The Romanian victory over Hungarian communism in 1919, although an important episode in our history, was taboo until the 1980s. Perhaps this is why there has been no article in the philatelic press regarding the postal history of this campaign.

On November 20, 1918, soon after the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire Romanian troops from the 7^th I.D. and 1^st H.D. (see Table 3 for details of abbreviations) crossed the Carpathian Mountains into Hungary. Thus began the occupation of Transylvania by the military followed by the establishement of the civilian administrations. The advance towards the west went in stages (see RPHB 1993;4 (12):5) with the Romanians reaching the demarcation line imposed by the Allies on January 22, 1919 (now also joined by the 6^th I.D. and the 2^nd H.D.). Here they remained until April 16^th 1919. On December 24, 1918 the Military Command Headquarters for Transylvanian Troops (CTT) were established in Sibiu.

On March 21, 1919 in Budapest Bela Kun proclaimed the establishment of the "Hungarian Soviet Republic" which was a dictatorial communist regime.

Following a Hungarian offensive a Romanian counter-offensive on April 16/17, 1919 led to a rapid westerly advance by the Southern Transylvanian Group (the 1^st and 2^nd H.D.s) and the Northern Transylvanian Group (6^th, 7^th and 16^th I.D., 2^nd C.D. and the Olteanu Detachment) to the Tisa river where they remained until July 20, 1919.

From May to June the following units were in position.

Covering the left bank of the Tisa river the Olteanu Detachment (in the north), the 16^th I.D. (from Csap to Abádszalók) and the 18^th I.D. (from Abádszalók to Szeged).

In the rear (reserves) the 1^st H.D. around Békéscsaba (Southern Group), the 2^nd H.D. around Nyiregyháza (Northern Group) and around Oradea the 6^th I.D. and 2^nd C.D. were in the CTTs general reserve.

In June/July new units were concentrated in the rear. The 1^st I.D. around Carei (Fig.8) 2^nd I.D. around Arad, 7^th I.D. in Oradea (CTT's reserve), 20^th & 21^st I.D., and 4^th Rs (Roshiors) Bg (Brigade) [from 1^st C.D.]. The field situation showing deployment of troops as of July 19, 1919 is seen in Map No.1.

The Occupation of territory west of the Tisa, including Budapest, July 20 - August 4, 1919.

The Hungarian offensive from July 20, 1919 has some local success and pushed the Romanians back in some sectors. However, the Romanian counter-offensive of July 24^th was very successful with the Romanians crossing the Tisa river between July 28 & 30 and chasing the retreating Hungarian Red Army (July 31 - August 2). On August 3, 1919 the Hungarians capitulated. In the evening of the same day the first units of the 4^th Roshiors Brigade entered Budapest. By August 4^th the town was completely occupied and an official parade took place.

The Romanians continued to occupy more territory west of the Danube up until August 28^th. A line between Györ and Veszprém represented the extreme limit of Romania's western occupation (See Map 2).

The withdrawal of the Romanian army was made in several stages, consequently 3 zones all with different features can be described.

Military Zone 3 (MZ.3)

Situated west of the Danube was occupied by (at least) by the 8^th H.Reg, the 7^th Rs.Reg (in Györ), the 7^th H.Reg, and 2^nd Rs.Reg (in Veszprém). The withdraw began on October 4, 1919 when the cities of Györ, Varsány, Zirk and Veszprém were handed over to the new Hungarian authorities and ended on October 10, 1919. The Romanians occupied MZ.3 only to provide a "Security Zone" of some 20 - 30 Km west of Budapest.

Military Zone 2 (MZ.2)

This was the area between the Danube and the Tisa including Budapest.

