xMustiiej70
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From the Greek-Cypriot side there was a single tank battalion, the 23rd medium tank battalion, with 32 T-34/85 tanks. Those were post-war variants. They were numbered ΕΦ-101 to EΦ-132. The battalion was organized into two squadrons each 16-tanks strong (probably with three 5-tank strong platoons and one for the commander). Typical load was 25 HVAP and 21 HE rounds.
(Cyprus purchased these tanks in 1964 (delivered in 1965) from the Soviet Union, using Egypt as the middle man. They came with sufficient ammunition and spare parts for the next years. However, the Cypriot government was very negligent about the Greek Cypriot National Guard (for political reasons) and did not provide any additional support. Already by 1970 spare parts had been exhausted, and thoughts were made of buying new engines. Generally the Cypriot T-34 were very poorly maintained.)
From the Turkish side there is some confusion. Certainly the divisional tank battalions of the 28th and 39th divisions (each 53 to 56 M-47 strong) participated. Additionally at least one battalion of M-48 tanks was transported as well (from the 5th armoured brigade), and perhaps additional formations. Various sources speak of a total between 160 and 300 (unlikely) tanks. Turkish armoured vehicles had 6-digit numbering (eg 239943). Turkish tank battalions had three 17-tanks strong squadrons, although often during the operations squadron strengths were reported from 15 to 19 tanks. Turkish M-47 tanks carried 10 AP rounds and 60 HE and other type rounds, as apparently the Turks didnt expect tank confrontations.
Greek armoured operations:
Already long before the war, the 23rd tank battalion had detached 3 tanks to Famagusta and 5 to Kyrenia (all 8 tanks belonging to the 2nd squadron), where any Turkish amphibious invasion was expected to take place. The 23rd battalion took active part in the coup detat staged by Greece against the elected Cypriot government. Its tanks were dispersed over the island in an effort to help quell resistance to the coup. That put great strain to the poorly maintained tanks. Battalion losses were 1 killed and 8 wounded.
When the Turkish invasion began half the battalion was scattered, except for 18 tanks grouped into one squadron. The battalion participated actively in the fighting but never with more than one squadrons worth of strength (usually with much less). It started suffering the first tank losses as well. Immediately tanks started to break down (mostly engine failures). Two tanks were abandoned after breaking down. Another two T-34 were destroyed by Turkish M72 LAW fire when they blundered into the Turkish beachhead. On the other side of the beachhead a platoon of 4 T-34 repelled a Turkish advance and destroyed two M-113.
In the night of the first day (20 July) 7 T-34 tanks reinforced the Greek regiment for the night attack against Geunyeli. The attack comprised 4 rifle companies and additional support elements. Two T-34 broke down during the attack and were left immobile. They were destroyed by the Turkish air force at dawn. Another one was stuck in operational condition in a riverbed and abandoned. It was pulled out by the Turks and put immediately into action. The Greek attack was in fact a fiasco, as coordination was very poor. Casualties were around 30-40 men.
All told, the Greeks lost 7 tanks very cheaply. On the 3rd day, the Turks attacked from their beachhead towards Kyrenia. The 4 T-34 present there had already exhausted their ammunition and were abandoned by their crews bringing the total loss of tanks for the Attila 1 operation to 11 T-34. Eight men were killed or missing.
During the armistice the 23rd battalions remaining 21 T-34 tanks were grouped into 7 three-tank platoons. All tanks were inspected and maintained, but it was clear that all needed to replace their engines.
During Attila 2 the T-34 didnt see any big action. The three T-34 of Famagustas platoon were abandoned in perfect operational condition, because the British refused to let armoured vehicles pass through their base. The most notable action of the T-34 was the battle of Pyroi on 17 August. There an infantry platoon with support by a couple T-34 attempted to repel a Turkish infantry battalion. During the battle one T-34 was damaged and immobilized by Turkish AT fire. Another 4 T-34 were abandoned in the area of Pyroi due to immobilization and were subsequently captured by the Turks when they occupied the area.
Another 4 T-34 were lost, but unfortunately I dont know how exactly.
In total the 23rd medium tank battalion lost 21 T-34/85 tanks and had 13 killed or missing. The Turks were able to put 11 T-34 tanks back into service with the material aid of an unnamed friendly country(presumably Pakistan), indicating that 10 T-34 tanks were damaged or destroyed during the operations. Of those 3 were destroyed in combat, 3 were destroyed after being abandoned by their Greek-Cypriot crews, and 4 remain unaccounted for (Ill have to research a bit more probably).
