Although many observers expected Greece to field only about 50,000 troops after its humiliation in 1897, the reformed state mobilized 125,000 army personnel plus 140,000 National Guard and reserves, roughly 265,000 in total. French military advice and Greek willingness to learn helped reshape the army around triangular infantry divisions. Greece organized this manpower into two field armies and went on the offensive rather than remaining the coalition's weak partner. The navy then carried the campaign outward through the capture of Aegean islands. These reforms created the combined land-and-sea capacity that made Greece strategically valuable to the Balkan League.
Notable Point · 39:06-43:53
Greek reform produces two offensive field armies
Expected to remain the Balkan League's weak partner, Greece instead mobilized roughly 265,000 personnel and paired offensive land forces with an island-hopping navy.