[War] Canada: "War-time Journalism"

[Dylan de Valk]

"War-time Journalism"
July. 8
CBC Special Report from Azerbaijan
Canada

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"And now, we'll be airing live footage and a detailed look at the Canadian
war effort in Azerbaijan.  We go to Adrian Arsenault, our War
Correspondent.  Adrian?"  Peter Mansbridge was of course hosting the late
night news.  In Azerbaijan however, it was early morning.

"Thank you Peter.  I'm here in the northern part of Azerbaijan, just south
of the Georgian border.  Yesterday, NATO and Australian troops crossed the
border and swept into Azerbaijan from the northwest.  Many towns like this
one, as you can see behind me, are in ruins, after NATO missile strikes and
bombing runs destroyed Iranian defences.  Iranian forces in this area are in
full retreat, as Canadian troops sweep in, spearheaded by armoured columns
and followed up by infantry, mechanized, and artillery forces.

"At zero hour, yesterday, armoured battalions from Lord Strathcona's Horse
and the 12e Regiment Blinde du Canada struck a decisive blow to Iranian
forces following a fierce air, missile, and artillery bombardment by
Canadian and Allied forces.  Soon after, infantry from several regiments,
including the Royal Canadian Regiment, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light
Infantry, and the Royal 22e Regiment moved in for close fighting in the
towns across Canada's sector of the front.  Casualties were reported,
although the number is currently unknown.  Iranian forces sustained heavy
casualties have withdrawn several kilometres.

"So far this morning, I've seen several CF-18 jets fly overhead on ground
support missions.  Ah, here's two now."  Arsenault was reduced to shouting
because of the dual sonic boom that shook the area.  After the noise faded,
she started again.  "It appears that the jets have been bombing ground
targets in an effort to soften up Iranian resistance.  From what I've been
told they have set up a second defence line further back from the front as a
second resort."

Four distant thuds were heard in the background, presumably the bombs
dropped from the CF-18's.  "Enemy troops are just on the other side of that
mountain," she gestured in direction.  "Peter, back to you."

The screen switched back to the newsroom, where Mansbridge wrapped up that
segment of the news.

McColl turned off the tv.  The reality of it was that more than ten thousand
Canadian troops were overseas, fighting against Iran.  Whole battalions had
been sent, alongside a not insignificant force of about two thousand reserve
troops who had volunteered for the war.

Four frigates and two destroyers were also integrated into NATO naval forces
in the Persian gulf, while a squadron of CF-18 jets provided air cover for
ground forces.  This was the largest operation the CAF had mounted in years,
and so far, was going fairly well too.

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Actions:
1] talk about the military commitment to the Iran War
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