Participation by the Bulgarian occupation of Greece Andon Kalchev

the 4th of august regime in greece (1936 1941) under leadership of general ioannis metaxas firmly opposed pro-bulgarian factions of slavophones of northern greece, of whom underwent political persecution due advocacy of irredentism regard neighboring countries. metaxas regime continued repression of use of slavic languages both in public , in private expressions of slavic cultural distinctiveness. consequence after german invasion in greece (6 april 1941) followed bulgarian annexation of eastern macedonia , part of western thrace.

bulgaria joined world war ii siding axis in attempt solve own national question , fulfill aim of greater bulgaria , in area of macedonia (where territory lost in second balkan war) , western thrace (former bulgarian state international recognized territory lost greece in treaty of neuilly). bulgaria joined axis on 1 march 1941, explicitly requesting german support territorial claims.

a massive campaign of bulgarisation launched, saw greek officials deported. ban placed on use of greek language, names of towns , places changed forms traditional in bulgarian. in addition, bulgarian government tried alter ethnic composition of region, expropriating land , houses greeks in favour of bulgarian settlers (former refugees macedonia , others), , introduction of forced labour , of economic restrictions greeks in effort force them migrate. spontaneous , badly organized uprising around drama, greece in late september 1941 violently crushed bulgarian army. late 1941, more 100,000 greeks had been expelled bulgarian occupation zone.

when bulgarians occupied eastern macedonia in 1941 began campaign win loyalty of slavic-speaking inhabitants of greek macedonia , reinforce bulgarian ethnic sentiments. while of these people did greet bulgarians liberators particularly in eastern , central macedonia (which under bulgarian occupation), campaign less successful in german-occupied western macedonia.

kalchev served officer first bulgarian annexed territories, later sent german occupied thessaloniki found there bulgarian military club, when german high command approved in 1941. bulgarians organized suppyling of food , provisions slavic population in central , western macedonia in attempt gain support. many slavophone political prisoners released intercession of bulgarian club in thessaloniki, had made representations german occupation authorities.