MILITARY TRADITIONS OF THE THRACIANS

The earliest data about Thracian military science can be found in Homer’s “Iliad”, which narrates events from the 12th century BC. This work recounts the exploits of the Thracian army, led by King Rhesus. In the Trojan War his army is an ally of the Trojans and enemy of the Greeks. Homer admires King Rhesus and his soldiers: “He came with armors golden, huge, wondrous, becoming not to mortal men but to immortal gods”. Homer says that the chariot of the Thracian King is decorated with gold and silver and his horses are “the best and the biggest, whiter than snow, as fast as a storm wind”. The father of history Herodotus (ca. 464 – 425 BC) is impressed by the audacity of the Thracians. According to him they “set their arms even against the heavenly rulers by shooting arrows upward to the sky at the thunder and the lightning, trying to threaten God”.
The Thracians reveal their military qualities and excellence especially in the period of their vast Odrysian Kingdom (6th – 4th century BC). The quality of the armor of the Odrysian warriors is by far superior to the armaments of other European troops of the time. It includes spears, heavy swords, shields, bows and arrows. The Odrysian army has a first-class cavalry as well. The Odrysian Kingdom plays an important role in repelling the marches of the Persian Kings Darius and Xerxes on the Balkans during the Greek-Persian wars at the end of the 6th and the first half of the 5th centuries BC.
During the Peloponnesian War between the alliances of Athens and Sparta (431 – 404 BC) the Odrysian army is again of the utmost importance in the region. Thucydides points out that the marches of the Thracian King Sitacles with his enormous army of 150 000 warriors into Macedonia throws all the population from Hellas to Thermopylae into great panic.
The famous Thracian Spartacus, born in the valley of river Mesta, exhibits wonderful military qualities. He leads 120 000 insurgent slaves against Rome. The Roman historian Orosius writes: “Rome fears Spartacus no less than it had feared Hannibal when he threatened the gates of Rome”.


VICTORIES OF OLD GREAT BULGARIA

The Proto-Bulgarians and the Bulgarians of the Middle Ages have notable military qualities. Ennodius (437 – 521) writes about them as follows: “This is a nation which has anything it has ever wished; a nation in which the one who has won titles is the one who has bought his nobility with his adversary’s blood; a nation which haven’t yet met an enemy capable of resisting it”.
The Bulgarians play an important role in the marches of the Hunnish Empire in the 4th century. In the 5th and 6th centuries they carry out series of successful attacks against the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine emperor Anastasius I (491 – 518) raises the so-called Anastasian Wall to protect his capital from Bulgarian raids.
The Proto-Bulgarians are remarkable for their determination, their military strategy for its speed and unexpectedness. As they drive their enemy to flight they, according to Pseudo-Mauritius,”do not content themselves with a short chase and plundering of the foe’s property as the Persians and Romans do, but, ignoring everything, chase their enemy until they destroy him completely, employing all means”.


MILITARY HISTORY OF THE FIRST BULGARIAN DANUBIAN STATE

The Danubian Bulgarian state, founded by Khan Asparukh (680 – 710) continues the military traditions of Old Great Bulgaria. In the middle of 681 the Bulgarian army, commanded personally by Asparukh defeats the army of the Byzantine emperor Constantine IV. At this time another Bulgarian ruler, Khan Kuber, creates a country in the Kermizian (Bitolean) plain, known as Kuberian Bulgaria. It also has military success, as it often acts in co-ordination with the Bulgarian army of Asparukh. Kuber also makes an attempt to conquer Thessaloniki.
Khan Tervel (710 – 718) defeats the Byzantine army in 780 near the town of Anchiallo (Pomorie). Earlier in 718 he strikes down the Arab army several times near Constantinople thus saving the town and stopping the Arabs’ invasions on Europe. Khan Kardam (780 – 797) greatly defeats the Byzantine army in 792.
The military success of Khan Krum (803 – 814) is considerable. He destroys the Arab Khaganate. In 808 he strikes a blow on the Byzantine army at the Struma valley and in 909 the town of Serdica is joined to the territory of Bulgaria. The biggest achievement of Khan Krum is the defeat of the Byzantine army, which is at the time ruled by emperor Nikephoros I Genikos, at the Varbishki Pass on July 26, 811. The emperor himself dies in this fight. New military success follows for Khan Krum in Thrace and Macedonia: he conquers Messembria, the fortress of Deultum and attempts to attack Constantinople. The Khans Omurtag (816 – 831), Malamir (831 – 836) and Presiyan  (836 – 852) lead successful wars with both the Frankish State and Byzantium, as they enlarge the territory of Bulgaria, which at this time includes Southeastern Europe and a part of Central Europe.
Tsar Symeon the Great (893 – 927) displays outstanding qualities as a military commander. Already in the first years of his reign he fights successfully with Byzantium and the Magyars, vanquishing the Byzantine army at Constantinople in 896. In the great military duel between Bulgaria and Byzantium, which takes place between 913 and 927 Tsar Symeon the Great wins series of battles. Among them remarkable is the rout of the Byzantine army at Aheloy on August 20, 917 and then at Katassirti, near Constantinople. Symeon scores a new victory near Constantinople in 921. In 922 he tears down the Byzantine fortresses at Constantinople. After that he prepares for resolute fights against the Byzantine capital.
An epic struggle between Bulgaria and Byzantium unfolds in the third quarter of the 10th century. After Bulgarians fight to defend their Great Preslav, and the town falls under Byzantine rule in 971, Samuel becomes the head of the state. In the years 976 – 977 he delivers a series of blows on the Byzantine army in Thessaly and the Peloponnesus. In 986 Samuel puts to rout the Byzantine army of the emperor Basil II at the pass of Trayan’s Gates. In 997 he is proclaimed King. Until his death in 914 he continues the epic fights with Byzantium. With his exceptional military qualities Tsar Samuel contributes to the Bulgarian art of war.


