Knights of the Air: Bulgarian Air Force in WWI

An aviator with his girlfriend. Sofia, 1918:

As we already know, Bulgaria entered the First Balkan War as a serious air power and has a credit of performing the first-ever aerial bombing. In 1915 when the Kingdom joined the Central Powers and declared war on Serbia, the country's only aircraft unit was attached to the Second Army. Later, the Second Aeroplane Section was created, as well as the Air School that was in charge of Sofia air defense. The force operated German aircraft (LVG recon planes, rare Otto C.I bombers shown below, Fokker and Roland fighters). Captured Allied planes were also emloyed.

Fine photographs of Bulgarian aviators and their aircraft are brought to us by Pejo Kolev on his Lost Bulgaria website. Browse the album (27 images, including two from the First Balkan War) and enjoy the slideshow: