The Mission and the Advance

The 32nd Commando Squadron played a decisive role in Operation “Pincer” during the night of July 20th to 21st, 1974. Under the leadership of Major Lambros Kosmidis, the men of the Squadron received orders to advance toward the Agyrta pass and seize the strategically important heights. Their mission connected directly to the overall plan: they had to cut the escape and supply route of the Turkish forces that had established a bridgehead in the area.

The Night Movement

The commandos moved under the cover of darkness, crossing the rugged slopes of Pentadaktylos. The night worked in their favor, allowing them to approach the enemy positions silently. Despite the fatigue and difficult weather conditions, the men maintained impeccable discipline and alertness. Every minute of delay would mean a greater chance of detection by the enemy.

The Fierce Clash

During the early morning hours of July 21st, the 32nd Squadron encountered strong enemy forces defending the pass. A fierce hand-to-hand battle followed. The Turks possessed superiority in heavy weaponry and armoured vehicles, but the commandos responded with surprise manoeuvres. They neutralized machine gun nests and inflicted significant casualties on the enemy, opening the way toward the heights.

The Losses and the Sacrifice

The battle exacted a heavy toll on the 32nd Squadron as well. Seven heroic commandos fell fighting, defending their positions to the end. Among them, Sergeant Andreas Christodoulou and Corporal Georgios Ioannou, who fell heroically during the assault against enemy machine gun positions? Many more sustained injuries, yet they continued fighting until the completion of the mission.

The Success and the Honour

Despite the heavy losses, the 32nd Squadron achieved its objective. Its men seized the strategic heights and maintained control, fully accomplishing their mission. This success allowed the continuation of Operation “Pincer” and brought the Greek forces close to complete victory.

The Historical Memory

The action of the 32nd Squadron in Operation “Pincer” remains alive in the memory of Hellenism. The Ministry of Defence and the Reserve Commando Associations honour the fallen every year, paying tribute to their self-sacrifice. The 32nd Squadron proved that the morale and spirit of Greek commandos do not bend before any superiority in arms.