Operation Mercy (July 1974)

The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20th July 1974, was the response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus.  The coup had been staged by the Cypriot National Guard whose leaders deposed the Cypriot President, Archbishop Makarios III, and installed Nikos Sampson in his place.  The Turkish invasion, code named Operation "Attila", took place in two stages with the invading forces landing off the northern coast of the island around Kyrenia.  By the time a ceasefire was agreed three days later, Turkish troops held 37% of the territory of Cyprus and over five thousand Greek Cypriots had fled their homes.  The fighting finally ended only in Aug 1974, when Turkey announced the establishment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus that only Turkey recognises.

Being a former colonial power with close ties and interests in Cyprus, Britain considered sending troops to Cyprus to reinstate Archbishop Makarios as President.  The incident, however, escalated into a major crisis with Moscow backing Greece, and the United States (and NATO) supporting the Turkish military intervention.  Consequently, the British government went for the option of evacuating British citizens from the embattled country.  There were up to 13,000 dependants of British service personnel in two Sovereign base areas at Dhekelia and Akrotiri in Cyprus and a few thousand more expatriates and tourists of British origin on the island at the time.  Hermes, exercising in the Mediterranean with 41 Commando Group embarked, was despatched at the head of a naval task force to conduct operations off Cyprus on 16th July 1974.  This operation  was code named "Mercy"

Hermes arrived off Cyprus on 17TH July 1974 at the head of the naval task group comprising of HM ships Andromeda, Devonshire and Rhyl and RFA Olna, with the primary aim being to get all civilians to safety.  41 Commando's advance party landed in Dhekelia on the evening of 20th July 1974 with the aim of securing the Sovereign base areas and receiving thousands of refugees who were being diverted there to escape the fighting.  The fighting was particularly bitter in the north near Kyrenia with over 1500 refugees fleeing to the beaches where they hoped to find refuge.  Their plight on the open beaches grew progressively worse due to lack of shelter and water and two refugees were killed by gunfire, whilst a number of others were wounded.  On 23rd July 1974, when Captain Branson, the Commanding Officer of Hermes learnt of their plight, he took the task force into the Turkish war zone off Kyrenia to evacuate British and other nationals stranded there.

Originally it had been planned to use the ships LCVP's and other boats to do the job.  As Hermes closed the coast signs of the fighting were clearly visible with Turkish aircraft bombing hill-sides and artillery fire being heard for miles.  Shortly before the boats were to be lowered, the weather deteriorated and, more worryingly, reports came in that the approaches to the beaches had been mined.  It was then decided to use Wessex helicopters of 845 Squadron to do the bulk of the evacuation, with LCVPs providing the back up service.

The injured were evacuated first and treated in the sick bay.  Initially it was planned to billet the refugees in the commando mess decks, but as their number rose to over 900, other accommodation had to be organised.  The refugees remained on board overnight whist Hermes steamed south to Akrotiri.  The communications staff sent hundreds of telegrams by morse code to inform friends and relatives about the safety of their loved ones.  One telegram sent by an American lady just read "Thank God for the British Navy".  A Cypriot woman refugee, who had given birth two days earlier to a baby girl, was moved enough to name her daughter Hermoula.... the feminine form of Hermes.

In all, the task group led by Hermes evacuated 7,526 people, 5,171 of them being British nationals.  Hermes alone accounted for an impressive 919 refugees.  After disembarking the refugees on 24th July, Hermes re-embarked 41 Commando by LCVP and returned to Malta.  

For their part in the evacuation, Rear Admiral Cassidi, FOCAS, sent the following signal to units involved in operation Mercy, "Your well conducted operation has been widely acclaimed and reflects the highest traditions of naval service and support for those in danger.  I am delighted by the way all concerned rose to the occasion during such an anxious period.  Well Done".