Erkan's StoryErkan's StoryQ. What were you feeling at this time? Were you in
comfort or did you have any fears about your lives or
futures?
Of course, we had serious fears about our futures. Because,
Greek Cypriots started to kill many Turkish Cypriot people in
1963. Many people were killed and even some of my relatives and
soldiers were killed. So, we were afraid. 11 years had passed,
but the same situation was continuing. In each day, at least 2 or
3 people were killed by Greek Cypriots. Then, we began to wait
for someone that could save our lives.
Q. Let's continue with your story.
When I heard that story from my soldier, I gave up my
vacation and returned to the squadron. I gave a command and I
put my army on the alert. We called everybody who could use guns
to the army. The atmosphere was very tense. And this situation
continued until the 20th of July.
Q. Was there any time that you lost your hope that someone
would save your lives?
The Turkish Cypriot people were really brave. They weren't
afraid of being killed for their nation. But it was not enough.
Greek Cypriots were continuing to kill people, because they had
power. We didn't lose our hopes totally, but our morale was
actually low. Meanwhile, we had heard that Turkey was preparing
to make some kind of an operation. So, we were looking forward to
Turkish soldiers coming to Cyprus.
Q. So, what happened on the 20th of July?
On that date, the time was 05:30 am. It was the period of
changing the soldiers who were standing guard. While soldiers
were changing their turns, another soldier came to me and said
that Turkish troops were coming to Cyprus in order to help us.
Q. Would you please describe your feelings at that time,
when you heard the Turkish troops were coming?
Yes. When I heard this event, I became very happy. I can't
find words to describe my feelings. I felt that my luck had
returned to me. It was a great feeling. I suddenly began to see
me and my nation's future very good. Anyway, after hearing this
news, I told it to my army as well. I wish you had seen their
happiness. All the soldiers began to shout. They threw their
hats into the air. They embraced each other. Everyone was
kissing each other. Of course, our morale automatically became
very high.
Q. Did this great happiness help you in the 1974 War?
The war was continuing outside of our village. But, as our
morale became very high, we went to neighbor villages and tried
to help them. We struggled very much and finally we managed to
save our lives and our nationality from Greek Cypriots. The only
reason was that we were aware that the Turkish army was helping
us. I will never forget this experience for the rest of my life,
because there was a big change in my experience. At first, the
condition was very bad, but then it became unbelievably good.
Thank you for sharing your story.
DEMOGRAPHICS
Occupation: Retired from military-businessman.
Age: 48.
Sex: Male.
Nationality: TRNC.
Where now lives (country and city/town/village): Lefkosa.
Where lived during the events described during the interview:
Evdim, a village in Limassol.
Occupation (or life's work) of the main income earner in
household when growing up: Father grew grapes.
Education: Graduated from secondary school.