The Honved War

 This new book by Nigel Smith covers the armies of the Hungarian War of Independence 1848-49. I was pulled into this conflict through Steve Barber's range of 28mm figures and Ralf Weaver's book on the Hungarian armies. This book is a little more detailed and covers the Austrians and Russians as well.

For those unfamiliar with this obscure war, The Hungarian War of Independence of 1848–1849 aimed to achieve Hungarian autonomy within the Habsburg Monarchy. Inspired by the broader European Revolutions of 1848, the movement sought constitutional reform, civil liberties, and national independence. It started on 15 March 1848 with an uprising in Budapest, which led to the formation of a Hungarian government under Lajos Kossuth and the acceptance of the "April Laws" by Emperor Ferdinand I, granting Hungary limited self-rule. When Austria attempted to revoke Hungarian autonomy, war broke out in September 1848. Hungary initially succeeded under leaders like Artúr Görgei but faced setbacks when Austria allied with Russia, whose intervention in 1849 turned the tide. The combined Austrian-Russian forces overwhelmed the Hungarian army. The revolution ended in August 1849 with the surrender at Világos.

The author gives the historical background, although other books in this Helion series go into detail. The focus here is on the organisation of the three main armies, their commanders and uniforms. There are detailed orbats, plenty of illustrations and some fine colour plates. The Hungarian Army has a range of volunteer units, which add a bit more colour to what is already a colourful array. The commanders included an Englishman, Richard Debaufre Guyon, born in Bath in 1803. He joined the Habsburg army, fought for the Hungarians and ended up as a Pasha in the Ottoman army during the Crimean War. 

The Hungarians started the war short of modern firearms, in a period when the percussion musket became the standard, with some regiments armed with pikes and farm implements. However, realistically, the effective range of a musket was still around 100 yards. The Austrians had moved to column attacks with the bayonet when the terrain was suitable. Jagers did skirmish, but they were also used as storm troops. The Hungarians had plenty of Hussar regiments for screening, etc. However, the Austrians had the heavy battlefield cavalry.

This is a very useful addition to the library on this conflict. It also inspires me to get my armies back on the tabletop.