Simeon Karandzhulov
Simeon Karandzhulov | |
|---|---|
 Karandzhulov in 2006 | |
| Born | 3 January 1962 Zovahr, Syara |
| Died | 12 November 2017 (aged 55) Zovahr |
| Allegiance |  Syara (1988-2016) |
| Service/ | Syaran National Army |
| Years of service | 1988 - 2016 |
| Rank | Colonel General |
| Unit | 7th Army |
| Battles/wars | Refusal War Zemplen War |
| Awards | see below |
Simeon Karandzhulov (3 January, 1962 - 12 November, 2017) was a Syaran general best known for commanding 7th Army during the Zemplen War.
An ethnic Makedonian, Karandzhulov initially fought for the Royalists during the Refusal War before defecting to the Wardens in 1987. After the war he was comissioned into the Syaran National Army as a Major, rising to Lt. Colonel in 1996. Karandzhulov was promoted to Colonel in 2001 and Brigadier General in 2005. Upon the outbreak of the Zemplen War he was promoted to Lt. General, and after the August Offensive was given command of 7th Army and promoted to Colonel General. 7th Army was assigned to Army Group Alpha for Operation Aspis where he led his forces against Ruvelka's Army Group North during the Battle of Sarud. His forces later repelled the Ruvelkans during their winter counter-offensive. 7th Army later served as one of the major elements of Operation Harpe, where it engaged in fierce fighting against Army Group North across the Kunhegyes District. 7th Army was forced to retreat along with the rest of the Army Group during Operation Homefront. After the war Karandzhulov was given command of 2nd Army, a position held until his retirement in 2016. He died in an traffic accident in November 2017.
Karandzhulov earned a reputation as one of the most aggressive commanders of the war, frequently urging his forces to remain on the offensive and insisting on constantly attacking the opposing force. Although popular among his troops in part due to his vulgar, down-to-earth attitude, his decision making during the war became the subject of criticism in post-war analysis. Field Marshal Nikodemos Cvetkov, Army Group Alpha's commanding officer, considered Karandzhulov impetuous and the two often clashed over disagreements on the Army Group's operations. Karandzhulov wrote several books and articles on the war after its conclusion and expressed a desire to run for public office after his retirement, plans that were cut short after he perished in an automobile accident outside Zovahr. He was buried with full military honors and his funeral was attended by thousands of his former troops.