1 Reply Latest reply on Oct 8, 2020 4:52 PM by Rebecca Collier

Were Hungarian Americans used to help determine bombing targets?

Cecilia Fabos-Becker Sep 29, 2020 9:29 PM

I received an email a few days ago from a Hungarian who told me my late paternal uncle, Emery "Imre" Fabos (1906-1965) was regarded as a "hero" in Koszeg for somehow having persuaded the U.S. not to bomb this little town in Hungary during World War II. I had heard from relatives that my uncle and my grandfather were consulted--somehow--about conditions in Hungary, as my grandparents in particular had relatives who were in the Hungarian resistance to the Nazis (and some paid with their lives for this).. However, I'd never heard of either being involved in determining or rejecting bombing targets and what little I can find on bombings in Hungary suggest it was almost entirely done by the Soviet Union. How do I find out and from whom, what my grandfather and uncle were doing as civilians to help the State or War Departments? With whom would they have been working? This Hungarian thought my uncle had been brought to Italy to look over bombing charts and plans but I have heard nothing of that and can find nothing online to suggest that this happened. Now what?

Re: Were Hungarian Americans used to help determine bombing targets?

Rebecca Collier Oct 8, 2020 4:52 PM (in response to Cecilia Fabos-Becker)

Dear Ms. Fabos-Becker,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

Obtaining information from Hungarians may have been collected by various sources. We searched the National Archives Catalog and located 11 series & 36 file units in the Records of the Office of Strategic Services (Record Group 226) that pertain to intelligence gathered about Hungary. We also located the Card List of Names of Hungarian Citizens Who Assisted American Airmen; Case Files of Hungarian Helpers; and Correspondence and Related Records Pertaining to Hungarian Helpers in the Records of Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, United States Army (World War II) (Record Group 498) that relate to Hungarians helping downed airmen. The airmen may have gathered information and possibly met resistance fighters along the way.

In addition, we located the series Archives Card Files, 1943 - 1945 in the Records of the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Artistic and Historic Monuments in War Areas (Record Group 239) that includes a file unit for Hungary, 1943-1945. Next, we located the Handbooks and Lists of Monuments, 1943 - 1945 in Record Group 239 that includes the file unit titled Hungary [List Of Monuments], 1943-1945. These were listings compiled by the Robert’s Commission and were used to protect as many archives and monuments as possible from being bombed by the Allies or looted.

Lastly, we located II Corps Intelligence (G-2) Reports, 1943 - 1945 in the Records of U.S. Army Operational, Tactical, and Support Organizations (World War II and Thereafter) (Record Group 338) that consists of periodic intelligence and other reports pertaining to Missions - Yugoslav, Czech, Hungarian, Bulgarian, Polish, French people.

For access to these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your research!

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Were Hungarian Americans used to help determine bombing targets?

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