Soldiers of Legends and Secrets

Reconnaissance and military intelligence are coeval with wars. Military history shows that the efficiency, success or failure of reconnaissance can decide the fate of battles, wars and empires. The long-range reconnaissance subunits appeared at the beginning of the Second World War in the armies of the opposing states. Even today, these specially qualified soldiers constitute part of the armies of all states, and thanks to their special skills and knowledge, they can be deployed under all terrain and weather conditions. The special capability of the soldiers serving with such units requires a characteristic esprit de corps and camaraderie during the challenging training sessions and the tasks of special operations in Afghanistan or in the Balkans. In this book, the commanders of the former and present-day long-range reconnaissance subunits relate the history of their units and their experiences. Following their recollections, the authors give an outline of the future of reconnaissance and military intelligence. Authors: Zoltán Árvai – Imre Bánki – József Boda – Kálmán Furkó – Sándor Géczi – Vilmos Girnt – Lajos Görömbei – János Juhász – József Juhász – Lajos Kiss –József Köpöczi – Albert Kövesdi – Gábor Lits – László Lőrincz – Ferenc Szabó –János Szabó – Csaba Újfalusi – Gyula Váraljai – Béla Vincze