Papers of Mrs Naomi Smith, 1973-1974

Naomi Smith’s husband was serving with the RAF in Cyprus in 1974 when the Turkish invasion took place.

A coup took place in Cyprus in July 1974. This overthrew Archbishop Makarios and immediately sparked tensions on the island. There was a fear from Turkish-Cypriots that the new Greek-backed leader, Nicos Sampson, would seek unification with Greece. Turkey invaded northern Cyprus when the talks broke down. In these papers Naomi describes the ordeal she went through with their three small children to get to the safety of RAF Akrotiri from their home in Limmassol amid the danger and chaos. Cyprus remains a divided island.