This series of articles is a ‘book report’…the CliffsNotes if you will…on a book written by General Georgios Grivas. General Grivas was a notable historic figure in Cyprus’ war of independence from British oppression and tyrannical rule in the 1950’s. He personally led the freedom forces of the EOKA’s fight for freedom from British domination and British violence against Cyprus’ people.

This article is meant to be a recap, or a guide, to how he was able to form one of the most effective guerrilla forces against an overwhelming professional army; an army that was one of the mightiest in the world at the time. I will add some modern day thoughts as I go regarding current organizational methods that have proven effective. Having taught incident management organization around the US for decades, I have some experience and knowledge in this area that I hope you might find all of this helpful in respect to history.

Please read the “NOTE/DISCLAIMER” at the bottom of the page for further clarification on why I wrote this series of articles.

Should the reader ever find themselves in a situation where their government is forcing tyranny and oppression upon them…this might prove helpful. I am sure the colonial Founding Fathers would have thought this information useful 250+ years ago. Fortunately for us in the United States we have the Constitution and the ballot box to resolve our issues and be masters of our own destiny. So for those that live in the US, I hope you will find this article at least entertaining since the use of this information would hardly ever be applicable…would it.

Context & Background –

After WWII Cyprus found itself itself under British colonial rule. The British government ruled the island with oppression and tyranny. They would not eve entertain the idea that Cyprus would be allowed its independence to reunite with Greece, its historical and cultural homeland. To make matters worse, the British empowered the local Muslims from Turkey living on the island to play a major role in suppressing and oppressing the native Cypriots.

General Grivas, the author of the book, was born in 1898. At the age of 17 he applied for and gained entrance to Greece’s Military Academy. After WWI he joined the Greek army in their fight against the Turks. At the age of 26 he was a Captain in the Greek army and sent to France to attend advance military training courses. After returning to Greece he attended the War School in Athens where he received yet more advanced military leadership and tactics training. When Italy invaded Greece in 1940 he was a Lt. Colonel and served as Chief of Staff of the 2^nd Army Division. Under brutal German occupation of Greece he formed and led resistance forces in Athens.

As Germans began their withdrawal in late 1944, Britain took control of Cyprus from the Germans, and the British oppression began. From 1944 onward Cyprus went through all international channels, including the United Nations to secure independence from Britain and to be allowed to reunite with Greece. All the diplomatic efforts failed due to vehement objections of both England and the United States. In 1948 discussion began among Cypriot leaders regarding overthrowing British rule. In 1951 it became official and the revolution was on…freedom and independence was their goal.

At the time Britain’s military might was overwhelming in both power and numbers. Cyprus could not begin to match England in conventional warfare terms. At that point a small guerrilla force of freedom fighters began waging a guerrilla war for freedom against one of the most powerful military forces in the world. The struggle against oppression and for freedom lasted until 1955 when British forces were defeated. On August 16, 1960 Cyprus gained its formal independence from the United Kingdom.

By odd circumstance I have a link to Cyprus. In 1974 the US Navy ship I was a crew member on was assigned to sail immediately for Cyprus. We were already on a deployment in the Mediterranean and we were the closest NATO ship in the area. We were prepared to place a small, heavily armed, landing party on the island to protect British citizens that had become trapped when Turkish Muslim troops invaded Cyprus and attempted to overthrow the island’s government. Fortunately for me, the landing party’s M60 gunner, US Marines flew in by helicopter just minutes before we were to land.

How To Start a Guerrilla Warfare Fight for Freedom Against Tyranny, Oppression, and Against All Odds…

Commitment & Loyalty –

• Three personality weapons to overcome difficulties; 1) heart, 2) faith, 3) will for victory.
• Freedom is never won without bloodshed.
• Great things are never achieved without great danger.
• All roads are open to the brave.
• Prayer, “God guide me, I live with faith and the courage I shall succeed.”
• ‘Right’ must be on the side of the guerrilla force, and must be seen as such by the general public. Example: foreign power invading and/or occupying a country thus eliminating/reducing freedom and liberty.
• Understand that an occupying/oppressive struggle situation is unique in motive, psychology, and circumstance. All strategy, tactics, and planning must be designed and accomplished according to that uniqueness.
• Guerrilla forces must clearly understand they are fighting for nothing less than freedom itself.

