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Peoples Republic of Bulgaria: DOSO Flags, 1955-1990

DOSO Ensign

2:3, by Željko Heimer

DOSO (Voluntary organization for participation in defence) Ensign K'rmovi flag na korabite na DOSO (Dobrovolna organizatsiya za s'deistvie na otbranata). Light blue flag with red five-pointed star in the middle and tricolour band along the bottom edge. The total width of the tricolour stripes is approximately 1/4 of the hoist size. DOSO stands for "Voluntary organization for participation in defence"; as the name says, it was a voluntary paramilitary organization, manned mainly by the youth and probably answering to a kind of "people-in-arms" doctrine. It was neither within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence nor of the Ministry of the Interior. It may be noted that the initial proposals for DOSO flags included dark blue fields, that were changed and adopted as light blue, on request of the DOSO and with the explanation that DOSO is mainly a youth organization.
Željko Heimer, 15 September 2001

DOSO Chairman
DOSO Vice-Chairman
DOSO "UMS" Chief
DOSO Group Commander
DOSO Vessels Pennant

See also:

The Bulgarian maritime defence forces consisted of three organizations in this period: the Navy (Voennomorski sili), the Border Army (Granichni voiski) and the DOSO (Dobrovolna organizatsiya za s'deistvie na otbranata). The first is within the Ministry of People's Defence (MNO) responsibility, the second is part of the Ministry of Interior (MVR) and the last is an autonomous organization -- the name meaning "Voluntary organization for participation in defence" organizing most the youth. Željko Heimer, 18 January 2004

DOSO Chairman

2:3, by Željko Heimer

DOSO Chairman (Lichen voennomorski flag na predsedatelya na [the caption by the image adds here: 'TsS na' meaning probably something like 'Tsentralni Svet' - Central Council] DOSO). Red bordered white flag with DOSO ensign in canton and three red five-pointed stars along the lower edge of the white field.
Željko Heimer, 16 September 2001

DOSO Vice-Chairman

2:3, by Željko Heimer

DOSO Vice-Chairman (Lichen flag na podpredsedatelya na [image captions adds here 'TsS na'] DOSO). Red bordered white flag with DOSO ensign in the canton and two red five-pointed stars along the lower edge of the white field.
Željko Heimer, 16 September 2001

DOSO "UMS" Chief

2:3, by Željko Heimer

DOSO "UMS" Chief (Lichen flag na nachalnik na UMS). Red bordered white flag with DOSO ensign in the canton and a red five-pointed star in the fly lower part of the white field. It is not explained what acronym UMS should stand for, but I would guess that it goes for the naval sector of DOSO naval subdivision.
Željko Heimer, 16 September 2001

DOSO Group Commander

2:3, by Željko Heimer
DOSO Group Commander (Lichen flag na komandir na grupa (otryad) korabi na DOSO). White triangular pennant with blue outer edges and red five-pointed star in the middle.
Željko Heimer, 16 September 2001

DOSO Vessels Pennant

2:7, by Željko Heimer

DOSO Vessels Pennant (Vimpel na korabite na DOSO).. White rectangular pennant with swallow-tailed fly end edged with a red border and with the DOSO ensign at the hoist.
Željko Heimer, 16 September 2001