In August 1947, the GES approved the formation of 7 cavalry squadrons with a strength of one hundred (100) soldiers and the formation of the 74th Cavalry Detachment. In April 1948 the 74th Mounted Detachment was deployed to Ili. For the formation of the Iles, hoplites of the Cavalry of the old classes of 1934-1937 were called to arms, who served the country again for 18-20 months without hesitation.
The 1st Ili from the beginning it was stationed in Thessaly, the area of Trikala-Karditsa. He acted admirably in dealing with the rebel attacks on these two cities. Together with the 9th Ili, it performed exceptionally well in the Koniskos operations between October 7-10, 1948. The 2nd Ili after its formation it was developed in Neapolis near Volos. But then he was sent to Larissa and later joined the famous 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He fought heroically in the battle of Sofades on December 18, 1948 together with the 15th Ili.
The 7th Ili was established in Eleftheroupolis Kavala and initially operated in the wider area between Drama and Komotini. It also took place in the mountainous region of Serres. It was used very poorly, in static, defensive missions and did not perform as expected, so it was proposed to dismantle it. It was reorganized and operated with excellent results as a reconnaissance force in the wider area of Evros. The 8th Ili was formed in the zone of responsibility of the VIII Infantry Division in Epirus. He fought well in Mourgana, in September 1948, as well as in the Dodoni - Souli operations, attracting the admiration of the higher echelons.
The 9th Ili was established in Thessaly and from the beginning it was used in the Karditsa area with excellent results. Together with the 1st Ili they formed a group that performed excellently in the operations there and especially in the battle of Sofades on October 18, 1948. The 10th Ili it was formed in Serres but was rendered useless by the administration as it was used exclusively in static missions and indeed dispersed among ulamas.
The 1st Ili operated in the area of Giannitsa - Skydra - Katerinis. It acted as a fast-moving infantry division in Vermio, dispersed, as a result of which it lost its commander in an ambush. It continued its activity in the area of Kolyndros. The 15th Ili was deployed at Ptolemaida and was used extensively in its role as a fast-moving force in clearing operations, performing excellently. He also participated in the battle of Karditsa.
Also in August 1947 the Equestrian School was established from which, in November of the same year, the 2nd Cavalry Detachment was formed which operated in Thessaly as part of the 2nd Army Corps.
Unfortunately due to either the pressing needs or the inexperience of the local higher commands, the cavalry islands often took over the thankless role of static defense acting as common infantry, thus losing their main advantage, agility. Even when it was used as cavalry, however, many times, they were sent on missions to extremely difficult terrains, or distributed in ulama or even inomitos.
The B Cavalry Regiment
The consequence of these was the decision to form cavalry units and specifically two regiments, B and C, in the areas of responsibility of B and C Army Corps respectively. The problem was that the regiments in question did not even have a ulama of heavy weapons, as there was a shortage of machine guns in the Greek Army.
However, the action of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (B SI) was outstanding , which was formed in Larissa on December 24, 1948 and which was joined by the 1st, 2nd or 9th and 15th Ili. The B SI played a decisive role in the defeat of the "cavalry brigade" of the DSE, the so-called "Thessaly brigade" . The force in question had two "principalities", those of Jimma and Gazi. The main force sent against it was the 2nd SI, under Lt. Col. Pylorov, supported by elements of national guard battalions and an element of armor. The B SI together with the other elements silently pursued the "Thessaly" force from February 24 to March 8, 1949 and destroyed it.
Pursued, the insurgents fell from section to section and dissidents tried to escape, without success. B SI attacked the forces of "Thessalus" on the heights of Leontario on 28 February. A new, more serious attack followed on March 2nd, while on March 4th the "Thessaly brigade" was completely disbanded in Leontari. The next day "Thessalos" tried to escape through the Thessalian plain, but on March 6 he was spotted in the area of Koteri. There, after two days of attempts to escape, the power of "Thessaly" was completely neutralized.
The B SI hit her at Ampelonos Karditsa and put them to flight. The DSE tried to reach the village of Ilias, but a group of the B SI had managed to reach the village, preventing their escape to Antichasia. Being hit, the DSE turned back but ran into the armored vehicles and suffered heavy losses. at the same time, the B SI blocked them from the South, while the 28th Light Battalion (national guard) from the North. In order to escape, the "Thessalos" tried to escape through the marshes that existed at the time south of the village of Petrinos.
Then the EBA (Hellenic Royal Air Force) was notified to intervene and decimated them. What remained of the "Thessaly brigade" was exterminated the next day, March 8. Among the dead were the two chiefs, Gazis and Tzimas. The army found 123 bodies of DSE fighters and arrested 45 of them. According to the official report of Lt. General Tsakalotos on the operation:"Cooperation and combination of actions of Cavalry - armored, as fast-moving units, through a pursuit mission produced the results of the destruction of an entire strong C/Gang formation.
"For the first time in the Thessalian plain, the flexible Cavalry is used in a Regiment of Pursuit and Strike Units. As a result of the appropriate use of cavalry, the Thessalian plain was cleared of "THESSALON" cancer. The SS sought right from the start to make the divisions ready to move with the minimum of warning. The destructive mentality of the defensive static arrangement of the departments has ceased. Thanks to the ready movement of the Units, it is observed in this operation, where it was needed from all directions for the divisions to approach. The result was to quickly create a suffocating cord around the identified volume of "THESSALON" which crushed it.
"Timely intervention of the air force in coordination with the effective cooperation on the battlefield of the Air Force, with its overwhelming firepower, contributed to the destruction of K.S. Group. Finally, the value of good information should be emphasized, the confirmation of this through reconnaissance and the subsequent persistent pursuit of exploiting it".
"From the above extracts we conclude:
-Appropriate use of armored units as fast-moving units, taking advantage of their ability to quickly deliver overwhelming firepower.-
-Appropriate use of Cavalry Units as high-speed shock units, to extend the action of armored units, where the terrain restricts this.-
- Pursuit of Cavalry-Armored cooperation. This cooperation strengthens the flexible Cavalry, used as an impact element.
- Timely and timely use of air factor. Pursuit of a high level of training in Army-Air Force battlefield cooperation.
Seeking information and exploiting it in a timely manner. Finally, the tactic of the SS, which was intended from the beginning to make its units ready to move and to create in them the principle of constant movement and never standing still, for efficient effort, is clearly demonstrated. T. Tsakalotos, Lieutenant General - COMMANDER".
The 3rd Cavalry Regiment
The G SI was formed on March 1, 1949 and had the 4th, 8th and 10th islands. However, he was given a huge area of responsibility. It operated successfully in the area of Krousia in Doirani at the end of March 1949. Later it was transferred to the area of Evros.