EOKA - (Ethniki Organosis Kipriakou Agonos) 1955-59

After the Greek revolution of 1821 and the establishment of the Greek state. The Greek Cypriots expressed practically the wish of 'Union' with Greece, as it happened with the Ionian Islands and later with Crete.

Between 15th - 22nd of January of 1950, with the initiative of the Churchs in Cyprus, the referendum for union with Greece was conducted. 95.7% of the population went to the churches and signed the referendum.

After fighting along side the British in World War 1 & 2, Greece had thought it right and demanded that Britain should leave aside all intermediate stages and give a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem according to the will of the vast majority of the people, which was 'Union' with Greece, in ex- change for British military facilities in the island. Britain, thinking still in terms of being an Empire, turned down outright the idea of offering Cyprus to Greece.

The National Organization of Cypriot Struggle formed in about 1955 by Georgios Grivas with the support of Archbishop Makarios III. Its aim was to drive the British forces from Cyprus by guerrilla action and to achieve enosis (union) with Greece.

Eoka disbanded when Cyprus became independent (1959), it was revived again with EOKA 'B by Georgios Grivas in 1971 to achieve his long life dream of ENOSIS (Union).

Below are photos of EOKA freedom fighters who lost their lives in fight for ENOSIS, 'Union' between Cyprus and Greece.

Copyright© hellenic cyprus 2002