Bulgarian military involvement in World War I

During World War I, Bulgaria engaged in significant military mobilization and territorial conflict. In September 1915, the Bulgarian government aligned with the Central Powers, leading Prince Ferdinand to issue a mobilization decree to guard against ‘possible surprises.’ This process mobilized approximately 685,000 soldiers, eventually reaching wartime totals between 900,000 and 950,000. While the mobilization faced domestic opposition and riots, such as the revolt of the 27th Chepin Regiment, the military was organized into 11 divisions positioned along the Serbian, Greek, and Romanian borders.

By September 1916, Bulgaria declared war on Romania with the goal of reclaiming the Dobruja region and other ancestral territories. The Bulgarian military campaign involved the 3rd Bulgarian Army, comprising roughly 55,000 soldiers and various infantry and artillery units under the command of Major General Panteley Kiselev. Military operations included cavalry maneuvers led by General Ivan Kolev, which were used to protect flanks during the assault on Tutrakan and to prevent Romanian reinforcements from arriving.