Hellenikos Stratos 2303

 

INTRODUCTION

A relatively small nation located on a geopolitically important region of Earth and faced with considerable external threats in the east, Greece maintains a well trained modern army that has seen not inconsiderable combat during the 23rd century. With most potential opponents having considerably larger populations than Greece, the country relies to maintaining an edge in training, doctrine and equipment over its potential opponents. The price is the costliest army per soldier of south-eastern Europe and the eastern Mediterranean.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Acknowledgements

Narrative

Terminology

Order of Battle

Background

Recent Military Actions

Foreign relations and off Earth commitments

Defence issues

Organization

Divisions and other notable units.

Personnel and Rank structure.

Equipment

Appendix A. Heavy division organization

Appendix B. Unit names.

Acknowledgements

The all too many writers on Etranger from whom I shamelessly borrowed weapons systems and ideas. Dan Hebditch for hosting this in addition to the above. Mitteleuropa and the Multinational commission for Garten are both ideas of Randy McDonald and the Nea Hellas enclave stems from the latter. Nova Ostia and its ongoing transfer to Greek sovereignty come from Ben Levy’s writings on Provincia do Brazil.

Narrative

The last time lochagos Georgiou had seen a city burning had been as a DEA with the 2nd para squadron in the ending days of the Central Asian War. Tirana burning under him were much closer to home and the burning as much the doing of the Hodjaists fighting the Etemists than anything the anything the Greek and Italian forces had done. As far as Georgiou was concerned Ramiz Etem the father of modern Albanian communism was mad enough and his followers nowadays not much better. But at least they left foreigners with the bad taste of visiting Albania alone. Hodjaists named after the ultra-Stalinist isolationist leader of 20th century Albania were not and taking drastic measures to remove foreigners from among their mist.

Unlike the CAW, flak over Tirana was limited as the tilt-rotors started landing with Greek and Italian paratroopers darting out of them and moving to secure a perimeter around the embassies. Georgiou passed by the familiar feature of a burning Type 27 heavy tank as he advanced with his men. The Guards brigade had gone partly to the Hodjaists and was being used to threaten the embassies. But from intimidation and coups to full scale urban warfare there was a distance and the Greek and Italian fighters now roaring over Tirana had way lesser trouble than they should in destroying the Type 27s. By the night the civilians in the embassies would be safely in Greece…

Excerpt from "Rival Eagles"

Trojan Horse editions,

Nicosia, 2303

 

Terminology

Why a glossary before anything else? To quote the English proverb. "It’s all Greek to me." Terms not found here can be found in parentheses in the OOB.

Abbreviation

Full

Meaning

AED

Archigeio Enoplon Dynameon

Armed Forces Headquarters

DEE

Dioikisis Eidikon Epixeiriseon

Special Operations Command

GES

Geniko Epiteleio Stratou

Army General Staff

-

Soma Stratou

Corps

-

Merarchia

Division

-

Taxiarchia

Brigade

 

Merarchia Katadromon

Commando Division

 

Merarchia Pezonauton

Marine Division

 

Tethorakismeni Merarxia

Armored Division

 

Merarchia Pezikou

Infantry Division

 

Merarchia Ippikou

Cavalry Division

INDEX

ORDER OF BATTLE

Archigeio Enoplon Dynameon (AED)

Dioikisis Eidikon Epixeiriseon

ETA (Army paracommando)

Ieros Lochos (Sacred Band, army amphibious commando)

DYK (navy SEAL)

31st SMEE (HAF commando)

Geniko Epiteleio Stratou (GES)

475th Signal Battalion

35th MI Regiment

B Soma Stratou

1st Recon Battalion

476th Signal Battalion

453rd MI Battalion

701st Engineer Battalion

II Artillery Brigade

101st ADA Battalion

102nd Heavy Artillery battalion

103rd Rocket Artillery Battalion

104th Rocket Artillery Battalion

105th Rocket Artillery Battalion

III Merarchia Katadromon

1 Taxiarchia Katadromon "Kresna"

B Commando Squadron

Δ Commando Squadron

E Commando Squadron

2 Taxiarchia Alexiptotiston "Samos"

1st Paratrooper Squadron

2nd Paratrooper Squadron

3rd Paratrooper Squadron

4th Paratrooper Squadron (reserve)

III Oreini Taxiarchia "Rimini"

31st Commando Squadron

32nd Commando Squadron

33rd Commando Squadron

5/42 Taxiarchia Katadromon "Nikolaos Plastiras" (reserve)

34th Commando Squadron

38th Commando Squadron

40th Commando Squadron

V Merarchia Pezonauton

13 Taxiarchia Amphibion Katadromon "Dodekanesos"

A Amphibious Commando Squadron

Γ Amphibious Commando Squadron

Z Amphibious Commando Squadron

H Amphibious Commando Squadron (reserve)

32 Taxiarchia Pezonauton "Erythraia"

2nd Armor Battalion

505th Marine Battalion

521st Marine Battalion

575th Marine Battalion

106th Artillery Battalion

702nd Engineer Battalion

29 Taxiarchia Pezonauton "Lesvos"

3rd Armor Battalion

501st Marine Battalion

502nd Marine Battalion

503rd Marine Battalion

107th Artillery Battalion

703rd Engineer Battalion

1/38 Taxiarchia Pezonauton "Bizani"

