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259 The Destruction of Yugoslavia

In the aftermath of Bulgaria's signing of the Tripartite Pact, Yugoslavia follows suit. However, the outcome proves to be dramatically different.



Major Characters in this Episode:

Tsar Boris III

Adolf Hitler

Prime Minister Bogdan Filov

Foreign Minister Ivan Popov

Prince Pavle of Yugoslavia

King Peter of Yugoslavia

Ante Pavelic


Timeline

  • 1941, Feb 24th - Bulgarian intelligence captures Vadim Grenevich, a British agent, on the train to Constantinople. After interrogation he is handed over to the Germans. At the same time, a further 6 British agents (all Russians as well) are arrested in Sofia. 5 of them are convicted of espionage and executed on August 13th.

  • 1941, Feb - Anti-Jewish riots at the “Brannik” office in Sofia.

  • 1941, Mar 1st - Bulgaria signs tripartite pact. 680,000 German troops enter Bulgaria from Romania.

  • 1941, Mar 2nd - The ship Gideon II departs Varna for Palestine with 170 Bulgarian Jews.

  • 1941, Mar 3rd - Great Britain and its dominions break off diplomatic relations with Bulgaria and withdraw their embassies.

  • 1941, Mar 4th - The United States blocks Bulgarian assets worth 18.5 million Leva.

  • 1941, Mar 4th - Prince Paul of Yugoslavia meets with Hitler to discuss joining the Tripartite Pact.

  • 1941, Mar 9-26th - The Italian spring offensive in Greece fails.

  • 1941, Mar 11th - The Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul is attacked with Dynamite. British diplomats from Sofia were staying there. Overall, 6 are killed and 60 injured. It’s suspected that the attack was the work of the German and British secret services.

  • 1941, Mar 25th - Yugoslavia joins the Axis Powers by signing the Tripartite Pact.

  • 1941, Mar 27th - An anti-Axis coup in Yugoslavia brings the 17 year old Peter II into power.

  • 1941, Mar - The Pladne Agrarian party issues a manifesto against the alliance with Germany. Their members are ultimately removed from the National Assembly after evidence was uncovered they were planning a coup.

  • 1941, Apr 3rd - The Chief of Staff of the German army requests Bulgarian troops participate in the invasion of Yugoslavia. This is refused.

  • 1941, Apr 4th - A Directorate of National Propaganda is created to handle both propaganda and censorship. It is modeled on the German equivalent.

  • 1941, Apr 5th - An armed detachment led by Nesho Tumengalov leaves Yugoslavia to enter Bulgaria but it is defeated by the advancing German army. Its leader vanishes without a trace.

  • 1941, Apr 6th - Germany, Italy, and Hungary invade Yugoslavia.

  • 1941, Apr 6th - Germany invades Greece.

  • 1941, Apr 6th - Yugoslav planes bomb the industrial districts of Sofia and Kyustendil. 8 are killed in Sofia and 67 in Kyustendil.


Sources:

  • История на България в Дати by Vasil Katsunov, Plamen Mitev, Valeri Kolev, Evgenia Kalinova, and Iskra Baeva

  • Crown of Thorns by Stephane Groueff

  • Bulgaria During the Second World War by Marshall E. Miller

  • The Balkans by Misha Glenny

  • History of the Balkans: Twentieth Century by Barbara Jelavich

  • Yugoslav Communism and the Macedonian Question by Stephen E. Palmer Jr. and Robert R. King


Residents of Belgrade protesting the announcement that Yugoslavia had signed the Tripartite Pact.
Residents of Belgrade protesting the announcement that Yugoslavia had signed the Tripartite Pact.
The 17 year old Peter who was declared of age and made King of Yugoslavia as a result of the coup.
The 17 year old Peter who was declared of age and made King of Yugoslavia as a result of the coup.
The plan for the invasion of Yugoslavia.
The plan for the invasion of Yugoslavia.
A German Panzer IV tank advancing into Yugoslavia from Bulgaria.
A German Panzer IV tank advancing into Yugoslavia from Bulgaria.

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