One additional chapter of Greek armoured battles is the captured Turkish M-47. On 2 August a Turkish column of M-47 and M-113 moving along a forest road fell into ambush. The leading M-47 hit a mine and lost a track, while the fourth vehicle (an M-113) was hit by Greek AT fire and destroyed. One M-47 and one M-113 were trapped between the immobilized tank and the burning APC. The Greek-Cypriots put those into service, while they destroyed the mine-hit M-47 after stripping it. The captured M-47 saw action on 15 August during the battle of Skylloura. It engaged a Turkish tank squadron hitting 7 M-47 tanks. In the battle it was aided by the fact that it was identical in appearance (and generally) to the Turkish M-47, who were confused at first. The Greek M-47 survived the war.
Turkish armoured operations:
The first Turkish tanks to land on Cyprus was a squadron of 15 M-47 tanks on 22 July. The squadron, followed by a battalion of mechanized infantry, led the Turkish attack on Kyrenia. It lost 2 M-47 tanks to Greek recoilless rifles (one 57mm and one 106mm) breaching through the first Greek line (about 85 men). When it approached Kyrenia it hit a second Greek line (a reduced battalion), where a M-47 was immobilized by a 3,5 AT rocket. After capturing the town, the Turks parked two M-47 tanks under the medieval fortress of the town and the crews dismounted and left, apparently oblivious of the fact that the fortress was still occupied by Greek personnel. The two M-47 were destroyed by grenades that the Greeks tossed from the fortress walls inside the tanks hatches. All told the Turks lost 5 M-47 destroyed or damaged and 23 men killed (probably with another 50 or so wounded) during the attack.
The 28th divisional tank battalion lost another 2 M-47 on 2 August (the incident mentioned above).
On 6 August the same battalion participated in the Lapithos-Karavas battle in support of the Turkish 61st infantry regiments operations, where it lost 2 M-47 tanks to Greek recoilless rifles.
On 14 August the Turkish 39th divisional tank battalion, together with part of the 28th divisional tank battalion and perhaps elements of the 5th armoured brigade led the 39th and 28th divisions attack to the east. Despite the presence of significant Greek units no tanks were reported lost. The battle of Mia Milia (14 August) was a massacre. The overwhelming presence of tens of Turkish tanks against very limited Greek AT capabilities prompted many Greek-Cypriot soldiers to flee without even firing their 6 pdr AT guns. At least 150-200 Greeks were killed against no more that 30-40 Turkish dead. The Turkish columns of tanks covered some 80 km in two days.
Besides the action in the east, the Turks used at least two M-47 squadrons to the west. In the battle of Skylloura on 15 August two Turkish parachute battalions with two M-47 squadrons (30-35 tanks) attacked the Greek positions held by 5 rifle companies. There during the battle they lost 8 tanks, one to a Greek 106mm recoilless rifle and 7 to the Greek M-47.
On 14 August the Turkish Cyprus Regiment (reinforced to about 2,000 strong) with support of an M-48 squadron (17 tanks) attacked the Greek Regiment camp (about 300-350 men). With effective artillery support the Greeks were able to separate the Turkish infantry from its tanks and repel the attack. One M-48 was lost by a direct artillery hit. On 16 August the attack was repeated, this time reinforced with the 50th infantry regiment and an additional M-48 squadron. The Turks encircled the Greek camp and captured it. They pushed their attack further to the south and towards the urban area but lost 2 M-48 tanks to 106 mm recoilless rifles and 2 M-48 to 90mm recoilless rifle. Greek losses were over 100 killed and 100 wounded.
All told the Turkish armour corps lost 23 killed (out of 437 KIA for the ground forces). Tank losses were 22 (or 23) tanks: 17 (or 18) M-47 and 5 M-48. Not all those were total losses however. The Turks were able to repair half the damaged tanks. Complete loss were the 5 M-48 tanks, and at least 6 M-47. The other 11-12 M-47 tanks were probably recoverable.
So thats an overview of the armoured combat and losses during the battle of Cyprus. Feel free to post comments, corrections and additions.
Abandoned Greek T-34
Destroyed Greek T-34
Destroyed Turkish M-47.
