Tűzkereszt means “Fire Cross”, a Hungarian military decoration awarded for front-line combat service between 1941 and 1943.

Hungarian Military History Archive

An online archive preserving Hungarian and Austro-Hungarian military history through original photographs, awards, documents, and research material.

ESTABLISHED 2010

2026-07-17

Tűzkereszt Digital Archive

A New Chapter for Tűzkereszt

A redesigned archive — the same commitment to preserving history.

Tűzkereszt has entered a new chapter.

The website has been rebuilt from the ground up to create a clearer, more accessible and visually consistent home for the archive.

The new design draws inspiration from historic photograph albums, military documents and private collections. Its restrained dark style allows the original material to remain at the centre of every page.

The purpose remains unchanged

To preserve and present fragments of Hungarian military history that might otherwise be forgotten.

A Reorganised Historical Archive

Hundreds of earlier posts have been transferred, reviewed and organised with improved labels and searchable archive categories.

Photographs, documents, military records, biographies and historical research can now be explored more easily by period, subject, branch of service and collection type.

  • Original military photographs and private albums
  • Biographical stories of officers, soldiers and civilians
  • Military records, certificates and historical documents
  • Medals, insignia and objects from private collections
  • Research articles and documented archive discoveries

More Than a Gallery

The new Tűzkereszt is intended to be more than a gallery. Each page aims to place the surviving objects within their historical context.

Individual photographs are accompanied by identification notes, captions and background information. Larger archive stories bring together portraits, letters, official records and contemporary newspaper reports.

Particular attention has also been given to the presentation of original photographs. Images are displayed in a larger and more dignified format, while important photographs and details can be opened at full size for closer study.

The Stories Behind the Objects

Behind every photograph, document and medal is the story of an individual life, a military unit, a family or a historical event.

Some of these stories can be reconstructed through names, dates and military records. Others survive only as fragments: an unidentified portrait, a handwritten inscription or a group photograph whose original context has disappeared.

By presenting these objects together with the results of historical research, Tűzkereszt seeks to restore part of the memory that has been lost.

An Archive That Will Continue to Grow

Tűzkereszt will continue to develop as further material is documented, researched and added to the collection.

Corrections, additional information and contact from relatives, collectors and fellow researchers are always welcome.

Thank you for visiting the new Tűzkereszt.

Preserving photographs, documents and personal histories for future generations.

TŰZKERESZT Digital Archive • Hungarian Military History • Original Photographs, Documents and Historical Research