Created upon mobilisation of the Greek Armed Forces, just days before the Italian invasion began, A.S. Western Macedonia was responsible for Army Corps "Beta" (II Corps) and "Gamma" (III Corps). The primary objective was the defence of the North-Eastern part of the Albanian Front, and specifically to prevent an Italian advance to the South-East on Salonika. Incidentally, no plans existed for a protracted defence of the South-West half of the Albanian Front, and a single reinforced division (the VIII) was left to its own devices to try and defend this sector (in fact this independent division is virtually single-handedly responsible for halting the initial Italian invasion).
Once it was clear that the initial Italian assault had been halted, and that there would be no corresponding invasion from Bulgaria, Army Corps "Alpha" (I Corps) was transferred from Southern Greece to take responsibility for the SW sector of the Albanian Front as an independent Corps. Furthermore a "Group of Divisions K" (named after the commander Gen Kosmas) was created as a surrogate Army Corps to man the line between Army Corps B and G. A.S. West.Mac. was responsible for Army Corps B, G, and Group of Divisions K. A few weeks later (late November) Army Corps B was made an independent Corps also, leaving A.S. West.Mac. with Army Corps G and Group of Divisions K.
On the 15 December 1940, Army Corps Epsilon (V Corps) was disbanded in Thrace, and Group of Divisions K was renamed as Army Corps E (V Corps).
On the 09 March 1941 the commanders of A.S. West.Mac. and Army Corps E were transferred to A.S. Epirus to replace the commanders sacked by General Papagos. Meanwhile the commander of Army Corps G (The 'soon to be notorious' General Tsolakoglou) was promoted to the command of A.S. West.Mac. to replace the transferred commander. As a result on the 10 March 1941 both Army Corps G and E were disbanded, and their troops subordinated directly to the A.S. West.Mac. as there were no other Officers available supposedly with both the ability/experience to command a Corps and who's loyalty was not questioned by General Papagos!
At the time of the German Attack on 06 April 1941, A.S. West.Mac was responsible for the NE sector of the Albanian Front, and had no subordinate Corps. Its forces included the Cavalry Division and the 21st Infantry Brigade as well as several Infantry Divisions.
On the 17 April 1941 A.S. West.Mac. was renamed
Army Corps Gamma (III Corps) and subordinated to
A.S. Epirus.
Army Section Assets for A.S. Western Macedonia
Confirmed units are identified by their number and/or name, Units without numbers or names are theoretical and subject of ongoing research.
3rd Mobile M.G. Battalion
Headquarters: ?
3 M.G. Companies, each: HQ & 3 M.G. Platoons (each of 4 MMG & Pack Animals).
1 Rifle Company: HQ & 3 Rifle Platoons.
This unit was originally in Eastern Macedonia (on the Bulgarian border), and was transferred to the Albanian Front in early 1941. It was in action until the capitulation on 21 April 1941. (Note: It may have actually been assigned to A.S. Epirus).
4th Mobile M.G. Battalion
Headquarters: ?
3 M.G. Companies, each: HQ & 3 M.G. Platoons (each of 4 MMG & Pack Animals).
1 Rifle Company: HQ & 3 Rifle Platoons.
This unit was in action until the capitulation on 21 April 1941.
2nd Static M.G. Battalion
Headquarters: ?
2 M.G. Companies, each: HQ & 3 M.G. Platoons (each of 4 MMG).
1 Rifle Company: HQ & 3 Rifle Platoons.
This unit lacked any transport, and could not be easily moved. It was in action until April 1941.
4th Static M.G. Battalion
Headquarters: ?
2 M.G. Companies, each: HQ & 3 M.G. Platoons (each of 4 MMG).
1 Rifle Company: HQ & 3 Rifle Platoons.
This unit lacked any transport, and could not be easily moved. It was in action until April 1941.
Army Level Heavy Artillery Regiment
Artillery Regiment Headquarters: ?
I (Field) Artillery Battalion: 8 or 12 (Schneider) 85mm L/35 Field Guns & Horse Limbers.
II (Medium) Artillery Battalion: 8 or 12 105mm Field Guns & Horse Limbers.
III (Heavy) Artillery Battalion: 8 or 12 155mm Medium Guns & Horse Limbers.
Army Level Motorised Heavy Artillery Battalion:
8 or 12 (Skoda?) 150mm Howitzers & Trucks.
Army Level Anti-Aircraft Detachment
Headquarters: ?
2 Medium AA Batteries, each: 4 37mm AA Guns & Horse Limbers.
Army Level Engineer Battalion
Headquarters: ?
3 Engineer Companies, each probably: 3 Engineer Platoons & Horse Wagons
4 Army Bridging Companies, each:
Pontoon Bridge(s) & Horse Wagons
Formations assigned to A.S. Western Macedonia
