Forgotten Heroes: Aces of the Royal Hungarian Air Force in the Second World War Hardcover – June 12, 2019

I purchased “Forgotten Heroes:Aces of the Royal Hungarian Air Force in the Second World War” as a gift to my Hungarian husband. Within the first five minutes he was thoroughly captivated by both the rich narrative and the wonderful historical photographs. Csaba Stenges remarkable ability to capture the essence and contributions of these Hungarian heroes stands out in his details and vast knowledge of this time period in Hungary’s rich military history. Highly recommend!

I must admit that I knew little on this subject before hand but this book certainly covers the subject matter very well. For anyone interested in learning more about the fighter aces of the Royal Hungarian Air Force I would definitely recommend this publication.

My uncle was a WWII fighter pilot who was killed over Hungary. After years of research, I finally found out what happened to him. There is even a chapter that tells the story, with full credits and several photos of him. Our government records have almost nothing about what happened! It's a good read for those interested in the Air War over Hungary during WW II.

A little known topic but well researched by the author. It is worth the price! If you are a WW2 enthusiast then this is for you

“Forgotten Heroes, Aces of the Royal Hungarian Air Force in the Second World War” – a reviewIt is a universal verity that obituaries and tombstones convey two dates and a dash. The dates tabulate a *usually (see paragraph 3) unambiguous scope. The dash renders no hint of an indistinguishable assessment. What was the meaning of this life? What were the person’s hopes, dreams, and passions? What fated events shaped the stars in each of their courses?It is rarely a certainty whether a person, any person, leaves behind an accurate legacy, or even a legacy at all. Each person’s narrative is unique, even when connected in perpetuity by the thread of war. Peeling away and illuminating previously unknown and unstudied determinative layers of Hungarian WWII ACE aviators is the undeniable value of Csaba B. Stenge’s sweeping encyclopedia entitled, “Forgotten Heroes, Aces of the Royal Hungarian Air Force in the Second World War”.Regional traditions, provincial norms, and political ideologies aside, the “hero” designation is extraordinary in every language and within every nation. Steeped in meticulous research and guided by primary sources to enhance the gripping portrayal of a life’s journey, the author takes the reader into the cockpit and character of the Hungarian ACE’s soul. My interest in the English version of this book was initially limited in scope— the Gyorgy Debrody account briefly integrates information about an American family member, my uncle, Lt. Col. Louis Benne, USAF (1921-1978). Already a pilot, Benne enlisted in the USAAC immediately following his 1940 Pennsylvania high school graduation. In early 1944, 23-year-old 1st Lt. Benne, the son of Austrian immigrants, was an American P-38 fighter pilot assigned to US 15th AF, 14th FG, 49th FS and based in Foggia, Italy. Benne was leading his 53rd and final 49th FS planned sortie before rotating stateside when, on that WWII Wednesday, his path crossed Gyorgy Debrody (*notable within the author’s extensive footnotes is the revelation of Debrody’s correct birthdate).The dramatic dogfight on 14 Jun 1944 over a Budapest oil refinery resulted in Benne becoming a POW on the same day that he became an ACE. Following his capture, Benne had an encounter in hospital with the Hungarian pilot, looked into his eyes, and later spoke of him with respect. I wanted to know about that pilot—one of Hungary’s bravest and best, who forever changed my uncle’s life’s journey.But the wealth of riveting, contextual experiences presented in the book isn’t limited to Debrody. The heroism and hellishness of war presents itself in other scholarly works, but in this work, the instructive, historical narratives are without parallel. As for my uncle, during WWII he found himself as an Allied warrior in the country his parents choose to leave. For many of the Hungarian ACE survivors profiled in this book, they left their country, too, but only after their country first left them.Csaba Stenge’s work establishes and moves forward the important legacy for all time of young men who fought for country, not notoriety, but who are now remembered, one hero at a time.Stenge B., Csaba. Forgotten Heroes. Warwick: Helion & Company, 2019. 438Denise L DoyleIowa City, [email protected]

This book is too expensive, double that of similar books. But, its a great book about forgotten Hungarian WWII aces.

Ein sehr schöner Band über diese unbekannten Flieger-Asse,für jeden Aviation Liebhaber von ww2 das Richtige.Jeder Euro wert.

Book was received quickly, before the estimated date! It’s an amazing work by the author, the pilots biographies are well detailed, the details include the aircraft types (with individual aircraft markings) and even the pilots nicknamed! Details about the Hungarian decorations, ranks, victory claim system are also explained in a detailed way. Strongly recommended!!!

This is the most accurate and definitive history of the Royal Hungarian Air Force that I have ever read.by the author. Csaba B Stenge.My father was a squadron leader in the Royal Hungarian Air Force and he often talked about his experiences in the war.Therefore I can verify that author Csaba B Stenge has painstakingly and accurately researched in detail the history of the Royal Hungarian Air Force and it makes for compelling reading.I highly recommend it.