At the end of World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and a multitude of National Councils were established to take power.

In Budapest, the liberal establishment was overthrown in the Aster Revolution, and a coalition government of nationalists and social democrats took power, led by Mihály Károlyi.

The demarcation line between Hungary and Czechoslovakia, the so-called Pichon-line, was dictated to the Károlyi Government by Fernand Vix on 23 December.

[2] This border fell short of the Czechoslovak proposal, presented to the Paris Peace Conference on February 5, 1919,[3] which claimed the North Hungarian Mountains including the industrial city of Miskolc, the vital rail connection via Balassagyarmat, and the coal mining city of Salgótarján.

In Hungary, further entente territorial demands caused the collapse of the Károlyi regime and a coalition of communists and social democrats took power.

[6] They were returned to position by a commissar, but next day they were ordered to withdraw to Hajnáčka (Ajnácskő) from fear of encirclement.

[7] On the western flank, attacks against Nagydaróc (Veľké Dravce) were initially resisted by defending 9th Company, but its numbers were depleted to just 40 men.

They were forced to retreat by the evening of 2 May, after outflanked by Guszona (Husiná)[8] To the west, there were attacks against Fülekkelecsény (Fiľakovské Kľačany) and Rapp (Rapovce).

[9] To re-establish connection with Hungarian 60th Brigade to the east, 8th Company was ordered to advance to Pétervására, but they were held down at Mátranovák to train new recruits.

[11] The Czech advance was finally halted on 7 May, when a Czechoslovak attack from Lapujtő towards Karancsalja was repulsed by 6th and 12th companies.

On 9 May, Czech forces occupied the Szécsény - Endrefalva - Piliny - Karancskeszi - Karancs Hill (729) - Somoskő - Cered - Pogony - Monosbél Line.

However the reinforced western flanks repulsed their attacks against Nógrádmegyer and Ságújfalu[17] and pushed back to the Pösténypuszta-Ludányhalászi-Endrefalva line by the end of 9 May, then re-captured Szécsény on 10 May.

[19] To the east of Salgótarján, Luigi Piccione's 6th Division held the area around Miskolc, defending against the Red Army's 3rd Corps.

6 battalions concentrated at Járdányháza and Borsodnádasd would advance towards Pétervására and Kisterenye (today part of Bátonyterenye), cutting off the main road between connection to Salgótarján.

Caught between the three formations, the Czechoslovak position collapsed - Hungarians captured 300 men and 25 machine guns.

[22] On 20 May, Czechoslovak 4th Brigade positioned north of Salgótarján crossed the Ipoly between Nógrádszakál and Ipolygalsa (Holiša).

[24] As a result of Czechoslovak defeats under Salgótarján and Miskolc, the Italian military mission was relieved, replaced by French officers.

He served as a Commissar for social production under the Soviet Republic, and visited the Czechoslovak Front on mission.

State narratives emphasized his role during the battle for Salgótarján, claiming his intervention saved the city from capture.

[26] The Day of Rage (A harag napja), a 1952 play by Kálmán Sándor and its 1953 film adaptation by Zoltán Várkonyi are based on this narrative.