Manolis Bikakis
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 |
Manolis Bikakis (Greek: Μανώλης Μπικάκης; March 10, 1954 – October 22, 1994) was a Greek commando during the Turkish invasion of 1974.[1][2]
Biography
Manolis 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.
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. During the second phase of invasion launched on August 14, 1974, the Squadron which was made up of elite Greek commandos, was ambushed by Turkish soldiers,[3][4] who were outnumbered and had inferior equipment and training compared to the Greek commandos,[5] in the area of Ayios Dhometios. Despite this fact, a large portion of the Greek Commando Squadron were killed by Turkish conscripts or had fled the area.[6] The remainder of Bikakis' unit had been seperated from each other, including Bikakis -the rocketeer of his unit- was presumed dead by other members in his unit. Repeatedly changing his position after each shot, Bikakis desperately opened inaccurate[7] fire at Turkish tanks with his M67 recoilless rifle, hitting none of them[8][9][10], and with his two last rounds he hit a building with civilians inside.[11][12][1]
Aftermath
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 Athens-Patra National Highway.
He was officially honored posthumously in 2015, more than 40 years after his actions.
References
- ^ a b 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
- ^ https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/inijoss/issue/33663/428016
- ^ https://greekcitytimes.com/2023/07/20/manolis-bikakis-the-hero-of-cyprus-known-as-the-greek-rambo-3/
- ^ https://kizilaytarih.org/yayinlar/11-kizilay-belgeleri-isiginda-kibris-baris-harekati-1974-profdr.pdf
- ^ https://acikerisim.aku.edu.tr/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11630/3513/B%C4%B0R%C4%B0NC%C4%B0%20B%C3%96L%C3%9CM.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- ^ https://iksadyayinevi.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/DI%C5%9E-S%C4%B0YAS%C4%B0-OLAYLARLA-%C4%B0LG%C4%B0L%C4%B0-TBMMN%C4%B0N-G%C4%B0ZL%C4%B0-OTURUM-G%C3%96R%C3%9C%C5%9EMELER%C4%B0NDE-KIBRIS-1974-.pdf
- ^ https://www.trthaber.com/foto-galeri/kibris-baris-harekatindaki-efsane-tankin-soforu-yasadiklarini-anlatti/58093/sayfa-3.html
- ^ https://ytb.gov.tr/haberler/barisin-teminati-kibris-baris-harekati
- ^ https://gcris.pau.edu.tr/bitstream/11499/2708/1/ali_riza_izgi_tez.pdf
- ^ https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/kibris
- ^ "...Και Μόνος και Μετά Πολλών" Ιστορικό Αρχείο ΓΕΕΘΑ (Greek General Staff historical archives), archived here
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