The Drava Operation

Following the political changes in Bulgaria in the second half of 1944, the new leadership decided to join the anti-Hitler coalition. By early 1945, the First Bulgarian Army under General Vladimir Stoychev had been assigned to defend a stretch of around 130 kilometres along the Drava's northern bank. The fiercest fighting took place from 6 to 19 March 1945. Coordinated attacks by numerically superior German forces succeeded in crossing the river and establishing a bridgehead, which they fortified and reinforced. After heavy fighting involving Bulgarian, Soviet and Yugoslav formations, the enemy was driven back. The successful defence prevented the German command from developing its planned offensive against the Allied forces, created conditions for a Soviet advance and thus helped bring the war to an earlier conclusion.

The battle ended in a Bulgarian victory.