Battle of the Pine
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The Battle of the Pine is the name given in Greek Cypriot sources to an attack on a British army vehicle by the EOKA on 24 November 1955. A team of EOKA guerrillas ambushed the vehicles on the road from Kyperounda to Chandria killing one soldier, Sapper Robert Melson.[1][2]
Quick Facts Date, Location ...
Battle of the Pine | |||||||
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Part of Cyprus Emergency | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United Kingdom | EOKA | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
George Grivas | |||||||
Strength | |||||||
1 vehicle | |||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
2 dead |
Close
The next day British troops shot dead a Cypriot who approached the vehicle in which Downing died and failed to answer challenges from British soldiers.[3]
This was one of several comparable incidents at the times which resulted in the deaths of several British servicemen and contributed to the declaration of a State of Emergency on the island.[4]