Balkan Front

Last updated

The Balkan Front was a military formation of the Bulgarian People's Army, intended for wartime use under the general direction of the Soviet General Staff. If a war was to have broken out between NATO and the Warsaw Pact, the bulk of the Bulgarian army would have been assigned to it. [1]

Contents

In case of war the Bulgarian People's Army's Land Forces Command would have formed the 1st Balkan Front with the three Bulgarian armies and wartime reinforcements. Additional Soviet units would also come under its command (particularly 10th Army of the Soviet Union (10th Air Army?), [2] planned to deploy between the fifth and tenth day after a full mobilization in the area between Silistra, Tolbukhin, Varna and Omurtag) [3]

Colonel-General Hristo Dobrev, the first commander of the Land Forces Command (the peacetime organisation, which would transform into the Balkan Front in case of war) gave the following reasons for its formation:

"It is well established, that according to the operational plans of the Warsaw Pact's Joint Forces High Command, our country should have formed a front operational-strategic formation, including the main forces of the BPA. In case of an armed aggression this front should have organised defensive operations along the southern border and provide the cover for the deployment of one Soviet and one Romanian front, after which the combined forces of the three fronts with the support of the Soviet Strategic Missile Forces and the Combined Black Sea Fleet were to execute counter-offensive operations for the destruction of the aggressor.

These plans have been rehearsed in several strategic command and staff exercises under the command of the Supreme Commander of the Unified Armed Forces of the Warsaw Treaty Organization and the [Bulgarian] Minister of People's Defence. Initially the command of the front was formed following the "emission" method - dispatching personnel from the General Staff and the departments of the Ministry of People's Defence [on an ad hoc basis].

There is hardly any need to proove, that this means to form the Front Command suffered from significant flaws. In its comprehensive form it only existed for the duration of massive operational-strategic exercises. That hindered its training and manpower recruitment. The personnel of the front command was always different from one formation to another. The chiefs of departments within the MPO and the General Staff were disincentivized to dispatch their best subordinates to the FC, knowing that this meant, that in case of war their departments would lose that personnel. In these circumstance the FC was unable to mobilise and interact with the headquarters of its subordinated armies, formations and the units in its direct subordination [in a meaningful way].

Taking these shortages into account already in 1963 the Minister decided, that a peacetime nucleus for the mobilization of the wartime Front Command should be formed. This has led to the birth of the Main Directorate for Preparedness of the Troops (Главно управление за подготовка на войските (ГУПВ)) It consisted of a command, staff, Political Directorate, commands of the various combat branches and an operational group of personnel from the BPA's logistical department and the MPO's Main Directorate for Weapons and Equipment. General Vrachev, until that moment First Deputy-Minister of People's Defence was appointed as its first chief and I, until then First Deputy-Chief of the General Staff, was appointed as its chief of staff.

In this form the MDPT has existed for two years. During that time it was responsible for the combat and mobilization readiness, operational and combat training of the Land Forces, training of staff personnel and participation in front-level exercises commanded by the Minister. The experience gained during its existence has unequivocally showed its usefulness as a model for the formation of a front command in peacetime, but nevertheless due to factors completely outside of operational considerations, the MDPT was disestablished in 1965 and for several years we made a step back to the old ad hoc practices for the formation of an FC, which were proven time and again to be ineffective.

During the years after 1965 our experience has convinced us in the necessity of having a permanent peacetime nucleus for the formation of a wartime front command. After long discussions and despite the objections of the General Staff, in the summer of 1973 the Collegium [leadership] of the Ministry of People's Defence has decided for the formation of the Land Forces Command (Командване на сухопътните войски (КСВ)) with two main tasks - to direct the complete preparedness and build-up of the land forces as a type of the armed forces and to prepare to transform into a front command in case of a war..."

