Sofia Marks 70th Anniversary of Fiercest Allied Bombing

Politics » DEFENSE | January 10, 2014, Friday // 16:31
Bulgaria: Sofia Marks 70th Anniversary of Fiercest Allied Bombing Archive photo by LostBulgaria.com

Bulgarian capital Sofia marks Friday the 70th anniversary from the most destructive Second World bombing sustained by the allied US and British air force.

During WW II, Bulgaria was allied with the Axis, and on December 13, 1941, it declared war on the USA and the United Kingdom.

From November 14, 1943, to April 17, 1944, Allied forces undertook some 11 air raids over Sofia, part of the Tidal Wave Operation.

The US-UK bombing on January 10, 1944, has been recorded as the most damaging in terms of casualties and destruction caused.

The attack started around noon on January 10, and lasted into the night leading to January 11, when all hell broke loose on the Bulgarian capital.

Some 950 people were killed and hundreds on ground. Hundreds of buildings were completely demolished or severely damaged.

Allied forces targeted civilian sites too, including hospitals. 1,800 bombs, equvalent to 450 tonnes, were dropped over Sofia.

The attack was carried by some 200 bombers and fighter jets, with the Allied air force sustaining heavier damages than the Bulgarian air force.

For the whole bombing campaign, over 2000 people have been killed on ground in Sofia, with 1/4 of the Bulgarian capital's buildings demolished.

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Tags: Air Forces, sofia, bombing, United Kingdom, USA, Axis, Allies, WW II, Second World War, US, british, UK

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