Sofia's population and bombing

[Barrett]

According to neutral press reports, in early 1944 some 300,000 people evacuated Sofia to escape allied bombing, which had begun late 1943. I've not found solid info on the city's prewar population but one reference indicated about 300,000. If both are correct, obviously there were very few people left. The only reference I've seen for a wartime population said 400,000 but did not cite a source. Any reliable information gratefully received.

[Kilgore Trout]

The Encyclopedia Americana, Volume 5, (New York: Americana Corp., 1950) , pp. 1-5 compiles data about Bulgaria that goes as recent as 1944-5. It mentions (p.5):

"Allied air raids on Bulgaria in the winter and spring of 1944 effectively undermined national morale,
and Russian military successes gave further evidence as to the probable outcome of the war.
By this time the weakness of the German position had become so obvious, that the attempt of
subsequent governments to sue for peace without making any essential concessions met with no
success. Only after a Russian declaration of war on Bulgaria (5 Sept. 1944), followed by
invasion, did a leftist regime under Kimon Georgiev come to power which was in a position to
sue successfully for peace."

There is a map of Bulgaria between pp. 2 & 3. On the reverse of the map is a list of sites in the nation. It lists

"Sofiya, (Sofia) (capital), 213, 162"

It IS possible that the population of Sofiya may have been greatly increased by refugees. E.g;, the population of Dresden, Germany was about 660,000 in 1939. It is believed to have swollen to more than 1 million prior to its bombing in Feb. 1945.

[Barrett]

I appreciate the reply so quickly. Will post again if I find additional info.

[vathra]

According to this, it should be more than 500 thousand.
http://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A1%D0% ... 0.B8.D0.B5
I doubt there were refugees in Sofia at the time.