19th Mechanized Division (Greece)
The 19th Mechanized Division (Greek: 19η Μηχανοκίνητη Μεραρχία) was a mechanized infantry division of the Hellenic Army, established on 15 January 1941. Its formation was not completed until late March. Its nucleus was the pre-war Mechanized Cavalry Regiment, augmented with captured Italian tankettes and cars, motorcycles and Universal Carriers provided by the British. Although officially a "mechanized" unit, as the division was mostly truck-borne, it is usually called the 19th Motorized Division in English-language literature.
| 19th Mechanized Division 19η Μηχανοκίνητη Μεραρχία | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 January – 10 April 1941 |
| Country | Kingdom of Greece |
| Branch | Hellenic Army |
| Type | Mechanized infantry |
| Part of | Eastern Macedonia Army Section |
| Engagements | Battle of the Metaxas Line |
The division confronted the German invasion of Greece on 6 April 1941, covering the left flank of the Eastern Macedonia Army Section defending the forts of the Metaxas Line. In a series of clashes, the division was destroyed piecemeal as a fighting formation by 9 April. Its remnants surrendered along with the rest of the Hellenic Army in eastern Macedonia on 10 April.