The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)

A Snapshot of National Service
in 'A' Company of the Argylls
Dhekelia, Cyprus 1958-59

Cyprus, military intelligence informed us that Colonel Grivas was in a Greek Cypriot mountain village. Operation 'Kingfisher' was mounted and a massive cordon of troops surrounded the village during the night. Each soldier was lying 10 yards apart with instructions to shoot anyone who moved. Middle of the night, a machine gun goes off. Everybody was petrified, but no one dared move.
Next morning we found a dead donkey, shot by an 'A' Company bren gunner.
Later that day when 'A' Company went into the cookhouse, the whole Battalion chanted - 'Hee, haw! Hee, haw!'

Smiles and hand shakes after the event - such gallant losers!