Figure 1.--We do not yet have much information on the Bulgarian Red Cross during World War I (1914-18). This photograph shows a Red Cross Youth unit during the World War I era. It appears to have been taken just after the War. One source reports the youth unit was orgnized just after the War (1921). It appears to have been popular with Bulgarian youth. We have find several images of Bulgarian Red Cross Youth.

Bulgarian was an Ottoman province for several centuries. As a result of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), Two Bulgarian principalities became independent with only a nonimal relationshop with Ottoman Sultanate. Some organizations appeared for the care of the sick and wounded. It was not for another decade, however, that a fully independent unified Bulgarian nation occurred (1885). Immediately after unification, the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) was founded a presided over by Mitropolit Kliment--the highest ranking Orthodox cleric in Bulgaria. The creation of the Red Cross was ratified by a decree of the first Bulgarian prince – Aleksander Batemberg. The BRC was officially recognized by the International Red Cross Committee soon after it was founded. The BRC was active during the Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885-86, assisting in h the exchange of POWS and organizing dressing stations for the wounded, an early implementation of the Geneva Convention Members of the royal family became patrons of the Red Cross. The Bulgarian tsars were the supreme patrons, but queens considered this a important part of thir duties, both Queen Eleonora and Queen Ioanna. The Bulgarian Red Cross played an importnt role in the bginning of Bulgarian social health system, something that was neglected during the Ottoman period. Hospitals were open in Sofia as well as Burgas, Haskovo, Pleven, and other cities. The Red Cross established and managed the Red Cross Hospital in Sophia. It modern hospital in the country. A nursing school was established at the hospital (1900). It was for the first and for some time Bulgaria's only nursing school. The BRC trained Samaritans and medical nurses during the wars of the 20th century. The BRC trained nurses not only for its own hospitals, but for private concerns. The BRC participated in international humanitarian crises. Medical teams have been sent to Russia during the Russian-Japanese War (1903-05). It organized a free blood donation system. The BRC gave special attention to children's health, establishing health consulting centers, milk kitchens, summer camps, students’ cafeterias. The BRC played a major role in the campaign against tuberculosis. We do not have much infomtion on th BRC during World War I. We do know that the Bulgarians took many more prisoners than Bulgarians were taken by the ALLies. The treatment of the POWs varies by nationality. The British and French were treated best, the Russians in between, and the Serbs and Romanians the worse. [Cholakov] The BRC after World War I founded a Youth Red Cross Movement (1921). Loca; BRC units opened sanatoria for children and adults suffering from tuberculosis in Plovdiv, Russe, and other sites. They turned the over to the municipalities. The BRC plyed an important role in disaster relief after the 1928 Earthquake. The BRC helped establish an emergency medical care system (1937). The BRC organized blood donations during World War II. Bulgaria joind the Axis and was a NAZI ally during World War II. It refused, however, to commit its army on the Eastern Front. The BRC organized medical teams which were deployed on the Eastern Front. A Bulgarian source describes hospitals and a sanitary operated by a Central Medical Squad.

Independence (1878-88)

Bulgarian dating back to the late-medieval era was an Ottoman province for several centuries. As a result of the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78). Two Bulgarian principalities became independent with only a nonimal relationshop with Ottoman Sultanate. Some organizations appeared for the care of the sick and wounded. The first non-religious international organization was the Red Cross (1864). European countries quickly began opening national chapters. Bulgaria was only slightly delayed by Ottoman occupation. This followed the Russo-Turkish War (1877) which resulted in the liberation of Romania and part of Bulgaria. Easterrn Rumelia became the new Kingdom of Bulgaria (1878). Huge changes began in Bulgaria as the country entered the European mainstream. One of these was founding of the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC), although only part of the country (Eastern Rumelia) was liberated (1878). It was the Rumelian governor, V.P. Alabin, that played a central role. He recruited prominent citizens of Sofia the city and promoted the project.

