
Religious services managed to lift the spirit of the Hungarian troops far-away from home, like this one held at Uriv, in part by hinting at the possibility of divine support in a situation generally troubled by a great deal of uncertainty.


Religious Service for Hungarians,  Don Front, 1942

In need of a massive manpower infusion by 1942, Berlin turned to many countries for support, among them to Hungary. Foreign Minister Ribbentrop traveled to snow-covered Budapest in January, 1942, wearing his military style uniform, in this photo being received ceremonially by Foreign and Prime Minister Bardossy. The German Foreign Minister put pressure on the reluctant Hungarians, including references of the future disposition of Northern Transylvania, until finally Bardossy and Horthy acceded to Berlin’s wishes and agreed to send a sizeable army to the Russian front, in addition to the division-sized unit already fighting there since June, 1941.


Ribbentrop Pressures Hungary, 1942

A makeshift altar set up on a low hill overlooking the meandering Don River, served as the site for Sunday religious services for the benefit of all those desiring to attend. For the Hungarian troops, often feeling abandoned by their far-away home country, the message of divine love must have been a measure of solace.