Old Photos: Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Once, while I was walking somewhere with my Father, we met one of his patients. The guy had a pronounced limp. “He damaged his leg parachuting into Hungary in 1956”, my Dad told me when the guy schlepped away. For a long time this was all I’ve ever heard about the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. Hungarians tried to overthrow the communist regime years before a similar event happened in Czechoslovakia, and were just as brutally run over by the Soviet tanks. Over 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet troops were killed in the fighting.

Patriots Strike Ferocious Blows to the Tyranny was the title of the report in the Life Magazine in November 1956. (Apparently showing photos of people being shot was still OK then)

For three incredible days in Hungary last week the flames of liberty and revenge against tyranny rose high. It almost seemed as if they could go on burning….Rebel patriots stormed recklessly toward freedom, Communist henchmen reaped the frightful wrath they had sowed. The most hotly hated of the rebels’ targets were the Soviet-controlled Hungarian secret police. These were cut down as ruthlessly as they themselves had murdered countless anti-Communists. Soviet occupation troops felt the national fury. Daredevil teenagers burned up their tanks with “Molotov cocktails” until Soviet columns evacuated Budapest, leaving their dead behind them. Most of the Hungarian army, siding with the rebels, stood off Soviet troops throughout the country. Workers not engaged in the fighting went out on a general strike against communism.

Russian tanks in Budapest following an attempted revolution by Hungarians against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Women in Budapest march in honor of the Hungarian men who died in revolution fighting Soviet-backed communist regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Young Hungarian singing patriotic song in an effort to obtain UN help during revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Hungarian boy grimacing as Soviet tanks move into Budapest.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Hungarian Freedom Fighter during revolution against Soviet-backed government.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Woman Hungarian freedom fighter during revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Soviet tanks moving into Budapest during Hungarian revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Graves of Hungarian freedom fighters who died during revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Budapest boys from about twelve to late teens carrying rifles, to fight with Hungarian Freedom Fighters during revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Hungarian patriot grimacing during revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Hungarian Freedom fighter with gun during revolution against Soviet-backed regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Budapest rebel demonstrators, during revolution against Soviet-backed Hungarian regime.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Budapest during first aftermath of attack, ruined buildings, people wandering around.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Bus with red cross insignia entering Hungary; people crossing street to get sculpture of Joseph Stalin.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Cars displaying the Red Cross insignia lined up before barrier and guard station entering Hungary.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

disabled tank resting near coffins being used for bodies of Russian soldiers killed near Freence Circle during the popular uprising against the Communist-backed Hungarian government.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Resistance fighter pointing machine gun out of a car, captured from security police, during popular uprising against Communist-backed government.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Trolley cars at the GANZ factory damaged by the fighting during uprising against Communist-backed Hungarian government.© Time Inc.Michael Rougier

Old Photos: Hungarian Revolution of 1956

And Now For Something Completely Similar

Meta