September 1944

Eastern Front

With its armies already fighting in the eastern provinces, the Hungarians are presented with a German ultimatum. Unless they accept integration of their forces in the German chain of command they will be disarmed and Germany will seize control of the state. Horthy has little option but to comply.

The Germans form the Volkssturm, a collection of battalion-sized units made up from men and boys between the ages of 16 and 60. The first draft calls 1,200,000 up for service. The new units are given the most basic training and sent to fight the experienced Allied and Soviet soldiers.