Most high-ranking
Eoka fighters -- he was deeply involved in 'the Struggle', and has written four books about his experiences -- cashed in their cachet after 1960, going for government positions; Renos, who was on
Eoka's political committee (known as Peka), could plausibly have become Minister of Education, or at least an MP -- but "my God, never!" he replies, horrified, when I put it to him.
The group of elderly Cypriot
EOKA veterans had alleged they were abused and tortured by British soldiers and security services whilst held in custody when they were teenagers in Cyprus.
The clock weight |from Ieper and (above)
Eoka hand grenades and side drum
In 1963, former
EOKA leader Nicos Sampson incited and led attacks on the Turkish minority, so a UN peacekeeping force was sent to Cyprus.
They were posted to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus with the 37 (Light Anti-Aircraft) Squadron where they survived bomb blasts and gun attacks during one of the most ferocious anti-British terrorist insurgencies mounted by the guerrilla group
EOKA.
But their postings coincided with one of the most ferocious anti-British terrorist insurgencies mounted by the guerrilla group
EOKA in Cyprus, now a popular holiday destination with British families.
Terrorism in Cyprus is a compilation of documents that includes extracts from Grivas' Diary, the correspondence between Grivas and the
EOKA organization, and the explanatory notes of the Colonial Office on these exposed documents.
Furthermore, the article states that Colonel Grivas 'started a terrorist organization
EOKA'.
He was wounded while serving with the Parachute Regiment in Cyprus during the
EOKA terrorist troubles and walks with the aid of a stick.
As you will know, it was the disastrous attempt by this government to murder the Cypriot leader Archbishop Makarios and install a known
Eoka terrorist, Nikos Samson, in his place to unite Cyprus with Greece that led to the Turkish invasion.
That has focused attention on former
Eoka guerrillas.