(1) Introduction

In Budapest in mid 1944 a major rescue mission began to protect the endangered Jewish community. The rescue mission "Budapest Jews“ was carried out by a group of individuals who personally took responsibility for various tasks. As an outsider one got the impression this was a national or institutional standing. In reality this was not the case, they were mainly dependent on each other. From time to time instructions given from superiors were ignored. Without the support from many helpers the mission would have been impossible.

Depicted is the desperate struggle, fight against the German National-Socialists and the Ungarian Fascists, as illustrated by Raoul Wallenberg.

Wallenberg´s arrival in Budapest initiated the rescue campaign.

Raoul Wallenberg and Carl Lutz, Giorgio Perlasca and others showed it was possible to show concern and interest rather than being silent and ignoring the inhumanity. 

They put their own lives in danger to help others. In the dark days of the National-Socialists they set an example. They were: "A light in the darkness.“

(2)  Raoul Wallenberg; Childhood And Youth 

Raoul Wallenberg was born on August 4, 1912, in Stockholm. His father died of cancer three months before Raoul was born. Raouls mother and his grandfather, Gustaf Wallenberg, took charge of Raouls education. Gustaf Wallenberg had been a diplomat in Japan, China and Turkey. When Raoul was six, his mother remarried and Raouls mother remarried 1918, they had two children, Guy and Nina.

Gustaf was determined that his grandson should get a broad, cultured approach to life, and that he should learn many languages. After he had graduated from high school, Raoul spent nine months in the military.

(3)  Raoul Wallenberg; University And Training:

From 1931 to 1935, Raoul Wallenberg studied architecture in Michigan, USA. He then spent some time in Capetown and Haifa. Here he began to train as a banker. His grandfather would have liked to have seen Raoul follow in the family tradition and become a banker. The Wallenberg family was Sweden´s best known banking family. Raoul discovered early enough that banking was not for him. In a letter to his grandfather Raoul writes: "To tell you the truth, I don´t find myself very bankerisch. ... My temperament is better suited to some positive line of work than to sitting around saying no.“

It was in Palestine that Raoul first made contact with the „Hitler-Germany-Refugees“. Here he found out about the Jewish persecution in Germany. Wallenberg returned to Stockholm

Wallenberg And Koloman Lauer Become Business Partners:

An uncle of Raoul´s managed to get him a job working for Koloman Lauer, an Hungarian Jew. Eight months later, Wallenberg was director for external trade and Koloman Lauer´s business partner. Commissioned by the firm, Wallenberg travelled to various countries under German occupation including trips to Hungary in 1942 and 1943. During the Summer 1944 Raoul Wallenberg trained volunteers for the Swedish Homeguard in preparation for a German invasion.

(4)  Hungary 1933-1944

Hungarys Relationship To NS-Germany:

In 1933 Hungary looked twords Germany for direction, Hitler was chancellor. The Trianon Peace Treaty saw Hungary lose two thirds of its territory and up 60% of its population.

In 1920 Admiral Miklos Horthy was elected regent of Hungary, and because of his political allegiances Germany became Hungarys most important trading partner.

In 1938 Hungary regained a section of the lost territories, however in return an agreement to economic and political conessions were conceded.

Hungary Went To War:

In 1939 Pal Teleki came to power. With regards to Germany he was a very critical prime minister. Horthy decided going to war on Hitler´s side. In protest, Teleki commited suicide. In June 1941 Hungary declared war on the Soviet Union.

(5)  Jews in Hungary:

History Of The Jews In Hungary Till 1933

Budapest in the jewish section

In the third century Jews lived in the region we know now as Hungary. Following the first world war and the resultant collapse of the monarchy coupled with the effects of the 1918/19 revolution, a new political anti-semitical ideology developed under the direction of Horthy.

The Segregation Of The Jews Until German Occupation

The first anti-semitic laws were enforced in May 1938. With these laws came the expropriation plan. As the Jewish community formed the middle class in Hungary this was not possible as such short notice, but was essential for the economy.

The Massacre From Kamenez-Podolsk And Novi Sad

The first major attack on the Jews was in August 1941. 18.000 East Jews, of which many had lived in Hungary for a long time, were deported to the newly occupied Soviet region. Here together with the native Jews from Kamenez-Podolsk they were executed by the SS. A second occurrence took place in occupied Yugoslavia. In Novi Sad many thousands of Jews and Serbians were shot.

(6)  Jews Under German Occupation:

Horthy meets Hitler

In March 1942, following severe anti-Jewish incidents, a new prime minister came to power. Miklos Kallay oppose successfully the deportation plan which was demanded by the Germans. In April 1943, Horthy met Hitler and von Ribbentrop in Germany. Horthy asked what he was to do with the Jews, now that he had destroyed any possible chance of an economical existence, he could not have them all killed. In reply to this question Ribbentrop said: Either extermination or lock them up in concentration-camps. Any other solution was not possible.

Hungarian Occupation

On the 19^th May 1944, Germany occupied Hungary. The new government was headed by Döme Sztojay. Edmund Veesenmayer, the newly appointed German ambassador tho Hungary and Reich plenipotentiary, travelled to Budapest. Adolf Eichmann was given responibility for solving the "Jewish Question“ in Hungary. He ordered the foundation of a Jewish council, a large number of anti-Jewish laws followed.

7) The Extermination

 Deportation, Auschwitz:

End of April 1944, Adolf Eichmann organized the first deportation of Jews from Hungary. From the middle of the May four groups daily, each concisting of 3.000 Jews, started for Auschwitz.

 By the 9^th of July the entire Jewish population with the exception of Budapest, were deported. According to Veesenmayer a total of 437.402 Jews had been deported.

 Protest from Abroad

 In July, the remaining 200.000 Budapest Jews were due for deportation. End of June, Horthy was commissioned by the King of Sweden, the Vatican and Switzerland to protect the remaining Jews. Horthy ordered a stop to the deportation. Another reason being the Allies landed in Normandy, this proved very convenient for Hungary´s intern struggle to power. In the meantime, Eichmann secretly tried to deport 1.700 Jews from an internment camp in Kistarcsa. This was stopped by Horthy.

8) Plans To Help Hungary´s Jews:

 The Foundation Of The "War Refugee Board“

 Until 1944 the Allies played no active part in the fate of the European Jewish Community. In January 1944 th „War Refugee Board“ was funded by U.S. president Roosevelt. The board was also concerned with rescuing the Jews. The necessary financial aid was mainly provided by Jewish organizations. Most of the American ministers were indifferent to the board. A repeated proposal to bomb the railway lines to Auschwitz was denied.

 Rescue Efforts In Sweden

 In neutral Sweden, steps were taken to prepare to help Hungary´s Jews. Norbert Masur, a representative of the „Jewish World Congress“, Head Rabbi Marcus Ehrenpreis and Koloman Lauer considered the best way in which they could help. Masur suggested they find a person suitable to offer help in Budapest.

 Proposed Is Raoul Wallenberg

 End of May 1944, Koloman Lauer proposed his business partner Raoul Wallenberg for the position. Following some initial hesitation due to Wallenberg´s age, he proved successful in talks with War Refugee Board represantative Olsen and the U.S. amassador Johnson.

Wallenberg was the correct man for the task.

 9) Wallenberg Appointed To Diplomatic Corp.:

Raoul Wallenberg proposed some new demands. The prime minister agreed to his demands. Wallenbergs appointment to the Diplomatic Corp. Filled him with pride:

"When a Wallenberg is chosen to serve his country abroad, it is his duty to live up to the Wallenberg standard.“

He was officially trading for Sweden. The fact that instructions and financial aid came from America was kept secret.

 Preparing For Departure

 Two days long, Wallenberg studied the minister for Foreign Affairs´ report on the situation in Hungary. Subsequently he made the following comment, regarding Koloman Lauer:

"I can´t remain in Sweden any longer. Every day costs people their lives. I shall prepare to travel as quickly as possible.“ Rabbi Ehrenpreis gave Wallenberg a letter for the chairman of the "Budapest Jewish Council“, Samu Stern. Ehrenpreis blessed the protestant Raoul before he departed. On saying goodbye to his friends, Raoul made the following comment regarding his task:

 "I shall try and save as many lives as possible from the „Claws Of Death.“ On the 7^th July Wallenberg flew to Berlin. Following a meeting with his sister he then took the train to Budapest.

10) Raoul Wallenberg In Budapest

 Arrival in Budapest

 On the 9^th of July 1944 Raoul Wallenberg arrived in Budapest. First he informed himself about previous Swedish measures taken to help the Jews. 650 Jews who had a strong bond to Sweden, were given passports. These were an exception to the rule.

