The Bulgarian people greeted the Red Army with bread and salt
Residents of Sofia greet Red Army soldiers
General situation
After the Jassy-Kishinev operation (Disaster of the German Army Group "Southern Ukraine") the troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, without encountering resistance, reached the border of Bulgaria by September 6, 1944.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria was going through an acute crisis. German monopolies, which occupied a dominant position in the country's economy, ruthlessly robbed Bulgaria. Based on the agreement on cashless trade, Germany exported raw materials and food without delivering its own goods in return. In fact, Bulgaria became an economic colony of the Third Reich. The economy deteriorated: industry shrank to 62% compared to 1939, agriculture fell by almost a third. Plus inflation, a 2-3,5-fold increase in prices for food and goods, a significant increase in taxes.
The Bulgarian industrial and commercial bourgeoisie and speculators profited from the war. The economic crisis was aggravated by the high costs of maintaining the German army and the growth of the military budget. The Bulgarian army was increased to wartime levels at the request of the Nazis. Military expenditure in 1944 increased almost 10 times compared to pre-war 1938.
Politically, Bulgaria was subordinate to the Third Reich. Formally, power belonged to the Regency Council and the government. After the death of Tsar Boris in August 1943, his young son was enthroned. The Regency Council included B. Filov, N. Mihov and Prince Kiril. In reality, the Bulgarian authorities were subordinate to Berlin. The German ambassador in Sofia, Beckerle, gave instructions to the government. The Gestapo controlled the police and the army.
The Nazis controlled 16 important airfields, the ports of Varna and Burgas, and railways. Bulgarian troops under German control carried out occupation service in Yugoslavia and Greece, liberating several German divisions.
German parade on the central square of Bulgarian Plovdiv. 1940
The Red Army's approach to the Bulgarian borders brought the internal crisis to an acute stage. The Bulgarian Workers' Party, led by G. Dimitrov, mobilized the people for the struggle. The partisan chety are transformed into detachments and brigades. The Bulgarian army is greatly disorganized, many soldiers desert and become partisans. The partisan people's liberation army has grown to 18 thousand people. In the summer of 1944, armed clashes between partisans and the police, gendarmes and the army are increasingly frequent. In a number of areas, the partisans are trying to establish their own power.
The Bulgarian authorities and the Nazis intensify repression and terror. Thousands of patriots were killed, executed, thrown into prisons and concentration camps.
Bulgarian military equipment of German manufacture at the Plovdiv airfield. In the Bulgarian aviation German-made Do-17 bombers (on the right) had their own name - "Hurricane", and Ju-87 dive bombers (in the background, behind the ranks of regiment personnel) - "Pike". In the foreground, on the left - a 20-mm anti-aircraft gun FlaK 30. The photo was taken during an Orthodox service in the Bulgarian air regiment, dedicated to the death of the Bulgarian Tsar Boris III. 1943
Bulgarian crisis
In April – May 1944, Moscow demanded that Sofia get rid of the German military presence and not help Germany in the war against the USSR.
In the context of the worsening international and domestic situation, the Bulgarian government of Bozhilov resigned. The new government of Bagryanov issued a declaration on changing foreign policy and improving the situation within the country. In fact, Sofia's policy did not change. Bulgaria could not independently abandon its status as a German satellite.
On August 12, Moscow again demanded that Sofia cease cooperation with Germany. Bagryanov reported that Bulgaria would break with Germany at a convenient opportunity, but in such a way as to avoid war with it. On August 26, Bagryanov declared that Bulgaria accepted complete neutrality. However, German troops in Bulgaria continued to control the border with Romania, ports and airfields.
At the same time, realizing that the Third Reich's position had become hopeless, Sofia sought contacts with England and the United States. The Bulgarian elite was ready to change its pro-German orientation to an Anglo-American one. Negotiations were held in Constantinople and Cairo.
At the end of August 1944, when Soviet troops were approaching Bucharest, the situation in Bulgaria became extremely tense. The Bulgarian leftists were preparing for a general uprising. Moscow again demanded that Sofia break off relations with Berlin. On September 1, the Workers' Party called for a general strike. Bagryanov's government resigned, and on September 4, the new Muraviev government promised to maintain strict neutrality. German troops freely left Romania through Bulgarian territory.
Bulgarian partisan patrol in the city of Plovdiv. In the background is a banner reading "Welcome, Red Army". September 9, 1944.
Front
The Soviet government in a note dated September 5, 1944, declared that now not only Bulgaria was in a state of war with the USSR, but the Union would now be in a state of war with Bulgaria.
