Who were they?
The Ragged Guards (Rongyos Gárda) were an irregular Hungarian paramilitary force active during the 1938–1939 territorial revisions. Operating outside the formal army structure, they carried out sabotage, reconnaissance, and covert nationalist actions against Czechoslovakia and later in Transcarpathia (Kárpátalja). Their activities supported Hungary’s strategic objectives leading up to the First Vienna Award and the eventual reoccupation of these regions.
Historical estimates place the group’s strength at 600–1,000 members, with several hundred later serving in World War II in various military and security roles.
Hungary’s Entry Into World War II
Hungary joined the conflict in stages:
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April 1941: First military participation during the invasion of Yugoslavia
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June 27, 1941: Full entry into the war after declaring war on the Soviet Union
Mission Completed: 1938–1939
The Ragged Guards were created for a specific purpose: covert operations to destabilise and weaken resistance in territories Hungary sought to reclaim.
Their operations focused on:
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Upper Hungary (Felvidék) in 1938
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Transcarpathia (Kárpátalja) in 1939
Once these areas were retaken, the need for irregular cross-border actions declined, and the organisation effectively dissolved.
Endre Kovács’ Contribution and Acknowledgment
Among the notable members was Endre Kovács, who played an active role in reconnaissance and sabotage missions during the 1938–1939 campaigns. His experience with clandestine operations — including bridge demolitions, intelligence gathering, and local coordination — made him one of the more capable young officers within the movement.
Kovács’ early irregular work under figures such as László Vannay positioned him for further responsibility as Hungary transitioned into open warfare.
Later actions
Although the Ragged Guard was officially disbanded at the beginning of December 1938, its members carried out various actions until March 1939, when Transcarpathia was re-annexed.
After the war, it continued to operate as an underground movement under the Soviet-Bolshevik dictatorship, but in November 1948, the judge Tucsek and the Jewish-born (Note: it is typical, not only of our past – to hand patriots over to foreign hands!) State Prosecutor Sárkány summoned 28 people to court on charges of armed conspiracy!
Five true Hungarians who fought for the homeland, for us, were sentenced to death! May their names stand here as an eternal memento:
Martyrs
– Antal Benko
– Louis Fodor
– Paul Goder
– Endre Kovacs (Note: the reference site states incorrectly Andras Kovacs which is his young son)
– The name of the fifth patriot, martyr, is unknown
Transition Into Official Hungarian Forces
As the Ragged Guards disbanded, many of its members, including Kovács, were absorbed into Hungary’s formal military and security institutions. Their skills in reconnaissance, counter-insurgency, and border operations were in high demand.
Former members joined:
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Honvéd counterintelligence units
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Gendarmerie and internal security forces
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Special defence formations, such as the Vannay Battalion, during the 1944–45 defence of Budapest
Endre Kovács, in particular, moved into military counterintelligence, where his wartime responsibilities expanded significantly — culminating in his service during the Siege of Budapest.