Could someone verify the present order of battle for Greece's elite and special forces?

Here's where they stood the last time I saw:

Elite Forces:

71st Aerometaferomeni Taxiarhia (airmobile infantry brigade) with 2 airmobile infantry battalions (each with 600 men), a parachute artillery battalion (with 18 M56 105mm howitzers), plus support units.

32nd Taxiarhia Pezonaftes (marine brigade) with 3 marine battalions (each with 500 men).

1st Alexiptotistes-Katadromes Taxiarhia (Commando-Paratrooper Brigade) with paratrooper squadron (1st MAL), with 500 paratroopers, plus 3 LOK (Loxos Oreinos Katadromes), or Mountain Raider Companies, each with 300 men.

Special Forces:

E.T.A. (Eidiko Tmima Alexiptotistes), or Special Parachute Unit, approximately 100 men?

D.Y.K. (Dynamis Ypovrihion Katastrofon), or Underwater Demolition Force, with O.Y.K. 1 , 2, 3, and 4. Plus a reserve unit, O.Y.K. 5. All with 25 men, plus a special boat section and Underwater Delivery Section. 135 operators, plus support.

31st M.E.E. (Monada Eidikon Epiheirision), or Special Operations Unit, the EPA's combat search and rescue unit. Approximately 50 operators.

13th D.E.E. (Dynamis Eidikon Epiheirision), or Special Operations Force, has 'Z' MAK, or 'Zeta' Moira Amphiboi Katadromes, or Amphibious Raider Squadron, with approximately 300 operators.

Please correct these if there are mistakes.

OYK1

OYK1,

Good synopsis. I live in Australia, so, it's pretty difficult to get up to date information on our Special/Elite Forces.

***

As far as I was aware, LOK (Lohos Oreinon Katadromon) does not exist anymore - at least by name, anyway.

It was re-formed as the 1o Syntagma Katadromon (1st Raider Regiment) and consists of three Raider Squadrons, or Moires Katadromon - Beta (BMK), Delta (DMK), and Epsilon (EMK).

I believe there are two Parachute squadrons - 1st MAL (based in Crete), and 2nd MAL (based in Attica).

I wasn't aware that the two Regiments (1st Raider and 1st Para) were formed into one Brigade. Unless they were all classed as "Dynameis Katadromon" (Raiding Forces)... perhaps Lord can confirm this.

***

The 71 Aerometaferomeni Taxiarhia Pezikou (Airmobile Infantry Brigade) is made up of the following elements.

595 A/M TP - Tagma Pezikou - Infantry Battalion
596 A/M TP - Tagma Pezikou - Infantry Battalion
116 A/M MPP - Moira Pedinou Pyrovolikou - Field Artillery Squadron
71 A/M TYP - Tagma Ypostirixeos - Support Battalion
71 A/M PEAAP - Pyrovolarhia Enaeriou Elenhou kai Antiaeroporikis Prostasias - Air Defence Squadron

71 A/M LMH - Lohos Mihanikou - Engineer Company
71 A/M LDB - Lohos Diavivaseos - Signal Company
71 A/M LSM - Lohos Stratonomias - Military Police Company

71 A/M TAX - Lohos Stratigeiou (Taxiarhias) - Command Company

***

Dragases, I saw in The Military Balance from the last two years that 2nd Parachute Regiment and the 1st Commando Regiment have been combined into one brigade, the 1st Katadromes-Alexiptotistes, with 3 commando squadrons and 1 parachute squadron. I believe that one squadron has either been disbanded or placed in reserve. I'm not sure. Lord will know. Hopefully he will set the record straight.


And thanks for adding the other support units of the 71st.
;)

OYK1

Guys you arent wrong about your infos in generall...
Only thing i have to add is that we are passing the 5th upgreading programm "anadiorganoshs" in the last 15 years...
So our SF are the first who "feel" the changes.
I gave you an plan about the future structure ... how long it will stay i dont know...



We will set our rapid force in 2 "speeds" ...heavy forces with more time to react and light with less time ...(forgive me for my bad english)I will write it in greek and someone please translate (dont have time and the nerv to search for the translation)
_____________________________________________________________

Sygekrimena h dynamh taxeias andtidrashs tou ES -epishma SDAEE (Strathgeio Dynamevn Antidrashs Enishyshs Efedreias)- synistatai pleon apo thn 32 Taxiarhia Pezonafton (meion ena TAGMA)
Thn 1 Taxiarhia Katadromon / Alexiptotiston (meion mia moira Alexiptotiston)
kai thn 71 Aerometaferomenh Taxiarhia ,oi opoies upagontai sthn 1 Merarhia Pezikou, pou tha apotelei to epixeirisiako strathgeio ton monadon ameshs epembashs.
Ostoso shimatizetai kai mia defterh diakladikh dynamh onomazomenh DSAA (Diakladikos Shimatismos Ameshs Antidrashs)
Ayth tha perilamvanei to 575 Tagma Pezonafton ,thn 2a MAL ,to 13o Syntagma Amfivion Katadromwn (tora `13h Dioikisi Eidikon epiheiriseon enas titlos pou tha xathei TELIKA ean entachthei ston DSAA)
Thn Z' MAK (kai mia moira eidikon amfivion epixeiriseon) ,Pithanos to ETA kathos kai thn DYK(Dioikihsh Ypovrihion Katastrofon) tou PN

H proth entyposh apo to neo schima einai oti tha exoumai sthn ousia dyo dynameis taheias antidrashs mia megalyterh kai baryterh me megalyterous xronous etoimothtas,kai mia mykroterh,elafryterh me mikroterous xronous.