Turkish M-48
Turkish AT element
Turkish M-47 in Kyrenia port. The medieval fortress is visible.
If you ask me.. the turkish tanks won decisively.
(Cyprus purchased these tanks in 1964 (delivered in 1965) from the Soviet Union, using Egypt as the middle man. They came with sufficient ammunition and spare parts for the next years. However, the Cypriot government was very negligent about the Greek Cypriot National Guard (for political reasons) and did not provide any additional support. Already by 1970 spare parts had been exhausted, and thoughts were made of buying new engines. Generally the Cypriot T-34 were very poorly maintained.)
From the Turkish side there is some confusion. Certainly the divisional tank battalions of the 28th and 39th divisions (each 53 to 56 M-47 strong) participated. Additionally at least one battalion of M-48 tanks was transported as well (from the 5th armoured brigade), and perhaps additional formations. Various sources speak of a total between 160 and 300 (unlikely) tanks. Turkish armoured vehicles had 6-digit numbering (eg 239943). Turkish tank battalions had three 17-tanks strong squadrons, although often during the operations squadron strengths were reported from 15 to 19 tanks. Turkish M-47 tanks carried 10 AP rounds and 60 HE and other type rounds, as apparently the Turks didnt expect tank confrontations.
Greek armoured operations:
Already long before the war, the 23rd tank battalion had detached 3 tanks to Famagusta and 5 to Kyrenia (all 8 tanks belonging to the 2nd squadron), where any Turkish amphibious invasion was expected to take place. The 23rd battalion took active part in the coup detat staged by Greece against the elected Cypriot government. Its tanks were dispersed over the island in an effort to help quell resistance to the coup. That put great strain to the poorly maintained tanks. Battalion losses were 1 killed and 8 wounded.
When the Turkish invasion began half the battalion was scattered, except for 18 tanks grouped into one squadron. The battalion participated actively in the fighting but never with more than one squadrons worth of strength (usually with much less). It started suffering the first tank losses as well. Immediately tanks started to break down (mostly engine failures). Two tanks were abandoned after breaking down. Another two T-34 were destroyed by Turkish M72 LAW fire when they blundered into the Turkish beachhead. On the other side of the beachhead a platoon of 4 T-34 repelled a Turkish advance and destroyed two M-113.
In the night of the first day (20 July) 7 T-34 tanks reinforced the Greek regiment for the night attack against Geunyeli. The attack comprised 4 rifle companies and additional support elements. Two T-34 broke down during the attack and were left immobile. They were destroyed by the Turkish air force at dawn. Another one was stuck in operational condition in a riverbed and abandoned. It was pulled out by the Turks and put immediately into action. The Greek attack was in fact a fiasco, as coordination was very poor. Casualties were around 30-40 men.
All told, the Greeks lost 7 tanks very cheaply. On the 3rd day, the Turks attacked from their beachhead towards Kyrenia. The 4 T-34 present there had already exhausted their ammunition and were abandoned by their crews bringing the total loss of tanks for the Attila 1 operation to 11 T-34. Eight men were killed or missing.
During the armistice the 23rd battalions remaining 21 T-34 tanks were grouped into 7 three-tank platoons. All tanks were inspected and maintained, but it was clear that all needed to replace their engines.
During Attila 2 the T-34 didnt see any big action. The three T-34 of Famagustas platoon were abandoned in perfect operational condition, because the British refused to let armoured vehicles pass through their base. The most notable action of the T-34 was the battle of Pyroi on 17 August. There an infantry platoon with support by a couple T-34 attempted to repel a Turkish infantry battalion. During the battle one T-34 was damaged and immobilized by Turkish AT fire. Another 4 T-34 were abandoned in the area of Pyroi due to immobilization and were subsequently captured by the Turks when they occupied the area.
Another 4 T-34 were lost, but unfortunately I dont know how exactly.
In total the 23rd medium tank battalion lost 21 T-34/85 tanks and had 13 killed or missing. The Turks were able to put 11 T-34 tanks back into service with the material aid of an unnamed friendly country(presumably Pakistan), indicating that 10 T-34 tanks were damaged or destroyed during the operations. Of those 3 were destroyed in combat, 3 were destroyed after being abandoned by their Greek-Cypriot crews, and 4 remain unaccounted for (Ill have to research a bit more probably).
