8th Infantry Division (Greece)

8th Infantry Division VIII Μεραρχία Πεζικού (VIII ΜΠ)
Flag and Emblem of the 8th Infantry Division
Active	1913-1941, 1946-2013
Country	Greece
Branch	Hellenic Army
Type	Infantry
Size	Division
Part of	III Army Corps
Garrison/HQ	Ioannina, Epirus
Motto(s)	"NO" OXI
Engagements	Battle of Elaia-Kalamas (1940)

The 8th Infantry Division (Greek: VIII Μεραρχία Πεζικού, VIII ΜΠ; VIII Merarchia Pezikou, VIII MP) was an infantry division of the Hellenic Army.

Active since the Balkan Wars, the division is most notable for its decisive role during the first days of the Greco-Italian War, when it successfully stopped the initial Italian offensive, and bought time for Greek reinforcements to arrive and turn the tide.

In a wide-ranging army reorganization in 2013, the division was reduced in size to a brigade-level formation - the 8th Motorized Infantry Brigade.

The 8th Infantry Division, initially named the Epirus Division (Greek: Μεραρχία Ηπείρου; Merarchia Ipeirou), was formed on 22 September 1912, during the First Balkan War, under the command of Major General Dimitrios Matthaiopoulos. On 22 January 1913 it was renamed as the 8th Infantry Division. Its component units were the 15th Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Evzones Regiment and the Independent Cretan Regiment.

It participated in the operations for the capture of Ioannina and the subsequent push into Northern Epirus, capturing Kleisoura, Argyrokastro, Tepelene, and Premeti. In June 1913 it was moved to Thessalonica, and participated in the Second Balkan War against Bulgaria, capturing Paranesti, Xanthi, and Komotini. It remained on occupation duties in Western Thrace until the signing of the Treaty of Bucharest. In December it was placed on garrison duties, with its regiments dispersed at Preveza, Corfu and Lefkada.