"Greek division in Cyprus"

--- CONTENT ---
In Cyprus after independence, there was ELDYK and TURDYK, the military bodies of the two main ethnicities, with a staff of 950 and 650 men respectively (although the Greek Cypriots were 87% of the population). After the Bloody Christmas of 1963, the Greek Cypriot and Greek sides faced the danger of the Turkish invasion of the island. Thus, the Prime Minister of Greece, George Papandreou, decided on the secret mission of a division on the island with 8,500 thousand men with 3 infantry regiments, 2 squadrons of cruisers and 2 tanks. The division's transition was completed by October 20, 1964. At the same time, both ELDYK and TURDYK increased their staff beyond the ceilings.

The existence of the Division was decided to defend the island from possible Turkish invasion. (a) The absence of anti-aircraft coverage made it weak. b) It gave Turkey the impression that Greece was attempting to surround it. c) It created the impression that the Union was at the gates. The secret descent of the division, however, was common knowledge to all. Both America and Britain, wanted with the division, to give the message that they control Makarios, who had open channels of communication with the USSR and were afraid of turning into a "Mediterranean Castle", and also believed it would prevent a possible Greek-Turkish conflict.

As early as December 1967, the Athens Junta has been disengaging the Division from the Republic of Cyprus, despite the Turkish threat, and the political instability in Greece. For example, on 13 December King Constantine II left Greece, following a crackdown on the initiative of pro-royal Air officers. Although it had patriotic rhetoric, the Huntic regime stripped Cyprus defensively. By early 1968, the last soldiers of the Greek division had also left.

References

Sources
Syrigos Angelos, The Greek division in Cyprus (1964-68) and the role of the great forces in the collective volume, The Cyprus and International System from 1945 to 1974: Looking for a place in the world, epimelias Papapolyviou Petros, Syrigos, Angelos, Hatzivassiliou Efanthis, Nicosia 2012

Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Hellenic Army