Bulgarian OOB in World War II 1939-1945

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This is in fact an updated version of my publication in the Axis History Forums, where because of the limitation of the system I can not edit old posts, so I intend to continue my work here.

Link to the Axis History Forums Thread:
https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=102&t=181678

[dibo]

1. Armies and corps - Bulgaria by tradition from the Balkan wars and WW1 had its army organized in armies, which in fact contained several infantry divisions plus additional units. By the treaty of Neuilly Bulgaria was prohibited to have anything larger than a division as a unit, but even as early as 1923 the so called "First class garrisons" in Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv were in fact army districts and HQs in anything but in names (to officially deny the attentions of the Allied Control Commission). When the ACC left in 1928, these armies HQs started to operate more openly and a 4th one was formed in Pleven. The Neuilly restrictions were officially removed by the 1938 Salonica Accord and the 4 armies became finally official.
In 08.1941 some months after the occupation of Macedonia a new 5th Regular Army was formed there with HQ in Skopie (not to be confused with the Mobilized in 04.1941 5th Army which consisted of 6th and 7th Infantry Divisions and 1st Fast Division with the specific task of occupation of Macedonia). This army was considered Regular, had its mobilization divisional districts within Macedonia, was mobilizing local population from there, but its officers were supplied from Bulgaria and despite the efforts of the Bulgarian High Command it never reached comparative fighting efficiency levels with the other 4 armies. On paper its organization was supposed to be the same, but in practice it lacked most Army level support units (for example it did not had the Army heavy artillery regiment), that the 4 other regular armies had. So Regular Armies were:
1st - Sofia -1st ID, 7th ID
2nd - Plovdiv - 2nd, 8th ID, later 10th ID
3rd - Varna - 3rd, 4th ID
4th - Pleven - 5th, 6th, later 9th ID
5th - Skopie (formed in 1941) - 14th, 15th, later 17th ID (from 1943). Armament 1943 - 17 015 rifles, 2 533 pistols, 597 LMG, 262 HMG, 26 20mm ATR, 36 mortars, 20 75mm guns, 16 75mm mountain guns, 4 105mm howitzers, 2 105mm mountain howitzers. Armament 1944 - 35 802 rifles, 6 706 pistols, 1160 SMG, 953 LMG, 424 HMG, 58 20mm ATR, 255 mortars, 267 rifle grenades Mauser, 27 grenade launchers M39, 243 50mm mortars, 60 37mm ATG, 36 50mm ATG, 18 75mm ATG, 45 20mm AA guns, 48 75mm guns, 26 75mm mountain guns, 36 105mm howitzers, 8 105mm mountain howitzers, 24 120mm D/13 howitzers Schneider.

Besides the Regular armies, there were other Wartime mobilized Army and Corps sized units, created with specific purposes. By order of appearance these were:

1. "Screening army" ("Screening Front") - For most of the period 1939-1944 Turkey was considered a major threat and a relatively large force was always stationed at the border facing it. This agglomeration of units was called in the beginning "Screening Army", and after 1941 "Screening Front". The "Screening Army" was formed in 07.1939 and had its HQ initially stationed in Nova Zagora. Later it had its HQ moved to Simeonovgrad (Maritza). Besides the HQ and the "Krali Marko" border fortification line (gradually expanded through the years), it consisted of various regular units, rotating between their peacetime establishments and the border.
Spring 1939 - Summer 1939 - Bulgarian Intelligence reports 18 Turkish Divisions in Thrace and Gallipoli.
June 1939 - Mobilized to wartime strength Bulgarian 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 10th and 11th ID, 2nd Fast Division, 2nd, 3rd and 8th Border Guards Regiment and under the command of the HQ of the 2nd army on 18 July 1939 these begin to be transferred by railway or on foot to the Turkish border. These troops take the front from Fakiya to the north shore of the Arda river, with its bulk in the area of Elhovo - Topolovgrad - Lyubimets. The HQ is in Nova Zagora.
6th October 1939 - First rotation of units of the Screening army:
HQ 2nd Army is replaced by HQ 1st Army
8th ID is replaced by 1st ID
3rd and 11th ID are replaced by 7th ID plus 45th IR
2nd ID is replaced by 6th ID
10th ID is replaced by 26th and 27th IR, parts of 4th army artillery regiment and 3rd Reserve divisional HQ
2 Fast Division remains (only its motorized regiment is replaced by the one of the 1st FD).
11 November 1939 - most of the units from the Screening Army are withdrawn as the winter approaches. The Screening front now consists of three sectors (from Besh Tepe, West of Maritza River to Zvezdetz village near Malko Tyrnovo) - Maritza, Tundzha and Strandzha. Each sector has 3 mixed battalions (taken from 1st, 6th and 7th ID), reinforced by 1 arty battery and 1 mortar platoon. The HQ of the Screening front is now in Elhovo and is a divisional HQ.
In April 1940 9th Infantry Division is mobilized and replaces (25.04.1940) these mixed units with its three regiments (one for each sector).
May 1940 - 9th ID is reinforced with 2nd Fast Division (23.05.1940). The HQ is replaced with the one of armies HQ(temporary 5th?). Front is expanded from Ivaylovgrad (one battalion) to Zvezdetz village. 2nd Fast Division is based on the Maritza river valley, 9th is in the Tundzha river valley.
June 1940 - HQ 5th army is replaced by HQ 4th Army. 2nd ID joins the Screening Front.
September 1940 - 2nd Fast Division is replaced by 5th ID, HQ 4th Army is replaced with HQ 2nd Army.
October 1940 - 2nd ID is replaced with 4th ID.
November 1940 - 5th ID is replaced with 11th ID. HQ 2nd Army with HQ 4th Army.
December 1940 - All IDs are withdrawn and replaced by the mobilized 2nd, 3rd and 4th Border Guards Regiments.
February 1941 - The Screening Front is drastically reinforced. It now has the HQ of 3rd Army (village of Gorno Panicherevo, near Stara Zagora, nowadays called Yagoda) as a "HQ of the Screening Group of Armies", two armies (HQs - 1st and 4th) and the following ID - 1st, 9th, 3rd, 5th, 8th and 12th.
July 1941 - 3rd and 8th ID, 2nd and 4th Army HQs are withdrawn from the border. There remained - 1st, 2nd, 5th, 9th and 12th ID, 3rd Cavalry Bde and 4th Border Guards Bde, forming again a "Screening Army".
21 August 1941 - 1st, 5th, 9th and 12th ID are withdrawn and conduct large army exercises in Thrace. The Screening Army remains with 2nd ID, 3rd and 4th Border Guards Brigades, 3rd Cavalry Brigade.
Winter 1941 - The Screening Front remains only with 3rd Border Guards Bde and one mixed brigade.2nd ID, 4th Border Guards bde and 3rd Cavalry Bde are withdrawn.
End of April 1942 - Screening front is reinforced with 2nd Army (3rd, 8th and 10th ID). 3rd covers Maritza, 8th - Tundzha, 10th - Ivaylovgrad.
Fall 1942 - 2nd Army is withdrawn and is replaced with 25th ID (71, 72, 75 and 76th IR, one arty bn). From the withdrawing troops from the border is formed 28th Provisional ID just for army exercises and then disbanded.
22.04.1943 Screening front is reinforced - 25th ID is replaced with HQ 4th Army, 2nd, 5th and 11th ID and 44th IR анд 2nd Army ATG Bn. 11th covers from Dedeagach (Alexandroupoli) to Mandritsa village, 2nd covers from Besh Tepe - Lyubimets - Konstantinovo, 5th from Elhovo to Zvezdetz. The HQ 4th Army and 2nd ATG Bn are in Simeonovgrad.
4.12.1943 Those troops are relieved and replaced by 2nd Cavalry Division, reinforced with 8 cavalry squadrons and 6 arty Batalions. From the previous troops there remain 2nd Army ATG Batalion and 2 AA Platoons from 3rd and 8th ID.
13.05.1944 - 2nd Cavalry Division is replaced by 2nd army (1st ID - Lyubimets, Maritza area; 12th ID - Elhovo, Tundzha area; 5th ID - Sredetz, Strandzha area), but this time it is not demobilized but is placed in the area of Nova Zagora - Yambol - Sliven as reserve of the 2nd army. 4 new 50mm ATG platoons are added to the defenses.

