Armor on Cyprus

ARMOR ON CYPRUS - EVOLUTION AND OPERATIONS (1964 - 2007).

In 1964 the government of the Republic of Cyprus, decided to proceed with the establishment of the Cypriot National Guard, in order to defend itself from the aggressive activities of armed Turkish Cypriots and to ensure the defense of the island against the threats of Turkey for an invasion. The Armored Corps that was created at the time was initially based on certain improvised armored vehicles and on old equipment that was granted by the Greek Army. These were Marmon Herrington MkIVF wheeled armored reconnaissance vehicles, that were after a while complemented by equipment of Soviet origin, T-34/85 tanks and BTR-152V1 armored vehicles, which the government of Cyprus ordered. These, were additionally complemented by M24 and M47 battle tanks, and M18 tank destroyers, that belonged to the order of battle of the Greek division which was deployed on the island between the period 1964-1967.

In general, the Cypriot National Guard was an inexperienced force which although organized along western lines, used for the most part obsolete equipment, which to a large extent was of Soviet origin. This disparate lot was called upon to face the Turkish Armed Forces that invaded the island in the summer of 1974. The Marmon Herringtons and T-34/85s were found facing the Turkish M47 and M48, in a war of short duration that led to the occupation of 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish invasion forces.

The subject of this book is the history of the establishment, development and action of the Armored Corps of the Cypriot National Guard; a story told for the first time. The book covers the developments after the invasion and the new types (Cascavel, Jararaca, VAB, AMX-30, BMP-3, T-80U) that were procured in order to modernize the Armored Corps. Included are pictures from the M48A5 MOLFs tanks that the Greek Army contingent deploys to the island.

''ARMOR ON CYPRUS'' includes ample photographic material, comprising roughly 150 pictures, of which 50 in colour. The majority of these is rare and is published for the first time while some pictures come from Turkish archives. Moreover, color maps and profiles of the main types of armored vehicles that were used by the National Guard are included for clarification.

Contents:

• INTRODUCTION
• ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL GUARD
• NATIONAL GUARD IMPROVISED ARMORED VEHICLES
• THE ARMORED CORPS
• THE SITUATION IN 1974 AND THE COOP
• THE INVASION
• ARMOR DURING OPERATION ''ATTILA I'' (20-22 JULY)
• THE PERIOD OF ''TRUCE'' (23 JULY - 13 AUGUST)
• ARMOR DURING ''ATTILA II'' (14-16 AUGUST)
• CONCLUSIONS & DEDUCTIONS
• ARMOR AFTER THE INVASION
• TESTIMONY OF SEARGENT CONSTANTINOS DROSOS
• ARMORED CORPS CASUALTIES
• A TURKISH MEMENTO.

Author: Ioannis S. Mamounidakis

Publisher: Trojan Horse (2008)

ISBN: 978-960-88355-5-9

Description: 

• 117 pages, Paperback, Format A4
• 88 b/w and 55 colour photos, 4 full page colour side views accompanied by extensive captions, 10 colour maps, diagrams, technical data tables plus casualties table, glossary
• FULL ENGLISH TEXT.

Condition: NEW COPY.

Shipping weight: 590 gr.

Tags: CYPRUS WAR 1974, CYPRIOT NATIONAL GUARD