The Replacement - 1.1

Many people forget that during World War II Hungary was allied with Nazi Germany. The Hungarian army fought against both the Soviet Union and the United States and Great Britain. In a way it was somewhat a natural occurrence as the Austro-Hungarian Empire had Hungary and Germany within it demesne. Once part of the Holy Roman Empire and destroyed by Napoleon, Hungary had long standing relations with both Germany and Austria. And like its time in Austro-Hungary, Hungary was independent, allied with Nazi Germany.

When the Nazis spread and like them Hungary, a persecution of the Jews and other peoples began. At first, these people were required to register with the state. The next thing that began to happen was they were limited in the types of work they could perform and with whom they could interact. All the while, the state began to learn everything about these people. The secret police investigated. Our story begins...

On a cold clear day in March of 1944 the Schwartz family gathered in their large house in Budapest. Times were hard but they still had enough wealth to live very comfortably as they were wealthy people. So perhaps times were not quite as hard as on everyone else but new income was severely restricted and largely savings with very little else was the state of life.

There was more than enough but there was both worry that eventually money would run out and labor at the pay they were allowed would not keep them in this house. They hoped the war would end soon. Even though they were suffering compared to their lifestyles before the war, they knew many suffered and they were patriots.

Hungary's Armies made great gains against the soviets to the east and the British and their allies to the west. The Hungarian flag flew outside the house on its flag pole and the entire family raised the flag at morning and lowered the flag at night. There were many extended families in the great house. The grandmother, her three sons and their wives and children lived there. There used to be servants but those had all been released. So all told there were seventeen people in the house. The oldest child was a boy who was thirteen and there were two babies with all ages in between.

Near sunset, the entire family left the house to lower the flag, except the grandmother who sat in her rocking chair at the window and watched. Two of the brothers were ex-cavalry soldiers and they supervised the lowering of the flag. After the flag was lowered and it was properly folded by the two brothers, their sister and her husband with their two children appeared whose name was Marta and Sasha.

Everyone cheered and was happy to see them and the brothers Ezra, Ephrayim, and Adam with their wives Zsa Zsa, Ela, Eva and the children greeted Marta, Sasha, and their children with warm hugs and welcome. Because it was still winter, the homecoming was immediately moved inside as the sun set.

Even though there was joy because Marta and Sasha lived far to the East near the border, Sasha looked troubled and in the great parlor once all was settled he asked, "Our house was taken from us and we have nowhere to live. May we stay with you?"

"Of course you may all stay," Grandmother immediately said before anyone else could speak.

"Yes, yes, please stay," Marta's brother's said in agreement with grandmother, "There is plenty of room and we will get you settled. Are you bringing more things to move in?"

"We were not allowed to take anything but what we have with us," Sasha said dejectedly.

"Perhaps you have news to tell us and we should talk in the study?" Ezra asked Sasha while looking at Marta.

"Yes, there is news," Marta looked worried.

"But it will all be alright!" Sasha said jovially in front of everyone in a loud cheerful voice.

"Let us get your bags into your old room Marta and then we can talk with Sasha in the study." Ephrayim said.

"Yes, everyone grab something, and we will settle them in Marta's old room." Ezra cheerfully said and he knew something was very wrong but he maintained his composure in front of the children and the ladies.

Everyone took a bag and carried it up the stairs to Marta's old room and once the bags were in the room, the men left toward the study while the women unpacked and readied the room.

The study was back downstairs; in the northeast corner of the house and inside they went and locked the door behind them. The inside of the study was filled with books on tall shelves and held two desks and other furniture. The walls were of the finest carved oak paneling. Several windows let daylight into the north and east walls but it was dark now. The windows were shuttered against the cold for the night.

"First, before we hear the news and why you are here, let us have a drink of Unicum to take off the chill." Ezra said

"Yes, we will Zwack ourselves with a toast first," Ephrayim joked.

"Good. I am a bit chilled," Sasha agreed.

Ezra poured the liquor into four glasses and each took one. They all raised their glasses and said, "Egészségedre! (To your health!)," And took a stiff hit."

"Ah good! Let's all sit to hear what you have to say." Ezra waved his hand and they moved to a sitting area with a long divan and two chairs. Once they were seated and sipping their drinks Ezra said,

"I know the chill is a little less." And he nodded at Sasha and his brothers, who all nodded back in agreement, "So, Sasha, what is this news, why did they take your house?"

"The army is in retreat from the Russians and they are setting up the defense of the area. The government took our house and most everyone else's and told us all to head west away from the coming battle."

"The Russians have beaten the army?" Ezra and Ephrayim asked incredulous.

"They have not beaten our army but the army is in retreat and will reform on the east of the border, in Urhhorod. I asked to stay and fight but they said no, I was too old. Anyone below thirty was conscripted right there. They started their first drills by marching east."

"It is that bad?" Ezra said and took a stiff sip.

"I knew they should not have wintered in the Ukraine." Ephrayim said, "I could see it. I knew it. This last winter was hell."

"Hell or not, the word is the Germans were hit worse than we were by far and that is why we are pulling back," Sasha said, "To regroup with them."

Adam took a long drink and drained his glass, "Perhaps I should go and join up. I am 26."

"Maybe," Ezra said, "And maybe not. I have heard news that Hrothy intends to sign an Armistice with Russia."

"That might be why they told us to leave, so the defense would look strong." Sasha offered.

"So the Soviets would accept the Armistice." Ezra said. "Yes, I think you are right. You will not be here that long then Sasha before you can go back but we sure could use the help."

"We are all laborers now." Ephrayim said.

"Even the women have jobs, laboring." Adam said, "We could use army pay. Tomorrow I will enlist. I should have done so already but we made such gains I was told it was not necessary."

"Let’s raise another toast then to Adam!" Ezra said rising to fetch the bottle.

"Yes, to Adam." Ephrayim and Sasha rose held their glasses out to Ezra for a refill. All the glasses were filled.

"To Sword Legs!" The men toasted and drank. "To Adam!" And they drank again.

"We shall tell Mum Adam is going into the cavalry." Ezra said, "But before we do, let's give her at least three drinks first."

"Agreed!" The men left the study and walked to the parlor.

Part 1.1
Part 1.2
Part 1.3
Part 1.4
Part 1.5
Part 1.6

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