Epishs kai stous dyo sximatismous einai fanero oti yparxei anameixh epilekton monadon symbatikon epixeiriseon kai monadon eidihkon epiheiriseon

____________________________________________________________

I hope that someone can translate...

@OYK Dragases....something else that you didnt reported is the Limenikon forces especially the man who are on the boats (most of them ex -SEALS all ex SF) I see this forces personally as an high trained and high level readyness reserve forces somekind of paramilitary forces...
About the numbers you arent very wrong except ...that bouth Parachute squadrons till excist 1 MAL and 2 MAL ...maybe I would count more man is some units...


Regards

Lord

TRANSLATION

The Hellenic Army’s rapid reaction force is now officially known as SDAEE (Stratigeio Dynameon Antidrasis Enishisis Efedrias) – Reserve Reaction/Reinforcement Force Command. It consists of the following formations…

- 32 TAXPN (Taxiarhia Pezonauton) – 32nd Marine Brigade (minus one battalion)
- 1 Taxiarhia Katadromon/Alexiptotiston – 1st Raider/Parachute Brigade (minus one parachute battalion)
- 71 Aerometaferomeni Taxiarhia Pezikou – 71st Airmobile Infantry Brigade

All three units belong to the 1 MP (Merarhia Pezikou) - 1st Infantry Division – which will have operational command of the Rapid Reaction Force.

***

A second multi-branch formation, the DSAA (Diakladikos Shimatismos Amesis Andidrasis) – Multi-Branch Rapid Reaction Formation will consist of the following units…

- 575 TPN (Tagma Pezonauton) – 575th Marine Battalion
- 2 MAL (Moira Alexiptotiston) – 2nd Parachute Squadron
- 13 DEE (Dioikisi Eidikon Epiheiriseon) – 13th Special Operations Command (formerly the 13th Amphibious Raider Regiment)
- Z MAK (Moira Amfivion Katadromon) – Z Amphibious Raider Squadron

There is a possibility that the following formations will also be added to the DSAA.

- ETA (Eidiko Tmima Alexiptotiston) – Special Parachute Unit
- DYK (Dioikisi Ypovrihion Katastrofon) – Underwater Demolition Command

***

First impressions of the new formations are that there will be, in essence, two Rapid Reaction Forces – a larger and heavier force (with a slower reaction time) - SDAEE, and a smaller and lighter force (with a faster reaction time) – DSAA. Both Commands have a mix of elite conventional forces, and special operations units.

Thanks Dragases...

*The 2 MAL is also an battalion

Regards

Lord,

Is there a major difference between a Squadron and a Battalion in the Hellenic Army (particularly with regard to infantry formations - Pezikou compared with Katadromon/Alexiptotiston)? I was under the impression that it, in essence, meant the same thing.

A standard infantry battalion is usually made up of 3 Rifle Companies, 1 Support Company, 1 Command Company, and occasionally an EML - Eidikos Mihanokinitos Lohos - (Mechanised) Company.

I would assume the Katadromeis/Alexiptotistes don't have an mechanised element.

Regards

Hm no you are right but i think an scquadron is smaller than an battalion no?...I can tell you about an Moira Katadromon -Moira Alexiptotiston or an Tagma Pezonafton...

excample...

each greek "moira" has...the soldiers of an Tagma pezikou...I think Tagma is an battalion no?

3 lochous krouseon
1 Locho ypostirixeos /LYT...which by the way support all the Antiarmatika /olmous/ Heavy MGs...
1 Locho Dioikhseos...all the vehicles trucks/jeeps/VBLs

of corse you have to add to the marines more heavy weappons such as Mbts/ artillery etc etc....

Could you provide me the glossary for comparing in english...?
excample Tagma = Battalion...?
Platoon = Lohos...?
Company = Dioimhria ?


Regards

Omada - Team
Dimoiria - Platoon
Lohos - Company
Tagma - Battalion
Syntagma - Regiment
Taxiarhia - Brigade
Merarhia - Division
Soma - Corps
Stratia - Army

***

Ah... OK.

So a squadron (moira) is basically an infantry battalion (tagma) without a mechanised company... although, I've visited infantry battalions that didn't have a mechanised company - I guess it depends on the formation of it's parent Taxiarhia/Merarhia.

