Cyprus-Forum.com

[Londonrake]

http://www.cyprusbeat.com/cypriots-forg ... s-dunkirk/

[Cap]

It's this kind of history that's not taught at RoC schools.
It's not part of the curriculum because it's too British and not 'Greek' enough to warrant merit.

You see, They know about the Greco Italian battle, but they'll never know about the THOUSANDS of Cypriot volunteers ('G'Cs,'T'Cs, 'A'Cs and maronites) who fought and died or who became POW's in WW2 fighting the Nazis all part of the Cyprus regiment under Britain.

[Cap]

Thanks LR for bringing it up.

[Londonrake]

YW.

I know that about 30,000 Cypriots fought against the Nazis. I'm sure, like any Cypriot politician, views will be diverse and of course passionate. I did though have a lot of non political admiration for Clerides, whom I know was a Wellington pilot, shot down over Germany and made a POW. With a busted leg to start he escaped from a Stalag. Three bloody times! Mentioned in despatches.

Respect.

[Cap]

While the Greeks are celebrating their Oxi today.
Our ancestors were fighting the Nazis in the battle of France, North Africa etc under British rule.

[Paphitis]

Cypriots also served with The Rats of Tobruk which was Australia's Z Force (predecessor to SAS). The rats were the first to defeat Rommel.

Have a look into that if you can Cap. I'm trying to find some historical references.

[Paphitis]

Many Greek soldiers too were there. They were very much favoured by the Australians and Kiwis.

In fact, many of the Greek Soldiers that were evacuated from Greek ended up with Australian and Kiwi forces in Africa.

An entire book was written about the Greek Soldiers and how they interacted with the Aussies. Australian soldiers preferred Greek Soldiers over British because they could relate better.

There were some Cyprus regiment but many Greeks. They became so close Australian Government was trying to save the lives of so many Greek soldiers that were to be executed by the Papagos Government in Greece after WW2.

16 on death row were saved because Australia pressured Papagos, whom they did not like at all. I think the 16 ended up in Australia.

[Get Real!]

Many Greek soldiers too were there. They were very much favoured by the Australians and Kiwis.

In fact, many of the Greek Soldiers that were evacuated from Greek ended up with Australian and Kiwi forces in Africa.

An entire book was written about the Greek Soldiers and how they interacted with the Aussies. Australian soldiers preferred Greek Soldiers over British because they could relate better.

There were some Cyprus regiment but many Greeks. They became so close Australian Government was trying to save the lives of so many Greek soldiers that were to be executed by the Papagos Government in Greece after WW2.

16 on death row were saved because Australia pressured Papagos, whom they did not like at all. I think the 16 ended up in Australia.

The thread title reads… “Cypriots at Dunkirk”.

It doesn’t say “Cypriots and heretics at Dunkirk” !

[Jery]

YW.

I know that about 30,000 Cypriots fought against the Nazis. I'm sure, like any Cypriot politician, views will be diverse and of course passionate. I did though have a lot of non political admiration for Clerides, whom I know was a Wellington pilot, shot down over Germany and made a POW. With a busted leg to start he escaped from a Stalag. Three bloody times! Mentioned in despatches.

Respect.

Clerides initially trained as a pilot but was gunner/wireless operator when he was shot down, I'm not sure if he ever qualified as a pilot. My dad was in the RAF too, he met Clerides at Exeter RAF base, being two of the few, if any, Cypriots stationed there they became quite good friends and kept in touch after the war, dad visited him several times when he was in office in Nicosia.

What makes me really mad about what happened to people like my father is that after risking their lives for the British Empire in WW2 the UK government has reneged on their undertaking to "uphold the territorial integrity and independence of Cyprus", in fact it's worse than that as they appear to be Turkey's bum chums.

[Londonrake]

What makes me really mad about what happened to people like my father is that after risking their lives for the British Empire in WW2 the UK government has reneged on their undertaking to "uphold the territorial integrity and independence of Cyprus", in fact it's worse than that as they appear to be Turkey's bum chums.

I doubt anybody who fought against the tyranny of Nazi Germany in WW2 did so for the greater glory of the British Empire. Certainly none of my family, some of whom perished in the struggle.

I’m not going to get sucked into yet another discussion about what happened in 74 and since, but as far as contemporary Turkey’s concerned I doubt there would be enough space to get a cigarette paper between our opinions of Erdogan and his activities.

I don’t know what you mean by “bum chums”. I’m definitely not. Others can speak for themselves.