[4]

According to Lieutenant-General Hristo Hristov (former Chief of the Land Forces and Chief of the Georgi Rakovski Military Academy): "For that purpose the Land Forces Command was formed in 1973. Its first chief was Colonel-General Hristo Dobrev, with the rank of Deputy Minister of People's Defence. At a conference about the organization of the armed forces of about ten years ago [around 2003] Lt.-Gen. Hristov described the need for the LFC as such:

"It is well known, that according to the operational plans of the Supreme Headquarters of the Warsaw Pact Organization our country was supposed to form a frontal Operational-Strategical Formation (фронтово оперативно-стратегическо обединение), mainly including the Bulgarian People's Army with the mission in case of an aggression launched against the People's Republic of Bulgaria to mount defensive action on the southern state border in order to secure the deployment on Bulgarian soil of additionally one Soviet and one Romanian front, after which with the support of the Soviet Strategic Missile Troops the three fronts were, with the support of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet [which at that point would have absorbed the Bulgarian and the Romanian Navies] to launch a strategic operation aimed at the total destruction of the aggressor... Our men were excellently trained. Our Land Forces at the moment [the 1970s] numbered around 60~62 000 men, the exercises were constant. Each division executed annually one winter and one summer exercise in full strength. The three army headquarters - one command exercise under the leadership of the respective army commander and one command exercise under the leadership of the Land Forces Main Staff annually. The massive exercises of the Land Forces, normally during the summers normally included an army headquarters from the Soviet Army and occasionally an army headquarters from the Romanian Army. On the Balkan operational direction our armed forces were planned to cooperate with them." [5]

The headquarters of the 1st Balkan Front, at Sofia, would have had direct command of the following units and formations:

Directly Subordinated

Land Forces

The Bulgarian People's Army education institutions would have formed the following units in wartime:

Another Reserve Officers' Training School is also listed - bg:Осма мотострелкова дивизия.

1st Army

2nd Army

3rd Army

Organization and Equipment

The eight motor rifle divisions were not all organized in the same way. Four fielded a tank regiment and three motor rifle regiments and four divisions fielded four motor rifle regiments. Also the two training/reserve divisions (18th, 21st) were partially equipped with older equipment.

The only armoured formation in the Army of the Kingdom of Bulgaria was the Armoured Brigade, based in Sofia and armed with German equipment. After the end of the Second World War and the signing of the Paris peace treaty by Bulgaria in 1947, the Soviet Union began to strengthen the armed forces of its new satellite state. In addition to the Armoured Brigade a new tank regiment was formed in Samokov with 65 T-34 tanks (in 1947) and an armoured troops school was formed in Botevgrad (in 1950). A formation of 1st Tank Division also started in Kazanlak in 1947 with T-34s, only to be disbanded in 1949 with its four tank regiments to be converted into tank brigades and subordinated to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Army and the General Reserve respectively. The front line infantry divisions started forming tank battalions (one each) and several hundred trophy German tanks were transferred to Bulgaria to form a static fortified defensive line along the Turkish border, unofficially called the "Krali Marko Line". Later, when the T-54 and T-55 started replacing the T-34 in larger quantities, some of the retired Soviet tanks were added. In 1950 two new tank divisions were formed (in Sofia and Kazanlak), but with the technological advancements and the increase in weight and dimensions of the tanks at that time after an evaluation it was decided, that the predominantly mountainous terrain of Bulgaria is unsuitable for the deployment of tank divisions and the Bulgarian Land Forces reformed their tank forces into brigades and regiments. [17]

333 Т-72s of Soviet and Czechoslovak manufacture delivered until the collapse of the Socialist bloc and spread between the 9th and 13th tank brigades and training centers. The 5th, 11th and 24th tank brigades and the tank regiments with T-55s. The 220 T-62s put in reserve storage. In 1992 another 100 T-72s and 100 BMP-1s received second-hand from Russia, went to the 24th Tank Brigade. The five active tank brigades (9th in the 1st Army, 5th and 11th in the 2nd Army and 13th and 24th in the 3rd Army) were organized as follows:

