The II Army Corps (
Greek: Β' Σώμα Στρατού, abbr. Β' ΣΣ) was an
army corps of the
Hellenic Army. Established in 1913, it took part in all subsequent wars of
Greece. Since 1998 the corps functioned as a strategic reserve force, and comprised the Army's
special forces and
army aviation units, as well as
mechanized infantry. It was disbanded on 29 November 2013.
History
The II Army Corps was founded after the
Balkan Wars, on 17 August 1913 (O.S.). Initially headquartered at
Athens, it was transferred to
Patras in December of the same year. During
World War I it fought in the
Macedonian front, and then participated in the
Asia Minor Campaign.[1] Following the Greek retreat in August 1922, the Corps was reconstituted on 7 September 1922 (O.S.) in eastern
Macedonia, as part of the
Army of Evros.[1]
The Corps took part in the
Greco-Italian War of 1940–41 from the beginning, and lasted until the Greek capitulation and disbandment of the Greek Army after the
German invasion of Greece in April 1941.[1] After liberation from the German occupation, II Army Corps was re-established in 1946 at
Larissa and took part in the
Greek Civil War.[1] After the end of the Civil War in 1949, the Corps was moved to
Kozani, where it remained until July 1962, when it moved to
Veroia, its final base. During this period, the Corps provided the bulk of the
Greek Expeditionary Force in Korea.[1]
From 1 January 1998, the Corps ceased to be a territorial formation, and was transformed into a rapid reaction and strategic reserve force under the operational command of the
Hellenic National Defence General Staff. On 1 July 2002, the Corps became a
combined arms headquarters, and was renamed four months later into the Reaction, Reinforcement, Reserve Forces Headquarters (Στρατηγείο Δυνάμεων Αντίδρασης, Ενίσχυσης, Εφεδρείας Stratiyio Dynameon Adidrasis, Enischysis, Efedrias [ΣΔΑΕΕ (Β’ΣΣ)]).[1] On 19 July 2005, it reverted to a purely Army command, and returned to its former name.[1] Following a wide-ranging defence review that decided upon a new force structure for the Greek armed forces, in April 2013
KYSEA decided the disbandment of II Army Corps, with its subordinate formations to come under the direct command of the
First Army.[2] The Corps was dissolved on 29 November 2013.
Structure (2008)
II Army Corps (Β' Σώμα Στρατού), based at
Veroia,
Macedonia which includes
Corps Field and Air Defense Artillery Command and units (ΔΠΒ/Β' ΣΣ)
4th Army Air Battalion (4ο ΤΕΑΣ), based at
Megara,
Attica
Emblem and Motto
The Corps' emblem depicts an Ancient Spartan shield over crossed spears. It symbolizes strength, militancy and determination of the ancients.
The motto of the II Army Corps is "Either With It, or On It" (
Greek: Ἢ τὰν ἢ ἐπὶ τᾶς, I tan i epi tas).
Spartan mothers would utter the phrase to their sons before they went to war, reminding them to return victorious with the shield, or be brought back dead upon it. Returning home without a shield meant the soldier deserted (A hoplite could not escape the field of battle unless he tossed away the heavy and cumbersome shield).