Figure 1.--This Bulgarian boy we believe in the 1930s belonged to the Brannik, a nationalist youth group organized by the royalist government. He is apparently wearing a school uniform, not the Brannik uniform, although the cap may be a Brannik uniform item.

King Boris seized control of the Bulgarian Government justifying it as necessary to prevent the Communists from seizing power. The King essentially ruled as a dictator in a 'Regime without Parties'. He did not, however have a political party to generate popular support for his rule. Efforts to generate public support included an initistive to organize Obshtestvena Sila (Public Force), a kind of non-political political party or civic organization, but nothing much came from it. A more successful effort was organizing a Bulgarian nationalistic youth group--the Brannik. This meant Guardians. The Brannik compete with the Communists and Legionairs who were alreading recruiting young people. The Government wanted a nationalist group that was royalist, but non-political. The Government supported the group by paying the salaries of the adult leaders. Chapters were organized in high schools, but not in village schools. Thus it was a middle-class organization. Failure to organize at the village level meant that few peasant boys were involved in the organization. There were leather belts with a shoulder strap. The salute was similsr to the Legionars, raising the hand from the elbow. There was an influence of the Hitler Youth, but there was no strong ideological component, only nationalism and support for the King. Membership was open to all young people, both boys anjd girls, although organizing it in secondary schools significantly restricted membership. Membership was optional, but there were advantages concerning educational advancement and careers. Thuis quite a number of secondary school youth joined. In the heated political climate of the 1930s, uniforms were popular with young people. The Brannik was quickly a much larger group than the Boy Scouts. One source suggests that membership in the Brannik was seen by The Communjists and other opponents of the regime as a cover for cladestine activities. There was little vetting by the organizers who were anxious to reports large numbers to their superiors. [Raĭkin, pp.145-47.] Bulgria was compeled to join the Axis after Hitler launched World War II. Ther was a Fascist movement in Bulgaria, but not as strong as in neighboring Hungary and Romania.

Sources

Raĭkin, Spas. Rebel with a Just Cause: A Political Journey against the Winds of the 20th Century Vol. II.