During the summer of 1944, when the Hungarian units fighting in Galicia received the addition of German panzers to beef up their depleted  arsenal of Turan tanks, the Hungarian tankers were eager to learn about these impressive machines. German instructors provided theoretical and hands-on lessons and they found the former Turan tankers to be quick learners, as the group shown above, looking down the turret of a Tiger tank. 

German Instruction to Hungarian Tank Units, 1944  

In the spring of 1944, the Hungarian First Army was ordered to attack toward the town of Kolomea, Galicia. After initial gains, the attack bogged down, mainly because the Turan tanks, including the new Turan II with a 75mm gun, needed a much shorter firing distance to be effective than the Russian T-34’s. Field Marshall Walter Model therefore assigned a number of German panzer replacements, including 12 Pz. IV H’s, 10 Stug III G’s, and 10 Pz. VI E Tigers. The Hungarian tank crews appreciated the thicker armament and the greater fire-power and accuracy of these welcome additions, although few in number and most of them battle-used. Of course, fuel was also usually in short supply.

Hungarians Examine Tiger Tank, 1944

This serious and dedicated young Hungarian was trained in tank warfare with the Hungarian-made Turan I and Turan II medium tanks in mind. He was in command of a unit of  Turan II tanks during the 1944 spring offensive of the Hungarian First Army ordered to fight in Galicia. When the Turan tanks proved to be only partially capable of  taking on the Russian T-34, their depleted numbers were replaced by a limited number of German Panzer IV, Panther, and even Tiger tanks.  

First commanding Tiger and later Panther panzer units, Tarczay (Taar-tsaa-ee)  proved to be a no-nonsense, aggressive leader, whose bold actions often tipped the scales of battle.  He was fearless, often directing the battle from an open turret, and his heroism earned him many military decorations, including the German Iron Cross. Hi is credited with over ten confirmed enemy tank “kills,” garnering the Hungarian “tank ace” designation. Ervin Tarczay ultimately gave his life in battle, along with many hundreds of thousands Hungarians.
