Arrow Cross Party

The Arrow Cross Party (Hungarian: Nyilaskeresztes Párt – Hungarista Mozgalom, literally "Arrow Cross Party-Hungarist Movement") was a Hungarist party led by Ferenc Szálasi, which was modeled on the Nazi Party of Germany. While the party was quite vocal during World War II, it did not come to power until 15 October 1944, when Germany toppled Hungarian leader Miklos Horthy for pursuing a ceasefire with the Soviet Union. Szálasi and the Arrow Cross ruled the so-called Government of National Unity until 28 March 1945. During its short rule, ten to fifteen thousand civilians (many of whom were Jews) were murdered outright, and 80,000 people were deported from Hungary to various camps in Austria. After the war, Szálasi and other Arrow Cross leaders were tried as war criminals by Hungarian courts.

Arrow Cross Party in The Hot War
While the Arrow Cross Party was long out of power by the time of World War III, their actions still left a mark on the Hungarian People's Republic, which the Soviet Union established after World War II. Communist indoctrination correctly claimed that Arrow Cross was a fascist party.

Perversely, the course of war and history meant that some people who served the Arrow Cross and fought the Soviets during World War II were still in the Hungarian military and fought for the Soviets during World War III.