Germany PzKpfw. IV Ausf. G Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf G Sd Kfz 161/1 und 161/2 StuG III Ausf. G 7.5cm Sturmgeschutz 40 Ausf G Sd Kfz 142/1 PzKpfw III Gerat 81 Leichte Panzerspahwagen (2cm) Sd Kfz. 222 Gerat 82 Leichte Panzerspahwagen (Fu) Sd Kfz 223
Italy CV 33
Britain Vickers 6-ton
In 1935, 14 Carro Veloce CV 33 tankettes were acquired.
Vickers 6-ton tank Mk. E Alternative B 8 Vickers 6-ton tanks Mk. E alternative B were acquired in mid 1936 and delivered in 1938.
LT vz. 35 In mid 1939 Germany sold or handed over 26 LT vz. 35 tanks built by CKD. 10 improved LT vz. 35 tanks built for Afghanistan were handed over to Bulgaria as T-11.
Renault R-35 In 1940/41, Germany sold some 40 Renault R-35 tanks to Bulgaria. Shown here in Bulgarian service.
German vehicles AFV deliveries to Bulgaria up to December 31st 1943: Thirteen SdKfz. 222, 7 SdKfz. 223, fourty six PzKpfw. IV Ausf. G, ten PzKpfw. 38(t), twenty five StuG III Ausf. G. The StuGs were designated SO-75 by the Bulgarians. In February 1944, Germany supplied another nineteen Hotchkiss H-39 and six Somua S-35.
Bulgaria joined the war on the side of Germany in March 1941 by signing the Tripartite Pact. Bulgaria also allowed German troops to go through its borders to Greece. It also participated in the occupation of Macedonia. Bulgaria also sent troops to Yugoslavia to fight against partisans to keep the Belgrade to Greece roads open.
The Bulgarian's started the war with the 14 Italian CV 33 tankettes acquired in 1934, 8 Vickers 6-ton tanks purchased in 1938, and 36 PzKpfw 35(t)s in February 1940.
In June 1941 the 1st Armored Brigade was formed which was made up of the 1st Tank Regiment and 1st Mechanized Infantry Regiment. The tank regiment had a reconnaissance company of the CV 33 tankettes. The 2 tank battalions were made up of the PzKpfw 35(t)s and Vickers 6-ton in one, and 40 French R-35s donated by the Germans. The regiment never saw much action.
In July 1943, the Germans updated the regiment with 46 PzKpfw IVs, 10 PzKpfw IIIs, 25 StuG IIIs, and SdKfz 222, 223s.
On September 9, 1944, Bulgaria switched sides, after the Communist Fatherland Front seized power. The 1st Armored Brigade took part in the fighting in Hungary during 1945.
