The Bulgarian Army in the years of the World War II – 1939-1945

In 1939 the world was on the threshold of a new world war. Bulgaria hardly was able to keep aside of the closing conflict, although the policy of neutrality it had pronounced. On the eve of the war the armed forces of Bulgaria consisted of four detached armies, having in their strength ten infantry divisions, Navy and air Force, with total staff , amounted to 72 250 officers, non- commissioned officers and soldiers. In July 1939 was formed the Covering Army, concentrated at the southeastern border.

After breaking out of the war, on September 1st , 1939 started mobilization and strategic deployment of the Bulgarian Army and its providing with modern arms and armored vehicles. For the first time the armed forces were divided in kinds of troops – Land Forces, Air forces and the Navy.

Bulgaria maintained neutrality till March 1st , 1941, when it signed the Triple Pact, together with Germany, Italy and Japan and included in the World War II. In all the kinds of troops and branches of the army were carried out organizational and structural transformations. In the Land Forces were established new operative formations – 5th Detached Army and two corps. In the Air Force were organized flying, aerodrome, parachute troops and air defense. In the Navy were included the Danube Fleet , Black Sea and Aegean Sea Fleet.

In the course of war , through the mediation of Germany and USSR, on September 7th , 1940 in the city of Craiova, Bulgaria and Romania signed an agreement for return of South Dobrudja. Thus the rights of Bulgaria on this age-old territory, unjustly taken away from Bulgaria by the force of the Peace Treaty of Bucharest (1913) and the Peace Treaty of Neuilly (1919), were restored. The population of Dobrudja welcomed the troops of 3rd Army under command of Lieutenant- General Georgi Popov with cheers and tears in their eyes.

Fifth and Second Bulgarian armies took by stages Macedonia and Aegean Thrace. The Bulgarian population in these lands accepted this act as its national liberation, as astep to the unification of the Bulgarian nation. The losses of Germany at the Eastern Front and the menace of eventual British- American landing at the Aegean seacoast made necessary the formation of two corps. In January 1942 First Bulgarian Corps took parts of southeastern Serbia, its headquarters located in the town of Nish, and, in November 1943 three infantry divisions were united in second Bulgarian Corps with headquarters in the town of Drama. These corps carried out guard, defensive and maneuver tasks. Both corps were disbanded in September 1944.

On December 12th , 1941, Bulgaria declared war on the USA and Great Britain. The so-called “Symbolic War” later became reality with tragic consequences. At the end of 1943 and early 1944 the air raids above Bulgaria became more intensive and with heavy damages. Bombed were 168 towns and villages , ruined were 12 000 buildings, the losses amounted to 1 828 casualties and 2 372 wounded. The pilots, who defended the sky of Bulgaria , showed bravery and covered themselves with glory. The names of Dimitar Spisrevski , Nedelcho Bonchev , Asen Kovachev, Petar Bochev, Stoian Stoianov and many others remained in Bulgarian military aviation’s history as symbols of heroism and self-sacrifice.

After the successful Yash- Kishinev operation the troops of Third Ukrainian Front reached the Bulgarian border. On September 5th , 1944 the USSR declared war on Bulgaria, and , on September 8th the government of Konstantin Moraviev broke off the alliance with Germany and joined to the anti-Hitler’s coalition. In the night before September 9th , 1944, in the country was made state-political take-over. On October 28th , 1944 in Moscow was signed an armistice between Bulgaria, on the one hand , and the USSR, Great Britain and USA, on the other. In that way were created conditions for inclusion of Bulgaria in the final stage of the World War 2 in alliance with the countries of anti- Hitler’s coalition.

Within September- November 1944 was carried out mobilization and strategic deployment of the Bulgarian Army, included in the strength of Third Ukrainian Front. It was envisaged offensive westwards, aiming to cut off the roads and defeat the retreating German Group of armies “Aegea”.Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Army was Lieutenant-General Ivan Marinov. Four offensive operations were carried out : “Nish” and “Kosovo” operations- by 2nd Army under command of Lieutenant- general Kiril Stanchev, “Stratzin- Kumanovo” operation- by 1st Army under command of Lieutenant- General Vladimir Stoichev and “Bregalnitza- Strumitza” operation- by 4th Army under command of Major- General Asen Sirakov. Bulgarian soldier showed lots of acts of bravery and heroism at Nish, the heights of Stratzin and Strazhin , at Shtip and Veles. The names of thousand soldiers and commanders remained in the glorious annals of Bulgarian military history.

In the period since December 1944 to June 1945 Bulgaria participated in the final stage of the World War II with the newly formed First Bulgarian Army , comprising 130 000 men under command of Lieutenant Vladimir Stoichev. In January 1945 the Bulgarian troops made their march, covering 250 km , twice crossing over Danube River. Carried out were “Srem”, “Drava”, “Mur” and “Chakovetz” operations. From the main forces of the army were formed 3rd and 4th Corps with commanders Major-General Todor Toshev and Lieutenant- General Stoian Trendafilov

The active defensive actions of the Bulgarian troops at the villages Dravasobolch, Dravachehi and Dravapolkonia were covered by most famous newspapers in Europe and all over the world. First Bulgarian Army finished its combat actions at the foothills of Austrian Alps and came back home on June 17th ,1945 with victoriously flying colors. The losses of the Bulgarian Army in The World War II numbered 40 450 men. Among them 8 337 dead, 22 958 wounded and 9 155 missing.