This title is presented with a new foreword by Istvan Deak. The battle of Budapest in the bleak winter of 1944-45 was one of the longest and bloodiest city sieges of World War II. From the appearance of the first Soviet tanks on the outskirts of the capital to the capture of Buda Castle, 102 days elapsed. In terms of human trauma, it comes second only to Stalingrad, comparisons to which were even being made by soldiers, both German and Soviet, fighting at the time. This definitive history covers their experiences, and those of the 800,000 non-combatants around whom the battle raged.

Author Biography

Krisztian Ungvary, the distinguished Hungarian historian, has specialised in the history of World War I and World War II. He is the author of numerous articles and books, and in March 2000 was designated Military Historian of the Year by the Hungarian Institute of War Studies. Ladislaus Lob is Professor Emeritus of German, Sussex University.