The 35th Raider Squadron (Greek: 35η Μοίρα Καταδρομών) is a special forces unit of the Hellenic Armed Forces permanently stationed in Cyprus.[1]
| 35th Raider Squadron | |
|---|---|
| 35η Μοίρα Καταδρομών | |
| Active | 1974–present |
| Country |  Greece Cyprus |
| Branch |  Hellenic Army |
| Type | Special forces |
| Role | Raiding Special reconnaissance |
| Patron | Saint George |
| Engagements | Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major Georgios Papameletiou |
History
editThe 35th Raider Squadron was formed from parts of A' Raider Squadron, which was dispatched to the island during the Turkish invasion of the island, the only support Cyprus received from Greece during the conflict.[2] The unit came to the island on board Nord Noratlas planes, but with one of them being shot down in friendly fire, resulting in over 30 casualties.[3][4] Following the airlift operation, the commandos took part alongside an element of the Cypriot 33rd Raider Squadron, other Cypriot National Guard units and units from the Hellenic Force in Cyprus in the battle of Nicosia Airport, preventing it from being taken over by the Turkish military.[5][6]
On August 12, the unit was renamed from A Raider Squadron to 35th Raider Squadron.[7]
From August 14, the unit took part in the battle of Agios Dometios suburb, fighting in and around the Gregoriou Grammar school area blocking the Turkish military advance past the Grammar school.[8][9] This is also the battle where Manolis Bikakis (Aka the "Greek Rambo"), fought and destroyed at least four Turkish armoured vehicles, further delaying the Turkish Military.[10][11]
The 35th was called to respond to the riots outside the US embassy which resulted in shots being fired however Commander Papameletiou refused, citing it was not a special forces job to respond to embassy issues rather military police.[12][13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Φασουλάς, Γιάννης; Σκάλκος, Γιάννης (2011). "Νίκη" στην Νεκρή Ζώνη, η αντίσταση της Α' ΜΚ στον "Αττίλα" και την προδοσία ["Niki" in the Dead Zone, the resistance of A' MK against "Attila" and the betrayal]. Athens: Αγαθός Λόγος.
- ^ "Επιχείρηση Νίκη 1974: «Άνθρωποι που τίμησαν τα ελληνικά όπλα δεν πάνε χαμένοι»". cyprustimes.com (in Greek). 2023-08-13. Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ Mavros, Lazaros (2018). "Noράτλας του 1974 σήμερα στην Κύπρο (pics)". sigmalive.com.
- ^ Η ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΟΙΡΑΣ ΚΑΤΑΔΡΟΜΩΝ ΓΙΩΡΓΟΥ ΠΑΠΑΜΕΛΕΤΙΟΥ ΠΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΑΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΥΠΡΟ. 2018. [video] Skai Group.
- ^ Παναγιώτου, Θέων (2015). "Η μάχη του αεροδρομίου" [The battle of the airport]. Με την 33 ΜΚ στον πόλεμο του 1974 [With the 33 MK during the war of 1974] (in Greek) (2nd ed.). Cyprus. p. 126. ISBN 978-9963-9228-2-6.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Παπαδόπουλος, Γιάννης. Η μάχη του αεροδρομίου της Λευκωσίας το 1974 (Thesis). Hephaestus Research Repository, Neapolis University Pafos.
- ^ Αδάμου, Μάριος (2019). Δεκαετία εν όπλοις, 1964-1974 [A decade in arms, 1964-1974] (in Greek) (1st ed.). Σωτήρα Αμμοχώστου: Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historical research. p. 168. ISBN 978-9925-7571-1-4.
Η Μονάδα η οποία εν τω μεταξύ μετονομάστηκε σε 35 ΜΚ...
- ^ J. Erickson, Edward; Uyer, Mesut. "Phase Line Attila - The Amphibious Campaign for Cyprus, 1974" (PDF). usmcu.edu. doi:10.56686/9781732003088. ISBN 978-1-7320030-8-8.
Under the command of Colonel Bitlis, the Turkish Cyprus Regiment continued its assault with the 2d Battalion, 50th Infantry, to encircle the Gregoriou Grammar School west of the Nicosia International Airport. The assault was supported by six M48 tanks from the 5th Armored Brigade. This attack ran into the strong defenses of the EF 212th Infantry Battalion, backed up by a group of two 90mm recoilless rifle antitank teams from the 35th Commando Battalion.
- ^ Ioannis S., Mamounidakis (2008). Armor on Cyprus: Evolution and Operations. Doureios Ippos (Trojan Horse). p. 84. ISBN 978-960-88355-5-9.
- ^ Μακρίδης, Φάνης. "Οι ξεχασμένοι στρατιώτες στο ύψωμα του Αγ. Δομετίου - Χάρη στον Μπικάκη είμαι ζωντανός σήμερα -ΦΩΤΟΓΡΑΦΙΕΣ" [The forgotten soldiers of Agios Dometios hill - "Due to Bikakis I am alive today" - Photos]. tothemaonline.com (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-02-24.
Όταν πήγαμε στο Μον Παρνάς όλοι μιλούσαν για τον Μπικάκη που είχε καταστρέψει με το 90άρι ΠΑΟ τουλάχιστον τέσσερα άρματα μάχης.
[When we went to Mon Parnas, everyone was talking about Bikakkis who destroyed with a 90mm recoilless rifle at least four Turkish armoured fighting vehicles.] - ^ NewsTeam (2023-04-13). "Manolis Bikakis: The Greek "Rambo" against the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (1974) - GEOPOLITIKI". Retrieved 2024-02-24.
- ^ "«Έφυγε» ο Ταξίαρχος (εα) Γεώργιος Παπαμελετίου, Διοικητής της Α' Μοίρας Καταδρομών το 1974 στην Κύπρο". Defence Review (in Greek). 2018-03-19. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- ^ "Η ΕΑΑΑ στα αποκαλυπτήρια της προτομής του Τξχου (ΠΖ)ε.α. Γεωργίου Παπαμελετίου Διοικητή Α΄ (35) Μοίρας Καταδρομών Κύπρου 1974 – Ε.Α.Α.Α." (in Greek). Retrieved 2024-04-13.