Workers' Militia

The Workers' Militia (Munkásőrség) was a paramilitary organization in the Hungarian People's Republic from 1957 to 1989.[1]

This article is about the Hungarian paramilitary organization. For the Polish paramilitary organization, see Workers' Militia PPS-WRN.
Workers' Militia
Munkásőrség (Hungarian)
Insignia of the Workers' Militia

Armband of the Workers' Militia
Organization overview
Formed18 February 1957
Dissolved31 October 1989
TypeParamilitary
Jurisdiction Hungarian People's Republic
Organization executive
Parent organizationHungarian Socialist Workers' Party

History

Pre-1956
Slate grey clad Hungarian workers' guards and their PPSh-41 sub-machine guns. With a lightweight, fold-up shoulder strap, it was made in Hungary for a version of the Armed Forces ("Armed Forces"). This basic weapon was used by the Workers' Guard until the early 1970s.

Similar worker-guard organizations existed before 1957 in various socialist countries, partly to the circumvent closing of World War II peace treaties (such as the Kampfgruppe squads of East Germany), in part to provide more actionable, non-regular "popular" groups than the armed forces (such as the Lidové Milice of Czechoslovakia).

Formation

Following the quelled Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the Revolutionary Workers'-Peasants' Government ordered on February 18, 1957, the formation of the Workers' Militia. It replaced the revolutionary regime's special police force (karhatalom or also known as pufajkások, named after their Soviet-style quilted jackets). The slate gray uniformed and armed Militia's aim was to defend the means of production. It was a voluntary service, but obviously offered some career advantages. Starting with 20,000 members, it gradually developed into a large armed force (60,000 strong in 1988),[1] although they were never deployed.

The commanders of the organization were:

  • Lajos Halas (1957–1962)
  • Árpád Papp (1962–1970)
  • Sándor Borbély (1970–1989)

On May 8, 1985, the Central Committee of the MSZMP relinquished its direct control of the body, and on June 15, a Council of Ministers took over the supervision and control of the Workers' Militia. The Workers' Militia retained its paramilitary focus until the change of regime in Hungary, at the end of 1989.[2]

Disbandment

On November 26, 1989, a referendum was held with the question: "Should the Workers' Militia be disbanded?". The answer was an overwhelming Yes (94.9%), a result which confirmed the previously adopted law (1989 XXXth).

Ranks

Staff position markings
Insignia
Title Főrevizor Főügyeletes Főügyeletes-helyettes Kapuügyeletes Csoportvezető Szolgálatvezető Törzscsoport munkatárs Törzscsoport közvetlen állomány Egységtörzs munkatárs I. Egységtörzs munkatárs II. Egységtörzs munkatárs III. Egységtörzs állomány Beosztott állomány
English Controller Chief duty officer Principal deputy on duty Gate duty Group leader Service Director Core group associate Staff subordinated to the core group Unit Staff Fellow I Unit Staff Fellow II Unit Staff Fellow III Unit stock Subordinate staff

Command position markings
Insignia
Title Országos parancsnok Országos parancsnok-helyettes Parancsnok Parancsnok-helyettes Csoportvezető főtiszt Egységparancsnok Egységparancsnok-helyettes Szolgálatvezető Beosztott századparancsnok-helyettes Század szolgálatvezető Szakaszparancsnok Szakaszparancsnok-helyettes Rajparancsnok Beosztott munkásőr állomány
English National Commander Deputy National Commander Commander Deputy Commander Group Chief Officer Unit Commander Deputy Unit Commander Service Director Deputy company commander Company Chief of Staff Platoon Commander Deputy Section Commander Squad Leader Subordinate worker guard

See also

Similar formations:

References
  1. "Hungary - Workers' Guard". www.country-data.com. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  2. Ólmosi, Zoltán (2009). "Tervek kapuzárás előtt - A Munkásőrség, mint Népőrség? Eskü a Szent Koronára?" [Plans before closing the gates - The Workers' Guard as People's Guard? Oath to the Holy Crown?] (in Hungarian).


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