Manolis Bikakis ( el, Μανόλης Μπικάκης; 1954 – 1994) was a Greek commando and war hero of the defense of Cyprus during the

Turkish invasion The 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, code-named Operation Peace Spring ( tr, Barış Pınarı Harekâtı) by Turkey, was a cross-border military operation conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Syrian National Arm ...

.Μανώλης Μπικάκης: Ένας ξεχασμένος ήρωας του 1974, Proto thema onLine, 20/07/2014
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Turkish Invasion of Cyprus

Bikakis served with the Greek Alpha 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. The Alpha Raider Squadron had the objective to reinforce the ELDYK units defending the island and was assigned to the airport of

Nicosia Nicosia ( ; el, Λευκωσία, Lefkosía ; tr, Lefkoşa ; hy, Նիկոսիա, romanized: ''Nikosia''; Cypriot Arabic: Nikusiya) is the largest city, capital, and seat of government of Cyprus. It is located near the centre of the Mesaor ...

(see: Battle of Nicosia Airport). 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 ''Agios'' ( el, Άγιος), plural ''Agioi'' (), transcribes masculine gender Greek words meaning 'sacred' or 'saint' (for example Agios Dimitrios, Agioi Anargyroi). It is frequently shortened in colloquial language to ''Ai'' (for example Ai St ...

. Bikakis had been ordered to provide anti-tank cover with a 90-mm M67 recoilless antitank rifle. During the clashes, he was separated from his comrades who later presumed him dead. Repeatedly changing his position, Bikakis fought alone for four days and destroyed six M48A2 battle tanks with his M67 and fired his last two rounds at a building where Turkish troops had taken cover. His actions held up an entire Turkish battalion as a result."...Και Μόνος και Μετά Πολλών" Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΓΕΕΘΑ (Greek General Staff historical archives)
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Aftermath

Bikakis and his fellow raiders contributed decisively to repelling the Turkish forces in their sector, saving Nicosia from falling to them. Despite the fact that his commander recommended him for a Medal for Gallantry, for political reasons Bikakis did not receive any honors nor was his courage publicly recognized whilst he was alive. Bikakis died in a car accident in 1994, while driving on the GR-8A road. He was officially honored posthumously in 2015, more than 40 years after his actions.

References

1954 births 1994 deaths 20th-century Greek people Greek military personnel of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus 1974 in Cyprus People from Heraklion (regional unit) {{Greece-mil-bio-stub