May 31, 2024
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Markos Drakos ("Μάρκος Δράκος" in Greek) was a Cypriot guerrilla fighter who was killed in the EOKA struggle (1955 - 1959) against the British. His nom de guerre was Lykourgos.

He was born in Lefkosia, on September 24, 1932 and studied accounting. He worked for the Hellenic Mining Company in Cyprus until 1954. When EOKA was formed, Drakos was among the first to join, training others in the use of arms and recruiting members. Drakos was mild mannered and enthusiastic to learn about military operations, as well as being devoutly religious, and EOKA commander Georgios Grivas "Dighenis" quickly took a liking to him. He saw great potential in Drakos as a leader, and he was quickly promoted to a senior position in EOKA.

On April 1, 1955, considered to be the first day of the struggle, Drakos and his "Astrape" ("Lightning") team blew up the radio station of Athalassa, destroying it completely. With his squad, he would go on to co-ordinate several other operations.

On June 30, 1955, Drakos was arrested by the British with 14 other EOKA members and imprisoned in Kyrenia Castle but famously managed to escape 3 months later, by tying blankets together and abseiling out of the windows. A bounty of 5,000 pounds was placed on his head but that did not deter him from taking part in more battles and acts of sabotage.

Finally, on the night of January 18, 1957 the British forces attacked Drakos and his men at their hideout in Solea. Drakos fought in the rain and hail storm, almost single handedly, allowing his comrades to escape. His body, with 40 bullet holes, was recovered and interred by the British in the Imprisoned Graves in the Central Jail of Nicosia. The Bible which Drakos carried with him at all times was never recovered at his scene of death.



Stelios Mavrommatis was a Cypriot EOKA fighter during the 1955 - 1959 struggle against the British.

Mavrommatis was born on November 15, 1932 in the village of Larnakas, Kerynia province, the son of Christoforos and Eleni Mavrommatis.

When the struggle broke out on April 1, 1955, Mavrommatis joined and took part in several acts of sabotage against British military planes. He was also instrumental in the gathering of shotguns and other weapons held by private citizens. Among his companions was his cousin, Evagoras Pallikaridis, his brother and his parents.

Mavrommatis was arrested for his part in an unsuccessful attack against two British airmen in Agios Dometios. He was tried and sentenced to death.

He was executed by hanging on September 21, 1956 along with EOKA members, Andreas Panagidis and Michalis Koutsoftas arrested in a separate incident.

The three men were buried in the Imprisoned Tombs in the Central Jail of Nicosia.



Stylianos Lenas was a Cypriot EOKA fighter during the 1955 - 1959 struggle against the British.

Lenas was born in Chandria, Lemesos province, on July 20, 1931, one of nine children of Christofis and Athena Lenas that survived childhood.

Lenas joined EOKA very early in its existence and was active from the first day of the struggle: On April 1, 1955, he attacked the Woosley barracks at Nicosia.

On June 16 of that same year, Lenas joined Markos Drakos in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Cyprus governor Robert Armitage. Afterwards, he had to flee to the mountains where he joined the guerilla forces headed by Grigoris Afxentiou. Lenas concentrated his activities in the Pitsilia area and became an expert in the manufacture of MK2 type hand grenades.

On February 17, 1957, Lenas was ambushed by the British near his hideout at Potamitissa and was wounded in the battle that ensued. He died on March 28, 1957 and was buried in the yard of the Central Jail of Lefkosia.