Leadership –

• Principle to defeating the enemy; correct application of strategy and tactics would defeat the enemy however great his material resources.
• When faced with overwhelming odds; brains, subtlety, and good planning in an underground movement can defeat any odds.
• Nobody is born brave, but they can find bravery under the right leadership.
• High quality traits of great leaders include; brave, humble, and frugal…all of which inspire respect and affection among good men.
• Leaders must provide constant encouragement and clear orders (including clear leader’s intent) to subordinates to keep them focused on overall strategy.
• A leader cannot sit back in safety and comfort while others risk their lives. When a leader offers/risks their life to the cause, faith and courage grow in their followers.
• Pride, the opposite of humility, has no place in a leader and will lead to their destruction…all to often along with their followers. ‘Pride’ referred to here is not being teachable.
• The biggest mistake a leader can make is painting an imaginary tactical picture he believes is true. Accurate Situational Awareness (SA) is of paramount importance. All barriers of accurate SA must be eliminated.
• A leader must always speak the truth; he must not gloss over the difficulties, but give proof of his ability to overcome those difficulties.
• A leader must not promise more than he can perform.
• A leader must know his enemy, how his mind works, what their priorities are, and how to hurt them the most.

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Notes From AH Trimble on leadership –

1. What I have seen in good leaders:

• • Someone who listens to his people and takes their advice.
  • A person who trusts his subordinates and empowers them to make decisions and then act.
  • A person who always passes the credit to his people.
  • A person who accepts the blame when things goes wrong.
  • Someone who looks out for the benefit and welfare of the people they lead.
  • Someone who is willing to make a decision and stand by it.
  • A person who knows what they are doing and what they are talking about…”been there, done that” experience.

2. Leader’s Intent always be present for all missions and must be clear, consisting of –

• Task:  What it is to be accomplished.
• Purpose:  Why it is to be done.
• End State:  What it should look like when done and why.

2. There is an integral part to completing the delivery of leader’s intent, “why” it needs to be successful. Without the “why” the subordinates are only being told what to do, not why it is so important. So you could say, the motivation is lacking. Anyone who has suffered in an organization where motivation is absent can attest to the likelihood of success in some new project. But, motivation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Motivation will only exist where values are shared.
3. To be a good leader you must take your vision and turn it into a mission statement…leader’s intent. Make it easy for others to see what you see…success. Give them a reason to move forward, to be successful, and to work together.

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Strategy –

• Small, compact groups working on a limited scale in numerous widespread areas.
• Saboteurs would conduct operations in urban areas where plenty of targets existed.
• All war is cruel, winning against superior forces is by ruse and trickery.
• Strategy stays the same; tactics, carefully thought out in advance, could change based on circumstances.
• Strategy elements will contain the following five tactical elements; attack, alertness, flexibility, secrecy, and speed.
• Enemy numbers have little meaning when correct strategy and tactics are applied.
• Let the enemy leadership know that it is their choices and their actions that result in guerrilla retaliation against them. You [the oppressors] strike us, especially civilians, retaliation will be swift and ruthless.

 < click here to read next article in this series >

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Articles in this Series –

• Guerrilla Warfare by Gen. Grivas – How to Part #1
• Guerrilla Warfare by Gen. Grivas – How to Part #2
• Guerrilla Warfare by Gen. Grivas – How to Part #3

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Related Articles –

• Situational Awareness: Introduction
• Initiative ’17 – Part #1
• Objectives and Priorities (Part #1)

 

 

- NOTE/DISCLAIMER -
Based on this day and age, in this stupid environment, 
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that I am in no way condoning, advocating, or promoting; 
1)any violent action, 2) violence in any form, 3) or an uprising in any country anywhere in the world.
I am simply reporting on, relating, information and observations I made when I read the book
"The Memoirs of General Grivas" by Georgios Grivas.

 

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