Krali Marko border fortification line and other fortifications
By 1939 Bulgaria was restricted by the Neuilly treaty to fortify its borders (legally by 31 July 1938 - Thessaloniki Accord). Therefore the fortification works started only in 1939. The idea is due to lack of funds, to start first with gradual introduction of individual fortification works and groups for regiments and battalions on the most obvious invasion routes. These have to include - concrete MG emplacements, concrete observation posts, underground shelters and various obstacles. In April 1939 a report by the General Staff was made with the plan to start the fortifications, the Minister of War signed it and the construction slowly commenced in July 1939 from Besh Tepe (West of the Maritza River) to Malko Tarnovo with 1st to 4th Army Construction Battalions and 1st to 6th and 8th Labour Troops Construction Battalions. By the end of 1939 are constructed:
114 underground shelters
26 concrete observation posts
52 000m barb wire.
In 1940 are constructed:
435 concrete MG bunkers
83 concrete observation posts
6 underground shelters
In addition on the Burgas Black sea coast - 32 concrete MG bunkers.
In 1941 the border fortification is expanded south and now covers also the Rhodopes area facing Didymóteicho. There in the summer of 1941 20 concrete HMG bunkers are constructed. On Varna Black Sea Coast - 32 concrete HMG bunkers.
In 1942 the first fortification line was finished. The 2nd line was started. Constructed in 1942 - 113 concrete HMG bunkers, 10 concrete observation posts, 137 underground shelters. On Black Sea Coast - 32 concrete HMG bunkers, 7 concrete observation posts.
1939-1942 - 1000 km of roads finished in the Border area with Turkey.
1943 (all areas - Turkey, Black Sea, Aegean):
5 concrete pillboxes for ATG
96 concrete concealments for ATG
(The army had 156 50mm German ATG that were assigned for those ATG emplacements)
21 underground concealments for ATG
169 concrete pillboxes for HMG
28 concrete observation posts
247 concrete HMG emplacements
14 concrete shelters
23 underground shelters
10 300m antitank ditches
482m concrete antitank walls
etc.
All in all by end of 1943 on the Black Sea coast and the border against Turkey are finished the 1st lines of defense plus some parts of the 2nd, while on the Aegean coast only the 1st line was near completion.
1944 - the fortification is divided on 4 areas - Macedonian (3 fortified areas), White Sea (AEgean - 3 fortified areas), SouthEastern (facing Turkey - 2 fortified areas), Black Sea (2 fortified areas). Materials from the Greek Metaxas line are used.
Macedonia -1944:
7 concrete observation posts,
104 HMG bunkers
48 ATG bunkers
22 ATG shelters
Aegean (2 lines - coastal and internal - internal is the main line):
7 concrete observation posts,
126 HMG bukers
18 ATG bunkers
20 ATG shelters
40 concrete shelters
30 underground galleries
5 underground tunnels
South east:
3 divisional HQ;
92 underground galleries;
14 artillery concrete observation posts;
8 ATG bunkers;
16 ATG concrete shelters;
8 ATG underground shelters;
22 concrete shelters;
6 underground tunnels;
10 HMG emplacements;
2 ATG bunkers with HMG emplacements above.

2. 1st Occupation Corps - Serbia - Formed in December 1941 - January 1942 due to German request for three divisions to be sent to Yugoslavia to allow German troops there to be used on the Eastern Front. It consisted initially of 6th Regular ID (3, 15, 35 Regular IR, 2 Regular Arty reg), 17 th Mobilized ID (stationed in Prokuplje - 13 IR, 2/69 IR, 3/6 depot regiment, 4/7 arty regiment), 21st mobilized ID (Nish - 2, 6 regular IR, 1/50 IR, 2/6 depot regiment, 2/2 arty regiment), and attached corps units.
In June 1942 the Corps rotated units with the Regular army -17th is disbanded (later formed as regular in 1943 to Vth army in Macedonia), 6th returns to Bulgaria, 21st is kept, but its units are replaced. 7th and 9th regular are sent instead of 6th and 17th.
In March 1943 21st, 9th and 7th are replaced with 22nd, 24th and 27th mobilized divisions. 7th and 9th Regular ID are returned to Bulgaria. 21st is disbanded.
In May 1943 as the Bulgarian occupation zone in Serbia is expanded a fourth division is sent to join the Corps - the mobilized 25th.
Reinforced by 29-th ID (04.1944) - Vranja, Pirot, Boyanovo - HQ in Vranja, 50th IR - Pirot, 52 IR - Vranja, 3rd IR - Boyanovo, 4/4 Arty Bn - Vranja
Reinforced with 65th mobilized IR and 6/1 Arty Bnin 05.1944 plus one air squadron.
The corps exists until 09.1944.
Totals:
02.1942 - HQ, 6th, 17th,21st ID - 22 632 men
03.1943 - HQ, 7th, 9th, 21st ID - 26 810 men
04.1943 - HQ, 22nd, 24th, 27th ID - 28 659 men
05.1944 - HQ, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 27th ID - 31 484 men
08.1944 - HQ, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 27th ID - 33 363 men
Strength 01.08.1944:
HQ and Corps Units - 2055 men (111 officers and 1944 low ranks), 881 rifles, 925 carbines, 44 SMG, 5 HMG, 33 LMG, 6 grenade launchers, 1 flamethrower, 3 20mm AA guns, 4 Avia B534, 4 Letov S328, 5 passenger cars, 52 two axle cargo, 2 ambulances, 2 disinfecting vehicles, 1 mobile bath, 3 mobile repair shops, 16 motorcycles
22 ID - 9004 men (incl. 289 officers), 5385 rifles, 2220 carbines, 98 SMG, 125 HMG, 256 LMG, 6 50mm mortars, 4 mortars, 2 37mm ATG, 2 AAMG, 6 20mm AA guns, 12 76,5mm AA guns Skoda, 10 75mm field guns, 2 75mm moutain guns, 2 105mm mountain howitzers, 4 passenger cars, 14 two-axle cargo, 9 ambulances, 4 motorcycles, 2 tanks (one tank platoon on armored train).
24 ID - 8020 men (incl. 302 officers), 4734 rifles, 2242 carbines, 189 SMG, 122 HMG, 179 LMG, 20 50mm mortars, 23 mortars, 27 rifle grenades, 9 75mm field guns, 14 75mm mountain guns, 3 passenger cars, 20 two-axle cargo, 6 ambulances, 6 disinfecting vehicles, 3 mobile baths, 7 motorcycles
25 ID - 2970 men (incl. 133 officers), 1781 rifles, 918 carbines, 87 SMG, 28 HMG, 54 LMG, 9 50mm mortars, 8 mortars, 6 75mm guns, 3 passenger cars, 15 two axle cargo, 5 ambulances, 3 disinfecting vehicles, 3 mobile baths, 13 motorcycles
27 ID - 11 314 men (incl. 408 officers), 6080 rifles, 3303 carbines, 358 SMG, 148 HMG, 310 LMG, 12 50mm mortars, 56 mortars, 53 rifle grenades, 2 37mm ATG, 9 75mm field guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 3 105mm field howitzers, 3 passenger cars, 21 two-axle cargo, 6 ambulances, 1 disinfecting vehicle, 1 mobile bath, 7 motorcycles.


