in july 1944 farkas was commander of the hungarian vi army corps, which had been garrisoned at debrecen. he replaced general beregfy, who was loyal to the fascist arrow cross party. during that month, farkas' vi army corp was instrumental in repelling a red army attack across the carpathian mountains. on 15 october 1944, farkas was named commander of the pest bridgehead and government commissioner for evacuation. in early november 1944, the first russian units appeared on the southeastern edge of budapest. as an associate of farkas, bánáthy likely had advance notice of the russian advance. he also knew he would likely be executed if captured. bánáthy was able to get his wife eva, one-year-old son béla and two-week-old son lászló out of budapest. bánáthy's family, along with other officers and their families, found shelter at first in farmhouses, and later in bunkers, caves, and trenches.