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With independence after the First World War the Hungarian’s kept many of the traditions of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire, with most of the officer corps coming from the old Imperial Army.
Their Uniform also reflects this influence, retaining the German style helmet and unique Hungarian calf hugging trousers. Rather than adopt the Austrian peaked cap for undress they adopted the peak-less cavalry cap which became the undress standard for the whole army. Only the Border Guard and Mountain Rifles retained the peaked cap (which is much like the German).
In 1932 the Hungarian established their first Motorised Rifle units and quickly developed it along side the armoured units. The 1st Motorised Regiment of three battalions of motorised riflemen supplied the infantry compliment of the 1st Armoured Field Division.
1944-45
The 16th, 24th, and 25th Infantry Divisions all served with the Hungarian First Army during the battles for Galicia in 1944. During this period they gained valuable experience that they were able to put to good use during the battles for Transylvania and the Tisza River. Eventually three armies were mobilised for the defence of Hungary, the great majority of these being humble riflemen.
Hungarian riflemen are either armed with Steyr-Mannlicher 95M/31, an unusual bolt action rifle with a unique straight pull action, or the more conventional German K98 Mauser rifle. Their heavy firepower was supplied by the Solothurn 31M light machine-gun or German supplied MG42 machine-guns.
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