3. 2nd Occupation Corps (Greece) - Formed officially in 11.1943 by 7th and 16th Regular ID and 28th mobilized division with HQ in Drama and exists until 10.1944. 7th ID has occupied Chalkidiki in Greece on German request from July 1943. 16th was the former "Belomorski" unit (Aegean Unit) that was mobilized to full-fledged wartime Regular Infantry Division Status in 08.1943 and renamed 16th ID.
Totals:
1.10.1941 - Aegean Detachment - 11 767 men
1.01.1942 - 16th ID - 14 482 men
1.01.1943 - 16th ID - 14 377 men
20.07.1943 - reinforced 16th ID - 26 667 men (22 060 men 16 ID plus 4607 men subordinate units) plus 5 981 Navy personnel - total 32 648
08.12.1943 - II corps (7, 16, 28 ID) - 58 573 men
21.03.1944 - II corps (7, 16, 28 ID) - 58 528 men
01.09.1944 - II corps (7, 16, 28 ID) - 63 503 men plus 6210 Navy personnel - total 69 803
Armament:
7th ID - 1943 - 11 007 rifles, 39 SMG, 1510 pistols, 311 LMG, 162 HMG, 20 20mm ATR, 27 mortars, 15 20mm AA guns, 24 75mm guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 12 105mm howitzers
16th ID - 1943 - 11 762 rifles, 1810 pistols, 408 LMG, 192 HMG, 18 20mm ATR, 27 mortars, 24 75mm guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 12 105mm howitzers
7th ID 1944 - 13 164 rifles, 437 SMG, 2133 pistols, 342 LMG, 163 HMG, 18 20mm ATR, 84 mortars, 90 Mauser Rifle Grenade Launchers, 9 Grenade Launcher Rifles M39, 81 50mm mortars, 21 37mm ATG, 12 50mm ATG, 6 75mm ATG,15 20mm AA guns, 12 75mm guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 24 105mm howitzers
16th ID 1944 - 13 918 rifles, 524 SMG, 2672 pistols, 400 LMG, 168 HMG, 28 20mm ATR, 11 mortars, 132 Mauser Rifle Grenade Launchers, 9 Grenade Launcher Rifles M39, 108 50mm mortars, 24 37mm ATG, 12 50mm ATG, 6 75mm ATG, 15 20mm AA guns 24 75mm guns, 24 105mm howitzers

N.B. Sometimes in some sources 1st and 2nd Occupation Corps are called 6th and 7th Armies respectively.

P.P.S. By "Mobilized" I mean unit that is not Regular (does not have its own mobilization district) and does not exist in Peacetime. Some of these can be considered Reserve and some are just Temporary Ad-Hoc Units. For example in 1938 Bulgarian army had 8 Infantry Divisions and 2 Fast Divisions. It was planned then in war time to increase the Infantry Divisions to 12 (each of the 4 armies to mobilize one reserve infantry division, besides mobilizing its two regular divisions to wartime strength). Therefore the 11th ID, mobilized several times in 1939-1944 can be considered also as "Reserve", as its creation was planned from Peacetime. The "20s" Divisions on the other hand were "Ad-Hoc" formations from the start - these consisted of various mobilized formations and they were specifically used for occupational garrison duties only.

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Mobilizations and screening on the other borders

Temporary screening on the Black Sea coast and the Greek border:
22.11.1940 - 19th IR mobilized and with one artillery bn covers Varna. From 25.06.1941 - 4th ID covers Varna.
12.1940 - 4th and 5th Militia Regiments with one arty bn cover Burgas. Later also 9th Militia Regiment. in 06.1941 - only 24th IR.
In 01.1942 24th IR and 4th ID under the command of 3rd Army HQ form Black Sea Defense and are mobilized on wartime strength. In October 1942 these are demobilised and replaced with 62nd IR (63rd?).
On 20.05.1943 63rd is replaced by 3rd and 4th Border Guards regiments. After the 1943 of the Divisional Arty Regiments 13 Coastal Defense Platoons are formed with the released 75mm guns in 04.1943.
05.01.1944 - 3rd and 4th Border Guards are relieved. New six 50mm Coastal Defense ATG platoons are added.
22.04.1944 - HQ 4th Border Guards Brigade, 5th Border Guards REgiment and 6th Border Guards Regiment, 1/3 and 1/4 Border Guards Bde's ARty Bns are placed on the Black Sea Defense
05.1944 - 3rd and 4th Border Guards Brigades form the Black Sea Defense. 8 new coastal defense arty platoons are formed.

28.11.1940 - 2nd ID and 10th ID and 2nd Army HQ cover the Greek border. On 19.02.1941 the screening of the Greek border is as follows: 7th ID minus 13th IR is in Sveti Vrach (nowadays Sandanski), 21st IR is in Smolyan, 10th ID is in Momchilgrad. On 24.04.1941 the 2nd army (then comprising of 10th ID - 10th, 44th and 47th IR, 10th AR, divisional units), 2nd Border Brigade - the brigade mobilized in 04.1941 and includes 2nd (3 Bns.) and 7th (only the 3rd Bn.) Border Guards Regiments - and 11th ID) with 10th ID, 2nd Border Guards Brigade and 1st Army Reserve Regiment starts the occupation of Aegean Thrace. In 05.1941 these troops in Thrace are reinforced with 11th ID. Those troops are withdrawn with the formation of the Belomorski (Aegean) unit, except 11th ID which remains with garrisons on Thassos and Samothrace and the bulk of the division facing east in the area (Ivaylovgrad - Gyumyurdzhina (Komotini) - Dedeagach (Alexandroupoli)). The 11th is withdrawn in the winter of 1941-1942 and replaced partially with 10th ID and Aegean unit forces. In 10.1941 with the Drama uprising in Greece 14th and 39th IR are sent there. On 20.07.1943 16th ID is mobilized to wartime strength and reinforced with 68th IR. 9 coastal defense platoons with released 75mm guns from the divisional arty are formed and places along the coast.
5.7.1943 on German Request the area between Struma and Vardar rivers is occupied by 7th ID. Due to the fact that part of its formation has just returned from occupation duty with 1st corps in Yugoslavia, these are replaced and the division becomes a mixed unit - 13th IR, 41st IR, 1st army reserve regiment, 12th divisional HMG bn, 12th arty regiment (4/7, 2/12 and 3/12 bn), 7th depot regiment, 12th Engineer Bn, etc. Those are reinforced by the end of the year with 1 75mm battery from 6th Divisionalarty regiment, 6th divisional HMG Bn, one Bn of 4th Army reserve regiment. Later 28th ID is formed - HQ and 6th Cavalry regiment in Gyumyurdzhina (Komotini), 10th IR, 58th IR (from 16th ID), mixed arty regiment. This division takes position between Mesta river and the strip between Aegean Thrace and Tureky border that remained under German administration. 16th is positioned between 28th and 7th and includes also 62nd IR to replace the 58th (relocated to 28th ID). On 18.11.1943 these three divisions became 2nd Occupation corps, whose HQ was located in Drama. On 03.04.1944 the units of the 28th are replaced - it now had 14th, 39th, 68th IR, 7th Divisional HMG Bn, 7th Divisional Arty Regiment, 1st Divisional ATG Bn, all the other 7th ID supporting units and 2/2 depot Bn - all mobilized to wartime strenght. In March 1943 62nd IR is mobilized to wartime strength.
1944 - 10 new 50mm ATG are added to the defenses. in July 1944 16th ID is reinforced with 22 IR (Nea Peramos)

South Dobrudzha Annexation - 09.1940
By 3rd Army - 4th ID, 1st Fast Division, 4th Border Regiment, the Fleet.

Screening against Yugoslavia
19.02.1941 - the border regiments on the Yugoslav border are mobilized. In the area Slivnitza - Pernik - Tran are located 1st FD, 6th ID and 7th ID as General Staff's reserve. Later this reserve froms the 5th Army which occupies Macedonia starting from 19.04.1941 until the formation of the Regular 5th army there (from 01.08.1941).

Full Mobilization April 1944
22.04.1944 - Mobilization to wartime strength ordered fo HQs 1st to 5th army, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 17th ID.

August 1944
29th ID is reinforced with 36th IR (Bosilegrad). 2nd Cavalry moves west (5th Cavalry regiment in Razlog, 8th Cavalry Regiment in Plovdiv, 10th Cavalry Regiment in Ihtiman, 2nd light motorized regiment in Breznik).

