorytsia and Latorica refer to the same river.

Testimony used in 1948 Soviet Court Trial against Endre Kovacs

For cross reference purposes, the Hungarian paper Képes Figyelő, published on April 10, 1948, reported on their front page that the last remnants of the Rag Guard had been dealt with. (Kovács was sentenced to death, among other things, because during the 1938 uprising in the highlands, he blew up a bridge guarded by a Czech unit together with soldiers.