Armed Goriyani Detachments

During the early years of communist rule in Bulgaria, several armed Goriyani detachments were formed to fight against the regime. These groups were part of the broader Goriyani resistance movement, which sought to oppose Soviet influence and the communist government. The detachments were mainly located in rural and mountainous regions, where they carried out guerilla warfare and received support from local communities. Below are some of the key Goriyani detachments that operated during the late 1940s and early 1950s:

1. Goriyani Detachment from Godech District (1947)

The Goriyani detachment from the Godech district was set up in 1947 under the leadership of Todor Dimitrov Filipov. This group was part of the larger resistance movement that aimed to fight against the communist regime and the forced collectivization of land.

2. Sixth Pirin Detachment (1947)

The Sixth Pirin Detachment was established at the beginning of 1947 under the leadership of Gerasim Todorov. To increase mobility, the detachment split into two smaller groups. The second detachment was led by Kiril Bengazov. After facing heavy resistance from government forces, the two detachments were eventually defeated. 84 of their members and supporters were arrested, and twelve of them were sentenced to death.

3. Pazardjik District Detachment (Until 1949)

The Pazardjik District Detachment was active until the end of 1949. It was part of a broader resistance network operating in southern Bulgaria, fighting against the communist government’s policies.

4. Pirin Mountain Detachments (1949)

In 1949, three Goriyani detachments were organized in the Pirin mountain region. These detachments were part of a larger effort to establish resistance groups in Bulgaria’s mountainous areas, where guerrilla warfare tactics could be more effectively used.

5. First Sliven Detachment (1950)

The First Sliven Detachment was a well-armed Goriyani group consisting of 28 people. It was led by Penyo Christov Michov and operated in the Sliven region. The detachment was destroyed in mid-November 1950 after facing heavy attacks from government forces.

6. Second Sliven Detachment (1951)

The Second Sliven Detachment was set up in April 1951 and led by Georgi Marinov Turpanov. The detachment grew to around 150 members, including several women. It was active in the Sliven Mountains, but government forces, including regular military troops and internal army units, were sent to the region to destroy the resistance. These forces were under the direct command of Anton Yugov, the Minister of the Interior.

7. Gorjanitcheta “Rilski Bojtzi” (1950)

The “Rilski Bojtzi” detachment was formed in 1950 under the leadership of Nikola Hajdutov. This detachment operated in the districts of Dupnitsa and Gorna Dzhumaya, fighting against the communist government’s policies.

8. Yambol District Detachment (1950)

A Goriyani detachment was formed in the Yambol district in the spring of 1950. The detachment operated in the region for several months, conducting resistance activities against the communist regime.

9. Ruse Detachment (1950)

The Ruse Detachment was created in September 1950 with just 8 members. The group grew to 40 members and gained significant support from local villages in the Ruse district. However, by May-June 1951, the detachment was destroyed by government forces Private Bosphorus Tours.

10. Rila Warriors (1950)

The “Rila Warriors” were established in 1950 under the leadership of Nikola Hajdutov. This detachment was active in the Dupnitsa and Gorna Dzhumaya regions, fighting against the communist government’s policies.

11. Stara Zagora Armed Detachment (1950-1951)

The Stara Zagora Armed Detachment was set up in October 1950. By the end of 1951, the detachment grew to 145 members. It operated in the Stara Zagora region and was part of the wider resistance movement.

12. Goriyani Bulgarian Resistance Movement (1951)

The Goriyani Bulgarian Resistance Movement was formed in early April 1951, mainly by students from Plovdiv. It was led by Petko Kidikov and had 46 members, including 3 women and several runaway soldiers. In August 1951, the group set up a second detachment under the leadership of Georgi Komitov.

The Goriyani detachments played a significant role in the Bulgarian resistance against the communist regime during the late 1940s and early 1950s. These armed groups, although small in size, carried out crucial resistance activities in various regions of the country. Despite facing brutal repression from the government, the Goriyani detachments remained a symbol of defiance and resilience in the fight for freedom.