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2. Divisions
Regular Infantry:
1st to 8th existing in 1938
9th and 10th added in 1939
14th and 15th added in 1941 (5-th army) - both disbanded on 22 September 1944 and 30 September 1944. Strength on 02.1942 - 14th ID - 8678 men, 15th ID - 5686 men. Strength in 05.1944 - 14th ID - 20 873 men, 15th ID - 14 946 men
16th and 17th added in 1943 (16th is the former Aegean unit, 17th is added to 5-th army in October 1943 and disbanded on 28 October 1944). 17th ID - 05.1944 - 7117 men.
Mobilized Infantry (which means created by a mixture of mobilized regular and newly formed mobilized reserve units):
11th ID - formed and disbanded several times in 1939-1944 - part of the Screening Front.
12th ID - formed and disbanded several times in 1939-1944 - formed again in 05.1944 and sent to the Screening Front
17th ID (not to be confused with the later Regular 17th ID) - formed and disbanded in 1941.
21st ID - formed in November 1941 in Pirot, Yugoslavia. In January 1942 relocated to Nis. Disbanded on 30 March 1943.
22nd ID - formed on 30 March 1943 from the disbanded 21. infantry division. Disbanded in December 1944.
24th ID - formed on 11 March 1943 in Ujice, Yugoslavia. Disbanded in December 1944.
25th ID - formed in September 1942 in Ruse, Bulgaria. Disbanded in May 1943 and again formed in Pojarevac, Yugoslavia on 01 July 1943. Disbanded in October 1944.
27th ID - formed on 11 March 1943 in Prokuplje, Yugoslavia . Disbanded in September 1944
28th ID - formed on 22 November 1943 and stationed in Komotini as part of 2. Corps. Demobilised and disbanded on 07 October 1944.
29th ID - Formed 12 April 1944 for 1. Corps. Stationed in Vranja, Yugoslavia. Demobilised and disbanded 07 October 1944

Cavalry divisions:
1st Cavalry (Fast) - regular unit, disbanded in summer 1941. Its units became independent Cavalry Brigades and/or Regiments
2nd Cavalry (Fast) - regular unit, exists until 1945. 15.10.1944 it has 14 104 man (409 officers, 1344 NCO, 12 351 soldiers), 1602 rifles, 8104 carbines, 140 HMG, 290 LMG, 352 SMG, 54 mortars, 28 light mortars, 12 20mm ATR, 18 37mm ATG, 42 75mm field guns, 12 105mm field howitzers, 6 20mm AA guns, 50 passenger cars, 165 cargo trucks, 18 artillery tractors, 12 ambulances and special purpose, 122 motorcycles.

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3. Brigades

Armoured Brigade - planned in 1941. In actual existence since 1.10.1943. The idea was to form 5 such brigades- one for each Regular army, but it remained only on paper. Despite its name as "brigade" - it is modeled on 1943 Panzer Division.
1st to 4th Border Guards Brigades - mobilized by the Border Guards. In peacetime the Border Guards were divided in Sectors and in Sections, but could mobilize 8 Border Guards Regiments in 4 brigades with supporting artillery, etc. 1st to 4th BGB were mobilized and demobilized several times, but only 3rd an 4th appear in OOBs after 1941.
1st to 4th Cavalry Brigades - 1st and 2nd were part of the 1st Cavalry (Fast) division until 1941. Afterwards these became independent and 1st was stationed in Skopie (5th army) and 2nd in Kavala (Aegean). 3rd (Shumen) and 4th (Sofia) continued to be part of 2nd Cavalry Division.

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4. Regiments
Regular Infantry
The largest allowed unit formation by the Neuilly treaty restrictions was the division, but because the quantity restrictions of the army made the formation of divisions irrelevant in practice, the Bulgarian army choosed simply to downgrade with one level - thus 8 divisions with 24 regiments by the 1923 Law implementing the Treaty became 8 regiments with 24 battalions. This allowed in 1928 quickly to convert back to 8 division with 24 regiments.
Regiment - Location (which does not necessarily correspond with its "historic" name - example 15th "Lom" regiment is based in Belogradchik, and not in Lom, etc.)
1st IR - Sofia (1st ID)
2nd IR (later 33rd IR) - Svishtov (5th ID)
3rd IR - Vidin (6th ID)
4th IR - Pleven (6th ID, later in 1939 9th ID)
5th IR - Ruse (5th ID)
6th IR - Sofia (1st ID)
7th IR - Shumen (4th ID)
8th IR - Varna (4th ID)
9th IR - Plovdiv (2nd ID)
10th IR - Haskovo, from 1934 in Kardzhali (2nd ID, later 8th ID)
11th IR - Sliven (3rd ID)
12th IR - Stara Zagora (8th ID)
13th IR - Kyustendil (7th ID)
14th IR - Gorna Djumaya (Blagoevgrad nowadays) (7th ID)
15th IR - Vratza, later Belogradchik (6th ID)
18th IR - Veliko Tarnovo (5th ID)
19th IR - Razgrad (4th ID)
21st IR - Karlovo, from 1934 in Smolyan (2nd ID)
22nd IR - Samokov (7th ID)
23rd IR - Kazanlak, from 1934 transferred as 30-th IR to Simeonovgrad (8th ID). 23rd IR is again formed in 06.1939 in Kazanlak.
24th IR - Burgas (3rd ID)
25th IR - Slivnitza (1st ID)
27th IR - Pazardjik (2nd ID)
29th IR - Yambol (3rd ID)

Later additions until 1944:
35th IR - Vratza (6th ID) - 1929?
39th IR - Nevrokop (Gotse Deltchev nowadays) (7th ID) - in 1934
30th IR - Simeonovgard - see 23-rd above. (1934)
34th IR - Lovetch (5th ID, from 1939 - 9th ID) - in 1938
36th IR - Oryahovo (9th ID) - in 1938
47th IR (10 th ID) - formed 07.1939, mobilized in 04.1941 and sent to the Aegean to Gyumyurdzhina (Komotini), demobilized 07.1941 (?). Again mobilized 04.1942, part of Screening front, demobilized Fall 1942. Again mobilized 12.1944, participated in thе war against Germany as part of 10th ID.
44th IR - formed in 01.1940 in Krumovgrad
31st IR, 46th IR - formed in 1940 in Southern Dobrudja (31st Silistra, 46th Dobrich)
51st IR, 52nd IR - formed in 07.1941 (14th ID)
54th IR, 55th IR - formed in 07.1941 (15th ID)
Kavala IR - formed in 07.1941, in 12.1941 renamed to Drama IR, in 02.1942 becomes 57th IR
Gyumyurdzhina IR - formed in 07.1941 in Aegean Thrace (Komotini), in 03.1942 becomes 58th IR
45th IR - mobilized in 1942, regular and transfered to 15th ID since 10.1943
53th IR - formed in 03.1943
56th IR - mobilized in 09.1942 in Veles, regular and transfered to 17th ID since 10.1943
59th IR - formed in 03.1943
48th IR - formed in 10.1943 in Strumitza (HQ, 1st Bn) and Gevgeliya (2nd Bn)
49th IR - formed in 10.1943 in Stip
So in 09.1944 there were 45 Regular Infantry Regiments in the army:
1st, 3rd to 15th, 18th, 19th, 21st to 25th, 27th, 29th to 31st, 33rd to 36th, 39th, 44th to 49th, 51st to 59th

Mobilized Infantry Regiments
30th IR - mobilized in 1941-1942 as part of Screening Front (8th ID). Mobilized again in 09.1944. Participates in the war against Germany as part of 8th ID
32nd IR - mobilized in 05.1944 as part of the Screening Front (12th ID). Participated in the war against Germany as part of 12th ID.
41st, 42nd - mobilized several times in 1941-1945, part of 11th ID
50th - formed in 1944 from 3/25
61st to 70th - formed in 1943 - occupational duty in Serbia or Greece or Screening front against Turkey
103rd - actually 3rd Army Depot Regiment, renamed in 12.1943, when sent to 22nd ID in Serbia
122nd - actually 2nd Army Reserve Regiment
123rd - actually 3rd army Reserve Regiment, renamed in 12.1943, when sent to Serbia

Motorized Regiments
1st, 2nd - formed in 1939, one for each Fast (Cavalry) Division. Also called Light Regiments. 1st appears to be disbanded in the end of 04.1941, along with 1st Fast (Cavalry) Division. 2nd remains part of 2nd Cavalry Division, was in Serbia in 1942 as part of 21st Mobilized Division, in 1943 was on the Screening Front and in 1944 was fighting the Germans in Macedonia as part of 2nd Cavalry Divsion
Motorized Regiment of the Armoured Brigade - formed in 1943.