 The Swedish Protection Pass

 Wallenberg got an office in the legation department C. He showed the Swedish envoy Carl Ivar Danielsson the protection pass („Schutzpass“) which he designed. The detailed pass stated the owner was under the protection of the swedish legation. The passes were signed by Danielsson. Following a meeting between Horthy and the head of police, Ferenczy, the protection pass was in August 1944 officially recognized by Hungary. Wallenberg was allowed to distribute 4.500 of the passes. The ministery of Foreign Affairs gave his consent. In a report to the swedish ministery of Foreign Affairs, Wallenberg stated: „In a way the majority of the Jews have to be awakened from their apathy with regard to their destiny. On the other hand these peoples apathy has changed since my last report.“

11) The Distribution Of The "Protection Passes"

 Within one month 40 people were occupied with the distribution of the passes. Anyone who could prove either a business or family connection with Sweden got the special pass. The restrictions were necessary otherwise the pass would be worthless if freely distributed. This news travelled quickly among the Jews. The Swedish Legation was surrounded by a mass of people. With result Wallenberg´s department often moved. By November, 8000 passes had been distributed.

 Swedish Refuge Houses

 Wallenberg attended to the needs of the people in his protection. By October he had 32 Refuge Houses set up, plus two hospitals and a field kitchen. He now had nearly 400 employees most of which were Jews. They did not have to wear the „Yellow Star“.

12) An End In View?

Horthy Stopped Deportation

 Eichmann was planning a new deportation transport for the Budapest Jews. As Wallenberg discovered this he commissioned a meeting of the heads of the diplomatic services from the neutral states.

This was directed by Nuntius Angelo Rotta. Together they passed a diplomatic note against deportation. On the 24^th of August Rumania surrendered to Russia. This opened the border to the south. Horthy cancelled the deportation plans. Eichmann had to leave Hungary. Horthy formed a new government.

 Wallenberg Thinking Of Returning To Sweden

 The situation had relaxed. Wallenberg was hoping to return to Sweden. Beginning of October the Red Army suitated 80 Km south of Budadpest.

13) The Arrow Cross Revolt

The Failed Ceasefire

 In order to trick the Russians Horthy planned a ceasefire. On the 15^th of October, in a radio broadcast he announced the war was over. The joy and jubilation by the Jews was premature. The Germans kidnapped Horthy´s son and forced him to surrender.

The following day he was sent to Germany in exile. The Arrow Cross leader, Ferenc Szálasi, took over power. Some juvenile Arrow Cross members roamed the streets and murdered hundreds of Jews. The bodies were left on the streets or thrown in the Danube River.

 Wallenbergs Expanded Rescue Actions

 Raoul Wallenberg cycled through te streets of Budapest looking for his helpers. He now had 400 helpers working around the colock for him. In October he organized a department with the name "Schützling Protokoll“. The group was concerned with the needs of the protected Jews. Wallenberg demanded a lot from his workers:

 "Members of this Department must be on duty constantly, day and night, without any respite. If somebody gets cought, he cannot hope for much help. If he does a good job, he cannot expect any thanks.“

14) Fight About The Validity Of The "Refuge Passes"

 There were many attacks made on the „Refuge Houses“ resulting in Jewish deaths. On hearing about such attacks, Wallenberg made his way to the houses. His presence alone stopped the Arrow Cross gangs. There were many times he didn´t get there on time. How important his personal presence was, is depicted in the following:

 "Wallenberg made me feel human again. For the first time I had hope. In fact, I think that everyone felt different after his first visit. He showed us that we were not animals, that someone cared about us. The most important factor was he came in person. For us, he took a standing, for every single one of us.“

15) The Death March

 Germany Demanded Hungarian Enforced Labour

 Two days following the Arrow Cross coup, Adolf Eichmann returned to Budapest. He wished to complete his task: To exterminate the „Budapest Jews“. The German envoy Veesenmayer drew up an agreement with Vajina. 50.000 Jews were to return and work for the Empire. There were no railway carriages available for the deportation. Eichmann decided to let them march.

 The Death Marches Begin

 On the 8^th of November the marches began. Later they would be known as the „Death Marches“. They headed for the Hungarian-Austrian froniert, which was a distance of 150 Km. The people were not properly equiped for such long marches. The convoys consisted of many women, children and old people and very soon Death lined the streets.

