[5] At the outbreak of the First Balkan War in October 1912, the division was commanded by Major General Konstantinos Damianos.

During the Battle of Sarantaporo on 9 October 1912, the 3rd Infantry Division, along with the 1st and 2nd, executed a frontal attack on Ottoman forces, across open ground.

The Greek divisions suffered heavy casualties due to enemy artillery in the advance, but by night had reached the Turkish lines.

Ottoman forces retreated when the 4th Infantry Division attacked the western flank of the Turkish Army and captured the Porta Pass.

[6] From 25 April 1918, the division fought in World War I on the Macedonian front, and remained active in the area around Lake Prespa until August 1920, when it was transferred to the Asia Minor Campaign.