September 27, 1958
SIR DOUGLAS KENDREW: Nicosia, 26 – An assassination attempt yesterday by the National Cypriot Fighters’ Organization (EOKA) almost succeeded in killing Lieutenant General Sir Douglas Kendrew, head of the operations against the organization in Cyprus. EOKA detonated a large land mine on Severis Avenue, in Nicosia’s new suburb of the same name, a few seconds after Kendrew’s car passed by. The mine detonated just as a military vehicle, one of two escorting the general’s car, was passing, seriously injuring two British soldiers. A third soldier suffered a nervous collapse. The avenue is used daily by senior officers traveling between military headquarters and Government House. Kendrew himself was driving an armored vehicle to Government House for a meeting with Governor Sir Hugh Foot. He was probably saved because he suddenly accelerated as the EOKA men were about to detonate the mine. His vehicle ended up about 20 meters from the site of the explosion. The general was not injured. A ban on all movement was imposed on the surrounding district, where it is believed two EOKA members took cover after the blast.
