The Bulgarian Army in the Balkan Wars 1912-1913

After the proclamation of Bulgaria’s Independence in 1908 the national union of the Bulgarian people became not only objective necessity, but also an important factor for its political, economic and cultural development. On February 29th , 1912 were laid the foundations of the Balkan Alliance with conclusion of a treaty between Bulgaria and Serbia, and later on – between Bulgaria, Greece and Montenegro.Most numerous and strong in the Alliance Forces was the Bulgarian Army. It mobilized 600 000 men ; 370 000 of them immediately took part in the operations. Serbia participated in the war with 190 000 men, Greece – with 12 000 men, and Montenegro – with 30 000 men.

In Lyuleburgaz- Bunarhissar Operation ,carried out within October 14th –19th 1912, for the first time in the practice of European armies was created operative formation, larger than army.The break-through of the prepared offensive and the divisional artillery group appeared. the operation was carried out by 1st and 2nd Bulgarian armies, comprising totally 160 360 men, 360 guns and 160 machine-guns. In the bloody combats the Bulgarian soldiers, showing mass heroism and high spirit, irresistibly defeated the Turkish army , which started retreating in a disorderly. Bulgarian people suffered 20 147 casualties, wounded and missing.

Second army tightened the ring round Edrine. Under the blows of Rhodope Detachment and Kardjali Detachment , having in their strength also the Macedonian-Edirnean Volunteer Units , the enemy retreated southwards.The Bulgarian troops reached the Eagean Sea coast. On November 14th ,1912, near the village of Merhamla, Kardjali Detachment, together with the Mixed Calvary Brigade , forced the Turkish Corps of Yaver Pasha to surrender. Captured were 9 646 soldiers and officers. At the western war theater, 7th Rila infantry division , in the strength of 2nd Allied Army, advanced successfully along Struma River valley, aiming to capture Thessalonike.

On October 16th ,1912 happened the “baptism of fire” of the Bulgarian military aviation. Lieutenant Radul Milkov ,as a pilot , and Lieutenant Prodan Tarakchiev ,as an observer , for the first time flew by a biplane “Albatross”, taking off from “Mustafa Pasha” airfield (modern Svilengrad), using aircraft for military purposes.

At the end of January 1913, with renewing of the combat actions after the first armistice, the newly established 4th Bulgarian Army managed to repulse the offensive of the Turkish Galipoli Army at Bulair. The Turkish units, which had carried out a landing in the region of Sharkioy ,were forced to withdraw and board back on their ships. The attempt of the enemy to take the offensive at Chataldja failed. The plan of the Turkish Command for a turn of the war was also a failure.

The western military specialists considered the Edrine Fortress as one of the strongest in Europe, which could be taken after long months of siege. It consisted of front line (fort sector) and second defensive line. For defense of the fortress its Commandant Mehmed Shukri Pasha had at disposal a garrison, comprising 59 600 men, 524 guns, more than 130 000 shells, 12 million cartridges , 1 tied balloon and 10 searchlights for observation over the enemy. Narrow- gauge line reached to all the defensive sectors and gave opportunities for maneuvering of the troops. The Bulgarian Army was prepared to seize the fortress by night storm, for two days and nights only. At the training of the troops for the attack, besides the commander of 2nd Bulgarian army , Lieutenant- General Nikola Ivanov , especially distinguished himself the chief of the eastern sector Major- General Georgi Vazov.

The Edrine operation was the highest achievement of the Bulgarian military art, which was also recognized by world military history. The operation started on March the 11th , 1913 and continued for forty- eight hours. In the first twenty-four-hour period , 2nd army captured the front Turkish position , and in the second day and night it broke thtough the major fort line. On March 13th , after irresistible bayonet attack and mass artillery fire, the strongest Turkish fortress in Eastern Thrace was captured. Mehmed Sukri Pasha was taken prisoner of war, together with the whole his garrison. The victory was won at the cost of 16 304 casualties, wounded and missing Bulgarian soldiers.

On 17th May ,1913 was signed the Peace Treaty of London. The slogan “The Balkans for the Balkan people” was realized. Liberated were the region of Pirin Mountain, Rhodope area and the region of Strandja. Bulgaria suffered the greatest losses- over 85 000 men; Serbia- 31 000 men; Montenegro 16 000 men and Greece – 5 000 men.

The Bulgarian people was eager to fight for liberation of its brothers in Macedonia and Thrace. Thousands of reservists and volunteers came crowding to the recruiting stations. From the thousands of the refugees – volunteers were founded the Macedonian- Edrinean Volunteer Units, comprising 14 670 men, which took active part in the war.

On October 5th ,1912 started the offensive of the allies against the Turkish army. The Bulgarian Army , which campaigned at the Thracian front , the main war- theater , achieved significant success. The head Command directed to Edrine 2nd army under command of General Nikola Ivanov ; 1st army under command of General Vasil Kutinchev was directed to the sector of Edrine and Lozengrad , and 3rd army under command of General Radko Dimitriev- to the right flank of 250 000 Eastern Turkish Army of Abdulah Pasha.

В първата стратегическа операция - Лозенградското срещно сражение, в ожесточени боеве при Селиолу, In the first strategic operation of the Bulgarian Army – the encounter battle of Lozengrad , in the se3vere fights of Selliolou, Gechkenli, Eskipolos, petra and Erekler ,1st and 2nd Bulgarian armies gained complete victory. Rapid in deployment and vehemence of their actions, they ended their attacks with powerful “bayonet blow”. On October 11th 1912 was captured the fortress of Lozengrad. Disorganized , the Eastern Turkish Army retreated in panic southwards.

The Bulgarian Navy also carried out successful military actions. On November 8th ,1912, the Bulgarian torpedo carriers “Letiashti” ,”Smeli”, “Strogi” and “Drazki”, under command of Commander Dimitar Dobrev ,l carried out decisive night torpedo attack against the Turkish battle cruiser “Hamidie”. The torpedo, launched by “Drazki”, under command of Lieutenant junior grade Georgi Kupov , hit the bow of the Turkish battle cruiser and put it put of action.

In the Second Balkan War 1913 (Alliance War) that followed, politicians naively lost what was achieved with the blood of tens of thousands Bulgarian patriots. The Bulgarian Army had to wage war against the troops of Serbia , Greece and Montenegro, which not long ago were allies , but unscrupulously disregarded previous treaties and agreements. From the North , with pretensions for territorial compensations , advanced Romanian troops, and , Turkish Army, unpunished, penetrated in South –Eastern Bulgaria.

In early July 1913 , in defensive battle at the village of Kalimantzi , 4th Army broke the offensive march of the attacking Serbian, Montenegrin and Greek troops and they went into defense. The opportunity of successful counter- offensive and encirclement of the Greek Army, which had penetrated into the region of Kresna Gorge, forced Serbia and Greece to agree on armistice , which was concluded on May 17th ,1913.

The peace treaty was signed on July 28th , 1913 in Bucharest. On the battlefields , for one month only, died 33 000 Bulgarians, and more than 60 000 men were wounded signed. The country was plundered and parceled out.