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 German 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. Sgt. Gergely was an example.

Arrow Cross Party in Joe Steele

With Leon Trotsky's Red Army barreling down from the east, Miklos Horthy attempted to make a peace with the Allies. Adolf Hitler had Horthy kidnapped and replaced with the Arrow Cross Party, a group of Hungarian fascists horrible enough to satisfy even Hitler.

Arrow Cross Party in "Zigeuner"

In October 1944, Nazi Germany secured its continued alliance with Hungary by installing Ferenc Szálasi and the Arrow Cross Party. The Arrow Cross Party proved as determined to hunt down the Zigeuner as the Nazis were.