Figure 1.--Hungary hoped to claim Carpathian Ruthenia after the Munich Conference (October 1938), but declined to confront the well-armed Czech Army. After German troops crossed the Czech border (March 1939), the Hungarians finally were able to seize their part of the spoils. The press caption here read, "Hungarian Troops On March In Ruthenia: A column of Hungarian troops, 'accompanied' by two native boys, march through a section of Ruthenia(Carpatho-Ukraine) annexed by their country following the break-up of the Czechoslovakian state." The editor has chosen not to mention the German invasion. Notice the lack of mechanization.

The Hungarians claimed Ruthenia, but hesitated to take ion the well-armed Czech Army until the Germans had destroyed the Czech state. They got part of Ruthenia in Hitler's First Vienna Award (November 1938). But they wanted all of it. The Hungarians staged border incidents. When the Germans invaded Czechoslovakia proper, however, the Hungarians finally had their chance. Slovakia and Carpatho-Ukraine declared independence. The Ruthenians declared themselves to be the Republic of Carpatho-Ukraine, with Reverend Avhustyn Voloshyn the new head of state. And with the Czech Army stood down, the Hungarians immediately invaded Carpatho-Ukraine. A frontier incident was staged (March 15) and as German troops moved into Prague, Hungarian troops moved into Ruthenia. There was no resistance from the Czechs, although some of the Ruthenians resisted, trying to set up a separate state. Poorly armed irregular Carp atho-Ukraine forces were unable to resist the Hungarian Arny. All resistances ceased (March 18). Problems developed, however, when the Hungarians kept going into Slovakia. Hitler had to order the Hungarians to stop. Hungary annexed further parts of eastern Slovakia west of Carpatho-Rus (march 23). Ruthenia was primarily Ukrainian, but there was a Hungarian minority. One source suggests a population of 0.7 million Hungarians. The area remained a part of Hungary until the final year of the War.

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Created: 4:30 AM 11/30/2013
Spell checked: 3:28 AM 12/2/2013
Last updated: 3:28 AM 12/2/2013