Félárnyékban rekedt tragédiánk. Erdélyi magyar civilek szovjet fogságba hurcolása 1944-ben
In the Shadow of Tragedy: The Abduction of Transylvanian Hungarian Civilians into Soviet Captivity in 1944

Summary/Abstract: The study addresses the capture of Hungarian civilians by Soviet troops in Northern Transylvania during September-November 1944. Approximately 20,000 Hungarian men and boys were forcibly taken. The ages of those captured ranged from 14 to 70 years. They were deported to several forced labor camps in the Soviet Union. The duration of captivity was typically four years, but in some cases, it extended to 8-9 years. The prisoners were compelled to work under harsh conditions in various mines or logging operations. During the summer, they participated in agricultural work on nearby Soviet kolkhozes. Due to the severe working conditions, acute food shortages, and lack of medical care, the prisoners became extremely debilitated. One-third of them died in captivity. This aspect of our contemporary history was a taboo subject during the Communist era. Only the 1989 Revolution brought about significant change in this regard. This study aims to provide an overview of this tragic event, based on the author’s two decades of research. The source material for the study includes archival data, specialist books, studies, memoirs, data and articles published in contemporary press, as well as interviews with survivors, most of which were conducted by the author.

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