 Protest And Help From Neutral Countries

 Representatives from neutral countries protested against renewd deportation plans. Raoul Wallenberg, representative for Switzerland and the Red Cross organisation, distributed food, medicine, blankets and „Protection Passes“. They rescued the protected Jews fromt gehe convoys.

16) The End Of The "Death Marches"

 The Jews that were not rescued from the convoys, ended up in concentration camps, mainly Dachau and Mauthausen. In November 1944, according to a statement from Veesenmayer, 27.000 Jews, both male and female, headed for the Empire. A daily average of 2.000-4.000 people. Senior officer Hoess, head of the lower Danube division, mad a complaint about the marches. He complainted that this „unsuitable contigment“ of half starved, sick trash was severaly incriminating his division. Other Nazis complainted about the manner in which the marches were carried out in the public eye. As result, Szálasi on the 21^st of November ordered, from there on women could only be deported when transport was available. With his the organisation collapsed. Over 76.000 Jews had to take part in the marches. Thousands of them died of hunger, were shot or died as result of the cold weather and the diseases.

17) Rescue From "Enforced Labour"

 Enforced Labour Battalion No. 701

 Following the revolt in October 1944 many Jews were arrested and sent to „Enforced Labour“ contingents, many of which were „protected Jews“. Following protests and efforts from the legation department of the neutral countries, a special „Enforced Labour Battalion“ was set up for protected Jews under the name „Battalion No. 701“. Szálasi acknowledged the protection passes again. The Jews were returned to Budapest. Raoul Wallenberg recognized the genuine alarm by the Salvadorian workers. Wallenberg looked after them, as he did for the Swedisch Jews.

 The Rescue Of The Salvadorian And Swedish Jews

 End of November the „Protected Forced Workers“ were due tu be handed over to Germany. As in a previous deportation plan, in November 1944 Wallenberg managed to rescue hundreds of Swedish and Salvadorian Jews. The remainder were deported.

18) Eichmann And Wallenberg

 "Shoot The Jewishdog Wallenberg“

 Adolf Eichmann became very embittered due to Wallenberg´s activities. Eichmann had never come across such a resistance movement. In the presence of members of the Swedish „Red Cross“, Eichmann threatened the „Jewishdog“ Wallenberg with his life. This was followed by an official Swedish complaint in Berlin. The Germans envoy, Veesenmayer, stated, that „Wallenberg was wholly comitted to the Hungarian Jewish Cause.“

 Raids On Protection Houses

 Wallenberg and the Swiss Vice Consul Carl Lutz protested on a daily basis to the minister for Foreign Affairs about the raids on the Protection Houses. Also homes for children were raided. In one particular attack on a Swedish house all 180 residents were murdered. In January 1945, following dealings with a „gangleader“ Wallenberg succeeded in putting a stop to the raids.

19) The Ghettos Were Rescued

 The Rescue Of The "General Ghetto“

 By the end of December, Raoul Wallenberg moved into an appartment in Pest. He wished to be closer to the people. To avoid abduction he was permanently on the move. On the 23^rd of December 1944 Eichmann and his troops left Budapest to escape from the Russians. Before Eichmann´s departure he possible ordered the elimination of the „General Ghetto“, a total of 70.000 Jews. Szalai, a member of the Arrow Cross Party, who helped Wallenberg toward the end of the war, later described before a postwar People´s Tribunal, that he (Szalai) appeald to General Gerhard Schmidhuber, as dynamite and armed troops surrounded the ghetto in preparation for ist comple destruction: “I warned him that according to Wallenberg´s communication, if he did not prevent this crime he would be called to account as a murderer.” The massacre was called off.

 Preventing The Disolvement Of The "Internationl Ghetto“

 By the beginning of January the „International Ghetto“ in which the protected Jews lived, were due to be dissolved. Some Jews were already transferred to the overcrowded „General Gehtto“. Wallenberg was successful in putting an end to the resettlement. On the 3^rd of January 1945, Raoul Wallenberg expressed himself in a memorandum on the most important German military officials in Budapest: „The Legation obtained information that a furher 35.000 inhabitants of the International Ghetto were to be sent to the „General Ghetto“ on foot. This plan must be regarded, from all human consideration to be totally insane and bestial. The Royal Legation knows of no such plan having ever been attemted by a Government of any civilized state in history.“

20) Budapest Was Liberated

On the 18^th of January 1945 the Red Army took Pest and on the 13^th of February, Buda was taken. A total of 119.000 Jews were saved due to the efforts made by Wallenberg and other helpers.

