Sacred Squadron | |
---|---|
Ιερός Λόχος | |
Active | 1942–1945 |
Country | Kingdom of Greece |
Allegiance | Greek government-in-exile |
Branch | Hellenic Army |
Type | Special Forces |
Size | Battalion, later Regiment |
Engagements | World War II |
Decorations | Commanders Cross of the Cross of Valour War Cross First Class |
Commanders | |
Commander | Christodoulos Tsigantes Andreas Kalinskis |
The Sacred Squadron (Greek: Ιερός Λόχος) was a Greek special forces unit formed in 1942 in the Middle East, composed mostly of Greek officers and officer cadets under the command of Col. Christodoulos Tsigantes.[1][2] It fought alongside the SAS in the Western Desert and the Aegean, as well as with General Leclerc's Free French Forces in Tunisia.[3][4] It was disbanded in August 1945 but is the precursor to the modern Special Forces of the Hellenic Army.[5]
From the start of August 1945, shortly before the disbanding of the Sacred Band, he contributed to the idea of creating a commando force of brigade size.