# 7th Rila Infantry Division

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. The division consisted of the 14th Macedonian, 22nd Thracian, 13th Rila Mountain, 26th Pernik Infantry Regiments and the 7th Artillery Regiment, 7th Pioneer Company, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Horse Regiment, and 7th Division Quartermaster's Office.
During the First Balkan War, under the leadership of General Georgi Todorov, the division took part in the Bulgarian push against the Ottoman Empire. Its soldiers fought in battles such as the Siege of Adrianople (Edirne). During the Second Balkan War, the division was tasked with defending Bulgaria's southern borders, particularly against Greece and Serbia.
During the First World War it was led by General Valko Vasilev. After Bulgaria joined the Central Powers, the 7th Rila Division was deployed to the Macedonian front. It participated in 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.
During the Second World War it led by General Stefan Taralezhkov. During which the division took part in the Bregalnitsa-Strumica Operation.
The Division was disbanded in 1956.

## Footnotes

* ↑ Азманов, Димитър. Български висши военоначалници през Балканската и Първата световна война, София 2000, с. 237.
* ↑ 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.
* ↑ 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.
* ↑ Колектив, Участието на България в разгрома на Хитлеристка Германия, Държавно военно издателство, 1975, с. 78-81.
vteBulgaria 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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