After August 4^th 1919 each Romanian Division located in this zone had a particular area to administer. I am not aware of the boundaries of these areas but the units involved were:

1^st, 6^th & 7^th I.D. together with the 9^th H.Reg. These units received the order to withdraw to Romania on October 9, 1919 which was only completed in November of 1919. 1^st, 2^nd H.D. and 2^nd C.D: the withdrawal of these units occurred between November 12 - 23 (Budapest itself being evacuated on November 16^th) as follows:

5^th Rs.Bg (from 2^nd C.D.) from Budapest to Kiskore. 1^st & 2^nd H.D. from Budapest to Szolnok. 49^th IBg (from 20^th I.D.) from Cegléd to Szolnok. 50^th IBg (from 20^th I.D.) Kecskemét to Csongrád. 4^th Rs.Bg. (from 1^st C.D.) from Keczel to Csongrád.

In the evening of November 18 all units reached the Tisa and crossed over the river between November 19 - 22, 1919 with the crossing points being Szolnok, Tokay, Kiskore and Csongrád.

The Clemenceau line roughly corresponded with the actual frontier. See back for the history up to July 20, 1919.

After August 4, 1919 MZ1 was occupied by the 16^th, 18^th, 20^th & 21^st I.D. (units with recruits from Transylvania) together with the 17^th and 19^th I.D. Soon in this area was established a "Military Zone of Occupation" (MZO) which was the only true Romanian administrative structure in Hungary (MZ3 & MZ2 were under the administration of the Military Divisions).

Following the CTT's Order No.21 of September 11, 1919 the Northern Group became non-operational and starting on September 14, was transformed into "The General Services for the Staging Areas" with headquarters in Debrecen (Fig. 2). The commandant of the Northern Group became commandant of the MZO with the rank of Governor (General N. Mihăiescu).

In this area were initially located the 18^th and 20^th I.D. (along the left bank of the Tisa) with the 16^th and 21^st I.D. in the eastern part of the MZO with both their headquarters in Debrecen. The 20^th I.D. crossed the Tisa to the east bank around Szolnok. The 21^st I.D. also relocated at this time but I am aware of the location. Thus in MZO only the 18^th I.D. (along the entire length of the Tisa), the 16^th I.D. around Debrecen, and four exploitation battalions remained.

After November 25, 1919 when new units came into MZ1 from MZ2 the situation changed as follows:

The sector of the 18^th I.D. was taken over by the 20^th (between the confluence of the Somes river with the Tisa and Fegyvernek) and 21^st I.D. (between Fegyvernek and the confluence of the Mures with the Tisa). With these two units the "Tisa Manoeuvre Group's Zone" was created with its headquarters in Oradea. These two units had the task of surveillance and covering the Tisa river.

The 16^th, 17^th, 18^th, & 19^th I.D. moved to eastern part of the Clemenceau line and on Romanian territory. The 16^th & 17^th I.D. were located between Satu Mare and Gyula (HQ in Cluj) while the 18^th & 19^th I.D. were between Gyula and Mures (HQ in Sibiu).

On February 24, 1920 the evacuation of the Tisa group began (20^th & 21^st I.D.) began. The 21^st I.D. handed back to the Hungarians the cities of Hódmezövásárhely, Szarvas, Mezötur (March 2, 1920), Püspökladány (March 9), Kisvárda, Hajdúnádas, Haidúböszörmény and Debrecen (between March 10 - 16). By March 30, 1920 all troops from the 20^th and 21^st I.D. were withdrawn to Romania.

On April 14, 1920, the two commands namely the MZO and the Tisa Group were disbanded. They handed all 4 areas of the occupation zone over to the control of the Allied Commission. A day later the command personnel received the order to move back to Turnu Severin for disbandment. They arrived on April, 18, 1920.

On June 4, 1920 the Trianon Treaty was signed between the Allies and Hungary establishing the borders as they are today.

CTT. Its headquarters were in Sibiu from December 12, 1918, in Oradea from July 27, 1919, in Törökszentmiklós from July 30, in Budapest from August 4 (?) and again in Oradea from November 12, 1919.

