50th Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Apsos"
50ή Μηχανοκίνητη Ταξιαρχία Πεζικού "ΑΨΟΣ"
Camp flag of the 50th Mechanized Infantry Brigade
Active1919–1941
1945–today
Country Greece
Branch Hellenic Army
TypeMechanized infantry
RoleAnti-aircraft warfare
Anti-tank warfare
Armoured warfare
Artillery observer
Bomb disposal
Close-quarters combat
Combined arms
Counter-battery fire
Demining
Desert warfare
Fire support
Indirect fire
Maneuver warfare
Military engineering
Patrolling
Raiding
Reconnaissance
Tactical communications
Urban warfare
SizeBrigade
Part ofIV Army Corps
Garrison/HQSoufli, Evros Prefecture
Motto(s)Courage is the foundation of victory
Αρχή του νικάν το θαρρείν
Arhi tou nikan to tharin
EngagementsGreco-Turkish War (1919-1922)
World War II

The 50th Mechanized Infantry Brigade "Apsos" (Greek: 50ή Μηχανοκίνητη Ταξιαρχία Πεζικού «ΑΨΟΣ», 50 Μ/Κ ΤΑΞ) is a mechanized infantry brigade of the Hellenic Army. It is headquartered in Soufli as part of IV Army Corps.

History

The brigade traces its history to the 50th Infantry Regiment (Greek: 50ό Σύνταγμα Πεζικού, 50 ΣΠ), which was founded in 1919 in Adrianople (now Edirne in Turkey).[1]

The regiment fought in the Greco-Italian War in the Albanian front until the capitulation of the Greek Army following the German invasion of Greece in April 1941.[1] After liberation, the regiment was reformed, initially for a short period as the 32nd Brigade (32η Ταξιαρχία), and stationed at Eleftheroupoli. Between 1964 and 1988 it moved its base from Eleftheroupoli to Feres, Pythio, again to Eleftheroupoli and then briefly to Koufovouno. In summer 1988 it was transferred to Soufli, where its expansion to brigade began.[1]

The 50th Infantry Brigade (50ή Ταξιαρχία Πεζικού) became operational on 1 October 1988, although its formation was not completed until two years later. In September 2000, the formation received the honorific title "Apsos" after the river Osum (Apsos in Greek) in southern Albania, where the 50th Infantry Regiment distinguished itself in battle on 25 January 1941. The brigade was converted to mechanized infantry in 2003, acquiring its present title.[1]

Emblem

The brigade's emblem features a purple triangular shield upon which is depicted a golden sphinx wielding a poleaxe. A scroll underneath the sphinx bears the unit's abbreviated title. The whole is edged in white, with an inscription above with the unit's motto, Αρχή του νικάν το θαρρείν ("Courage is the foundation of victory"), a quote from Plutarch (Life of Themistocles, 8.2) referring to the Battle of Artemisium in 480 BC.[2]

Structure

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Ενημερωτικός οδηγός νεοτοποθετημένων στελεχών στη Φρουρά Σουφλίου" (PDF) (in Greek). 50th Mech. Inf. Brigade/1st Staff Office/Personnel Office. February 2010. p. 4. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Ενημερωτικός οδηγός νεοτοποθετημένων στελεχών στη Φρουρά Σουφλίου" (PDF) (in Greek). 50th Mech. Inf. Brigade/1st Staff Office/Personnel Office. February 2010. p. 3. Retrieved 31 March 2014.

Categories