MILITARY HISTORY OF VOLGA BULGARIA

The Bulgarians who settle in the region of the Volga river in the second half of the 7th century, with Khan Kotrag as their ruler, war with Khazars and Arabs; they contribute to the military traditions of the Old Great Bulgaria. They found the town of Bolghar on the banks of Volga. In the second half of the 9th century Volga Bulgarians are victorious over the Khazars; their state with its capital Bolghar gains in strength.
In the 10th and 11th centuries Volga Bulgaria leads a series of wars with the Russian principalities. Marching against the Khazars they conquer the Crimea, the lands around the Southern stream of Volga and those of Northern and Southern Kazakhstan. In this way Volga Bulgaria becomes a big state of prime significance in Eastern Europe.


STRUGGLE AGAINST THE BYZANTINE RULE

The Bulgarian state loses its independence in 1018, and only two decades later, in 1040, the Bulgarian people revolt against Byzantium led by Peter Delyan, grandson of Tsar Samuel and son of Tsar Gavril Radomir. As a result of this rebellion the Southwestern Bulgarian lands from Ohrid and Drach, right up to the Isthmus of Corinth are liberated. Peter Delyan is proclaimed a Bulgarian Tsar. By clever diplomatic actions he succeeds in receiving acknowledgement of his title “Tsar” from the Pope. 
In the heat of the rebellion arrives Peter Delyan’s cousin Alusian, son of Tsar Ivan Vladislav. He manages to win supporters among the insurgents. At a feast he orders that Peter Delyan be blinded and takes the leadership of a part of the army of rebels. He is later defeated, and surrenders voluntarily to the Byzantines.
Peter Delyan, though blind, continues to command the insurgents. Nevertheless the Byzantine emperor Michael IV, supported by Scandinavian troops, defeats them and captures Peter Delyan. Although crushed, the uprising shows the Bulgarians’ readiness to fight for their liberation. Peter Delyan is remarkable for his military qualities and proves that he is a worthy successor of his famous grandfather Tsar Samuel.
In 1066 a new anti-Byzantine rising bursts out, led by Nickulitsa Delphinus who lives in Larissa. It is not successful, but soon after, in 1072 a new revolt breaks out, centered in Skopje, with the Bulgarian boyar Georgy Voytech ahead of it. The rebels take hold of the regions of Skopje and Nis, but fall short of their powers, and the rising is suppressed. 
A rebellion led by Nestor follows in 1074. The insurgents besiege the Byzantine capital Constantinople. The defenders of Constantinople are weak and starvation comes to town. The Byzantine emperor Michael VII is frightened and asks Pope Gregory VII for help. The pope sends him military help but since there is disunity among Nestor’s rebels too Nestor raises the siege of Constantinople. While there are new actions in 1084, 1086 and the years that follow, they do not bring about Bulgaria’s liberation.   

	

