Eastern Regional Command (Denmark)

The Eastern Regional Command (Østre Landsdelskommando) (known until 1923 as 1st General Command (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 (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. Following the end of the Cold War, 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.

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 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.svg 1st Zealand Brigade (added in 1960)
 * Insigne incognitum.svg 2nd Zealand Brigade (added in 1960)
 * Insigne incognitum.svg 3rd Zealand Brigade (added in 1960, disbanded in 1974)
 * Insigne incognitum.svg 1st Zealand battle group (added in 1982)
 * Insigne incognitum.svg 2nd Zealand battle group (added in 1982)
 * Coat of arms for 3rd Zealand battle group.svg 3rd Zealand battle group (added in 1982)
 * Insigne incognitum.svg 4th Zealand battle group (added in 1982)
 * Military Region V, VI & VII
 * Coat of arms for Danish Royal Life Guards.svg Royal Life Guards in Copenhagen and Sandholm
 * Coat of arms for Danish Life Regiment.svg Danish Life Regiment in Høvelte
 * Coat of arms of Zealand Life Regiment.svg Zealand Life Regiment in Slagelse
 * Coat of arms for Falster Regiment of Foot.svg Falster Regiment of Foot in Vordingborg (disbanded in 1976)
 * Coat of arms of the Danish Guard Hussar Regiment (former).svg Guard Hussar Regiment in Næstved
 * Coat of arms for King's Artillery Regiment.svg Crown's Artillery Regiment in Sjælsmark
 * Coat of arms for Zealand Artillery Regiment.svg Zealand Artillery Regiment in Holbæk (disbanded in 1982)
 * Coat of arms for Zealand Air Defence Regiment.svg Zealand Air Defence Regiment in Copenhagen (disbanded in 1970)
 * Coat of arms for the Zealandic Engineer Regiment.svg Zealandic Engineer Regiment in Farum
 * Coat of arms for Zealandic Signal Regiment.svg Zealandic Signal Regiment in Høvelte and Copenhagen
 * Coat of arms for the Zealandic Logistic Regiment.svg Zealandic Logistic Regiment in Copenhagen
 * Coat of arms for Bornholm's Defence.svg Bornholm's Defence in Rønne

Commanders

 * General Command of Zealand (1839–1855)


 * 1st General Command (1855–1922)


 * Eastern Regional Command (1950–1990)