50 Years since 2nd WW, EUROPA Issue Peace and Freedom, Republic of Cyprus

On Demosthenis Severis Avenue there stands a cenotaph in memory of all those Cypriots who fell during the 2nd World War. Their names and burial locations are listed from far apart countries and locations such as France, Greece, Egypt and El-Alamein. It makes reference to 35,000 Cypriots who had taken part in the war for freedom. The monument was unveiled by President Glafcos Clerides who himself had flown with the Royal Air Force and taken prisoner of war. At the time the British Colonial Government enjoined the population to enlist in the British Army and thus fight for Greece and their own freedom. That promise however was no more than empty words blown away by the winds of change. 20,000 fought the Axis powers in France and Egypt and some 5,000 volunteers fought in Greece during its occupation by the Nazi forces. Between 1941-1944, 2,000 of the volunteers were taken prisoners. Many others were executed. The Greek Government of King George II, in Cairo, had already by 1942/3 brought up the question of Northern Epirus and Cyprus. The British Government at the time answered that both questions were to be discussed after the war. (Extract from: Hellas and Cyprus, by General Serge Gyalistras, Member of Parliament, Former Undersecretary for Air 1955) In 2001, Greek Cypriot veterans of the 2nd World War took part for the first time in the Military Parade in Thessloniki during the Sunday celebrations commemorating October 28th National Day.