California Dreaming in Vienna

The first few days in Vienna passed like a whirlwind for my father. On their first day there, my father, his sister, brother-in-law and niece went to the Police Headquarters in order to apply for and receive their refugee ID cards which afforded them free transportation around the entire city. After receiving his ID card my father parted ways with his family and headed straight to the American Embassy to meet with the Air Attache. The deputy Air Attache welcomed my father and named him an ex-Air Force Intelligence Agent because of the undercover work that he had done while still in Hungary. As a thanks for his efforts, my father was promised that he would receive help in getting to the United States.

Feeling positive about his meeting, my father went back to his accommodations to meet with his family and after a nice lunch they decided to make use of their free transportation and see the city. Vienna was preparing itself for the Christmas holidays and the city looked magical adorned with festive decorations. On street corners he saw boy and girl scouts with signs reading "Ungarnhilfe" (Help Hungary) and boxes ready for donations. It was so touching for my father to see and experience the love and compassion that the Austrians had for the Hungarian refugees such as himself and his family.

On his second day in Vienna, my dad was able to visit the office of the Order of Malta. As his great uncle was a Knight of Malta, the Order was happy to offer and provide financial help for the Makays. Finally it felt like the pieces of a long broken-apart puzzle were starting to fall into place and that life would soon become functional again.

When Christmas Day arrived, my father and almost every Hungarian refugee in Vienna attended mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral. The ceremony was beautiful, yet everyone sat in their pews in tears....this special holiday reminding them of loved ones left behind in war torn Hungary.

The first of January, 1957 signaled the start of a new year...a year of freedom for my father and all of the refugees. Plans were being made to make the long journey to the United States. My father had his heart set on starting his new life in the "Land of the Free". He was so dead set on living in America that when a secretary from the British Embassy paid him a visit conveying an invitation from Lord Rothemere, who was a good friend of my grandfather, to stay in a private suite in his castle in England, my father politely declined. My father had dreams of warm weather and sandy beaches. His cousin, Magda, was already living in Los Angeles. He was 27 years old and ready to see what the next chapter of his life would bring in a new land. The thought of living in a castle in a cold climate again was not what was calling him. He also knew that he wanted to live independently and not as a permanent guest. Lord Rothemere was gracious and my father felt nothing but gratitude for the offer, yet he stood his ground. He was going to America!

A Taste of Freedom and Royal Treatment

Exhausted and traumatized, my father and his companions were transported to the nearest Austrian town of Andau. The Red Cross had set up a refugee reception center in the auditorium of a local school where they would treat, feed and register everyone until they were transported to their next location. My father remembers seeing tables laden with foods he had not been able to purchase or eat in Hungary for years. Chocolates, oranges, bananas, cofee and tea...It felt like Christmas to have the opportunity to enjoy these treats along with their newfound freedom.

After Eva had her cut and bleeding feet cleaned and bandaged, and everyone had eaten, my father and his family got in line to register. Thus far there were already 100,000 refugees who had entered Austria and the number was growing. After my father gave his name to the Red Cross attendants at the registration table he was told to go outside and get in another line to wait for transportation to a refugee camp. As he waited in line a Hungarian speaking Austrian official started walking towards him calling his name. My father stepped forward and the following conversation took place:

Laszlo: "I am Makay, Laszlo."

Official: "Are you related to Makay,Istvan, Duke Csanad?"

Laszlo: "Yes. He is my father."

Official: "Welcome to Austria. I am glad that you were able to cross over safely. Your Highness, would you mind following me to my office?"

Laszlo: "Sir, I want to remain incognito. My parents are still back in Hungary."

Official: "Do not worry, your Highness, we will not publish your arrival in the papers."

Laszlo: "Thank you very much, sir. I am also not here alone. My sister and her family crossed with me."

Official: "No problem, your Highness. Please find them so they may join us."

Laszlo: "Thank you very much!"

My father then located and waved down his sister and she, her husband and daughter stepped out of their line and followed the official to his office. They were asked to sit for a moment and when he returned he let my father know that he had spoken with the President of the German Red Cross and that her chauffeur would be taking them to Vienna to stay at the Spitz Kasarne as they did not want my father and his family to have to stay at a refugee camp. My father was overcome with gratitude and gave his heartfelt thanks to this official who was saving him and his family from anymore undue hardship.

After a short while, the President of the German Red Cross and her driver came to get them from the office and they were on their way to Vienna. From the car windows my father marveled at how beautiful and well kept the Austrian towns looked. As they entered the Viennese city limits he was dazzled by the well-lit, beauty of the city. Having lived for so long in war-torn Budapest, it was difficult to remember what a city could look like in its unscathed splendor.

Upon arrival at the Spitz Kasarne, my father and family were met by members of the German Boy Scouts who opened a VIP suite for them. It was luxurious, clean and spacious. My father was overjoyed and grateful yet also felt as if he would break down emotionally when he thought of his parents still stuck in Hungary and living in complete destitution, while he was now in a free country being treated royally as he so well deserved to be treated.

Quo Vadis, Europa?

Much of my father's early childhood, aside from those very exciting occasions that I posted about earlier(!), were spent enjoying time spent with family, playing with his sister in the countryside, attending puppet shows, traveling throughout Hungary to visit relatives, going to school, traveling to France and Austria. He recalls these years as being very peaceful, happy and normal. It was not until 1938 that things started to go awry, and I know that is an understatement.

During one of the family trips to Austria in 1938, the Makays only made it as far as Monichskirchen and not all the way to Vienna as was accustomed. As they traveled to this smaller Austrian city they noticed that the traditional red and white Austrian flag was being replaced by flags bearing the Swastika. Austria had started its dark descent into Naziism. Being that the Makays were of nobility, it was decided that they should stay as under the radar as possible in order not to gain the attention of the Gestapo (Geheimstaatpolizei). This prompted my father and his family to stop traveling abroad soon after. With Austria as Hungary's neighbor to the West, Nazi propaganda quickly passed over the borders and into Hungary and became accepted in great part by many German expatriates who were living in Hungary at the time. This greatly shocked and saddened my grandfather and great grandfather, and their worries only grew as they watched more and more newsreels showing the people of Austria cheering Adolph Hitler on and welcoming them to their country.

My father recalls that when 1939 rolled around, his father and grandfather, as well as the other adult members of the family, started deeply worrying and discussing the political situation in Europe. They could only foresee a very dark future, especially since Hungary no longer had any form of strong defense with their very weak military. With Hitler to the West and Stalin to the East, Hungary was a sitting duck. My dad still recalls his father asking aloud "Quo vadis, Europa?" in consternation, and his grandfather stating "Someday we will all be homeless". A bitter prophecy that would all too soon become a reality.