Hungarian Forces

Mátyás 'Matyi' Pirity

Mátyás 'Matyi' Pirity, Dec 28th, 1911 - May 17th, 2003 Mátyás Pirity, a great friend of Finland and Finns. The Hungarian military pilot was one of many foreign volunteers fighting in the Winter War, and one of the few who were true to their word and served in the front. Pirity was deeply convicted person who recognized the strong bond between the Hungarian and Finnish peoples. Therefore he couldn't watch the Russo-Finnish conflict from afar but volunteered to join the ranks. He was accepted to the Air Force on December 16th, 1940, along with another Hungarian pilot, Vilmos Békássy. Pirity was assigned to the LLv 26. Pirity left Finland on March 28th, 1940, and arrived at Hungary two days later. As the war escalated, he served his country in the 102/1. futárszállító század squadron, flying a Junkers 52. After the war he was held for a time in Soviet Union as a POW. Pirity fled Hungary after the war and moved to Australia, since he was not in favor of the country's new government. The communist regime didn't approve his fighting in the Winter War on the 'wrong side'. Pirity felt however that he had done the right thing, his bond to his fellow pilots and civilians in Finland was strong. He was always proud of having been given the opportunity to fight side by side with Finns. Finland didn't forget Pirity. The Winter War memorial medal was awarded to him while living in Australia. The great Finnish friend Matyas Pirity passed away on the 17th of May in Budapest. His funeral was on the 29th of May and many pilots attended the funeral together with the Finnish Consul and Attachei. Mr. Pirity got 3 Finnish medals for his actions in Finland during the Winter War. He is buried near his fellow pilots with whom he flew during the war and after the war.