 Criminal-Of-War-Tribunal

 In court cases in 1946 those responible for crimes committed during the war were tried and sentenced to death. Among the officials were Chief of Police, Lászlo Ferenczy, the minister for Foreign Affairs, Gábor Kemény, and Arrow Cross leader Ferenc Szálasi plus the minister for the Interior, Gábor Vajna. The organizer of the extermination plan, Adolf Eichmann, was found in Argentina in 1960. In Israel in 1961 he was sentenced to death. A year later he was executed. The German envoy to Budapest, Edmung Veesenmayer, was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment, in the „Wilhelmstraé.Process“, in Nuremberg. As early as December 1952 Veesenmayer was released due to an intervention from High Commissioner McClay.

21) Carl Lutz

Carl Lutz in Budapest

Along with Wallenberg the most active person in the „Hungarian Rescue Mission“ was the Swiss Carl Lutz. On the 02.01.1942 he became head of the „Protection“ department in the Swiss Legation to Budapest. Here he represented the interests of twelve countries, who were also at war like Hungary. Carl Lutz was under very strict Swiss direction. It was not possible for him to take precedence against the deportation plans in May of 1944. 

22) Carl Lutz

The Swiss "Collective Pass"

 Following Wallenbergs´s arrival in Budapest he initially made contact with Carl Lutz. Lutz informed Wallenberg about his activities. Lutz could not issue any single passes. Therefor he distributed certificates stating that the holders concerned were registered in a „Collective Pass“. In each of which approximately 1.000 people were registered. The first „Collective Pass“ was issued on the 29.07.1944. Lutz negotiated with Eichmann and Veesenmayer. The Foreign Office in Berlin infomed Veesenmayer he was to comply with Lutz, but within reason, in view of Lutz´s accomplishments concerning the German interest in Palestine. Following the Arrow Cross revolt Lutz issued „Protection Passes“. The Szálasi government recognized 5.000 such passes. In the Swiss embassy 2.000 Jews were accomodated. Lutz was foreced to controll passes because of the many false passes in circulation.

 23) Angelo Rotta

Rotta´s Protest Against Measures Taken Against Jews

Angelo Rotta was Papal Nuncio in Budapest. By March 1944 he had urgently requested the prime minister to make a statement. In the following months Rotta, under Vatican direction, protested against the merciless measures carried out on the Jews. On the 24^th of April, Rotta got in contact with the special ambassador Arnóthy Jungerth and notified him: ... „The Holy Father deeply regrets the occurrances. He recognizes that also Hungary, a land in which he has always been proud of, which belongs to the „Christian“ countries, has taken another direction, thus creating conflict with Evangelist teachings.“

 Protection For Jews

After Wallenberg´s arrival in Budapest, Rotta relaxed his prerequist of Baptism in return for help. Rotta distributed „Protection Papers“ and placed houses under his protection. Up to 3.000 Jews were accommodated in these houses. A lot of his efforts to help were successful because of collaboration with Wallenberg and the other neutral diplomats. Rotta supported the „Red Cross“ in their activities during the „Death Marches“.

 Angelo Rotta

 Angelo Rotta was born in Milan on the 9^th of August 1872. In 1895 he was ordained a priest. In October 1922 he was appointed Titular Archibishop of Theben in Greece. In the same year he was appointed Bishop. Since May 1930 Angelo Rotta was „Papal Nuncio“ and spokesman for the diplomatic corp. in Budapest. In April 1945, following instructions from Russia, he left Hungary. He died on the 1^st of February 1965 in Rome.

 24) The International "Red Cross"

Jean de Bavier And The "Red Cross“

 The Red Cross was an international organisation and was expected to help. Since 1943 Jean de Bavier was delegator for the international „Red Cross“ in Budapest. The operational circumstances were quite positive but de Bavier´s hands were tied because of the instructions from Genf. In his statements and handlings he was to remain totally neutral. He was not allowed to make any political or religious statements.

 I.C.R.C. Hindered Endeavours

 The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) made a distinction between foreign and Hungarian Jews. The foreign Jews were known as „civil internees“. From a legalview point the „Red Cross“ were restricted in helping the Hungarian Jews, because this was an internal matter for Hungary. On the 27^th of March 1944 de Bavier suggested that the president of the I.C.R.C., Max Huber, should contact Hitler directly. In reply de Bavier was advised to restrain himself and to avoid any form of self initiation. At the same time he was informed of his replacement in Budapest.

