Ivan Kolev (general)
| Ivan Kolev | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | Father of the cavalry |
| Born | 15 September 1863 Banovka, Bessarabia |
| Died | 29 July 1917 (aged 54) Vienna, Austria-Hungary |
| Allegiance |
 Bulgaria
|
| Service/branch |
 Bulgarian Army
|
| Years of service | 1885–1917 |
| Rank | lieutenant general |
| Commands held | 1st Cavalry Brigade 10th Infantry Division 1st Cavalry Division |
| Battles/wars |
First World War |
| Awards |
        
|
First World War
Ivan Kolev Stoyanov (Bulgarian: Иван Колев Стоянов) (15 September 1863 in Banovka – 29 July 1917 in Vienna) was a Bulgarian lieutenant general and distinguished cavalry commander during World War I.
Ivan Kolev was born in the Bessarabian village of Banovka, then part of Romania, which was founded by Bulgarian refugees from Thrace and situated about 25 kilometers to the east of Bolhrad. Ivan received his primary education in his birthplace and from 1875 continued studying in the Bolhrad High School which he graduated in 1882. After this, he wanted to become a teacher in Banovka but his application was rejected and instead Kolev became a clerk in the local municipality.
In 1884, he moved to Sofia where he worked as assistant secretary of the Sofia District Court and was soon promoted to secretary. A year later, Ivan took part in the defense of the unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and the province of Eastern Rumelia as volunteer in the Student's Legion during the Serbo-Bulgarian War.
On 14 January 1886, he was admitted to the Military School in Sofia and, due to his high grades, the young cadet was assigned to study in the artillery section. This, however, did not satisfy him as Ivan was fond of riding and declared that he would leave the military service unless he was assigned to the cavalry. Kolev finally got what he'd wished for, graduated the Military School on 27 April 1887 as a lieutenant, and was assigned to the Third Cavalry Regiment. On 18 May 1890, he was promoted to first lieutenant and after completing the necessary exams was admitted to the Military Academy of Turin in early 1892.
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