Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

80 years since the most brutal bombing of Sofia

Photo: sofiahistorymuseum.bg

Exactly 80 years ago - on January 10, 1944, during the Second World War, the most destructive round-the-clock Anglo-American bombing was carried out over Sofia. At nighttime, the Bulgarian capital city was attacked by the British aviation, and during the day - by the American. 

A total of 1,784 bombs were dropped on the capital city. Despite the resistance of the anti-aircraft artillery and the Bulgarian aviation, the enemy managed to inflict serious damage. Nearly 950 people died, mostly civilians, and more than 700 were injured, reports the Regional History Museum in Sofia. A mass evacuation of the population began In just one week, over 300,000 residents left Sofia.

During the Second World War, Tsar Boris III and the government of Prof. Bogdan Filov tried to maintain neutrality, but this proved impossible. On March 1, 1941, the prime minister signed a protocol in Vienna for the accession of Bulgaria to the Tripartite Pact. Under the pressure of Germany and Italy, on December 13, 1941, Bulgaria declared a symbolic war on the USA and England. Most of the ruling elite did not suspect that this act would soon cause severe destruction in Sofia.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Delegations of all Orthodox Churches to arrive in Bulgaria for the 100th anniversary of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

On November 22 and 23, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church will solemnly celebrate the 100th anniversary of the consecration of the Patriarchal Cathedral "St. Alexander Nevsky" . For a century the cathedral has been "a witness to all the hopes and..

published on 11/22/24 6:05 AM

The Christian family strengthens our relationship with God

The Feast of the Epiphany - the entry of the Theotokos into the Temple - is one of the oldest and most revered feasts in the Orthodox world. It was introduced in Constantinople around the 8th century during the time of Patriarch Tarasius. It was six..

published on 11/21/24 7:30 AM

Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv marks 130th anniversary of the birth of Dimitar Peshev

The Museum of the Jewish People in Tel Aviv , Israel, today commemorates the 130th anniversary of the birth of Dimitar Peshev, a righteous man of the nations of the world, deputy chairman of the 25th National Assembly of Bulgaria, the Bulgarian..

published on 11/20/24 2:21 PM