Bulgarian Troops with a German Panther Tank – Post-WWII Relic in Service

June 7, 2025 - Reading time: 3 minutes

A rare photo of Bulgarian soldiers with a German Panther Ausf. G tank, preserved in active service after World War II. Captured around 1945–1946.

Here’s a powerful glimpse into the complex legacy of World War II in Eastern Europe: Bulgarian soldiers posing with a German-made Panther tank (Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. G). While this fearsome vehicle was designed by Nazi Germany, it found a second life in postwar Bulgaria, serving for years after the guns of WWII had fallen silent.

The soldiers in this image wear distinctive Italian-style bustinas, typical of the Bulgarian Army in the 1940s, and their officer sports the characteristic Bulgarian peaked cap. The photo likely dates to 1945–1946, during the transitional period when Bulgaria, having switched sides in 1944, retained German hardware inherited from its earlier Axis alignment.

Later in the 1940s, Bulgaria’s military uniform and equipment would undergo full Soviet standardization, phasing out former German matériel. But for a brief postwar moment, symbols of the Reich were still rolling through the Balkans — now under different flags.

Photo details:
📍 Location: Bulgaria
📆 Date: Approx. 1945–1946
📝 Context: German WWII armor in postwar Bulgarian service