80 Years Ago: US-UK Forces Unleashed Destruction on Sofia in WWII

January 10 marks the 80th anniversary of one of the most sinister and bloodiest bombings of Sofia during the Second World War. Then the first combined one was performed, i.e. day-night attack on the capital.

750 people died and more than 700 people were injured - mostly civilians, peaceful citizens and much less military. Over 900 buildings were hit, half of them completely destroyed.

Over 1,700 bombs were dropped on the capital, hundreds were killed and injured, mostly civilians. The destruction was incredible.

During the day, American bombers carried out the raid and at night - British planes.

Bulgaria entered the war on March 1, 1941 on the side of Germany, joining the Tripartite Pact (a treaty signed on September 27, 1940 in Berlin by Germany, Italy and Japan).

In August 1943, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Theodore Roosevelt launched Operation Tidal Wave, the aim of which was to neutralize Germany's allies - Romania and Bulgaria - and force them to capitulate.

Systematic bombings begin over the territories of both countries. From November 14, 1943 to April 17, 1944, 11 air raids were launched over Sofia.

The bombardment of 10 January was the first combined, i.e. day-night, attack on the city. Against 180 bombers guarded by 100 fighters, Sofia's anti-aircraft defense sent only 39 fighters.

According to the official communique of the Ministry of War, the Bulgarian Air Force lost one plane, 31 allied planes were shot down.

A total of 1,784 bombs were dropped on the city. 750 people died, 710 were injured, 93 state and 3211 private buildings were destroyed, including the Ivan Vazov National Theater.

The terrible January 10, 1944

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