CHRONOLOGY OF PRINCIPAL EVENTS DURING THE HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION, 23 OCTOBER TO 4 NOVEMBER 1956

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001000010034-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 27
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2006
• Sequence Number: 34
• Publication Date: January 1, 1956
• Content Type: LIST

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No. 5396/5(
Copy No. O E
Chronology of Principal Events During the
Hungarian Revolution, 23 October to 4 No-
vember 1956.
23 October Tens of thousands of students and others
Afternoon* staged a massive demonstration ex-
pressing their solidarity with the
Polish fight for freedom. They de-
manded withdrawal of Soviet troops,
the return to leadership of Imre Nagy,
installation of a new government,
free elections and return of the multi-
party system.
23 October The party committee in the National
1830 hours Planning Office recommended to the
party leadership that Andor Berei,.
President of the Planning Office, be
relieved of his duties. (Berea
was closely identified with Rakosi
and Gero. )
23 October Party first secretary Gero made a
2100 hours speech over Radio Budapest. He said
the party condemned chauvinist excite-
ment, slanders against the USSR and
the exploitation of youth for demon-
strations. He announced the central
committee had been convened because
of the urgency of present problems.
23 October Nagy appealed--unsuccessfully--to
2200 hours demonstrators before the Parliament
building in Budapest to return to
their homes.
23 October Many demonstrators became violent,
between 2100 and obtained arms, laid siege to the
2230 Budapest Radio building.
* All times Budapest time
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23 October
2300 hours
24 October
0430 hours
Radio Budapest announced that a polit-
buro meeting was in progress.
Radio Budapest stated "Fascist
reactionary elements" have attacked
public buildings and the police. The
Council of Ministers has banned "all
gatherings and meetings" for the
"sake of public order." Armed forces
have been instructed to proceed "with
the full vigor of the law."
24 October The Ministry of the Interior called
0550 on all inhabitants of Budapest not
to move in the streets before 9 a.m.
unless on business of.."absolute
urgency."
24 October Budapest Hungarian Home Service an-
0800 hours nounced that Soviet aid had been in-
yoked on the basis of the Warsaw Treaty
"for the restoration of order in
Budapest against counterrevolutionary
elements."
24 October The politburo elected new members
0800 hours (Szanto, Kobol., Losonczy). Individuals
identified with Rakosi regime were
dropped (Hidas, Mekis, Istvan Kovacs,.
Revai, Acs, Bata, Piros).
24 October Budapest Hungarian Home Service an-
0815 hours nounced that the central committee
of the Hungarian Workers Party has
decided to recommend that Imre Nagy
be made chairman of the Council of
Ministers. At the same time, it con--
firmed Erno Gero as first secretary
of the central committee.
04 October The Hungarian Council of Ministers
0845 hours ordered summary jurisdiction through-
out the country to be applied to acts
designed to overthrow the regime.
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24 October Budapest Hungarian Home Service said
0900 hours the "dastardly armed attack of counter-
revolutionaries duringthe night has
created an extremely serious situations"
and called on the people to "condemn
the bloody havoc created by the
counterrevolutionary gangs and support
everywhere the Hungarian and Soviet
troops maintaining order."
24 October Unarmed demonstrators in Parliament
about noon Square were fired upon without warning
by Soviet tanks and soldiers of the
Hungarian AVH (state security service).
24 October Premier Nagy broadcast an appeal to
1210 hours insurgents to lay down their arms. He
announced that all who complied by
1400 hours would be exempt from summary
jurisdiction.
24 October Budapest Home Service announced that
1255 hours the "counterrevolutionary gangs" had
dispatched young men to provincial
towns and factories to create unrest
and advocate work stoppages.
24 October The National Front broadcast an appeal
1830 hours to the population to restore order.
Continuous appeals were broadcast
throughout the day by various groups
and to various segments of the popu'Aa-
tion to end the bloodshed.
24 October Janos Kadar condemned the rise of
2045 hours counterrevolutionary elements and
asserted that the government had
adopted the only reasonable decision
in calling on those who were carrying
out a hostile attack to surrender.
24 October Moscow TASS broadcast that by the end
2235 of 24 October the enemy adventure was
liquidated and order restored in
Budapest. It claimed that the action
was an "enemy adventure" which had
"obviously" been in preparation for
some time.