MILITARY  HISTORY  OF  THE  SECOND BULGARIAN  KINGDOM  -  1185 – 1396

Under the leadership of the Brothers Peter and Assen an uprising in 1185 brings Bulgaria liberation from Byzantine rule. This rebellion marks the beginning of the creation of an army for the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The Byzantine emperor Isaac II Angelus makes several attempts to crush it, but they all fail. In 1187 he lays siege to the Lovech fortress, is defeated and is compelled to enter into the Lovech Peace Treaty. With this contract he acknowledges the independence of the Bulgarian State, which spreads all over the territory of Moesia and Dobrudzha. 
The Second Bulgarian State is characterized by a considerable reshaping of the military. The soldiers are enrolled with the help of the big landowners – boyars, while mercenaries gradually become the main body of drafts the army relies on. During the first half of the 13th century, when power is centered in the hands of the Tsar, the Bulgarian army is numerous – from more than 10 000 soldiers to 100 000, as it had been under Tsar Kaloyan.
The army’s equipment is good. Bulgarian weapons are excellent, due to the developing of ore mining and metallurgy as well as to the talented gunsmiths. The attack armor consists mainly of a bow, a spear, a sling and a sword. The defensive armor and accoutrements include a heavy shield, a sword, a helmet and a chain armor. 
The siege equipment is at a high level for its time. Nikita Honyat tells that Tsar Kaloyan uses “a huge battering-ram” at the fortress of Syar. Another author, Geoffrey of Villehardouin, informs us that Kaloyan uses 16 stone-throwing machines at the siege of the Dimotika fortress. When defending fortresses and during field actions Bulgarians use also light stone-throwing devices.
Tsar is the highest rank in the military hierarchy; after him comes the great voivode. The so-called “comes with horses” is the leader of the mounted troops. The serdars and the strators are commanders of the infantry regiments, and the one with the highest rank among them is the first strator – the proto-strator. The alagators lead the horse detachments. The castrophylacts are commanders of the fortresses.
In the Bulgarian army the sappers play an important role, as they clear and widen the openings in the fortresses’ walls. A special type of troops are those which accommodate the vicinity to the military requirements. Thus, considering the art of besieging, the Bulgarians are pioneers in the Middle Ages. The chroniclers are amazed that at the siege of Dimotika the troops of Kaloyan divert the Maritsa river in order to deprive the besieged of water. 
Among the winning battles of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom notable is the victory of Tsar Assen I at the Triavna passage in 1190. Military experts observe the parallel strategic chase carried out by the Bulgarians, which brings the Byzantines to destruction, as unique for the Middle Ages in its dimension. The next action of a similar scope is considered to be the defeat of the Austrian troops at Ulm in 1805 by Napoleon, but by then the firearm is already in use. Outstanding battles are also the ones of Tsar Assen I at Syar (1195, 1196), of Tsar Kaloyan (1197 – 1207) at Varna (1201) and his victory against the Crusaders at Adrianople (1205) when he captures the emperor Baldwin I of Flandria.  Further Tsar Ivan Assen II defeats the Epyr Byzantine Empire in 1230 and conquers the emperor Theodore Komnenos. By military victories and diplomatic actions he creates the Bulgarian Empire at three seas and receives acknowledgement both of his title “Tsar”, and of his title of a head of the Bulgarian church. After 1371 Bulgaria begins an epic battle against the conquests of the Ottomans. It ends with the fall of the Tarnovo Kingdom in 1393 and of the Vidin Bulgarian Kingdom in 1396.
A survey of the features of the military strategy of the II Bulgarian Kingdom leads us to the conclude that its foundation depended on several basic factors: a strong power of the state in 12th and 13th centuries, when the feudal system in Western Europe was characterized by its fragmentariness. No less important are the economic growth and the pursuit for uniting all the lands inhabited by Bulgarians. The army is kept strong through the preservation of the role of the infantry, through collective actions, support of the strategic initiative, large-scale maneuvers, and priority of the offensive until the 13th century. 


MILITARY HISTORY OF VOLGA BULGARIANS /XI – XVI C/

At the end of the 11th and during the 12th century Volga Bulgaria continues an armed struggle to defend its trade roads and to acquire new lands. The rulers of Volga Bulgaria Usuf, Shamgun Sham-Sain and others win victories over Cumans, Oguzes, Oimeks and over the Russian principalities. But Volga Bulgaria reaches its greatest military and political might at the reign of Chilbyr the Great (1178 – 1225). He leads several successful wars against Russian principalities in 1183 – 1186, and later against the Chudic and other tribes. As a result of this he enlarges the Volga Bulgarian territory from the North Atlantic Ocean to the Caspian (Bulgarian) Sea. 
In 1223 Chilbyr the Great defeats the army of Genghis Khan South of Bolghar town, when the Khan’s first commander Subide leads Genghis’ troops. Chilbyr also destroys the army of Genghis’ son Jochi. With these victories the Bulgarian ruler stops Genghis Khan’s conquests in Europe and Asia. In 1229 the army of Volga Bulgaria wins over Subide again in the Karagandine fight (today Orenburg), and in 1232 it overcomes one of Genghis’ successors – Khan Batu.
In the 15th and the 16th centuries the successor of Volga Bulgaria – the Kazan Khanate - also wars and fights for many years with the Moscow principality. Even after the conquest of Kazan by the armies of Tsar Ivan Grozny in 1552 this Bulgarian Volga Khanate continues to exist until 1584 with Ufa and Buchara as its capitals.
	

