First Army (Greece)
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1st Army | |
---|---|
1η Στρατιά "ΑΧΙΛΛΕΑΣ" | |
Field Army | |
Part of | Hellenic Army General Staff |
Garrison/HQ | Larissa |
Motto(s) | As long as [the sun] follows his course ΕΣΤ' ΑΝ ΤΗΝ ΑΥΤΗΝ ΟΔΟΝ ΙΗ Est' an tin aftin odon ii |
Engagements | Greek Civil War |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Dimitrios Giatzis Konstantinos Ventiris Phaedon Gizikis Agamemnon Gratzios Christos Manolas Konstantinos Floros |
The Greek First Army (Greek: 1η Στρατιά, Proti Stratia), is the highest formation of the Hellenic Army and its only extant field army.
Various English and German-language sources erroneously mention the existence of a First Army during the
The First Army was created in March 1947, during the
Structure
- First Army (1η Στρατιά), based at Larissa, Thessaly which includes
- Thrace
- Veroia, Macedonia
- II Mechanised Infantry Division (II Μ/Κ ΜΠ), based at Edessa, Macedonia
Emblem and Motto
The emblem of the 1st Army is an Ancient Macedonian shield, emblazoned with the sun of Vergina. It symbolizes determination, strength and the will of the First Army.
The motto is "As long as (the sun) follows his course" (Greek: εστ' αν (ο ήλιος) την αυτήν οδόν ίη, est' an (o ilios) tin aftin odon ii). Before the Battle of Plataea, Mardonius offered the Athenians peace terms, with the hope of dividing the Greek forces. The Athenians responded with "As long as the sun follows his course, as he does now, we shall not come to a compromise with Xerxes".
Sources
- 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. 419. ISBN 960-7897-45-5.