From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vladimir Minchev Vazov is a Bulgarian officer, lieutenant-general. He lead the Bulgarian forces during the successful defensive operation at Dojran during the First World War.

Vladimir Vazov was born on May 14th 1868 in the family of Mincho Vazov and Suba Hadjinikolova. His brothers were the writer Ivan Vazov, the officer Georgi Vazov and the politician Boris Vazov.

In 1886 Vladimir Vazov enters the War School in Sofia. In 1888 second lieutenant Vazov is allocated in 5th artillery regiment in Shumen. During 1902-1903 he attends a shooting school in Russia. He takes part in the First and the Second Balkan War.

The most successful pages of Vladimir Vazov’s biography were written during the First World War. As a commander of 9th Pleven infantry he manages to hold the Dojran line against the greatly superior Greek and British forces.

On February 24th 1920 lieutenant-general Vazov goes into the reserve. In 1926 becomes mayor of Sofia. During his mandate (until 1932) the fire department was reformed, the electrification network was expanded, and the public transport - improved. Sofia becomes one of the “greenest” capitals in Europe.

Among the most notable moments of Vladimir Vazov’s life is his visit to England in 1936[1]. The British legion celebrates the British victory in World War I. Like real gentlemen the British veterans invite their worthiest opponent on the battlefield. They pay great honor to him as they evened pulled down the national flags in his name. The chairman of the British legion said in his speech: “He is one of the rare foreign officers whose name figures in our history”.

The last years of his life Vladimir Vazov spent in the village Ribarica (near Lovech), where he finally died in 1945.