12th Mechanized Infantry Division "EVROS" ΧΙΙ Μηχανοκίνητη Μεραρχία Πεζικού "ΕΒΡΟΣ" | |
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Emblem of the 12th Mechanized Infantry Division
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Active | 1913–1916, 1920–1941, 1964–today |
Country | Greece |
Branch | Hellenic Army |
Type | Mechanized infantry |
Size | Division |
Part of | IV Army Corps |
Garrison/HQ | Alexandroupoli, Thrace |
Motto(s) | "Until one of them falls" |
Engagements | Greco-Turkish War of 1919–1922, Battle of Greece |
The 12th Mechanized Infantry Division "Evros" (Greek: ΧΙΙ Μηχανοκίνητη Μεραρχία Πεζικού «ΕΒΡΟΣ») is a military formation of the Hellenic Army, based at Alexandroupoli, Thrace.
The division was formed in the reorganization and expansion of the Hellenic Army following the Balkan Wars of 1912–13. It was activated on 23 December (O.S.) 1913 at Kozani, comprising the 31st, 32nd, 33rd Infantry Regiments and the XII Mountain Artillery Battalion. It formed part of III Army Corps. The original formation was disbanded during the National Schism and did not take part in any engagements during World War I.
In February 1920, the Xanthi Division (Μεραρχία Ξάνθης) was formed at Thessaloniki from Thracian recruits, whence its naming after the city of Xanthi. Commanded by Major General Konstantinos Mazarakis-Ainian, it comprised the 13th, 14th, 15th Infantry Regiments, the XII Mountain Artillery Regiment and other divisional units. In May 1920, the division took part in the Greek takeover of Western Thrace, after which it was shipped to Anatolia where it took part in the Greek offensive operations against the Turkish nationalist forces. In July it was withdrawn from the Anatolian front and re-shipped to take part in the operations for the capture of Eastern Thrace.