Cyprus Bombs Fell “Like Rain From Heaven”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28699, 24 September 1958, Page 14

Cyprus Bombs Fell “Like Rain From Heaven”

(New Zealand Press Association) ATTf’WT .AMTI Sent 9Q i+’c nr.

AUCKLAND, Sept. 23. To listen to Major J. J. Craig, of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, late of Famagusta, bombs fall in Cyprus like “the gentle rain from heaven,” and appear to cause about as much consternation. Major Craig arrived in Auckland in the Monowai today with his wife. He is visiting his parents in Wellington, whom he has not seen for 25 years. Major Craig said he had been in Cyprus as security officer in Famagusta with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, for two years.

"But it’s not as tense as the papers make out,” he said. “Oh, I got shot at a few times, and bombed how and again. And of course they had me on their list because I had caught a few of 'em.”

What did he have to do as security officer? "Oh, 1 had to cover the security for five districts, stretching for about 100 miles. I had to look out for signs of terrorists causing trouble, and go and find them when they did, and I had to put out fires—l was fire officer, too —you know, silly things like that. And when we found bombs I had to delouse them,” he said.

“It was really a very nice job looking for bombs. No-one to boss me, because no-one knew where I was supposed to be, I could slip into the bar for a quick one, and if the Colonel came in, I looked under the counter and explained that I was looking for a bomb.

“Of course, I found a lot of bombs, but 1 found more beer bottles stashed away. “The troops are fine—they’re a good bunch, even the National Servicemen. Of course, I wish we had the Aussies there—the show’d be over in a couple of months.” Major Craig then explained that he had served 12 years in the Australian Army—with the 51st Far North Queensland Regiment, and then, during the war, with the 2/12th Battalion, after which he served in Japan. In Cyprus, did the Major have any narrow escapes? “Oh yes, got a bomb through the bedroom window once.” Were you in the bedroom? “Oh yes. The wife was, too.” Did it go off? “Oh, yes.” , Then what happened? “Well, that was in October last year. The wife and I were invalided to England, and I got a medical discharge from the Army. Eh? Oh, about five months getting better, but we’re O.K. now.” And the Major got up, limped heavily over to where his wife was leaning against the ship’s rail, and watched the baggage being unloaded. *