'B' Troop 45 Cdo.RM versus Georgios Grivas
by Charles Hart

Chapter 2. EOKA - "LOOK OUT".

The Troop having completed Unit Training in Arzew.North Africa, with a visit to the French Foreign Legion H.Q. in Sidi-Bel-Abbes and a Bull Fight in Oran, we returned to Ghadira Camp in Malta. We unpacked our Troop Stores and made ready for the usual 'Run-Ashore' in Valetta. The married men with their wives in Malta rejoined their families, all of us looking forward to a well earned rest from the hectic weeks of heat, sand and scorpions. Once back in Ghadira our Troop training continued, together with Brigadier Inspections to keep the troops in fine fettle and usual smartness. However, the trouble in Cyprus was coming to a head, and with the EOKA campaign in its infancy, we were given approx; seven hours notice in which to pack our stores and sail for Cyprus.

The Amphibious Squadron set sail at 6am, much to the disappointment of the Maltese shopkeepers, Bars and of course the mens families in Malta. Further stores were to be loaded on to the ships in Harbour and follow up the advance party later. 45 Commando arrived in Cyprus, and within six hours of arrival in Famagusta and a sixty-mile drive to their Headquarters Camp, were deployed and in action against the terrorists. Their first area of operations was the Kyrenia Mountain Range, which runs along the North coast, also included was the 'Panhandle' a narrow
sixty-mile peninsular at the Eastern end of the Island. 

Baker Troop were located at Bogahz near Famagusta for near on three months, and carried out patrols, reconnaissance and ambush activities, marching and climbing many miles through the Kyrenia range, by night and day. Baker Troop was dwindling due to repatiations to U.K. after completing their tour of duty, however, the Troop soon built up again and we were back to about 70 strength. Major Halliday our Troop Commander identified the first EOKA mountain camp and caused the Military and Police Chiefs in Cyprus to completely alter their policy, as they had not known whether the terrorists operated from towns, villages or mountains. 

The remaining Stores, following up the main party, arrived in Famagusta Harbour and were unloaded ready to be moved to the Troodos area. Due to the fact that all the Troop Transport was otherwise engaged, Cypriot civilian lorries were provided with Cypriot drivers. The lorries were loaded on to the open trucks, what a sight we looked as we set off from Famagusta on our 75 mile trip towards Troodos. Leaving Famagusta far behind we moved in convoy across the lowlands, flat dusty open country with little scenery except for the Kyrenia Mountains to our right in the far distance. Gradually, as the miles ticked away, the scene changed as we approached the lower wooded slopes of the Troodos mountains. 

We stopped at a roadside cafe for some refreshment and to stretch our legs, after a very dusty and bumpy journey in a vehicle not quite as comfortable as my old A40 Devon I'd left in Malta! With quite a few miles ahead of us we once more set off, the roads were now beginning to twist and wind through the pine covered mountains. I often look back to that day and wonder what we would have done if Grivas and his followers had decided to take over our  stores. It was very possible that he was in the vicinity, but we did not know this at the time. I and the other N.C.Os and Marines in the convoy had our firearms, but due the fact that a State of Emergency had not yet been proclaimed, we were restricted to the use of arms - we didn't have any ammunition anyway !! We were now well into the mountains with very sharp hairpin bends and steep drops into the valley, we passed the Amiandos Asbestos mine and proceeded up towards Troodos at 5600 feet, we then began the most nerve racking part of the trip, from Troodos down 2000 feet to Platres, around hairpin bends which the vehicles couldn't make in two, let alone one. 

The bends were known as the 'Seven Sisters" but I'm sure there more. Vehicles had to go forward to the edge of the road and reverse, thank God the brakes were in a good state. We at last reached Platres, a lovely little village, nestling amongst the pine trees, with a few Hotels and Shops. This was to become the Unit Headquarters for the next seven or eight months. We took over the various Hotels which had been allocated, and unloaded our stores. Accommodation was very good in most of them, the Officer's Mess was in Hotel Splendid, the Sergeant's Mess in the Hotel Pendeli with the remainder of the Unit sharing other Hotels. Baker Troop and one other Troop were allocated Hotel Pafsilypon, a third rate hotel on the side of a mountain, opening on to the main Platres road, and supported at the rear by wooden piles.

The whole Unit moved into the Troodos Sub-Area in November 1955 and were soon settled in their new quarters and ready to take on Grivas. Over previous months many Police Stations in the area had been raided by EOKA to obtain weapons. It was therefore decided to protect these stations by placing a number of Marines and a N.C.O on guard duty in each. Baker Troop were dispersed around the stations for two months, feeding on Compo Rations (Rations made up of Tinned Food and Dehydrated vegetables, for use in the field) we were able to obtain fresh food from local sources - washed down with some real fine local wine at about a shilling (5p) a bottle, the Keo Brandy was also very good. Prior to moving the troops into the stations a recce; had to be made around the area, ordinance survey maps were not yet available so we made do with the tourist map off the wall of the Pendeli Hotel. It gave us some indication where the villages were situated, in spite of some of the signposts being turned around, we were able find the Stations eventually amongst the mountains and narrow roads. However, all turned out well in the end, and the lads did a real first class job - as always. 

The following villages were covered by 45 Commando, either by Cordon & Search or Police Station duties :-

Police Stations. Lower Regions of Troodos.

OMODHOS. KILANI. VOUNI. MALLIA. KISSOUSA. ARSOS.
LANIA and TRIMIKLINI.

Police Stations and Cordon & Search. North West of Platres.

KAKOPETRIA. GALATA. SPILIA. AGROS. PALIKHORI. AMIANDOS.
KYPEROUNDA. KHADRIA. POLYSTIPOS and KOURDHALI.

North East of Platres.

PRODHROMOS. PHINI. LEMITHOU. KYKKO. MILIKOURI.
KAMINARIA and PEDHOULAS.

Many other small villages were searched throughout the area, including some of the Police Station villages.