On 20 July 1974, ten years after the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) was established to maintain peace on the island, Turkey launched an amphibious assault on the Island.

UNFICYP’s original task was to help reduce tensions between the island's Greek and Turkish Cypriot populations. UN troops were deployed across the island, separating Greek and Turkish communities and providing security. The Canadian contingent worked in Nicosia and communities southeast of the city. In the first ten years of operation, the UN mission stabilized the situation but could not resolve the underlying tensions. Conflict escalated and culminated in a 15 July 1974 coup by the Greek-led Cypriot National Guard. On 20 July, the Turkish government invoked the treaty that permitted them to intervene in the case of a constitutional crisis, and Turkish troops landed on the island.

The Canadian Airborne Regiment, including 58 sappers from 1 Airborne Field Squadron, had arrived in Cyprus in April. The sappers formed the basis of the logistics company located at the British base near the International Airport. The Squadron’s Diving Section formed the CANCON Defence & Employment Platoon located at Wolseley Barracks in the city, as well as a recreational detachment located near Kyrenia. Briefly stated, they carried out the routine work one would expect of Engineers in a garrison setting.

This all changed with the coup and the resulting Turkish Intervention on 20 July. There were firefights in the city, Logistics Company was cut off from CANCON HQ, Turkish troops landed north of Nicosia and at Kyrenia, and the International Airport became a major Turkish Objective.

The situation demanded quick action. The Logistics Company was quickly deployed to the Airport and now organized as an infantry company, set up a hasty defence lead by the Engineers. Fighting between Greek and Turkish troops continued, but the Canadians stood fast. In the end, the airport passed to UN control. In Kyrenia, Corporals Banfield and Dolezal, rounded up the evacuees, commandeered buses and trucks, and led a convoy through the Turkish lines to Nicosia.

Over the next month, firefighting, defensive works, fortifying observation posts, mine and UXB clearance, and other sapper tasks occupied time and energy as reinforcements arrived from Canada. A second attack on the Airport was thwarted. The island was divided, north and south, and peace restored.

For their actions, five Sappers were awarded the Military Order of Merit: Master Corporal M. S. Dolezal, Corporal W. Banfield, Corporal W. E. Busenius, Sergeant W. A. Charlebois, and Sergeant T. H. F. Walton. Their actions included protecting and evacuating civilians, and occupying and defending the Nicosia Airport. Their citations recognized performance that included "exemplary initiative and professionalism," "devotion to duty," "leadership, level-headedness and bravery in the face of danger," and "unselfish, humanitarian and military actions."

For more of “Cyprus '74 - The Sapper Story”, see: https://cmea-agmc.ca/historical-battle/cyprus-74-sapper-story