The operation of underground armed movements in Cyprus and their influence on the transition of a colony into a republic 1955-1963

Savvides, Petros (2007) The operation of underground armed movements in Cyprus and their influence on the transition of a colony into a republic 1955-1963. MPhil(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The dissertation examines the formation and operation of opposing (Greek and Turkish) underground armed movements on the island of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean, between 1955-1963, and analyzes their catalytic contribution to the violent inter-communal strife during the last colonial years (1955-1958) and their ambiguous, manipulative role in the first years of the newly established Republic of Cyprus (1959-1963). The first chapter, as a prelude to the main argument, presents the ideological background of the Cypriot Greek aspiration for Enosis and the factors that gravely predetermined the outcome of the anti-colonial armed struggle. The following chapter analyzes the operational conception, the underground structure and the internal politics of EOKA, as well as the reasons that led to the strategic failure of its anti-colonial campaign despite its tactical triumph. The third chapter presents the revival of Pan-Turkism, the covert colonial incitement of the Turkish factor (Turkish Government and minority), as well as the desperate Cypriot Turk underground efforts (KITEMB, VOLKAN, 9 Eylul Cephesi, Kara Cete) against the underground domination of EOKA. The following chapter focuses on the important underground action of TMT (November 1957-August 1958) and the four phases of its militant development, and examines how its violent Taksim offensive contributed towards the derailment of Enosis. The fifth chapter analyzes the ideological chasm between former EOKA members, after the termination of the anti-colonial struggle, and the antagonistic operation of Greek Cypriot underground paramilitary movements (KEM, PSA, OPEK, EOK, Lyssarides Groups) for the acquisition of political power during their reputed preparation against Turkish underground ambitions. The last chapter presents the military infiltration of Turkey into the island, the re-establishment of TMT on a paramilitary structure under the control of Ankara and the clandestine operations for the importation of arms and ammunition, and investigates the internal intrigues within the organization for domination over the community between 1958-1963.

• Item Type: Thesis (MPhil(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Military history, Cyprus, Greece, Ethnike Organosis Kypriakou Agonos, Pan-Turanianism.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
• Supervisor's Name: Mulligan, Dr. William
• Date of Award: 2007
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2007-71878
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 17 May 2019 09:31
• Last Modified: 08 Jul 2021 15:52
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71878
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71878