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25 October
0400 hours
25 October
0645 hours
25 October
0645 hours
25 October
0730 hours
25 October
1120 hours
25 October
1130 hours
25 October
1233 hours
25 October
1300 hours
The fighting continued at the radio
station.
Fire brigades were attempting to
extinguish the third fire set at the
National Museum. The "hard struggle
is still going on."
Gyula Hay, a leading Hungarian
writer, appealed to the youth of
Budapest to stop fighting: "Guard
your lives now. The Fatherland wily
now need you badly in the new Hungary
being freed from sad tyranny."
The Minister of Justice denied the
rumor that any of those detained by
the authorities had been executed.
Reports of disturbances in Gyoer,
Debrecen, Szeged and Miskolc.
Intermittent shots during the night.
Although the situation was quieter in
the morning, crowds were moving through
the streets, which were full of So-
viet tanks and troops. Soviet troops,
apparently from Rumania, were em-
placing artillery in one suburb.
The Politburo announced that at its
meeting today it had relieved Erno Fero
of his post as first secretary and
appointed Janos Kadar to this position.
Situation reported completely confused:
"this is a battle situation." Some
Hungarian soldiers seemed to have thrown
in with the insurgents but others were
obeying orders to quell the insurrection.
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25 October Premier Nagy stated
youth have -
1418 hours ported the demonstrations because of
bitterness over past mistakes. He
announced the introduction of refoxms
but said implementation of the new
program requires restoration of com-
plete law and order. The Hungarian
government will initiate talks on
relations between Hungary and USSR
on the basis of "national independ-
ence and equality between Communist
parties." He promised to ask for
withdrawal of Soviet forces stationed
in Hungary when order is restored.
(Press reports, not confirmed, indicate
that this statement followed talks
with Soviet presidium members
Mikoyan and Suslov.)
25 October Disturbances broke out at Pecs, in
midnight southern Hungary near the Yugoslav
(approximately) boundary.
26 October Budapest radio broadcast a Szabad
1215 hours N~ep editorial begging for a restora-
tion of order. A new government is
being organized by Premier Nagy, the
justified demands of the youth have
been met, and there is no sense in
further fighting, the editorial said.
26 October A delegation of workers from Borsod
1300 hours county, led by Rudolf Foldvari (former
high Communist party official and
protege of Rakosi) called on Nagy and
asked for a Gomulka-type program for
Hungary. Nagy promised a Patriotic
People's Front government.
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26 October Miskolc radio broadcast an announcement
1310 hours for the Workers' Council of Greater
Miskolc and Borsod.County (apparently
a new organization) declaring they will
maintain their demands as long as they
are not fulfilled "in their essenc
Among the demands listed are calls for
immediate withdrawal of the Soviet army
from the country, a new government, the
right to strike, and complete amnesty.
26 October Radio Budapest carried an editoria[ of
1400 hours Nepszava, the trade union newspaper
eman ng an end to fighting, an
amnesty, formation'of an army of workers
and youths and of a new government which
will immediately initiate talks with
a view to withdrawal of Soviet troops.
This program also calls for formation
of workers councils in every factory,
and demands that Hungarian trade unions
should function as they did before 1948,
26 October Writers group demands, broadcast by
.1400 hours Budapest radio, were similar to those
voiced by Nepszava (above).
26 October A resolution of the party central
1545 hours committee, broadcast by Radio Budapest,
recommended the formation of a new
national government on the basis of "thee
broadest national foundations," which
would start negotiations with the USSR
"to settle relations between our countries;"
after the restoration of order," Soviet
troops should withdraw to their bases.
It stated, however, that the central
committee and government are firmly
resolved to defend the people's
Democracy, warning that opponents of the
regime "shall be annihilated without
mercy."
27 October Radio Budapest announced formation of
1018 hours a new government with Imre Nagy as
premier. It includes Communists in
key positions (notably Ferenc Muennich
as minister of interior and Karoly
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Janza as minister of defense).
Members of parties which had been dis-
solved in the past were included,
notably Zoltan Tildy as minister of
state and Bela Kovacs as minister of
agriculture.
27 October Radio Miskolc broadcast a statement of
1435 the Workers' Council of Borsod County
and Miskolc which endorsed the new
government but asserted that the workers
will continue to strike until "our
demands are fulfilled. "Hold out!
