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Van Doos: Keeping the peace in Cyprus
During the First World War, Canada decided to create a military unit that would represent its French-speaking population. As soldiers and peacekeepers, the Royal 22nd Regiment – the famed "Van Doos" – have been among Canada's vanguard in both World Wars, and in hotspots that include Korea, Cyprus, Congo, Bosnia and East Timor. The distinct language and culture of the regiment have afforded unique opportunities, and posed frequent challenges.
Most of the Van Doos soldiers don't speak Greek, Turkish or English, but they are the only force ready to relieve the beleaguered British troops on the island. When the Royal 22nd's 1st Battalion lands on Cyprus, CBC Television's Morley Safer is given a hair-raising Jeep tour of the "Green Line" (known locally as "Murder Mile") separating the armed partisans.
• Hostilities boiled over once again in Cyprus in 1974, and Turkey invaded and captured more than a third of the island, which they still control. The United Nations has maintained a peacekeeping presence in Cyprus ever since, supervising ceasefire lines, maintaining a buffer zone and helping with humanitarian activities.
• Morley Safer began his journalism career as a newspaper reporter. He was a CBC Television correspondent and producer in the 1950s, then joined CBS News in the United States in April 1964. In 1970, he became co-editor of 60 Minutes.
Program: CBC Newsmagazine
Broadcast Date: March 18, 1964
Guest(s): Col. Amyo, Georges P. Vanier
Host: Harry Nuttal
Reporter: Morley Safer
Duration: 27:09
Last updated: February 2, 2012
Page consulted on April 17, 2013
All Clips from this Topic
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During the Second World War, members of the Royal 22nd Regiment pause ...
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Shortly after receiving the Victoria Cross, Triquet tells Marcel Ouime...
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From Quebec City, a review of a war hero's life and his regiment.
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Back at home, the celebrated hero helps drum up support for Victory Lo...
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Casa Berardi: the Royal 22nd are pinned down and almost wiped out. But...
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In a training exercise, the Van Doos make the most perilous air drop i...
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Silent film of Royal 22nd troops training in the snow before shipping ...
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After three years on UN standby, the Van Doos are suddenly airlifted t...
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First World War: The Royal 22nd is decimated at Arras, France. Their l...
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Triquet and Jean-Victor Allard recall the actions that earned Triquet ...
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Memories of a priest on the Italian front.
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A sergeant of the Royal 22nd recalls a daring helicopter rescue missio...
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All soldiers think their unit is the best, but members of the Royal 22...
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Van Doos vets recall Second World War arrival in Italy.
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Most French Canadians are unenthusiastic about fighting the First Worl...
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"This is not an offensive mission," Van Doos are told about removing b...
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On a cold Korean hill known only by its elevation, the Van Doos defend...
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In Yugoslavia, Cpt. Angela Mondeux is a bit of an oddity among some in...
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In the besieged city of Srebrenica, Royal 22nd peacekeepers have the d...
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Budget cuts kill the regiment's band. Will Batisse the 7th be next?