25) Friedrich Born

The New Delegate In Budapest

On the 10^th of March 1944 Friedrich Born was appointed ICRC delegator in Budapest. Repeatedly, Born, requested that the ICRC were to expand their efforts to help. "I can´t sit still, while daily Jews are being sent do death. Please do something to helpsave them. I want to save, I want to intervene.“

Following reports about Auschwitz and the ICRC demanded on the 7^th July that deportation be abandoned.

Rescue Activities, Born

 Friedrich Born went to great efforts to try and help the Jews. Approximately 3.000 people were working for him. Born supported the setting up of old peoples homes, orphanges and kitchens.He issued about 15.000 protection papers, the majority as a direct result of the „Death Marches“.

Friedrich Born Following The Liberation Of Budapest

Born was delagtor in Budapest until January 1945. He was ordered by the Russians to leave Hungary. Friedrich Born died in 1963. He never got to tell his children about his rescue activities. On the 5^th of June 1987 Born was honoured with the title „The Rightous Among The Nations“ bestowed upon him by Yad Vashem. His children were to learn of his activities in Budapest shortly before.

26) Giorgio Perlasca

Giorgio Perlasca In Budapest

Perlasca was a commercial traveller for an import-export-company. Following the cease fire in Italy in September 1943, he disappeared in Hungary´s underground as a hostile foreigner. In April 1944 he surrendered to the Hungarian authorities and was interned in Kékes. Despite the good conditions he escaped and succeeded in reaching Budapest in October. As former comrade in the „Spanisch Revolution“ he located the Spanish ambassador. Perlasca was wiling to provide for Spanish Protection houses and in return for this he received a diplomats pass.

 Help For Hungary´s Jews

 8.000 Jews were accommodated in eight Spanish protection houses. Sanz Briz, Spanisch ambassador in Hungary, left the country. Perlasca mirrored himself as Briz´s replacement. He took his inspiration from Wallenberg´s activities. Sometimes they both drove to train stations to save Jews. Approximately 5.000 lives were saved by Perlasca.

 Perlascas Destiny Following Hungarian Liberation

 In June 1945 Perlasca returned to Italy. He had lost all his fortunes. He remained unhounered and lived the rest of his live as a poor man. Forty years later he was recognised for his good work. Perlasca remained a modest man up to his death in August 1992.

"What magnificient things did I accomplish?

Above all, I told a great deals of lies.“

27) George Mandel-Mantello

Citizenship For Jews

George Mandel-Mantello was born in Rumania, into a Jewish family. In 1939 he acquired citizenship in El Salvador. In Bucarest in 1942 following transactions in the diplomatic corp., he was appointed First Secretary of General Consulate for El Salvador. Without the governments knowledge Mandel-Mantello issued thousands of citizenship certificates on Jews from Holland, Belgium, France, Poland an Checoslovacia.

 Help For Hungary´s Jews

In March 1944 Mandel-Mantello set up a committee to help Hungary´s Jews. By courier or with the post the citizenship certificates were brought into their country. Switzerland intervened and took over responsibility for El Salvador´s new citizens protection. Some time later Wallenberg took over this task. Carl Lutz assumed the majority of the 5.000 Jews unter Mandel-Mantello protection had survived the war.

28) Gábor Sztehlo

Gábor Sztehlo was born in Budapest in 1909. He studied theology in the sopron.  Time spent in Finland and Bethel influenced Sztehlo greatly. From 1932 he was chaplain in Budapest, then in Hatwan and Nagytarcsa. In 1936 Sztehlo was a priest in Nagytarsca and there 1937 he grounded the first Hungarian Adult Education Centre. A few years later he returned to Budapest as a young priest. In March 1944 following German occupation he carried out his priestly duties in old people´s homes.

 The Good Shepherd Committee

In October 1942 the Good Shepherd Committee was founded by Jews who had converted to the protestand church. The leader was Jozsef Èliás. Following German occupation Sztehlo came in contact with the Good Shepherd Committee. Together with the International Red Cross they provided aid for homeless children and also for escaped ´forces workers. abor Stzehlo took very special care of the children. Following the Arrow Cross Revolt, Éliás had to go into hiding, so Sztehlo took over the leader position. In various houses approximately 2.000 people, the majority of which were children, were beeing cared for.

