Nikola Mikhov

Nikola Mikhailov Mikhov (Никола Михайлов Михов, 11 December 1891 – 1 February 1945) was a Bulgarian lieutenant general of artillery who served as the Regent of Bulgaria for the underage Simeon II (1943–44).

Biography
Nikola Mikhov was born on 11 December 1891, in Veliko Tarnovo, Kingdom of Bulgaria. Graduated from the Sofia Military School in 1911. Commanded an artillery battery during the Balkan Wars, took part in the siege of Odrin. From April 1915 he was an assistant of the artillery inspector at the Military School. During World War I, Mikhov commanded a battery in the 15th Artillery Regiment and took part in the capture of the Tutrakan fortress, defended by Romanian troops. In 1917, commanded the 1st horsed artillery unit.

In 1922–29, Mikhov was an artillery instructor at the Military School, an officer of the 4th Artillery Regiment, an adjutant in the artillery department of the War Ministry, and commander of a unit in the Sofia defense area. In 1929–32, he was the chief of a section of the Artillery Inspectorate. In 1932–33, he was the chief of the Engineering Inspectorate. Mikhov commanded that the 7th Artillery Division in 1933–35. Since 1935 he was the head of the training department of the Artillery Inspectorate. Also around that time, Mikhov was the editor of the publication Artillery Review. In 1936, Mikhov became the assistant of the commander of the 3rd Division. Later that year he became its commander. He served as the head of the military school from 17 February 1937 until 19 April 1941.

In April–August 1941 he commanded the 5th Army, which took part in the invasion and occupation of Macedonia. In 1941–42, Mikhov commanded the 1st Army, with its headquarters being in Sofia. From 11 April 1942 until 14 September 1943 he was the Minister of War in the second government of Bogdan Filov, a supporter of his politics.

On 9 September 1943, he became one of the three members of the Regent Council, which led Bulgaria after the death of Tsar Boris III and the coronation of the young Simeon II. One year later, after pro-Soviet forces rose to power in Bulgaria, Mikhov was arrested by Bulgarian communists. On 1 February 1945, Mikhov was sentenced to death by the so-called "people's court" and shot on the same day.

Mikhov was pardoned by the Supreme Court of Bulgaria on 26 August 1996. His memoirs, which he wrote while being the regent of Bulgaria, were published in 2004.

Ranks

 * Junior ensign (22 September 1911)
 * Ensign (1 November 1913)
 * Captain (30 May 1917)
 * Major (15 March 1923)
 * Lieutenant colonel (1 April 1927)
 * Colonel (6 May 1933)
 * Major general (3 October 1938)
 * Lieutenant general (1 January 1942)

Awards
Kingdom of Bulgaria Nazi Germany
 * Order of Bravery (1st and 2nd class)
 * Order of Saint Alexander (3rd and 4th class)
 * Order of Military Merit (2nd class)
 * Iron Cross