Revolutionary Georgi Vandev

Georgi Vandev Gyoshev, also called "the Hero of the Vardar", was a voivode of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organisation (IMRO) and head of the Strumitsa Revolutionary District.

He was born on 7 April 1890 in Leskovo in the Maglen region, when it was part of the Ottoman Empire. His father was the well-known voivode Vando Gyoshev, who later brought him into his detachment. Vandev completed lower secondary school in the town of Gumendzhe and became a member of IMRO at just 16 years of age. He then served as a detachment member under Shteryo Yunana before joining his father's detachment.

In 1912, during the Balkan War, Vandev took part in various battles and liberated a number of settlements. He and his father were arrested on 15 December 1912 and sentenced to death, but Georgi managed to escape from prison. He subsequently volunteered in the First World War, distinguishing himself through great courage and valour.

After the war, Vandev helped restore IMRO. He became voivode of the Strumitsa district. Throughout the post-war period, he repeatedly entered Vardar Macedonia, reoccupied by Serbia, with clandestine armed detachments.

Georgi Vandev took part in several important operations and battles, including IMRO's Nevrokop operation and the defence of Petrich against the Greek army. In 1934, he was interned after the coup of 19 May, but continued his activities following his release.

He died on 16 April 1942 in Petrich, having remained an emblematic figure in the history of the Macedonian revolutionary struggle.