The battle at the Barn at Liopetri

PHOTIS PITTAS B orn in the village of Frenaros on 28 Fe- bruary 1935. He graduated from the village primary school, Famagu- sta Gymnasium and Mor- phou Teachers’ College. While at college he joined EOKA. He served as tea- cher at Achna primary school and was active in the fields of organisation, combat and information. The British put him on the wanted list on 18 October 1956. As a wanted man he contributed greatly to the EOKA struggle in the villages of Lysi, Vatyli and Assia. He was arrested on 10 January 1957 and tortured mercilessly in Famagusta prison. With blood spat out as a result of the torture he painted the image of liberty on his cell wall. An eloquent record of his suffering can be found in his personal journal in which he wrote down his experi- ences. He was locked up at Kokkinotrimithia Detention Centre and later at Pyla from where he escaped with other freedom fighters on 12 March 1958. He continued his action as sub-sector commander in the Lysi area. He was involved in widespread and effective action. This greatly perturbed the British who imposed a two-week curfew and carried out intensive searches, but to no avail. On 2 September 1958 he fell in action fighting for a free Cyprus in the glorious battle of the Barn at Liopetri. The body of Photis Pittas riddled with bullets after his dramatic exit from the barn