1^st I.D. (In Hungary from July 20, 1919 until October 1919). It was formed from the general reserve and was concentrated in the first half of June 1919 in the Carei-Valea lui Mihai zone. From July 20 it was deployed around Püspökladány and Kaba, from July 23 in the region east of Kunmadaras, from July 27 west of Szolnok, from July 29, in Törökszentmiklós. From August 4 it was located in MZ2 with headquarters in Budapest (Fig. 3). On October 9, 1919 the order was given for the troops to return home to Moldavia.

2^nd I.D. In July 1919 it was transported from Wallachia (Oltenia) to a zone near Arad where from July 26 it was at the disposal of the CTT. Following this it was relocated to near the Tisa as a CTT reserve.

6^th I.D. (in Hungary April 23 - May 1, 1919 and July 20 - October 1919).
The division was in Transylvania from December 30, 1918. After April 16, 1919 it was fighting in the Oradea area, April 23/24 in Debrecen (together with the 7^th I.D.), April 26 - 27 in Kaba, April 28 in Püspökladány, May 1 Törökszentmiklós (with 2^nd H.D). After May 1 it was withdrawn to the Oradea-Salonta zone (as part of the CTTs general reserve). Only after July 20, 1919 was it again deployed, this time on the front lines around Barand and Bihar-Udvari, July 23 in Karcag and Szent-Ágota, July 29 in Szolnok, July 30 crossing the Tisa. After August 4 it was located in the southern part of MZ2. On October 9, 1919 it received orders to return to Oltenia in Romania but did not arrive until November 12, 1919.

7^th I.D. (in Hungary April 22 - May 1 and July 26 - October 1919). This division was in Transylvania from November 24, 1918. After April 16, it was involved in an offensive in the area of Carei-Oradea, April 22 in Vámosperes, April 23 it occupied Debrecen. After May 1 it was moved to Moldavia. From June 10 it became one of the general reserve divisions for the CTT in Oradea. After July 26 it moved to Kisújszállás and Püspökladány, August 4 it was located in the northern part of MZ2. On October 9, 1919 it received orders to withdraw to Wallachia where it arrived on November 12, 1919.

16^th I.D. (in Hungary April 28 - November 25 1919). On March 27, 1919 the organization of this new division was completed. It was mobilized on April 1 and on April 28 it occupied a number of cities around Debrecen. After May 1 it was deployed along the left bank of the Tisa between Csap and Abádszalók (Fig.4). After July 26 it covered units crossing the Tisa. It then remained in MZ1 with headquarters in Debrecen. After November 25, 1919 it was redeployed between Satu Mare and Gyula with headquarters in Cluj where it stayed until February 1920.

18^th I.D. (in Hungary between May 1 - November 25, 1919). The organizational stages are identical to that of the 16^th I.D. and took place in March/April of 1919. After May 1 it was deployed along the left bank of the Tisa between Abádszalók and the confluence of the Mures with the Tisa (Szeged zone). After July 27 it was in Fegyvernek and Tiszabö, from July 29 it was covering the Szeged zone and then deployed along the entire eastern bank of the Tisa (Fig. 5). After November 25 it was replaced by the 20^th and 21^st I.D. and redeployed between Gyula and Mures (with headquarters in Sibiu) up until February 1920.

20^th I.D. (in Hungary July 19, 1919 - February 1920). This division initially had only staging responsibilities at the rear of the front lines reporting directly to the CTT. It arrived in the operational zone on July 19/20 with a brigade located at Nyiregyháza. After July 26 it was located east of the Tisa and then West of the Tisa around Szolnok (precise dates not known) where it was probably with the 49^th I.Bg. in Cegléd and the 50^th I.Bg. in Kecskemét and the division headquarters in Szolnok (Fig.6). Between November 12 - 18, 1919 it evacuated from MZ2 with the 49^th I.Bg. towards Szolnok (crossing the Tisa on November 19) and the 50^th I.Bg. towards Csongrád (crossing the Tisa on November 21/22) and then being concentrated around Szentes. After November 25 it took over from the 18^th I.D. the territory in MZ1 between the Somes confluence with the Tisa and Fegyvernek. On February 24, 1920 it began to return home arriving in Romania on March 30, 1920.

