2nd Mechanized Infantry Division (Greece)

The 2nd Mechanized Infantry Division is a division of the Hellenic Army.

2nd Mechanized Infantry Division "ELASSON"
2η Μηχανοκίνητη Μεραρχία Πεζικού "ΕΛΑΣΣΩΝ"
Emblem of the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Division
Active1897–1941, 1945–today
Country Greece
BranchHellenic Army
TypeMechanized infantry
Size3 Brigades
Part ofFirst Army
Garrison/HQEdessa, Macedonia
Motto(s)"Even if only one stays alive."
(Εστ' αν και εις περιη)
EngagementsBalkan Wars, Allied Intervention in Southern Russia, Asia Minor Campaign, Greco-Italian War, Greek Civil War

History

The 2nd Infantry Division was established in the aftermath of the disastrous Greco-Turkish War of 1897 by Royal Decree on 24 October 1897.[1] Based at Athens, it comprised the 3rd Infantry Brigade at with 1st and 7th Infantry Regiments, and the 4th Infantry Brigade with 8th and 9th Infantry Regiments.[2] The two existing divisions were then abolished on 1 August 1900 as part of a general restructuring, and three new divisions were ordered established a month later. 2nd Division, still at Athens, now comprised 3rd Brigade (Athens) with the 1st and 7th Regiments, and 4th Brigade (Chalkis) with the 2nd and 5th Infantry Regiments, as well as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the 2nd Artillery Regiment, and the 2nd Evzone Battalion.[3]

On 9 September 1904, as part of another reorganization, the 4th Brigade was moved to Nafplio and now comprised the 8th and 11th Regiments, while the 3rd Brigade remained as it was. In addition, the division now comprised the 1st and 2nd Evzone Battalions, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Engineers Battalion, 2nd Train Company and 2nd Nursing Company, and the 2nd Military Music Command. Most of these support units were based at Athens.[4]

In January 1912, the brigades were abolished and divisions organized as triangular divisions.[5] The Division remained at Athens, but now comprised 1st and 7th Regiments at Athens and the 3rd Infantry Regiment at Chalkis, plus supporting units.[6]

In 1998, the division was directly subordinate to the II Army Corps. It comprised the 33rd and 34th Brigades, both mechanised. Both were equipped with M-113s and Leopard MBTs.[7] In 2014 the 24th Armored Brigade was transferred to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Division, which in its current form with three brigades is the strategic reserve of the Hellenic Army.[8]

Structure
Locations of 2nd Mechanized Infantry Division units
Structure II Mechanized Infantry Division
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References
  1. Note: Greece officially adopted the Gregorian calendar on 16 February 1923 (which became 1 March). All dates prior to that, unless specifically denoted, are Old Style.
  2. Η ιστορία της οργάνωσης του Ελληνικού Στρατού, 1821–1954 [The history of the organization of the Hellenic Army, 1821–1954] (in Greek). Hellenic Army Historical Directorate. 2005. pp. 219–220. ISBN 960-7897-45-5.
  3. Η ιστορία της οργάνωσης του Ελληνικού Στρατού, 1821–1954 [The history of the organization of the Hellenic Army, 1821–1954] (in Greek). Hellenic Army Historical Directorate. 2005. pp. 220–222. ISBN 960-7897-45-5.
  4. Η ιστορία της οργάνωσης του Ελληνικού Στρατού, 1821–1954 [The history of the organization of the Hellenic Army, 1821–1954] (in Greek). Hellenic Army Historical Directorate. 2005. p. 229. ISBN 960-7897-45-5.
  5. Η ιστορία της οργάνωσης του Ελληνικού Στρατού, 1821–1954 [The history of the organization of the Hellenic Army, 1821–1954] (in Greek). Hellenic Army Historical Directorate. 2005. p. 239. ISBN 960-7897-45-5.
  6. Η ιστορία της οργάνωσης του Ελληνικού Στρατού, 1821–1954 [The history of the organization of the Hellenic Army, 1821–1954] (in Greek). Hellenic Army Historical Directorate. 2005. p. 241. ISBN 960-7897-45-5.
  7. 'ARRC Assigned Forces,' NATO's Sixteen Nations, Special Issue 1998, p.6
  8. http://www.defence-point.gr/news/?p=74312


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