Battle of Kotza Kaya as it became known, is the prepared operation of infiltration - attack by the Greek Cypriot commandos on the camp of the Turkish Paratroopers on Kotza Kaya mountain in the rear of the enemy on the night of July 20/21, 1974. More than a dozen have passed hours from the start of Turkish operations to occupy Cyprus. The commandos are relentlessly fighting on all fronts. One business succeeds another.
Time 18.30. The 11th, 12th and 13th Strike Companies of the 31st Commando Squadron have just completed the topographical briefing in rough sand pits on the hill of Aetofolia. A new operation awaits them:the capture of the Turkish raiding camp on the Kotza Kaya hill, which in the meantime has been reinforced by forces of paratroopers who set foot on the holy soil of Cyprus in the morning.
31 MK was the only one that would act from a western direction. Its objective purpose was the Kotzakaya hill, above the village of Agyrta and south of the castle of Agios Hilarion. Dusk, the start of the 13th Impact Company, after the mandatory individual variation check. Pilgrimage and stop at the icon of the Prophet Elias, which we found on the path. The Captain remembers that it is his name day. In the evening, at 21.00, the penetration of the rear of the enemy from the signal embankment near the lookout.
The 13th Shock Company crosses the ravine. Totally unorthodox and extremely dangerous. But the enemy wouldn't be waiting for us from there alone. We enter the forest of Agyrta. Avoiding the Turkish patrols who don't even realize that we are moving within breathing distance of them. At the same time, the 11th and 12th Strike Companies are moving towards the same objective. The terrain is rough and inaccessible. We move climbing. Ammo boxes are constantly changing hands. Climbing with legs and hands. Fires everywhere.
The haunted castle of Agios Hilarion looms to the left. In the smoke. God, thank you for making us come here. Agios Hilarion had become a psychosis for all commandos during those years. In the military games of the Commando Squadrons, the anthem for each Squadron was the competitive slogan "...in Agios Hilarion we will come out first.... Time 22.55. Arrival outside the camp. The group of 22 men, having two scouts, take turns crossing the white limestone path. Everyone takes a battle position.
Only the cricket interrupts the peace of the night. An owl flutters loudly. We all stay down and hardly breathe. At the same time, the 11th Impact Company takes up position, ready to fix the machine guns of the eastern sector. The 12th Company assumes responsibility for the northern sector. An infinite stillness reigns. The calm of the night sits on her throne. The commandos don't feel anything anymore. They anxiously await the signal to strike. Time is infinite. It's zero hour!
The Captain trots up the stone wall. It hits the mark. He gasses him instantly. Immediate mobilization of the team. We enter the barracks of the camp. The personnel, mostly Turkish paratroopers, are squatting. They rest unsuspecting. Storm lights in the corners. No reaction. The surprise was completely successful. At the same time, the machine guns from the 11th and 12th Impact Companies are captured and cleared from the inside. The battle was decided. A flare from the Captain of the 13th Shock Company signaled the achievement of the objective.
Mission accomplished. Time 23.15. Control of the area and war supplies. Placing enemy machine guns in suitable positions and taking battle positions to counter possible counterattacks. It's midnight. A signal arrives that the 32nd Assault Squadron is facing problems in the White Mouth operation. The Commander of the 13th Assault Company, with 2 machine guns (one from Arsos and the other from Mammari), hurries to reinforce her effort with covering fire Soon the expected begins. In the foothills, Turks are preparing for the yurusi. They light fires and begin, with the guidance of the leaders, the noises. They are heading towards us. They consider us easy prey.
The battle is fierce. The Turks fight back furiously. It's literally hand-to-hand combat. The bullets buzz demonically above and past our heads like wasps. There is no silence or pause between shots. A Turkish Browning 50 mm machine gun, a spoil of war, placed by us almost on the ridge, shreds them from a distance of about three meters. The attacking divisions are disbanded. The same scene is repeated until first light.
The time has reached 05.00 on July 21. Dawn began to break. It is reported that the infantry battalion that should have come to receive the hill is unable to carry out its mission. We are in hostile territory being attacked from every direction. Even from Saint Hilarion. The hill is littered with corpses. Crows fly over the space. The counterattacks have ended. We explore the camp site. The Directorate. The beds are outside the rooms. Posted place cards with photos. Thirst. We cool our lips with traces of water from an oil barrel.
Time 12.00 noon. Issuing a new order. The 11th Shock Company to intercept landing forces at Karavas. The 12th and 13th Shock Companies to move towards the Agios Pavlos crossing to deal with paratrooper units. Reconstruction in Aetofolia. We are driving the Company away. We stay behind with Lieutenant Ilias Glentze. He traps, with Olympian calm, the space and I cover him. The Turks are slowly approaching. It is a few meters away. When the space trap is complete, we open the cordon with surprise fire. We take the path with the fallen tree. In the midst of stormy fire we march rapidly towards the friendly divisions
Monday, time 15.00. St. Paul's Crossing. Invitation card. Dead silence. Only the rustling of leaves accompanies our silence. Absent is Christoforos Christoforos, from Potamos tou Kampos, of the 74A ESSO. Time 15.30 and the sun is still burning. Everyone at attention. Sleepy eyes. Dry lips. Dead bodies. Major Alexandros Maniatis shouts:Moral? The answer is one. Deaf and long-haired:Exalted! In less than an hour the 31st Commando Squadron was taking on the new mission of the supposed truce in time.
SOURCE:PENTAPOSTAGMA