One additional chapter of Greek armoured battles is the captured Turkish M-47. On 2 August a Turkish column of M-47 and M-113 moving along a forest road fell into ambush. The leading M-47 hit a mine and lost a track, while the fourth vehicle (an M-113) was hit by Greek AT fire and destroyed. One M-47 and one M-113 were trapped between the immobilized tank and the burning APC. The Greek-Cypriots put those into service, while they destroyed the mine-hit M-47 after stripping it. The captured M-47 saw action on 15 August during the battle of Skylloura. It engaged a Turkish tank squadron hitting 7 M-47 tanks. In the battle it was aided by the fact that it was identical in appearance (and generally) to the Turkish M-47, who were confused at first. The Greek M-47 survived the war.
Turkish armoured operations:
The first Turkish tanks to land on Cyprus was a squadron of 15 M-47 tanks on 22 July. The squadron, followed by a battalion of mechanized infantry, led the Turkish attack on Kyrenia. It lost 2 M-47 tanks to Greek recoilless rifles (one 57mm and one 106mm) breaching through the first Greek line (about 85 men). When it approached Kyrenia it hit a second Greek line (a reduced battalion), where a M-47 was immobilized by a 3,5 AT rocket. After capturing the town, the Turks parked two M-47 tanks under the medieval fortress of the town and the crews dismounted and left, apparently oblivious of the fact that the fortress was still occupied by Greek personnel. The two M-47 were destroyed by grenades that the Greeks tossed from the fortress walls inside the tanks hatches. All told the Turks lost 5 M-47 destroyed or damaged and 23 men killed (probably with another 50 or so wounded) during the attack.
The 28th divisional tank battalion lost another 2 M-47 on 2 August (the incident mentioned above).
On 6 August the same battalion participated in the Lapithos-Karavas battle in support of the Turkish 61st infantry regiments operations, where it lost 2 M-47 tanks to Greek recoilless rifles.
On 14 August the Turkish 39th divisional tank battalion, together with part of the 28th divisional tank battalion and perhaps elements of the 5th armoured brigade led the 39th and 28th divisions attack to the east. Despite the presence of significant Greek units no tanks were reported lost. The battle of Mia Milia (14 August) was a massacre. The overwhelming presence of tens of Turkish tanks against very limited Greek AT capabilities prompted many Greek-Cypriot soldiers to flee without even firing their 6 pdr AT guns. At least 150-200 Greeks were killed against no more that 30-40 Turkish dead. The Turkish columns of tanks covered some 80 km in two days.
Besides the action in the east, the Turks used at least two M-47 squadrons to the west. In the battle of Skylloura on 15 August two Turkish parachute battalions with two M-47 squadrons (30-35 tanks) attacked the Greek positions held by 5 rifle companies. There during the battle they lost 8 tanks, one to a Greek 106mm recoilless rifle and 7 to the Greek M-47.
On 14 August the Turkish Cyprus Regiment (reinforced to about 2,000 strong) with support of an M-48 squadron (17 tanks) attacked the Greek Regiment camp (about 300-350 men). With effective artillery support the Greeks were able to separate the Turkish infantry from its tanks and repel the attack. One M-48 was lost by a direct artillery hit. On 16 August the attack was repeated, this time reinforced with the 50th infantry regiment and an additional M-48 squadron. The Turks encircled the Greek camp and captured it. They pushed their attack further to the south and towards the urban area but lost 2 M-48 tanks to 106 mm recoilless rifles and 2 M-48 to 90mm recoilless rifle. Greek losses were over 100 killed and 100 wounded.
All told the Turkish armour corps lost 23 killed (out of 437 KIA for the ground forces). Tank losses were 22 (or 23) tanks: 17 (or 18) M-47 and 5 M-48. Not all those were total losses however. The Turks were able to repair half the damaged tanks. Complete loss were the 5 M-48 tanks, and at least 6 M-47. The other 11-12 M-47 tanks were probably recoverable.
So thats an overview of the armoured combat and losses during the battle of Cyprus. Feel free to post comments, corrections and additions.
Abandoned Greek T-34
Destroyed Greek T-34
Destroyed Turkish M-47.
Turkish M-48
Turkish AT element
Turkish M-47 in Kyrenia port. The medieval fortress is visible.
If you ask me.. the turkish tanks won decisively.
