Lajos (Lewis) Tóth was a leading fighter pilot of the RHAF. During 95 missions flown, he accumulated a total of 28 kills, principally in Me fighters. He earned the German Iron Cross first class decoration. Returning from US captivity after the war, he was tried on trumped up charges by the Communist regime and was executed in 1951. The current free Hungarian government has rehabilitated his name.

Fighter Ace Tóth, Hungary

The Royal Hungarian Air Force continued to rely on popular Italian fighters like the Fiat CR-32 and later the CR-42. Here an open-cockpit CR-32 biplane is about to proceed into action. In the later war years, however, these Fiats became obsolete.

Fiat CR-32 Fighter in Hungarian Air Force

László (Ladislaus) Molnár, another fighter ace of the RHAF, also met a tragic end at the conclusion of the 132 missions he flew mainly in Me-109's, with a total 26 kills. Nevertheless, one day on the Eastern front in March, 1944, he accomplished the rare feat of downing four Soviet planes during one mission -- three IL-2's and one LA-5. In a dog fight with US Mustangs in western Hungary during February 4, 1945, he parachuted after having been shot down, only to be reportedly machine-gunned to death during his descent by the Mustangs. 