History of Bulgaria during World War II encompasses an initial period of neutrality until 1 March 1941, a period of alliance with the Axis Powers. When the German forces entered Bulgaria they were welcomed as liberators by the villagers. After the failure of the Italian invasion of Greece, National Socialist Germany demanded that Bulgaria join the Tripartite pact and permit German forces to pass through Bulgaria to attack Greece in order to help Italy. The bottom picture of the villagers holding the banner says “Eternal sincere gratitude to the great leaders of the Axis and their brave peoples who restored righteousness and united the Bulgarian people.”
