The Bulgarian capital of Sofia suffered a series of Allied bombing raids during World War II, from late 1943 to early 1944.

Bulgaria declared a token war on the United Kingdom and the United States on 13 December 1941. The Southern Italy-based Allied air forces extended the range of their strategic operations to include Bulgaria and other Axis allies in 1943.

 

The first air raid of the Bulgarian capital was carried out on 14 November 1943 by 91 B-25 Mitchell bombers. 47 buildings and structures were destroyed, 59 civilians and military men were killed and over 128 were injured.

A new bombing followed on 24 November, this time executed by 60 B-24 Liberator aircraft. 87 buildings in the vicinity of the Central Railway Station were destroyed with 5 people dying and 29 being wounded.

The 10 December raid was carried out by 120 aircraft. About 90 bombs were released over the Hadzhi Dimitar, Industrialen, Malashevtsi and Voenna rampa quarters, another 90 hit Vrazhdebna Airport and the nearby villages. 11 people were killed during the bombing.

One of the most destructive raids followed on 20 December the same year, with over 113 buildings being razed to the ground, the belt line being cut off, over 64 people being killed and another 93 injured.

A day bombing in the Sofia railway junction area was executed on 30 December 1943, claiming 70 victims and injuring 95.

Sofia suffered another bombing on 10 January 1944, carried out consecutively by American (during the day) and British (during the night) aircraft.