ARMED LIBERATION FIGHTS /1396-1878/

The Bulgarians start a liberation fight soon after the loss of their independence in 1396. In 1404 a rebellion bursts out, under the guidance of prince Constantine – a son of Tsar Ivan Stratsimir. His army causes serious damage to the Ottomans. In 1408 the population of Northeast Bulgaria revolts, including the region of Pirot. In 1412 – 1413 the people of Moesia, Thrace and Macedonia take up arms, and in 1428 there is the uprising in the Kyustendil region. 
The haidouk  movement begins in the earliest days of the Ottoman yoke and continues to develop during the 15th and the 16th centuries, gaining scope in the 18th century. In the middle of the 19th century the movement transforms into an organized struggle for the liberation of Bulgaria. In 1598 the first uprising in the town of Tarnovo bursts out, led by Pavel Georgevi; 1686 is the year of the second Tarnovo revolt. In 1688 the Chiprovo rebellion bursts, with Georgy Peyachevich and Bogdan Knezhevich as leaders. To a great extent it is the result of many years’ activity of the patriots from the town of Chiprovo: Peter Bogdan Bakshev, Philip Stanislavov, Peter Parchevich, Bogdan Marinov and others. The entire territory of Northeastern Bulgaria backs up the insurrection. Though it is suppressed, it finds a large response and is followed by a number of smaller rebellions in the area of Tarnovo and other regions. The Bulgarians offer considerable armed resistance also to the attempts of the Ottoman authorities to convert the Bulgarian population to Islam, especially in the 16th and 18th centuries.
From the 18th to the middle of the 19th century the rebellions gain in scope. In 1830 bursts the insurrection in the region of Trun/Znepol, and in the 1835 – the one at Velchova Zavera, which is in the area of Tarnovo. The uprising in West and Northwest Bulgaria marks the years 1835 – 1838. The massive rebellion in Nis in 1841 finds a warm response in Europe. Such are also the Brail revolts of 1841 – 1843 and the revolt of Northwest Bulgaria (the regions of Vidin, Lom, Oriahovo) in 1850. 
In the middle of the 19th century a new stage in our revolutionary movement begins: while becoming organized the liberation struggles spread considerably during and after the Crimean war (1853 – 1856). In 1854 the detachment of Georgy Rakovsky, the founder of the organized detachment movement, operates. In 1856 the Dimitriakiev insurrection and the revolt of Captain Nikola burst. All of these actions anticipate the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. 
Rakovsky develops a “Plan for the Liberation of Bulgaria”. The new strategy involves preparations for a mass uprising, brought up by bands, which have received preliminary training and will get instructions from a common commanding centre. For this purpose Rakovsky organizes in 1862 in Belgrad the First Bulgarian legion, with Vassil Levsky as one of its members. This legion breaks up after Serbia refuses to support the Bulgarian revolt. In order to fulfill Rakovsky’s plan a number of bands are sent to Bulgaria, the biggest of which are those of Panayot Hitov in 1864 and 1867, of Philip Totyu in1866 – 1867, and of Hadzhi Dimitar and Stefan Karadzha in 1868.
Although the bands’ activities do not bring liberation to Bulgaria, they shake the Ottoman State and show its government that our people have considerable power to continue their fight. The bands stimulate Bulgarians to carry on with their struggle for independence of the Church. This struggle is won in 1870: the independent Bulgarian Orthodox Church is created by a Sultan firman. With the recognition of the nation a long-held goal is reached and the way is clear for insisting on an independent Bulgarian state.
The followers of Georgy Rakovsky work out a new strategy for liberation. For this purpose Lyuben Karavelov and Vassil Levsky found in Bucharest in 1869 the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee, which accepts the Program for Liberation through a general revolution. Vassil Levsky founds an internal revolutionary organization and develops a strategy for liberation by a rebellion, which would include all the Bulgarian lands. Levsky lays down his ideas for the insurrection’s military preparation and organization in his writing “A workers’ instruction for the liberation of the Bulgarian people”. He forms two committees, which prepare the liberation struggle. 
After Vassil Levsky’s death in 1873 Lyuben Karavelov experiences an ideological crisis and withdraws from the fight. Christo Botev replaces him at the head of the Bulgarian Revolutionary Central Committee. He continues the fulfillment of Levsky’s liberation plan. In 1875 the committee organizes a rebellion, which includes Stara Zagora (led there by Stefan Stambolov), Shumen and Russe. This is the first planned and organized uprising. It lifts the fighting spirit of the Bulgarians, but is not successful, for it doesn’t cover the whole country. 
In the autumn of 1875 Stefan Stambolov, Stoyan Zaimov, Panayot Volov, Todor Kableshkov, Nikola Obretenov, Georgy Benkovski and other revolutionaries meet in the town of Gyurgevo. Their group is known as the “Gyurgevo committee”. They develop the strategy and tactics of a General revolt and decide that it should burst out on May 1, 1876.The military strategy and the preparation for this revolt follow the outlook of Vassil Levsky. It is planned that the actions should cover the whole country, taking hold of the settlements and the crossroads. What characterizes the plan of the rebellion is its offensiveness and the intention to engage a great part of all the nation’s power.
 It so happens that the leaders announce the rebellion ahead of term, on April 20 (May 2),  1876 in Koprivshtitsa, because of a treason. Todor Kableshkov communicates the beginning of the uprising through his so-called “bloody letter”, sent to Benkovski at Panagyurishte. Benkovski’s “winged detachment” raises the rebels in the vicinity of Panagyurishte, where a liberated territory is created. The fight is heroic and lasts about 10 days, but the insurgents, greatly outnumbered by the Turkish armies, give way. In the neighbouring town of Klissura, the line of rebels is also broken and the town is burned down. 
The towns of Perushtitsa and Batak fight heroically from April 20 to May 2. On May 3 Batak’s citizens are besieged in the local church and cruelly slaughtered – and action, which incites the indignation of Europe and the entire world against the Ottoman yoke. In Bratsigovo the fight continues until May 5, led by Vassil Petleshkov who, when caught, is burned alive by the Ottomans. The defensive actions of the rebels from the Dryanovski monastery also deserve a mention – Bacho Kiro and priest Hariton command them. In Macedonia the rebels fight battles in the regions of Gorna Dzhumaya, Razlog, Bansko, Yakoruda, Belassitsa, Maleshevsko, Pyanechko, Schtip.
The legendary “flying detachment” of Christo Botev has a successful battle at Milin Kamak, where the Ottoman army meets with strong fire, gives many victims and is forced to step back. New battles in the region of Vratsa in the mountain of the Balkan follow, where the foe is beaten back. This detachment loses the positions it has gained after its leader Botev dies on June 2, 1976.


