The Missing Heroes: Early Life in Parekklisia
The Missing Heroes: Christakis Ioannou entered the world on December 29, 1955. He was born and raised in the village of Parekklisia. Christakis was the fifth child in a family of six children.
His siblings were Andreas, Michalis, Athena, Socrates, and Nitsa. Christakis father, Alexandros, came from Finikaria and his mother, Chrystalla, was a native of Parekklisia.
A Formative Youth
After he finished primary school, Christakis began a career in construction. He also helped his parents with their livestock.
Also he was a very active and beloved member of his community. Christakis played football for the local AMEP association.
He grew into a hardworking and principled young man. The tough times of his youth forged a strong and resilient character.
Service in the National Guard
In 1973, Christakis enlisted for his national service. The army trained him as a machine gunner after he first completed his basic training at the Paphos Training Center. Soon after his final Training he was posted with the 361st Infantry Battalion in Dikomo.
The Battle for Hill ‘OXI’
When the Turkish invasion began on July 20, 1974, Christakis and his battalion manned defensive outposts near Dikomo.
His unit, the 2nd battalion, defended a strategic location known as hill ‘OXI’. The very next day, Turkish forces launched a major advance to capture the hill. Around 3:00 PM, enemy troops attacked from Aspri Moutti aiming to capture the vital hill.
A Heroic Stand
Facing overwhelming enemy numbers, the battalion leader ordered a withdrawal. The soldiers shouted the order to one another as they fell back.
However, Christakis and Corporal Panagiotis Adamou made a different choice. They remained at their machine gun post. The two men wielded a single Browning 0.50 caliber machine gun. They laid down continuous fire against the advancing Turks.
Their courageous action provided covering fire for their retreating comrades.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Soldiers who had withdrawn could still hear the machine gun firing bravely. The sustained fire gave some the impression that more men had stayed behind.
Two soldiers even attempted to return to their position. They only saw Turkish soldiers on the hill, who immediately fired upon them. Then, the machine gun fired one last, sustained burst.
Silence Fell Over the Hill.
Turkish troops had finally flanked the position and thrown grenades into the nest. The enemy raised their flag over the captured hill. From that moment, no one ever saw Christakis or Panagiotis again.
A Legacy of Heroes
The two men fought with incredible courage until their last breath. They sacrificed themselves to save their fellow soldiers. Their names, Christakis Alexandrou Ioannou and Panagiotis Adamou, are now forever inscribed in history.
Their country remembers them as the missing heroes of the Turkish invasion.
Anatolikilemesou is with the families of the two heroes and if you are reding this memorial article and wish to send some photos we will appreciate it
