The Mission of the 33rd Squadron
The 33rd Commando Squadron stood at the forefront of Operation “Pincer” during the night of July 20th to 21st, 1974. Under the leadership of Major Georgios Katsanis, the men of the Squadron received orders to advance and seize the heights of “Petromouthkia” and ultimately the castle of Saint Hilarion. Their objective held strategic importance for the entire operation: to complete the encirclement of Turkish forces in the Agyrta pass area.
The Night Advance
The commandos of the 33rd Squadron began their movement through the darkness, crossing the rugged terrain of Pentadaktylos. Major Katsanis gathered his men around 7:00 PM on July 20th and announced their mission. With his unique way of inspiring them, he said: “My commandos do not forget when bullets and physical strength run out, the soul fights.” The assault time was set for 11:00 PM. The night cover allowed them to approach the enemy positions silently, with the men maintaining perfect discipline despite the fatigue and adverse conditions.
The Fierce Assault
At 11:00 PM, Katsanis ordered the general assault. Using a strategy he designed and executed himself, he surprised the Turks. At 11:45 PM, the commander himself fired a green flare, signalling the absolute success of the operation. The commando forces seized the heights of Kotzakaya and Aetofolia, achieving the element of surprise against the enemy. The battle for the Pentadaktylos peaks unfolded as a hand-to-hand combat, with the 33rd Squadron commandos surrounding Turkish troops.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
The final objective remained the capture of Saint Hilarion castle. Fierce battles continued until the early morning hours of July 21st. At 3:00 AM, the Squadron received enemy fire and subsequently Turkish aircraft bombed them. Despite the betrayal and impending death, Katsanis did not retreat. Around 9:30 AM on Sunday, July 21st, he suffered a mortal wound from a sniper’s bullet, fighting heroically alongside his men. The 33rd Squadron commander fell while defending the heights of Pentadaktylos.
The Fallen Heroes
The battle exacted a heavy toll on the 33rd Squadron. Among those who fell heroically was commando Andreas Onisiforou Kkolou, who served his military service in the 33rd Commando Squadron with its base in Pella-Pais, Kyrenia. He was among the commandos who conquered the Pentadaktylos peaks on July 21, 1974, and since then his traces were lost. For 46 years he remained missing until September 2024, when authorities found and identified his bones using the DNA method and buried him with full honours.
The Achievement of the Objective
Despite the heavy losses and the death of their commander, the 33rd Commando Squadron achieved its objective. The men seized the strategic heights and maintained control, fully accomplishing the mission assigned to them. The ultimate target of Saint Hilarion remained within reach, with the squadron’s action bringing the Greek forces close to complete success in the Pincer operation.
The Historical Legacy
The action of the 33rd Commando Squadron in Operation “Pincer” remains alive in the collective memory of Hellenism. Major Georgios Katsanis, promoted posthumously to Lieutenant General, remained missing for 46 years until early 2020, when the Committee on Missing Persons identified his bones in a mass grave in the occupied areas. Today, the Unconventional Warfare Training Center in Rendina, Thessaloniki, and the camp of the 33rd Commando Squadron in Stavrovouni, Cyprus, bear his name. The “Macedonian Eagle of Saint Hilarion” lives in the memory of Hellenism as a symbol of self-sacrifice and patriotism.