 Section B. The International Red Cross

Friedrich Born appointed Sztehlo as head of Section B, the International Red Cross. Since November 1944 Sztehlo was excused from his churchly duties so he could concentrate solely on the childrens needs. Due to attacks from the advancing Red Army, Good Shepherd Committees establishments were destroyed. From one particular home over thirty children, with German soldiers help, were transported to Sztehlos house. For the remaining weeks until liberation they stayed there.

 Following The Liberation

 Also following the liberation Sztehlo looked after the children who had lost their parents. These children along with oterhs were accommodated in homes under Sztehlos supervision. In1950 the homes were nationalized and Sztehlo became a welfare and social work priest. In 1956 his family moved to Switzerland. Six years later he followed them. In 1972, two years before his death, Gábor Sztehlo was honoured by the Israeli memorial Yad Vashem.

29) Ernö Szép

A Hungarian Poet in Difficutlies

 Ernö Szep sensed personally the immediate results following the occupation. He had to vacate his appartment to make room for German officers. Szép was born in Eastern Hungary in Huszt in 1884. His first volume of poetry books were published in 1902. He was 19 years old when he became a journalist in Budapest. Through his poems, short stories and novels he became popular. Some of his works were also published in Germany. All of this could not exempt him from the anti-Jewish measures.

 "No, no, I won´t be seen with the star.“ Szép made this statement and instead he directed his attention to the Swedish Legation and their "Protection Papers“.

"As we all know, soon it became a flood, a veritable River Tisza bursting its floodgates.“

Szép pleaded the embassy for protection passes for himself and his relatives. On the same day about five hundred others had the same wish. By chance Szép was recognised by the son of an emloyee from Wallenberg. Szép did not have to prove any Swedish connection, his name as a writer was enough.

Szép, Enforced Labour

A few days following the Arrow Cross Coup thousands of Jewish men were hauled out of their homes. Szép was ordered to a particular group and they marched from Budapest. After six hours they reached a race-track. They spent the night there. At five a.m. they were woken and the march was resumed. A seventy year old man was shot because he was too sick to carry on marching. The same evening the remainder arrived at their destination. A brick works in Erdövaros. In the time to come they had to dig trenches. Other victims were lamented.

 Rescue, Thanks For The Protection Passes

 End of October, Szép created new hope. The protection passes were recognised again. The holders of these passes were treated with respect. Szép didn´t have his pass with him but he knew the number. Following days of fear a controll was carried out by an officer. The following morning Szép and some others were allowed to return to Budapest. Szép happily discovered, „I also pass as Swede.“ Wallenberg had already put in a word for Szép by the Hungarian External Office. Ernö Szép died on the 2^nd of October 1953.

30) Wallenbergs Capture

On the 13^th of January 1945 the Russians arrived,Wallenberg was in the Red Cross building inBenczur street. He was anxious to meet the commander of the Red Army and temporary government in Debrecen. He wished to introduce his help plans to them.

 Wallenbergs Disappearance

 On the 17^th of January Raoul Wallenberg removed his personal belongings from the Red Cross. He handedover moneyto pay for the running of the organisation and made the following statement: „I go to Debrecen, but I am not sure if I am a prisoner or a guest.“

Accompanied by the Russians, Wallenberg and Langfelder left Budapest. The 17^th January was for both Wallenberg and Langfelder their last day as free men.

31) Raoul Wallenbergs Destiny

Searching For Wallenberg

Wallenbergs relatives went to great trouble to find out about his fate. The Swedish government requested that the Soviet Union release any information concerning Wallenberg. The Soviet Union released the statement, Wallenberg was in the Soviet Union and was in safety. This statement was then corrected and for a long time they claimed that this person was unknown in the Soviet Union.

Wallenbergs Assumed Death

In 1957 it was declared, Wallenberg died of a heart attack in Lubjanka in Moscow on the 17^th of July 1947. Supposedly thirty-five years old. He was reported to be in good health as they captured him. A heart attack as cause for his death was unrealistic. In the years following 1945 the Swedish government made little or no efforts to find out about Wallenberg. Maybe they didn´t wish to upset the „Big Neigbhour“. The Soviet Union claimed that Wallenberg was dead. To this very day, there nothing has changed.

The Necessity  Of An Explanation Regarding Wallenbergs Destiny

To this very day Russia still owes an explanation to Wallenbergs fate. As long as a single possibility exists that he is still alive, everything should be done to free him.

We owe this to Raoul Wallenberg

More information: