The war graves agreement between Hungary and Germany was not signed until November 16, 1993. It came into force on December 23, 1994. The Ministry of Defense, Department for the Preservation of Military Traditions and War Graves, was named as the official point of contact for the Volksbund by the Hungarian government. The respective municipal and cemetery administrations are the direct points of contact for the cemeteries, with the exception of Budaörs.
The largest military cemetery in Hungary, where both German and Hungarian soldiers are buried, was built on the outskirts of Budapest, with an adjoining peace park.
The losses in the Second World War amount to approximately 54,000, of whom 35,000 are known by name. There are 617 reports for the First World War. Two-thirds of all German war dead are buried in 120 locations.
The Volksbund was able to start its work in Hungary as early as 1987 and begin the restoration of individual war cemeteries. This was followed by the recovery and reburial of thousands of German war dead, many of whom could be identified retrospectively, after the War Graves Agreement came into force. Today, the Volksbund maintains 16 war cemeteries in Hungary.
Historical development
Compared to other Eastern European countries, the situation of German war graves care in Hungary before 1989 was positive. The first negotiations began as early as 1963, and Hungary was the only country in Eastern Europe to adhere to the recommendation of the Red Cross resolutions of 1965 and to exchange war grave records with the Volksbund. The first planning of war cemeteries began in 1979, the first construction in 1984.
The war graves agreement with Hungary has been in place since 1993, which puts the work of the Volksbund on a legally secure footing. As one of the few countries in Eastern Europe, the graves in Hungary are still marked with individual crosses. The memory of those German war dead who “could no longer be recovered” or who rest “among the unknown” is preserved in the collective cemeteries by means of name plaques or metal name books.
Today, the German War Graves Commission maintains 15 military cemeteries - 6 of which are collective cemeteries - in Hungary.
The Hungarian Ministry of Defense is responsible for the Hungarian war dead at home and abroad. The Institute and Museum of Military History is responsible for matters relating to German burial sites in Hungary and is a partner of the Volksbund.