Battle for the Agírda Pass
Cyprus Conflict 1974
​Carronade 2024

​This game is based on a key action during the early stages of the Turkish intervention in Cyprus in July 1974. This year is the 50th anniversary of the conflict, which followed a coup d’état engineered by the Greek military junta. The Turkish government used their treaty rights to intervene to protect the Turkish minority on the island.  

Operation Yildiz
The Turkish plan involved an amphibious landing (Task Force Cakmak) near Kyrenia (Girne) on the northern coast. Airborne troops and commandos would parachute and helicopter into the Turkish triangle, held by Turkish Cypriot militia (TMT) on the other side of the Pentadáktylo Mountains. The two forces would then join up through the Agírda Pass (other names are used for this pass). The Turkish Air Force would provide close air support, plus naval gunfire.
 
The Greek Cypriot National Guard counterattacked both positions. The Turks held off these attacks but hadn’t secured the pass as planned on the first day.
 
Scenario
The TMT holds the high ground at St Hilarion Castle and the entrance to the pass in the south. The Greeks hold the northern access to the pass. The Turkish forces must break through before the UN acts to enforce a ceasefire. In the north, the Turks have marines supplemented by M47 tanks and M113 APCs. The airborne troops and commandos approaching from the south are more lightly armed with limited artillery support. Crucially, the Turks have total air superiority, allowing F-100 Super Sabre ground attack fighters to bomb Greek positions.
 
The Greeks had a mix of part-time troops and commandos defending the pass with some artillery and ATGs. They have T34/85 tanks and Marmon Herrington armoured cars.
 
The rules are a simplified version of the Modern Bolt Action rules devised by Jay’s Wargaming Madness. The 20mm figures are from various ranges. The terrain is rough, with only one narrow road for vechicles. It is densely forested in places. Cyprus in July is hot and dry, and the Turkish napalm attacks started extensive fires, limiting visibility. We have compacted the action to capture the key elements of the battle.

From 'Phase Line Attila' by Erickson and Uyar