French military mission to Greece (1911–1914)
Encyclopedia
The 1911–1914 French military mission to Greece was called to Greece by the government of Eleftherios Venizelos
to reorganize the Hellenic Army
, parallel to a British naval mission for the Royal Hellenic Navy. The French mission arrived in January 1911, under the command of General Joseph-Paul Eydoux, replaced in April 1914 by General Étienne de Villaret (who had also served in a mission to Japan earlier in his career). It remained in the country until the outbreak of World War I
in August 1914, when it was repatriated.
Greece's defeat in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 had highlighted the many deficiencies of the Greek military. Successive efforts to modernize and reorganize the Greek army were undertaken by the Georgios Theotokis
cabinets in the 1900s, but the heightening of tensions in the Balkans
after the Bosnian Crisis
made a thorough reorganization imperative. Ever since its establishment during the Greek War of Independence
, the Greek Army had followed French models, and there had even been a prior French military mission in 1884–1887. The choice however was contested between the French and the Germans, the latter favoured by the Army's Inspector General, Crown Prince Constantine
, and the mostly German-trained officers of the General Staff. The French were favoured by many of the officers who had partaken in the 1909 Goudi coup
, as well as by Prime Minister Venizelos himself, for political reasons.
The French mission was given extraordinary powers, with French officers placed as department heads and in charge of Greek military formations, while Eydoux himself, a Major General in the French Army
, was given the rank of Lieutenant General in the Greek Army, held only by the Crown Prince. The mission revised training and organization structures, leading to the highly successful May 1912 field exercises. Despite their work being incomplete, the changes brought by had a measurable effect on Greek performance in the Balkan Wars
, which began in 1912. Critically, the strength of the mobilized army was increased from 60,000 to some 100,000 men, with further 135,000 in reserves, and the new triangular division
scheme was adopted, well ahead of the major Western European armies.
Eleftherios Venizelos
Eleftherios Venizelos was an eminent Greek revolutionary, a prominent and illustrious statesman as well as a charismatic leader in the early 20th century. Elected several times as Prime Minister of Greece and served from 1910 to 1920 and from 1928 to 1932...
to reorganize the Hellenic Army
Hellenic Army
The Hellenic Army , formed in 1828, is the land force of Greece.The motto of the Hellenic Army is , "Freedom Stems from Valor", from Thucydides's History of the Peloponnesian War...
, parallel to a British naval mission for the Royal Hellenic Navy. The French mission arrived in January 1911, under the command of General Joseph-Paul Eydoux, replaced in April 1914 by General Étienne de Villaret (who had also served in a mission to Japan earlier in his career). It remained in the country until the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
in August 1914, when it was repatriated.
Greece's defeat in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 had highlighted the many deficiencies of the Greek military. Successive efforts to modernize and reorganize the Greek army were undertaken by the Georgios Theotokis
Georgios Theotokis
Georgios Theotokis was a Greek politician and four times Prime Minister of Greece. He represented the New Party or Neoteristikon Komma .- Biography :...
cabinets in the 1900s, but the heightening of tensions in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
after the Bosnian Crisis
Bosnian crisis
The Bosnian Crisis of 1908–1909, also known as the Annexation crisis, or the First Balkan Crisis, erupted into public view when on 6 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany and France...
made a thorough reorganization imperative. Ever since its establishment during the Greek War of Independence
Greek War of Independence
The Greek War of Independence, also known as the Greek Revolution was a successful war of independence waged by the Greek revolutionaries between...
, the Greek Army had followed French models, and there had even been a prior French military mission in 1884–1887. The choice however was contested between the French and the Germans, the latter favoured by the Army's Inspector General, Crown Prince Constantine
Constantine I of Greece
Constantine I was King of Greece from 1913 to 1917 and from 1920 to 1922. He was commander-in-chief of the Hellenic Army during the unsuccessful Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and led the Greek forces during the successful Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, in which Greece won Thessaloniki and doubled in...
, and the mostly German-trained officers of the General Staff. The French were favoured by many of the officers who had partaken in the 1909 Goudi coup
Goudi coup
The Goudi coup was a military coup d'état that took place in Greece on the night of , starting at the barracks in Goudi, a neighbourhood on the eastern outskirts of Athens. The coup was a pivotal event in modern Greek history, as it led to the arrival of Eleftherios Venizelos in Greece and his...
, as well as by Prime Minister Venizelos himself, for political reasons.
The French mission was given extraordinary powers, with French officers placed as department heads and in charge of Greek military formations, while Eydoux himself, a Major General in the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
, was given the rank of Lieutenant General in the Greek Army, held only by the Crown Prince. The mission revised training and organization structures, leading to the highly successful May 1912 field exercises. Despite their work being incomplete, the changes brought by had a measurable effect on Greek performance in the Balkan Wars
Balkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
, which began in 1912. Critically, the strength of the mobilized army was increased from 60,000 to some 100,000 men, with further 135,000 in reserves, and the new triangular division
Triangular division
A triangular division is a designation given to the way divisions are organized. In a triangular organization, the division's main body is composed of three regimental maneuver elements. These regiments may be controlled by a brigade headquarters or directly subordinated to the division commander...
scheme was adopted, well ahead of the major Western European armies.