1.- the illustrations given above are meant to represent the "sacred band" (Ieros Lochos), a volunteer unit formed from students at the Wallachia incident. The unit was raised by Alexander Ypsilantis and anhiliated at the battle of Dragatsan (nowdays in Romania). ieros lochos had a also a small contingent of cavalry, dressed as hussars.
The First is a fictitious one and the second is done by P. von Hess some years after the Independence. The artist was based on the the tales of few survivors of the ieros Lochos and the existing still in our time uniform.
The cap of Ieros Lohos is a peakless fez, similar to a peakless cap with white plume and Silver skull/crossed bones insignia.
The jacket could be russian, prussian or caucasian.
2.- Tarella unit, raised in 1822, the First regular unit of the GWI, dissolved in few months. 1 batallion approx. 400 men
3.- The Greek (revolutionary) Governments decided to raise regular units, mainly due the problem of facing the regular egyptian army. There were lots of efforts but all of them virtually failed due to lack of funds and the emmity of the local warlords. Various units formed:
.- Lord Byron's bodyguard: White shirt and fustanella Red fez. the unit disbanded after the death of lord byron.
.- 1st regular army uniform: traditional dress, the regulars as an insignia had a Cross
.- 2nd regular army uniform: British cut uniform, light blue jacket, grey pants, black leather helmet (similar to the austrian helmet) Brown bess rifles.
cavalry: Polish lancer green uniform with crimson piping
The regulars assembled by the commander i.e. colonel Fabvier, to reinforce Acropolis guard, they wore the traditional dress.
Regulars fought with distinction in several battles, in one of them tried to withstand cavalry in columm order!!!
.- 3rd regular uniform as above but helmet was replaced by fez.
The last uniform was also the First uniform of the new state's army, under Capodistria. (1828-1831) and also of the cadet corps with same colour pants and white belts.
.- there are reports of some small regular units, like the Septinsular batallion. probably their uniform was the remnants of the uniform of the Septinsular Republic (1800-1807) which was of French origin. Another option was that this company carried a septinsular traditional dress.
.- Another regular unit was formed by Philhellenes but had no Special uniform since evrybody carried his own clothes a MIX of campaign dress and napoleonic items. The latter two anhiliated at the battle of Peta.
In genral the regular units contributed much in the GWI, but their battle records were sporadic. Main problem was the political quarells, lack of funds, lack of men etc.
Cavalry had 3 squadrons, for example, one of lancers, one of carabineers and one horseless, no Money to purchase horses!
10 December 2009, 08:06:41 AM