 CYPRUS WAR:
The strained relations between the Greek and Turkish
communities in Cyprus erupted into open war in Nicosia on 21 Dec 1963. Regiment
forces were immediately deployed to protect British lives and property, and
when the political decision was taken to employ British forces to restore
peace, Nos.26, 28, and 34 Squadrons were the first British units to enter
Nicosia, on 27 December. They were joined on the next day by No. 27 Squadron,
and the following day No. 16 Squadron arrived from Britain to reinforce the
Regiment in Cyprus.
On the 30th December, the two warring communities
were separated by the so-called "Green Line" drawn across Nicisia, and No.3
Wing (Nos.16, 26, 27 and 28 Squadrons) were used to establish this demarcation
line and control passage across it. No.5 Wing Headquarters, having just been
disbanded, was not available to assist in the task of command and control.
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Royal Air Force Regiment
SERVICE CLUB
"Proud of
our Corps". "Proud of our Association".
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Lighter side of things:
Many of us
have served in area's that were not of the best makings, how we chose to
alienate ourselves from these situations is one that we concocted for
ourselves. To day the "lads" receive counselling, it was never heard of in our
days. Not that I am being disrespectful to the "lads" of today it just
highlights how things change.
Anyway back to my story on "lighter side
of things". This particular story takes place in Cyprus, circa 1959. I
was on 34 L A A Sqdn and along with all the other sqdn's on the Island
we had various duties to carry out, numerous as well. 34's tally of these
duties were, Nicosia Airport Guard, Main water Pumping station for the camp and
the main "Homer" device up in the Troodos Mountains. |
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| This story relates to the Troodos detachment. We had a two week
detachment up in the mountains, up there at the time was 42 Commando unit, they
used to patrol the hills whilst we guarded the homer. Sometimes to break the
monotony we used to go out on patrol with them. This particular time we were
there it was winter time and plenty of snow in "them there hills"!! I actually
had my first ski-ing lesson up there. I diversify once more. The site that we
used for this guard was the old NAAFI holiday camp, which had been used quite a
lot when there was no trouble on the Island. Singles and families used it. This
particular detachment got marooned up on Troodos because of the snow, which
instead of two weeks ended up as four weeks. The lads ran out of monies and it
was set up so that they could obtain stuff from the NAAFI shop and their pay
would come up with the relief guard and they could settle their bills before
returning to Nicosia. |
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| This system worked perfectly, all the fun began on
the way back down the mountain. The relief guard arrived, headed by P O Mike
Green, Deputy Flt Comdr., along with Flt Sgt Bill Matthews. Fred Smith, ex
Marine drove their Land Rover. Someone, I can never remember who suggested that
on the way back down the mountains we stop and give the lads a chance to have a
break at a local Taverna, everyone was in favour of this. Anyway we stop at
this Taverna and we are having a quiet drink, I was sat With Bill Matthews,
Mike Green & Fred Smith. Then someone suggests that we have a game of
something. 7,14,21, was suggested, I'd never heard of this one. So it was
explained that it is played with Crown & Anchor Dice and for "ale". Using
only the ace's on the dice you count them as they are thrown, 7 orders, 14
pay's and 21 drinks it, whatever it is!! Needless to say I do not remember
leaving the Taverna, the next thing I remember is the "Red Caps" stopping the
convoy, for the want of a better word, one3 Tonner & a Land Rover. Bill
Matthews is then instructing two of the lads to support me to stop me falling
over. The "Red Caps" do they're bit, look a bit strangely at me in particular
but allow us to go on our way. As they departed, I remember sliding down the
rear wheel of the 3 tonner, as that is where they had propped me, We get back
to Nic and I am duly handed over to my pal Tommy Slater, we were in the same
bunk. His instructions were to get me sobered up as best possible and let me
sleep it off. |
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| The epilogue to all of this is that we had an
Adj., Flt Lt Harty, who was a right "old Bible puncher". Always had his prayer
book to hand and did not believe in the "evils of drink". At that time
because of the shortage of accommodation on the Island some officers were
"boarded out" in local hotels. Mike Green in this instance was "billeted" in
the Regina Hotel in Nic and so was Flt Lt Harty. Now Mike was also well under
the weather via the 7,14,21 game. Bill Matthews's gets him down to the Hotel
and is escorting Mike into the Hotel when who should walk out but Flt Lt Harty.
They exchange pleasantries and go on their respective ways. The next day Harty
sends for Bill Matthews and asks what was wrong with Mike Green? Bill blithely
goes into a story about Mike being effected by atmospheric pressure, coming
down from the mountains of Troodos to the plains of Nic, and got away with it.
I was told at a latter stage that I had been attempting to "kiss" the pin-ups
that we had on the wall in the bunk and that Slater had a right old job with
me!!!! What stunts and tricks we used to pull and play are nobodies business
and when you try to tell someone these days about things like that they think
you are pulling a fast one. Good Old days and memories. Tom Feeley 31, 34,
26 sqdn's. |
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TOM'S TALE
CYPRUS 1959 |
CPL TOM FEELEY
Click to see full
picture. |
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