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Damyan VelchevColonel General, Minister of War of Bulgaria
Date of Birth: 20.02.1883
Country:  Bulgaria |
Content:
- Youth and Education
- Military Service
- Interwar Period
- Return to Politics
- Minister of War
- Retirement and Exile
- Ranks and Awards
Youth and Education
Damian Velchev was born in Bulgaria and enrolled in the Sofia Military School in 1903, graduating in 1912. He later pursued a law degree from Sofia University, completing it in 1932.
Military Service
Balkan Wars and World War IDuring the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), Velchev served as a company commander in the 22nd Infantry Regiment. In World War I (1915-1918), he commanded a druzhina (battalion) in the same regiment.
Interwar Period
Velchev actively participated in the 1923 coup d'état that overthrew the government of Alexander Stamboliyski. He subsequently served as an assistant to the head of the Sofia Military School and as head of the French Military Academy.
In 1928, he was dismissed from active duty due to a conflict with the Minister of War, Ivan Valkov. Velchev joined the oppositional "Military Union" and became involved in several coup attempts. He was arrested in 1935 and sentenced to death, which was later commuted to life imprisonment.
Return to Politics
In 1940, Velchev was released from prison under an amnesty. He joined the Fatherland Front, a coalition of anti-monarchist forces, in 1943.
Minister of War
Velchev played a key role in the September 9, 1944 coup that brought the Soviet-backed Fatherland Front to power. He was appointed Minister of War in the new government led by Kimon Georgiev, serving from 1944 to 1946.
During his tenure, Velchev prioritized the interests of career officers in the Bulgarian army and opposed the promotion of communists to high-ranking positions. He also established close relations with Yugoslavia.
Retirement and Exile
Velchev was accused of secret ties with Yugoslavia in 1946 and dismissed from his post. He was briefly appointed as a minister to Switzerland but was recalled to Bulgaria in 1947. Velchev refused to return and was stripped of his citizenship. He died in exile.
Ranks and Awards
Sub-Lieutenant (January 1, 1903)Lieutenant (January 1, 1906)
Captain (January 1, 1910)
Major (February 27, 1917)
Lieutenant Colonel (August 20, 1919)
Colonel (May 6, 1928)
Major General (September 11, 1944)
Lieutenant General (November 10, 1944)
Colonel General (May 6, 1945)
Velchev received several awards, including the Order of Bravery (3rd class, 1st class; 4th class, 1st and 2nd class) and the Order of Saint Alexander (5th class with swords). He was also awarded the prestigious Order of Suvorov (1st class) from the Soviet Union.
