Greek civil war 1946-1949

Discussion in 'Postwar' started by Westo, Mar 31, 2018.

  1. Westo

    Westo Member

    Hi does anyone recognize this regiment?my grandad is in the middle served in the greek rebellion 1946 thats all i know not much togo on any help appriciated.
     

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  2. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    The white blanco on the belts, rifle webbing and puttees/gaiters suggest military police to me.
     
  3. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    That's what I was thinking.

    Greek civil war is Gmyles's department. I'll give him a few hours to notice this thread and then I'll message him.

    Westo, it's no guarantee of anything, but what part of the country was your grandfather from? It wasn't London, Essex or Sussex was it?
     
  4. Westo

    Westo Member

    Hi he was from london he told me they had abit of a rough time of it out there i dont no if they issued medals i have nothing togo on just this photo i dont no what regiments were sent to deal with it im sure he was army not police cheers.
     
  5. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    I did say military police. I may be wrong, but in other theatres not all of them started out that way, but ended up being seconded.
     
  6. Westo

    Westo Member

    Ok no problem thanks for your help
     
  7. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    There was no campaign medal for Greece, but a lot of the British troops there had moved across from Italy and North Africa, for which medals were awarded. Do you happen to know his year of birth?
     
  8. Westo

    Westo Member

    hi i think he was born 1926 cheers.
     
  9. Westo

    Westo Member

    Why do you think no campaign medal was awarded seems abit harsh?:/
     
  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I'm no expert, but two factors seem likely:

    a) Although there was some conventional fighting, it was more akin to a police action like Malaya.
    b) Politics: there was some nasty stuff going on with massacres and civilian deaths--once we were out, it was considered better not to wave too many flags about our involvement.

    I've sent a message to Gus--the resident expert on this period--he'll be able to speak a lot more authoritatively than me.

    1926--so it's quite possible he was called up near the end of the war and served only in Greece. British troops were in Greece (late) 1944 to (mid) 1946, I believe. Because a lot of older men were eligible for leave, having served overseas for so long, many of the most active army units in the Mediterranean theatre received a considerable number of newly-drafted men to replace the old sweats.
     
  11. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

  12. Westo

    Westo Member

    Thats great thanks for your help
     
  13. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    No problem.

    If your grandfather turns out to have been with the Essex Regiment, I will be back to interrogate you!

    Joking aside, have you applied for his service records? If not, it will answer all the basic questions and isn't too expensive.
     
    Last edited: May 19, 2019
  14. Westo

    Westo Member

    My dad seems to think he was somerset light infantry but im not sure if they were in greece then that might confirm it :/
     
  15. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

  16. TijgerB

    TijgerB Member

    I feel confident he would have received a GSM (General Service Medal) for his effort because those going to French Indo-China or Netherlands East Indies did with a clasp S. E. Asia.
     
  17. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    My late Father served in Greece after being pulled off the Gothic line on Christmas eve 1944 He was with the 4th Reconnaissance Corps.
    I stand to be corrected but I am pretty sure he said they used white Blanco.
    Whilst no medal was issued by the UK Government, the Greek Government recognised the service of those sent to Greece and issued a medal and certificate for those who served. A nice medal not dissimilar to the British Star medals.
    I have my father's Greek medal and scroll framed together with his other four medals.
    Regards
    Tom
     
  18. Westo

    Westo Member

    hi white blanco?how would i go about finding out about medal none of the family have ever seen any cheers.
     
  19. Westo

    Westo Member

    Hi could you send picture of medal?
     
  20. gmyles

    gmyles Senior Member

    Hi Westo

    I don't have a lot on 1946. But here's what I've managed to extrapolate from the "The army medical services Campaigns Vol. 3 by Francis Crew & Albert Eley"

    1946 OOB GREECE

    Major Units

    4th Brit Inf Div Dec 44 to Feb 46 Northern Greece & Macedonia

    4th Ind Inf Div Oct 44 to Feb 46 Eastern Greece

    23rd Armoured Brigade Oct 44 to April 46 Athens

    13th Inf (179, 180 & 181 Bdes) Feb 46 to ??? Athens & Patras

    Minor Units

    British Military Mission in Greece (BMMG)

    212 Area

    202 Sub-Area

    NOTES:
    Apparently 13th Inf Div was made up forces pinched from 4th Ind Div and 4th Brit Inf Div and 3 fresh Inf Battalions brought over from Italy.

    Can't seem to find 13th Inf Div's formation emblem anywhere. I thought the shoulder flashes in the pic look a bit like a medieval shield with a English cross on it.

    Strength

    Jan to Mar 46 50,000

    Apr to Jun 46 38,000

    Oct to Dec 46 20,054

    All troops who served n Greece got the Italy Star.

    Once you get your grandfather's service record, it shouldn't be too difficult to tie him to one of the units above.

    Hope this helps

    Gus
     

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