Last time I checked, a standard Hellenic Infantry Battalion consisted of...

- 3 x Lohos Tyfekioforon (Rifle Company) - the same as the Katadromon's "Lohos Krouseos", or Strike Company
- 1 x LYT - Lohos Ypostirixeos Tagmatos (Battalion Support Company)
- 1 x Lohos Dioikiseos (Command/HQ Company)
- 1 x EML - Eidikos Mihanokinitos Lohos (Special Mechanised Company)

The EML had the battalion's APCs or AIFVs, but I recall our Loho Dioikiseos and EML guys splitting the responsibility of the trucks and jeeps.

***

Regards

Good work Dragases

It will help alot in the future to avoid missunderstandings...about sizes.(especially from my part lol) ;)

Apsolutly right...

Also right...

Thanks again

Regards

:)

Thanks for clearing it up, Lord. It's hard to keep up with all the restructuring in the Greek Army.

BTW, which Greek magazines do you recommend for defence issues? Being ex-Army, I'm more interested in land forces rather than Navy/Air Force.

Dragases iam taking all the magazines...actually iam also writing in some from time to time... ;)
My personall interests... also Army ...and especially the SF issues...
together with political analysis and hystorical analysis...

So for me the Stratigikh and Amyntika Themata is no 1...
Amyntikh Epitheorish and Stratiotikh Istoria together with Amyna and dyplomatia ranks 2...Peripolos is also one of my favorite...
Ptysi magazine i get only because i have them all...and i dont want to ruin my line ... Iam not so fanatic with airforce matters...

Regards

Thanks Lord and Dragases for the clarifications. As part of the 'B' Soma Stratou, the Rapid Reaction Force, along with the 1st Merarxia Pezikou and its corresponding brigades, is the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Division a part of RRF as well?

OYK1

@OYK

Here you go my friend with all units of the B Corp ...



(Stratigikh Magazine)
Regards

LORD, thanks for posting the B Corps units.

I am thinking of the Islands; Rodos, Samos, Chios, Limnos, Lesvos, and what their composition is. I have the following out of "guesstimation"

Communications
(40 personnel)

Medical
24 line doctors and 36 others including a full field hospital (60 personnel)

Supply - including mess & quartermaster
(35 personnel)

Intelligence
3 command vehicles with mechanical intelligence teams (84 personnel)

3 Battalions = 1 Brigade

Mechanized Battalion
144 IFV, 48 IFV in 8 companies of 4 line platoons, each platoon has 6 vehicles - 5 IFV and one command car (800 personnel)

Tank Battalion
64 tanks, 4 command tanks, 4 companies of 4 platoons plus command tank, each platoon has 4 tanks - (144 personnel)

Infantry Battalion
Battalion Command, 4 companies of command element plus 4 platoons, each platoon has a command element and four ten man squads equipped with skimmers plus 3 ACV carrying a mixture of support weapons, mostly 100mm mortars, anti-tank equipment etc (808 personnel)

Artillery Battalion
18 self-propelled rocket assisted howitzers, 3 batteries of 6 launchers, plus 3 command cars and 6 ammo haulers - (162 personnel total)

Anti-Aircraft battalion
Guns, batteries, vehicles 3 companies of command 3 platoons each company 10 men to a platoon (130 personnell)

Support/Replacement Battalion
10 tanks, 30 IFV, 3 transport vehicles(CH 47 Chinook + Spartan + LCM Type 521) and 100 ACV trucks (700 personnel fully equipped)


So each Island consists of the following according to Turkish intelligence; 1 Infantry Brigade(2424) + 1 Artillery batallion(162) + 2 Mechanized Battalions(1600) + 1 Tank Battalion(144) + 1 Anti Air craft battalion(130) + Fully Equipped Support (919).

Would the structural composition be correct ?

The approximate number of personell on the above mentioned Islands would be 5379 personell each Island approximately, so there are 30.000 personell on the "front line" Islands? The generals have 30.000 men on one Island whilst Greece managed to cover 5 big islands with 30.000 men to the point of the generals screaming of unfair advantage due to the "miltarization" of the Islands. B)

I think 5 islands 30k men an 1 island 30k men evaluation is kinda wrong. You should do the math according to the circumstances of the envoirement and the position of the foe. I think you should reconcider your analyses once more.

Since I have served in a major Aegean island, I can tell you the strength of this island's defensive force. This would be as below:

One infantry divission consisting of the following units:

1 HQ Company
8 infantry Battalions
4 Artillery Battalions (one Anti-Aircraft)
2 Tank Battalions
1 Medical Battalion (Hospital)
1 Engineering Battalion
1 Communications Battalion
1 Technical Battalion
1 Logistics Battalion
A number of National Guard units.

ofcourse this division would be fully operational only after the general mobilization of each island's military active population.

Thanks Scalp.

:thumbsup: