The book The Doyran Battles 1915-1918 by Gen. Nikola Nedev has been recently re-released. Its author was commander in the headquarters of the 9th Infantry Pleven Division that defended the Doyran section during World War I. In the war Bulgaria was an ally of the Central Powers. The country joined operations because it had a few disputes with neighboring countries over territories with predominantly Bulgarian population. Along the 20-km front near Doyran (today in the Republic of Macedonia) five heavy battles were waged in the course of three years against the allied forces of the Entente. In his book Gen. Nikola Nedev describes the correlation of the forces and the course of battles and gives lists of the victims. Some 230 photos have captured fortifications, brought down aircraft, field kitchens and hospitals, as well as dead soldiers’ funerals.

“This is perhaps the best book written in Bulgaria about World War I. It dwells on one of the major operations in Bulgaria’s military history”, says the editor of the phototype edition Nikola Grigorov. “However, if you ask a pupil about the Doyran Battles, he or she will hardly know anything about it. And the outcome of that epic and the victory of the Bulgarian troops were important for the outcome of World War I. In those battles the Bulgarian army fought against the Entente, notably against the allied forces including French, English, Greek, Serbian and Russian troops. The Bulgarian army led by Gen. Vladimir Vazov succeeded in beating off those forces despite the latter’s multifold numerical superiority. The Bulgarians gave many casualties but did not give up the Bulgarian positions. Gen. Nikola Nedev was involved in the operations at Doyran. Later he launched a political career. During the communist regime he was sent to the Belene concentration camp and even denied the right to a pension. I met with his daughter, and she is happy about the new edition of the book, because it was a rarity previously. And the fact that now we have a phototype edition is important too. The book has got a supplement with military maps as well.”

What made possible the victory of the Bulgarian troops at Doyran?

“In the first place, I’d single out the exceptional professionalism of Gen. Vladimir Vazov who prepared the Bulgarian positions very thoroughly. Secondly, the Bulgarian soldiers and officers were quite experienced: they had gone through the trials of the Balkan wars (1912-1913). Besides, at the turn of the century Gen. Danail Nikolaev rearmed the Bulgarian army with the Austrian Mannlicher guns that were handy and accurate. Overall, the officers were excellent too.”

In spite of the great Doyran victory, Bulgaria was among the losers in World War I. During the signature of the Thessalonica ceasefire between Bulgaria and the Entente in September 1918 however the country could achieve one very important clause – avoid occupation by its neighbors. This has prevented burning wounds between the Balkan countries from running deeper.

The book The Doyran Battles includes a report from Fatherland Magazine. Its title is the following: “How Doyran heroes buried their enemies”. It recounts the story of a British aircraft brought down on 24 June 1918. “On the other day, in the military cemetery, near the eternal homes of the immortal sons of Bulgaria, two wooden coffins were laid covered in flowers,” the report from the frontline reads. “There was funeral music and the Orthodox priest was singing too, gospel in hand. Fervent prayers were whispered for the peace of the two dead soldiers’ souls. They were the brave pilots from the proud Albion.”

By the way, the knightly valor of Bulgarian soldiers was appreciated by the enemy. In 1936 Gen. Vladimir Vazov made a formal visit to the British Legion. In London, Field Marshall Lord Milne came to welcome him at the railway station. Marshall Milne had commanded the British forces near Doyran. Meeting Gen. Vazov he said he felt deep respect for the Bulgarian soldiers because just like the British soldiers they had behaved both bravely and like gentlemen.

English version: Daniela Konstantinova