Greek Army TO&E and OOB errors

[zaphod72]

Redcoat2,
From the same magazine (Military Review, "Obsolete Howitzers of Greek Artillery"):
- 75mm M1/M116 Mountain Howitzer, acquired in 1945 and remained in service until 1955. Some of them were in reserve up until 1990. Now, they still use a few only for salute shots.

[redcoat2]

Originally Posted by zaphod72

Redcoat2,
From the same magazine (Military Review, "Obsolete Howitzers of Greek Artillery"):
- 75mm M1/M116 Mountain Howitzer, acquired in 1945 and remained in service until 1955. Some of them were in reserve up until 1990. Now, they still use a few only for salute shots.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Greeks first got them from the Brit paras sent to Greece in 1945.

[zaphod72]

Greek Tanks (Early Years)

1946-1962: The British Centaur A-27L Mk VIII (with the 6 pdr gun) is the first tank which enters service with the Greek army. After a year, and the proper training of their crews, they were used against communist guerillas, in mixed armored cavalry regiments (tanks with armored cars). They remained in service until 1962 (replaced by M-47s).

1950 (Dec)-1990: Greek army receives 206 (in total) M-24s which remained in service until 1990. At the same year they formed the 392nd and 393rd Tank Regiments (55 tanks each). Some turrets were used in fortified positions in Greek islands (until 1993).

1952-1958: 127 M-18 Hellcats form the first Tank Destroyer Regiments (397th, 398th and 399th). After 1958 and until the early 70s, Hellcats were used as training tanks.

1957-1990: After receiving over 100 M-47s, Greek army forms the first two "modern" Tank Battalions (22nd and 23rd: 3 companies with 17 tanks each). M-47 remained in service until 1990 and three more years in reserve (1993).

1963 (July): M-48 enter service. Along with the newly acquired M-113, they form the XX Armor Brigade. At the same time, some of the M-47 serving with Armor Battalions moved to the Tank Destroyer Regiments

[Info: Greek Army General Staff, Avlona Tank Museum, "Ptisi" magazine, www.wargamer.gr]

[redcoat2]

With regards to early tanks, I think the Greeks may have received some M3 Stuarts from the British. I've found a definite official reference to 40 British Stuarts being delivered in 1950 and 1951. Some British Stuarts may also have been transferred during WW2 or during the post-war communist insurgency.