4th Armor Battalion

504th Marine Battalion

506th Marine Battalion

507th Marine Battalion

108th Artillery Battalion

704th Engineer Battalion

A Soma Stratou

5th Recon Battalion

477th Signal Battalion

454th MI Battalion

705th Engineer Battalion

I Artillery Brigade

109th ADA Battalion

110th Heavy Artillery Battalion

111th Rocket Artillery Battalion

112th Rocket Artillery Battalion

113th Rocket Artillery Battalion

XX Tethorakismeni Merarxia

XXI Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Rhodope"

6th Armor Battalion

7th Armor Battalion

508th Infantry Battalion

509th Infantry Battalion

114th Artillery Battalion

706th Engineer Battalion

XXV Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Petros Theodorou"

8th Armor Battalion

9th Armor Battalion

510th Infantry Battalion

511th Infantry Battalion

115th Artillery Battalion

707th Engineer Battalion

XXIII Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Lissa" (reserve)

10th Armor Battalion

11th Armor Battalion

512th Infantry Battalion

513th Infantry Battalion

116th Artillery Battalion

708th Engineer Battalion

478th Signal Battalion

455th MI Battalion

117th ADA Battalion

118th Artillery Battalion

II Merarchia Pezikou

34 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Apospasma Dialeti"

12th Armor Battalion

13th Armor Battalion

514th Infantry Battalion

515th Infantry Battalion

119th Artillery Battalion

709th Engineer Battalion

7 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Sarantaporos"

14th Armor Battalion

15th Armor Battalion

516th Infantry Battalion

517th Infantry Battalion

120th Artillery Battalion

710th Engineer Battalion

33 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Strymon" (reserve)

16th Armor Battalion

17th Armor Battalion

518th Infantry Battalion

519th Infantry Battalion

121st Artillery Battalion

711th Engineer Battalion

479th Signal Battalion

456th MI Battalion

122nd ADA Battalion

123rd Artillery Battalion

 

D Soma Stratou

18th Recon Battalion

480th Signal Battalion

457th MI Battalion

712th Engineer Battalion

IV Artillery Brigade

124th ADA Battalion

125th Heavy Artillery Battalion

126th Rocket Artillery Battalion

127th Rocket Artillery Battalion

128th Rocket Artillery Battalion

Merarchia Ippikou

2 Taxiarchia Ippikou "Ephessos"

19th Armor Battalion

20th Armor Battalion

520th Infantry Battalion

522nd Infantry Battalion

129th Artillery Battalion

713th Engineer Battalion

3 Taxiarchia Ippikou "Dorylaion"

21st Armor Battalion

22nd Armor Battalion

523rd Infantry Battalion

524th Infantry Battalion

130th Artillery Battalion

714th Engineer Battalion

XXII Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Ypsala" (reserve)

23rd Armor Battalion

24th Armor Battalion

525th Infantry Battalion

526th Infantry Battalion

131st Artillery Battalion

715th Engineer Battalion

481st Signal Battalion

458th MI Battalion

132nd ADA Battalion

133rd Artillery Battalion

XII Merarchia Pezikou

30 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Adrianoupolis"

25th Armor Battalion

26th Armor Battalion

527th Infantry Battalion

528th Infantry Battalion

134th Artillery Battalion

716th Engineer Battalion

31 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Digenis"

27th Armor Battalion

28th Armor Battalion

529th Infantry Battalion

530th Infantry Battalion

135th Artillery Battalion

717th Engineer Batalion

37 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Xarkovo" (reserve)

29th Armor Battalion

30th Armor Battalion

531st Infantry Battalion

532nd Infantry Battalion

136th Artillery Battalion

718th Engineer Battalion

482nd Signal Battalion

459th MI Battalion

137th ADA Battalion

138th Artillery Battalion

 

I Merarchia Pezikou

XX Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Nicosia"

31st Armor Battalion

32nd Armor Battalion

533rd Infantry Battalion

534th Infantry Battalion

139th Artillery Battalion

719th Engineer Battalion

IV Taxiarchia Pezikou "ELDYK"

33rd Armor Battalion

34th Armor Battalion

535th Infantry Battalion

536th Infantry Battalion

140th Artillery Battalion

720th Engineer Battalion

50 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Grigoris Auxentiou" (reserve)

35th Armor Battalion

36th Armor Battalion

537th Infantry Battalion

538th Infantry Battalion

141st Artillery Battalion

721st Engineer Battalion

483rd Signal Battalion

460th MI Battalion

142nd ADA Battalion

143rd Artillery Battalion

Aeroporia Stratou (Army Aviation)

1 Taxiarchia Aeroporias stratou

1st Assault Battalion

2nd Assault Battalion

3rd Transport Battalion

4th Transport Battalion

2 Taxiarchia Aeroporias stratou

5th Assault Battalion

6th Assault Battalion

7th Transport Battalion

8th Transport Battalion

3 Taxiarchia Aeroporias stratou

9th Assault Battalion

10th Assault Battalion

11th Transport Battalion

12th Transport Battalion

 

INDEX

BACKGROUND

Independent since 1821 Greece found itself drawn in all three world wars of the 20th century. Firmly on the western side during the first and second world wars and a NATO member since 1952 Greece was one of the NATO members that did not support the German aggression against the Soviet Union that turned the Soviet-Chinese war into the third world war instead opting for neutrality.

The Greek neutrality was seriously compromised when Turkey on the wake of her early victories over Bulgaria invaded Cyprus. Greece declared war on Turkey and till June 1997 would be a cobelligerent of the Soviet Union against Turkey but neutral in regards to NATO. At the same time a mutual defence pact was made with Italy, another NATO member that had declared its neutrality when the alliance attacked the Soviets. Forced into the war when the USN 6th fleet attempted to drive through the Greek naval blockade of Turkey, the Hellenic Navy and air force would deal a severe defeat on the 6th fleet in the battle of the gulf of Smyrna and war would be declared on July 1st 1997.

When the war entered its nuclear phase Greece became target to multiple US nuclear attacks as well as a number of Israeli strikes. Greek and Italian forces would retaliate in kind using a small number of domestically made weapons and others of Soviet manufacture but this could not alleviate the heavy damage wrought on both countries.

Recovering from WW3 during the 21st century, modern day Greece is a prosperous post-industrial nation with a not inconsiderable presence in space and a leading country in marine technology, the latter an understandable result of its geographic position and long maritime tradition. Greece together with Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria are parts of the Aimos Union a military and economic alliance.

 

 

Recent Military Actions


The Greek army has been involved in four major wars as well as a number of smaller conflicts during the past 60 years.

The 2nd Aegean war (2243): Coming over 80 years after the 1st Aegean war between Greece and Turkey the war would catch the Greek armed forces unprepared as relations with Turkey had been generally cordial for nearly all the way to the late 2230s. With Turkish-Bulgarian relations considerably worse the war was sparked by a border incident between Turkish and Bulgarian forces quickly expanding to include the other Aimos Union members as well as the Confederation of Palestine, Hungary and Croatia. The Turkish army would make considerable inroads into Bulgarian and Greek Thrace before being checked by Greek counterattacks. In the Aegean Turkish hovermobile forces taking advantage of the close proximity of the eastern Aegean islands to the Anatolian coast, would occupy Lesvos, Chios and Rhodes and a number of smaller islands while failing to take Samos before the Greek navy could intervene. While Lesvos would be recovered the ceasefire left Turkey with the rest of its gains.

The 4th Bosnian war (2243-44): Also known as the Transylvanian war the war was the last of a long series of conflicts involving Hungary, Croatia and on occasion Austrovenia on one side and the Aimos allies on the other. Started by Hungary and Croatia taking advantage of the 2nd Aegean to attack Serbia the war had mixed results as far as the Aimos alliew were concerned. Romania failed to make inroads in Transylvania but Aimos forces did rather better against Croatia especially after Greek naval units could be deployed to the Adriatic and Greek and Bulgaria reinforcements reach Serbia after a ceasefire was reached with Turkey. In the decades post the war relations with both Hungary and Croatia have steadily improved with the exception of a brief border conflict between Serbia and Croatia in 2278 that was quickly put under control.

The Kurdish-Armenian war 2267-2270: While not officially allied with Armenia, nor officially taking any part in the border war between Armenia and Turkey, Kurdistan and the Confederation of Palestine, the two nations maintained friendly ties for several centuries and Greece much like Russia did not view favorably the possibility of an escalation of the conflict that could possibly lead to the occupation of Armenia, both for strategic and moral reasons. While not openly threatening war Greece moved forces to Thrace and the Aegean while Russian forces deployed to the Caucasus to intervene in Armenia in case of invasion and Armenia "lent" the services of the Stratiodi military corporation. Russian and Greek special operation forces used the latter as a cover and to this day both governments neither confirm nor deny the participation of their forces to the conflict.

The 3rd Aegean war (2274): The end result of mounting tensions ever since the time of the 2nd Aegean war, renewed conflict found the Greek armed forces much better prepared than the previous one and while considerably smaller on land than their Turkish counterparts enjoying a significant qualitive advantage over them in training and material. Turkey growing overconfident after its victories in the in the 2nd Aegean and the Kurdish- Armenian wars tried forcing Bulgaria by the threat of military action to stop giving support to Bulgarian partisans in the parts of Bulgaria occupied back in 2243 and the crisis quickly led to war. With the Greek navy and air force managing to deal severe blows on their Turkish counterparts in the early stages of the war, Greek forces were able to recapture Chios and Rhodes while the Greek and Bulgarian armies with Romanian and Serb aid took the offensive in Thrace capturing Adrianople and advancing to the outskirts of the Constantinople metroplex before Bavaria brokered a ceasefire and eventually a peace treaty re-establishing the pre 2243 borders.

The Serb-Croat border conflict (2278): A brief flare up between Serbia and Croatia in Bosnia in 2278, the conflict was more a series of border incidents, quickly put under control before they could escalate. Nevertheless Greek rapid response forces including the 2nd paratrooper brigade did deploy in Serbia and saw some action before things could come under control.

Central Asian war (2282-2287): Despite French pressure as well as pressure inside the Aimos league, Greece was quite reluctant to enter a war so far from home. Still in the aftermath of attacks on Greek merchant shipping both in space and Earth as well as an attack on Aimos asteroid mining installations by Manchu raiders, Greece entered the war and send a division sized force as part of the Aimos expeditionary corps.

The intervention into Albania (2296): Rivalry between different factions of the Albanian communist party would lead to a coup and attacks by the xenophobe Hodjaist faction on foreign citizens in Tirana, Pristina and Duress. Greek, Italian, French and Serb rapid deployment units had to intervene and safely evacuate foreign nationals engaging some of the pro-Hodjaist units in doing so.

Kafer war (ongoing): The Greek space merchant marine has been extensively involved in moving supplies and troops to the colonies of the French arm while the HSF has seen some action against the Kafer on escort duties and way more in suppresing the surge of piracy the war has caused. The Greek army has a special composition expeditionary regiment as part of the Italian led European expeditionary division.

INDEX

Foreign Relations and off Earth commitments in 2300

Greece and Space

Greece is a modestly sized interstellar power. Together with several other European countries Greece had participated to the Garten colonization project on Tirane, gaining a lease that became the Nea Hellas enclave on Tirane. Greece has two more, much smaller enclaves Hyperboreia in Neubayern and Atlantis in Botany Bay. More recently Brazil decided to pass part or the whole of the largely Greek, Nova Ostia province on Tirane to Greece, the transfer being in progress and expected to be completed around 2310. This has been a largely unexpected boon to the country’s colonial effort as the Nova Ostia colony would be between 4 and 7 times larger in population compared to the Nea Hellas enclave. Greece and its Aimos league allies are currently looking at the possibility of establishing a joint colony, with negotiations taking place with Brazil and the United States in regards to Paulo and Avalon respectively.

The Greek army maintains forces of varying size on all enclaves in addition to a force in Nova Ostia.

The Aimos league: Starting as an alliance between Greece, Serbia and Romania the alliance expanded to include Bulgaria later in the 22nd century. Nowdays there is also a considerable degree of economic and space cooperation between the 4 members.

America and Australia: Both countries had large Greek diaspora communities before the Twilight war that were strengthened by continuing immigration and expanded communications in the following three centuries. The American city of Boston is home to the patriarch of Constantinople after his expulsion from Turkey in the 21st century. Relations are very friendly especially given the large amount of trade and tourism back and forth between Greece and the 2 Anglo-Saxon countries. The Australian and Greek space forces are quite more closely cooperating with the HSF participating in Australian space force exercises.

Albania: Greece, like Italy, is home to large numbers of Albanian immigrants, generally ones not particularly in favor of the communist regime back home. As long as the communists don’t stir any trouble beyond their borders both Athens and Rome are willing to let them alone but border incidents especially on the Albanian-Serb frontier happen from time to time and in 2296 Greek forces had to intervene alongside, French, Italian and Serb units to evacuate foreign civilians from Albania.

Arabia: Relations are cordial if only on the principle of the enemy of someone enemy being a friend but not particularly close.

Argentina: Relations are cordial, complicated only by the hostility between Argentina and Brazil and the United Kingdom with both of whom Greece maintains closer ties. The transfer of Nova Ostia could complicate the Greek diplomatic position as it is opposite Islas Malvidas were the Argentine colony of Santa Maria lies.

Brazil: Relations are friendly especially in view of the close ties between the Greek and Brazilian space efforts. While on Earth the two militaries don't find themselves often cooperating the same isn't the case on Tirane.

Britain: Greece maintains friendly ties with Britain since independence in the 19th century. For the past three centuries Greece has tried to use Britain as a counterweight against excessive French influence keeping closer ties with London than Paris.

Bulgaria: A cobelligerent during WW3 the two countries found themselves at odds afterwards and again becoming allies with the first resurgence of the Turkish threat in the mid 22nd century and the subsequent entry of Bulgaria in the Aimos league.

Confederation of Palestine: Relations can be best described as strained between the Confederation and Greece. While neither of the two countries is particularly eager to be hostile to the other memories of the Twilight war and the Confederation's alliance with Turkey are taking their toll. Still military confrontation is deliberately kept on low levels as evidenced in the wars of 2243 and 2274.

France: Relations are delicate. Greece has been a close and loyal French ally as recently evidenced by participation in the Central Asian and Kafer wars. Yet Greece is careful in balancing French influence and isn't always happy with the periodic bounds of French instability and hegemonism.

Germany: Relations aren't particularly warm in the wake of the German unification and the close relations of Greece with France and Freihafen, or for that matter traditionally close German relations with Turkey, but are improving especially in the wake of the Kafer war.

Italy: Having come to the aid of Greece when attacked in WW3 Greeks still feel a moral debt towards Italy. Relations are warm between the two countries and Greek and Italian armed forces often find themselves jointly training and on occasion operating together in international or over Albania. Industrial cooperation is also quite notable with the Da Vinci- Daedalus Aerospace Typhon fighter being the most notable recent example.

Poland and Czechoslovakia: Aimos league relations with the Polish-Czech alliance are generally good and Czech arms industry products often find their way to Aimos league armies including Greece. In the past 5 centuries Greek and Polish forces found themselves fighting side by side more than once the most recent examples being in Central Asia.

Romania: The two countries are allied as part of the Aimos league and closely cooperating economically. Military wise the main external threat for Romania is considered Hungary and Romanian participation to the Aegean wars while important was peripheral, not differently from Greek participation in the Bosnian wars.

Russia: A traditional friend of Greece, military cooperation between the two countries most of the time concentrates in the Caucasus and intelligence gathering. Greece is using a fair amount of Russian systems often as part of indigenous designs

Serbia: Traditionally allied since the early 20th century and with contacts going back a century more the two countries found themselves as rather unwilling opponents during WW3 and again on the same side afterwards. Today Greece and Serbia share a concern over Albania. Not unlike Romania though Serb involvement in the Aegean wars and Greek involvement in the Bosnian wars were relatively peripheral concerns for both militaries.

Turkey: While traditionally thought as "the Enemy" especially among less well informed foreign observers Greece and Turkey seem to be following a pendulum with decade long periods of peace and often cooperation followed by periods of intense antagonism. The unfortunate truth is the periods of antagonism always seem to come, perhaps not unexpectedly given the often conflicting geopolitical interests of the two countries and since the late 2230s the two countries are into a period of intense rivalry. Things might be changing with the appearance of the Kafer but it's too early to tell and both militaries still consider their counterparts in the wrong side of the Aegean as the most probable rival.

United Arab Republic: Relations with Egypt and Lybya during the 20th century were cordial and so are relations with the UAR. UAR has kept carefully neutral in the conflict between Turkey and Greece, if slightly favoring Greece given the Turkish alliance with the Confederation and has a steady amount of trade with Greece importing electronics and marine systems from it.

 

INDEX

DEFENCE ISSUES
 

Despite the recent improvement in relations, Turkey is still deemed the major external threat for Greece in view of the 2 wars fought in the past 60 years, bad relations between Turkey and Bulgaria and the often conflicting geopolitical interests of the two countries. To the extend that the Confederation of Palestine gets itself involved in the Greco-Turkish conflict Greece considers it as part of the Turkish threat especially when considering the military balance in the air and sea.
 

Albania while not strictly a defence issue, given its internal state of affairs, is considered a security issue and the Greek army is prepared to deploy forces in support of the gendarmerie and Territorial Army or even to intervene into Albania should the need arise as in 2296.

Greece has also a military commitment through the Aimos Union to Romania and Serbia should they find themselves again in conflict either with Hungary or Croatia.

 

INDEX

ORGANIZATION

The current organization of the Greek army is largely a result of its restructuring in the aftermath of the 2nd Aegean war with additional changes to incorporate lessons from the 3rd Aegean war and the Central Asian war. The Greek army was facing the not so unique problem of its expected rival having a considerably larger population and therefore also a considerably larger army and the more unique problem of having to conduct operations in the Aegean. Currently the Aegean and Thrace are viewed to form a single battlefield given the abilities of modern hovermobile forces. The army is intended to engage in mobile operations with the light infantry formations of the territorial army geared towards forming strongholds in urban centres and the islands and operating as "stay behind" forces.

The army is organized in 3 corps and an independent division. Of these B corps is intended as a rapid reaction force, D corps is responsible for the defence of the Aegean and Thrace and A corps forms a strategic reserve. The independent I division is responsible for the defence of Cyprus. Out of a total of 7 divisions 2 are the operational headquarters of the army’s amphibious and commando formations. The remaining 5 heavy divisions technically consist of 2 armored and 3 mechanized formations but in practice the all 5 are using the same basic structure differing in their use of either hover or tracked vehicles. Generally the armoured divisions are using hover vehicles and the mechanized ones tracked vehicles, with the I infantry division being a partial exception to the rule as one of her 3 brigades is operating hover vehicles.

The Greek army is using universal military service in addition to a very heavy element of volunteer personnel and its mobilization system is based on this. Reminding of the Argentine one, which was one of the models the Greeks studied after the 2nd Aegean war, the Greek army has decided on a relatively small number of more powerful divisions with battle casualty reserves ranging between 50 and 100% counting upon the formation in question. The heavy divisions all consist of 2 active and 1 reserve brigade each. The commando and marine divisions have one reserve formation each in addition to 1 reserve paratrooper battalion and 1 reserve amphibious commando battalion respectively.

On the brigade level for the heavy divisions the army is following the model similar to that of Germany using square brigades of 2 armored and 2 infantry battalions each. The battalions are largely peacetime administrative formations. In operations each brigade would form 4 kampfgruppe by moving companies between the battalions.

On the battalion level, infantry battalions consist of 4 companies of 14 IFV each in addition to a headquarters company with 2 more IFVs and a heavy weapons company including 4 120 mm self propelled mortars. Armor battalions have 4 squadrons of 14 tanks each. Artillery battalions consist of 3 batteries of 6 artillery pieces each. ADA battalions of 4 batteries of 4 launchers each.

INDEX

DIVISIONS AND OTHER NOTABLE UNITS 

I Merarchia Pezikou.

The oldest of the Greek formations the division would get the nickname of the "iron division" during WW2 for her part in routing the Julia alpine division early in the war and her successful defence of Height 731 against overwhelming odds during the Italian spring offensive in 1941. Post the 3rd world war the division was merged with the Cypriot I division and is currently responsible for the defence of Cyprus with one of her active brigades using hover vehicles to allow littoral operations.

II Merarchia Pezikou.

