Géza Lakatos

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For other people with the same name, see Lakatos (disambiguation).

Knight Géza Lakatos de Csíkszentsimon (Hungarian title/name:"vitéz Csíkszentsimony Lakatos Géza") (Budapest, April 30, 1890 – Adelaide, May 24, 1967) was a general in Hungary during World War II who served briefly as Prime Minister of Hungary, under regent Miklós Horthy from August 29, 1944, until October 15, 1944. In August 1944 supporters of Lakatos and Horthy, armed with one tank, overthrew the German-installed government. Lakatos's military government stopped the deportation of Hungarian Jews, but the Germans, supported by the Arrow Cross Party, did not lose power. On October 15, 1944, Horthy tried to force the Germans out entirely. This coup failed when Horthy's son, Miklos Horthy, Jr. was kidnapped, and Horthy surrendered to the Germans. Lakatos was forced to resign that day and a German-backed government took over.