Red Devil 2
The name “Red Devil” remained as the common name of the Hussar regiments throughout the Great War. It was so widespread that other cavalry regiments and divisions, were sometimes using it. When the name originated, how the name spread, no one knows anymore. Most often, you can find the explanation that ties the name to Russian officers. In the failed Gorodok attack, the hussars who died in the suicide attack were allegedly named. Now we see that the 1st Honvéd Hussar Regiment and the 5th Honvéd Cavalry Division have applied the name to themselves. The regiment’s memorial book features on the cover the same picture as the post card in the post. And the many H’s of the devil’s badge are the abbreviation of 5th Honvéd Hussar Division.
The prevalence of the name is also reflected that the Arkanzas company produced a badge on which the tablet could be carved arbitrarily under the equestrian devil for usage by any troop. The specimen presented here is uncarved, but there is a piece engraved with the number 5. This could indicate either the 5th Honvéd Division or the 5th Hussar Regiment. There’s also a badge with 1 carving.
After a while, only these Kappenabzeichen maintained the cavalry consciousness of the Hussars. The cavalry divisions and regiments gradually merged completely into the infantry. They were used as infantry. The postcard used in the post comes from my friend Gábor Csiszér, to whom I thank for this new contribution!
