The Battle of Kotza Kayas and the death of Hero George Katsanis, July 20/21, 1974
ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ On the night of July 20 and in cooperation with the 31st, 32nd and 34th squadrons, the 33rd MK attempted to the rear of the Turkish forces with the aim of capturing the camp of the Turkish paratroopers on the Kotza Kaya hill located above the village of Agyrta and south of its castle Agios Hilarion. This hill on the outskirts of Pentadaktylos was of strategic importance as its control would cut off the main road from Kyrenia - Nicosia. The mission of the 33MK during the operation was to capture the position of Petromouthia. In the early hours of July 20, 1974, while the Commando Squadron was at the Nicosia airport, Katsanis, as commander, informed his commandos that they had to get ready to depart for Pella Pais. As the Squadron was ready for departure, the Turkish Air Force began bombing the airport, RIK, the ELDYK camp and the Athalassa camp. Despite the attack received by the 33rd Assault Squadron during its transport, it finally managed to reach the camp at Pella Pais in t...