In August 30, 1958, four EOKA rebels were found after anonymous information was received at the offices of the Royal Ulster Rifles, in the settlement of Famagusta district, under the name "Liopetri."
Immediately instructions were given to the commander of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Army and a small number of soldiers departed for the region where after a flanking maneuver, they managed to encircle the rebels and identify them with the help of relevant information given by a peasant, in a small building southwest of the settlement.
Calls by the authorizing officer followed, such in English as in Greek languages for them to surrender without fighting in order to avoid bloodshed. Instead of replying, they repeatedly shot the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, who returned fire.
With the ceasefire they aid was requested, which arrived and consisted of 120 soldiers with full expeditionary equipment. Call for surrender followed which again had no response.
On the third morning hour, on September 2ns, the rebels were called again to surrender and instead of a response, the Royal troops got under fire from inside the building. The troops of the Crown, responded to fire. In the ensuing battle, two of the rebels attempted, covered by the darkness to escape shooting. In response to shootings from soldiers of the Crown, both were killed.
The remaining two rebels refused to surrender for hours and then the commander of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Army requested to participate in the battle and a helicopter, thus bombing the building. This was done and the building engulfed in flames after bombs were dropped.
The rebels tried to get out of it by shooting but they were killed by the British soldiers.
The four dead rebels are:
- Photis Pittas
- Christos Samaras
- Elias Papakyriakou
- Andreas Karyos
The Commander of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Army was given the highest military medal of bravery and honor for the success of the settlement Liopetri.
Source: Royal Ulster Rifles
The Battle of Achironas Liopetriou is perhaps be the greatest sacrifice and courage that was shown during the EOKA Unionist struggle after the battle and the holocaust of Gregoris Afxentiou.
Words are poor to describe the greatness of the sacrifice and Holiness of the area, so I invite anyone who knows or has lived the events to share their knowledge with us.
