Rescue and Betrayal

During the Arrow Cross regime in Budapest, survival for Jews and others targeted by the fascist government hinged on two strategies: active rescue through hidden refuge or spontaneous, desperate actions to evade capture. While rescue efforts were concentrated in Budapest, they were often met with brutal repression, including communal denunciations that facilitated the identification of victims. A notable incident involved a small detachment that attacked Arrow Cross guards on Andrássy Avenue 47, killing one and wounding another, but ultimately failing due to the severe consequences faced by those involved. The study reveals that denunciations were widespread and played a crucial role in the regime's 'success' in hunting down victims, with even non-Jewish individuals like Gyula Merlin becoming targets due to malicious reports.

(Ed.). (2024). Rescue and Betrayal. Survival under Dictatorships, 143–155. https://doi.org/10.1515/9789633867174-024