21^st I.D. From July 26 this division was in Debrecen and the probably in the south of MZ1 with staging responsibilities. After November 25, 1919 it took over the territory occupied by the 18^th I.D. at the Fegyvernek and Mures confluence with the Tisa (Fig.7).

1^st H.D. (in Hungary April 26 - November 1919...?). It was in Transylvania on November 23, 1918 and involved in the Mures valley offensive from April 16. On April 26 it entered Békéscsaba (after the 2^nd H.D.), April 28^th occupied Orosháza, April 29 in Szentes, Mindszent and Hódmezövásárhely, April 30 with all units on the Tisa. After May 1 it returned back to the Southern Group reserve with headquarters in Békéscsaba (Fig. 8). After July 27 it crossed the Tisa, from Aug 4 it was located in MZ2 with headquarters in Budapest (Pest). Between November 12 - 18 it withdrew to Szolnok and passed back across the Tisa on November 19. From November 25 it reported directly to the CTT.

2^nd H.D. (in Hungary April 26 - November 1919...?). This division was in Transylvania in December of 1918. From April 26 it was part of the offensive in the Cris valley, April 26 in Békés, then the first unit in Békéscsaba, April 28 Szarvas-Gyoma zone towards Szolnok. From May 1 it remained in the Northern Group's reserve at Nyiregyháza (and Debrecen?). Meantime its reporting units 2^nd, 3^rd, and 9^th H.Reg were active between May 23 - July 22, 1919 in the Subcarpathian Ukraine around Munkács. On July 24 the division moved a little to the south and on July 29/30 crossed the Tisa at Fegyvernek, from August 4 it administered a zone in the north of MZ2 with headquarters in Budapest (Fig. 9). Between November 12 - 18 it evacuated to Cegléd- Szolnok (where it remained until November 20) passing back across the Tisa on November 20/21. It was then deployed in the Tiszasajól - Törökszentmiklós - Fegyvernek area. After November 25 it was directly reporting to the CTT.

1^st C.D. (in Hungary July 29 - November 1919....?). Only the 4^th Roshiori Brigade operated in Hungary, the other units of the 1^st C.D. remained in Bessarabia on the eastern front with the USSR. In June 1919 the 4^th Rs.Bg. received orders at its garrison and on July 29 it reached the Tisa. Two days later (July 31) it crossed the river and was the first Romanian unit to enter Budapest. It located in MZ2. Between November 12 - 18 it withdrew towards Csongrád and after November 25th reported to the CTT.

2^nd C.D. (in Hungary April 20 - May and July 20 - November 1919 ?). This division was in Transylvania from January 28, 1919. On April 16, 1919 it was involved in an offensive towards Satu-Mare, April 22, fighting the "Székely Division" at Mátészalka, April 26 in Nagykalló, April 27 in Nyiregyháza, April 29 occupied Csap and Munkács. From May 1 it withdrew to Oradea as a general reserve division. On July 20 it was concentrated around Kunmadaras and Karcag with headquarters in Debrecen. On July 30 it crossed the Tisa near Szolnok and from August 4 was in the north of MZ2 with headquarters in Budapest (Fig. 10).

5^th Rs.Bg. (of the 2^nd C.D.). This unit was in an offensive from Sighet on April 16, 1919, April 19 in Huszt (Subcarpathian Ukraine), April 26 in Tiszaújlak, from May 1 (providing the major part of the units for the Olteanu detachment) it was located in the extreme north of the Romanian front with headquarters in Satu-Mare. On July 20, 1919 it moved to Debrecen, July 22 to Kunmadaras and after August 4 was in MZ2. It evacuated between November 12 - 18^th to Hatvan-Kiskore, and on November 19 crossed the Tisa.

