Quick Decision

Morphou, on the north coast of Cyprus, was a hot-bed of Greek Cypriot terrorist activity in the late '50's and was best left alone unless a full scale cordon and search operation was mounted. Unfortunately, the main east/west highway ran through the town and security forces' vehicles travelling on their own were often pelted with rocks thrown by school children. It is fair game to shoot terrorists but taking pot-shots at school kids is not an option. Nevertheless, a hail of well aimed rocks stacked in piles in the playground is a daunting experience for seasoned soldier and young Second Lieutenant Willoughby Pryce-Thomas, recently commissioned, described rock throwing as his 'first taste of serious warfare'.
Having made the mistake of driving past Morphou Secondary School at mid morning break, he was forced to run the gauntlet of a hundred or so young Greeks taking a lesson in 'pelting the enemy'. Rocks thudded against the body work and canvas canopy of the Land Rover but, to the occupants' relief, they emerged unscathed at the far end of the school. Willoughby told the driver to stop while he inspected the damage but, as it was only superficial, he decided to press on.
Just as they were leaving the township for the open country, Willoughby spied a Greek flag flying from a pole on top of a coffee shop. This was a flagrant violation of government regulations and young 2/Lt Pryce-Thomas was not prepared to turn a blind-eye, especially as a group of middle aged Greek Cypriot men were looking belligerently in his direction.
Willoughby ordered the driver to stop alongside the coffee shop and stuck his head out of the window. "Pull that flag down," he ordered. The Greeks muttered among themselves and one of them gave a two fingered salute. "Pull that flag down, I won't tell you again." said Willoughby impatiently, summoning all the authority he could muster. His attempt to restore law and order had no effect on the sullen group so he decided to take more positive action.
He opened the door of the Land Rover with the intention of confronting the coffee drinkers but, in so doing, caught the webbing sling of his sub machine carbine on the door. The sling tightened around the cocking handle of the carbine and a split second later a rattle of gunfire sent cups, saucers, bottles and jugs crashing to the floor. Greek Cypriots crawled over each other in their rush to reach the blue and white flag which their leader on bended knee, offered to Willoughby.
Still shocked by the accidental discharge of his weapon, Willoughby took the flag and hurled it into the back of the Land Rover where it was caught by my batman, who was one of Willoughby's escort. "A smart bit of thinking there, sir," he said in his inimitable Cardiff accent:. "I take my 'at off to you."