Ormandy, Laszlo Istvan (Oral history)

Hungarian civilian in Austria and Hungary, 1944-1949; NCO in Hungarian People's Army in Hungarian People's Republic, 1950-1953; civilian during Hungarian Uprising in Budapest, Hungarian People's Republic, 10/1956-11/1956; escaped from Hungarian People's Republic to GB via Austria, 11/1956-12/1956

REEL 1 Background in Hungary, 1928-1944: family; education. Aspects of period as factory worker in Austria, 1944-1945: reasons for working in Austria; evacuation to American Zone of Occupation, Austria, 1945; return to Budapest, Hungary, 10/1945. Recollections of period as civilian in Hungary, 1945-1949: attempt of Soviet Army troops to keep low profile in Hungary, 1945; problems with authorities for having worked in Austria; revival of Hungarian economy and democracy, 1947-1948; effects of Communist take over, 1949. Recollections of period as NCO in Hungarian People's Army in Hungarian People's Republic, 1950-1953: call-up for military service, 1/1950; change of Royal Hungarian Army to Soviet model, 1950; background to promotion to sergeant; question of volunteering for service in Korean War in order to defect; political problems on leaving Hungarian People's Army, 1953. Aspects of period as civilian living in Hungarian People's Republic, 1953-1956: civilian employment on leaving Hungarian People's Army, 1953; lack of contact with organised anti-Communist resistance; political changes after Soviet premier Joseph Stalin's death, 3/1953 and effect of Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev's denouncement of Joseph Stalin. REEL 2 Continues: relaxation on travel restrictions to other Communist countries, 1956; illegal bartering for goods on visit to Socialist Republic, 1956. Recollections of period as civilian during Hungarian Uprising in Budapest, Hungarian People's Republic, 10/1956-11/1956: effect of situation in Poland; attitude to socialism and to Imre Nagy; demonstration in front of Budapest Radio Station; start of shooting outside Budapest Radio Station; initial lack of arms in hands of demonstrators; collection of money for casualties of fighting; key demand for quitting Warsaw Pact; lack of visibility of State Protection Authority (AHV). Recollections of escape from Hungarian People's Republic to GB via Austria, 11/1956-12/1956: decision to leave country after crushing of Hungarian Uprising, 4/11/1956; presence of Soviet guards in border town; crossing into Austria, late 11/1956; wish to leave Europe. REEL 3 Continues: migration to GB, 12/1956; favourable initial impressions of Western society; reasons why Hungarians stayed in GB; where he stayed in GB, 1956-1958; types of employment obtained; reasons for Hungarians settling in Croydon area.