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)
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 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
Budapest during first aftermath of attack, ruined buildings, people wandering around.© 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