Reserve and Depot Regiments
From 1928 to 1944 by Wartime plans each army should have 1-2 reserve infantry regiments - for replenishing the manpower losses and 1-2 depot regiments. During the period these were some times mobilized and even some were used in 1943-1944 used as line infantry for occupational duties in Yugoslavia. There were 4 Reserve Regiments (1st to 4th) and 8 Depot Regiments (1st to 8th). 5th Army did not have such units.
What I term as "Reserve" in Bulgarian terminology of this time is actually Попълващ or Допълващ. Maybe the correct term is "Replacement" Regiments, which explains their main purpose. In wartime they are also supposed to train the new recruits.
The "Depot" is what I used for the Bulgarian "Етапен" ("Stage") regiment. This is in fact the Rear Unit of the Army, which functions more or less as a depot of personnel.

Artillery Regiments
1st to 4th Army Artillery Regiments - formed in 1928. Three are formed on the basis of Vidin, Sofia and Shumen Fortress Artillery Battalions and the fourth - anew from 2nd Army district.
1st to 8th Divisional Arty Regiments - formed in 1928.
9th Divisional Arty Regiment - formed in 1939
10th Divisional Arty Regiment - formed in 1940
14th, 15th Divisional Arty Regiments - formed in 1941
16th Divisional Arty Regiment - formed in 1943
17th Divisional Arty Regiment - formed in 10.1943
HQ Motorized Heavy Arty Regiment - formed in 1942
Artillery Regiment of the Armoured Brigade - formed in 1943
2hd Horse Arty Regiment - formed in 1941 (?) - part of 2nd Cavalry Division. Before that both Fast divisions had one Arty Battalion each.
1st (Sofia) and 2nd (Kazanlak) AA Regiment - formed in 1943
3rd (Yambol) and 4th (Gorna Oryahovitza) AA Regiment - formed in 1944
5th AA regiment - planned in 1944 for Skopje.
Varna Coastal Defense Arty Regiment - formed in 1944
Burgas Coastal Defense Arty Regiment - formed in 1944
Kavala Coastal Defense Arty Regiment - formed in 1944
Dedeagach Coastal Defense Arty Regiment - formed in 1944

Armoured Regiment - exists in 1941-1943. Afterwards part of the Armoured Brigade

Cavalry Regiments
As per the 1923 Law only three Cavalry Regiments were retained - The Guards, 3rd and 10th. The rest were used to form 8 Gendarmerie Horse Groups.
In 1928 the Gendermerie Horse Groups are used to reform another 5-7 Cavalry Regiments so the Cavalry now had - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th. The Guards is also retained, although fluctuating between a Regiment and a lower unit.
Those 8 Regiments plus the Guards are maintained until 1945 (5th is disbanded from 1935 to 1942, 9th is disbanded in 1935)

Engineer and other Regiments
1st to 4th Army Engineer Regiments - exists since 1928 - one for each army.
HQ Signals and Communication Regiment - exists in 1928-1943.
HQ Railway Regiment - exists since 1928
1st to 4th Army Signal and Communications Regiments - formed in 1943 - one for each army.
HQ Auto Regiment - formed in 1943

[dibo]

A bit more detail on the occupation of the Aegean Thrace in 04-07.1941:
As per the provisions of the Protocol signed on 02.04.1941 in Sinaia, Romania, between the German OKH and the Bulgarian General Staff (Щаб на войската), the Bulgarian army must cover the South Eastern (Turkey) and the Southern (Greece) borders, until the German forces reach their dispositions for their planned Balkan campaign. Therefore Lt.-Gen. Nikola Hadzhipetkov, Head of the Bulgarian General Staff, ordered the commander of the Bulgarian 2nd Army Lt.-Gen. Georgi Markov to cover the Southern border between the river Arda and the border with Yugoslavia with the following disposition of forces - 7th Infantry Division (ID) minus its 13th Infantry Regiment (IR) in the area of Sveti Vrach (nowadays town of Sandanski in Bulgaria), 21st IR - in the area of Smolyan, 10th ID - in the area of Momchilgrad.
On 18.04.1941 the chief of staff of German 12th army Maj-Gen. Hans von Greiffenberg informed the Bulgarian General Staff that Germany has agreed Bulgarian troops to enter Greece and to occupy the area between the river Struma (Strymon) and the line between Mustafa pasha (nowadays Svilengrad) and Dedeagach (nowadays Alexandroupoli). The occupation must be coordinated with the Staff of the 30th German corps in Kavala. The Bulgarian General Staff decides the occupation ("to keep peace and good order") to be undertaken by the Bulgarian 2nd army (then comprising of 10th and 11th ID and the mobilized 2nd Border Guards Brigade) with Order 6101/18.04.1941. The Order is the Bulgarian 2nd army to move at 8.00 on 20th April.
The 2nd Army routes are divided in the following:
2nd Border Guards Brigade (comprising of 3/7 Border Guards Bn., the 2nd Border Guards Regiment (3 Bns) and 1st Army Reserve (Replenishing - ""Попълващ) Regiment):
3/7 Bn- Petrich (Bulgaria) - Kulata - Demirhisar (nowadays Sidirokastro), to remain in Demirhisar
1st Army Reserve Regiment - Petrich - Kulata - Demirhisar - Serres - Chayazi (nowadays Nea Kardilia, near Struma/Strymon river mouth), with one bn. in Serres, one in Chayazi and the third one going to Kavala.
1/2 Bn - Nevrokop (nowadays Gotse Delchev) - Zyrnevo (nowadays Kato Nevrokopi)
2/2 Bn with HQ 2nd Border Guards Brigade - Dospat - Chavdar - Kalchоvo (nowadays Vrahotopos) - Liban (nowadays Skaloti) - Drama
3/2 Bn - Rudozem - Buk
10th Infantry Division - all area to the East towards Dedeagach - Svilengrad. HQ - Gyumyurdzina (Komotini). 10th IR, 44th IR, 47th IR, 10th HMG Bn., 10th Divisonal cavalry detachment , 10th Eng Bn.
11th Infantry Division and 2nd Army Artillery Regiment remain fixed in the area of Haskovo - until released by orders of the General Staff.
2nd Army Engineering Regiment and 2nd Army Communication Bn - Army Reserve.
Order 5/3443 of 19.04.1941 of the Commander of the 2nd army - "The task of our 2nd army...is to advance on the 20.04 in 8 o'clock in the morning in Trace and Eastern Macedonia to occupy these. The advance is to be made with the 10th Infantry division and the 2nd Border Guards Brigade. The Border Guards brigade is to occupy EAstern Macedoni and Western Thrace, west of Mesta (Nestos) river, 10 th Infantry Division - everything east of the Mesta River:
1/7 and 3/7 bn are to advance to Serres, the bn. from 1st army reserve regiment then goes to KAvala. 10th divisional HMG Bn and 10th divisional cavalry detachment advances on the road Zlatograd - Ksanti (Xanthi), after 47th Infantry regiment arrives in Ksanti (Xanthi), these two moves eastwards - 10th divisional cavalry detachment to Dede Agach (Alexandroupolis), the 10th divisonal HMG bn to the area of the Findjik, Doganhisar (Aisymi), Kara kaya villages. 10th, 44th and 47th Infantry REgiments move through Makaza and occupy respectively Gyumyurdzina (Komotini), Golyam Dervent (Mega Dereio) and Xanthi. 10th Engineer bn. advances from Makaza to Dede Agach (Alexandroupolis), occupying the villages of Chobankyoy (Sikorahi). 2nd Army Engineering Regiment and 2nd Amry Communication Bn move respectively to Xanthi and Gyumyurdzina (Komotini)
The advance started on 20.04. and finished in the northern parts on 21.04. HQs are distributed as follows - Gyumyurdzina (Komotini) - 10th ID, Drama - 2nd Border Guards Brigade, Xanthi - 2nd army engineer regiment and 2nd army communication Bn.
No further advance is made until end of april towards the coast and Kavala, as the 30th German corps is still in the area.
On 2nd of May 1941 the Bulgarian General Staff issues an order to replace the HQ of the occupying forces from 2nd Army (Lt.-Gen Markov) to 1st army (Lt. Gen Lukash), as well as reinforcing with 11 th Infantry Division. A new change in the area of occupation is ordered with 11 the Infantry divison advancing south to the former 10th ID area, 10th ID moving west to 2nd Border Guards Brigade area (Between Struma/Strymon and Mesta/Nestos rivers) and the 2nd border guards Bde. remaining in its areas.
06.05.1941 Lt.-Gen Markov transfers the command of the Aegean Thrace Bulgarian forces to Lt.-Gen Lukash. A 1st army is created comprising 10th, 11th ID, 2nd Border Guards Brigade, the White Sea (Aegean Sea) defense (HQ, 3 seaman units in Kaval, Porto Lagos and Dedeagach, 1 coastal arty unit), 2nd army engineer regiment, 2nd army communication bn, 443th reconnaissance air flight, two intendant bns, two rear (Етапен) bns., etc.
The final occupation of the coast, plus the islands of Tasos and Samothrace begins after some talks between German 30th Corps and the Bulgarian 2nd army on 10th May. Two companies of 10th IR advance from Xanthi to Keramoti and on 15th of May are on Tasos. One reinforced company of 22nd IR advances from Gyumyurdzina (Komotini) to Dede Agach (Alexandroupolis) and on 15th of May is transfered to Samothrace. Three coastal defense units are formed - "Keramoti"(14th May - one reinforced company from 3/10 bn), "Porto Lagos" (13th May - one reinforced company from 25th IR) and "Alexandropoulis" (14th May - the reinforced 11th Cavalry Squadron).
Thus on 14th of May the bulgarian forces take the coast between Struma and Maritza rivers and on the 1th occupy Thassos and Samothrace. On the 17th of May 10th ID moves west of Mesta river. Two of the divisions of the German 30th corps (50th and 72nd) move north to Bulgaria and the remaining 164th Infantry division occupies the coast west of the Vardar river and the islands south of Thassos and Samothrace. The Bulgarian 2nd border brigade moves north with HQ in Drama, 2nd border guards regiment in the area of Drama, 7th border guards regiment in the area of Demirhisar and 1st army replenishing regiment to the village of Zilyahovo. on 25th May 2nd border brigade is withdrawn to Bulgaria.
By 25 May 1941 the following German forces remain in Aegean Thrace - 2 regimental HQs, 4 infantry batallions, 2 infantry companies, 3 artillery battalions, 2 artillery batteries.
On 25th May 1941 Lt. Gen Lukash issues order 116 for the defense of the White Sea coast:
10th Infatry Division, reinforced with 2/829 german heavy coastal battery (on 5th July 1941 the german 150mm coastal arty bn 829 is transfered to theBulgarian army) defends from 28th May 1941 the coast between Struma/Strymon river and Mesta/Nestos river plus Thasso Island with 4 defense units - Orfano, Kavala, Keramoti and Thassos. The first three are defended each by a reinforced infantry battalion, the Thassos - by 2 companies. 11th Infantry division defends the coast between Mesta/Nestos river and the demarcation lin on the turksih border plus Samothrace island with 3 defense units - Porto LAgos (11th divisional horse squadron), Dedeagach (11th divisional HMG bn) and Samothrace (one reinforced battalion). 25th and 47th IR are army reserve.
In June 1941 the Bulgarian general staff decided to gradually withdraw units from the Aegean Thrace, replacing them with newly formed local units. It started on 22 June 1941 when the 3rd and the 6th cavalry regiments are transfered from Bulgaria to Drama and Gyumyurdzina (Komotini) respectively and parts of 10th ID (two regiments and one battalions) are returned to Bulgaria on 2nd of July, with the 10th IR (minus one battalion on Tassos) following a bit later.
The newly formed Belomorski unit is created at the end of June 1941-beginning of July 1941 with commander Colonel Georgi Kovachev and is officialy created with Bulgarian General Staff order 1507/21.07.1941:
HQ, Kavala infantry regiment (Hq from 3rd cavalry regiment, KAvala infantry bn, 1st Drama inf. bn, 2nd Dram inf. bn, Serres inf bn., 3rd cavalry squadron, 1 cavalry ATG platoon, 1 supply platoon), Gymyurdzhina infantry regiment (HQ from 6th Cavalry regiment, Gymyurdzhina inf. bn, Xanthi inf bn, 6th cavalry squadron, 1 cavalry ATG platoon, 1 supply squadron), the White sea fleet (HQ, 20th border guards detachment in Kavala and Dedeagach, 2 companies in Kavala and DEdeagach, 1 coastal arty bn with 3 batteries), 2 construction bns, 1 supply company and 1 hospital.
26th July the 1st army HQ is transfered back to Sofia, 11th ID is directly transferred to the General staff and regrouped facing the demarkation line on the Turkish border, while retaining responsibility for defending the coastlines east of Gymyurdzhina . the units on Thassos and Samothrace are transfered to the White sea fleet.
Finally in July 1941 the occupied territories are divided in conscription areas as follows - Demirhissar, Serres an Zilyahovo - 7th ID, Drama, KAvala, Thassos, Xanthi, Pravishte, Sarybasha - 2nd ID, Gymyurdzhina and Dedeagach - 1Oth ID.

