Construction Troops (Bulgaria)

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The central Construction Troops building in Sofia (126 Tsar Boris III Blvd.), now used by the Sofia District Court

The Construction Troops (Bulgarian: Строителни войски) in Bulgaria were a military construction organization subordinated to the Ministry of Defence (Ministry of People's Defence during the Communist period) or directly to the government, which existed from 1920 to 2000. Bulgarian Prime Minister Stamboliyski created them to circumvent the limitations of the Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine on the size of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.^[1]

Initially they was called "Labor Conscription", then "Labor Troops" (1940 - 1946).

History[]

In the last months of World War I, the Ministry of War announced the idea of creating conscription. For this purpose a commission was appointed consisting of: Chairman Major General ; members: Colonel Ivan Bozhkov, Lieutenant Colonel , Lieutenant Colonel Dimitar Nachev, Lieutenant General , Lieutenant Colonel Todor Georgiev, - Manager of the BNB, two agronomists and a representative of the . It was tasked with drafting the first law. The commission drafted a law consisting of 52 paragraphs, but it was never adopted by the Council of Ministers. Subsequently, it remains the basis for all subsequent legislation on the subject. On November 6, 1919, a new commission was set up to complete the bill. It was adopted by the XIX Ordinary National Assembly. Conscription (an obligation to perform community service in the interest of the state) came into force on 14 June 1920 and was introduced by the government of Aleksandar Stamboliyski.

After the Second World War, they were made up mostly of men from minorities and men deemed unreliable for service ("considered unfit") in the armed forces.^[1]

A high point in the history of the Construction Troops was the design and building of the Alfred Beit Road Bridge in 1994–95. The Construction Troops won a commercial tender in competition with international companies. The metal works of the bridge were manufactured in Bulgaria and transported via ship from Burgas to the South African port of Durban and then on a 1,000 km stretch over land. The bridge is the only road border crossing on the South Africa–Zimbabwe border. The commander of the Construction Troops, Major General (bg:Радослав Пешлеевски) attended the official opening ceremony (seen in uniform behind Nelson Mandela.^[2])

Structure[]

They were organized in seven Construction Divisions: three based in Sofia and one each in Plovdiv, Stara Zagora, Varna and Pleven.

Main Directorate of the Construction Troops (Главно управление на Строителните Войски)^[3]