The 3rd Ukrainian Front (3rd UF) under the command of F. Tolbukhin was at that time awaiting orders from the Soviet Headquarters. The 46th Army was on the right wing, the 57th in the center, and the 37th on the left, coastal wing. The front also included two mechanized corps and the 17th Air Army. In total, there were more than 250 thousand soldiers, 5,5 thousand guns and mortars, about 500 tanks and self-propelled guns, more than 1000 aircraft. The Black Sea Front and the Danube Flotilla were under the operational control of the 3rd UF.
The situation was favorable for the Bulgarian operation. The Black Sea was in control of the sea. fleet, in the air – our aviation. The troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front quickly advanced across the Valachian Plain. On September 5, the troops of the left wing of the 2nd Ukrainian Front reached the Karakal-Zimnicha line and continued to move west. The advance detachment of the 6th Tank Army reached the Turnu Severin area.
The German Army Groups F and E, which were in Yugoslavia, Greece and Albania, were cut off from the troops defending the Eastern Carpathians and Transylvania.
At that time, Bulgaria had 5 combined arms armies and 2 corps, which included 23 divisions (including 1 tank and 1 cavalry), as well as 7 brigades (1 armored, 1 cavalry and 5 border). The total number of the army was 450 thousand people. The Air Force numbered more than 400 aircraft. More than 80 German and Bulgarian combat and auxiliary ships were located in Varna and Burgas. The bulk of the troops were based in the center and west of the country. In the first line, in the area of Rus and Dobrich, there were two infantry divisions and two border brigades. In the second line, in the area of Shumen and Burgas, there were two more divisions.
The Bulgarian troops could not resist the Red Army, seasoned in battles with the Wehrmacht. Poor weapons, lack of advanced experience and motivation. The Bulgarians did not want to fight the Russians.
Soviet soldiers among the residents of Sofia
Bulgarian operation
On September 6, 1944, the Soviet Headquarters gave the order to the troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front to begin military operations against Bulgaria. The troops were to begin the offensive on September 8 and reach the Ruse-Burgas line. The landing forces of the Black Sea Fleet together with mobile units were to occupy Varna and Burgas. The further offensive depended on the situation in Bulgaria. The front's strike group was located on the right flank and in the center.
On September 8, 1944, the troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front entered Bulgaria. The advanced mobile detachments of the corps, without encountering resistance, covered 60-70 km in one day. The vanguards of the first echelon divisions advanced 25-30 km. The 4th Guards Mechanized Corps and the 5th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade entered Varna. At the same time, a landing force of marines, landed from aircraft, occupied the airfield and entered Varna on the night of September 9. They were followed by a marine landing force.
Soviet Black Sea Fleet boats type MO-4 enter the port of Varna
Residents of the Bulgarian city of Varna greet their liberators – soldiers of the Red Army
On September 9, the front troops, still not encountering resistance, developed an offensive. The mobile units covered 100-120 km, the main forces – up to 45 km. The advance detachments reached the line of the Malki-Lom River – Shumen – south of Varna. The 7th Mechanized Corps was in the Shumen – Karnobat area, the 4th Guards Mechanized Corps entered Burgas. At the same time, air and sea landings were made in Burgas. The Bulgarian Navy did not offer resistance. The entire German fleet, by order of the German command, was sunk (7 submarines, 32 destroyers, 4 large military transports, 26 landing barges, etc.).
Thus, by the end of September 9, the Soviet troops reached the designated line. In the evening, the Soviet Headquarters ordered the offensive to be completed.
Soviet troops in Valentine tanks enter Sofia
The offensive of the 3rd UF turned into a liberation campaign. The common people enthusiastically greeted the Russian "brothers". In the villages, as a rule, people greeted our soldiers with bread and salt. The Soviet troops were also warmly greeted in the cities: residents gathered in crowds on the streets, throwing flowers at the soldiers.
The Soviet embassy received many congratulatory telegrams. One of them said:
"Please accept our joy, inexpressible in words, on the occasion of the arrival of the greatest Red Army in the world on Bulgarian soil, which we greet with open arms and tears of joy..."
Residents of Sofia greet Soviet troops at the monument to Tsar-Liberator Alexander II
Bulgaria switches to the side of the anti-Hitler coalition
The arrival of the Red Army in Bulgaria led to the victory of the people's uprising. On September 6-7, 1944, a large-scale strike began in the country and the capital. On September 8, mass demonstrations engulfed the entire country. The rebels liberated prisoners from prisons and concentration camps everywhere. In many cities and towns, power passed to the Fatherland Front. Partisans descended from the mountains and supported the uprising. Army units went over to the side of the rebel people.
