Bregalnitsa-Strumica operation

The Bregalnitsa-Strumica operation (Bulgarian: Брегалнишко-Струмишка операция) was an offensive operation of Bulgarian Army during World War II. It was held by Fourth Bulgarian army from 15 October to 14 November 1944 and was aimed to secure the left flank of the First Bulgarian Army, blocking the way for retreat of the German group armies 'E' from Greece.[1]

Bregalnitsa-Strumica operation
Part of World War II in Yugoslavia
DateOctober 8 – November 14, 1944
Location
Bregalnica, Strumica
Result Allied victory
Belligerents
 Bulgaria
Macedonian Partisans		  Germany
Commanders and leaders
Boyan Urumov
(until 1 Nov.)
Asen Sirakov
(from 1 Nov.)		 Helmut Friebe
Units involved

4th Army

  • 42,494 men
  • 85 guns
  • 180 mortars

NLA

  • 50th NLA Division
  • 51st NLA Division
 22nd Infantry Division
Casualties and losses
  • 564 dead
  • 1030 wounded
  • 36 missing
 35 000 dead or wounded

The onslaught of the Army began on October 15. After breaking the enemy resistance, its forces entered Kocani, and later seized the region of Štip. This allowed them to go in pursuit of German troops retreating to the valley of the river Vardar. On November 10, it took control over Veles and three days later assisted the First Bulgarian Army in the Stratsin-Kumanovo operation for taking Skopje.

See also

Citations
  1. Williamson, Gordon (2004). The Waffen-SS (2) 6. to 10. Divisions. Osprey Publishing. p. 14. ISBN 1 84176 590 2.

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