Commemorating the Don Catastrophe in Kosovo

“More than 120,000 troops of the 207,000-strong Hungarian 2nd Army fell on the bank of River Don in January 1943. World War II claimed the life of 950,000 Hungarian citizens. In those days, the words of the prophet Jeremiah came true: »a voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.« There is, however, more to commemoration than facts and figures, since hidden behind the figures are men, faces, lost hopes, dreams, plans, empty family tables, tears and bitterness. After the war, the survivors could not become veterans, as many of them faced persecution. For 950,000 Hungarian families, the war caused transgenerational bitterness, mourning, trauma and post-traumatic syndrome. We, the descendants are obliged and in need of commemorating our forebears; we have to learn from our past, since blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God", the military chaplain said.

Photo by the author