Defence Redefined

Published on 20/07/2020 at 18:00

“Mountain of Silence” is a two-part historical documentary which describes the mission of the 181st Field Artillery Battalion in its attempt to counter the Turkish amphibious energy in the area of Kyrenia, in Pentadaktylos during the dark days of July 1974.

The film describes the tragic story of the heroic units of 181 FAB (Field Artillery Battalion) and 191 MAB (Mountain Artillery Battery). On July 23, 1974 the two units were found in an ambush battle, at a time of ceasefire and were badly destroyed. The battle lasted about two hours and the shooters found themselves fighting hand-to-hand with Turkish commandos, refusing to give up their guns, loyal to their orders.

Also read: July 20, 1974 | Cyprus remembers and honors the defenders of the homeland against the Turkish invader

The two units have 39 casualties and 5 casualties, a large number for artillery units. Among them, the missing commander from Thessaloniki, Stylianos Kalpourtzis. During the battle, 48 prisoners were arrested. Most of the shooters were injured.

Most of the two documentaries, which include dozens of testimonies of surviving warriors of the Heroic 181 FAB and 191 MAB, have been shot in the area of the Tragic and at the same time Epic ambush battle of July 23 in the Attila-occupied areas of Asichena of 181 FAB and 191 MAB in the villages of Trikomo and Syghari and in the Karaoglanoglou “Museum” in the area of Pente Mili.

The documentary includes footage from a Turkish film showing the devastated phalanx just days after the Holocaust.

The documentary also deals with the questions that arose because of the tragedy, which stigmatized and haunted the souls of the surviving shooters.

The documentary “The Mountain of Silence” is a film dedicated to those who fought and perished in the ambush of Asientrousa, on the mountain that raises the flag of our shame. It is a film dedicated to those who managed to survive the captivity, to those who crossed the peaks of Pentadaktylos and returned.

The general editing, historical research and direction of the film has been undertaken by the journalist Aimili Michael and the music investment by the well-known composer and music producer Andreas Giorgallis.

The Pancyprian Artillery Reserve Association has shouldered the financial cost of this film supported by our sponsors, which is another contribution to the History of our Homeland.

A remarkable event is the proposal of the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of the Cypriot Parliament for the Opening of the Cyprus File, MP Marinos Sizopoulos, for the delivery of both the draft plans and the two completed documentaries to the Cypriot Parliament, as the contribution of the Commission to the project.

In addition to this proposal, the Ministry of Defence of Cyprus proposed the screening of the film in all camps of the National Guard.

(available only in greek)

The interviews were attended by:

MARIA KALBOURTZI, Daughter of Commander 181 FAB ,

ANDREAS GEORGIOU, Second Lieutenant 191 MAB,

PANAGIOTIS PAPAIOANNOU, Anti-aircraft carrier 181 FAB,

KYRIAKOS PITSILLIS, Commander’s Guide 181 FAB,

DIMITRIS SKAGIAS, Shooter 181 FAB,

TAKIS PAPAMICHALOPOULOS, Second Lieutenant 181 FAB,

HARIS FERAIOS, Reserve Artillery Lieutenant,

CHRISTOS GIORGAKIS, Shooter 181 FAB,

IAKOVOS KAKKOURAS, Shooter 181 FAB,

GIORGOS POTAMOS, Shooter 181 FAB,

NIKOS NIKOLAOU, Reserve 181 FAB,

IAKOVOS KEFALAS, Shooter 181 FAB,

ANDREAS EPIFANIOU, Cook 181 FAB,

RENOS PAPAKAKKOURAS, Commander’s Guide 181 FAB,

GRIGORIS KYPRIANOU, Reserve 181 FAB.