BULGARIANS  IN  THE  RUSSIAN – TURKISH  WAR /1877-1878/ 


Following Russia’s declaring war to Turkey on April 12, 1877, more than 7 000 Bulgarians join the Volunteer corps. During their preparation for the fights they are given a banner as a gift from the citizens of the town of Samara. Our soldiers give a great help to the Russian army to force a crossing over the Danube, and to move on Bulgarian territory. 
The Bulgarian Volunteer Corps, under the commandment of General Nikolay Stoletov fight heroically in July1877 at Stara Zagora. On the 8, 9 and 10 (10, 21 and 22) of August our heroic volunteers defend the Shipka pass. The Russian and foreign correspondents write of their heroism. Our victories at Shipka are to a great extent a decisive factor for the outcome of the war and the liberation of Bulgaria.
At the concluding stage of the war the Russian army receives help from a number of Bulgarian detachments, as well as by our population. Turkey is forced to ask for peace. On February19 (March 3), 1878 at San Stefano the new Bulgarian state is born.


ARMED  FORCES  OF  1878 – 1903

After the liberation one of the basic tasks of the state is to organize an army. The Bulgarian Principality creates the legislation and organization of its army based on the recruitment of soldiers for an obligatory military service. The army includes land forces and a navy. Measures are taken for providing equipment for the army. In Eastern Rumelia militia and gendarmerie are created.


VICTORY  OF  BULGARIA  IN  THE  WAR  WITH  SERBIA IN 1885

The Unification of the Bulgarian Principality with Eastern Rumelia in 1885 is followed by an attack on the country by the Serbian army on Noverber 2 of the same year. The young Bulgarian army is put to the test. Its organization hasn’t been finished yet within the short period after the liberation of 1878. Its superior military ranks consist of captains – such as the Secretary of the Army captain Nikiforov and the Chief of Staff of the army captain Racho Petrov. Only the Lieutenant Colonel Danail Nikolaev has a higher rank.
The Bulgarian army shows enormous fighting spirit at the beginning of the war. Thousands of ex-revolutionaries, members of the Volunteer corps, voivodes or just young people flow into the army, all possessed by readiness to defend their homeland. The Bulgarian military units manage to stop the offensive attacks of the Serbian army in the region of Slivnitsa on November 5 and 6. In the battles our troops commanded by the Captain of Cavalry Atanas Beynderev and captain Kosta Panitsa distinguish themselves. 
On November 7, 1885 our army, commanded by the 33-year old captain Olympi Panov, fighting at Slivnitsa, passes over to a mighty offensive and wins a glorious victory. On November 10 the Bulgarians begin an advance on Pirot and reach Nis. At the same time the attempts of the Serbian army for a breakthrough in the region of Vidin and Belogradchik are repulsed. Bulgaria’s victory over Serbia is now a fact and after negotiations on December 2, 1885 the two countries sign a truce.


THE EPIC UPRISING OF ILINDEN – PREOBRAZHENIE 1903			             

In 1893 in Thessaloniki the secret Macedonian Revolutionary Organization is founded, the purpose of which is to liberate the ancient Bulgarian lands in Macedonia and the Adrianople region. In 1896 at its congress in Thessaloniki this organization renames itself to Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committee and decides to prepare an uprising. Together with the revolutionaries from Macedonia and the Adrianople region, many our officers take part in the rebellion, under the leadership of this Bulgarian Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Committee. The latter organizes a number of bands, among which there is the detachment of second lieutenant Boris Sarafov. Gotse Delchev is another outstanding military figure, leader of a detachment. The officers give considerable assistance to the rebels and provide them with equipment.
On May 4, 1903, the Turks kill Gotse Deltchev near Banitsa village in the region of Ser. The same organization, which came later to be called Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization, decides to announce a rebellion on August 2, 1903 in the town of Ilinden. This decision gets confirmed later at the congresses at Petrova Niva and in the region of Belemeto in the Pirin Mountain.
The strategy and tactics, worked out by the leaders of the revolt are aggressive. The rebels take the military initiative immediately after the beginning of the uprising. This is true especially for the regions of Bitolia, where they are commanded by Damyan Gruev, and of the Adrianople region, which is under the commandment of Mihail Gerdzhikov. These regions are the areas where the local population participates most actively. The truculence of the rebels upsets the enemy’s communications and blocks the activity of the Ottoman military parts. Blows are delivered to Ottoman garrisons. The towns of Krushevo, Klissura, Kichevo, Vassiliko and others are liberated. The rebels receive support from Europe and the world. 
A 300 000 Turkish army faces the insurgents in Macedonia, and a 40 000 army opposes the Bulgarians in Adrianople. Numerous fights take place in the mountains of German, Bigla, Mallessia, Nindzhe, at the passes of Lopushnik, Yama, Predel, and Slyva, at the towns of Krushevo, Kichevo and others. The insurgents show great heroism. Though it is crushed, this rebellion expresses the strife of the people from Macedonia and Adrianople for freedom; it is an appeal to all further generations to keep the ideals of their ancestors.


