35th Raider Squadron explained

Unit Name:35th Raider Squadron
Native Name:35η Μοίρα Καταδρομών
Dates:1974–present
Country:
Type:Special forces
Role:RaidingMountain warfareSpecial reconnaissance
Patron:Saint George
Battles:Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
Notable Commanders:Major Georgios Papameletiou

The 35th Raider Squadron (Greek, Modern (1453-);: 35η Μοίρα Καταδρομών) is a special forces unit of the Hellenic Armed Forces permanently stationed in Cyprus.[1]

History

The 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] [3] 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.[4] [5] 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.[6] [7]

On August 12, the unit was renamed from A Raider Squadron to 35th Raider Squadron.[8]

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.[9] [10] 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.[11] [12]

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.[13] [14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Φασουλάς, Γιάννης . "Νίκη" στην Νεκρή Ζώνη, η αντίσταση της Α' ΜΚ στον "Αττίλα" και την προδοσία . Σκάλκος . Γιάννης . Αγαθός Λόγος . 2011 . Athens . "Niki" in the Dead Zone, the resistance of A' MK against "Attila" and the betrayal.
  2. Web site: Vlassis . Savvas D. . ΕΠΙΧΕΙΡΗΣΙΑΚΗ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗ-ΚΡΙΤΙΚΗ . Operational analysis-critique . averoph.wordpress.com . "Η Επιχείρηση ΝΙΚΗ που εκτελέστηκε την νύκτα 21/22 Ιουλίου 1974, ήταν η μοναδική αποστολή μεταφοράς ενισχύσεων στην Κύπρο..." . "Operation Niki, which was executed on the night of 21/22 July 1974, was the only mission to transport reinforcements to Cyprus...".
  3. Web site: 2023-08-13 . Επιχείρηση Νίκη 1974: «Άνθρωποι που τίμησαν τα ελληνικά όπλα δεν πάνε χαμένοι» . 2024-02-24 . cyprustimes.com . el.
  4. Web site: Mavros . Lazaros . 2018 . Noράτλας του 1974 σήμερα στην Κύπρο (pics) . sigmalive.com.
  5. Η ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΔΙΟΙΚΗΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΟΙΡΑΣ ΚΑΤΑΔΡΟΜΩΝ ΓΙΩΡΓΟΥ ΠΑΠΑΜΕΛΕΤΙΟΥ ΠΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΗΣΑΝ ΣΤΗΝ ΚΥΠΡΟ. 2018. [video] Skai Group.
  6. Book: Παναγιώτου, Θέων . Με την 33 ΜΚ στον πόλεμο του 1974 . 2015 . 978-9963-9228-2-6 . 2nd . Cyprus . 126 . el . With the 33 MK during the war of 1974 . Η μάχη του αεροδρομίου . The battle of the airport.
  7. Παπαδόπουλος . Γιάννης . Η μάχη του αεροδρομίου της Λευκωσίας το 1974 . Hephaestus Research Repository, Neapolis University Pafos .
  8. Book: Αδάμου, Μάριος . Δεκαετία εν όπλοις, 1964-1974 . Cypriot Institute of Scientific and Historical research . 2019 . 978-9925-7571-1-4 . 1st . Σωτήρα Αμμοχώστου . 168 . El . A decade in arms, 1964-1974 . "Η Μονάδα η οποία εν τω μεταξύ μετονομάστηκε σε 35 ΜΚ...".
  9. Web site: J. Erickson . Edward . Uyer . Mesut . Phase Line Attila - The Amphibious Campaign for Cyprus, 1974 . usmcu.edu . 10.56686/9781732003088 . 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.".
  10. Book: Ioannis S., Mamounidakis . Armor on Cyprus: Evolution and Operations . Doureios Ippos (Trojan Horse) . 2008 . 978-960-88355-5-9 . 84.
  11. Web site: 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 . 2024-02-24 . tothemaonline.com . el . "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.".
  12. Web site: NewsTeam . 2023-04-13 . Manolis Bikakis: The Greek "Rambo" against the Turkish invasion of Cyprus (1974) - GEOPOLITIKI . 2024-02-24 . en-US.
  13. Web site: Newsroom . DefenceReview . 2018-03-19 . «Έφυγε» ο Ταξίαρχος (εα) Γεώργιος Παπαμελετίου, Διοικητής της Α’ Μοίρας Καταδρομών το 1974 στην Κύπρο . 2024-04-13 . Defence Review . el.
  14. Web site: Η ΕΑΑΑ στα αποκαλυπτήρια της προτομής του Τξχου (ΠΖ)ε.α. Γεωργίου Παπαμελετίου Διοικητή Α΄ (35) Μοίρας Καταδρομών Κύπρου 1974 – Ε.Α.Α.Α. . 2024-04-13 . el.

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