Page 12 - The Princess Mary's Hospital 40pp book.pdf

The early years: 1963 –1974
Cyprus in context – ethnic conflict: 1963–1965
There were major events that affected Cyprus and the Sovereign Base Areas in the first years of TPMH’s existence. In the background there was the ongoing Cold War, in which RAF Akrotiri played a significant operational role16, with the world coming close to nuclear war at the time of the Cuban missile crisis of October 1962.
In Cyprus itself there was growing ethnic tension following independence, culminating in major hostilities breaking out in Nicosia on 21 December 1963. The conflagration rapidly spread throughout the country, with many Turkish and Greek Cypriots being killed, and some 18,000 Turkish Cypriots fleeing their homes and villages by mid-February 1964. The biggest battles took place in Limassol, with heavy exchanges of fire for days, and RAF ambulances being sent in to extract the wounded and take them to TPMH once British troops secured a ceasefire. Intensive British and American diplomatic and military efforts only just managed to forestall a Turkish invasion in February 1964.
An uneasy peace and hospital life: 1966–1973
Ethnic conflict: (25 August 1967) “An outbreak of shooting occurred in Limassol. Civilian and Service staff were unable to get transport to work, and the Turkish Quarter of the town was declared ‘Out of Bounds’ to all Service Personnel.”
Golfing hazard:
(7 January 1969) “Cpl Percival, RAF Akrotiri, was struck by lightning while playing golf at Episkopi and was admitted suffering from shock and paraesthesia.”
Tornado:
(22 December 1969) “RAF Akrotiri was hit by a tornado, which also caused extensive damage in Limassol. Fortunately the hospital was not damaged though the main electricity supply was disrupted for a short time, and telephones worked intermittently for the following week. Three Cypriot LECs [locally employed civilians] admitted with serious injuries as a result.”
There were to be at least two more occasions where TPMH was affected by tornadoes, in 1983 and 2003. Tornadoes are a regular occurrence around Cape Zevgari during the months of December and January.
Lebanon:
(11 May 1970) “Captain Marcel Prince, Chief Surgeon of the Lebanese Military Hospital in Beirut, arrived at the hospital with two paraplegic Lebanese aviators for aeromed to the UK. He discussed aeromedical problems with the Registrar and DPMO (Av Med), and described his visit as highly successful in spite of the fact that it ended prematurely when he was recalled by signal to Beirut following a massive Israeli attack on the Lebanon.”
Lightning crash:
(30 September 1971) “Notification was received of a Priority 1 Lightning crash, The pilot, Flt Lt Bealer, who did not suffer any injury, had ejected 35 miles out at sea. He was kept overnight for observation and declared fit to fly after one week.”
There were to be several ejection incidents at RAF Akrotiri over the years, with the last such patient being admitted to TPMH in 2009.
16Air Chief Marshal Sir David Lee. Wings in the Sun – a history of the Royal Air Force in the Mediterranean 1945-1986. Chapter 13. The RAF, The Baghdad Pact and CENTO. Advent of a Nuclear Capability p176–177.
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