Workers' Militia
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Munkásőrség (Hungarian) | |
Armband of the Workers' Militia | |
Organization overview | |
---|---|
Formed | 18 February 1957 |
Dissolved | 31 October 1989 |
Type | Paramilitary |
Jurisdiction | Hungarian People's Republic |
Organization executive | |
Parent organization | Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party |
The Workers' Militia (Munkásőrség) was a paramilitary organization in the Hungarian People's Republic from 1957 to 1989.[1]
History[edit]
Pre-1956[edit]
Similar worker-guard organizations existed before 1957 in various socialist countries, partly to the circumvent closing of World War II peace treaties (such as the Kampfgruppe squads of East Germany), in part to provide more actionable, non-regular "popular" groups than the armed forces (such as the Lidové Milice of Czechoslovakia).
Formation[edit]
Following the quelled Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the Revolutionary Workers'-Peasants' Government ordered on February 18, 1957, the formation of the Workers' Militia. It replaced the revolutionary regime's special police force (karhatalom or also known as pufajkások, named after their Soviet-style quilted jackets). The slate gray uniformed and armed Militia's aim was to defend the means of production. It was a voluntary service, but obviously offered some career advantages. Starting with 20,000 members, it gradually developed into a large armed force (60,000 strong in 1988),[1] although they were never deployed.
The commanders of the organization were:
- Lajos Halas (1957–1962)
- Árpád Papp (1962–1970)
- Sándor Borbély (1970–1989)
On May 8, 1985, the Central Committee of the MSZMP relinquished its direct control of the body, and on June 15, a Council of Ministers took over the supervision and control of the Workers' Militia. The Workers' Militia retained its paramilitary focus until the change of regime in Hungary, at the end of 1989.[2]
Disbandment[edit]
On November 26, 1989, a referendum was held with the question: "Should the Workers' Militia be disbanded?". The answer was an overwhelming Yes (94.9%), a result which confirmed the previously adopted law (1989 XXXth).
Ranks[edit]
Staff position markings[edit]
Command position markings[edit]
See also[edit]
Similar formations:
- People's Militias
- Combat Groups of the Working Class
- ORMO
- Patriotic Guards
- Worker-Peasant Red Guards
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Hungary - Workers' Guard". www.country-data.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- ^ Ólmosi, Zoltán (2009). "Tervek kapuzárás előtt - A Munkásőrség, mint Népőrség? Eskü a Szent Koronára?" [Plans before closing the gates - The Workers' Guard as People's Guard? Oath to the Holy Crown?] (in Hungarian).