From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Hellenic Army is the land force component of the Hellenic Armed Forces. It was officially founded in 1828 and still operates today as the main contributor to the Balkan Battle Group. This article details the history of the Hellenic Army in the form a of a timeline from its de facto founding to the modern day.

1821–1832

1833–1862

  • 1833 - The newly arrived King Othon creates battalions of line infantry on the West European model. Each battalion includes a company of native Greek sharpshooters or Evzones. Othon also forms ten battalions of Greek light infantry.
  • 1836 - The number of Greek light infantry battalions is reduced from ten to eight. Four new Mountain Guard battalions are organized to patrol the Greco-Turkish frontier and hunt down bandits in the countryside.
  • 1843 - The Mountain Guards are reorganized and expanded into four full regiments.
  • 1867 - Four elite Evzones battalions are formed.
  • 1868 - The Royal Guard Detachment is formed, consisting of two Evzone companies and a troop of cavalry.

1897–1913

  • 1912 - The Hellenic Army fields its first Aviators Company, which will eventually become the Army Aviation branch.

1919–1922

1923–1940

1949–present