THE VICTORIOUS BALKAN WAR OF 1912 – 1913

After the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie insurrection the government of General Racho Petrov reorganizes and modernizes the army and provides new equipment for it. General Radko Dimitrov works out a strategic plan for a future war with Ottoman Turkey. The preparations become more active in the period 1908-1912. In 1908 a new strategic and operative plan for a war with Turkey is developed under the leadership of the head of the General of staff Atanas Nazlamov. This plan relies on scuffling and provides for the neutrality of the other Balkan countries. 
In 1911 another military project is created, which makes use of the crisis in the Ottoman military powers after the revolution of the “young Turks”. The new plan intends a concentration of three Bulgarian armies at the Thracian border, where the decisive military actions are predicted to happen. Two other detachments, the Rodopski and Haskovski, are formed. The troops are provided with new guns and rifles “Mannlicher” and “Berdana”, the number of the new weapons reaching 350 000; new canons, machine-guns and other arms also come to be used. 
Serbia summons 175 000 warriors with 300 canons for the Balkan war; 700 000 soldiers with 244 canons represent Greece, and Montenegro participates with 30 000 soldiers and 140 canons. The proportion of powers on the Thracian front is one to one, and on the Macedonian front it is three to one in favor of the Serbian and Greek armies.
The military preparation held in our country is met with enormous enthusiasm by broad circles of the Bulgarian population -- the response is equally warm with those who live in their homeland, and abroad. Many Bulgarian and foreign military correspondents describe it. The Bulgarians start for the barracks with joy and irresistible zeal; they march with songs and cheer while bells toll. Even elderly members of the Volunteers Corps desire to join the army. Enlisted in the troops are the writers Ivan Vazov, Ellin Pellin, Yordan Yovkov, Anton Strashimirov, Dimcho Debelyanov, the scholars Alexander Balan, Alexander Balabanov, Mihail Arnaudov, the sculptor Andrei Nikolov, the painters Vladimir Dimitrov-Maystora, Nikola Mihailov, Nikola Kozhuharov and others.
On October 22, 1912 the revolutionaries confront the enemy -- battles in the regions of Adrianople and Lozengrad burst out. General Dimitriev advances to Lozengrad. The Bulgarian soldiers repeatedly rush to bayonet attacks. According to German specialists the Lozengrad fortress can be taken only after a several months’ siege. As “Daily Telegraph” informs, the Bulgarian army conquers it “on the seventh day from the start of the military actions”. This newspaper assesses the battle as “one of the biggest triumphs known in the military history of all times”. The Turkish army suffers a second defeat at the operation at Lyuleburgas-Bunahissar in October 1-29, 1912.
Later in November, 1912 the Bulgarian troops capture the corps of Yaver Pasha, consisting of 10 000 soldiers, including the commander himself, in Rodopa mountain and the region of Gyumurdzhina-Dadeagatch. In the same month the Bulgarian torpedo boat “Drazki” defeats the Turkish cruiser “Hamidie”. But the biggest victory of the Bulgarian army in the Balkan war is the take over of the town of Adrianople. It is mainly due to the commanding of General Nikola Ivanov, who leads II army, and of General Georgy Vazov, in charge of the troops at the East sector of the siege. 


THE SECOND BALKAN WAR OF 1913

As a result of the secret pacts between Serbia, Greece and Romania against Bulgaria a war between the alliances breaks out on July 16, 1913. Bulgaria has to fight against these three countries. The Bulgarian army fights back successfully on the Kaliman lines, confronting the Serbs. This battle creates conditions for a future victory of the Bulgarians at the Kresnen defile, where they besiege the Greek army. Beginning July 14-18, 1913, our forces under the command of General Radko Dimitrov drive the Greek army to a disaster. 
The success of our army causes the Greek government and its allies to ask for peace. The Bucharest treaty of July 28, 1913 is signed. According to it our country wins back its lands of Pirin Macedonia, Strumishko and Eastern Thrace, with common area of 21 000 m2, but Macedonia, Dobrudzha and other lands with Bulgarian population remain outside the borders of the country. 