[dibo]

Cavalry changes in February 1942

Guards Cavalry regiment becomes a Guards cavalry half-regiment (Дивизион)
5th Cavalry regiment is formed again in Breznik
A training half-regiment is formed at the Cavalry school in Sliven
A motorized anti-tank squadron is formed in Harmanli
An HQ squadron is formed in each of the regiments of the 2nd Cavalry division (4th, 5th, 8th, 10th regiments) with 1 communication and 1 pioneer platoons and 1 motorcycle squad each.
A communication platoon for each of the Independent Cavalry Brigades
A HQ platoon is formed in 3rd and 4th Cavalry Brigade with 1 radio, 1 phone and 1 motorcycle squads
A motorized reconnaissance squadron is formed
The MG squadrons of the cavalry regiments of the 2nd Cavalry division become Heavy Weapons Squadrons with 1 MG, 1 ATG and 1 Mortar platoons
The cavalry squadrons of the cavalry regiments of the 2nd Cavalry division are reorganized - instead of 3 cavalry platoons they have 2 cavalry and 1 HMG platoon
The existing engineer squadron of 2nd cavalry division is getting motorized and renamed pioneer squadron and is placed in Plovdiv. It incorporates the former bridge platoon from 3rd cavalry regiment.
The existing communication squadron of 2nd cavalry division is getting motorized and remains in Yambol

[dibo]

OOB and TOE 09.1944

Infantry Drujina (Battalion)
A standard Infantry Drujina (Battalion) in 09.1944 had 635 men with 12 men in HQ, 28 men in communication platoon, 16 men in a weapon rear echelon supply troop, 17 men in a foodstuff rear echelon supply troop, 3 infantry companies of 121 men each, 116 men and 12 HMG in a MG company and 83 men and 6 mortars in a mortar company. So a total of 635 men, 158 horses, 38 2-horses wagons, 7 1-horse wagons, 24 carts, 440 rifles and carbines, 30 SMG, 27 LMG, 12 HMG, 6 mortars (50mm), 9 7.92 mm Granatbuchse 39
There is also a heavier version of this Drujina with 966 men, where the infantry companies are 170 men each, the MG company - 175, the mortar company - 168 and additional 40 men in the communication platoon and the rear echelon supply troops.