Dating back to the 19th century the division has seen battle in all the wars Greece has found itself post independence. Nowdays based in Eastern Macedonia the division is a formation using tracked vehicles and part of A corps, the army’s strategic reserve. In case of operations against Turkey it would most probably deploy for operations in Thrace.

 

III Merarxia Katadromon

First seeing action during the 1st Balkan war in 1912 since the mid 20th century, the III division has been the formation that oversees the Greek commando units. Currently the division is part of B corps and consists exclusively of volunteers. Recruits to the division that successfully pass the Commando forces basic training have then to go through the Greek mountain and special warfare schools before joining the divisional units.

V Merarchia Pezonauton

Traditionally the "Cretan division" from its original recruiting grounds the division was transported to Cyprus during WW3 and played a major role in the defence of the Olympus line in the second phase of the war. With the expansion and reorganization of Greek Marine forces in the aftermath of the 2nd Aegean war the division was turned into the marine forces operational command, being given control of the 13th amphibious commando brigade, and the marine brigades. The formation exclusively consists of volunteers. In case of operations against Turkey it would be expected to conduct operations in the Aegean and in support of Cyprus.

XII Merarchia Pezikou

The division is responsible for the defence of Thrace as part of the D corps a role it also played during the 3rd world war. Currently the division is operating tracked vehicles as these are deemed to be better suited for the Greek terrain. Against the Turkish army the division would be linking with the Bulgarian army to the north and Merarchia Ippikou to the south.

XX Tethorakismeni Merarxia

The only Greek division established after WW2, the division first saw action during WW3 and was again re-established again in the 21st century, seeing action in nearly all conflicts involving Greece afterwards. Nowdays the division is a hovermobile formation and part of the Army’s strategic reserve. In case of operations against Turkey the division could find itself operating both in Thrace and the Aegean counting on the course of operations.

Merarxia Ippikou

The other major hovermobile formation of the Greek army the division is responsible for the defence of the Aegean as part of D corps. The division first saw action in WW1 and then the Asia Minor war and WW2 but only in the final phase of WW3 as with the introduction of armor the division had not been established after WW2. After WW3 the division has been constantly in service first as a cavalry and then as an armoured unit.

 

Ieros Lochos (sacred band)

The fifth unit with that name in Greek history following the Theban and Greek revolutionary units the modern unit was first established as part of the Greek army in exile in 1942 being one of the world's first commando units and seeing extensive service in North Africa and the Aegean during the Second World War, together with British units of the same kind. Temporarily disbanded after the war its personnel would form the core of the Greek Special Forces by 1947 and the unit was reestablished as an amphibious commando formation just before WW3. In the 3 centuries afterwards the sacred band took part in every conflict Greece found itself involved. Today the sacred band together with ETA forms part of the army contribution to the Greek special operations forces command with a role similar to that of the British SBS with which it often trains together.

 

1 Taxiarchia Katadromon

First creating commando units in 1947 from the initial cadre of Sacred Band personnel, brigade was the first major commando unit of the army seeing widespread action during the 3rd world war. Modern Greek commando units are specializing in direct action missions as well as mountain warfare with strategic reconnaissance being primarily conducted by the Special Operations Forces command.

 

2 Taxiarchia Alexiptotiston

Greek paratroopers have been used in the paracommando role since their formation and the practice continues to this date. Recruits completing successfully the mountain and special warfare schools can then volunteer for jump school. The brigade tends to draw the best among the commando division.

Technically ETA, is also part of the brigade and going through the paratrooper school is one of the qualifications for it. But the unit’s main task is infiltration and counter- infiltration operations of all kinds both in peace and wartime in close cooperation with the 100th intelligence regiment and the Greek secret service. At such it has found itself often facing elements of the CPDF 822nd Recce battalion and the Turkish OKK even in peacetime.

III Oreini Taxiachia

Formed during WW2 as a mountain formation the brigade would get nicknamed the "Rimini Brigade" for the capture of Rimini during the Italian campaign and then fight as a mechanized formation during the 3rd world war. The 3 commando squadrons of the brigade trace their lineage to the Cypriot National guard.

13 Taxiarchia Amphibion Katadromon

A commando formation belonging to the V marine division, the brigade is specializing in littoral special operations either independently or in support of the division’s marine brigades. The sacred band technically is part of the brigade.

INDEX

PERSONNEL AND RANK STRUCTURE

The Greek army is a mixed force of regulars and conscripts with the regulars making up over two thirds of the army in peacetime. Civic service is universal for all Greek citizens at the end of higher education with potential recruits being able to select between active army, territorial forces and civilian service. Only around 10-12% of each yearly class ends in the army and usually the army has more volunteers that it requires to maintain its force structure. Regular soldiers are recruited from soldiers that have completed service first.

Military service is a minimum 2 years, including 6 months of basic training. After it reservists follow 4 weeks refresher training every year till the age of 40 when they are released from the reserves.

Noncoms come either from SMY (Scholi Monimon Ypaksiomatikon) , the army noncom academy or through LYB (Lochoi Ypopsifion Bathmoforon, Noncom Candidate Companies) in the case of conscripts and volunteers. SMY graduates become sergeants and may rise up to warrant officer in the ranks. Successful LYB graduates counting on their performance become either corporals or sergeants. Reservists counting on performance may rise up to staff sergeant while in the reserves. Regulars can rise up to sereant major.