• Command (Командване)
  • Chief of the Main Directorate of the Construction Troops (Началник на Главно управление на СВ)
  • First Deputy-Chief and Chief of the Political Department (Зам.-началник на СВ, той е и началник на Политическо управление на СВ)
  • Deputy-Chief of the Construction Troops in Charge of the Construction Troops (Зам.-началник на СВ по строителството)
  • Deputy-Chief of the Construction Troops in Charge of the Rear (logistics) (Зам.-началник на СВ, той е и началник тил на СВ)
  • Deputy-Chief of the Construction Troops in Charge of the Economical Matters (Зам.-началник на СВ по икономическите въпроси)
• Staff (Щаб)
• Independent Departments and Branches of the MDCT (Самостоятелни управления и отдели в ГУСВ)
• Operational Formations:
  • 1st Construction Mechanized Division (1ва Строителна Механизирана Дивизия (1. СМД)) (Sukhodol, Sofia)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company (Sukhodol, Sofia)
    • Training Battalion (Учебен Батальон) (Golemo Buchino, Pernik Province)
    • Special Battalion (Специален Батальон, for pre-production of building elements) (Sukhodol, Sofia; Pernik and Stanke Dimitrov)
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Botevgrad) (battalion and platoon in Botevgrad; battalion in Pravets)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Kyustendil) (battalion in Kyustendil; cadred battalions in Bobov Dol and Stanke Dimitrov, cadred platoon in Tran)
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк) (Pernik) (companies and platoons in Pernik, Samokov and the villages around them; cadred battalion in Bornaevo)
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Blagoevgrad) (battalions in Blagoevgrad, Sukhodol, Sofia, Petrich, Ilindentsi, cadred companies in Gotse Delchev and at the "Belmeken-Sestrimo" water supply cascade and a platoon at the Rila Monastery)
    • Automobile Machinery Regiment - Sofia (Автомашинен Полк - София) (Sukhodol, Sofia; Blagoevgrad, Pernik, Kyustendil, Samokov and Botevgrad)
  • 5th Construction Mechanized Division (5та Строителна Механизирана Дивизия (5. СМД)) (Pleven)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company and Training Battalion (Pleven)
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Roman) (5 battalions and a company in Roman)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Yasen) (battalion in Yasen, companies in Pleven, Lovech, Yasen and Zlatna Panega)
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк) (Vratsa) (companies and Vratsa, Vidin, Kozloduy and Slatina, platoon in Boychinovtsi)
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Veliko Tarnovo) (two battalions in Veliko Tarnovo, platoon in Svishtov)
    • 5th Construction Regiment (5. Строителен Полк) (Gabrovo) (two battalions and three companies in Gabrovo and the nearby villages)
    • Automobile Machinery Regiment - Pleven (Автомашинен Полк - Плевен) (Yasen) (cadred battalions in Yasen, Roman and Veliko Tarnovo, cadred companies in Yasen and Vratsa)
  • 6th Construction Mechanized Division (6та Строителна Механизирана Дивизия (6. СМД)) (Plovdiv)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company and Training Battalion in Plovdiv, a platoon in Koprivshtitsa
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Sopot) (battalions in Sopot, Kalofer and Karnare, platoon in Klisura)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Panagyurishte) (battalion and company in Panagyurishte, battalion in Elshitsa and a platoon at the Copper Refinery Complex "Medet")
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк) (Smolyan) (battalions in Smolyan and Kardzhali, companies in Pamporovo, Madan and Smilyan)
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Plovdiv) (battalion in Plovdiv, companies in Svilengrad, Peshtera and Hisar, platoons in Parvomai and Laki)
    • Independent Construction Battalion (Velingrad) (7 platoons in Velingrad, platoon in Tsvetino and platoon in Yadenitsa)
    • Automobile Machinery Regiment - Plovdiv (5. Автомашинен Полк - Пловдив) (Plovdiv) (companies in Plovdiv, Smolyan, Sopot and Panagyurishte, platoons in Plovdiv and Velingrad)
    • Divisionary Special Company (blacksmith workshop) (Plovdiv)
  • 13th Construction Mechanized Division (13та Строителна Механизирана Дивизия (13. СМД)) (Varna)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company and Training Battalion (Varna)
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Devnya) (two battalions in Devnya, battalion in Kipra)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Varna) (battalion and two companies in Varna, battalion in Novi Pazar)
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк) (Shumen) (battalion in Shumen, battalion and two companies in Matnitsa)
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Devnya)
    • 5th Construction Regiment (5. Строителен Полк) (Smyadovo)
    • Independent Service Regiment - Varna (Отделен Полк – Услуга – Варна) (Varna)
    • Independent Service Regiment - Devnya (Батальон – Услуга – Девня) (Devnya)
    • Independent Service Battalion - Ruse (Батальон – Услуга – Русе) (Ruse)
    • Automobile Machinery Regiment - Varna (Автомашинен Полк - Варна) (Varna) (battalions in Varna, Shumen and Devnya, companies in Varna and Smyadovo)
    • Disciplinary Rehabilitation Battalion (Дисциплинарен изправителен батальон) (Chernevo)
  • 18th Construction Mechanized Division (18та Строителна Механизирана Дивизия (18. СМД)) (Stara Zagora)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company and Training Battalion (Stara Zagora)
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Sliven) (two battalions in Sliven, battalion in Bratya Kunchevi)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Burgas) (battalion in Burgas, companies in Primorsko and Malko Tarnovo, platoons in Sarafovo, Grudovo and Vlas)
