Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

80 years since the last bombing of Sofia

Photo: militarymuseum.bg

The last and most destructive bombing of Sofia during World War II took place on April 17, 80 years ago. In 1944, on April 17 at noon, 350 American bombers, accompanied by Thunderbolt and Mustang fighters, dropped 2,500 bombs on Sofia. 749 buildings were destroyed and many more were damaged. 128 people died and 21 were injured. In Bulgarian history, the date remains known as "Black Easter" and as the darkest day for the Bulgarian aviation, which lost 6 pilots who were protecting the skies over Sofia.

From November 1943 to April 1944, Bulgaria lost 27 aircraft out of 80 of its machines and 22 airmen. More than 2,500 fighters and heavy bombers were sent against Bulgaria. The Bulgarian defense shot down more than 100 planes. Enemy losses included 159 crewmen killed and 329 captured.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The public has a rare opportunity to see the original Panagyurishte Gold Treasure at the History Museum in Panagyurishte.

Panagyurishte Gold Treasure – the original – is back in Panagyurishte

From 16 September, the History Museum in Panagyurishte will be hosting the original Panagyurishte Gold Treasure. The priceless find will be displayed in the museum’s secure vault hall, where it can be seen until October 23. The treasure will be on..

published on 9/16/25 8:05 AM

It is the Day of the Holy Cross

On September 14, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church bows down before the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified . The Exaltation of the Holy Cross of the Lord or Cross Day is one of the 12 great Christian holidays.  It is one of the four days..

published on 9/14/25 6:05 AM

Bulgaria celebrates the 140th anniversary of the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia

Today, Bulgaria celebrates the 140th anniversary of the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia. The center of the festivities is Plovdiv, where on this day in 1885, after the entry of the Golyamo Konare detachment into the..

published on 9/6/25 10:45 AM