Arty Battalion
Each arty battalion has 3 batteries, HQ and Supply Train
75mm Arty battalion from the Divisional Arty Regiment has 443 men (HQ - 74, Supply Train - 12, 3 batteries - 357 men (119 each)) , 368 horses, 3 3ton trucks, 12 horse drawn artillery shell racks, 48 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 2 motorcycles, 3 field kitchens, 4 water cisterns, 242 rifles (carbines), 54 pistols, 12 guns
105mm Arty battalion from the Divisional Arty Regiment has 497 men (HQ - 74, Supply Train - 19, 3 Batteries - 404 men (134-135 each)), 428 horses, 5 3ton trucks, 12 horse drawn artillery shell racks, 78 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 2 motorcycles, 3 field kitchens, 4 water cisterns, 304 rifles (carbines), 54 pistols, 12 howitzers
105mm Arty battalion from the Army Arty Regiment has 512 men (HQ - 74, Supply Train - 19, 3 batteries - 420 men (140 each)), 427 horses, 5 3ton trucks, 12 horse drawn artillery shell racks, 111 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 2 motorcycles, 3 field kitchens, 4 water cisterns, 322 rifles (carbines), 68 pistols, 12 howitzers
105mm motorized Arty battalion from the Army Arty Regiment has 544 men (HQ - 74, Supply Train - 44, 3 batteries - 423 men (141 each)), 20 motorcycles, 4 commander cars, 21 3ton trucks, 39 trucks, 13 gun prime movers (Artillery tractors), 1 workshop, 309 rifles (Carbines), 47 pistols, 12 guns
75mm Skoda Arty battalion from the Divisional Arty Regiment has 707 men (HQ - 73, Supply Train - 16, 3 batteries - 613 men (204-205 each)), 403 horses, 4 3 tons trucks, 18 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 2 motorcycles, 313 rifles (carbines), 52 pistols, 12 guns
75mm Bofors Arty battalion from the Divisional Arty Regiment has 641 men (HQ - 73, Supply Train - 16, 3 batteries - 552 men (184 each)), 472 horses, 4 3 tons trucks, 18 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 2 motorcycles, 355 rifles (carbines), 52 pistols, 12 guns
75mm Bofors Arty battalion from the Army artillery has 690 men (HQ - 98, supply train - 13, 3 batteries - 579 men (193 each)), 497 horses, 4 3 tons trucks, 18 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 2 motorcycles, 363 rifles (carbines), 54 pistols, 12 guns

ATG Drujina (Battalion)
HQ, Train and Intendancy, 3 companies with 6 ATG each.
The 37 mm ATG battalion has 376 men and 18 ATG, the 50 mm ATG Bn - 402 men and 18 ATG, the mixed ATG Bn - 1 75mm company and 2 50 mm companies - 410 men, the Army ATG Bn - 422 men and 18 ATG.

Divisional Assault Engineer Drujina
HQ - 59 men, supply train - 50 men, 2 assault engineer companies (182 men each), 1 bridge laying company (140 men). Total of 613 men, 241 horses, 68 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons, 37 horse drawn carts, 2 water cisterns, 1 ambulance, 1 automobile, 3 3ton trucks, 8 2ton trucks, 7 motorcycles, 15 bycicles, 478 carbines(rifles), 2 SMG, 23 pistols, 21 LMG, 8 flamethrowers, etc.

Divisional Communication Drujina
HQ - 66 men, 1 telephone company (236 men), 1 radio company (90 men), supply troops and workshop (20 men) - total 412 men, 115 horses, 3 20 line numerators, 17 10 lines numerators, 95 field telephones, 3km light cable, 176 km heavy cable, 2 800 w radios (1120-3000 kHz), 1 field telex, 6 field radios KCT - 80W (1500-3000 kHz), 2 5 W radios (1950-3150 kHz), 14 portable radios, etc.

Divisional Intendancy Drujina
HQ - 43 men, 1 Bread-making company, 1 Meat-making company, 1 platoon for supply recon and general purposes - total of 415 men (horse carts) or 367 men (motorized)

Army Communication Drujina
HQ -76 men, 1 telephone company (132 men), 1 motorized long distance cable construction company (127 men), 2 field telephone lines construction companies (248 men, 124 each), 1 radio company (101 men), 1 supply train with a workshop (32 men) - total of 716 men, 123 horses, 6 cable wagons, 5 telephone wagons, 32 supplies wagons, 72 motor vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 10 bycicles, 600 carbines, 18 SMG, 27 pistols, 50-60 inductor two-line numerators, 4 inductor twenty-line numerators, 26 additional apparatus for inductors, 214 field telephones, 30 radiostations, etc.

Infantry Regiment
HQ with 1 HQ company, 1 communication company and 1 rear echelon company (282 men in total), 3 infantry drujinas (635 men each, 1905 in total), 1 mortar company with 9 81mm mortars and 124 men, 1 ATG company with 6 ATG and 86 men. In total - 2394 men, 658 horses, 1619 rifles and carbines, 115 SMG, 86 LMG, 36 HMG, 27 mortars, 6 ATG (37 mm), 27 7.92 mm Granatbuchse 39, 3 radios

Motorized Infantry Regiment
Same organization as the infantry regiment. Existed only 1 - in the Armoured Brigade. In total has 2594 men (HQ - 197, 3 drujinas by 799 men), 297 trucks and cars, 69 motorcycles, 96 SMG, 93 LMG, 42 HMG, 9 ATG (50mm), etc.

Divisional Artillery Regiment
HQ (70 men), Intendancy (67 men), 1 75mm field arty battalion (443 men), 2 105mm howitzer arty battalions (507 men), 1 75mm mountain arty battalion (707 men) - total of 2301 men, 1773 horses, 17 3 ton trucks, 36 horse drawn artillery shell racks, 244 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, 10 motorcycles, 1 commander car, 10 field kitchens, 14 water cisterns, 1 field bath, 1 disinfection machine, 1241 carbines (rifles), 229 pistols, 12 75mm field guns, 24 105mm howitzers, 12 75mm mountain guns. In case the mountain arty battalion is Skoda and not Bofors, then the regiment has 2237 men, 1704 horses, 1199 rifles (carbines). The rest is the same. In case the howitzer battalions are 28 calibre, instead of the standard 22 calibre, then the regiment has 2333 men, 1809 horses, 328 horse drawn (2 horses) wagons and carts, the rest is almost the same.

Army Artillery Regiment and HQ Motorized Heavy Arty
Generally have again a HQ, Intendancy and 4 battalions. The HQ has 48 men, the intendancy - 11.

Armoured Regiment
HQ (108 men), 3 armoured drujinas (1326 men), 1 technical workshop (143 men). Total - 1577 men, 130 tanks, 195 autos and trucks, 63 motorcycles, 6 tractors, 1 workshop, 6 platforms, ?9 LMG, 28 HMG, 50 radios, etc.

Army Engineer Regiment
HQ (20 men), 1 Assault Engineer Drujina (572 men), 1 motorized bridge laying drujina with a bridge type B (972 men) - total of 1564 men, 48 large inflatable boats, 76 large rubber boats, 18 assault boats, etc.

Anti-Air Artillery Regiment
HQ, an aircraft warning company, 4 AA battalions with 4 companues by 4 platoons each