On the night of September 9, the uprising began in Sofia. The rebels seized the Ministry of War. The arrested Minister of War ordered the army to submit to the government of the Fatherland Front. The rebels occupied the main objects of the capital. Regents, ministers, and the head of police were arrested. The Muraviev government was overthrown, and power passed to the government of the Fatherland Front headed by K. Georgiev.
Kimon Stoyanov Georgiev (1882–1969) was a Bulgarian statesman and military leader. He was an active participant in the preparation of the coup of September 9, 1944, which brought pro-Soviet forces to power. Georgiev's government declared war on Germany, and the Bulgarian army took part in battles with German troops.
On September 9, Sofia radio announced the program of the new government: a break with Hitler's Germany, the expulsion of Germans from Bulgarian territory, friendship with the USSR, the restoration of political rights and freedoms, etc. The old police, gendarmerie, and pro-fascist organizations were disbanded.
The new government declared war on Hitler's Germany. The formation of a new People's Army began, which included patriots, partisans, members of the Resistance movement, volunteers and part of the old army. By the end of the war, 450 thousand people were called up for the new army.
Fighters of the Bulgarian Fatherland Front on the streets of Sofia
The fall of Bulgaria had a significant impact on the operational and strategic situation on the southern wing of the Eastern Front. The communications of German units in Yugoslavia and Greece were under attack. The German command ordered its troops to disarm the Bulgarian units serving in Yugoslavia. The western part of Bulgaria, including the capital, was under threat of a German attack. The Nazis could try to capture Sofia in order to preserve the Salonika-Nish-Belgrade communications. There was also a possibility that the Turkish army concentrated in Thrace would launch an offensive on the orders of England and the USA.
Under these conditions, the new Bulgarian government transferred its army to the operational control of Front Commander Tolbukhin. The Soviet Headquarters ordered the transfer of the 13th Rifle Corps of the 14th Army to the Sofia region on September 34-57. On September 15, Soviet troops entered Sofia.
Commander of the 3rd Ukrainian Front and Chairman of the Allied Control Commission in Bulgaria Marshal of the Soviet Union Fyodor Ivanovich Tolbukhin inspects units of the 1st Bulgarian Army. Behind Tolbukhin stands the commander of the 1st Bulgarian Army, Colonel General Vladimir Stoychev. September – October 1944.
On September 20, the regrouping of the front troops began. The 57th Army was moving towards the northwestern borders of Bulgaria in order to begin the liberation of the eastern part of Yugoslavia and Belgrade with the support of Bulgarian troops and the People's Liberation Army of Yugoslavia. The 37th Army and the 4th Guards Mechanized Corps covered the southern flank of the front and the south of Bulgaria from any surprises from Turkey. The Bulgarian army was deployed along the border of Yugoslavia, concentrating its main forces in the Sofia-Nish region. The 34th Corps and the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade with reinforcements formed the Sofia operational group.
On September 27, the advance forces of the 68th Rifle Corps of the 57th Army came into contact with German troops on the border of Yugoslavia in the area of the city of Vidin. By the end of September 28, the advance forces of the 3rd Ukrainian Front had almost eliminated the gap with the troops of the 2nd Ukrainian Front.
On the same day, September 28, the 2nd, 1st and 4th Bulgarian armies (9 divisions and 4 brigades) were deployed on the border with Yugoslavia from the Pirot region to the Greek border. Six divisions and two brigades were part of the strike group aimed at Niš.
On the southern flank, the 37th Army (three corps) and the 4th Guards Mechanized Corps were concentrated in the area of Kazanlak, Karnobat, Yambol. The advanced units were 40-50 km from the Turkish border. That is, the Russians showed Turkey that they could make a dash to Constantinople at any moment.
At the same time, the 17th Air Army was regrouped. The aircraft were relocated to airfields in the area of Sofia, Plovdiv and Lom.
Thus, the operation to liberate Bulgaria was successful. The Soviet command guaranteed the western regions from a possible attack by the German army, and the south of the country – from Turkey. The troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, with the support of the Bulgarian and Yugoslav People's Forces, were ready to carry out the operation to liberate Yugoslavia.
The liberation of Sofia by Russian troops destroyed Britain's plans for their occupation by Anglo-American and Turkish forces. Thus, Turkey was ready to deploy about 20 divisions (including one mechanized) and 4 brigades (three cavalry and one armored), which were deployed in the European part of Turkey. London's and Washington's plans to occupy Bulgaria failed.
A smoke break for pilots of the 848th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 194th Fighter Aviation Division of the 17th Air Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front near a La-5F fighter at the Yambol airfield in Bulgaria
Yak-9U aircraft from the 151st Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, Yambol airfield, Bulgaria. On the wing is pilot N. F. Kizim, a participant in the Great Patriotic and Korean Wars
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