These are known from August 28, 1916 as Romania entered the war. In the 1919 campaign MPOs were established near the Headquarters of each Group, Division, Staging area, and the CTT. Only the mail sent from these headquarters or from units located in the same area carry the MPO cancels (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10), the rest of the mail bears the military unit's seal (Figs. 5, 7). Theoretically, all the Great Units (see back) had MPOs and therefore cancel markings. However, until now only some of these are reported (see Table 2).

The Unit Seal.

These are varied in design and shape but are usually more frequently round or linear. They can be categorized as follows:

-postal seals: those which have the words "LI BERĂ EXPEDIERE" (LE) (Free for Mailing) and also generally "ARMATA DE OPERATII" (The Operational Army) with or without the units name. These LE seals also served to indicate that the mail had been censored. (Figs. 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10). Such LE seals are also seen in the 1913 and 1916 - 1919 campaigns.

-administrative seals: those with only the unit's name. (Figs. 1, 5). Again, these indicated the origin unit and the fact that the mail had been censored.

None of the Unit's names were coded. Consequently, it is not difficult to identify and place the location of origin with the information given in Table 3 and the troop movement dates given previously. It becomes even easier when the location of the Division or Unit is mentioned in the text (Fig. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9) or is given in the postcard's illustration (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).

The greatest amount of civilian mail is from the MZO (MZ1) where local stamps (Hungarian overprints) were issued by Romanian authorities.

The 1^st Debrecen issue (in use from November 21, 1919 until the beginning of March 1920). The overprint was oval reading "ZONA DE OCUPATIE / PTT-FF / 1919 / ROMÂNĂ" (Occupation Zone / 1919 / Romania / abbreviation for Post, Telephone and Telegraph Service + the Monogram of King Ferdinand). There are 108 overprinted stamps with another 18 bearing a variety of the overprint which was never circulated. See in Fig.11 an example of a circulated postcard. There are also 3 envelopes and 1 postcard (all overprinted Hungarian stationary) issued on November 20, 1919 - less than 100 pieces of each!

The 2^nd Debrecen issue (in use from December 23, 1919 until March 20, 1920). These had round overprints "ROMANIA / PTT-FF / 1919 / ZONA DE OCUPATIE". There are 22 stamps (plus another 12 stamps on two varieties of paper), 7 Charity and 5 Porto stamps in existence. Very probably the Debrecen II stamps were not allowed to be franked. Near all items with these stamps are either philatelic (CTO) or with the stamps being used as additions (something like a label) (see Fig. 12) The author has seen items that have been through the mails with only the 2^nd Debrecen issue as adhesives. However, these were marked "T" and received postage due treatment on arrival, presumably being considered not franked. However an exception of a cover which seems to be correctly circulated can be seen in Fig.13 (face + back).

But the ’Debrecen’ issues are scarce on mail. Nearly all the mail from the MZ1 was franked with Romanian and Hungarian stamps (Figs. 2, 3, 6).

All civilian cancels were Hungarian types without any modification or change as the occupation of Hungary was seen from the beginning as temporary.

Some of these censorship offices have been described in different articles. Only the Debrecen office had continuous activity and its censor marks can frequently be seen (Fig. 11, 12, 13). Interesting covers are those civilian pieces censored by a military unit. The 1^st H.D. use at least 6 different censor marks (reading "DIVIZIA 1 VÂNĂTORI / CENSURAT" [1st Hunters Division / Censored] and with numbers 1-5, which were used for censoring civilian mail from the respective region.

The 1^st Cavalry Division had its HQ in Bessarabia so this cancel was also used there.

Abbreviations:

Fig.1: A rare piece of mail, written October 1, 1919 in Budapest and sent from the "13^th Post & Telegraph Section, near the Central Evacuation Commission from Budapest" as we can read from the address. The postcard bears the rare seal with the text "ROMANIA / SECTIA XIII. COM. CENTR. BPEST" (Romania, 13. Section, Central Commission Budapest) and was sent through the Romanian Staging Fieldpost from Budapest in the same day. The addressee was an official from the General Postal Directorate Bucharest.