Victory is near!" The radio then
declared that the city of Miskolc had
been under the leadership of the workers'
council and students' parliament for two
days, and the workers council was in
control of garrison and police.
28 October Gyoer Free Radio broadcast an alleged
0813 hours statement of the Soviet military com-
mander of Gyoer. " "We have no
intention of interfering in your_in-
ternal political affairs. I think
that the rising...is Justified." He
expressed regret, however, that some
"provocateurs" were causing trouble
with Soviet troops.
28 October Gyoer Free Radio in Western Hungary
0813 hours broadcast a demand bylthe local
Provisional Council that Soviet
troops cease fighting in Budapest
and that the. state security service by
disbanded. The Gyoer council asked for
the forming of new national councils in
the countryside.
28 October Radio Free Gyoer announced that a
1010 hours Gyoer-Sopron county National Defense
Committee of the Hungarian Workers
(Communist) Party was formed on 24
October.
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28 October Budapest Radio broadcast an editorial
1400 hours from the party organ Szabad Nep
declaring the national ri.s ng was
"Just" and stating the formation of
national councils has set in motion
progress toward social democracy, "the
specifically Hungarian way to socialism.
28 October Radio Free Gyoer reported that military
1605 hours units have come over to the "side of
the people," and police have surrendered
their weapons without resistance and
taken to the woods.
28 October Budapest radio carried an anonymous
1732 hours commentary sharply criticizing the
central committee. and demanding election
of a new central committee.
28 October Miskolc radio called on workers
1840 hours councils in various parts of the country
(Debrecen, Szeged, Hatvan,.Szekesfehervar,
Pecs, Szombathely, Gyoer, Mosonmagyarovar,
Szolnok, Nyiregyhaza "and a1ll the
country") to support a program
calling for creation of a provisional
government under Premier Nagy to be
followed by the holding of free elections.
28 October A radio Budapest broadcast to Europe
1859 hours declared revolutionary councils have
been set up in several cities.
28 October The new cabinet met and approved Premier
2010 hours Nagy's policies. It ordered the minister
of agriculture to suspend collectiviza-
tion and revise laws governing collectiviza-
tion. The minister of education is
taking steps to change history textbooks
and revise other school books.
28 October The National Bureau of the Patriotic
2250 hours Peoples Front announced that,the
Hungarian National Committee had been
formed to unite and co-ordinate the
work of local revolutionary councils
and autonomous national committees.
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28 October
2332 hours - -t - - - ......,.,...,-- _LA "jj.Vca,a uy
Budapest Police Headquarters for
volunteers for the national guard
on the basis of a declaration made
by Premier Nagy.
28 October Premier Nagy, speaking on Budapest
Prior to midnight radio, attributed recent "bloody.
events" to "mistakes and crimes" of
the last ten years and denied that
counterrevolutionary elements were
behind the insurrection. He announced
his government had ordered a general
cease-fire and said new armed forces
would be created, incorporating old
army units, police personnel and mem-
bers of armed groups of-workers and
youth. Nagy also stated that his
government had come to an agreement
with the USSR for immediate with-
drawal of all Soviet troops from Buda
pest and was undertaking negotiations
looking to ultimate withdrawal of all
Soviet forces from Hungary.
28 October Soviet presidium member Mikoyan arrived
Time not indicated in Budapest.
29 October The National Council of Patriotic
0600 hours Peoples Front appealed over Radio
Budapest for workers in the villages
to send food to Budapest.
29 October Radio Budapest announced that the
0600 hours first consignments of drugs, bandages,
tents,food and canned goods had
arrived from the International Red
Cross by plane from Vienna. The
Hungarian Red Cross was to begin
distribution during the morning.
29 October Budapest Home Service reported
1100 hours Szabad Nep's front-page coverage of
the statement from Gomulka to Radar
and Imre Nagy.
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29 October
1115 hours
Radio Free Gyoer announced informa-
tion from Nyiregyhaza (northeast
Hungary) that several Soviet units
had left Hungarian territory during
the night, "crossing the Soviet-
Hungarian border."
29 October The Hungarian party newspaper Szabad
1115 hours Nep, in answer to a "deplorable""
article in Pravda, defended the
Hungarian revolution as "neither
anti-popular nor an adventure, nor did
it collapse." It said the revolt re-
sulted from the failure of the former
regime to protect national independence.
29 October Tito of Yugoslavia, in a letter ad-
Time not indicated dressed to the Hungarian Workers
(Communist) Party, called for an end
to bloodshed.
