Flames in the Dark. Failed People’s Court proceedings in connection with the Dorosic hospital fire (29 April 1943)

Abstract

Aim: This paper deals with the infamous hospital fire of 29 April 1943, which took place in the occupied parts of the Soviet Union in the village of Dorosic. As is well known in the literature, a Hungarian camp hospital full of Jews in labour service recovering from typhus burned down. The hospital fire officially killed 396 labour servicemen. The literature has so far assumed that the hospital fire was caused by Hungarian soldiers guarding the Jews. The soldiers locked the doors of the building and then opened fire on those trying to escape. The aim of this study is to find out how the criminal trials after this event were conducted.

Methodology: In terms of methodology, it explores all the trials in the People’s Court concerning the Dorosic hospital fire, comparing the testimonies, indictments and verdicts in the different trials. In particular, the study focused on the trials of Miklós Réz and László Gyarmati at the Miskolc People’s Court, László Szentendrey at the same People’s Court, and Gusztáv Eckl and Dezső Szentkatolnay at the Budapest People’s Court. It notes that during the trials above, Réz and Gyarmati were convicted and executed, and that Szentkatolnay and Szentendrey were also convicted (the latter in absentia), partly on the same charges.

Findings: It points out the discrepancies between the indictments, convictions and confessions used.

Value: The study’s value lies in the fact that it analyses together data from previously unexplored and unmatched cases. Ultimately, the study raises serious questions about the historical truth that can be known and the extent to which war atrocities can be known.