Gombos, Julius

Gombos, Julius (göm`bösh), Hung. Gömbös Gyula, 1886–1936, Hungarian premier and officer. He was minister of war under the premiership of Stephen Bethlen (1921–31) and of Julius Károlyi (1931–32). In 1932, Gombos became premier. He ruled with authoritarian methods and introduced anti-Semitic bills in the legislature. Although favoring a national brand of fascism at home, Gombos opposed the spread of Nazi German influence and for this purpose drew close to Italy and Austria. After his sudden death, however, Hungary drifted toward the new Rome-Berlin Axis.