Manolis Bikakis (Greek: Μανώλης Μπικάκης; March 10, 1954 – October 22, 1994) was a Greek commando during the Turkish invasion of 1974.[1][2]
Sergeant Manolis Bikakis | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Μανώλης Ιωάννης Μπικάκης |
| Birth name | Manolis Ioannis Bikakis |
| Born | March 10, 1954 Amygdalos, Crete, Kingdom of Greece |
| Died | October 22, 1994 (aged 40) Greek National Road 8a, Greece |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Greece |
| Service/ |  Hellenic Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Alpha Raider Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Turkish Invasion of Cyprus |
| Other work | Construction worker |
Biography
editManolis Ioannis Bikakis was born on 10 March 1954 in Amygdalos, Heraklion, Crete. He completed primary school in the village of Stoli in Heraklion. After fulfilling his military service, he worked as a construction worker. He was married with two children when he had died on 22 October 1994.[3]
Turkish Invasion of Cyprus
editBikakis served with the Greek Alpha Raider Squadron (Later renamed to 35th Raider Squadron) which was secretly airlifted to Cyprus with Operation Niki during the night of 21st July 1974 and in the early morning of 22nd.[4] The Alpha Raider Squadron had the objective to reinforce the ELDYK and Cypriot National Guard units the island and was assigned to the Nicosia International Airport.[5] During the second phase of invasion launched on August 14, 1974, the Squadron was dispersed confronting the invading Turks in the area of Ayios Dhometios (Battle of Agios Dometios) where Bikakis had been ordered to provide anti-tank cover with a 90-mm M67 recoilless rifle.[6] During the clashes, he was separated from his teammates who presumed him dead. Repeatedly changing his position, Bikakis fought against the enemy with his rocket. After the engagement, he was lost and tried to find the remains of his unit for 4 days, which he eventually found after a phone call he made with his unit commander.
Aftermath
editBikakis died in a car accident in 1994, while driving on the Athens-Patra National Highway.[7]
The Greek government claimed that he knocked out 6 Turkish tanks and posthumously awarded him with the Medal of Gallantry in 2015, 41 years after the war had ended.[8]
References
edit- ^ Μανώλης Μπικάκης: Ένας ξεχασμένος ήρωας του 1974, Proto thema onLine, 20/07/2014, archived here
- ^ "Ο Κρητικός που κατάφερε να σταματήσει τον Αττίλα", archived here
- ^ Dionysiou, Christina (14 August 2018). "Σαν σήμερα: Ένας λεβέντης Κρητικός αλλάζει την ιστορία της Κύπρου μας" [Like today: A fellow Cretian changed the history of our Cyprus].
- ^ J. Erickson, Edward (9 April 2020). "Phase Line Attila: The Amphibious Campaign for Cyprus, 1974" (PDF). www.usmcu.edu. p. 169 (148 in actual book).
The Hellenic Air Force planned to launch 20 modern twin-engine Nord Noratlas military transports as well as 10 Douglas C-47 Dakotas from the 354th Tactical Transport "Pegasus" Squadron for what was designated Operation Victory (Operation Niki).
- ^ Adamou, M ., 2019. Decades in Arms, 1964-1974, A Brief History of the Commando Forces in Cyprus. 1st ed. Sotira Famagusta: Cyprus Institute of Scientific and Historical Research, pp.156-157.
- ^ Fasoulas, Giannis; Skalkos, Giannis (2011). "Νίκι" στη Νεκρί Ζώνη, η Αντίσταση της Α' ΜΚ στον "Αττίλα" και την Προδοσία ["Niki" in the dead zone, the resistance of A' MK against "Attila" and the betrayal] (in Greek). Athens, Greece: Αγαθός Λόγος. p. 187. ISBN 978-960-99749-5-0.
- ^ "Από τα Ίμια στην Κρήτη ο Καμμένος - Τι είπε για τις αδικίες στις Ένοπλες Δυνάμεις" (in Greek). 2015-01-30. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ "Μανώλης Μπικάκης: Η ζωή και το έπος του ήρωα της Κύπρου" (in Greek). 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
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