BULGARIA IN WORLD WAR I

Bulgaria keeps neutrality in World War I until the middle of 1915. Then the country joins the Central Powers led by Germany, this decision being a result of the strife to realize the national ideal for unification of all Bulgarian lands. As early as October 1915 our army realizes successful military operations on the Macedonian front. It liberates Pirot, Bitolia and Ohrid. Its engagements with the Anglo-French forces at Krivolak are successful as well. The Bulgarian troops reach Gevgelija in December 1915.
From August to November 1916, our army fights at Lerin and Chegan. At the peak of Kaimakchalan the Bulgarians struggle heroically. After the battles at the turn of the river Cherna the Bulgarian troops take up positions at 5 km from Bitolia. When Romania intervenes in the war and takes the side of the Triple Entente on August 27, 1916, our army records military victories. On Sepember 2 Bulgarian forces cross the Bulgarian-Romanian border and advance at the whole front of Dobrudzha.
The Tutrakan fortress is the mightiest of all the 155 fortresses, which exist during the World War I. The commander of the III army General Stefan Toshev shows talent when he assesses that the Bulgarians are able to attack Tutrakan, in spite of the of the German commander field marshal Mackenzen disagreeing with his decision. From 5 to7 of September through artillery fire and infantry attacks under the leadership of General Toshev the Bulgarian army conquers Tutrakan fortress. The French General Petain, the German field marshal Mackenzen, military specialists from Holland, Hungary and other countries give extraordinary high esteem to these victories.  
In October 1916 the Horse Division of General Ivan Kolev defeats the Russian Cavalry during the fights at Kubadin. This General’s army takes Kubadin on October 21 and puts the defeated enemy to rout; then it conquers Kyustendzha. On December 5, 1916 the Mounted Division of Ivan Kolev manages to reach the mouth of the Danube and takes firm positions there. The chroniclers write that when our soldiers reach this destination, they water their weary horses from the Danube. At the end of 1916 the war is already stationary on the Southern Front. The talented artilleryman and specialist on mine fortification General-Lieutenant Vladimir Vazov organizes the Bulgarian positions at Doyran with excellence and repulses the attacks in April and May 1917, inflicting an enormous defeat on the enemy. In the middle of 1918 the government of Stoyan Radoslavov, which has ruled since 1913, applies for retirement. On June 22, 1918 the government of Alexander Malinov takes its place – the same government, under which the Independence of 1908 had been obtained. 
The powers of the Triple Entente on the Southern Front start their advance on September 14, 1918 and continuously drive back the Bulgarian defense, as the front of the battles between the two armies becomes 10 km deep and 15 km long. On the right flank of the Triple Entente, West of the Doyran lake, the IX Pleven division, commanded by General-Lieutenant Vladimir Vazov, is entrusted with the Bulgarian defense. After series of battles the Triple Entente army near Doyran refuses to advance. This is a glorious victory, for which Vladimir Vazov is the only General from England’s opponents’ armies, who is invited to London in 1936 for a meeting of veterans of the war. There he is referred to as “the man who in 1918 defeated in an extraordinary way the British corps d’elite at Doyran”. When General Vazov marches at the London parade it is commanded that in his honor the flags of the English units, which have participated in the war, be lowered.
In previous decades our historians used to think that the decision of Malinov’s cabinet to ask for peace had been prompted by the break-through of the Bulgarian army at Dobro Pole. But the actual reason for the government to take this decision is the fact that Bulgarian units, which had left the front when summoned by left-wing socialists and agrarians, occupied the General Headquarters of the Bulgarian Secret Service. At this time Malinov’s cabinet tried to contact American representatives in order to receive the support of the president of the USA Thomas Woodrow Wilson. The government needed his authorization to negotiate with the Triple Entente in favor of Bulgaria. Wilson consented to be a negotiator, when our cabinet officially asked him to, and to insist with the Entente that Bulgaria must keep its basic territories, populated with Bulgarians, including Vardar Macedonia. 
Malinov’s government is compelled to sign a peace treaty in Thessaloniki on September 29, 1918 through the cabinet’s representatives - the peace delegation led by Andrey Lyapchev. The grave consequence of this peace contract is that Bulgaria in fact gets under an occupation regime; 100 000 of our soldiers are left as hostages at the West of the Vardar river and are maltreated by their opponents. This outcome is a violation of the most basic principles and norms of international law: the Bulgarian army remains unvanquished, but the peace treaty of Thessaloniki brings our country to a position of a defeated side.


ARMY AND MILITARY POLITICS /1919–1939/ 		       

The peace treaty of Neuilly, signed on November 27, 1919, reduces our armed forces to 33 000 people; 20 000 of them are officers, the rest are non-commissioned officers, volunteers and military clerks. Only after the coup d’etat of May 19, 1934 does it becomes possible for Bulgaria to take measures for enlarging its military power. To achieve this goal the Supreme Council Of National Defense is created on January 12, 1935. With the same purpose Bulgaria develops active military diplomacy. Furthermore Germany denounces the military decrees of the Versailles Peace Treaty in 1936, and Bulgaria uses this fact in order to strengthen its army. The Supreme Council Of National Defense takes measures to increase the number of weapons and to technically improve them, as well as to improve the level of training of our military men. This process reaches a larger scope when in 1938 the restrictions on our armed forces laid by the Neuilly Treaty finally fall off.