29 October Radio Budapest broadcast a statement
1200 hours by Minister of Interior Ferenc
Muennich, declaring that organization
of a "unified and democratic police
force" was in progress.
29 October Radio Budapest broadcast an appeal by the
1200 hours Revolutionary Committee of Hungarian
Intellectuals calling for support of
the new government and thanking those
Soviet troops who refused to turn their
arms against the insurgents.
29 October A Ministry of Interior communiqud
1717 hours carried by Radio Budapest stated that
in accord with an agreement with
leaders of Budapest resistance groups,
the latter were beginning to hand over
their arms to Hungarian troops which
are relieving Soviet units. Soviet
units will begin to withdraw from
Hungarian territory within 24 hours
of surrender of arms.
29 October Radio Budapest broadcast an announcement
2130 hours by Minister of Defense Janza stating
that units of the Hungarian Peoples
Army have begun to replace Soviet troops
in the fifth borough of Budapest. Soviet
troops will evacuate territory agreed
on with resistance headquarters at dawn.
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29 October Radio Budapest announced the Gyoer
2200 hours County National Committee "has accepted
the program of the new national govern-
ment with certain reservations."
29 October Radio Budapest announced that the
2200 hours Szeged Workers council has been
transformed into the Szeged People's
Council and has taken over jurisdiction.
29 October Radio Budapest broadcast a communiqud
2400 hours of the Ministry of National Defense stating
that by virtue of an agreement with
leaders of bands of resisters, the
latter had begun to surrender arms.
Soviet units would begin to withdraw
24 hours after all arms were surrendered.
30 October A National Air Defense Command resolu-
0205 hours tion, carried by Radio Budapest called
for all Soviet forces to begin evacua-
tion of Hungary at once. It warned that
otherwise the Hungarian air force would
make an "armed stand."
30 October Radio Free Gyoer and Radio Miskolc
0700 hours said the general strike was continuing,
but that farmers and workers in mines
and public utilities were not involved.
30 October Radio Free Gyoer reported national
1245 hours councils have been formed in near-by
villages; "order reigns and food
supplies are being collected."
30 October Radio Budapest announced "new men"
1406 hours had taken over the radio and thrown
out "members of the Hungarian radio's
old leadership."
30 October In an address carried by Radio Budapest,
1428 hours Zoltan Tildy promised concessions, notably
immediate abolition of produce collection
system. He announced that the Hungarian
delegate to the UN, Peter Kos, had been
recalled and promised appointment of
a new delegation to the UN which would
represent the "views of this government."
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30 October Janos Kadar appealed to the party to
1428 hours support the government and reform party
ranks. He called on "Communists who
were prompted by progressive ideas of
mankind and socialism" and not by
"selfish personal interest" to back
the Nagy regime.
30 October Premier Nagy, in an address to the
1428 hours "people of Hungary" broadcast by Radio
Budapest, announced that the "govern-
ment, acting in complete accord with
the presidium of the party central
committee, has abolished the one-party
system and placed government on the
basis of democratic co-operation be-
teeen the coalition of people's
parties" as it existed in 1945 at the
close of World War II. A new "inner"
cabinet has been set up which includes
representatives of the Communist
party (Nagy, Kadar, Losonczy), two
former leaders of the Smallholders
Party (Zoltan Tildy and Bela Kovacs),
a representative of the National
Peasants' Party (Ferenc Erdei) and
"persons to be mentioned by the Social
Democratic Party."
30 October Radio Gyoer broadcast greetings which
1535 hours. asserted the "young peaple.of.Vas County
have resolved not to resume productive
work before our oppressor, the'Soviet
troops, actually begins withdrawing from
the territory.of our country."
30 October Radio Budapest broadcast an announce-
1545 hours went by Minister of State Zoltan Tildy
that Cardinal Mindszenty would.take up
his duties as primate of Hungary.
30 October Radio Budapest broadcast by announcement
1640 hours from Premier Nagy that "following the
government's initiative, the withdrawal
of troops of the Soviet army has begun."
