Various English and German-language sources erroneously mention the existence of a First Army during the Greco-Italian War and the Battle of Greece (1940–41).

Leo Niehorster's website shows the higher organisation of the Greek Army on 15 August 1940, with the General Staff of the Army directly supervising five corps, three divisions, and the Thessaloniki Fortress.

The emblem of the 1st Army is an Ancient Macedonian shield, emblazoned with the sun of Vergina.

The motto is "As long as (the sun) follows his course" (Greek: εστ' αν (ο ήλιος) την αυτήν οδόν ίη, est' an (o ilios) tin aftin odon ii).

Before the Battle of Plataea, Mardonius offered the Athenians peace terms, with the hope of dividing the Greek forces.