Magyar Baráti Közösség

Történelmünk  :: Fragments of History I. - End of WW.II. ::

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Escapees testify - Deposition #1

Excerpts from the book “Berkes and the Monk” (pp. 156-165) by Ferenc Fiala, Published as “Berkes és a szerzetes” in Munich (München), Germany, 1979

Translation to English by Laszlo G. Fulop

Recorded on October 25, 1952 in the Klagenfurt, Austria office of the MHBK

Present are the undersigned.

Lajos Molnár, who was born on May 10, 1928 in Péterrév, escaped from Yugoslavia on October 5, 1952 and describes the following:

It was in 1944 October that when the fighting Hungarian troops retreated and evacuated Péterrév around 10 AM., the guerrillas came around 1PM. The day was a Sunday and next day, Monday, they began to gather up Hungarians, men and women alike. First, of course, those who had been policemen under the Hungarian administration, like a policeman called Csonta, the names of the rest I don’t recollect. I know for sure of 5-6 policemen who were taken away. Then civilian inhabitants were picked up, among them my brother-in-law, Sándor Vermes, who was then a 30 year old farmer, the Roman Catholic priest, Ferenc Takács, János Koncsik, who was a shepherd. About 400-500 Hungarians were gathered up this way. Some of these were taken to an unknown place and no one has heard of them to this day. Another group was taken to the bank of the Tisza River and shot dead. About 60-70 were killed at the Tisza shore. The executions were carried out always during nights. The bodies were buried in abandoned military trenches along the banks of the Tisza River. The town’s inhabitants, looking for their loved ones, dug them up, but could not carry them away. So, when the Tito guerrillas noticed this, they threw the bodies into the Tisza River.

I further submit that I was present at the execution of our catholic priest, because the authorities announced that important regulations would be proclaimed on the town’s main square, therefore the population was obliged to be there. This is why I went. He was our town-priest, also our district representative in the Parliament. Our priest’s execution was on a Sunday morning, after the main mass, about 11 AM. after the population gathered to hear what would be proclaimed.

This is when I saw our parson in his priestly frock surrounded by about 15 guerrillas, his hands tied behind. He was led to the acacia tree across from the church, they made him stand there, did not even cover his eyes, and four or five guerrillas shot him.

One of those guerrillas, one of the executors is still living in town. He, too, shot at our priest. His name is Vlasztan. By occupation now he is a farmer, 40-45 years old, about 5ft. 8in. tall, married, has 4-5 children and currently works with the veterinarian. He goes with the vet to other towns inoculates chickens, pigs and other domestic animals. I also know the other guerilla, who, when the priest was executed, drew his own pistol and shot him in the head a couple times. This Serb’s name is Vitomir, currently is working in the Obecse city hall as some kind of official.

I also witnessed another public execution. Janos Koncsik was executed on the town square by shot in the head.

I have nothing else to say. The deposition correctly represents what I said.

The deposition was signed after its content was read aloud. Dated as above.

Signature

Signature

Deposition notary