CONFIDENT I AL
3RD DRAFT
41.
CYPRUS
Following the coup mounted in mid-1974 by the Greek Cypriot
National Guard and the subsequent Turkish landing, the resident
garrisons of the two British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAS) of
Akrotiri and Dhekelia were reinforced by an Army brigade headquarters,
two infantry battalions, an armoured reconnaissance regiment, two
Royal Marines Commando Groups and many support units. A squadron
of RAF Phantoms, a Puma helicopter detachment and an RAF Regiment
Field Squadron as well as a number of HM Ships and Royal Fleet
Auxiliaries were also deployed to the island.
42. At the request of the United Nations' Secretary General the
size of the British contingent in the UN Force in Cyprus was doubled
and played a significant role in the protection of Nicosia airfield.
43. The Sovereign Base Areas became a haven for thousands of
homeless people of many nationalities, for whom the Army and the
Royal Air Force and the civilian members of the SBA Administration
unstintingly provided food and shelter. 4,500 people were escorted
Some 13,000 Service and
by the Army from Nicosia to Dhekelia.
civilian dependants and others were evacuated under Army protection
from Limassol, Larnaca and, with Royal Naval assistance, from
Famagusta. The Royal Navy rescued 1,500 people cut off in the
Kyrenia area by the Turkish advance and also saved the survivors of
a sunken Turkish destroyer. During July and August 22,000 people,
including dependants of Servicemen and British-based civilians, were
evacuated in 360 RAF special flights to the United Kingdom. All
these operations were executed with the highest order of efficiency
and professionalism, and earned great praise both at home and abroad.
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CONFIDENT IAL