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк) (Kazanlak) (battalion in Kazanlak, battalion in Sheynovo and a battalion at the Buzludzha)
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Yambol) (battalion and company in Yambol, battalion in Elhovo)
    • 5th Construction Regiment (5. Строителен Полк) (Radnevo) (battalion in Mednikarevo, companies in Radnevo, Stara Zagora and Yabalkovo and a service company in Troyanovo)
    • Divisionary Service Company - Stara Zagora (Дивизионна Рота – Услуга – Стара Загора) (Stara Zagora)
    • Special Battalion - Stara Zagora (Специален батальон – Стара Загора) (Stara Zagora)
    • Automobile Machinery Regiment - Stara Zagora (Автомашинен Полк - Стара Загора) (Stara Zagora) (battalions in Sliven, Kazanlak and Radnevo, companies in Burgas and Yambol)
    • Disciplinary Rehabilitation Battalion (Дисциплинарен изправителен батальон) (Mednikarevo)
  • 20th Construction Mechanized Division (20та Строителна Механизирана Дивизия (20. СМД)) (Gorublyane, Sofia)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company (Gorublyane, Sofia) and Training Battalion (Chelopechene)
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Busmantsi) (battalion and company in Busmantsi, battalion in Bukhovo, platoon in Zhivkovo)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Darvenitsa, Sofia) (three battalions and a company in Darvenitsa)
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк МОК "Елаците") (Ravna Reka) (3 battalions at the Mining Refining Complex "Elatsite")
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Chelopech) (two battalions in Chelopech, company in Mirkovo)
    • Special Regiment (Специален полк) (Busmantsi) (two battalions and a company in Busmantsi)
    • Special Regiment (Специален полк) (Chelopechene) (company and platoon in Chelopechene, company in Chelopech)
    • 1st Service Regiment (1. Полк – Услуга) (Bukhovo)
    • 2nd Service Regiment (2. Полк – Услуга) (Sofia)
    • Automobile Machinery Company (Автомашинна Рота) (Chelopechene)
  • 25th Construction Mechanized Division (25. Строителна Механизирана Дивизия) (Sofia) (housing construction)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Company; Training Battalion (Sofia)
    • 1st Construction Regiment (1. Строителен Полк) (Zemlyane, Sofia)
    • 2nd Construction Regiment (2. Строителен Полк) (Obelya, Sofia)
    • 3rd Construction Regiment (3. Строителен Полк) (Boyana - the National Cinema Center, Sofia)
    • 4th Construction Regiment (4. Строителен Полк) (Obelya, Sofia)
    • Special High Construction Battalion (Специален Батальон Батальон за Работа по Високи Обекти) (Zemlyane, Sofia)
    • Automobile Machinery Regiment - Obelya (Автомашинен Полк - Обеля) (Obelya, Sofia)
    • Service Company (Осигурителна Рота) (Lagera, Sofia)
  • Electrical Machinery and Installation Brigade (Електромашинна и монтажна бригада) (Sofia)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Platoon; Heavy Transportation and Mechanization Company (Sofia)
    • 1st Installation Regiment (1. Монтажен Полк) (Sofia)
      • Independent Installation Platoon (Самостоятелен Монтажен Взвод) (Chelopech)
      • 1st Installation Battalion (1. Монтажен Батальон) (Sofia)
      • 2nd Installation Battalion (2. Монтажен Батальон) (Blagoevgrad)
    • 2nd Installation Regiment (2. Монтажен Полк) (Plovdiv)
      • 1st Installation Battalion (1. Монтажен Батальон) (Smolyan)
      • 2nd Installation Battalion (2. Монтажен Батальон) (Sopot)
      • 3rd Installation Battalion (2. Монтажен Батальон) (Sliven)
    • 3rd Installation Regiment (3. Монтажен Полк) (Varna)
      • 1st Installation Battalion (1. Монтажен Батальон) (Devnya)
      • 2nd Installation Battalion (2. Монтажен Батальон) (Shumen)
  • 9th Construction Mechanization Brigade (9. Бригада за строителна механизация) (Chelopechene, Sofia)
    • Command; Staff; Supply Platoon; Construction Platoon (Chelopechene, Sofia)
    • Lift Transport Battalion (Самостоятелен Подемно-транспортен Батальон) (Chelopechene, Sofia)
    • Automobile Machinery Battalion (Самостоятелен Автомашинен Батальон) (Iskar Railway Station)
    • Automobile Machinery Battalion (Самостоятелен Автомашинен Батальон) (Chelopech)
    • Building Materials Mixtures Regiment (Полк за строителни разтвори) (Chelopechene) (concrete mixing trucks)
    • Combined Repair Workshop (Обединена ремонтна работилница) (Chelopechene)
• Support Institutions:
  • Complex Institute for Scientific Research, Development, Project and Implementation Activities of the Construction Troops (Комплексен Институт за Научноизследователска, Развойна, Проектантска и Внедрителска Дейност на Строителни Войски (КИНИРПВД – СВ)) (Sofia)
    • Direction (Направление Научно-изследователска и Развойна Дейност)
    • Direction Laboratories, Experimentation and Implementation (Направление Лаборатории, Експериментиране и Внедряване)
    • Direction Projects (Направление Проектиране)
  • Higher People's Military School for Construction "General Blagoi Ivanov" (Висше Народно Военно Строително Училище (ВНВСУ) "Ген. Благой Иванов") (Sofia)^[4][1] - trained career Construction Troops officers
    • Intermediate Military Construction Sergeant School (Средно сержантско военно строително училище (ССВСУ))
  • School for Installation Cadres (Школа за монтажни кадри) (Burgas)

References[]

• Curtis, Glenn Eldon, ed. (1992). Bulgaria: a country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link) (Library of Congress Country Studies) Construction Troops "[T]hese units were controlled by the Ministry of Construction, Architecture, and Public Services.."
• William J. Lewis (1982). The Warsaw Pact: Arms, Doctrine, and Strategy. Cambridge, Mass.: Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis/McGraw Hill.