Hungary Swallowed
The occupation of Hungary by German forces has caused no surprise to those who have carefully studied the operations on the southern Russian front. Manstein's armies in the Ukraine .held their ground as long as they could, at imminent risk to their last
communications. The reason is obvious. They intended to retreat, if necessary, not westwards into Poland, but southwards into Rumania, to prevent an undisputed Russian occupation of the Balkans ; and whether they find themselves fighting on the river lines of Rumania or in the Carpathian Mountains, their com- munications must pass through Hungary. That has been the most pressing reason for their recent demands for closer co-operation from Hungary ; that is why Horthy was summoned to Hitler's headquarters, and why, when he resisted Hitler's demands, the German armies marched in and took control of roads and railways. Hungary in the earlier stages of the war has received many territorial benefits from Germany at the expense of neigh- bours, and in return she helped in the subjugation of Yugoslavia and sent troops to be slaughtered in Russia. She evidently feels that she has done enough for a country which has no more benefits to bestow and with which it is a danger to be in alliance. Like Rumania and Bulgaria, Hungary would now like to be out of the war, but Germany has tightened her grip. To do so Hitler has had to make fresh calls on his divisions, and probably to weaken the army in Yugoslavia—in which case Marshal Tito will reap the benefit. From the first, Hitler's hold upon the Balkans has rested on the argument of force ; the time has now come when he must use and scatter his force to hold them and apply his dwindling strength to prevent collapse.
