Bulgaria in WWI

Manfred · 28 March 2005, 02:11 AM

Did bulgaria have an air force or aces during the first world war?

rammjaeger · 28 March 2005, 03:06 AM

Yes,

Bulgaria had an Air Force in WWI. Bulgaria was even one of the pioneers of military aviation earlier in the Balkan Wars. Nevertheless Bulgaria had only a few obsoleted military airplanes if she stepped into the war on the side of the "Mittelmächte" in Fall 1915. Bulgarian aviators served also in German units in the South East and the West.

In May 1916 Bulgarian officers visited the Aviation Replacement Detachment in Grossenhain/Saxony. With the support of Major von Minckwitz an own "Flugzeugwerft" ("Aviation Dock"?) was built in Bulgaria in 1917. After the war the first own Bulgarian airplanes were constructed (by the German Professor Winter) and built there. As well the Bulgarians had also a Naval air component if I recall correct.

Some of the Bulgarian aviators did achieve also air victories but to my knowledge nobody could down the necessary five hostile airplanes for the ace-status.

VBR
Rammjaeger

MattyBoy · 28 March 2005, 04:17 AM

Hi Renefonck,

Take a look at this web site:
http://www.insigniamag.com/balk13.html

The Italian pilot mentioned,

Giovanni Sabelli, later became an ace during WW1.

I'm sure I have seen a Bulgarian pilot credited with five victories somewhere, I will have a look....
Matt.

MattyBoy · 28 March 2005, 04:39 AM

These URLs are quite interesting:-

http://www.pantonov.com/index.htm?ht...ssen_jordanoff

http://math.fce.vutbr.cz/safarik/ACE...garia-ww1.html
&
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/...328977-1775902

John Masters · 29 March 2005, 06:12 PM

Thanks for the amazon link, Mattyboy. I've just ordered the Bulgarian books. I have a soft spot for all things Balkan, you see.

From the Factory Librarian,
John

MattyBoy · 30 March 2005, 06:13 AM

No problemo, Mr. Masters!

I've just ordered volumes one & two as well!

wulffo · 30 March 2005, 08:16 AM

I believe that these are supposed to be Bulgarian wings

John Masters · 30 March 2005, 10:58 AM

You are correct Wulffo. Pre WW2 as well. The "K" emblem is part of the Imperial crest.

From the Factory on the hill,
John

frontflieger · 30 March 2005, 11:01 AM

Otto Ehrich was flight instructor - here < http://www.frontflieger.de/3ehrot0t.html > you find two documents about his time in Bulgaria.

Thorsten

Pips · 30 March 2005, 01:07 PM

For those interested in the Balkan campaign in WWI I would recommend the book "Under The Devils Eye". Covers in detail all the happenings of this quite forgotten campaign, that ran from 1915 to 1918.