BULGARIA

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 3, 14 February 1944, Page 30

BULGARIA

A KORERO Report

A glance at the map will show quite plainly why the R.A.F. is con-

centrating such a weight of attack on Bulgaria. In a way she is not likely to forget, Sofia is learning about chickens that come home to roost. Her astute King Boris had survived the perilous game of Balkan politics to become in 1935, the virtual dictator of his country. He would perhaps have preferred to stay out of the war. In 1940 he could still say : “My Ministers are pro-German, my wife pro-Italian, my people proRussian—l alone am neutral.”

But Bulgaria was necessary to Hitler, and Boris accepted the dangerous honour of the Fuehrer’s friend. So, without firing a shot, his Army assumed control over parts of Rumania, Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Greece.

It was one thing to give Germany invaluable bases against weaker neighbours ; to enter the lists against Russia was a different matter altogether. The Bulgarian people, peasants especially, have an instinctive and traditional friendship towards Russia. A succession of incidents might create the utmost tension, but the shrewd ruler of Bulgaria dared not go so far.

Indeed, since the end of 1942 Bulgaria has felt much less certain of an Axis victory. Production has fallen to an alarming degree ; men want to get back to their farms. Many junior officers are believed to be pro-Russian, while the saner elements throughout the country now realize that Bulgaria cannot hope to keep her shady bargains.

In addition, there is a powerful underground movement, violent and well organized, which has liquidated hundreds of Axis supporters and possibly King Boris himself.

Italy’s surrender has made its deepest impression on the Balkans, bringing to our oppressed Allies fresh hope, to Hungary and Bulgaria the gravest fears. Hitler, moreover, has avowed the destruction of the House of Savoy, the Italian Royal House. It is well to

remember that the young King of Bulgaria is half-Italian and the widowed Queen a daughter of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy. In Court and Cabinet German influence is probably no longer supreme.

Unfortunately, since the military coup of 1934 the country has been under a dictatorship. Consequently there exists no Opposition to start the break with the Axis.

Bulgaria’s 40-odd divisions, with their old-fashioned equipment, are thinly strung out over areas once guarded by Italy. In the lands they have occupied Bulgarian troops have surpassed even their record of atrocities in the last war. To-day they have cause to fear the worst as Allied bombers roar overhead from Italian bases bringing swift retribution to gamblers who backed the wrong horse. To south and west Greeks and Yugoslavs wait for the day of revenge, while beyond them looms the imminent fear of Allied invasion.

To-day, more than ever before, Hitler is desperately dependent on Bulgaria’s support. He is pouring in troops, determined that Germany shall defend herself on Bulgaria’s soil and at her expense.

Meanwhile, the Allied Air Forces continue the grim business of pounding Bulgaria into submission, and Sofia nervously awaits the fate of Hamburg and Berlin. For Bulgaria is the keystone to the Balkans.

Germans recall all too well the collapse of Bulgaria and its consequences in the last war. Two months later they were themselves forced to surrender. Those are bitter memories for the German people. They have been promised there will not be another 1918.

But this time there is Russia also to be considered. The destruction of Hitler’s Balkan favourite would wreck his plans for defending his south-eastern fortress ; but, more, it would have profound and far-reaching effects on the morale of the German people.