Dug into the sides of low hills located not far from the Don River defensive line, these makeshift rest stations provided some peace and quiet for Magyar troops rotating out of the front lines.  Unfurnished, unpaved, cool in summer, and usually unheated in winter, here at least a soldier could lie down to rest and be out of the line of fire for a while.


 Makeshift Don Front Rest Stations (Hungary)

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.

Hungarian Altar at the Don River, 1942

At the center of the photo, gazing fiercely at the opposing Soviet lines at the Don River front, Hungarian General Jany (Yaa-nee) was the commander of the Hungarian Second Army.  He spoke both German and Romanian, was brave at the front (wounded there), and understood too well the precarious position of his Honved army.  Yet when the superior Red Army overwhelmed his under gunned, freezing, and starving divisions, he declined to order a systematic withdrawal, and added insult to the carnage by issuing a deeply disparaging military statement to his retreating troops. No wonder that General Jany remains a controversial historical figure even today.