§ Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give the full particulars, including details of casualties suffered, of what happened when the Jewish refugees from the s.s. "San Dimitrio" were landed in Cyprus.
Mr. Creech JonesDisembarkation from the ships "Ocean Vigour" and "Empire Heywood" on 2nd November was made as usual to "Z" class craft in Famagusta Bay. A considerable swell and the increasing wind necessitated the disembarkation being accelerated beyond the capacity of the motor transport available at the quay to remove the immigrants to the camp. A large party waiting at the quay refused to enter the transport when it arrived and their eventual removal led to unusual congestion in the camp entrance.
During the afternoon the immigrants already admitted made a successful attempt to tear down the perimeter wire and break out of the camp. The situation became extremely dangerous and to restore order the military guard under command of an officer displayed the 2W necessary banner calling upon the people to halt. They did not halt, and certain members of the guard were ordered to fire. Six shots were fired and two Jews were wounded, neither seriously. Three tear smoke grenades had also to be used before order was restored.
About the same time a British sergeant on the camp staff, while looking for two other ranks in the camp, was attacked by the crowd and received severe knife injuries to his head. A party of 40 British other ranks then entered the camp to find the two members of the camp staff reported within and brought them out without further incident, although the party was considerably hustled by the detainees, and some side arms were reported to have been stolen.