The three rocket artillery brigades were organized as follows:

The three army tactical missile brigades were organized as follows:

The three army artillery regiments were organized as follows:

The three army anti-tank regiments were organized as follows:

Related Research Articles

Abteilung is a German word that is often used for German or Swiss military formations and depending on its usage could mean detachment, department or battalion; it can also refer to a military division. In German, it is used both for military and civilian departments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Guards Tank Army</span> Russian Ground Forces formation

The 1st Guards Tank Red Banner Army is a tank army of the Russian Ground Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hungarian Ground Forces</span> Land branch of the Hungarian Defence Forces

The Hungarian Ground Forces constitute the land branch of the Hungarian Defence Forces, responsible for ground activities and troops, including artillery, tanks, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), and ground support. The ground forces have a history of service in Iraq and are currently engaged in the KFOR operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serbian Army</span> Land warfare branch of the Serbian Armed Forces

The Serbian Army is the land-based and the largest component of the Serbian Armed Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgarian Land Forces</span> Bulgarian army

The Bulgarian Land Forces are the ground warfare branch of the Bulgarian Armed Forces. It is administered by the Ministry of Defence, previously known as the Ministry of War during the Kingdom of Bulgaria. The Land Forces were established in 1878, when they were composed of anti-Ottoman militia (opalchentsi) and were the only branch of the Bulgarian military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ukrainian Marine Corps</span> Branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The Ukrainian Marine Corps, also known simply as the Ukrainian Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2023, responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations. From its modern foundation in 1993 up to 2023 it constituted part of the Coastal Forces of the Ukrainian Navy. It is used as a component part of amphibious, airborne and amphibious-airborne operations, alone or in coordination with formations and units of the Ground Forces in order to capture parts of the seashore, islands, ports, fleet bases, coast airfields and other coast objects from the enemy. It can also be used to defend naval bases, vital shoreline areas, separate islands and coast objects, and security of hostile areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Land Forces of the National People's Army</span> Military unit

The Land Forces of the National People's Army was the ground-based military branch of the German Democratic Republic (GDR) National People's Army (NPA). The Land Forces Command, located at Geltow, was established on 1 December 1972 as a management body created for the land forces. The NPA itself was created on March 1, 1956, from the Kasernierte Volkspolizei.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22nd Mechanized Brigade (Ukraine)</span> Ukrainian Ground Forces formation

The 22nd Mechanized Brigade is a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces. It traces its origins to the 66th Guards Rifle Division, originally a formation of the Red Army and later of the Soviet Ground Forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western Military District</span> Former operational strategic command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

The Western Military District was a military district of Russia, in existence from 2010 until its abolishment as a unitary military command on February 26, 2024, succeeded by the newly reconstituted Moscow Military District and Leningrad Military District.

This article provides formation lists of the Polish People's Army order of battle at various points in history between 1943 and 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armored Brigade "Centauro"</span> Military unit

After World War II the Italian Army had two units named "Centauro": from 1952 to 1986 the Armored Division "Centauro" and from 1986 to 2002 the Armored Brigade "Centauro". Both units were successor to the World War II era 131st Armored Division "Centauro". The units' name came from the mythological race of half human-half horse creatures named Centaurs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mechanized Brigade "Legnano"</span> Military unit

The Mechanized Brigade "Legnano" was a mechanized brigade of the Italian Army. Its core units were mechanized infantry battalions. The brigade's headquarters was in the city of Bergamo in Lombardy. The name of the brigade commemorates the Lombard League victory in the Battle of Legnano in 1176 and its coat of arms depicts the Monument to the Warrior of Legnano in the centre of Legnano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Asian Military District</span> Military unit

The Red Banner Central Asian Military District was a military district of the Soviet Armed Forces, which existed in 1926–1945 and 1969–1989, with its headquarters at Tashkent (1926–1945) and Almaty (1969–1989). By USSR Order No.304 of 4 June 1926, the Turkestan Front was renamed the Central Asian Military District.