Conscript NCOs have to serve an additional 6 months in the ranks.

Officers are either graduates of the "Scholi Euelpidon" the Greek military academy, or warrant officers that successfully enter and complete OCS school or reserve officers. For the latter the army maintains a ROTC program in cooperation with Greek universities. ROTC graduates may then join OCS when they enter the army. If they successfully complete OCS, something not at all guaranteed, they become DEA (Dokimoi Efedroi axiomatikoi) for 12 months at which time they are promoted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant.

At the end of their 36 months national service the can either volunteer for permanent service, in which case the may rise up to lt. colonel sans wartime promotions, or join the reserves were they may rise up to major again sans wartime promotions.

Greek army rank structure

Greek Rank

Translation in English

Strategos

General

Antistrategos

Major General

Ypostrategos

Lt General

Taxiarxos

Brigadier General

Syntagmatarchis

Colonel

Antisyntagmatarchis

Lt Colonel

Tagmatarchis

Major

Lochagos

Captain

Ypolochagos

Lieutenant

Anthypolochagos

Second Lieutenant

Dokimos Efedros Aksiomatikos (DEA)

Probationary reserve officer

Anthypaspistis

Warrant officer

Archilochias

Sergeant Major

Epilochias

Staff Sergeant

Lochias

Sergeant

Dekaneas

Corporal

Ypodekaneas

PFC

Oplitis

Private

 

NOTES

Compared to the original army OOB the current one represents a decrease from 38 manoeuvre brigades and 119 battalions to 23 brigades (16 active and 7 reserve) and 89 battalions. Or if we discount commando units the decrease is from 45 armored battalions and 57 infantry battalions to 33 armored and 39 infantry battalions. Taking into account that the new battalions are 4 as opposed to 3 company strong the updated organization leaves forces with slightly lower firepower but as part of a quite more robust organization. And between the lines a German influence, by way of Bavaria, is assumed on how the Greek army got organized after the 2nd Aegean war. The Cataphract MBT has been designed using the GURPS system.

 

INDEX

EQUIPMENT

Tanks

The Greek army is operating a mix of tracked and hover armoured fighting vehicles. Currently AC-12G and the Cataphract tracked MBT, a modern Greek design, are replacing the older AC-8 and Löwe in service.

Type: Cataphract Main Battle Tank

Crew: 2

Combat Weight: 60.29 tons

Armor: Front: 150,Top 150, Sides 60, Bottom and track skirts 20, Rear 60

Armament: Turret with 1x 65mm Mass Driver Cannon (100 rounds, +4 fire control), 1 30mm gatling AGL (1000 rounds) 4 Kinzhal Missile Launchers with 6 missiles each carried internally, 1 7.5 mm MG with 10000 rounds.

Max Speed, Road: 129 kph

Max Speed, Off Road: 105 kph

Sensor Range: 16 km (+3)

Power Plant: 2.4 MW MHD Turbine, 2400 kWh rechargeable power cell

Fuel Capacity: 658 kg of hydrogen

Fuel Consumption: 55 kg per hour

Endurance: 12 hours

Cargo: 250 kg

The AC-12G is a export variant of the French hovertank built under license in Greece. The main differences lie in the weapons suite as the Greek hovertanks carry the same armament with the Cataphract MBT.

IFVs

Currently the Timoleon and Templer IFVs are replacing the older ACVI-3 Bessieres HAPC and the Iphicrates APC.

The Timoleon was developed in parallel with the Cataphract using the same basic vehicle and combining weaponry from the Templer and the Cataphract.

Type: Timoleon tracked IFV

Crew: 2

Combat Weight: 56.9 tons

Armor: Front: 100,Top 100, Sides 40, Bottom and track skirts 20, Rear 40

Armament: 1 0.75Mj Plasma Gun, 1 30mm gatling AGL (1000 rounds) 2 Kinzhal Missile Launchers with 6 missiles each carried internally, 1 7.5 mm MG with 10000 rounds.

Sensor Range: 16km (+3)

Power Plant: 2.4 MW MHD Turbine, 2400 kWh rechargeable power cell

Fuel Capacity: 658 kg of hydrogen

Fuel Consumption: 55 kg per hour

Endurance: 12 hours

Cargo: 1000kg + 8 Passengers

Reconnaissance vehicles

Greece is one of the many countries to have imported the ACR-89 Lannes for the reconnaissance role.

Infantry weapons

The standard Greek army rifle is the French FAM-90 built under license in Greece. Greek special operation forces as well as the marine and commando formations are using the FAM-90S version while the FAM-180 SAW is used in the squad support role.

Heavy Infantry weapons

The 7.5 mm M-75 designed and produced by the Hellenic arms corporation (EBO) is the standard Greek army machine gun arming both active and reserve formations. The Kragui P-92 a Serb derivative of the German M-6 roughly comparable to the British L-92 is the standard plasma rifle. Greece is using the British Green Hunter and the American FIM-100 Cottonmouth missiles in the light antitank and anti-air defence respectively. The infantry is using the E-80 mortar, a Greek derivative of a Bavarian design with the E-120 self propelled mortar arming the heavy weapons companies.