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30 October
1755 hours
30 October
1809 hours
30 October
2020 hours
30 October
2233 hours
30 October
2225 hours
The Revolutionary Military Council of
the Hungarian People's Army,just
created, (1) demanded immediate
withdrawal of Soviet troops from
Budapest and within the "shortest
possible time" from Hungary; (2)
asked support of the people in re-
storing order; (3) declared "sectarian
elements which were turning back the
march of events" have been dismissed
from government; (4) promised to disarm
security forces, "which kept army in
state of intimidation". This statement
was signed by Major General Lorincz Kanya.
Radio Budapest carried a declaration
of the Revolutionary Committee of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling
for a new Hungarian foreign policy,
recall of the UN delegate, and recall
of other Foreign Ministry personnel
"alien to the people."
Lt. Gen. Karoly Janza stated on Radio
Budapest that withdrawal of all Soviet
forces from Budapest began at 1600 hours.
Radio Budapest announced that the
National Peasant Party has begun
publication of a newspaper.
Radio Budapest broadcast an appeal by
the Revolutionary Army Committee of
the Hungarian Honved Army calling for
a meeting of leaders of the Budapest
Honved Army. committees at 0200 on
31 October at the Ministry of National
Defense. It also instructed leaders
of Revolutionary Army committees of
units of the 3rd Motorized Army Corps
replacing Soviet troops withdrawing
from Budapest to report at once on
arrival in the city to the Revolutionary
Army Committee.
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30 October Radio Budapest broadcast an appeal by
2235 hours "armed insurgents to the population of
the country" calling for restoration
of peace and order. It reported
that after the fighting ended and the
Soviet army had begun to withdz a tv,
party leader Kadar and Minister of
Interior Muennich met commanders and
representatives of armed units of
revolutionary youth. They agreed
revolutionary armed youth and revolu-
tionary committee of leaders of the
army should take over the duty of
safeguarding personal safety and
property of the peaceful population of
the 8th and 9th districts of Budapest.
30 October Radio Budapest reported Cardinal
2400 hours Mindszenty had been liberated by
an army formation and was on his
way to Budapest. It quoted him as
saying, "I shall carry on where I
left off eight years ago,"
30 October Radio Budapest carried a statement by
2400 hours the Revolutionary Council of National
Police Command that it, together with
freedom-fighter insurgents, had begun
the immediate demobilization and
disarming of state security personnel,
and would hold such persons under
arrest until they could be tried in
a court of law.
30 October Radio Budapest carried an announcement
2400 hours that the premier had granted a request
by representatives of the former Social
Democratic Party, including Anna Kethly,
for restoration of their former head
office and publishing house.
31 October Radio Budapest contradicted.a previous
0905 hours report that all Soviet troops had left
Budapest. It has subsequently learned
that this was not true, "and a number
of listeners objected" to the false
report. The Ministry of Defense
appealed to the population to refrain
from impeding the departure of the troops
and announced that Soviet tanks would
leave during the morning.
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31 October The minister of defense issued following
0908 hours order at the suggestion of the Hungarian
People's Army Revolutionary Council,
present insignia on hats to be replaced
by Kossuth coat of arms.
31 October Radio Free Petoefi-Gyoer announced that
1015 hours the Varpalota transmitter was being
jammed.
31 October Radio Budapest carried a list of members
1034 hours of the National Defense Committee of
the "Hungarian People's Republic."
Among the members are Col. Pal Maleter,
commander of armed youth of Kilian
Barracks and Maj. Gen. Istvan Kovacs
of the General Staff.
31 October Radio Budapest reports- of talks held
1035 hours by Premier Nagy and Minister of State
Kadar with a 19-man delegation from
Szolnok national committee. An un-
identified speaker declared the Szolnok
representatives said work would be re-
sumed only on condition Soviet troops
left the vicinity of the town, including
the Soviet barracks:. Nagy said, "as
far as he knew," Soviet troops would
leave not only Budapest but also
Szolnok that day, 31 October and would
turn over barracks to the Revolutionary
Committee of the Hungarian armed
forces.
31 October Radio Budapest announced a temporary
1200 hours executive committee of the Independent
Smallholders Party had been established.
31 October Radio Budapest carried a TASS report that
1200 hours Soviet government has instructed the
military command to withdraw Soviet
formations from Budapest as soon as
the Hungarian government considers it
appropriate. The Soviet government is
ready to negotiate with Hungary and
other Warsaw pact countries on the with-
drawal of Soviet troops from Hungary.
The Soviet government further stated
it is willing to start negotiations on
Soviet troops stationed in Rumania
and Poland.
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