THE BULGARIAN ARMY DURING WORLD WAR II /1939-1945/

The lands of South Dobrudzha join the territory of Bulgaria, according to the Bulgarian-Romanian treaty of September 7, 1940 and our troops settle in this region. In the first half of 1941 our soldiers are present also on the territories of Vardar and Eagean Macedonia, the Western Outskirts and WesternThracå. These facts help Bulgaria to unite almost all its lands.
On September 9, 1944 the political landscape in Bulgaria changes. A consequence of the changes is the country’s participation in the war against Nazi Germany. The first large-scale military operation with Bulgarian participation in the Second World War is the one at Nis, begining on October 8, 1944. It is carried out mainly by the II Bulgarian army, under the commandment of General Kiril Stanchev. From 14 to 18 of October 1944, General Stanchev’s troops realize a mighty advance on the German forces, thus creating conditions for the liberation of a part of Serbia, Macedonia and Albania.
Successful also are the operations of the First Bulgarian army in the direction of Kyustendil-Scopje and those of the First, Second and Fourth army at the fights for Kosovo. The latter region is liberated in November 1944. Later the first Bulgarian army, commanded by General Vladimir Stoychev realizes successful military actions in Yugoslavia and Hungary until the end of the war in May 1945. Notable are the operations at the rivers Drava and Mur, where our army again shows strategic, operational and tactical skill and maturity.


BULGARIAN ARMY IN  1945 - 1989 

After the end of the Second World War the Bulgarian army becomes an object of political influence. The establishment of a new, Communist government in the country entails a considerable purge within the officers’ corps. An overall reorganization of the army begins, as our troops have to follow the Soviet model. 
On May 14, 1955 the Organization of the Warsaw Treaty is created. The Bulgarian forces rearm and get rebuilt, according to the new considerations and prognoses that the future war would be rocket and nuclear, although at its beginning more conventional means might be used. In 1968 the Bulgarian army takes part in the cooperative campaign of some countries of the Warsaw Treaty in Czechoslovakia. 
In the 70s of the 20th century the home politics of Bulgaria change. As the international relations thaw, the accent is laid now on a pro-national policy, as at the same time Bulgaria doesn’t withdraw from the principles of socialist internationalism. The stress on the national is also connected with the anniversary of the creation of the Dunabean Bulgarian State thirteen cenuries earlier by Khan Asparuch.


BULGARIAN  ARMY  AT  THE  TIME OF DEMOCRATIZATION /1989-2007/

In the last decade of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century there are reforms all over the country in both the society and the state. They include the army as well. In 1991-1992 the government of Philip Dimitrov sets a new concept and normative order of national defense. A project for a “Law For The Defense And Armed Forces” is worked out at this time. This project is approved after discussions and changes in it no sooner than December 13, 1995. The Law consists of three basic parts:

1.	Principles of national defense of the Bulgarian Republic.
2.	Armed forces of the Bulgarian Republic.
3.	Administrative and criminal decrees.

In 1992 a “Military Doctrine Of The Republic Of Bulgaria Within The Framework Of Bulgarian Politics Of Security” is developed. At that time Principles of National Security are worked out and approved. After additional work in these areas the Military Doctrine is accepted by a Decision of the National Assembly on April 8, 1999. This set of guidelines concentrates on the country’s defense, which must be realized through defense politics and planning. It is further pointed out explicitly that the Military Doctrine will operate until the joining of Bulgaria to NATO and the European Union. What is characteristic of this document is that Bulgaria is not supposed to rely on internal resources for its defense but should consign its tasks to European and Atlantic organizations.
From 1992 to 1999 at decisions of the National Assembly the Bulgarian army carries out missions in Cambodia, which start in 1992. Other foreign missions include Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 1997 to 2000, while our military participation in Afghanistan and Eritrea continues. In 2000 our army has to cope with some of the consequences of the military strikes of NATO in Serbia, the strikes having started on March 24, 1999. Along with giving the NATO forces air and land corridors, the Bulgarian army takes on a police mission in Kosovo as well, where a Bulgarian minority of several thousand people lives. The Bulgarian army again acts to restrain the ethnical conflict started in 2001in the Republic of Macedonia.
On November 21, 2002 Bulgaria is invited to become a member of NATO. The country is accepted as a full-fledged member of this organization on April 2, 2004. In July 2003 Bulgaria starts a pacific mission in Iraq in the region of the town of Karbala and settles our soldiers there. In 2006 and 2007 the Bulgarian troops continue, with some interruptions, their missions in several countries and regions: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Iraq. The overall activity of the forces of the Republic of Bulgaria is a proof that our army fulfils with dignity all the national tasks assigned to it, including those of a full-fledged member of NATO and the European Union.