The Armoured Forces Of The Bulgarian Army 1936-45 : Operations, Vehicles, Equipment, Organisation, Camouflage And Markings Hardcover

Kaloyan Matev

This book provides a detailed history of motor vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles in the Bulgarian Army from 1936, during the last years of peace, until the end of the Second World War in 1945. For much of this period, Bulgaria was allied to Germany. The Bulgarian Army was mainly equipped with German weapons, or equipment captured by the Germans and then sold to Bulgaria. The negotiations as well as supplies of motor vehicles and armoured vehicles are described at length. The combat service of the army's armoured units is also described in detail, firmly based on archival research. Despite Bulgaria's entry into World War II as early as 1941, the only military actions during the first period of the war were related to the occupation of parts of Yugoslavia and Greece. The real combat service of the Bulgarian Army began in September 1944 against its former ally, the Germans. The delivery of armoured fighting vehicles for 1st Bulgarian Army from the Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front 1945 is described in detail. Until very recently, the fate of all armoured fighting vehicles in the Bulgarian Army in 1945 remained completely unknown. The classified status of the documents prevented any detailed study. However, this is now possible, and full coverage is provided. In addition to a detailed narrative, the author also provides full information covering camouflage, markings, and unit insignia. The authoritative text is supported by over 600 photographs (the majority of them previously unpublished), colour profiles showing camouflage, markings, colour unit insignia and colour battle maps. This book is a result of the author's years of study in the Bulgarian Central Military Archive. Such a detailed study on this topic has not appeared before, and the author's work is unlikely to be superseded.

9781909384163

English

Helion Company

08-Jun-15

504

Kaloyan Matev lives and works in Sofia, capital city of Bulgaria. He graduated from the Technical University in Sofia, specialising in motor vehicles. His career is related to the automotive business in Bulgaria. He was a member of the editors' group of the Bulgarian specialized scale modeling magazine 'Club Models' from 1999 to 2003. He specialises in researching the Second World War period. He is the author of three books published in Bulgaria related to motor vehicles and armour during World War II. He has published a number of articles in Bulgarian magazines relating to the history of heavy weapons, motor vehicles and armoured fighting vehicles of the Bulgarian Army. This is his first book for Helion.

In this thick volume, it would be safe to estimate the photographs occupy substantially more space than does the text. For many enthusiasts, the images alone will be worth the price of admission. The number of individuals interested in Bulgarian armored forces during World War II might be quite finite, but all those folks will find The Armored Forces of the Bulgarian Army 1936-1945 a treasure of the highest order.--Stone & Stone Second World War Books "the title tells it all. The Armoured Forces of the Bulgarian Army 1936-45 fills gaps, illumines the esoteric and unearths the amazing...By the end of the book, it comes full circle. I can just see Hollywood scrambling to authenticate its next WWII blockbuster....What a brilliant book! I, for one, would love a similarly spectacular study on Bulgaria's air force during World War II. What are you say, Helion? Robustly recommended!"--Cybermodeler