The following is a hierarchical outline of the Czechoslovak People's Army at the end of the Cold War. It is intended to convey the connections and relationships between units and formations. At the end of the Cold War in 1989 the Czechoslovak People's Army structure was as follows.

The following is a hierarchical outline for the Bulgarian People's Army at the end of the Cold War. It is intended to convey the connections and relationships between units and formations. At the end of the Cold War in 1989, the Bulgarian People's Army (BPA) reported to the Ministry of People's Defence (Bulgaria). The BPA included the Bulgarian Land Forces; the Air and Air Defence Forces; Navy; and Construction Troops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coastal Troops of the Russian Navy</span> Service arm of the Russian Navy

The Coastal Troops are a service arm of the Russian Navy. Their missions are to protect Russian fleets' forces, personnel, and seashore objects from enemy surface ships; to defend naval bases and other important facilities of the Fleets from land attacks, including amphibious and air assaults; to participate in amphibious and air assaults; to support the Russian Ground Forces in defending against airborne and amphibious assaults; and to destroy enemy surface ships, boats and amphibious transports in their operational area.

The 1st Army was a field army of the Czechoslovak People's Army, active in 1958–1965 and 1969–1991. In its second formation its headquarters was in Příbram.

The 4th Army was a field army of the Czechoslovak People's Army, active from 1958 to 1965 and 1969–1991. In its second formation its headquarters was in Písek.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade</span> Russian Ground Forces formation

The 25th Guards Motor Rifle Brigade Sevastopol Red Banner named after the Latvian Riflemen is a brigade of the Russian Ground Forces, which traces its history to the 13th Guards Rifle Regiment.

References

  1. ↑ Inside the Cold War
  2. ↑ Nb. in the late 1940s the 37th Army (Soviet Union), in Bulgaria became the 10th Mechanized Army for a period before disbandment in June 1947.
  3. 1 2 "History of the Radiotechnical Troops" ("История на Радиотехническите Войски"). Sofia, Bulgaria: Air Group 2000. 2007. p. 147. ISBN   978-954-752-108-7.
  4. ↑ Д-р Димитър Йончев"Строителството на въоръжените сили на България (История и политика)", София, 2002, СД Симолини-94 със съдействието на ЦС на СОСЗ, с. 17-18
  5. ↑ "Днес отбелязваме 40 години от създаването на Командването на Сухопътните войски (Today We Celebrate 40 Years Since The Formation Of The Land Forces Command)". 23 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Structure of the Intelligence Directorate".
  7. ↑ "The Bulgarian Special Forces", by Plamen Grigorov, Rasper Publishing House, Sofia 2002 ("Българските спецсили", Пламен Григоров), ISBN   954-90774-7-0
  8. ↑ Michael Holm, Army Command/Frontal Command
  9. ↑ "СКИС". scis.armf.bg. Archived from the original on 18 December 2016.
  10. ↑ "НОВИНИ | Съвместно командване на силите". Archived from the original on 18 November 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 See establishment in the early 1960s, at 1
  12. ↑ "Полк. Игнат Томов: Продадоха далекобойните оръдия".
  13. ↑ "Курсанти показаха отлични умения на полигон "Марково" | Информационен център на Министерство на oтбраната". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  14. ↑ "Най-голямата танкова сила на България отиде в историята". socbg.com (in Bulgarian). Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  15. ↑ "В ЩАБА НА СЕДМА МОТОСТРЕЛКОВА ДИВИЗИЯ*". voenenlekar.blogspot.bg. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  16. ↑ Holm, 18th Motor Rifle Division
  17. ↑ "82 ГОДИНИ ТАНКОВИ ВОЙСКИ В БЪЛГАРИЯ!!! СНИМКИ И ИСТОРИЯ". www.pan.bg. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.