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The 7th Rila Infantry Division was a Bulgarian Army unit that played a significant role in the country's military history, particularly during the Balkan Wars, World War I, and World War II. Named after the Rila Mountains, it was primarily formed from soldiers recruited in southwestern Bulgaria, making it deeply tied to the region.

History

The division was formed in 1904 with headquarters in Dupnitsa. Stefan Toshev was appointed as the first commander of the division. During the Balkan Wars it was commanded by Georgi Todorov. In the First World War it was led by general Valko Vasilev. During WWII it was under the leadership of general Stefan Taralezhkov. The division consisted of the 14th Macedonian, 22nd Thracian, 13th Rila Mountain, 26th Pernik Infantry Regiments, the 7th Artillery Regiment, the 7th Pioneer Company, the 1st Cavalry Division, the 1st Horse Regiment, and the 7th Division Quartermaster's Office.

During the First Balkan War, the division took part in Bulgaria’s push against the Ottoman Empire. Its soldiers fought in key battles like the Siege of Adrianople (Edirne). In the Second Balkan War, the division was tasked with defending Bulgaria's southern borders, particularly in clashes against Greece and Serbia.

When Bulgaria joined the Central Powers, the 7th Rila Division was deployed to the Macedonian front. It participated in fierce battles against the Entente forces (primarily French and Serbian troops). Its involvement helped secure Bulgarian control over parts of Vardar Macedonia for much of the war. After Bulgaria's defeat in World War I, the division was reorganized under the restrictions of the Treaty of Neuilly (1919). Like other parts of the Bulgarian military, its size and strength were significantly reduced.

In the Second World War the division took part in the Bregalnitsa-Strumica Operation. The division was disbanded in 1956.

Footnotes

1. Азманов, Димитър. Български висши военоначалници през Балканската и Първата световна война, София 2000, с. 237.
2. Руменин, Румен. Офицерският корпус в България 1878 – 1944 г. Т. 1 и 2. София, Издателство на Министерството на отбраната „Св. Георги Победоносец“, 1996. с. 122.
3. Георгиев, Лъчезар. Книги, студии и поредици по военна психология 1938 – 1946 г. // Научно списание за книгата, 2018, No. 2 (кн. 3 – 4), с. 89 – 93.
4. Колектив, Участието на България в разгрома на Хитлеристка Германия, Държавно военно издателство, 1975, с. 78-81.

v t e Bulgaria during World War I

Prelude South-western front Serbian campaign, Macedonian front Romanian front • Outcome • Others Important persons Balkan Wars 1912–1913 First Balkan War 1913 Treaty of London Second Balkan War Treaty of Bucharest Treaty of Constantinople Neutrality 1914 Ottoman–Bulgarian alliance 1915 Negotiations of Bulgaria with the Central Powers and the Entente Bulgarian–German treaty Secret Bulgarian–German agreement Military convention between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria Bulgarian–Ottoman convention Mobilization Commanders  Bulgaria Nikola Zhekov • Kliment Boyadzhiev • Dimitar Geshov • Georgi Todorov • Ivan Lukov • Stefan Nerezov • Vladimir Vazov Entente:  Serbia: Radomir Putnik • Živojin Mišić • Stepa Stepanović • Petar Bojović • Pavle Jurišić Šturm;  France: Maurice Sarrail • Adolphe Guillaumat • Louis Franchet d'Espèrey;  United Kingdom: Bryan Mahon • George Milne;  Kingdom of Greece: Panagiotis Danglis Field Armies + Eleventh Army First Army Second Army Fourth Army Battles 1915 Morava Offensive • Ovče Pole Offensive • Kosovo offensive (1915) • Battle of Krivolak 1916 First battle of Doiran • Battle of Florina (Lerin) • Struma operation • Monastir offensive 1917 Second battle of Doiran • 2nd Crna Bend • Second battle of Monastir 1918 Battle of Skra-di-Legen • Battle of Dobro Pole • Third battle of Doiran Commanders  Bulgaria Nikola Zhekov • Panteley Kiselov • Stefan Toshev • Todor Kantardzhiev • Ivan Kolev Entente:  Romania: Constantin Prezan • Alexandru Averescu;  Russia: Andrei Zayonchkovski • Vladimir Sakharov Field Armies Third Army Battles 1916 Battle of Turtucaia • Battle of Bazargic • First Cobadin • Flămânda Offensive • Second Cobadin • Battle of Bucharest Outcome 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk • Armistice of Focșani • Treaty of Bucharest • Protocol of Berlin Outcome Armistice of Salonica Vladaya revolt Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine Others Bulgarian administration in Kosovo Anti-military propaganda Ferdinand Vasil Radoslavov Aleksandar Malinov Aleksandar Stamboliyski Aleksandar Protogerov August von Mackensen Boris Drangov Vladimir Vazov Georgi Todorov (general) Ivan Kolev Kliment Boyadzhiev Dimitar Geshov Ivan Lukov Konstantin Zhostov Krastyu Zlatarev Nikola Zhekov Panteley Kiselov Stefan Toshev Stefan Nerezov Todor Kantardzhiev

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