<div dir="ltr">"War-time Journalism"<br>July. 8<br>CBC Special Report from Azerbaijan<br>Canada<br><br>-----------------<br><br>"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.<br>
<br>"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.<br>
<br>"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 Iranian forces sustained heavy casualties have withdrawn several kilometres. <br>
<br>"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." <br>
<br>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."<br>
<br>The screen switched back to the newsroom, where Mansbridge wrapped up that segment of the news.<br><br>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.<br>
<br>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.<br>
<br>-------------------<br><br>Actions:<br>1] talk about the military commitment to the Iran War<br></div>