Legendary American correspondent Ernie Pyle (centre left) with a U.S. Marine patrol during the Pacific campaign in World War II.  (U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE)

The first casualty: Media independence

in war

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

It was March 12, 2002, and I was about to embark on my first major combat operation as a war correspondent for The Canadian Press news service in Afghanistan.

Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran, commanding the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (3 PPCLI) Battle Group, had assembled his troops for a final briefing prior to Canada’s first-ever helicopter-borne assault.

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More from Front Lines

• The Canadian Press distributes wartime news for troops overseas
• Lost and found: High-flying CP warco survives shoot down
• The Doomsday Clock has never been closer to midnight than it is now

HMCS Victoria arrives at Naval Submarine Base Bangor in October 2004.[WIKIMEDIA]

The last barrier broken

STORY BY PAIGE JASMINE GILMAR

When Canadian women were finally allowed to serve on submarines in March 2001, Vice-Admiral Greg Maddison made it clear that the Canadian navy was just looking for “the right people.”

Even though most positions in the Canadian Armed Forces had been open to women since 1989, submarines had remained operated by only males due to the “cramped conditions” on Oberon-class boats. However, when the CAF acquired four Victoria-class subs in 2001, the more spacious and private vessels allowed Canada to join Norway, Sweden and Australia as one of the first countries to allow women as submariners.

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More from Military Milestones

• The Battle of Paardeberg: a landmark engagement
• The Silver Dart: Canada’s first successful plane and the RCAF
• Cold War continental defence

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Munro’s account is topped by a picture of Fulford and Purcell putting the first edition of The Canadian Press News together in the wee hours of April 27, 1942 after the national plebiscite on compulsory military service.    (CP FILES)                   

The Canadian Press distributes wartime news for troops overseas

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

It seemed an assignment more suited to a cub reporter, not the intrepid journalist who would become the national news service’s most celebrated war correspondent.

But then, this was The Canadian Press, for which no story was too small or too big, and there he was, Ross Munro, a man for all seasons, asking troops how they liked the first edition of The Canadian Press News, a weekly newsletter for Canadian servicemen and women overseas.

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More from Front Lines

• Lost and found: High-flying CP warco survives shoot down
• The Doomsday Clock has never been closer to midnight than it is now
• The U.S., Britain and the WW II bombing campaign in Europe

Royal Canadian Regiment preparing an assault on the Boer Fortifications at the Modder River.[WIKIMEDIA]

The Battle of Paardeberg: a landmark engagement

STORY BY PAIGE JASMINE GILMAR

It’s the 124th anniversary of the Boer War’s Battle of Paardeberg. Not only was it a major British victory in what is also known as the South African War, but it was a landmark engagement for Canadian forces. It was the first time the country participated in a foreign conflict.

In 1899, the British called on the Canadians for reinforcements in the Boer War. Though Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier opposed the request, English Canada was resoundingly in favour, so a thousand volunteer soldiers were sent as part of the 2nd (Special Service) Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.

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More from Military Milestones

• The Silver Dart: Canada’s first successful plane and the RCAF
• Cold War continental defence
• Remembering Canada’s first national aerobatics team—and its legendary aircraft

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