Artillery

The artillery battalions of the brigades are using the H-90 150mm howitzer either in the PzH-90 or the LkPzH-90 variety counting on the chassis being used. H-90 has been a modern EM design entering service with Bavaria in 2290. Not in service with the German forces that went for an ex Hanoverian design it is built under licence and used by the Aimos countries and Italy.

Divisional rocket artillery battalions are using the Ares I 150mm MRL. The artillery brigades have a single battalion of heavy 220 mm howitzers and 3 battalions of Ares II 250mm MRL. The latter can be also used to launch the Echidna (viper) tactical missile.

ADA battalions are using the Aspis system as the Italian Aspide AA system is known in Greek service.

Combat walkers

Greece is using a not inconsiderable number of BH-21 combat walkers, with one walker company per heavy brigade.

INDEX

Appendix A. Heavy division Organization

Heavy division

HQ company

Signal Battalion

ADA Battalion

4 ADA batteries (4 Aspis AA each)

Artillery Battalion

3 batteries (6 Ares I MRL each)

MI battalion

Recon company (12 ACR-89 Lannes)

MP Company

Reconnaissance Company

3 Heavy brigades, each

HQ company

2 Armor Battalions, each

HQ squadron (2 AFV)

4 tank squadrons (14 AFV each)

Heavy weapons squadron (4 E-120 mortars)

2 Infantry Battalions, each

HQ Company (2 IFV)

4 infantry companies (14 IFV each)

Heavy weapons company (4 E-120 mortars)

Artillery Battalion

3 batteries (6 PzH-90 or LPzH-90 each)

Engineer Battalion

Combat Walker Company

4 CW platoons (12 BH-21 each)

Support Battalion

Signal Company

Reconnaissance Company (12 ACR-89 Lannes)

 

INDEX

Appendix B. Unit Names

 

With the exception of the commando and marine units the Greek army standardized battalion numbers after the second Aegean war. While no official names have been ever given to the divisions names were given to the brigades, usually deriving to events from the history of the brigades. The double numbered units maintain the numbering of the old Euzone regiments of the Greek army.

 

1 Taxiarchia Katadromon "Kresna"

Named for the surprise capture and subsequent defence of the Kresna pass by the brigade during the 3rd Balkan war in 2052.

2 Taxiarchia Alexiptotiston

"Samos"

Named after the successful defence of the island during the 2nd Aegean war, largely due to the efforts of the brigade,

III Oreini Taxiarchia "Rimini"

Named after the capture of Rimini by the brigade during the 2nd world war.

5/42 Taxiarchia Katadromon "Nikolaos Plastiras"

Named after the soldier and politician of the 20th century who commanded the 5/42 Euzone regiment in the Asia Minor war.

13 Taxiarchia Amphibion Katadromon "Dodekanesos"

Named after the group of Aegean islands where Greek amphibious commandos repeatedly fought since World War 2 and played a major role liberating during the 3rd Aegean war.

32 Taxiarchia Pezonauton "Erythraia"

Named after the capture of the Erythraia peninsula by amphibious forces spearheaded by the brigade during the 1st Aegean war.

29 Taxiarchia Pezonauton "Lesvos"

Named after the retaking of the island by amphibious forces spearheaded by the brigade during the 2nd Aegean war

1/38 Taxiarchia Pezonauton "Bizani"

Named after the battle of Bizani in the 1st Balkan war or 1912-13

XXI Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Rhodope"

Named after the battles that checked the Turkish drive west during the 2nd Aegean war.

XXV Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Petros Theodorou"

Named the last commander of the brigade during the 3rd World War and one of the major figures in the post war reunification effort.

XXIII Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Lissa"

Named after the capture of the island by Grrek hovermobile forces in the 3rd Bosnian war.

34 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Apospasma Dialeti"

Named after the battlegroup consisting of the 34th Infantry regiment and an artillery battery that successfully held back 3 Turkish divisions for 2 days in the battle of Tumlu Bunar in March 1921.

7 Taxiarchia Pezikou

"Sarantaporos"

Named after the battle of the 1st Balkan war.

33 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Strymon"

Named after the battle of the 3rd Balkan war

2 Taxiarchia Ippikou "Ephessos"

Named after operations in the Asia Minor war

3 Taxiarchia Ippikou "Dorylaion"

Named after the battle of the Asia Minor war

XXII Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Ypsala"

Named after the battle and capture of the town during the Greek offensive into Eastern Thrace in spring 1997.

30 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Adrianoupolis"

Named after the battles and capture of Adrianople in WW3 and again the 1st and 3rd Aegean wars.

37 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Xarkovo"

Named after the battle of Kharkov during the Russo-Ukrainian war.

31 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Digenis"

Named after the semi mythical hero of Greek medieval poetry.

XX Tethorakismeni Taxiarchia "Nikosia"

Named after the victory of the brigade against the 14th Turkish armored brigade in the first phase of the battle for Nikosia in 1997.

IV Taxiarchia Pezikou "ELDYK"

Named after Hellenic force Cypus who during the 3rd world war held Nicosia together with the Cypriot IV brigade before retreating to Olympus.

50 Taxiarchia Pezikou "Grigoris Auxentiou"

Named after the hero of the Cypriot struggle for independence in the 1950s

INDEX


30/04/06

Copyright 2006, Demetrios Rammos