A honvédtüzérség megszervezése és szervezeti fejlődése 1848-ban
The organization and organizational development of revolutionary [honvéd] artillery in 1848

Summary/Abstract: One of the most difficult tasks of organizing the Hungarian army in 1848 was the establishment of the artillery. The work done was, on the other hand, in proportion with the praises this branch received not only from its leaders but from the enemy as well. They went a far as claiming that the batteries of the Hungarian army were handled by French gunners. The honvéd artillery was organized after the Austrian model; it was a similar organization, containing similar organs. This was natural since that was what the organizers knew. However, the organization of the Imperial and Royal artillery was extremely complicated. Apart from “combat” troops, it included the system of storehouses [szerházak] storing and handling weapons and munitions. The artillery also included the so-called garrison or fortress artillery units. The organization of the Hungarian artillery started in May 1848, using the Fifth Austrian Artillery Regiment as a basis. That is where the officers, the instructors and even the batteries came from. In order to speed up the process of learning the tasks that were regarded as very complicated in those days, usually young people from professional families, or men with mechanical knowledge were recruited as gunners. This proved to be the proper approach, and the first batteries were set up by early September. These would perform very well later, already in the battle of Pákozd on September 29. The batteries were set up, one after the other in Pest, but the honvéd army also had a few batteries from the Fifth Austrian Regiment, as well as gunners from the militia and other artillery units set up at various other places. After their unification in November, however, the batteries were uniformly treated. The batteries and equipment of the Hungarian artillery met the requirements of the day. Its organization was different from that of the Austrian artillery, but this was justified by later events. The calibres of the batteries as well as the proportion of foot and mounted batteries were also in accordance with the principles of the times. The Hungarian army was able to maintain the important indicator of having three or four batteries to every one thousand troops. The artillery was able to provide adequate support for the troops and the formation of battle orders fit for contemporary conditions. The organization of the Hungarian artillery was an outstanding achievement of the establishment of the honvéd army.

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