Infantry Division
HQ, HQ company, 3 Infantry Regiments, 1 Arty Regiment, 1 HMG Drujina, 1 Assault Engineers Drujina, 1 Communications Drujina, 1 ATG Drujina (37mm), 1 AA Battery (15 20mm horse drawn AA guns), Rear Echelon troops (Intendancy, Accountancy, Intendancy Drujina, Auto Supply Directorate, Weapons Supply Directorate, Divisional Supply Drujina (130-202 Wagons, ~10 trucks), Sanitary (Medical) Supply Directorate, Divisional Medical Stationary and Sanitary Company, Divisional Sanitary Auto Troop (10-15 ambulances), Veterinary Directorate, Veterinary Stationary, Divisional Military Postal Station, Divisional Camion Platoon with a Repair Shop (15-44 Trucks), Divisional Rear Guard Squadron, Divisional Military Police/Reconnaisance Squadron).
In theory - 12 394 men
Examples:
01.08.1944:
22 ID - 9004 men (incl. 289 officers), 5385 rifles, 2220 carbines, 98 SMG, 125 HMG, 256 LMG, 6 50mm mortars, 4 mortars, 2 37mm ATG, 2 AAMG, 6 20mm AA guns, 12 76,5mm AA guns Skoda, 10 75mm field guns, 2 75mm moutain guns, 2 105mm mountain howitzers, 4 passenger cars, 14 two-axle cargo, 9 ambulances, 4 motorcycles, 2 tanks (one tank platoon on armored train).
24 ID - 8020 men (incl. 302 officers), 4734 rifles, 2242 carbines, 189 SMG, 122 HMG, 179 LMG, 20 50mm mortars, 23 mortars, 27 rifle grenades, 9 75mm field guns, 14 75mm mountain guns, 3 passenger cars, 20 two-axle cargo, 6 ambulances, 6 disinfecting vehicles, 3 mobile baths, 7 motorcycles
25 ID - 2970 men (incl. 133 officers), 1781 rifles, 918 carbines, 87 SMG, 28 HMG, 54 LMG, 9 50mm mortars, 8 mortars, 6 75mm guns, 3 passenger cars, 15 two axle cargo, 5 ambulances, 3 disinfecting vehicles, 3 mobile baths, 13 motorcycles
27 ID - 11 314 men (incl. 408 officers), 6080 rifles, 3303 carbines, 358 SMG, 148 HMG, 310 LMG, 12 50mm mortars, 56 mortars, 53 rifle grenades, 2 37mm ATG, 9 75mm field guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 3 105mm field howitzers, 3 passenger cars, 21 two-axle cargo, 6 ambulances, 1 disinfecting vehicle, 1 mobile bath, 7 motorcycles.
15.10.1944:
4 ID - 11 771 men (520 officers, 1402 NCO and 9849 soldiers) - 293 rifles, 7084 carbines, 128 HMG, 303 LMG, 392 SMG, 72 mortars, 104 light mortars, 18 20mm ATR, 14 37mm ATG, 12 50mm ATG, 8 75mm field guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 28 105mm field howitzers, 12 150mm howitzers motorized, 15 20mm AA guns, 79 passenger cars, 189 cargo trucks, 42 artillery tractors, 28 ambulances and special purpose, 143 motorcycles.
6 ID - 10 960 men (472 officers, 1340 NCO and 9148 soldiers) - 1965 rifles, 4736 carbines, 98 HMG, 231 LMG, 288 SMG, 56 mortars, 4 grenade launchers, 70 20mm ATR, 12 37mm ATG, 26 75mm field guns, 10 75mm mountain guns, 21 105mm field howitzers, 11 150mm motorized howitzers, 6 75mm AA guns, 15 passenger cars, 77 cargo trucks, 28 artillery tractors, 17 ambulances and special purpose, 55 motorcycles
9 ID - 14 428 men (412 officers, 1822 NCO and 12187 soldiers) - 4086 rifles, 5896 carbines, 154 HMG, 314 LMG, 385 SMG, 71 mortars, 26 grenade launch rigles, 17 anti-tank rifles, 12 37mm ATG, 6 50mm ATG, 30 75mm field guns, 2 105mm motorized guns, 32 105mm field howitzers, 3 105mm mountain howitzers, 9 150mm motorized howitzers, 14 20mm AA guns, 58 passenger cars, 140 cargo trucks, 38 artillery tractors, 25 ambulances and special purpose vehicles, 62 motorcycles
12 ID - 10896 men (361 officers, 865 NCO and 9670 soldiers - 388 rifles, 6425 carbines, 133 HMG, 251 LMG, 296 SMG, 69 mortars, 33 light mortars, 12 grenader launcher rifles, 16 20mm anti-tank rifles, 12 37mm ATG, 12 50mm ATG, 6 75mm ATG, 12 75mm field guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 12 105mm field howitzers, 8 150mm motorized howitzers, 15 20mm AA guns, 14 passenger cars, 25 cargo trucks, 22 artillery tractors, 11 ambulances and special purpose, 44 motorcycles




Armoured Brigade
HQ, 1 Armoured Regiment, 1 Motorized Infantry Regiment, 1 Motorized Arty Regiment, 1 Motorized Mixed ATG Drujina (Bn), 1 Mixed Truck Squad, 1 Armoured Recon Drujina, 1 Motorized Pioneer Drujina, 1 Motorized Communication Company, 1 Technical Company, 1 Engineer Supply Train, 1 Intendancy Company, 1 Supply Transport Company, 1 Medical Treatment Facility, 1 MP Company, 1 Military Court Martial, 1 Reserve Drujina

Infantry Corps (Occupational)
HQ, 3-5 Infantry Divisions, 1 Arty regiment with 5 artillery battalions, several cavalry squadrons, 1 recon air wing (6 planes), 1 engineers drujina, 1 communication company.
The divisions in the occupation corps do not possess artillery (field, AA and AT), the arty regiment has 40 guns (8 per battalion), each division has 1 truck squad and the corps 1 truck platoon - total about 50 trucks in the whole corps.

1st Bulgarian army
15.12.1944 - HQ, HQ company, 4-6 Divisions, 1 Army Arty Regiment, 1 Engineers Regiment, 1 Reserve Regiment, 1 Communication Drujina, 1 AA regiment, 1 Armoured Drujina, 2 ATG Battalions (motorized, 18 50-75mm ATG each), 2 Truck Companies, Rear Echelon Services - Intendancy, Sanitary, etc.

Armored Troops 09.1944 - 1 Armored Brigade and 2 Armored Artillery Drujinas (StuGs)
Anti-Air Troops 09.1944 - 4 Regiments, 1 AA Bn in each Army, 1 AA Battery in each Division and the Armored Brigade
Anti-Tank Troops 09.1944 - 1 motorized Drujina in each Army and Division, 1 company in each Infantry Regiment
Cavalry Troops 09.1944 - 1 Cavalry Division, 2 Cavalry Brigades, 1 Guards Cavalry Detachment, 1 Squadron in each Infantry Division
Engineer Troops 09.1944 - 4 Army Regiments, 1 Supreme Command Pioneer Drujina, 2 Supreme Command Bridge Building Drujinas (one - Herbert, one - type B), 1 Supreme Command Bridge Building Company (Fast Builders), 1 Drujina in each Infantry Division, 1 Motorized Drujina in the Armored Brigade, 4 Rear Echelon Drujinas and 1 Rear Echelon Bridge Buildgin Drujina
Communication Troops 09.1944 - 1 regiment, 1 Drujina at each Army and Division, 1 company at each Corps, Regiment and Brigade, 1 Platoon at each Drujina
Railway Troops 09.1944 - 4 Drujinas with 4 Companies each - 1 Construction and 3 Maintenance each

[dibo]

OOB changes 09.1944-05.1945

Armored Brigade 11.1944 - HQ company added, an auto ambulance squad added.
Infantry Divisions 1945 - the Intendancy Drujina (Bn) and the Sanitary Directorate are motorized, Divisional Supply Drujina (Wagons) is removed, a Truck Supply Company is formed instead.

[dibo]

5th Army OOB 1944

HQ
HQ units
Anti-tank guns drujina (Bn)
9th Cavalry(Horse) divizion (Bn)
Army Planes yato (Sqn)
2(1?) Anti-Air otdelenie (Groups)
1 communication drujina (Bn)
1 engineers department
1 artillery depot
1 supply (intendant) drujina (Bn)
1 trucks (camion) company
2 supply depots
14th Infantry Division
51st Infantry Regiment
53rd Infantry Regiment
5th Etape Regiment
14th Artillery regiment
Anti-tank gun drujina (Bn)
Assault Engineer Company
Communication drujina (Bn)
Anti-air Battery
Supply (intendant) drujina (Bn)
15th Infantry Division
45th Infantry Regiment
54th Infantry Regiment
55th Infantry Regiment
15th Artillery Regiment
Anti-tank gun drujina (Bn)
Assault Engineer Company
Communication drujina (Bn)
Anti-air Battery
Supply (intendant) drujina (Bn)
17th Infantry Division
48th Infantry Regiment
49th Infantry Regiment
56th Infantry Regiment
17th Artillery Regiment
Anti-tank gun drujina (Bn)
Assault Engineer Company
Communication drujina (Bn)
Anti-air Battery
Supply (intendant) drujina (Bn)
29th Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Regiment
52th Infantry Regiment
4th Etape Regiment
Tank platoon(?)
Communication drujina (Bn)
Anti-air Battery
Supply (intendant) drujina (Bn)
1st Cavalry(Horse) Brigade
1st Cavalry(Horse) regiment
2nd Cavalry(Horse) regiment

By August 1944 roughly half of the army soldiers are locals (from two conscription draft years), the other half are reservists from other parts of Bulgaria (10% of these being former Construction troops or without any previous training). 30% of the personnel are on railway guard duties (more than 500 km of railways), 10% on border guard duties.
In early September 1944 prompted by many cases of desertion of soldiers with their weapons from the local population towards the partisans, an official Order from the General Staff (Щаб на войската) is given that the soldiers from the local population can be demobilized provided their weapons is taken back. After this Order most of the soldiers coming from the local population have left their units and returned home. Thus the units in the beginning of September are significantly under strength.