WHITE ELEPHANTS IN KOPHINOU

In 1967, Arne Henriksson served as a deputy squad leader and driver of a KP armoured personnel carrier with UNFICYP in Cyprus.

The presence of KP vehicles, Swedish armoured personnel carriers also known as the “White Elephants,” was controversial in Cyprus. The UN Security Council considered armoured vehicles to be provocative in a peacekeeping mission.

Colonel Waern, the first battalion commander of the Swedish contingent, had insisted on using these vehicles. Although it was eventually decided that the battalion would be permitted to bring the KP vehicles to Cyprus, the Swedish peacekeepers were simultaneously advised against using them.

Henriksson recounts how he and his lieutenant were tasked with reconnoitring a location for an observation post along the road south of Kophinou, a few dozen kilometres southwest of Larnaca, following unrest that had occurred there in March.

"The KP armoured vehicle went like a rocket because the engine's rev limiter had been disconnected. The only thing wrong with it was that it had been named Asta, after the lieutenant's fiancée," Henriksson recalls.

They drove along minor roads and were almost at the intended location of the observation post when, while climbing a hill, the gear lever suddenly snapped off, leaving Henriksson holding most of it in his hand. It was no longer possible to change gears.

They had brought a radio with them, which the lieutenant used to contact someone to come and pick him up. The lieutenant then departed, taking the radio with him. "Goodbye, Henriksson. I'm sure a recovery vehicle will come and pick you up soon," he reportedly said, according to Henriksson.

After a few hours, a vehicle arrived and was able to tow the KP armoured vehicle to the police station in Kophinou. It was at this police station that Turkish Cypriot Fighters, also known as “Turkfighters,” had recently carried out an attack against Swedish and British UN police officers. A headquarters had now been established there, surrounded by a fence. Henriksson remained there for several days until he was finally able to rejoin his battalion.