Late in 1944, a reformed Hungarian Second Army enjoyed a modest level of combat success as an integral part of German General Maximilian Fretter-Pico's Army Group Fretter-Pico. From September 16 - October 24, 1944, during the Battle of Debrecen, Army Group Fretter-Pico achieved a major success against the Debrecen Offensive Operation. While avoiding encirclement, Army Group Fretter-Pico managed to maul three Soviet corps under the command of Issa Pliyev. The defeat of the Soviet cavalary-mechanised by the combined German and Hungarian forces contrasted with Pliyev's earlier victory over the Hungarian Third Army. However, the victory ultimately proved too costly to the Hungarians' armor and ammunition reserves. Unable to replace equipment and personnel lost in the Battle of Debrecen, the Hungarian Second Army were smashed on December 1, 1944. Surviving units of the Second Army were transferred to the Third Army.