Fig.2: a Debrecen picture postcard sent from the MZO HQ itself, bearing the LE postmark with the text "General Command of the Etapes / and of the Military Zone of Occupation" and the fieldpost cancel of the Northern Group, dated October 23, 1919. The arrival in Bucharest in October 29, 1919 (Period II). It is important to note that at least up until October 23, 1919 the old fieldpost cancel was in use. This does not mean that a new fieldpost cancel for the MZO HQ was never available. Its existence is theoretically possible but to date has not been reported.

Fig.3: a Budapest picture postcard sent in August 17, 1919 (Period II) from the 1^st I.D. Headquarters: see the LE postmark from the HQ ("LIBERĂ EXPEDIERE / Divizia I"), the military censor mark CENZURAT at same level and the division's fieldpostcancel (all in red color).

Fig.4: a postcard written in June 27, 1919 (Period I) in Nyiregyhaza, sent from the 16^th I.D. Headquarter (see the division's fieldpost cancel, dated June 28). The postcard was censored at arrival in Cluj.

Fig.5: a Mezőberény picture postcard sent in September 15, 1919 (Period II) from the 90^th I.Reg (part of 18. I.D.): it bears the regiment's administrative seal "90. 'Sibiu' Infantry Regiment / Administrative Bureau / I. P.A. Batallion", a military censor marking "Cenzurat / Liberă Expediere" and a transit postmark of Békéscsaba dated September 18, 1919.

Fig.6: a Szolnok picture postcard sent from the 20^th I.D. (see the division's censor postmark "DIVIZIA 20 / CENZURAT / Liberă Expeditie" and the division's fieldpost cancel dated October 7, 1919 - Period II). The postcard is properly franked according to internal postal rate (10 bani + 5 bani assistance).

Fig.7: a Mezötur picture postcard written in December 13, 1919 (Period III) from the 106^th Infantry Regiment (see its LE postmark), which was part of the 21^st?. I.D. Transit cancel Arad dated December 19.

Fig.8: a Békéscsaba picture postcard sent from 1^st Hunters Division's HQ (see the censor postmark of the division with No.5 and the division's fieldpost cancel dated May 27, 1919 - Period I). Arriving cancels in Bucharest.

Fig.9: a Budapest picture postcard sent from the 2^nd Hunters Division's HQ (see the division's LE postmark and its fieldpost cancel dated August 12, 1919 (Period II).

Fig.10: a Budapest Litho postcard sent from the 10^th Roshiori Regiment (see the violet LE postmark of the regimental HQ) through the 2^nd Cavalry Division (see the black division's LE postmark and its fieldpost cancel, dated September 29, 1919 - Period II).

Fig.11: a mixed franking: 10 fill. Hungarian 'Republican' postcard + 10 fill. "Debrecen I" Overprinted stamp, sent from Hajdudorog January 21, 1920 with the Romanian censorship in Debrecen.

Fig.12: Registered cover sent from Debrecen on December 30, 1919 franked with a mixture of three Hungarian issues plus a 20 Filler adhesive of the 2^nd Debrecen issue (this stamp was not necessary as the 80 Filler = 40 Bani, of the Hungarian stamps paid the rate). A Romanian Debrecen censor mark (January 2, 1920) is on the back of the card.

Fig.13 face + back: an unusual item: a registered cover sent from Debrecen and franked with three stamps of the "Debrecen II" issue (2 x 30 + 40 filler, total 100 Filler = 50 Bani; the rate for a registered cover was 40 Bani). It reached Fehértemplom (Bela Crkva) on March 21, 1920, being returned to Debrecen. It was censored three times: by the Romanians in Debrecen (January 8, 1920) and by the Serbs in Novi Sad (the black oval postmark) and Kikinda (? a violet postmark, hardly visible). Two hand markings can be seen, but no "Porto" marking. This cover is an evidence that the "Debrecen II" issue was accepted in the postal circuit. If this was an exception or a rule, this is a question for the future.

© Grecu Dan 2000-2003.

main page
articles index | articles list