Death Of USS Kitty Hawk D+24 (2 August, 1987) Part II

Two SS-N-19 Shipwreck anti-ship cruise missiles struck USS Kitty Hawk within five seconds of one another. The first Shipwreck hit between the two mid-ship catapults and the second one just aft of the port aircraft elevator. The missiles were each traveling at a speed of close to Mach 2 while carrying 1500-pound warheads. Between the …

Death Of USS Kitty Hawk D+24 (2 August, 1987) Part I

The Soviet Navy’s greatest tactical victory of the war occurred on the final day of the Third World War with the destruction of USS Kitty Hawk in the far northern reaches of the Norwegian Sea. Its effect on the outcome of the war, though, was minimal. The Red Banner Northern Fleet was unable to capitalize …

Uncertain Times Ahead D+24 (2 August, 1987) 2200-2359 Zulu

2205 Zulu- In Moscow consolidation efforts continued in the shadows of major emergency services and civil defense operations in the vicinity of what remained of the Kremlin and Lubyanka. Even the consolidation efforts were limited and dependent upon radiological readings. At the present time the areas giving off the highest readings were predictably those around …

Trigger Fingers Disengaged D+24 (2 August, 2022) 2015-2022 Zulu

2015 Zulu - Dolgikh and Chebrikov had much work to do. As did President Reagan and his advisers. Before signing off, the new Soviet co-leaders proposed an informal ceasefire be set into place beginning at midnight. The next morning, once SACEUR and Marshal Snetkov met and ironed out matters in Germany, work could begin on …

We Were Right To Fear That Weapon D+24 (2 August 1987) 1648-2015 Zulu

1648- On Nightwatch President Reagan is placed in contact with Chebrikov and Dolgikh in the Lenin Hills. They speak for eighteen minutes. The topics discussed have never been confirmed by either the Russian or US governments. Nor have any of the three men involved ever revealed the matters discussed and agreements reached at this time. …

Six To Five And Pick ‘Em D+24 (2 August 1987) 1625-1645

Nightwatch 1625 Zulu (1225 Local) Full text of General Secretary Romanov’s Hotline Message 1620 Zulu, 2 August, 1987: MR PRESIDENT, IMMEDIATELY UPON TRANSMISSION OF THIS MESSAGE TO YOU, I WILL CONTACT THE LEADERS OF THE ABORTED COUP AND DEMAND THEIR UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER BY 1800 HOURS ZULU TIME. FAILURE TO MEET THIS DEMAND WILL RESULT IN …

Hell Bent For Leather D+24 (2 August, 1987) 1605-1620

Aboard Nightwatch 1600 Zulu (1205 Local) Debate over the surgical First Strike option presented by General Vuono continued on and  Reagan’s advisers were divided over the prospect. Those in favor believed time was running critically short. Romanov was a loose cannon suffering from sleep deprivation, stress and did not appear to have full control of …

Final Plays Set In Motion D+24 (2 August, 1987) 1545-1550 Zulu

Aboard Nightwatch (E-4B National Emergency Airborne Command Post) 1545 Zulu (1145 Local) The conference room on Nightwatch had not been designed with comfort or handling a large number of people in mind. Unfortunately, the amount of officials now crammed into the somewhat spartan space was considerable. At the head of the table sat the president. …

Plan For The Remainder of D+24 and August, 2022

Good Sunday evening, everyone. I’m hoping all of you had a good weekend. As promised, I’m going to quickly run through the plan for the rest of D+24 and the next two weeks in general. Regrettably, I will not be able to jump back into completing the narrative entries for the final hours of D+24 …

On The Edge Of The Precipice D+24 (2 August, 1987) 1100-1530 Zulu

1100 Zulu- In Western Poland Marshal Snetkov learns of multiple Soviet divisions in West Germany surrendering to NATO forces. Unfortunately for CINC-West, communication disruptions make it almost impossible to verify the authenticity of the reports. 1115 Zulu- Similar claims of Soviet surrenders are making their way to SACEUR in Belgium. Only his reports come from …