1st Infantry Division "Smyrni" | |
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1η Μεραρχία Πεζικού «ΣΜΥΡΝΗ» (Ι ΜΠ) | |
Active | 1897–1916 1917–1941 1948–1954 1974–present |
Country | Greece |
Branch | Hellenic Army |
Role | Rapid Reaction Force Special Forces |
Size | 5 Brigades |
Part of | First Army |
Garrison/HQ | Veroia, Macedonia |
Motto(s) | [Like The] Wind ΑΕΡΑ Aera |
Engagements | |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Nikolaos Makris Emmanouil Manousogiannakis Nikolaos Zafeiriou Vasileios Vrachnos |
The 1st Infantry Division "Smyrni" (Greek: I Μεραρχία Πεζικού «ΣΜΥΡΝΗ» (Ι ΜΠ), romanized: I Merarchía Pezikoú "Smýrni") is a historic and elite division of the Hellenic Army. It was founded in 1897 as an infantry division and has fought in all major conflicts in which Greece has been involved. During the Balkan Wars, it acquired the sobriquet "Iron Division" (Greek: «Σιδηρά Μεραρχία», romanized: Sidirá Merarchía).
It is currently headquartered in Veroia, Macedonia. Despite its title, it is no longer a conventional infantry division, but a formation comprising the various special forces of the Hellenic Army - a role similar to that once held by the now disbanded 3rd Special Forces Division.