In mid-October 1944, pro-German Honvédség officers had revealed that the Hungarian Regent, Admiral Miklós Horthy, was negotiating a secret surrender to the Soviets. Hitler sent "SS-Obersturmbannfüher" Otto Skorzeny to deal with the problem. Skorzeny commandeered all available elements of the "Maria Theresia" to take part in Operation Panzerfaust, which began at 0600 on 15 October. In little over half an hour, a German column led by four Tiger IIs, including a number of "Maria Theresia" men, stormed Buda Castle and forced Horthy to abdicate. Simultaneously, Operation "Panzerfaust" resulted in the forced detainment of Horthy's youngest son, the pro-peace Nicholas Horthy. Pro-German Arrow Cross leader Ferenc Szálasi replaced Horthy, negotiations were broken off and Hungary remained in the war.