Unification

It was not for another decade, however, that a fully independent unified Bulgarian nation occurred (1885). The two Bulgarian provinces the Principality of Bulgaria was joined with Eastern Rumelia. This meant that the BRC could operate throughout Bulgaria. The BRC was supported by the first Bulgarian Prince, Prince Alexander of Battenberg, who took a personal interest. The tradition of the queen patronizing the Red Cross began from an early point. The Sliven Red Cross Society was established under the persional participation Orthodox Metropolitan Seraphim. Prince Dondukov-Korsakov - Chief Governor of Eastern Rumelia approved the charter. The National Organization was chaired by Metropolitan Clement. Immediately after unification, the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) was founded a presided over by Mitropolit Kliment--the highest ranking Orthodox cleric in Bulgaria. The creation of the Red Cross was ratified by a decree of the first Bulgarian prince – Aleksander Batemberg. The BRC was officially recognized by the International Red Cross Committee soon after it was founded. The BRC was active during the Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885-86), assisting in the exchange of POWs and organizing dressing stations for the wounded, an early implementation of the Geneva Convention Members of the royal family became patrons of the Red Cross. The Bulgarian tsars were the supreme patrons, but queens considered this a important part of thir duties. The Bulgarian Red Cross played an important role in the beginning of Bulgarian social health system, something that was neglected during the Ottoman period. Hospitals were open in Sofia as well as Burgas, Haskovo, Pleven, and other cities. The Red Cross established and managed the Red Cross Hospital in Sophia. It modern hospital in the country. A nursing school was established at the hospital (1900). It was for the first and for some time Bulgaria's only nursing school. The BRC trained Samaritans and medical nurses during the wars of the 20th century. The BRC trained nurses not only for its own hospitals, but for private concerns. It organized a free blood donation system. The BRC gave special attention to children's health, establishing health consulting centers, milk kitchens, summer camps, students’ cafeterias. The BRC played a major role in the campaign against tuberculosis.

Russo-Japanese War (1904-05)

The BRC developed a close association with Russia a country with had cultural links. The BRC sent medical brigades were sent to Russia during the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05).

World War I (1914-18)

Bulgaria joined the Central Powers in World War I (1915). The Bulgarian Arnmy was responsible for atrocities in occupied Serbia. Bulgarian forces were primarily deployed agfainst the Serbs an then the Allied advancing north frim Greece, amd with brief campaoign in Riomanis. They were not deployed to any extent against Russian forces. One source said that medical teams wer deployed in Russia despite the two countries being on opposite sides. 【BRC】 We have not been able to confirm this. We do not have much infomation on the BRC during World War I. We do know that the Bulgarians took many more prisoners than Bulgarians were taken by the Allies. The treatment of the POWs varies by nationality. The British and French were treated best, the Russians in between, and the Serbs and Romanians the worse. 【Cholakov】 The BRC played a major role in POW matters. Bulgaria made a huge effort to win the War, the conscription of agricutural workers severely danmaing the economy, especially food production. Food riots occured in Sofia and other cities. Queen Eleanore of Reuss, the second wife of Tsar Ferdinand worked tirelessly with the Red Cross. The country was devestated by the War. The impact of the War had made Tsar Ferdinabd very unpopular and he was forced to abdicate (1918). Unlike the other Central Powers, the monarchy survived in Bulgaria.

Inter-War Era (1920s-30s)

Tsar Boris III (r1918-43) imherited his father's throne. He strongly supported the BRC thrughout the inter-War era and World War II. It is at this time that the BRC became well-established as an important national institution. We are not sure how much of the advannces described in the 'Unification' section actually were achieved in the inter-war era. The BRC after World War I founded a Youth Red Cross Movement (1921). Local BRC units opened sanatoria for children and adults suffering from tuberculosis in Plovdiv, Russe, and other sites. They turned the over to the municipalities. The BRC played an important role in disaster relief after the 1928 Earthquake. The BRC helped establish an emergency medical care system (1937). We notice BRC youth groups during this period. We are unsure to what extent they were actual BRC groups or Scout and Guide units involved in Red Cross activities like first aid and swim life saving. The group here looks like a BRC youth group and not a Scout/Guide group doing Red Cross activities (figure 1).

World War II (1939-45)

Bulgaria joined the Axis being forced into by Hitler. Much to Hitler's fury, Tsar Boris refused to participate in both the Ostkrieg and Holocaust. Tsar Boris refused to commit the Bulgarian Army on the Eastern Front. We have only limited details on the BRC's activities during the War. The BRC organized blood donations during World War II. Because Bulgaria stayed out of major military operations, the War was not nearly as devestating as World War I. The BRC organized ambulances and a hospital in the opening phase of the the World War II Ostkrieg. 【BRC】 This was aopparently for the Gerans because there was no substantial Bulgarian paticipation in the Ostkrieg. Bulgaria was the only European NAZI ally that refused to participate in the Ostkrieg. Bulgarian source describes hospitals and a sanitorium operated by a Central Medical Squad. 【BRC】 Queen Ioanna was an Italian princess who worked with the BRC during the War. Unkike Wirkd war, World War II had a far less dusaterous impact on the country, meaning the BRC faced relatively limited war-time conditions. Tsar Boris died (1943). Because of his differences with Hitler there were rumors that the NAZIs poisoned him.

Sources

Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC). "History of the Bukgarian Red Cross," BRC Website.

Cholakov, Rumen. "Prisoners of War in Bulgaria during the First World War," Tripos Examinatiom, Cambridge University (April 2012).


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Created: 11:34 AM 9/17/2017
Last updated: 11:34 AM 9/17/2017