The Eastern Regional Command ( da, Østre Landsdelskommando) (known until 1923 as 1st General Command ( da, 1. Generalkommando)) was the overall command of all Royal Danish Army units on Zealand. It was split into four military regions and was responsible for regional defence. In 1990, the Regional Commands were disbanded and control was collected at the newly created Army Operational Command.

History

Following the introduction of absolute monarchy in 1660, the King held absolute power over the army. However, in cases of war, the King would appoint regional commanders. After the end of the English Wars, it was decided to keep the commands, even during peacetime. Originally named the General Command over Zealand, Lolland-Falster, Møn and Bornholm, it was one of five General Commands. However, after the Frederick VI came to power, he kept control of Zealand. It was only after the King's death in 1839, that control was given back to the military, with Hereditary Prince Ferdinand as the first chief. Around 1900, the commander of the 1st General Command was designated Army Commander-in-Chief in times of war. As such, during World War I, the commander took control of the security force ( da, Sikringsstyrken). As part of the 1922 Defence Agreement, 1st and 2nd General Command were merged to create the unified General Command. In 1950, as part of expansive rebuilding and reorganization of the army, the regional General Commands were revived as the Eastern and Western Regional Command. In the beginning, there was a large focus on having a larger defence in Jutland and the Western Regional Command. However, after the West German rearmament, the focus was shifted back towards Zealand. In case of war, the command would be placed under the control of the

Allied Forces Northern Europe Allied Forces Northern Europe (AFNORTH) was the northern Major Subordinate Command of NATO's Allied Command Europe (ACE), located at Kolsås outside Oslo. In the case of war with the Soviet Union, AFNORTH would assume supreme command of all Allie ...

. Following the end of the

Cold War The Cold War is a term commonly used to refer to a period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies, the Western Bloc and the Eastern Bloc. The term '' cold war'' is used because the ...

, there was a political wish to reduce military spending along with greater centralization. This led to the Eastern Regional Command being disbanded in 1990 and control given to the newly created Army Operational Command.

Structure

1st General Command

Structure in 1870 was: ;Zealand * 1st Battalion in Copenhagen * 2nd Battalion in Copenhagen * 3rd Battalion in Helsingør * 4th Battalion in Copenhagen * 13th Battalion in Copenhagen * 15th Battalion in Copenhagen * 17th Battalion in Copenhagen * 18th Battalion in Helsingør * Life Guards in Copenhagen * 21st Battalion in Copenhagen * 22nd Reserve Battalion in Helsingør * 23rd Reserve Battalion in Copenhagen * 24th Reserve Battalion in Copenhagen *

Guard Hussar Regiment The Guard Hussar Regiment ( da, Gardehusarregimentet, GHR) is a cavalry unit of the Royal Danish Army, whose primary task is to train the Guard Hussars for various functions in the mobilisation force. The Guard Hussar Regiment is one of two acti ...

in Copenhagen * 4th Dragoon Regiment in Næstved * 1st Field Artillery Regiment in Copenhagen * 2nd Field Artillery Regiment in Copenhagen

Eastern Regional Command

The structure in 1950–1990 was: * Coat of arms for 1st Zealandic Brigade

1st Zealand Brigade * Insigne incognitum

2nd Zealand Brigade * Insigne incognitum

3rd Zealand Brigade * Insigne incognitum

1st Zealand battle group * Insigne incognitum

2nd Zealand battle group * Coat of arms for 3rd Zealand battle group

3rd Zealand battle group * Insigne incognitum

4th Zealand battle group * Military Region V, VI & VII * Coat of arms for Danish Royal Life Guards

Royal Life Guards The Life Guards (LG) is the senior regiment of the British Army and part of the Household Cavalry, along with the Blues and Royals. History The Life Guards grew from the four troops of Horse Guards (exclusively formed of gentlemen-troopers un ...

in Copenhagen and

Sandholm Sandholm is an estate in the parish of Blovstrød, Allerød Municipality some 30 km north of Copenhagen, Denmark. History The Sandholm estate traces its history back to 1653 when Captain Christian Vendelboe constructed a house at the site. H ...

Danish Life Regiment in Høvelte * Coat of arms of Zealand Life Regiment

Zealand Life Regiment The Zealand Life Regiment ( da, Sjællandske Livregiment) was a Royal Danish Army infantry regiment. On 1 January 2001 it was disbanded and amalgamated into the Guard Hussar Regiment, which was moved from Næstved to Slagelse. History The Sjæll ...

Slagelse Slagelse () is a town on Zealand, Denmark. The town is the seat of Slagelse Municipality, and is the biggest town of the municipality. It is located 15 km east of Korsør, 16 km north-east of Skælskør, 33 km south-east of Kalundborg and 14 km ...

Coat of arms for Falster Regiment of Foot

Falster Regiment of Foot in Vordingborg * Coat of arms of the Danish Guard Hussar Regiment (former)

in Næstved * Coat of arms for King's Artillery Regiment

Crown's Artillery Regiment The Crown Artillery Regiment ( da, Kronens Artilleriregiment) was an artillery regiment of the Royal Danish Army. On 1 August 1982 it was merged with the Zealand Artillery Regiment to form the King's Artillery Regiment. History In 1684 three artil ...

in Sjælsmark * Coat of arms for Zealand Artillery Regiment

Zealand Artillery Regiment The Zealand Artillery Regiment ( da, Sjællandske Artilleriregiment) was an artillery regiment of the Royal Danish Army. On 1 August 1982 it was merged with Kronens Artilleriregiment to form Kongens Artilleriregiment. History In 1803 the Danish ...

Holbæk Holbæk () is a town in Denmark and the seat of Holbæk municipality with a population of 29,608 (1 January 2022). Zealand Air Defence Regiment in Copenhagen * Coat of arms for the Zealandic Engineer Regiment

Coat of arms for the Zealandic Engineer Regiment

Zealandic Engineer Regiment in Farum * Coat of arms for Zealandic Signal Regiment

Zealandic Signal Regiment in Høvelte and Copenhagen * Coat of arms for the Zealandic Logistic Regiment

Zealandic Logistic Regiment in Copenhagen * Bornholm's Defence in Rønne

Commanders

;General Command of Zealand (1839–1855) ;1st General Command (1855–1922) ;Eastern Regional Command (1950–1990)

Names

Notes

References

;Bibliography * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{Military of Denmark Army units and formations of Denmark